Page 17 - September 2019

TO THE RESCUE

ABANDONED DOG GETS NEW HOME

By Jessica Wright, Pet Committee Member
Meet September’s Pet of the Month, four-year-old Labrador
mix Sadie. She was born and lived in Puerto Rico until Hur-
ricane Maria devastated the island in late 2018. Without
food or medicine, Sadie, her two brothers, and her five pup-
pies were abandoned during the storm.

“Thankfully, a volunteer with a non-profit animal rescue
found them…they were the talk of the town,” says Wa-
tergate at Landmark resident Jessica Wright.

All the dogs were flown to the United States and taken to
Homeward Trails Adoption Center in Fairfax, VA.

“Sadie weighed only 19 pounds, tested positive for heart-
worms and had two tick-borne diseases—Ehrlichia and
Lyme. Life was pretty rough for her,” Jessica continues.

Her journey didn’t get easier, as Sadie was not adopted Sadie, from Puerto Rico, was adopted by Jessica Wright
quickly. Dog after dog was taken to its forever home while after Hurricane Maria. Photo: Jessica Wright
Sadie waited to see if someone would choose her. The stress
of caring for her puppies, surviving a major hurricane and
being abandoned made it stressful for her. Perhaps that’s
why she has a little gray hair on her face.

Sadie may have been one of 670,000 dogs not returned to
their owners or rehomed each year according to the Ameri-
can Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Thankfully, after meeting Jessica and accepting a few pets
and rubs, Sadie placed her paw on Jessica and the two be-
came a family. Jessica made sure that Sadie received the
physical, emotional and medical attention she needed.

These days Sadie romps around after squirrels or wags her
tail at the people and most dogs living here at Watergate.

“Sometimes she walks six feet behind me because it seems
like she isn’t in a rush,” Jessica says.

“Don’t let the gray hairs on Sadie’s face fool you, she still
has lots of love and wags to give!” she adds.

Have a pet (dog, cat, lizard, bird, etc.) you want to feature
as the Pet of the Month? Take a print-worthy photo and
write a story about your pet, how the pet became a part of
your family, and things that make your pet special. Funny or
unique stories welcomed! Email them to
sclunn@yahoo.com.

September 2019 Wheel Page 17