Sunday, September 6, 2015

Jasso's retirement

Up until two years ago, Jasso had worked for a police department and sheriff's office as a drug detection dog. He was retired and sent home to live out his days with his last handler. Sounds like a happy ending, right? It would be if real life was a fairy tale, but in actuality, a working dog's retirement home is only as good as his handler. I've run into this situation before where the handler gets assigned a new working dog and then the retired dog gets shuffled off somewhere else. I'm not exactly sure what happened here, but in Jasso's case, he ended up "out back" and neglected. He was finally returned to the shelter because he had "gone down hill." Yeah, neglect will do that to a dog. Jasso had demodex, severe ear infections (puss was oozing out of one ear), and this once proud dog was reduced to a skeletal version of his former self. What hair he had left was greasy from a raging skin infection, and his nails were reportedly three inches long. He's nine years old, has a weak and wobbly rear end, he's still intact, he's deaf, and he's heartworm positive.

Fortunately, the shelter director knew the dog because he had been coming there for years and she knew how good the dog was. And she also felt that the community owed the dog more than he had been provided. She sent out emails that eventually made their way to me.

My weekend was free, so Saturday I made the three hour drive to pick up Jasso. He is sweet and friendly. He rode beautifully in the car. I had brought Maya along, but I left her in the crate and gave Jasso the space behind the seats. He laid down for the long drive home, getting up only occasionally to change positions. The shelter had kindly given him a bath that morning, but he still smelled from the yeast infection on his skin. I hated to bathe him again right when I got him home, but he needed a medicated bath as soon as possible so that's what we did. He was good about it and even let me trim a few of his toenails while we were waiting for the shampoo to set on his skin.

He ate, and I gave him a small portion of Satin Balls as a snack later in the day. I put him in a crate with a big comforter, which I warmed up in the dryer before bedtime last night. He can manage the few steps required to get into and out of the house, but I don't think he could get upstairs on his own so he took one of the crates in the kitchen. We took some outdoor photos after breakfast this morning after which he headed right back to his comfortable bed in his crate. This household isn't ideal for an old dog in his condition, but we can cope. I will get him to a vet (former owner never did), and we'll work on making him as healthy and as comfortable as possible. I hope to find him an adopter who can and will provide him the retirement home he deserves.














12 comments:

beth lacy said...

You are a great man Brent. Thanks for helping this poor old soul!

Risa said...

HIs former handler should be arrested on animal cruelty charges. This is no way to treat your former partner!

Laura McGrath said...

This is so sad, why do people do this to animals? I would take him in a minute if I could afford another dog with skin and allergy issues, but am already struggling financially with the old man I have, who was rescued 3 years ago in the same sad condition.

Anonymous said...

Are You near Christiansburg or blacksburg?









Brent said...

I'm near Charlottesville, VA

Andrea said...

Oh, my heart! Thank you, Brent, for giving him the care and respect he deserves!

Brittany Nicole said...

It is so sad to think he had to go through that after serving the community. As much time an effort that goes into training alone it seems rediculous that they couldn't have spent a little bit of time to make sure he was being treated right. Situations like that are just a shame! Thank god there are people like you that will make up for those of a lesser kind. It is wonderful to hear that he is being cared for and to know that someone will carefully find him a loving and worthy retirement home.

Unknown said...

Hey Brent, I have fenced in yard with older dogs and ramp off my deck. I'd love to give this guy the retirement he deserves. I live in Christiansburg and you can reach me at following email address chyrils@yahoo.com.

Anonymous said...

IBID to what Andrea said. Your a GREAT person Brent. This canine protector of humans deserves nothing but the utmost respect and tenderness. Thank you for providing that to him. He too is a MWD (Military War Dog) and is ENTITLED to a lovely life until it is his turn to cross the Rainbow Bridge. The former handler? Well not so much...

Victoria said...

What must he be thinking but, "Thank goodness my path crossed with this guy Brent." That face has so much left to say for sure.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for saving this sweet old boy. What I would love to do to his former handler. Disgusting. This is why I tend to prefer the company of dogs to humans.

Carol said...

I'm with Risa - animal cruelty it is. His former owner certainly shouldn't still be a K9 handler. His department shouldn't be putting more dogs in his care.