Good people gave ‘Sara’ a second chance

Guest Commentary

This is the story of a greyhound named Sara. But more than that, it’s a story of people getting together under unusual circumstances to save the life of a dog who suffered pain and mental anguish almost beyond description; a dog that came to the Santa Cruz Humane Society with worms, with a leg that had been smashed by a car and at one point in time had been wired back together in such a way that it was impossible to walk on all four legs.

Sara existed with constant bouts of diarrhea that left her weak and unstable. She feared everything and was diagnosed by a veterinarian as living with constant overwhelming pain.

Her return to the world of the living began with a gal named Barb, a Santa Cruz Humane Society volunteer dog walker, who fell in love with Sara at first glance. Barb, at the time, also walked dogs as a volunteer at The Animal League of Green Valley. Desperately, Barb saw a need that the SCHS could not pursue financially and so approached the good people at The Animal League to ask for help in finding a solution to Sara’s problem.

The dog was taken to The Animal League and examined by the consulting vet who recommended removal of the leg (the left rear leg) as the only humane solution,

The leg was immediately amputated. Barb took Sara home to continue with her care, but eventually had to return her to SCHS where she came under the care of people who would work diligently to make her comfortable until she could find a good home. But Barb didn’t quit there. Instead, she contacted a greyhound-rescue group who, without hesitation, placed her in foster care where she presently resides in comfort, perhaps for the first time in her life.

So the tale goes on; and thanks to all the good folks, Sara will eventually find a good home where she can live without fear of ever again feeling unloved.

Bob Cuthbert is an author of children’s stories, and long-time resident of Green Valley.