For many pet-lovers and animal advocates, our favorite “quaran-teammates” during these past few weeks have been our pets. That sentiment rings true for all of us here at Chin|MacQuoid|Fleming|Harris, where our furry and feathered friends have been a source of comfort and inspiration during these challenging times.
A perfect example is Thor, a shelter dog rescued by CMFH team member Julie Anderson.
“Thor is a warrior dog,” says Julie, whose son Christopher was going to school at the University of Utah when he found Thor at the Community Animal Welfare Society (CAWS) in Salt Lake City. Already saddled with trust issues after suffering abuse as a puppy, Thor was hit by a car just two weeks after he joined Anderson’s family and required emergency surgery on his front right leg. This past October, he required a follow-up surgery to remove the plate and screws inserted after the car accident, but in February, Thor began limping on the same leg again.
This time, the diagnosis was much more dire: Thor had osteosarcoma cancer in the exact spot where the plate was, and the best way to save him was to amputate the leg.
However, Julie is happy to provide a triumphant progress report nearly one month following surgery: “He is doing amazing! Thor is a survivor and the strongest dog I have ever known. … If only us humans could be as tough! The vet thinks there is no reason why he won’t live many more years.
“Thor is family and we love him so much. Dogs come into your lives for a reason, mostly to teach us about unconditional love. We rescued Thor and he rescued us right back!”
CMFH senior partner Dena Fleming has long shared that same sentiment when it comes to rescuing animals, and the most recent additions to her family – two black labs named Pablo and Frieda – are no exception.
“Animals have always ‘happened’ to me,” says Dena. “I think if your heart is open to that, the animals – they find you. It first happened to me when I was 10 or 11 and I’ve been at it ever since.
“Even when I was in college, I’d be in Idaho at school and an animal would happen to me, and I’d have to drive it all the way back to California to my parents’ house and they’d have to keep it. Cats, dogs – it doesn’t matter. It’s kind of been my calling.”
Dena’s most recent “calling” seemingly washed up on shore during a recent vacation in Mexico. What happened next was out of a “Mission Impossible” movie, as Dena recruited family members and local friends to help nurse the dogs to health and secure the required paperwork to drive the pair over the border in record time. Pablo now resides with Dena while Frieda lives nearby with Dena’s mother.
“They’ve really come around and they’re so happy and so loving and so sweet, and they’re just angels. They are magnificent creatures who have brought so much love and joy to us.”
PICKING THE RIGHT PET
Adding a pet to your life is undoubtedly a rewarding experience, but it does come with an undeniable responsibility that carries a financial and time commitment. Before adopting a new pet, make sure that it is the right one for you and your family by doing some research beforehand about the specific needs of the animal and/or breed.
CMFH supports several Park City and other local animal rescue organizations including Nuzzles & Co., Paws for Life Utah, Canines with a Cause and Best Friends Animal Society in Utah. While not all services may be available during this time, all of these organizations still need community support, which includes foster homes, pet pantry supplies, equipment donations and financial contributions.
For more information about keeping you and your pets safe and healthy, visit the CDC website as well as the American Veterinary Medical Association site.
