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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 18, 2010 9:07:13 GMT -5
Apparently (according to Eric Bellows' FB page) some people are criticizing keeping this dog alive. www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/dog-neglected-for-years-taken-under-rescue-ink-s-wingI obviously have never seen Vesper and don't know the in's and out's of his medical condition but Eric Bellows posted something on FB along the lines of "Vesper's will to live" is what is keeping him alive. The reply wasn't science-based (no note on his veterinary condition) enough for me to warrant believing this poor thing should indeed be allowed to suffer any longer. A dog cannot think in terms of "Will to live" and "This may soon be over, so I will keep hanging on". That is strictly a human mental construct. Frankly, I've seen a lot of dogs used as nothing more than fundraising tools and this dog, a senior, in this sort of condition, IMO, should most likely be released from his suffering. I looked at his pictures and I am sick to my stomach right now. Sometimes rescue work is about LETTING THEM GO TO THE NEXT WORLD, finally, after SO many tortured years. Has anyone following this story seen any updates that detail his medical condition and progression? Please share your thoughts.....for some reason, this poor dog's pictures struck a REALLY sensitive nerve this morning.  |
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Post by sugar on Nov 18, 2010 9:18:25 GMT -5
I've been seeing the progress on this dog occasionally. From what they are posting, the dog is putting on weight ( good healthy amount), learning to play (very sweet on female dogs, they have posted videos if him wagging his tail and playing with a gentle female), cuddling up up people every chance he gets and his prognosis seems to be getting better.
I guess its a hard thing when you are trying to figure out when to put them down, which ones to put down and which ones to keep fighting for. Not really sure how I feel about the whole situation just yet, but I will say that he seems to be getting better (at least according to what Rescue Ink posts about Vesper).
Guess he just reminds me a lot of Tivi a sharpei-pitbull mix I'm friends with on FB who was found on the side of the road with a broken hip, a broken leg, his mouth duct taped shut and he had been set on fire. He had a long road to recovery but now lives a very happy life with his new adoptive family (who built special ramps for him, abide by all his PTSD rules and put sunscreen and sweaters on him everyday because he has no fur).
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Post by maryellen on Nov 18, 2010 9:24:42 GMT -5
i cant see the link  its not coming up. |
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 18, 2010 9:25:52 GMT -5
Thank you. Glad to hear there is some improvement. I don't really follow Rescue Ink and I just happened upon this post this morning about the criticism and basically saying "Well the dog hasn't died yet" didn't cut it for me in terms of why he shouldn't have been euth'd from the get-go, especially when his condition was so dire and painful.
I agree it isn't always easy trying to figure out when they should be let go, and everyone does their best in terms of making choices for the dogs in their care. I am just very jaded by rescue work and especially lately have seen the dogs used as tools to boost ego and raise funds that go to questionable "expenses", not back to the dogs. It has become more about "image" and "Ooo look at me, look at what I am doing!" especially with some orgs around these parts.
I saw the pix when Vesper was first rescued and honestly especially given his age, I don't think *I* personally would have had the heart to force him to stay in his body any longer.
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 18, 2010 9:26:47 GMT -5
i cant see the link its not coming up. Looks like there is some site maintenance going on. Hopefully it'll be back up soon. |
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 18, 2010 9:28:49 GMT -5
It's back up, now.
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Post by sugar on Nov 18, 2010 9:28:57 GMT -5
I know what you mean Mary, some people keep dogs alive for the wrong reasons (as we have seen too many times with overly people aggressive dogs, or unstable dogs or every unhealthy dogs). Like I said, I don't fully know how I feel yet. Its very confusing between heart and head for me.
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 18, 2010 9:32:16 GMT -5
Like I said, I don't fully know how I feel yet. Its very confusing between heart and head for me. Exactly, which is why I posted this....just to hear others' thoughts. Btw, this was not posted as criticism of Rescue Ink or Bellows. |
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Post by adoptapitbull on Nov 18, 2010 9:37:21 GMT -5
Yeah, I can't see it either.
