Would you like to share a success story?   Provide motivation and inspiration for others who have struggled with decisions, treatments, rescues?

Have you experienced a "miracle" like "Parker" Jones, and have been given in return a lifetime full of love and thanks from a special pet? (Read "Parker's" story below). 

We learn so much from the generous and unconditional love that comes from an animal that has been deemed a throw-away, but taken from the unfit conditions of his/her life and given a chance, there emerges a soul unlike any other.

We invite you to contribute to this page.  Whether it was a success story that happened here at Governor Animal Clinic or elsewhere.   Share with us your decision to open your heart for a needy animal, and what you received in return.

You can email your story and photo to Jan at  gacjan@att.net

Parker's Story

The following four photos are difficult to look at, but we want to tell you Parker's story from the beginning..........

Parker had an incredible impact on one of the many talented, caring and loving staff members at the  San Diego Department of Animal Services. Instead of the scheduled euthanasia, he was brought into Governor Animal Clinic by his new foster mom Susan, on March 30, 2010. 

He was, as you can clearly see,  severely emaciated, with infected sores, skin & ears, hair loss (the only hair he had was on his shoulders and a portion of his neck), and yellow scales down both sides of his body.

The odor from this poor boy permeated throughout the entire clinic. x-rays taken revealed an old fracture on his tail.  He was scared, sad and seemed to have a broken spirit. His tail hung limply, even when being fed tasty treats.

Parker appears to be a very old, spiritless, sad and scared boy, but he definitely stole the hearts of each and every employee at GAC. We each spent time with him, letting him know how much we cared and were going to do all we could to bring him back to good health & spirit.

A few weeks later, on April 21st;

#1 

Showing some faith that we are here to help, letting a little bit of his personality come through.

#2 & #3 

Although still worried and sad, tail hanging low, Parker is putting on some healthy weight and is beginning to show some new hair growth. 

(above)   Parker shows contentment and trust with Susan, his foster.  Susan said that Parker is surrounded by her cats at home, who cuddle up to his almost hairless body for the warmth emanating from his skin.  He is such a good boy, maybe even enjoying their attention!  Never having an accident in Susan's home, always "knocking" on the door to go outside.  He follows commands, and is a very gentle boy.

(above)    On April 27th Susan brought Parker in for another recheck, and just look at the hair growth on this boy!  He came into the clinic with a smile on his face and wagging his tail--seemed happy to see us as we all came out to say hi and check up on his progress.  Coming out of his shell, he was showing interest in the other dogs that came into the clinic.

Parker's big smile tells it all!
On June 2nd, nine weeks after
first meeting Parker
and beginning his treatments,
Susan brought him in
for another recheck (below).

He now has a beautiful, shiny, soft coat, he smells
good (!), and his tail doesn't stop wagging---he smiled throughout his exam.  He loved his visit, because most of the staff came in to admire how very handsome and happy he is!

This incredible dog, taking even the most stoic heart and turning it to mush, is showing his foster mom Susan how very much he appreciates all she has done for him, her tireless effort to follow all of Dr. Feinberg's directions for the treatments that returned a broken boy back into the happy, handsome dog you see below. 

Thanks to Susan, he has the comfort of knowing, once again, how very much he is loved.

          Parker shows his gratitude to
          Dr.Feinberg for helping Susan
          bring him back from the
          emaciated boy he was
          just a few short months ago. 
                 Parker's age- 5 years old !

Turtle’s Story:
 
While attending a friend’s wedding in Cancun, Dr. Kathy Kaleka (taking along an empty carrier knowing she would be bringing back a rescue and finding a loving family to adopt him/her) met a particular little puppy who would steal everyone's hearts away.
 

One of the American caterers working at the wedding helps with the rescue of stranded dogs and cats in the Cancun area.  During the post wedding day brunch, the caterer brought with her a very young puppy that was found on the streets starving, emaciated, hairless, painful, sick and depressed.  She asked Dr. Kaleka if this could be the rescue animal that she takes back; they did not have the means to care for all of her illnesses.  This little one fit perfectly into the small carrier, so after a long eight hour travel day, Dr. Kaleka arrived back to San Diego with “Turtle”.  (Being hairless, and found in the area of Turtle Bay, the name fit her perfectly!).
 

Turtle was a sick baby.  In addition to being emaciated and malnourished, her many medical issues included flea infestation, tick fever, anemia, ringworm, mange, internal parasites, ear infection and swollen joints.  During her two months in isolation, she was given extra love and intense medical care from Dr. Kaleka, the students at Mesa College's vet tech program, and the staff of Governor Animal Clinic. In time, Turtle blossomed into a beautiful, happy, sweet, healthy puppy.  She was now ready to be put up for adoption, so Dr. Kaleka put the word out. 
 

Ironically.......Turtle is now the very proud owner of Dr. Kaleka!  "She wormed her way into my heart and I couldn't give her up!" says Dr. Kaleka.  She now has a wonderful home with lots of love and three kitties to share with.  She goes to dog parks, Fiesta Island, dog beaches and long walks every day.  She can even go to "work" at Governor Animal Clinic several times a week, and brings smiles to people's faces every day.  A far cry from her heart-breaking beginnings in Cancun.  She is one lucky dog!  Take a look at the "before" and "after" pictures.

HERE IN THIS HOUSE

( A dogs poem)

I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs 'out there.'
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun's heat, and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.
Here in this house...

There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!
Here in this house...

I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve peoples' images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someones idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.
Here in this house...

I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch...
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored.
If scared, I will be calmed.
If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...
I will belong.
I will be home.