Jolene

Entrant's Name
Connie, Trisha & Kara

Your Pet's Story or Bio
Being in rescue, you think you are used to animals that are going to break your heart with all they have endured……yet still…..sometimes, we meet one that is so special and has been treated so badly that we just can’t make sense of it. Jolene is one of those dogs.

Jolene was found as a stray with a body condition being one of the worst seasoned shelter staff had ever seen. One leg was swollen to about 5 times its normal size. Her body parts that were not riddled with large masses, were skeletally skinny. Yet, her demeanor was unbelievably sweet and trusting. Every person she met was literally her very best new friend. She would cuddle up as close as she could get and just soak up whatever warmth and love were offered.

After going to the vet and learning, her diagnosis and quality of life was dire. The heartbreaking decision was made that we needed to let her go – her lungs and airways were so full of fluid from advanced cancer, there was fear ruptured tumors could occur at any time, and she would suffocate to death. We could not let that happen.

Thankfully, I have some of the most amazing friends in the entire world who came together to pull this beautiful soul from the shelter and give her a chance to experience peace and comfort in a home environment – surrounded by love. For the time she had left she was not left alone and cuddled on the couch with one of us, fed endless supplies of treats, taken on walks through the woods at her own pace – and just told over and over that we were so very sorry she had not come to us sooner.

She was let go in the arms of two of my friends that told her she was loved up until her very last breath. Jolene represents what I love so much about dogs – that even treated the very worst by humans – they still give us a chance. Having her on merchandise with the RARF logo – forever bonding her with people that care – would mean a lot.