Were any of you following the story of Firu, the bulldog dragged behind a truck?
Most of this dog's skin was ripped off with unbelievable road rash. He had so many deep wounds that required countless surgeries. Personally, I would have put him down due to the extreme pain he must've been in. I can't imagine what he went through. Thankfully now he is almost healed after I believe 2 months in the vet hospital. It looks like he will fully recover. My thought was, though, what if he didn't make it? Then all the pain and suffering was for nothing.
Euthanasia is such a hard decision to make. Even if you know it's right, sometimes you still can't make yourself do it. Sometimes people hold on to hope, even at their pet's expense. Hopefully this dog will recover, and it will all not be for nothing.
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Post by maryellen on Nov 18, 2010 9:44:12 GMT -5
ok saw the link, but no pics of the dog when he first was found. watched the video, it was sorta dark but it looks like he has fur except for one spot on his hind leg area, but he looked good.
i have seen rescues try to save dogs that were in really bad shape and they didnt make it, and i have seen some make it. its a catch 22 .
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 18, 2010 9:45:44 GMT -5
The above link works for me, but I am sure if you Google Eric "Bellows Rescue Ink Vesper" you will come up with plenty of hits.
To me, this issue is similar to the issue of whether or not to spend time and money on "rehabilitating" a dog with behavioral issues; you may or may not see the improvement you hope for, but in the mean time you are spending resources that could be used for other dogs.
I'm not saying do not save the dogs with medical conditions - not by any means! Guess it is a case-by-case thing, but those pix of Vesper when he was first rescued. My god.
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 18, 2010 9:50:18 GMT -5
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Post by sugar on Nov 18, 2010 9:52:10 GMT -5
Yeah, on the right side of the youtube vid there is a video of when they first brought him in, his waist must have been like 8 inches around because he was so thin, his paws were puffy and bleeding (worst case of mange the vet had ever seen), acid burns and parasites. After a few weeks he is the dog you see in the newer video sniffing around the female JRTmix. He has put on weight (and continues) and is a very sweet dog (no real behavioral issues, not even food guarding which always surprises me in starvation cases).
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Post by maryellen on Nov 18, 2010 9:56:20 GMT -5
ok, saw pics on fb.
if the dog has a great temperment, its up to the rescue to treat and try to save the dog.. to each his own.. everyone will do things different..
its a catch 22, and every rescue will do things different..
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 18, 2010 9:56:37 GMT -5
Here is the update vid.
Poor sweet baby.
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 18, 2010 10:03:12 GMT -5
......is a very sweet dog (no real behavioral issues, not even food guarding which always surprises me in starvation cases). Yeah, resource guarding really is a temperament issue, not an environmental one IMO&E. |
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Post by emilys on Nov 18, 2010 13:39:28 GMT -5
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 18, 2010 14:07:15 GMT -5
Considering I don't even believe these dogs should be bred in the first place..................
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Post by Dave on Nov 18, 2010 14:19:39 GMT -5
Random thoughts...
I have no issues if the resources are there to make the dog a better life, then run with it. My own sister spend $5500 on a poorly bred yorkie to fix a liver shunt twice, and never regretted it.
It's a much more difficult decision if the resources are not available.
Some people spend thousands to make a dog better. I was always one to say I could not do that, there are far too many needing help; to help one that sucks up the money that could help many doesn't make any sense.
That is, until Lola got sick and sucked up $3500 that I didn't have.
Sometimes a person or group gets it in their head that we owe the animal anything and everything that we can do. Sometimes it's an apology, as I feel it is in Vesper's case. How much money was invested in the Vick dogs?
Summing up, if the effort eases their pain and lengthens and enriches their lives, then do it for them. But never do it to make yourself feel better.
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Post by RealPitBull on Nov 18, 2010 14:21:31 GMT -5
Summing up, if the effort eases their pain and lengthens and enriches their lives, then do it for them. But never do it to make yourself feel better. I agree 100000000000%. |
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its not coming up.
