Everyone knew Asher didn’t have much time left.
Animal control agents discovered Asher, who is estimated to be 14 years old, alone in a field in Orange County, California. He was unable to move freely, and his coat was dirty from pooping and peeing while lying down.
The authorities took Asher to a nearby shelter and placed him on a five-day stray hold, giving Asher’s family time to come forward and claim him. But, sadly, no one did.
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The next step was to place Asher for adoption, but the shelter feared he was in agony and that adoption might not be the best — or most feasible — choice.
“He was euthanasia-listed the same day he became available because they believed he was suffering, and because of how much he was panting and not being mobile,” Kelly Smíšek, executive director of San Diego-based Frosted Faces Foundation (FFF), told The Dodo.
But when Smíšek found out about Asher, she knew she had to help him. Even if he didn’t have many days left, she thought he deserved to be a part of a family.
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Smíšek and her husband Andy bathed and groomed Asher after she brought him home with her.
“Sometimes I believe cleaning them up is more for us than for them,” Smíšek said. “But I also know how amazing it must feel to be clean and have someone help you get up.”
Asher, on the other hand, was skeptical about this aspect of the agreement.
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“He was quite frustrated when we initially acquired him,” Smíšek added. “Because he was uncomfortable being brushed or handled, he was turning swiftly to correct us with his mouth, and he didn’t enjoy it.” It wasn’t so much the agony as it was the unfamiliarity.”
Smíšek had to temporarily muzzle Asher when they groomed him since he was afraid of being bitten. But it was Asher’s immobility, caused by a disease known as spondylosis deformans, that worried Smíšek and her husband the most.
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“I’ll admit that when we were showering him, Andy said something to the effect of, ‘You know, sometimes euthanasia isn’t bad.’” “This guy looks so horrible,” Smíšek posted on Facebook, “after we had worked all day banging our butts to escape him in time.” “Andy wasn’t incorrect, and I quietly gave him the ‘Well, he’s here, so he’ll have dignity, now please keep helping me’ look.”
Despite their reservations, Asher began to relax, and Smíšek saw this as assurance that she’d made the correct decision.
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“He was becoming comfortable in the tub, and we were able to take the muzzle off, and he simply started licking me,” Smek explained.
Smíšek placed a blanket around Asher after a nice bath…
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… served him a substantial supper…
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… and let him to relax on his dog bed.
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Asher was also given the opportunity to go outside and explore.
“He moves slowly, but he walks,” Smíšek explained. “He was out in the yard this morning, and then he got to come inside. He knows where the dog beds are – he finds his bed and lays down.”
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Smíšek would frequently hand-feed Asher despite the fact that he can eat on his own.
“He can basically eat on his own, but he can’t move his bowl or swivel his head like a regular dog to get food out of his bowl, so we have to scrape off the remainder of the food and hand-feed him, which he adores,” Smíšek explained.
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“Now he’s quite comfortable with us, and we can approach him and bring him to his feet since he always requires assistance doing that,” she continued.
Asher also enjoys lavishing affection on Smíšek and her husband, as well as the other canines in their home.
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“His deep-strained breathing improves with each passing day, and he enjoys being a member of the pack,” Smíšek added. “He gives kisses to everybody or any dog who comes close to his face.” His neck is incredibly rigid, so he can’t aim the kisses at you, but if you’re in the line of fire, you get smacked with his long lizard tongue.”
Smíšek is waiting for Asher’s blood results from the vet to find out what kind of medication can ease his symptoms. But even with medication, she knows that he might not be around much longer.
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Nonetheless, Smíšek understands it’s worthwhile.
“Some people may look at him and think, ‘I don’t see how this dog is happy,’ since he appears so stiff and is just standing there panting,” Smíšek explained. “But he’s clean, and he’s eating and looking around, and he’s having fun.” I believe we’ve learnt that it’s always necessary to take these dogs out of the shelter, even if it’s just for one night.”
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