A Reason to Hope
~Tammy Cooper~
One night in late July 2006 a small, black, female pug was found lost and wandering the streets of a small town
in Western Massachusetts. This pug with no name was in horrific shape and in heat and the dog officer took
her in and placed her in a kennel to begin her ten day waiting period to see if someone would claim her.
The little pug sat shaking and coughing in her cage – she was being fed, but her true needs for complete
veterinary care, compassion, and love were still unmet. The dog officer contacted PRoNE volunteer Amy
Palmeri. Amy went to see the pug and said that of course our rescue would take her in as soon as the ten
days were up. During the course of the ten day period the dog officer brought the pug to the vet where she
was told she could survive the ten day wait until rescue could take her in.
At the vet visit it was discovered that the little pug had been micro-chipped. The dog officer called the person
associated with the micro-chip paperwork and was advised by the individual that the dog did not belong to her
– she had no idea why she was the contact on the micro-chip registration and that it must be some kind of
mistake. This person was (and still is) a back yard breeder who, at the current time, still has a lonely male pug
tied to a tree in her front yard. We are thankful every day that this woman did not come to claim the little black
pug.
After the ten day waiting period was over, PRoNE Amy arrived to release the little pug from her cell. Amy knew
right away that this dog needed some serious help. When she arrived home, Amy and her husband bathed
the pug, fed her, and tried to comfort her.
Later that evening Amy and her husband drove to Fitchburg to meet another PRoNE volunteer at a halfway
point. That volunteer was me. When Amy opened the door of the crate so I could get a look at the little black
pug I was simply shocked. The dog was breathing like no pug I had ever heard before. I was actually
frightened. Cosmetically the little pug was a daunting sight as well. She is a black pug but in many places her
fur was brown and it was course to the touch. She also had several large lumps on her lower abdomen that I
thought might be tumors. Her back legs extended out at the sides so much that she reminded me of one of
those large trucks with double tires in the rear. They literally jutted out sideways instead of being even with
her body. The little pug also possessed an oddly crooked jaw.
I got in my car and placed the crate on the front passenger seat next to me and headed East toward home.
During the drive the pug’s breathing became more and more labored and she was crying. I was convinced
she might be in dire straights and I called PRoNE management to discuss the options. I sincerely thought I
might have to put this poor little pug to sleep to ease her suffering that very night. PRoNE management
advised me to use my judgment and I elected to drive to an emergency clinic in Woburn, MA to have her
examined.
At the emergency clinic my fears were confirmed. I was told the pug had multiple mammary tumors which were
most likely cancerous and that the cancer might have advanced to her lungs. They said an x-ray would be
necessary to determine if the cancer had spread. I decided that I would do the x-ray the next day at my
regular vet’s office in the interest of conserving funds for the rescue. The emergency clinic gave the pug an
injection to calm her so she (and I) could sleep that night.
The next morning I set off to my own vet with high hopes that something could be done to assist the little pug.
During the examination the vet realized that the pug did not have mammary tumors, but instead had several
hernias. I was so happy that the emergency vet’s diagnosis appeared to be wrong. My vet felt the hernias
were the result of multiple and irresponsible breedings. In his opinion, the pug’s weight of 10.5 pounds should
have deterred any responsible breeder. The diagnosis of hernias rather than mammary tumors was good
news but the vet felt that her breathing was a large concern. He recommended an ultrasound to look at her
heart and lungs and her lower abdomen to determine what could be done about the multiple large hernias.
My vet also diagnosed Grade 3 luxating patellas, a jaw that had been broken and had healed incorrectly, an
ear infection, and a kidney infection. Again, I considered putting this sad little pug to sleep, but I was not
convinced she was ready and I was definitely not ready.
The ultrasound showed damage to both the heart and lungs and revealed that the hernias would be difficult to
repair because of their size and location. The doctor performing the ultrasound advised us to let nature take
its course and see what happened. He did not think surgery was a viable option because he was not
convinced the pug would survive anesthesia.
I took the pug home and my husband and I decided we would continue our efforts to improve the issues we
could and to take it one day at a time. We started by giving the name “Hope” to the beautiful petite pug now in
our care. We called her Hope because we were hoping that she would survive long enough to enjoy the care
and affection she had clearly never received before.
