On March 12, I received a phone call from the neighbors of where Dahsha and Salami Mami ran away from, saying they just saved one of the siblings from an attack at the house while the homeowner was gone. A neighbor ran over at the sound of multiple dogs attacking another dog, she said it was the most horrifying sound she'd ever heard. She saw (Angelo) pinned and being mauled by multiple other dogs in the yard and she fearlessly ran and grabbed him. She took him to the neighbor across the street, who helped me with Dahsha & Salami Mami's rescue. Between the two of them, they have 14 rescued dogs. He called me to tell me what happened and I drove over there.
At the sight of Angelo I burst into tears, as he was only a young pup, ripped to shreds and nearly decapitated, not to mention starved. Amongst the three of us, we agreed that he was on the brink of death and would die in a matter of hours if he didn't receive medical care. They had already called animal control, who were on the way. But I saw that he wanted to live and was hoping that we would care for him, also, that he was clearly Salami Mami's twin brother. All of my heart strings were pulling at me, so I told Angelo, "come on cutie, we're going to the emergency room."
Driving down the mountain, I decided that if he and Dahsha didn't get along that I would, in the very least, rehabilitate and rehome him. My casita is small and I wasn't sure about taking in another traumatized, feral dog and how that would go with Dahsha. Then, I thought - best case scenario - he would recover and become BFF's with Dahsha. Watching her look for Salami Mami the first few weeks after rescuing her was so sad. So, the idea of him surviving and having a happy home, along with her having a buddy again, was my highest hope.
After arriving at the ER, the doc wasn't sure if he would make it due to his condition being so critical. They weren't able to operate for two days because he was so dehydrated and starved. Once his vitals stabilized, they operated. Now, after 4-5 weeks, he has recovered beautifully and has come out of survival mode. Caring for Angelo has required constant focus and attention, making my jewelry-work duties secondary in importance. His vet bills were $9, 846 -- they gave me a 25% discount because he was a rescue, but the cost was well over $7k, which is an insane amount of money to me, a metalsmith.
Both of these pups have become my children, my top priority, and I feel I've been given the ultimate gift of being their new guardian. It is an honor and blessing to my heart and whole life to give my love and care to these beautiful and sweet puppies.
As of today, April 21, they officially became buddies -- Dahsha slowly but surely came around and we started our morning outside together with both of them licking each other's noses profusely and playing together. As of today, they're playing inside together. This is a huge sigh of relief, as I didn't know if they would assimilate harmoniously, given their individual traumas of both being attacked and nearly killed in those attacks, in combination with the hostile, loveless environment of neglect from which they both came.
The vet said Angelo had old wounds as well, which means he had been bullied and tortured repeatedly, just because he wanted to eat and there wasn't enough food available. He's only 1 year old. His wee-wee also has a hard time staying in its little pocket and we think it's due to him being bitten in his groin, causing muscle tissue damage.
Since Angelo's attack and rescue, Animal Control has seized two truck-loads of young pups from the hoarding house to rehome, and the homeowner agreed to have his females spayed (for free). This was the best ending any of us could have hoped for in this ongoing saga.
My casita is at max capacity and I cannot bring anymore animals into my home, but if I had a bigger house, yard, and income, I certainly would. This entire experience has been life-changing to say the very least, and I know it has impacted so many others. Thank you to everyone who has been by my side offering encouragement, support, and advice along the way. It truly has been an entire village rooting for and loving these two dogs.
There is no goal for this Spotfund -- if you'd like to contribute to their care, it's now available. Thank you again. Sara Liberto, Sunhawk Studio
