Another poor soul needed help. This was Osi. He was a Golden Retriever Mix and was about 10 years old. We caught a glimpse of him lying in front of the driveway as we passed. He was a present image of suffering. He was malnourished, and his skin was in serious condition. He also had a large, open, infected sore on his muzzle, which was causing him excruciating pain.
We knew we had to help him. We approached his owner, who explained that he had chewed pork bones during the Galungan celebration two months earlier and had been sick ever since. He lost his appetite, and his general health deteriorated. Limited income made it difficult for the owner to take him to the vet. We volunteered to help get Osi to the vet.
Upon arrival at the vet’s office, Osi was taken for tests. The pig bone had embedded itself deeply in the tissue of the mouth, leading to a necrotic infection. If left untreated, it would turn into sepsis and lead to death. We waited for the blood test results, and Osi was groomed and bathed to begin treatment for his serious skin condition.
He suffered from fungal and fungal infections and would have to take medicine and apply topical medication. After the first medicated bath, his skin should feel a little less sore. He may have suffered from severe anemia due to a parasitic blood infection.
But the most urgent matter was the surgery Osi needed to save his life. He was carefully prepped for surgery and given chicken soup, which he seemed to like. The hole in his mouth was sutured, and he was fine after the surgery. Osi would stay at the vet for a few more days for follow-up and treatment.
We visited him again the next day. It was hard to leave him at the vet. His big, sad eyes showed that he didn’t understand what was happening. But we knew that this was just the first step to a new, better life. Every day, we took him for walks to the vet to pee and relax, and most importantly, we made him more comfortable in the cage.
Osi’s story is not unique, unfortunately. There are many animals out there suffering from neglect, abuse, and illnesses. But Osi’s story is a reminder that every animal deserves a chance at life, love, and happiness. It takes a village to make a difference, and we were fortunate to be a part of Osi’s journey to a better life.
