Terrified, Matted Pup Gets Happy Ending: Diamond’s Before and After

Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 12:30pm
Before and after rescued Bichon Frise

Last year in Texas, a scared little white pup named Diamond arrived at the City of Abilene’s municipal shelter. She was dirty, painfully matted and very scared. No one knew it at the time, but she was also deaf.

If Diamond had arrived at the shelter a year earlier, she may never have found her happy ending. But the folks who work at the City of Abilene shelter are especially dedicated and strongly committed to saving animals’ lives. Naturally, they jumped at the chance to take part in the ASPCA’s Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project, unveiled in September.

Part of the ASPCA Animal Relocation Initiative, the Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project helps cash-strapped municipal shelters like Abilene’s relocate dogs to off-site adoption programs, rescues or private shelters by providing municipal shelters $50 per dog placed. That money can be spent on vet care for an animal, transportation of the pet, or on anything else that will help move the animal out of the shelter.

For Diamond, this program was a godsend. Abilene was able to use the Petrie subsidy to move her to The Pawed Squad rescue. After a desperately needed grooming, Diamond revealed herself to be an adorable little Bichon Frise! She also came out of her shell and showed she would make a wonderful companion.

Soon after rescuing Diamond, the Pawed Squad was able to place her in a loving home that cherishes her every day. Her deafness was never an issue for these awesome adopters.

Congratulations to Abilene, The Pawed Squad rescue and Diamond’s happy family. We’re so glad the Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project is changing lives like hers and thousands of others.

Want to help support our efforts to find homes for thousands of homeless pets like Diamond? Please consider becoming an ASPCA Guardian today.

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Comments

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 10:46 — Ann Wells (Visitor)
This story just made my day a whole lot brighter! God bless Diamond, her new family, and all those who helped to make it possible for her to go to her loving and forever home.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 10:56 — nita fair (Visitor)
i donate to your program but i can also give these special little one's or even big one's rides to wherever they need to go so let me know how i can help

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:00 — Melani (Visitor)
I would love to help be a part of the animal transport team.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:07 — Joanne Silva (Visitor)
I am in NE PA and would like to find out more about the program for giving dogs a ride to their new homes or to meet another driver on one leg of the trip for the dog. many thanks, Joanne

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:52 — Vikey Day (Visitor)
I am in southwestern PA (Pittsburgh area) and would be willing to help out with rides for animals on their way to no-kill (rescue) shelters (my husband & I volunteer at Animal Friends-Pittsburgh, PA) or their forever homes in the tri-state area.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:07 — Mary Vasel (Visitor)
It is for happy endings like Diamond that I became a "Guardian", donating monthly to the ASPCA and remembering the ASPCA in my will. She looks so happy and beautiful and thankful for the wonderful caring people that helped her. I donate to my local shelter also and have left them a gift in my will along with ASPCA. A dog teaches us love, loyalty, and undying friendship and devotion....why wouldn't we want to help them in need. Mary Vasel

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:10 — Janice (Visitor)
I love stories like this. No animal should have to live the way she lived. Being an animal rescuer myself, I am delighted to see she found some very loving humans! Great job ASPCA - and all the others responsible for Diamonds happiness.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:12 — Janet (Visitor)
I love all animals. Do cats or other small animals ever need rides? My car is small (Miata) but I can transport 3 of kitty carriers at a time. If u need transportation 24/7 any distance I'd like to help. God bless u all for caring for God's most innocent creatures; the animals. Aillion thanks to y'all!!

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:21 — Judith H. Carr (Visitor)
My name is Judith Carr. I rescue in Georgia and then work to transport the rescued cats when they are fully vetted and healthy to rescues in the north. I am actively searching for transporters to help cats get to the rescues and also for rescues who would take fully vetted, outgoing, loving adoptable cats. The current rescues that we supply are full of cats rescued from the storm Sandy and we need more rescues to receive our cats. We send photos and health certificates so you see what a wonderful furball you are getting! My email is jcarr@sentryanesthesia.com.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:14 — Cynthia (Visitor)
I live in Central CT and would be available to transport animals. Let me know how I can help.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:20 — Karen (Visitor)
So happy sweet Diamond has found her new beginning in her new forever home. She reminds me of my first dog friend from four decades ago. I'm sure Markie has spent many years playing with the other beloved pets at the Rainbow Bridge.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:21 — Tricia Hamilton (Visitor)
I would donate my time to give animals care in my area.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:23 — Suzanne Clark (Visitor)
I live in central Maine. Would be honored to give an animal a ride any time

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:34 — Celeste Jackson (Visitor)
What a gorgeous baby...Thank You ASPCA for changing pets AND peoples lives EVERY DAY!

