Kilo, a three-year-old Rottweiler, was confiscated by the Norfolk, Virginia SPCA when her owner was arrested for dealing drugs. She was found chained to a fence, nursing a litter of puppies. Bred twice a year and practically starved, Kilo weighed only forty-one pounds. She was severely sway-backed and her inch-long, deformed nipples, the result of having so many litters, hung loosely. Her sparse coat was dry and straw-like, and the skin showing through was irritated by hot spots, dermatitis, and a severe infestation of fleas and ticks. Cigarette burns on her ears attested to the abuse she had endured, and a deep scar around her neck, caused by her puppy collar becoming imbedded in her skin as she outgrew it, attested to the neglect she had survived.
Meanwhile, John and Linda Greene of Virginia Beach, Virginia, wanted a friend for Max, their neutered male Rottweiler. They contacted a rescue organization, requested a female, and were told Kilo's story. But they were also told not to get their hopes up as there was a strong possibility Kilo wouldn’t be adoptable. Not only did she have to be held until her owner went to court, but she was in deplorable physical condition, and no one knew how severely the long-term abuse had affected her personality.
Two months later. Kilo’s owner went to court and the charges were dropped. He wanted Kilo back, but couldn’t come up with the impound fees. Since the dog gave no evidence of aggression during her confinement, the Greenes were notified that she was finally available for adoption.
“When I saw her the first time I felt anger and horror,” said Linda Greene, “but I also looked into a beautiful face. She wasn’t aggressive and didn’t cower from me. In fact, she looked at me as if to say, ‘What took you so long? I’ve been waiting for you. ' One look and I knew I wouldn’t leave the shelter without her.”
Soon the Greenes learned that saving a destitute dog can play havoc with a budget. Kilo had no medical records and needed all her inoculations. They also had her spayed, tested for fecal- and heartworms, and treated for skin problems. “During all the poking, prodding, and needle sticking, she behaved with dignity and seem thrilled at just being touched,” Linda said. “Our veterinarian even commented that taking a blood sample is probably a kindness to her.”
To mark Kilo’s second start, the Greenes changed her name to Kira. Since she didn’t respond to her old name anyway, there was no need to keep the moniker bestowed upon her by a drug dealer. On the road to recovery Kira explored the house, learning for the first time what it’s like to live indoors. She and Max became good buddies and she thrived with enough to eat, toys of her own, and affectionate attention. Even while adjusting, Kira never bothered the family cats and was always calm and trusting with people. “It’s as if we had her from a puppy,” Linda says.
Today Kira weighs eighty-four pounds and she and Max have a new friend, a rescue Mastiff named April. Except for continuing skin problems, which her veterinarian believes are permanent, she is healthy and secure. '"Kira's a most welcome addition to our family,” Linda says, “and in spite of the money we invested in her health we’ve never regretted giving her a second chance.”
Lifestyles of Destitute Dogs
Destitute dogs may be registered purebreds or unrecognizable mixes, but they all have a few unfortunate things in common. They are all unloved, unwanted, unkept, and unhealthy. Some have been starved, abused, or thrown out to fend for themselves. Others were born behind the dumpster in a filthy alley and never had a home to be thrown out of.
Some destitute dogs have never walked on a leash, or navigated stairs, or been petted, or fed a biscuit, or heard pots and pans rattle, or the sounds of a dishwasher, a toilet, or a hair dryer. In fact, many have never even seen the inside of a house.
Other destitute dogs lived in houses where they were regularly kicked or beaten. They may panic when someone buckles or unbuckles their belt, cringe at the sight of a rolled-up newspaper, back away if someone lights a cigarette, tremble at the scent of alcohol, or hide when they hear loud, male, or children’s voices.
Destitute dogs often have bad manners at feeding time because memories of starvation seldom fade quickly. They may inhale their food almost without chewing and strike a protective stance over their dish.
Destitute dogs are often completely untrained and uncivilized. To understand how completely, imagine what would happen if a young man who grew up deep in the jungle was suddenly snatched up, put on an airplane, and deposited on your doorstep as your permanent house guest. A virtual wild man, he would be used to hunting, even fighting for food. He wouldn’t understand your language, manners, clothing, appliances, or even your music. He would miss his freedom, even though freedom meant a meager diet, raids by hostile tribes, disease, and a constant struggle just to survive. He would also miss his tribesmen, even though they competed with him for the scant supply of available food.
Now imagine some of the incidents that might occur during the early weeks of your wild man’s visit as he learns about table manners, television sets, radios, doorbells, phones, indoor plumbing, cars, and clothing—all without the benefit of a common language. Eventually he will learn to communicate with you, and you’ll learn to “read” his body language. Finally he’ll start trusting you and enjoying the conveniences of a modern home. And so will your destitute dog. But the first weeks won’t be easy. Not for you and not for your dog.
Why Bother to Adopt a Destitute Dog?
Turning a destitute dog into a desirable pet is an act of faith, mixed with an aura of magic, backed up by a lot of hard work, and sometimes, more than a little money. Is it for you?
Do you want a dog that adjusts quickly or are you willing to take on a project? Will veterinary bills be a major or minor sacrifice? Do you look forward to walking your dog with pride right away, or would you enjoy seeing your pathetic pet slowly blossom into a beauty? Do you have patience, extra time, and a history of saving strays? Was Cinderella your favorite bedtime story?
Destitute dogs need more understanding, more love, more socialization, and more training than dynamite dogs. Many people relish the challenge. If you always root for the underdog, this could be your opportunity to turn one underdog into a lucky dog. It isn’t hard to find a homeless dog. Unfortunately, there are thousands of unwanted dogs in shelters. And while you can’t do anything about all of them, you can make all the difference in the world to one of them.
Wondering where you can find a destitute dog to adopt? Read the next article to find out.