Hope was essentially un-adoptable at this time due to her multiple illnesses. Several months passed and Hope’
s ear and kidney infections cleared up. She added 1.5 pounds to her body weight and her fur started to have
more black and less brown and was softer to the touch. She also perked up a bit and started to learn that a
hand coming toward her would bring comfort and love instead of pain and suffering. Eventually Hope would
come to crave constant contact with my husband or with me.
About five months passed without incident before my husband and I noticed that the abdominal hernias were
growing larger. Another month passed and the hernias had grown to the size of plums. We decided to
consult another vet for a second opinion on addressing these hernias as they were significantly impacting
Hope’s quality of life yet she was thriving and healing in so many other ways. The second vet was willing to
perform surgery on the hernias but cautioned us that it was risky. My husband and I felt that the risk was
worth it because if the hernias continued to grow, as they likely would, Hope would need to be put to sleep
anyway.
Then, the best thing that could happen did. Hope came through the hernia surgery with flying colors. The vet
was even able to spay her so she would never have to go through a cycle again. We were told that Hope’s
uterus was the size of a German Sheppards and they think she had at least 30 litters of puppies during her
lifetime. Based on the condition of her organs Hope’s age was estimated at between 10 and 12. Because of
her size most people think Hope is a puppy or young dog but she is actually a senior citizen.
Hope continues to live with us and my husband and I decided to adopt her. She is only the second dog we
have adopted in our 5+ years working with PRoNE so you know how special she is. Hope is in good health
although she still has luxating patellas and also arthritis in the hips. However, she is thriving and happy
(although a little grumpy when other pugs invade her territory – which seems to include coming within 2 feet of
either of either my husband or me).
Hope has lived up to her name and in my mind, represents what rescue is all about. It is about taking the
tossed away and unwanted and healing them and placing them in homes where they will be cared for and
loved as they should have been from the start.
Even when the path seems insurmountable, there is always a reason to hope.
~Tammy Cooper~
One night in late July 2006 a small, black, female pug was found lost and wandering the streets of a small town
in Western Massachusetts. This pug with no name was in horrific shape and in heat and the dog officer took
her in and placed her in a kennel to begin her ten day waiting period to see if someone would claim her.
The little pug sat shaking and coughing in her cage – she was being fed, but her true needs for complete
veterinary care, compassion, and love were still unmet. The dog officer contacted PRoNE volunteer Amy
Palmeri. Amy went to see the pug and said that of course our rescue would take her in as soon as the ten
days were up. During the course of the ten day period the dog officer brought the pug to the vet where she
was told she could survive the ten day wait until rescue could take her in.
At the vet visit it was discovered that the little pug had been micro-chipped. The dog officer called the person
associated with the micro-chip paperwork and was advised by the individual that the dog did not belong to her
– she had no idea why she was the contact on the micro-chip registration and that it must be some kind of
mistake. This person was (and still is) a back yard breeder who, at the current time, still has a lonely male pug
tied to a tree in her front yard. We are thankful every day that this woman did not come to claim the little black
pug.
After the ten day waiting period was over, PRoNE Amy arrived to release the little pug from her cell. Amy knew
right away that this dog needed some serious help. When she arrived home, Amy and her husband bathed
the pug, fed her, and tried to comfort her.
Later that evening Amy and her husband drove to Fitchburg to meet another PRoNE volunteer at a halfway
point. That volunteer was me. When Amy opened the door of the crate so I could get a look at the little black
pug I was simply shocked. The dog was breathing like no pug I had ever heard before. I was actually
frightened. Cosmetically the little pug was a daunting sight as well. She is a black pug but in many places her
fur was brown and it was course to the touch. She also had several large lumps on her lower abdomen that I
thought might be tumors. Her back legs extended out at the sides so much that she reminded me of one of
those large trucks with double tires in the rear. They literally jutted out sideways instead of being even with
her body. The little pug also possessed an oddly crooked jaw.
I got in my car and placed the crate on the front passenger seat next to me and headed East toward home.
