Heartbreaking Condition
In a world where the fortunes of our canine companions can shift so abruptly, the story of a young Labrador Retriever named Timber serves as a sobering reminder of the perils faced by many dogs. While some are blessed to find their forever homes, countless others face the harsh realities of abandonment, illness, and the ever-looming specter of crossing the rainbow bridge alone.
(Source: @tacomahumane)
It was in the secluded woods of Eatonville, Washington, that the rescuers from The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County stumbled upon Timber, a mere eight-month-old pup, whose condition was so dire that their hearts sank at the sight. According to their Facebook post, the young canine was found on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, unable to even walk, his body ravaged by the ravages of neglect and disease.
(Source: The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County)
Laura Green, the marketing coordinator for the shelter, painted a harrowing picture of Timber’s state, telling Newsweek that the pup’s “sunken eyes, lethargy, severe dehydration, and elevated heart rate” were just the tip of the iceberg. The true threat to Timber’s life lay in the grip of a deadly virus – canine parvovirus, one of the most devastating ailments that can strike a young dog.
(Source: @tacomahumane)
As WebMD explains, this highly contagious and potentially fatal illness is particularly devastating for puppies, leaving them in a desperate and dire condition. It is a testament to the swift action and unwavering dedication of the Tacoma shelter’s rescuers that Timber was found in time, for had he remained in the woods but a moment longer, his fate would have been sealed.
A Brighter Future Ahead Of Him
(Source: @tacomahumane)
The moment the rescuers laid eyes on the struggling Timber, their hearts were heavy with sadness, but that sorrow only fueled their determination to save the young pup’s life. Wasting no time, they rushed the critically ill canine to the shelter’s veterinary team, where the race against time began.
“Once infected, immediate medical intervention is required to give the dog a fighting chance against the disease,” Green stated, her words echoing the gravity of Timber’s situation. Yet, in a stroke of serendipity, the Labrador had been found just in time, allowing the dedicated staff to administer the necessary treatment and set him on the path to recovery.
(Source: @tacomahumane)
“Timber came to our care just in time to receive treatment and begin on the road to recovery,” Green said, her words a testament to the life-saving intervention that had unfolded. While the journey ahead was undoubtedly arduous, with Timber still far from being “out of the woods,” the shelter’s unwavering commitment to his well-being shone through.
Recognizing the crucial need for a loving and nurturing environment during Timber’s convalescence, the Tacoma shelter quickly found the young pup a foster home, a sanctuary where he could heal not only his physical wounds but also the invisible scars that had been etched upon his soul.
“Timber may be out of the forest, but he’s not out of the woods yet,” Green acknowledged, her words a sober reminder of the challenges that still lay ahead. “Despite the long road ahead, he has maintained a gentle demeanor and cooperation throughout his treatments.”
It is in this delicate balance of hope and pragmatism that the shelter’s approach to Timber’s recovery shines. They understand that while the physical hurdles may be daunting, the emotional and psychological toll of Timber’s ordeal must also be addressed with the utmost care and compassion.
And so, as the young Labrador’s journey continues, the shelter and his foster family stand ready to shepherd him towards a brighter future, one where the terrors of the past are replaced by the warmth of a loving forever home. For in Timber’s resilience, we are reminded of the indomitable spirit that resides in the canine heart, a spirit that yearns for the embrace of a family and the promise of a life filled with joy and belonging.
@tacomahumane Alone in the woods, he was slowly dying without any hope in sight. On Wednesday, Timber was found stranded in a wooded Eatonville area, incapacitated and unable to walk on his own. He was carried out to safety and brought to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, where our caring veterinary team was waiting to assess the fading dog. The 8-month-old Labrador’s eyes were deeply sunken due to severe dehydration, and he coated his kennel in bloody diarrhea. A test revealed what our team suspected, parvovirus was wreaking havoc on his organs, and without immediate intervention, he was susceptible to a slow, painful death. Our veterinary team immediately began intensive treatment, including a $1,200 antibody medicine, to give Timber his best chance for survival. Fighting parvovirus is expensive, time-consuming, and requires round-the-clock care, IV fluids, nutritious food, and more. Timber will continue to receive hydrating fluids and medications to ease his nausea and diarrhea until he clears the virus. His recovery will take weeks, but with your help, our compassionate team will continue to care for him as he fights for his life. Your donation today will put life-saving resources directly in the hands of our pet care team to treat Timber and all the dogs, cats, and critters who need it most. Donate on this post or use the link in the Linktree in our Bio. ⚠️ Warning ⚠️ some images on the donation page may be graphic in nature. #parvovirus #parvo #shelterdog #dogrescue #rescuedog #veterinarymedicine #vetmed ♬ Slowed Jacob and the Stone – 🌃