Dog Walker Rescue: All About Earl

All About Earl

Earl arrived at the Barry County Animal Shelter just after New Year's. He was a nameless, neglected dog dumped in the drop-off intake pen during the weekend. I was told that he was so filthy that shelter staff couldn't even tell what color he was let alone what breed he may be. When I was volunteering during that first week of January, I wouldn't have even known about Earl if I hadn't poked my head in the quarantine room. I had just finished walking all of the dogs and had gone to the garage (where all of the overflow cats were housed) to spend some time with the cats. I asked the staff who that dog was and why he was there. They told me that they thought that maybe he was sick or had worms. I asked if that should prevent him from being handled and then got the go-ahead to walk him.

When I first approached his enclosure this sad, skinny, dirty dog looked up at me with hopeful eyes and a wagging tail. I got inside the kennel and knelt down on one knee, talking softly to him and telling him that everything was going to be alright. I extended my hand and he licked me and wagged his tail. He let me know that he truly needed and wanted attention. As we walked through the kennel to go outside, we passed a little Terrier mix puppy who's coloring reminded me of this poor dog. By the time we got out to the play yard I was in tears. While this boy was doing his "business", I sat down in the corner of the yard and I cried. To think that this emaciated, filthy, smelly dog had also once been a healthy, soft, sweet smelling puppy that someone had wanted as a pet! I just can't wrap my head around how anyone can do this to an animal!

Earl with his ribs and backbone visible - obvious signs of neglect and malnourishment!

Other disturbing signs of neglect - missing hair and dry, scaly, scabby skin.
He also had sores on his haunches that offered proof that
he had most likely been tied-out and left to sit outside,
exposed to the elements, without proper or any shelter!

He hungrily ate every treat that I had in my pouch.

When we walked back inside to his kennel I just wanted to keep walking out the door and take him home to care for him. It was hard to leave him as he barked, cried, and whimpered, trying to call me back as I left. Shelter staff named this dog Earl which is fitting with his sweet personality and calm temperament. Since January he has gained weight and filled-out, but still needs care for his skin condition. It has also been discovered that he is heart worm positive. Earl will need treatment for these conditions but with time, care, and love he will recover.

In February and March Earl was a "greeter" at two Pet Supplies "Plus" adoption events in Grand Rapids. He was very popular with PSP staff and customers.

Earl's first Meet and Greet at Pet Supplies "Plus"

Earl Looks Great in Green!

Also in March Earl and Jack, his fellow shelter buddy, had a spa week at the Green Street Veterinarian Clinic. During their stay Dr. Robinson and her staff bathed and groomed them, worked on training, and played with them. Both dogs got so used to all the TLC that it was so hard to take them back to the shelter!