As mentioned in Trash Kitty story, a Friday a couple weeks ago never seemed to end. The day started with the alarm going off before 5 a.m. It was going to be Diamonds Surrender Day, and we weren’t going to be late.

Diamond is a typical enough name. As is her story and as was our waiting and waiting at the prearranged time of 5.45 a.m. for someone to come out of her house. “Can you come back in 20 minutes?” (No, we can’t. But its ok, we’ll wait and just suck up the “bad parent” glares at school when we walk our kids in late because we aren’t leaving without your dog). Eventually the step daddy was dressed and picked Diamond up off of her chain and carried her out. After seeing her frail little body, we thought she was too weak to put up much of a fight, so hey, just lay her on the seat. Wrong. Still significant amount of misdirected genetically screwed energy seeping out, so she got to ride in the *Coleman Crate after making a gummed out lunge at someone’s face.

It’s the step daddy who was her saving grace. He knew she needed better and got hold of Animal Care Network by way of his relative, someone we have known for years, the owner of Diamond’s mom.
Let’s briefly dive into some history: Diamond’s mom, Burn, is notorious among us for being the most aggressive dog. Many a time has been spent sitting in their yard, tossing entire doses of large McD’s fries to her at the end of her chain while taking in stories of her owners latest endeavors…and the dog still ain’t having it. Odd then that most from that litter have turned out aggressive and whacked, even the 1 that didn’t wind up on a chain or beaten, no?

This is the third time I’ve attempted to write this story, and each time it comes out sounding more disjointed than the last. Perhaps apropos…disjointed, just like her life was.

So many sickening stories, and then not-so-sweet sweet little Diamond, who for starters shouldn’t have been so little. That her life might turn out kind and comfortable was from conception, most improbable. That from where she was born her life might turn out happy and healthy and in the home of someone such as you reading this, mostly impossible.

Listen carefully and think before you jump…about this happy ending.

Do you see what malnutrition, starvation and 3 years of living the life she was dealt looks like? Do you see in her eyes, her body, what her life looked like? She no longer has that look. After arriving at a wonderful friend and veterinarian, (who opened his practice early for us) and having the helping of hot dogs that you see, Diamond was immediately put on a warm heating pad, given a small amount of doggy dope to relax her, and given an IV. Right there on the truck as she was too weak to move. (the kids made it to school, umm, before lunch…) Before the end of the afternoon she had slipped into a coma. Before the end of the evening she no longer had that awful, vacant, hollow, how could you do this to me just love me, look in her eyes. She had peace written all over her.
She may have been born into a world full of ignorance and hate, but the one she left was filled with warmth and the love of someone laying next to her, holding her paw and whispering kind-something’s into her frostbitten ear.

This is the look to remember!! No more anguish. Despite her best fight, she just couldn’t hold on. But she got to leave gracefully.

Sweet girl.

Thank you for reading.

* Coleman Crate is a nod to the fantastic Mr.Dave Coleman of Center Stage, where ACN has their shot clinics. He donated the blankets you see that keep so many dogs comfy and warm!