Outfoxing the Grim Reaper
The vehicle impact thrust her to the side of the road where the sun's midday heat offered no relief. People who saw the accident felt sorry for the young dog because she didn't die immediately like so many other strays who regularly traverse the two-lane highway. Then one of them pulled her into the shade while another hoped a phone call would bring help.
Named after the goddess who embodied an intense and unyielding fight against the enemy, Athena waited in great pain as hours passed until help was able to reach her. Once there, Tom filled her broken body with relief medications before she was moved a second time, but her breathing was so irratic that it wasn't at all clear she would make the 2-hour drive back to waiting veterinary care.
The next day's X-rays showed a broken hip, crooked pelvis and a tail completely severed from the spine. Athena is already expected to have urinary incontinence but because the tail must be removed at the point of connection with the body, she will also be bowel incontinent. So it was completely astonishing that clinic staff found her standing on her own that morning, only able to attribute it to her fierce desire to fight this enemy.
In addition to a foster home, Fredonia Humane Society welcomes donations toward Athena's long surgical and post-operative care through PayPal with the email address fredhumsoc@aol.com or via snail mail to PO Box 1238, Fredonia, AZ 86022. Please mark "for Athena" on your donation.
Photos by
Terrah Johnson PhotographyQuestions and comments are always appreciated to
fredhumsoc@aol.com.
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