A City Dogs Rescue Story: Kacey the Brave

Karen, Sage, and Kacey Photography Courtesy of Hannele Lahti (adogphotographer.com)

Everyone who follows City Dogs Rescue knows that it can be agonizing day after day to see the urgent cries for help. Time and again our supporters make it possible for us to save deserving souls. Kacey is one of those dogs. 

(Original Facebook post)

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Kacey was going to be euthanized on January 27 because she was a senior beagle (approximately 10+) in an overcrowded shelter showing signs of costly health problems (lumps). She didn’t even have a name. We knew her chances were slim but our donors came forward to help us fund her rescue. Karen Johnson sponsored Kacey's rescue. We also requested someone to be a foster for her. Our volunteer fosters go above and beyond, but it takes an even more extraordinary person to step up for a dog without any history or background information and say “I’ll help”. Karen raised her hand to provide a loving home for Kacey not knowing how long it would be for or what it would entail. The good vets at Smyth County Animal Hospital took good care of her for us until she was ready to come to DC.

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Kacey has been in out of the vet and her prognosis is not good and there’s not much we can do. In the meantime, Karen and her family (husband Sage, furbabies Tahoe and CDR alumna Fiona) are making her as comfortable as possible and documenting her days with them. She has been diagnosed with two types of cancer: mammary carcinoma and a mast cell tumor.  The oncology specialists said they cannot cure her cancer but we are doing all we can to keep her pain at a minimum. Cancer is not easy with dogs or people. At this time, we want her to live in a stable, comfortable place and Karen has committed to being her hospice home.  We will not be placing her up for adoption as she is in her forever home now. 

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Karen says, “Her cough is the worst at night but the cough medicine is helping.  She is still very active.  She loves to eat and run through our yard.  She and our other two dogs seem to be acclimating well and Kacey is learning to play.  She currently only likes my socks and my husbands firewood gloves.” She remarked how brave Kacey is and assured us that the rest of her life will be grand. Thanks to everyone who has made it possible to make Kacey’s last days with us love-filled with Karen, Sage, Fiona and Tahoe sharing all  that's good in life with her.

Photography Courtesy of Hannele Lahti (adogphotographer.com)

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Photography Courtesy of Hannele Lahti (adogphotographer.com)