A Happy Ending...

Well we had a very happy story emerge from a very sad and long drawn out animal abuse (neglect) case in Jeff's neighborhood. One of Jeff's neighbors, whom I have talked about before had a sweet boxer that he kept out in his filthy yard and he was never EVER home. The guy literally came in once a week, if that, to check on his house. So I saw this poor boxer probably a month and a half ago and my mind was never the same. Jeff & I have been battling with Cobb County Animal Control ever since, and let me say they were completely useless. We called AC on the guy immediately and they did nothing to help the sweet boxer. They told us that as long as she wasn't starving, they really didn't care if he was never home.

Once AC came out, the owner told AC that he worked very long hours and that is why he was never home and AC believed him. So after repeatedly calling AC, I turned to my own measures. I contacted the Cobb County Humane Society Board of Directors and they came out to see the yard. They were horrified as well and put in another call to AC, but no results ever came of it.

About a week ago I decided that it was time to put aside my feelings for the animal abuser and try to reach out to him for the boxer's sake. So I left a very nice note in his mail box and waited for him to contact me. I basically told him my name and stated that I would like to help him with his boxer or the other option of relinquishing the dog to me. Well nothing ever came of this and last Saturday on Halloween, I saw the owner come in. Poor Jeff was on the couch sleeping soundly because it was such a nasty rainy day and I woke him up to tell him that I was heading over to confront the abuser. I literally ate the guy alive and I was just waiting on him to pull out a gun and shoot me, but at that point I didn't really care because all the neighbors and Jeff were watching. He had no defense and at the end of my conversation he asked me if I wanted the dog. That's what he called his precious boxer, "the dog." So I immediately said "yes, of course" expecting to have the boxer handed over to me immediately and he told me to give him a day.

I stormed off furious at that point with all the neighbors watching and what drives me crazy about the majority of our population is that they don't want to get involved to help others or even animals in distress. They love to watch and see what happens, but they don't CARE enough to pick up the phone and make a call, or walk over to help a neighbor in need. Most people are inherently selfish and immune to others' needs. I just wish more people cared, but what I've grown to learn is that you can't make that happen.

So after the argument, the abuser drove off and my hopes of saving the boxer were dwindling. I felt like it was my last ditch effort. We had a very nice Halloween, but every time I'd go outside, I heard her poor cries sting through the air. It just broke my heart. Then on Sunday afternoon around 1pm, Jeff looked out the window and told me that the abuser was outside on the phone pointing at Jeff's house. So I told Jeff that he was probably calling the police on me, and I immediately began looking out the blinds to see what he was doing. He walked in the house and came out with the boxer and my spirits instantly lifted. He parked in front of our house and he told us that his ex wife wanted to adopt the dog from him and we had a decent conversation (Jeff is super sweet ALWAYS) with him.

He went on to tell us his sob story which is no excuse for why he's left a 2-year-old boxer in his backyard neglected for Lord knows how long, but anyway I was nice and told him that he was doing the best thing for her. I was amazed that he actually was doing something to help her and in my heart, even though I really WANTED the boxer for us, I knew that she was most likely headed to a happy home. I can't imagine any mother taking poor care of children or animals. He went on to explain that he told his wife that if she couldn't financially or physically provide for her, to bring the boxer back to us and we would keep her.

We shook hands and told him that he was doing the right thing, but as they drove off I was mixed with emotions. I saw her sweet face and it made me sad because I wanted her for us, but I was also happy that she was headed to a good home. I'll never have to hear her sad cries and look into those lonely eyes who only wanted love. I'm happy she is out of her Hell and living a better life. And maybe, just maybe, we'll see her again one day.