By Pat Robbins, Development Director, Dallas Pets Alive | Contributor

Just before Thanksgiving last year, Jamie and Robert Liptak came across a “Urgent Foster Needed” post about Georgia, a blind and heartworm positive Tricolor American Bully, on the Dallas Pets Alive (DPA) Volunteer Fosters Facebook page. Jamie and Robert had fostered 13 dogs. They love fostering and were ready for a new one so on Friday after Thanksgiving, Georgia walked out of Dallas Animal Services and into the Liptaks’ hearts.

“She was gentle and affectionate and knew how to walk on a leash. A little underweight but not mistreated,” said Robert. “Probably, someone’s pet but her eye condition may have been more expensive than they could afford, so they let her go.” 

“She was the sweetest dog. Everyone she met she loved. She wasn’t afraid of dogs or people. And she quickly found her way around the house and… up onto the furniture to cuddle with our two dogs and us,” Jamie said laughing.

Besides the painful pressure caused by her glaucoma, Georgia had pyometra, a severe uterine infection that required emergency surgery, and she needed heartworm treatment. “For animals who require specialists and have major surgery, I step in for the coordination of care and provide support through to recovery,” said Jessica Dudek, Medical Director for DPA. “Good communication and follow-up helps both the animal and the foster families.”  Eventually, everyone knew removing her eyes was the best option. “The pain from her glaucoma was like having a non-stop migraine,” Jamie said. “So even though she was lovable and happy from the very beginning, once her eyes were removed, the pain was gone and she blossomed into an even happier dog.”

The cost for her medical care was covered by DPA along with generous donations from the Liptaks. “We like working with DPA and their commitment to the animals that need medical attention,” said Robert. “And since we both work from home, we can deal with the crate rest and medication required for animals that need it.”

Once Georgia was fully healed and medically released, it was time for Jamie and Robert to say goodbye to Georgia. “It was so hard! We fall in love and that’s our weakness.” Their hearts ache each time they watch a foster animal leave for their fur-ever homes but the Liptaks are then available to help another animal that needs them. 

With more than a few tears, many hugs, and tail wags, Georgia began her 2,000-mile transport journey to her new family just outside of Tacoma, Washington.  There were 26 handoffs between Texas and Washington and just as many broken hearts as people handed her off at each connection. 

Finally, she was greeted by her new Mom, Bethany Elwell and her new doggie siblings, Chip and Finley (Georgia’s doppelganger). It was love at first sight. “I knew when I saw her photo and story on Facebook, that she was meant to be a member of our family!” said Bethany.

Bethany and her husband Andy are committed to actively help with rescue and transport. In fact, several years ago they built a plane which Andy uses to help transport animals for medical care or to find new homes. “Georgia fit right in with our family. She continues to amaze us each day with how quickly she adapts and her capacity to love.”

Fostering a dog or cat might be the best mental health investment you could ever make, not only for you and your family, but also for the pet in need. To become a foster or adopter, learn about volunteering, or to donate go to: www.dallaspetsalive.org.

ABOUT DALLAS PETS ALIVE!:

Dallas Pets Alive! is a volunteer-run, foster-based rescue that promotes and provides the resources, education, and programs needed to eliminate the killing of companion animals in North Texas. We focus on rescuing healthy and treatable pets at the greatest risk of being euthanized; reducing owner surrender through our Positive Alternatives to Shelter Surrender (PASS) program; and opening shelter kennel space by transporting our animals to partners in cities in need of adoptable animals. For more information go to: www.dallaspetsalive.org.

Editor’s Note: You can find Dallas Pets Alive! on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook