Who Is Meg?

The first I heard of Meg came with the words, “She’s in bad really bad shape. We don’t know if she will make the transport from South Georgia.” She was full of lumps and bumps, was flea infested, had skin infections, suffered ear infections, had a torn eyelid, broken teeth filled her mouth, sad looking elbows suggested she did not have the opportunity to lay on soft surfaces, patches of sunburned fur were present, abnormally grown skin was seen hanging from her chest, was beyond pitiful levels of starvation, ambulated on 3 legs secondary to a severely broken leg that dangled from her hip, ridden with stage 4 heart worms, and was declared an intact female in need of being spayed.

The day I was asked to go check on Meg at the vet for the first time after her intake to AWCR I was told she was a starvation case and was not in good shape. I sat in my car in the parking lot of the vet and called my dear friend who ran rescue for years and asked her how one goes in to bond with a dog that will most likely not make it. She said in all her years she always knew which dogs were done and which ones were still full of life and the determination to carry on. How do I do this? She told me to turn my car off and walk in the door and help the dog. After all, it wasn’t about me. It was about helping a dog in need. And so, I turned my car off and walked in. 

As I walked in I gave myself a pep talk that although I was about to see one of the worst situations I had ever seen, I had to go in. I had to do it. I walked in that first day and sweet Meg with 4 legs at the time came hopping out of her crate on 3 legs like she had done it her whole life. I instantly embraced her at her head. I struggled really hard to look at her body. It was horrific. She was a skeleton, pure skin and bones. I had never seen anything like it before. It was painful to look at her. I struggled. I really struggled. I really really struggled. The next day I went back to visit her and embraced her head again. She leaned into me, almost pushing me down to where I was practically holding her. I continued to embrace her, petting her head, loving on her, and talking to her. That day I learned that it wasn’t about me not wanting to touch her beyond her head because her starvation was so horrific to visually process. It wasn’t about me being mad or in disbelief that someone somewhere did this to her or let this happen to her. It wasn’t about me trying to fight tears. It wasn’t about me being angry or sad. It was about Meg needing me to be okay with it so I could touch her beyond her head and love her. She needed hope. Meg taught me how to get over myself. Meg taught me how to not look the other way because it hurts. Meg taught me how to be bigger than anyone or anything horrific. Meg was already bigger than any of it. That day in that moment I made a promise to myself and to Meg that I too shall be bigger and better.

After visiting her every day for a few days (some days several times per day), praying, and knowing she had so much life left in her, I heard the words, “We are amputating Meg’s leg on Friday.” With those words came hope. Meg had hope. There was a treatment plan in place in hopes she’d successfully travel through the journey to recovery. Despite the horrific things that happened to her and the odds against her, Meg had hope! I brought her home on July 3, 2017.

Her leg was amputated and she finally bounced around pain free. Her lumps and bumps were removed. The ear infections were treated. Her torn ear healed with time. Fleas were treated. Her skin infections and patches of sun discoloration got better over time and have turned into a beautiful shade of gray. Heartworm treatment wasn’t easy nor a quick process, but by golly those heartworms finally died off. With the weight gain of 25lbs, Meg was no longer a victim of starvation. On November 3, 2017 I became a proud foster fail. Meg found her forever family who loved her and cherished her.

Was Meg’s road to recovery over? Not yet, but we were close to being able to make right many things done wrong to her so that she can go on to live the rest of her life both healthy and happy. After worry and question, it was declared that Meg was safely able to be spayed and so she was.

Meg went on to become a therapy dog bringing comfort and joy to many. She volunteered at assisted living facilities, a women’s and children’s shelter, and did home visits for individuals in need. Meg was proficient in all training commands and knew over 12 different signs of sign language. There are so many wonderful stories of her career as a therapy dog. She was AMAZING. She was like magic. Meg always knew who needed her. I was her handler, yet she always led the way. Calmness and peace always surrounded her. You could feel it as she entered the room. She taught me just how precious the human animal bond is for which I am forever grateful.

