Call it fate, call it chance, call it whatever you want, but terry, so aptly renamed Chance, could have ended up as another statistic in this pragmatic society where the odds of survival are stacked up against the homeless and the abandoned.
Initially found abandoned at a park and having a skin condition, the kind hearted couple, Christine and Leon brought him to the local animal shelter, where they hoped that Chance would be cured and re-homed. Instead a cursory inspection but he vet there sentenced him to be put to sleep.
Feeling strongly that chance did not deserve a death sentence just because of an undiagnosed skin condition, they contacted us to help chance have another shot at life. On their part, they went above and beyond their duty of kindness. They brought Chance to the vet regularly; made sure he took his medicine and bathed him religiously with the medicated shampoo.
With such effort, we could not and would not fail Chance. Three families came to see Chance, but none were ready to accept him, even though his skin condition had already improved dramatically.
Then came Susanne and her family. Susanne had grown up with dogs all her life and from the bonding session, we knew Chance would be the perfect friend and companion for them. She did not mind his skin condition but her concern was Chance might not pass the quarantine laws in their homeland should they leave this country one day.
Chance’s fate hung in limbo as all parties concerned sought information and advice from he authorities and vets. Finally after much soul searching, they decided to take a chance with Chance, and he seemed to know it too, for he was all ways and wiggles the day he was brought into the Khalek family.
Today, Chance’s skin condition is all but gone and he has grown a beautifully soft and silky coat, thanks to all the good nutrition and supplements. But Susanne, ever so diligent and concerned, keeps a close eye on this nutritional need. She even maintains a book of information just for Chance! We were so happy to spend the longest time talking to her about dog nutrition!
Chance appreciates all the love he gets from everyone who treats him as part of the family, and his approach to love is pure and simple: If you love someone, go up to them, plant a big wet kiss and snuggle up! Chance has finally found his niche in life, and all because everyone reached into their hearts and took a chance.
Susanne has written about some of her reflections on Chance’s adoption.