13-Year-Old Dog Left Behind As Family Considers Euthanasia Before Moving
After 13 years of loyalty, Jake was left homeless as his family moved, even considering euthanasia if no help arrived.
Thankfully, Uncle Neil’s Home stepped in, offering this sweet senior dog the love and care he always deserved.
Jake’s Heartbreaking Journey To Healing
In December 2023, Uncle Neil’s Home received an urgent plea to save a 13-year-old dog, Jake, from being euthanized because his family was moving.
Rian Feldman, the sanctuary’s founder, shared: “I received a call one evening from a woman telling me that she needed rescue for her 13-year-old dog because she was moving and going to euthanize him if she couldn’t find a home. I was sickened to hear this and immediately put out an urgent plea across our social media pages calling on our community to help us find a foster home for Jake to save his life.“
Thankfully, a kind-hearted couple, Valerie and Chris from Maryland, responded and offered Jake a foster home.
The sanctuary made arrangements, and it wasn’t until Jake was surrendered that they fully understood the neglect he had endured.
“They barely said goodbye to him. They yelled out the window ‘bye Jake’ and sped off… after 13 years,” Feldman recounted. “It was clear that he was extremely neglected. He could barely walk, he couldn’t get down from the car, and we had to urge them to help him down.”
Uncle Neil’s Home described Jake’s condition on Facebook: “Jake is clearly very arthritic and not receiving any supportive care, his nails haven’t been cut in well over a year, and he’s breathing very, very heavily at times. His old family told us that he’s never had a bed before.“
Despite the heartbreak, surrendering him might have been the best thing for Jake. In just one day with his foster family, he received more love and care than he had in his entire life.
“He is insanely sweet, and seeing him breaks our heart, but it’s only love and the good life from here on out,” the sanctuary shared.
Towards A Better Future
Jake’s first vet appointment revealed a grim health situation.
His issues included severe osteoarthritis, muscle atrophy, dental disease, hearing loss, conjunctivitis, masses, laryngeal paralysis, bladder stones, and neurologic deficits.
“Jake needs surgery for the mass on his right testicle and bladder stones. We will neuter Jake, have the mass biopsied, and the doctor will remove the bladder stones during that surgery. Later, he’ll need a dental for 2 cracked teeth,” the sanctuary explained on Instagram.
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Despite the challenges, Jake has already undergone his first surgery and is thriving in his foster home. Pain management and love have transformed him into a happy, healing dog.
“He is doing amazingly well in his foster home. We’re hoping for a foster fail,” Feldman added.
Jake’s foster family is giving him the care he never knew before. You can follow his heartwarming recovery journey on Instagram here @jakeypals.
