[Dailydrool] RIP Sweet Annie

[Kapanowski, Janet]

I know many of you will remember Annie's story.  I was asked by a friend on a small message board to post this on the DD email list.  The words written are by a friend of Janet Winn's, the lady who had the privilege of becoming Annie's furever mom and bringing that sweet girl out of the dark and into the light.  We all wish Annie's life could have been longer, but rejoice that she got to know the love she always deserved.  Two pictures of Annie stick in my mind.  The day she was rescued and taken to the vets...they are graphic pictures of the damage done to her by her embedded harness.  The other picture is one of her learning to be a dog, with Janet's other dog, Moe.  Anyway, here's the story.

It is with a very heavy heart that I write this.  Janet Winn called around noon and she had to help her sweet precious Annie to the bridge this morning.  Understandably, Janet is beside herself with grief.

Janet said Annie woke up about 5am and wanted to go out.  She was her usual jovial happy self, went outside, came in and ate breakfast and settled down for her morning nap.  Janet said around 10 am, Annie wanted to go back outside and was running through the living room towards the front door when her hind legs went down.  She said Annie was scared and writhing in pain.  Janet hurriedly called the vet, put the other dogs up, and called the gentleman who lives in her apartment, to help her transport Annie to the vet.  Dr. Ensminger was waiting on Janet and Annie when they arrived and as soon as he examined Annie, he told Janet felt Annie's damage was beyond repair.  He said normally he would treat with steroids, pain meds, and kennel rest until she could be transported to UT, but in his opinion the damage Annie had sustained could not be reversed nor repaired.  Knowing that Janet has experience and expertise in nursing and caring for other dogs who've sustained similar injuries, didn't change his prognosis.  He told Janet the most loving and humane thing she could do for Annie was to help her go, and as Annie was injected, Janet held her precious girl in her armsand told her how much she loved her until she went to sleep.

Many of you will remember Annie's story.  She is the little girl that my daughter Amy and I picked up from an owner surrender 3 years ago, this coming January.  She was in horrible shape, both physically and mentally.  Her harness, which had been for almost a full year, had embedded itself in her little body.  She went through 3 surgeries and spent almost a month in the hospital.  BellyRubs assumed full responsibility for all medical costs, knowing at the time they would probably run into the thousands of dollars.  Annie's story of unspeakable neglect and abuse was on the front pages of all our local and state newspapers, on all local television stations, and when her the story hit the internet, people from all over the world were praying for her recovery, sending cards letters, gifts and money, and asking for her abuser's to be charged and sentenced for what had been done to this helpless little girl.  Thousands signed petitions, hundreds wrote numerous letters to local and state legislators and authorities, and many many made phone calls to the district attorney's office and to the sheriff's department calling for something to be done; her story became the focal of numerous editorials and could not be ignored.   Because of all the efforts on her behalf, Annie's abuser was charged, but because of state and local laws, little could be done to him with the exception of never being allowed to own another animal again.   There's plenty that could be said and written about how unfair all of this was, but thankfully, Annie's story didn't end there.

As soon as she was released from the hospital into Janet's capable care, BellyRubs received numerous applications for her adoption. No doubt she would have gone to a good home, but Janet had made a promise to Annie that she, personally, would see to it that Annie never again be put at risk. You see, the system had failed Annie not just once, but twice, in her short lifetime.  Annie had originally been turned in to the local animal shelter.  She was part of a back yard breeder's group and when he decided to get out of business, he unloaded all his dogs at the animal shelter.  As bad as her life had been to that point, it was nothing compared to the fate that lay before her.  The individual who adopted Annie from the shelter became her worst nightmare.  Janet, and BRBR's Leanne Potts agreed, that Janet would take Annie home with her.  It took literally months before Annie would walk.  I vividly remember how she would crawl whenever anyone besides Janet was around; she had been kicked and hit so many times, it was just better to stay low on the ground.  It was unbelievably sad to witness how such cruelty could undermine the sweet spirit that lay beneath.

It took almost a full year, but under Janet's consistent care and love, Annie developed into one of the sweetest and happiest little girls I've ever had the privilege to meet.  She loved Janet, she loved her Moe, and she learned to love life and people again.  Thanks to Janet and all the other fine people (many who are on this board) who sent their love and prayers, Annie was able to overcome her past and become the hound she was intended to be.  Annie will be missed by so many, but she left a legacy which proves what love and care can do for a broken spirit and body.  She will not be forgotten.

Annie is no longer in pain and she left this world knowing how much she is loved.  Please say a prayer for Janet and please say a prayer for all those neglected and abused babies who are still out there.


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