In June 2019 Meg began acting ill. She became lethargic and wasn’t eating well. After extensive testing including a bone marrow biopsy, it was discovered that she had an autoimmune disorder called Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP). She was medicated with steroids and went on to live life to the fullest for another 8 months.

In February 2020 a palpable area in Meg’s abdomen developed. She was taken to the vet and  ultrasound and radiographs were ordered. Meg left the vet on a Thursday and declined during the night. She returned to the vet first thing the next day. It was discovered that her spleen was irregularly shaped, her gallbladder was enlarged, her blood platelets were depleted and she was anemic. Her bloodwork was suggestive of possible cancer. She was suffering from pleural effusion and struggling to breathe. In the blink of an eye I was forced to keep my promise to never let her suffer. On February 7, 2020 I said goodbye to my best friend. She passed peacefully surrounded by family who loved and adored her. I said goodbye and my life was forever changed.

So many times we could have looked at Meg and asked why. Why was she so incredibly neglected? Why exhaust funds and take so many chances on such a sickly, damaged, and depleted dog? Meg is living proof why rescue works. I hope each of you gets the chance to meet Meg one day if you have not already met her. She’s pretty darn amazing and such an inspiration to those who meet her. I can promise you that she has purpose in this world greater than any of us. I knew that the day I met her.

Because of Meg I learned the true meaning of rescue. When we open our home and our hearts to a rescue dog we don’t always know what we will get. It might present challenges we didn’t know exist and financial struggles, but there is one thing that always holds true. When we rescue a pet they somehow find a way of rescuing us in more ways than we could ever dream of rescuing them. Witnessing an animal have a second chance to go on to live a happy and thriving life is worth all the paperwork, transports, fundraising, vet intervention, and foster placements. In the end there is the perfect foster fail, adoptive family, and furever home. Is rescue worth it? Yes. The answer is yes. Because of Meg I know the answer is yes.

Meg had great purpose. I honestly knew that when I met her. She somehow always seemed bigger, braver, and better than anything she was a victim from. There was such a drive and determination about her that I cannot begin to put into words. She was always so happy. She brought so much comfort and joy to others and taught us humans so much. She was an inspiration to many including myself. They say dogs have a purpose and that a dog’s time is shorter because they quickly learn unconditional love. I truly believe Meg had great purpose. I witnessed it each and every day. She was so special and so inspiring. She was truly a gem.

So many helped me help Meg. There were words of encouragement, prayers, and financial support. It indeed took more than me. It took her village and because of her village we were able to rescue her and rehabilitate her, but most importantly give her hope and love. She went on to become a therapy dog. She inspired others by her story, her calmness, her sense of peace, and her sweet self. She became a cherished family member in my home. To know her, whether through Facebook or in person, was to love her and absolutely adore her! I’m a firm believer in a dog’s purpose because of Meg.

My world crashed that Friday morning when I found myself with a broken heart using every bit of strength I had to say goodbye to Meg in effort to do what was best for her. By Saturday afternoon I found myself overwhelmed to find over 1000 people reaching out expressing their sympathy with comments on social media, phone calls, messages, and gifts. Less than a week later I started contacting those we provided therapy visits for.  It was then that I realized just how much we all lost her. It wasn’t just me mourning her. It was a community who was mourning her. Meg’s Village, the tripaw community, the therapy animal community, neighbors, and friends were devastated.

I knew Meg was special and had inspired others. What I did not realize was that her village would grow and she would leave her village to me. The amount of people who invested their hearts in Meg is something that will forever amaze me. My sweet Meggie girl truly left me with something amazing. I believe when you are given something so great it should be shared and so, it shall be. May Meg’s spirit live on within us and continue to inspire others providing hope. May Meg’s Village go on to help other dogs with disabilities, special needs, or medical conditions resulting from neglect and abuse.

It truly takes a village to rescue dogs and to see them through to a better life. Thank you all for continuing to be a part of Meg’s village. We are forever thankful and blessed because of Meg’s Village.

For every time my heart broke with wonder and worry that someone somewhere neglected and abused Meg, there was an amazing village of people with good, genuine hearts reminding me that love always prevails.

AMY MOLLEY