Valley Animal Center: Rescuing Cole, A Story of Pain, Healing, and Hope

Nov 16, 2024 | 2024 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Pets

by Juan Guitron, Valley Animal Center Content Creator

Recently, we encountered a dog named Cole (29070) whose suffering left an indelible mark on all of us. When we first met Cole, he was trembling in his kennel, his body tight with fear and pain. His initial reaction to our approach was one of aggression, but it quickly became clear that it wasn’t aggression at all—it was a response to the pain he had been living with.

Cole

Cole, a three-year-old miniature poodle, was rescued from another shelter where he had been languishing for an unknown period. His appearance was heartbreaking. His fur was severely matted, so much so that it was pulling at his skin. Matted fur is not just an inconvenience for a dog—it can cause extreme pain, creating sores, restricting movement, and leading to infections. For Cole, every step, every movement, must have been a reminder of his torment, trapped in his own fur.

Martiza Lopez, our animal care and adoption supervisor, described the state we found him in: “His fur was severely matted and overgrown, a clear sign of neglect that had lasted for months. It was evident that he hadn’t been groomed, brushed, or bathed in far too long. While we may never fully know the extent of his past living conditions, it’s clear that he did not receive the care he deserved.”

Our dedicated groomer, Larissa Frias, took on the difficult task of grooming Cole. The sounds of his discomfort were hard to bear as she carefully worked to remove the matted fur, but with each snip, the weight of his suffering began to lift. Cole’s cries were heart-wrenching, but by the end of the session, his transformation was remarkable. With each strand of fur gone, he seemed to find a new sense of relief. The pain, at least in part, had been alleviated, and it was as if the weight of his past was finally lifting.

Once Cole had been groomed and bathed, the change in him was nothing short of astonishing. The terror in his eyes had softened, replaced by a sense of calm. His tail, once still and lifeless, now wagged freely—a sign that he was beginning to trust again. The joy in his newfound freedom was unmistakable, and for the first time, we saw a glimmer of the dog he was always meant to be.

Cole now

Cole’s journey, while far from over, is one of hope. He is now ready to find a loving home where he can experience the happiness and care he was always deserving of. But there are many more animals like Cole who are waiting for their second chance.

This is where you can make a profound difference. With your support, we can continue to provide animals like Cole with the medical care, grooming, and emotional rehabilitation they desperately need. Your donation today will help provide the resources to bring animals out of neglect and into safety.

Right now, during our matching donor campaign, your gift can be doubled—allowing us to do even more for animals like Cole who deserve a fresh start. Click on this link, valleyanimal.org/match-campgain, to donate today.

As our intake numbers rise, especially for pets who require special care and attention, your generosity is needed now more than ever. Together, we can help more animals heal and find their forever homes.

Visit our website at valleyanimal.org to donate. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of these vulnerable animals.

Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section & watch for more stories from Valley Animal Center every month, and we would love to have you join our KRL Pets Facebook group.