During the drive the pug’s breathing became more and more labored and she was crying. I was convinced
she might be in dire straights and I called PRoNE management to discuss the options. I sincerely thought I
might have to put this poor little pug to sleep to ease her suffering that very night. PRoNE management
advised me to use my judgment and I elected to drive to an emergency clinic in Woburn, MA to have her
examined.
At the emergency clinic my fears were confirmed. I was told the pug had multiple mammary tumors which were
most likely cancerous and that the cancer might have advanced to her lungs. They said an x-ray would be
necessary to determine if the cancer had spread. I decided that I would do the x-ray the next day at my
regular vet’s office in the interest of conserving funds for the rescue. The emergency clinic gave the pug an
injection to calm her so she (and I) could sleep that night.
The next morning I set off to my own vet with high hopes that something could be done to assist the little pug.
During the examination the vet realized that the pug did not have mammary tumors, but instead had several
hernias. I was so happy that the emergency vet’s diagnosis appeared to be wrong. My vet felt the hernias
were the result of multiple and irresponsible breedings. In his opinion, the pug’s weight of 10.5 pounds should
have deterred any responsible breeder. The diagnosis of hernias rather than mammary tumors was good
news but the vet felt that her breathing was a large concern. He recommended an ultrasound to look at her
heart and lungs and her lower abdomen to determine what could be done about the multiple large hernias.
My vet also diagnosed Grade 3 luxating patellas, a jaw that had been broken and had healed incorrectly, an
ear infection, and a kidney infection. Again, I considered putting this sad little pug to sleep, but I was not
convinced she was ready and I was definitely not ready.
The ultrasound showed damage to both the heart and lungs and revealed that the hernias would be difficult to
repair because of their size and location. The doctor performing the ultrasound advised us to let nature take
its course and see what happened. He did not think surgery was a viable option because he was not
convinced the pug would survive anesthesia.
I took the pug home and my husband and I decided we would continue our efforts to improve the issues we
could and to take it one day at a time. We started by giving the name “Hope” to the beautiful petite pug now in
our care. We called her Hope because we were hoping that she would survive long enough to enjoy the care
and affection she had clearly never received before.
Hope was essentially un-adoptable at this time due to her multiple illnesses. Several months passed and Hope’
s ear and kidney infections cleared up. She added 1.5 pounds to her body weight and her fur started to have
more black and less brown and was softer to the touch. She also perked up a bit and started to learn that a
hand coming toward her would bring comfort and love instead of pain and suffering. Eventually Hope would
come to crave constant contact with my husband or with me.
About five months passed without incident before my husband and I noticed that the abdominal hernias were
growing larger. Another month passed and the hernias had grown to the size of plums. We decided to
consult another vet for a second opinion on addressing these hernias as they were significantly impacting
Hope’s quality of life yet she was thriving and healing in so many other ways. The second vet was willing to
perform surgery on the hernias but cautioned us that it was risky. My husband and I felt that the risk was
worth it because if the hernias continued to grow, as they likely would, Hope would need to be put to sleep
anyway.
Then, the best thing that could happen did. Hope came through the hernia surgery with flying colors. The vet
was even able to spay her so she would never have to go through a cycle again. We were told that Hope’s
uterus was the size of a German Sheppards and they think she had at least 30 litters of puppies during her
lifetime. Based on the condition of her organs Hope’s age was estimated at between 10 and 12. Because of
her size most people think Hope is a puppy or young dog but she is actually a senior citizen.
Hope continues to live with us and my husband and I decided to adopt her. She is only the second dog we
have adopted in our 5+ years working with PRoNE so you know how special she is. Hope is in good health
although she still has luxating patellas and also arthritis in the hips. However, she is thriving and happy
(although a little grumpy when other pugs invade her territory – which seems to include coming within 2 feet of
either of either my husband or me).
Hope has lived up to her name and in my mind, represents what rescue is all about. It is about taking the
tossed away and unwanted and healing them and placing them in homes where they will be cared for and
loved as they should have been from the start.
Even when the path seems insurmountable, there is always a reason to hope.
Hope when she first came to
PRoNE in 2006
PRoNE in 2006
Hope getting
better in 2007
better in 2007
Hope with new friend Clancy
Thanksgiving 2007
Thanksgiving 2007