Dodger
Our own Artful Dodger, who has evaded death countless times in his nine lives, came to us by way of Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control (ACC) where he was adopted out in 2012 as a young whippersnapper. Now Dodger finds himself an elder statesmen in the county pound, and he needs our help.
No one came for Dodger. Despite our friendly ACC correspondent’s pleas on social media, no one came, and few pledged any money at all. When we at A.R.F. (Animal Rescue Force of South Florida) got the call, we did not hesitate. In doing so, we saved a grotesque looking sick old man from being euthanized for taking up space during kitten season, when cute little fluffy kittens of all shapes and sizes are whisked through ACC, being adopted, fundraised for, and rescued, just as fast as they come in. Kittens like Dodger was in 2012 when he was adopted.
Our volunteer dropped everything in the middle of her work day and left to get Dodger who was a “last call”. He was so bloody and pitiful looking, she was scared to look at him and scared to love him. She immediately took the sad bloody animal, who snotted blood all over her car, to an animal hospital where he promptly racked up $800 in medical expenses with nothing being actually resolved, but only potential causes for his conditions were eliminated.
She brought the animal home and had to care, had to get close to him, as he had so many medications to be administered. Wincing she picked him up. She began to explain, “Okay Dodger, let’s get your ears cleaned…” and as she poked and prodded, jammed pills down his throat, every wall she had erected virtually evaporated. The animal, whose beautiful creamsicle coat was now visible, began to lean into her and purr. He looked at her with such gratitude she felt unworthy. He trusted her and complied with all the unpleasantness of wound cleaning, pill swallowing, drops up his nose, in his ears. And he looked at her with so much love.
That volunteer has become utterly devoted to Dodger, his medical care and all his needs. Despite having a very full, bursting at the seams life, she is prepared to prioritize his care and his needs: to fundraise for him, follow vet recommendations to the letter, keep a detailed log, get him to all appointments, and love unconditionally, as they embark on a journey of wellness together.
Please help us help Dodger. His life matters. A more soulful cat may never have existed. We believe he is a one in ten million kind of cat. We will do anything it takes and provide frequent updates. We are in this for the long haul. Help us help Dodger.
ARF is a 501c-3 charity and is ALL-VOLUNTEER. Not a single cent of donation money will be used for anything but Dodger’s considerable vet bills and medications.
What’s wrong with Dodger?
Dodger is a beautiful orange domestic shorthair male, 9 years in age, with an oozing wound on his nose. He is currently wearing a cone to keep him from further aggravating it. Your donations will work toward specialty veterinary bills for his nose. Dodger also has bilateral entropion, meaning his eye lashes have grown inward, causing major discomfort and long term vision damage. This will require corrective surgery.
Please, help him. The world has been unkind to Dodger, yet he continues to be nothing but kind and gentle and grateful for the love and care he receives. Every bit helps. No donation is too small. And we are grateful for any help.
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