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:50 — Gail Whitmarsh (Visitor)
I donate every month to the ASPCA and it is one of the best things that i do for the animals . I have four animals , 3 dogs and 1 cat all rescues .

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:52 — Kimberley (Visitor)
I live in mid NJ, across the river from Philly. I would be very happy to help with transporting rescue animals. How do I get started?

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:54 — linda (Visitor)
Lets not forget our hoofed companions!! I would dearly love to become involved in rescue/fostering of abused/neglected/unwanted equines.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 11:57 — Val Blakely (Visitor)
And this has what to do with providing rides... or is it just the money you want? I would gladly transport but I don't think this is what you are asking for????

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:06 — Lisa D'Ambrosio (Visitor)
Love it!!

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:21 — Candee Gordon (Visitor)
The Dog Rescue Project is wonderful. So is ASPCA who formed it and this particular shelter who is implementing it. This is a wonderful shelter to work at saving these animals lives. Diamond is beautiful.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:26 — Angela Layman (Visitor)
I live in N. Virginia and would like to assist with transportation of rescued animals.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:32 — Kathleen (Visitor)
A nearby animal rescue shelter is actually closed on Sundays! Now, I may not be a brain surgeon but would it not be a good thing to be open the entire weekend as so many people tend to go to the shelters on both w/e days?

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:34 — Brandi Lore (Visitor)
I live outside New Orleans and want to help with rides. Please email me if I can help you!

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:37 — Rhonda Rains (Visitor)
It is so nice to see a happy ending:) Thank you so much for all you do and God bless!!

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:47 — Linda Fries (Visitor)
I can not afford to donate money at this time. But I can volunteer my time and services. I would like to become a rescue volunteer or transporter. Please contact me.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:48 — M (Visitor)
Morning All. I saved a Puppy being starved in a cage. & she's here with me. I payed $150 buck. She's well worm with me. But a Doctor did a bum job by fixing her. Mimi

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:50 — M (Visitor)
My puppy I payed $350 bucks. Mimi

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:51 — Tracey (Visitor)
When I was younger, I rescued and placed several Bichons (my first Bichon pet was a rescue). One thing I've learned about this breed is they really like to look nice. Plus, getting them professionally groomed from a completely matted state is hard on the dog, and a sacrifice on the part of either the rescuer or the groomer donating the grooming. We're talking either hours of careful dematting or a scary close shave for the dog. But having my other foot in the professional dog show world, I learned that Aussie Melamiracle's Leave In Conditioner works wonders. You may need to use an entire small bottle on a badly-matted dog, but it is so worth it! The first time I had to leave a rescue with a groomer (because I was working full-time), I also left my bottle of this as well. Before I even got to work, 20 minutes away, the groomer called me to tell me in an awe-struck voice that the dog was already de-matted! She hadn't had to shave him down at all, and was proceeding to give him a nice, proper Bichon cut! As a result, I was able to find a family for him pretty quickly. His previous owner was elderly and unable to groom him due to arthritis or get him groomed because of income restraints, and was going into a nursing home so really no rehab was needed, other than getting his coat back into shape. He went to a nice family who continued to cherish him for another decade. I highly recommend this if you can find it. I believe the name has changed, but there is a still a pink kangaroo on the label. I talked at length to the vet who developed it for her Shar-Peis before I started using it on my dogs, and I highly recommend it for all Bichons or any dog with skin problems--the shampoo, at least, while the Leave-In Conditioner is indispensable for coat maintenance for breeds with coats that tend to mat. It makes brushing them out a snap.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 12:54 — Lynn J (Visitor)
God bless all of you at the ASPCA and all agencies that help animals and the good folks who bring them there! You are all GREAT!!! God bless that little Diamond too! What a cutie!!! I hope her new family is foever blessed too!

