by Violet’s head was weighed down with a heavy link chain padlocked around her neck for years before she was spotted by a woman driving by. The Pit bull was just one of 5 dogs on the property in Miguel County, New Mexico, who appear to have been chained up for years, before they were finally noticed by the Good Samaritan, who reached out to the right people for help.
As it is illegal to keep dogs chained up without an owner around, the woman contacted the Animal Welfare Coalition of Northwestern New Mexico, and shortly after, Violet and the other dogs were rescued by the county sheriff’s department and came into the care of NMDOG.
NMDOG
NMDOG learned that the dogs were basically abandoned as the dogs’ owner was in jail on unrelated charges and there did not appear to be anyone that had been taking care of the dogs.
When Violet was being examined by a vet, they noticed her skin was pinkish and red from being sunburned. She also had flystrike, a condition in which green bottle fly maggots eat away at an animal’s flesh. They are attracted to damp fur, urine and feces and had infested poor Violet.
NMDOG
Violet was also fearful of humans and would flinch anytime rescuers would raise their hands quickly or move to fast to pet her.
NMDOG
Her reaction hinted at a violent past, but thanks to the positive encouragement and patience of rescue volunteers and her foster family, she began to to trust people, Angela Stell, founder and director of NMDOG, told the Dodo.
The two-year-old dog’s sweet and gentle nature slowly emerged with vet staff and volunteers, who she loves to snuggle with.
NMDOG
Her playful side also came out when she got her first stuffed animals. She especially loves a raccoon squeaky toy she got at the vet clinic.
NMDOG
She also loves to go on walks and has become best friends with Hops, one of the dogs rescued at the same time as her, as well as her foster sibling NMDOG Alum Blaze.
NMDOG
NMDOG also comments that Violet has an unusual “superpower” – making people smile and laugh, and moving her ears independently of each other. They say that sometimes these superpowers go together.
NMDOG
It’s wonderful seeing a dog who was so abused and neglected come out of her shell and become a healthy, happy pup. Now all she needs is a loving forever home!
Pupdate: April 1, 2018
It would take a year for Violet to find a forever home but she finally has. NMDOG said that Violet “traveled quite the journey with NMDOG & she had a lot of fun”. She had her own Adoption Ambassador who took her to many adoption events, training classes and more. The love given her helped her move from “withdrawn, sad and unsure.” to making “human friends wherever she goes, thanks to the love of her Village!”
Although all the exposure garnered Violet lots of attention and interest, no person was the right match. But thanks to a referral from NMDOG’s rescue partner, Doberman Rescue of New Mexico, Violet “found her perfect human!”
NMDOG wrote on Facebook:
“They are 2 peas in a pod of LoVe, silliness & joy!! We just couldn’t be anymore thrilled! Violet is an only child with a whole wonderful extended family. All of her Aunts & Uncles have been over to visit & welcome her…with prezzies! She has more toys & beds now than any other dog on the planet (wink!). They even stop by during the day while Mom is at work & play games with her! But when Mom comes home, the real fun begins!! Wiggle – Wiggle – Wiggle – Zoomie – Zoom – Zoom & the game of “Imma chase you & you chase me back” begins in her brand new big, giant, huge yard.”
They cook dinner & watch movies together…& exchange stories about their day. They go for walks in the neighborhood & make crafts together to sell on Etsy, so they can donate to rescues. They go for rides in the car (dog friendly errands of course) & take afternoon naps…together & that is what Violet wants more than anything in the whole wide world.
We are so happy for them both & we cant wait to see what their future holds….together, for FoReVeR. Congratulations to our girl Violet and her new, wonderful, loving Mom.
Visit NMDOG’s website for further details on their rescue efforts!
