Sally was one of the most beautiful Chocolate Labs I have ever seen even though she was showing her age. It was her beautiful, loving personality that outshined even her physical appearance that you would notice when you first saw her. Walking in at the end of a ragged rope leash held by her backyard breeder owner, it was apparent that she knew her life was going to change. She wagged her tail and allowed herself to be willingly walked away by the volunteer. It was obvious to her that there was nowhere to go but up.

Sally was with us a very short time but her impact was felt by all. She was 9 years old and had been bred way past what would have been safely recommended even by those who insist on breeding. She had very large mammary tumors swinging below her belly and her back showed large patches of hair loss due to flea bite dermatitis. Her mouth appeared to have some kind of infection. She was extremely dirty and if one didn’t know better they would think she had been wandering on her own for a long time. The extreme neglect was very apparent and needless. In spite of her ratty condition, she was smiling and looking to the volunteers to see who was going to be worthy of the trust she had to give. She seemed to crave human touch. Fortunately she had landed in the right place. Everyone wanted to take care of her. She got special wet food which she ate happily.  Gentle hands lifted her into the tub for a nice warm bath then she was placed in a heated run to dry. She was given a special tempurpedic bed to rest her bones in. An appointment was made to have her evaluated by our Vet.

The day before her appointment with the Vet, Sally stopped eating. We tried everything. Nothing seemed to interest her. The next morning we loaded her into the van for a trip to the vet. All the while our hearts were sinking because with all of our combined experiences, somehow we knew it probably wasn’t good. The Staff led her away for x-rays and a blood draw to determine a prognosis. Hopefully it would be something we could fix. We knew it would be the next day before we would have the results. The Vet gave her medicine for any pain she might be experiencing and then it was time to go home. Once again when we got to the van, Sally knew what to do and leaped up into the crate even though we were prepared to lift her. Looking back now I realize what an effort that was for her. Again, she knew that was what she was expected to do, so she did it.

We returned to the Sanctuary, tried to feed her again, gave her the pain medications and then tucked her in for the night with our fingers crossed. Sally died sometime during the night. We believe she felt how much she was loved in her last few days. We sincerely regret it wasn’t longer.

I truly believe that a moratorium should be put in place to stop all breeding of all dogs in order to allow the numbers to decline to where we are not having to put down millions of dogs just for space. Once we reach manageable numbers, the moratorium could be lifted. In the meantime it should be illegal to own an un-sprayed or un-neutered dog unless you are registered and inspected and do not breed during the moratorium. I also believe that if some one is going to breed dogs, it should be to preserve the breed and done under strict guidelines to include number of times a dog can be bred, age limits, and proof of all testing results. Any dogs that are sold for pets must be altered. This should be heavily supervised in order to be approved as a breeder. The person who turned in Sally was an AKC approved breeder. Where were the AKC when Sally needed protection? Sally wasn’t alone.

Janet LuCore, Fallbrook Animal Sanctuary Founder