Cleo - October 2005 Canine Angel of the Month

Cleo’s story is one of adversity and triumph. A Good Samaritan found her wandering in the high desert of Southern California, being viciously attacked by two large male dogs. The two dogs had nearly ripped off her leg, before being chased away. How she arrived in the high desert, or what her past was to that date, we have never found out. My beloved boxer had just died one week before Cleo was brought to my attention, so I was not emotionally ready to accept a new dog into my life, but my heart went out to this sweet animal. I could tell she was once someone’s dog, because she was very well behaved and reserved, but someone had been very strict with her as well. She had also had several litters of puppies in her past. When it was time to take Cleo home, many wonderful people who love boxers and dogs in general, donated money to boxer rescue for Cleo’s leg to be repaired. But when I took her to the orthopedic surgeon, he told me to forget about the surgery; Cleo had a mid-to-serious congenital heart defect. I also learned that Cleo has chronic renal failure, and while I dreaded facing heartbreak, I decided I had to keep her, regardless of her physical condition. Some in the boxer rescue program may think I saved her, but she has actually saved me. Cleo (Turkish for Peace), is a quiet, lethargic girl with a big heart and a quick, waggly tail stump. She is a great joy in my life. Heather W., Jonesboro AK