Aiken SPCA

by Joy Albrecht, Vice President, Aiken SPCA Board of Trustees

On a Sunday morning some years back, I was driving down Dibble Road here in Aiken. Rounding a curve I saw a large brown animal lying in the road. I pulled my car over and approached realizing it was a large dog. My first thought was that he had been hit by a car and was either dead or gravely injured. Checking him over, I saw that he was awake and did not appear injured, although he would not lift his head. As I patted and stroked him, he watched me with a look I can only describe as resignation.

Trying everything I could think of to coax him to get into my car (including my daughter’s cookies), I was unsuccessful at getting him to sit up, let alone stand. Hoping, praying another car would come along to help me lift him into my car, I soon realized I was going to have to go it alone.

The brown dog had a large head, a very large head. A large head with what I assumed were large teeth. My mantra of “don’t bite me, please don’t bite me …” was ongoing as I hoisted him up into my arms. Believing such a large dog would weigh well over 80 pounds, I was shocked that I could lift him with relative ease. Handling him with as much care as I could his head ended up flopping onto my shoulder—right next to my face and neck.

“Please, please do not bite me!” I laid him onto an old blanket without incident and heard a quiet “thump, thump” of his tail.

Since I could not get him to the vet until Monday morning I brought him home. Assessing him closely it was easy to determine he was simply a living tragedy. Hairless on much of his back and tail, the open sores covering his body were the least of his problems. A thick brown leather collar was deeply embedded in his neck, with about a foot of worn rope attached. His large frame was simply skin covering bones. His nails were nothing but worn, cracked nubs and the pads of his feet were raw and worn.

Dr. John Hurd at Silverbluff Animal Hospital blessedly did not hesitate to work on this “tough case.” Through all the poking and prodding, the ugly, brown dog’s solemn brown eyes just watched and accepted.

At the end of the day the call came—the brown dog was severely malnourished, had advanced heart worm, was anemic, had various infections of the skin, teeth and eyes, and required surgery to remove the embedded collar. When asked “What do you want us to do?” I could only imagine the life this poor animal had suffered. “Save him if you can,” was my response.

Having two large dogs at home already I casually mentioned the ugly, sick, brown dog to my mom. Mom would take all the unwanted animals in the world if she could, so I figured she was my best bet. Mom made him her mission. “Tell your dad about the dog. Tell him he is ugly … really, really ugly.” (no lie there!)

After a long recovery that included two treatment courses for heartworm and lots of love and good food, the brown dog is not so ugly any more. He is big, healthy and strong, a proud protector, and happy family member. He is my dad’s constant companion.

“How lucky we are,” my dad said.

“I remember,” said the eyes of the brown dog.

Not many ugly brown dogs have a happy ending. Housed in solitude, tied to a tree or fence—that is just existing, not living. Animals we choose to bring into our lives are our responsibility. They require more than a strong rope to keep them tethered. If you know of a brown dog that went missing a few years ago, he won’t be coming back. My guess is he is pretty happy now.

If you want to experience the joy of adopting a dog or cat that will give you unconditional love, visit the Aiken SPCA or other animal rescue organizations in our area. You’ll save a life and make yours even better.

In the photo: My mom, dad, and Aaron, an ugly dog no more!