"THE BUD PROJECT"
Bud was a “dog house dog”. He was chained to a dead tree (shown above) with a heavy metal chain for the first seven years of his life. He froze in the winter, was soaked in the spring, was bitten by flies and fire ants, and stung by wasps. He was subject to year round neglect and his owners cared little if he lived or died. A caring HEART volunteer saw his plight and brought him hay, food, water, medication and toys. After some time, the owners finally agreed to give Bud to HEART. He is now living in a permanent HEART foster home because after seven years of physical and mental torture, he has issues that make an adoption impossible. He will spend the rest of his life in the home of the HEART volunteer who so lovingly cared for him during his years of neglect (pictured with Bud). |
Bud is safe and happy at long last!!
He has made tremendous strides with socialization. Friends and family are being welcomed to the house with much less aggressive posturing. With each introduction, "Mom" remains steadfast with supervision and positive reinforcement. Bud's home life is his dream come true. He enjoys the companionship of his two canine sisters, as well as his baby canine brother. Most of Bud's at home time revolves around breakfast, romp and roll, run and chase, naptime, couch potato time with a chew treat, more run and chase, more romp and roll, supper and most of all his more than once a day hug and kiss time with Mom. We have watched him grow from a chained, frightened, cranky, listless, bug eaten, depressed dog into a happy, healthy, active, handsome, receptive and essentially reborn canine. We thank all who helped in Bud's "rebirth".
HEART Dog Department volunteers created "The Bud Project" fundraisers to support Bud's lifetime foster care and to help offset the cost of medical needs and foster care of other chained dogs rescued by HEART. For more information on "The Bud Project" or to make a donation please e-mail AHL81@adelphia.net.
Laws regarding chained dogs are improving, but not to the degree that these poor chained creatures deserve. Check out Dogs Deserve Better for more information. If you know of a chained dog whose owners need a wake up call, please pass this information on to to them. It may not be easy to approach a family member, friend or neighbor, but remember, if you become part of the situation, you won't become part of the problem. Thank you for caring! |
"LADY"
A Bud Project Success Story
Lady, a collie mix, is one of our "Bud Project" success stories. She lived chained outdoors. HEART came to the rescue when a concerned animal lover called to tell us about her. We took her in immediately only to find that she was being eaten alive by over 100 maggots under her fur due to open wounds from severe matting. Her picture shows her shaved back due to maggots. Lady is now safe, loved and successfully recovering in HEART foster care. |
"A LONELY DOG"
Before I die I would like everyone to know how I feel.
I am very old now and I have lived and will die chained in the backyard.
I suffered the cold of winter and the heat of summer.
I have never known the comforts of family life.
I have never been invited inside to enjoy an evening with my family.
I have never been for a walk.
I see my family for five minutes each day when they bring me food and water, never at the same time.
I have so much love in my heart to give them, and now that I am near the end of my days, they will never know how much I loved them.
I forgive them for the way they treated me, but my heart is heavy with sadness for all the dogs who live and die on a chain. |
