Helping an Abused Dog Named Noodle
The last few days are a blur. A very skinny and severely neglected female Pit Bull Terrier came into my life and my world has been spinning ever since. While my soul still aches, I want to share her story with you not to make you sad, but to empower you. We all need to help.
The Story of Noodle
My day started like most days, sipping coffee and typing away at my next article. Then, an early morning phone call sank my heart to my feet.
A dear friend arrived at work earlier than scheduled on a hot and humid Friday morning. As he approached the front door, he was greeted by a malnourished female dog that was tied and duct-taped to a massive tree log. She had dragged this log for miles, as there were no homes or businesses close by. She dragged this huge truck for so long that the bottom was sanded flat.
She was filthy and extremely skinny, and her breasts told of a recent litter of puppies. Her feet were red and blistered and her neck was bleeding. She was exhausted. She could barely stand or walk. She collapsed at his feet.
My friend slowly befriended her with his breakfast and removed the log. Next, he freed her from the thick rope and duct tape choking her. It seems the duct tape was freshly applied probably within eight hours, which sickens me because some horrible person must have recently touched her and did it in pure cruelty.
Fighting back waves of nausea, I had to sit down while listening to the dreadful details. My friend grasped for words followed by long pauses, as we both fought back tears. He was begging for help. We had to save her. Then, I asked for pictures, hoping with every fiber of my being that it wasn’t too bad. After viewing them, I wished I’d never seen them. Those pictures can never be unseen. They’re burned in my eyes and soul forever.
A rage filled me unlike anything I’ve felt before. I cried and screamed inside and out–how could this happen? Another wave of pure disgust fueled my rage. This poor Pit Bull girl had pulled this log along aside a busy road and no one stopped to help her! I know someone saw her. It was during rush hour for Pete’s sake!
No, I will not let her down. Cruel humans have done enough.
Stepping Into Action
Used My Contacts
Thankfully, I’m blessed with a hefty number of dog-loving contacts, so I started using them all. I begged for help on Facebook and made hundreds of phone calls. As kind souls began arriving at work, they pooled funds together and purchased her a dog crate, food and treats. She was safe, but I needed to find her a safe place for the night.
Fostered the Dog
Noodle’s story spread like wildfire. Two kind souls offered to foster her until she was able to find her forever home. Now, fostering is not for the faint of heart. It’s mentally challenging for both humans and their personal dogs. However, the reward most certainly outweighs its challenges.
Contacted a Local Veterinarian
I begged and pleaded on social media for funds, which I knew would be desperately needed to save this girl. She has probably never seen a veterinarian in her life. While the outpouring was massive, there was a delay in fundraising. Folks were unsure about donating to a website, so we set up direct billing to a local veterinarian.
Why I Didn’t Contact Animal Control
Many of you are probably asking, “Why didn’t you contact rescue?” Well I did, and they’re drowning in abandoned dogs. Pit Bulls are usually the first dogs euthanized at animal control because so many idiots are breeding them and no one adopts them out.
Time and time again, local and national rescue organizations rejected me. After hearing “Sorry, we’re full” 15 times, I learned a very valuable lesson. The problem is not rescue. It’s us. We’re asking others to clean up our mess–out of sight, out of mind, right? Well, not anymore.
Everyone, including non-pet lovers, needs to roll up his sleeves and help every animal in need regardless where it happens. We must take action and quit passing the buck. Don’t look away.
It takes a village to save a dog.
Six Days Later (8/27/15)
Noodle has gained 10 pounds, learned to play with toys and experienced sleeping on beds, which she loves. She used to be scared she’ll never eat again, but she’s learning to eat slower. She’s causing chronic stomach distention, as she drinks every water bowl dry, including the toilet. Keep in mind she’s never had unlimited access to resources. She’s scared of male dogs, which makes me think she was forcibly bred for puppies over and over again.
She loves people so much so she would rather sit in your lap than eat her chewies. She’ll probably develop separation anxiety, but I’ll see her through it. Her foster Momma is teaching her crate training skills and polite leash manners.
From a health perspective, Noodle is heartworm positive. Her vet estimates her age between one to two years old, but couldn’t give a specific number. Her young body aged fast due to a hard life. As I type, I’ve scheduled a local dog trainer to temperament test her today. I’ll follow up with phone calls.
Accepted Into a Local Rescue
Due to our fundraising efforts and attempts to find her a kind foster home, a local rescue (Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue) accepted her into their program. You know why? Because we didn’t dump her. We took action and asked the experts to help find her a home.
You see, I did all of this from my home. I live six hours away.
It takes a village to save a dog and we need to all step in. You can do this too.
Please Help Noodle
If you would like to donate to Noodle, as her veterinary bills are huge,
please contact Gill Bright Animal Hospital at (337) 477-4252.
For checks, please add Act #14292 in the subject line and
make the check out to Gill Bright Animal Hospital. Please mail to:
Gill Bright Animal Hospital, Care Of Noodle LCPBR
406 W. McNeese
St., Lake Charles, LA 70605
Take a moment and thank Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue. They’re located in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Also, thank Samantha Collins for donating her time to temperament test Noodle. She owns Companions TLC in Lafayette, LA. Don’t forget to like their Facebook pages too.
She looks like she could be my pitt bulls sister. Same marking. Lucy, my pitt, is a rescue also. She was found south of Iowa, Louisiana.
Wow……makes you wonder who’s breeding these poor Pitties. Noodle was found in Lafayette, right off Willow. And if I see the person that did this too her, MERCY ON HIS SOUL….. Kisses to Lucy!
Thank you so much for taking action! The only way abuse and dog fighting will be stopped is for everyone to make it a priority. United we can make a difference♡♡♡
Right on Karen! I’m right there with ya!
<3 Thanks, for every kind souls who will see and read that wonderful story. I'm sooooo far away from Lake Charles Rescue, like over a country away, but every month I give to them funds, because stories, like your's, melt my heart and in the same time teared my eyes.
The world need more people like you and your friend, but If nobody share those stories, things will never changes.
Thanks again !
Thank YOU Kay! South Louisiana is drowning in homeless dogs…. they need every bit of help possible, thank YOU so much!
I love these dogs, I hate when they have been abused or faught, one warning though. I personally know a couple that rescued a pit bull that had been faught, it is ok for you to rescue one , but not if you have small children those poor dogs minds have been altered. My friend and his wife have a 3 year old and the dog they rescued was in the front yard playing with the Lil girl and it turned on the baby, and attacked her, she had to have hundreds of stitches in her Lil face and head, now she is traumatized, and deathly afraid of all dogs. These special dogs need lots of love and security, that can only be given by adults . Not safe for your child. I know that pit Bulls are great dogs had a couple of them it just depends on how they are raised.