Published: January 17, 2008 04:01 pm            

‘Garbage Pail Gabby’ —

The little stray Lab that no one wanted, but so wanted to survive!

As you all remember, this past Thanksgiving weekend was raw, rainy and cold. Like so many holiday lake revelers, we had family and guests for the four-day feast.

It was Friday after the big event and folks were dealing with swollen stomachs and planning football viewing. Our daughter Shannon was off for her daily jog, while I was on the way to the Wal-Mart for additional provisions That was when we first saw “Garbage Pail Gabby,” the little Black Lab running the neighborhood, searching through garbage to make it another day.

Shannon flagged me down when “Gabby” fearlessly approached her, and though wary of a stray dog, let her close. I jumped out of the car and the two of us held out our hands to pet the little abandoned creature. She was so happy to have human touch, and we knew that without a collar, or a home, she would not make it much longer in these elements.

We immediately made the decision to take her in and see if we could find the owner, or at the least get her to the Cedar Creek Humane Society. This with full knowledge that we would be facing a mostly skeptical crowd at home. So we opened the car door and our new little pal couldn’t wait to hop in the front seat.

Once home, we assessed her condition, which was obviously critical. She was bone thin, starving, and full of fleas. My husband gave me, Shannon and the little stranger that “Are you crazy?” look, but we were resolved to figure out a better way for her.

We walked the neighborhood, asking if anyone knew the owner, or where she came from, but to no avail. We called the Humane Society, who though very cordial, said they had no room, as they were already past capacity with all cages full.

So it was off to Lakeside Animal Clinic for a check-up and to see if there might be an implant to lead us to her owners. The terrific doctors and staff gave soon-to-be-named Gabby a thorough physical. Much to our distress she really was in dire straits; a failing liver, renal damage, heartworm and roundworms, to say nothing of the flea and tick infestation.

We dug in, got the medications, brought her back to the house, set up a safe haven in our garage and hoped we could nurse her back to health, then find a suitable home for her. We already had a wonderful best friend named Dolce, who is a Pyrenees and Hound mix that we saved from the same Cedar Creek Humane Society two years ago.

By this time the family was coming around, watching Shannon and I taking turns holding vigil, and cleaning after a mighty sick pup, while witnessing what a special little gal we had as a visitor. Gabby is a fighter and the sweetest, smartest dog we have known — not only that, but it turns out beautifully trained to boot.

Well it’s a New Year 2008, and you have probably already guessed that we have added a new, full-fledged member to our family. Yes, Gabby has earned her way into our home and hearts. She and Dolce are like long-lost sisters, and I knew she was welcome when my husband invited Gabby to join the rest of our crew into the big bed.

We still have to fight the heartworm battle, but everything else Gabby faced, she surmounted with our, and our vet’s help.

The moral of this story is, “Don’t turn a blind eye to any of God’s unfortunate creatures. You may just get lucky enough to share the world with a little lost jewel, like ‘Garbage Pail Gabby’.”

Happy New Year.

— Bonnie Kelly

Gun Barrel City and Dallas

        

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