I find it very hard not to hate some times....

With great sadness, I must report that Mitzi, the Saint Bernard pictured below, underwent an emergency C section on Saturday, resulting in ten healthy pups. Tragically, Mitzi herself, weakened by the neglect and strain of carrying her pups, did not survive. They were unable to stop the bleeding and lost her on the table.

Some may call it sentimental foolishness or unwarranted anthropormorphism, but I want to believe that on some level, she cared about her pups and knew they would be safe.

During her last week, which might have been her first week as an inside dog, Mitzi began to relax in her safety. Her foster mom reported that Mitzi often came over and just looked up at her, sighed happily and tentatively asked for a pat. She was just beginning to trust and become the Saint she was meant to be when we lost her.

Mitzi was willing to give people another chance. I'm not so sure I'm that good of a being. I look at a case like Mitzi's -- and let's face it, we've all seen more horrible ACTIVE abuse than the simple gross neglect Mitzi suffered -- but I look at a big, gentle dog like Mitzi and I know that there is evil in the world. What kind of miserable human being allows so many litters to be produced and does not provide basic medical care? To be pregnant and covered with filthy and fleas? To be so thin and weak? And then to be turned in at a kill shelter, left outside in an uncovered cement run while a week away from giving birth?

How do I wrap my mind around the concept of a person who could do that? It is so far from what I think of as being a human being that I just don't get it. I understand desperate circumstances, I understand poverty -- but was there no other way? Nothing else at any point in time that this sorry excuse for a human being could have done?

I don't know, people. I just don't know. I. Don't. Know.

Such sadness.

Thanks be to doG we were able to help.

A few days back, Smokey Mountain Saint Bernard Rescue got a call from a shelter -- a pregnant SB had been owner-surrendered -- could SMSBR take her?

Of course they could. They never turn away a dog if they can help it.

They went to the shelter. THis sweetie was in an outside run living on concrete, no dog house. VERY pregnant. VERY.

But the new momma was going to need medical care. And the county shelter had a $100 pull fee unless the rescue has 501(c)3 status, which SMSBR doesn't have.

Enter ARI. I got the call and after talking it over with SMSBR, we decided to accept this gorgeous petite (125lbs!) girl as an ARI teaming project. We provide the 501(c)3 coverage and some case supervision, as well as help fundraising, and the group gets to spend that money on medical care.

Of course, she's had no vet care that we know of. She was examined last week and is carrying 12-14 puppies. In the vet's opinion, she's around six years old and has born lots of litters. Lots.

Well, no more. She will never have to worry about medical care, warm blankies or food again. She is getting used to being a house dog. She is finally starting to seek out human attention instead of cowering. At 125 pounds, probably 22-25 pounds of that is PUPPIES. She is a very small Saint and is underweight even for a small one. After the puppies are weaned, she'll probably be available, unless her foster family decides to keep her!

She's due any day. I'll keep you posted.

With your help, ARI is able to be there for groups like SMSBR, to help them do the frontline rescue work. Thank you.