by Lynnmarie Schroeder

The call went out for a shelter or rescue needed for a “special needs” dog that was in a high kill shelter.  NCCR responded and transportation was arranged. You see, behind the scenes is a network of some the most beautiful spirited humans, they are those that transport dogs on death row to safety, week after week.

Arriving at NCCR on the March 28^th-29^th transport, I had the pleasure of meeting a most endearing little man.   I was told this little guy was in need of a foster home. His name was Fenway, who we came to affectionately call  “Fenz”.  He was blind in one eye and had a broken, but healed hind leg.    Fenz was a sight to see,  pitiful in face and spirit.  He would  crawl inside you if he could. 

At our home, he met his mentors:  Cloey (Shepard), Duffy (Lab),  Zeus (Rottie) and Tenacious Tessa (Mix).  Zeus and Tessa are proud NCCR alumni. Even grumpy Duffy, knew “Fenz” was special. Over the next few weeks, after getting over introduction issues, I can best describe Fenz as the “Velcro dog”, which was tough; I didn’t keep a lap long enough. 

We found a large transparent mass under his tongue, (it was ultimately removed) but through these Vet visits we learned a little history. NCCR had asked to have his bad leg evaluated and x-rayed.  The vet described the x-ray as “looking at an x-ray of a watermelon” as the x-ray revealed  approximately a dozen BBs and his leg had indeed been broken…in half.  The leg had let Mother Nature help in the healing process and we all agreed it no longer pained him.   His eye had a scar upon it;  it certainly appeared that he had been deliberately injured but only a few could know the truth of how Fenway’s misfortunes came about.

You can’t help but think of the scenarios of animal abuse, for Fenway and many others by no fault of their own.  Humans have issues that they take out on others and an animal is unfortunately too often the chosen target.  

Fenz found his confidence and spirit just before he found his person~a wonderful soul, with a lap. This is just one little story of one little guy, who got a second chance.