You all, I have to tell you about Jewels. Oh, how she has captured my heart.
She is an 11-year-old terrier mix — I’m guessing there’s some pit bull in there, but maybe another breed as well. She came into the shelter because her owner could no longer care for her.
We spayed her at the shelter and during the surgery, our vet discovered a small mass along her mammary chain.
It was removed and sent out for testing. It turns out that while the mass itself was not cancer, the sample did contain cancer cells.
So there is a possibility that the mass may come back or others might develop later on.
We know this isn’t the best story for potential adopters, but we’re hoping someone out there might be okay with giving this sweet girl whatever time she has left to enjoy life.
I actually had Jewels out at an offsite event recently and I have to tell you, she is my kind of dog. She’s very laid-back and super sweet with everyone she meets.
She doesn’t jump or go crazy. In fact, she settles down easily and loves to just watch people.
Like I said — she’s my kind of dog.
She probably has some arthritis in her joints — also like I do — so she’s slow-moving, but once she felt the cool grass, she just stretched right out.
By the time we were supposed to pack up to head back to the shelter, nobody really moved. We were talking to some people at the event and Jewels was watching the other vendors put their tents and belongings away and no one really seemed all that ready to get going.
It was one of those really nice nights and I remember sighing and just hanging out for a while with some cool people and an incredibly chill dog.
It was a great moment.
And part of the reason I remember it is because of Jewels.
Look, I know people come to an animal shelter to find a four-legged companion and have a relationship for many years. It’s understandable. And that’s what we want. Pets are such an amazing part of our lives and we want that to last for a long, long time.
But sometimes, we have a situation where an animal is just so special and even though we know there might not be a lot of years left, we want to give them a chance to find a place with a nice warm bed and loving arms.
Believe me when I say I know how difficult it is to say goodbye to a four-legged friend. I actually think it’s one of the worst kinds of grief on the planet.
Jewels’ goodbye might be soon, but heck, she could surprise us all in a loving home and last for a number of years.
It’s difficult to predict.
But please check her out at cvas-pets.org and see if maybe you could open your heart for the years that Jewels does have and give her a home where she could give you some great companionship.
She’s a real sweetheart and deserves — like all our babies do — to find a safe, soft place to land.
Jewels may not be with you long, but she could be one of the brightest spots of your life.
If you would be willing to take that chance.
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Jennifer Vanderau is the public relations coordinator for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter and can be reached at [email protected]. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, call the shelter at 717-263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org. CVAS also operates thrift stores in Chambersburg and Shippensburg. Help support the animals at the shelter by donating to or shopping at the stores.
