The three dogs had been alone for days.
Jeter, Pauly, and Snowy — all of whom appear to be Labrador mixes — were on their own in a house in San Antonio.
Their owner, who lived alone with the dogs, was hit by a pick-up truck as she was jogging. She was placed in a medically induced coma, and someone had called the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services about the dogs at her house.
“A complaint was made to the shelter, indicating that there was a trio of dogs that were apparently being neglected,” said Lisa Norwood, a public relations manager at the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services. “One of our investigators went to the scene and found the dogs, and there were some indications that maybe they had been on their own for a few days.”
Shelter staff talked with the woman’s neighbors, who said they had been doing their best to look after the dogs since the accident in mid-October. Staff learned that the woman adored her pups, and they were also told about the tragic accident.
“We were able to confirm that yes indeed the dogs’ mom was still in the hospital,” Norwood said, adding that she did not know the woman’s prognosis. “She was in such a state that she was not going to be coming home any time soon.”
The neighbors were not able to take in the dogs. Shelter staff spoke with the woman’s sister, who was also unable to care for the animals, and relinquished custody of her sister’s dogs on her behalf.
After one week of having the dogs at the shelter, and posting the dogs on its website, no one came forward to take them in. So, staff put out a final plea on Facebook Oct. 31 for someone to foster or adopt them. The shelter was over capacity, and the three dogs would be euthanized within a day or so, Norwood said.
The dogs seemed fearful and confused at the shelter.
“These guys were very scared,” said Norwood, explaining that the three animals were bonded to one another. “They’re their own little pack, and one of the members of the pack is gone all of a sudden.”
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The neighbors raised concerns about the welfare of dogs, under such tragic circumstances.
They thought they would be euthanized the next day.
Los Angeles-based animal welfare organization stepped in with a relief initiative. ifornia. The shelter is often over capacity.
“We never want to euthanize an animal; that is never the end goal,” wrote Norwood, adding that staff held out hope somebody would come forward and take the three dogs, or hold onto them and return them to their original owner.
Animal shelters across the country have become overwhelmed with strays and surrendered pets since the pandemic.
“With the cases of euthanasia, we are dealing with the public,” said Norwood. “We beg the public every time we have animals that are at imminent risk of euthanasia.”A teen died. Now his friends visit his grandma for breakfast each week.
Many years he had been sheltering these dogs, teaching and guiding them.
“Everyone is welcome to get involved and take an active part in making Jeter, Pauly, and Snowy’s lives better,” Norwood said.
Community members come together to support those in distress, accepting that they would be glad to lend a hand.
Missy Brown has two dogs of her own, and is a disabled veteran.
She saw the plea on Facebook and stepped up to the plate to foster the trio of dogs.
“The Facebook post drew hundreds of comments and shares, but only a few people expressed interest in taking one or more of the dogs home,” wrote Brown. “I have the opportunity to avoid a tragedy and alleviate some suffering when their owner does recover.”
Brown, who is active in the local rescue community, has fostered 28 animals this year.
When she read the story of Jeter, Pauly and Snowy, she was especially compelled to help, Brown said, because she also endured a medical crisis two years ago – and her sister and neighbors came to her aid.
“I know what it’s like to be in that position,” said Brown, explaining that she had an infection, which led to septic shock.
Brown picked up the three pups on Nov. 3, and she has made it a priority to help them warm up to her and feel cared for.
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Brown said she is committed to ensuring Jeter, Pauly and Snowy are cared for while they wait to go back to their true home.
“We desperately want their mom to get better,” Brown said.
“I know they miss her.”
Every day Brown has been lucky enough to intervene, stepping in to give these animals a fighting chance.
It added to her purpose and enriched her life, she said.
“it’s so rewarding,” she said. “It’s given me a purpose. It has added so much value to my life.”
Taking the trio of dogs home “was a pay-it-forward thing,” she said.
Community problems require community solutions, she added.
“It’s nice to be part of something bigger than yourself.”