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 13:03 — Janice Mullaly (Visitor)
I live in CT and would be willing to do transporting.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 13:04 — Pat Weinstein (Visitor)
Thank you ASPCA for all your hard work. I will never stop contributing to your organization.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 13:05 — Jean (Visitor)
I live in Madison, Wisconsin. Willing and able to transport within a 100 mile radius.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 13:11 — Valerie (Visitor)
This sounds great. I wish there was a rich benefactor out there who could get this much excitement and offers of help for cats. I love dogs but there are a lot of cats who need furrever homes too. :'(

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 13:32 — Carole (Visitor)
What a beautiful story ... I wish all story had such an awesome ending!

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 13:47 — Sally Frederick (Visitor)
Good Going Abilene - my home

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 13:48 — Gerrie Beck (Visitor)
Thank you SPCA for all the wonderful work you do, and thank you for the family that adopted that little Bichon. I'm having a party later this month and have asked everyone to bring a check for $10 made payable to the SPCA. You're great!

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 13:59 — Lynn Burkett (Visitor)
If we could only get everyone to feel this way, there would not be any homeless pets or a need for shelters. Please consider special needs animals. They make great pets. Our Rachel was rescued the day she was to be put down. Her crime? She is blind. She knows her way around the house and yard, is so sweet and loving. It has been an honor to be her family for the past four years.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:34 — Nancy Pennington (Visitor)
I live in Seattle, WA and would gladly transport dogs. Let me know how I can help.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:37 — Paul Goodwin (Visitor)
As a monthly supporter of ASPCA, it is this sort of story that makes me gald I do so. Both of our current rescue dogs, a Pug-Chihauhua mix, and a Pug came from Arkansas (Not together we rescued them at different times)courtesy of transport programs that save them from regions where there are not as many adopters as dogs.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:39 — edwina loftlin (Visitor)
I would love to help transport animals so they can get a second at left. I live in Washington, dc

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:49 — Lorena (Visitor)
Thanks to everyone who rescues animals!

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:50 — Dianna (Visitor)
I am owned by three rescue dogs. Two were abused and neglected, the third was picked up as a stray so I don't really know anything about her. I do know that the two that were definatley abused are the best dogs that I have ever been owned by. I also own a companion bird rescue and refuge that I fund myself. It seems that the ones who were abused do turn out to be the best because they seem to know and remember the life that they had before they came here. Although I have to close the doors on the rescue because of financial reasons, I am so happy that there are caring and loving people who are willing to take in these poor babies that have been dealt a tough life. These animals did not get to choose their life with an abuser, the abuser picked them out and it's really a shame because animals are so generous with their love and adoration for their people.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 14:51 — Korte (Visitor)
God bless all of the ASPCA members and Supporters. I live in California, and if there is any way possible to help, please advise. Sincerely

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 15:04 — linb (Visitor)
Thank God for these wonderful people at ASPCA who save these sweet animals. No animal should ever suffer at the hands of a human. I am a monthly donor and am so happy to see the money collected by the ASPCA goes to such worthwhile animals and causes. Thank you.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 15:28 — Toni (Visitor)
I'm interested in rides.............. Where do I start or where do I go???????????????????

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 15:47 — Naomi Noble Richard (Visitor)
Bless the people who adopted her. And bless the ASPCA for what you do.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 15:57 — Lynne (Visitor)
The dog I have now was flown out of another state the day before euthanization at a kill shelter by some kind hearted pilot willing to transport a couple of dogs in order to give them a chance for adoption. Just by chance, had never been there before, I was at the Humane Society shelter 80 miles away from where I live, when she and the other dog were brought in from the landing strip (on a Sunday). I took her home with me. I want those people willing to transport this precious cargo, to know that their efforts are not in vain. It works for everyone. Truly a win/win situation. I love this dog. She is so sweet.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 16:00 — w (Visitor)
Please continue to provide transport for animals in need. Giving a ride to an animal; will save an animal life.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 16:28 — Darlene owens (Visitor)
I have an explorer with a large back.

Fri, 01/11/2013 - 17:36 — Chris Parker-Rovoll (Visitor)
I live in Michigan and would like to volunteer for rides for dogs. I would love to save them from the shelters and get them to the no-kill shelters.

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