By Janet McAfee
A man in a large truck picked me up from the street and took me to a large building where there were many dogs and cats. I peered out from behind the kennel bars lonely and in pain. They took me to the building next door where a man in a white coat put me in an x-ray machine. I heard him say I had “thermal burns” on my tail and on my back. This type of skin injury is caused by excessive contact with hot surfaces such as flames, hot liquid, or steam. I cannot talk to tell anyone what happened. I tried to block out my memories and the pain.
Soon a kind woman from Loving All Animals came to take me out of the shelter. Their shelter in Coachella had a nice outdoor yard where I could relax. I was happy there when a volunteer sat with me and petted my head. Soon I was able to join the other dogs in the large back yard where we had so much fun playing together.
Loving All Animals took me to their veterinarian where my wounds were treated and my tail wrapped in another bandage. My tail required frequent bandage changes. I worried when the vet said they might need to amputate the remainder of my tail. Fortunately, the open wound at the end of my tail healed on its own.
My life took another wonderful turn when I went to live with my foster parents Thom and Kathy Gottberg. I felt loved and very special. My favorite activity was going for bicycle rides with Thom. We went to the training classes back at Loving All Animals where I learned to follow commands to keep my humans happy.
Tragedy struck again the day I collapsed in a seizure lasting 30 minutes. My frightened foster parents called Loving All Animals and rushed me to the vet. I was put on medication but had 3 more minor seizures. I was healthy and happy but sensed there was more to happen on my journey to a forever home.
One day Kenny Fleiner arrived and took me home with him. I was sad to leave Thom and Kathy. However, I sensed Kenny was a special human with good intentions for me. He loves dogs and immediately our life together was full of adventures. I knew I had found my forever home. Kathy told Kenny, “Patti loves the other dogs during our walks, she loves children, and she is a chow hound. Having Patti has been a gift to us, and we are grateful to be part of her happy adoption!”
I overheard Kenny tell someone, “I wasn’t looking for a dog when I saw Pattie’s photo on the www.NextDoor.com site her fosters posted. Her bio stated she was on seizure medication 3 times a day. It sealed the deal when I found out we take the same medication! I said out loud ‘You are home’. I lost my other 2 dogs after a divorce and miss them very much. In January, I installed a doggie door and a special yard to prepare for a pup. I have my partner now!”
These days Kenny and I are both seizure free and enjoy life together every day. We love going for walks and meeting the other dogs in the community. Kenny is preparing me to feel more comfortable on our car rides to Los Angeles when we visit my human grandma. It made me happy to see his Facebook page has lots of photos of me. Life is great! Thank you to all you animal heroes who were part of my journey.
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Loving All Animals has rescued thousands of homeless animals. Some like Patches are homeless injured strays at the Riverside County Shelter. Others are abandoned on our streets, frightened and hungry. Some had families who lost their homes. Most of the animals rescued have medical and/or behavior issues requiring extensive treatment to become adoptable. The endless flow of homeless domestic pets has increased in the past 2 years.
LAA couldn’t do this life saving work without volunteers, foster parents, adopters, and donors. Call (760) 834-7000 for information about fostering. DONATE on our
website www.lovingallanimals.org.
