It takes a community....

Humans are not solitary creatures... While we do require a bit of our own personal space, we thrive best in community settings... Two thirds of Americans own a pet and do so because of the additional creature comforts they render to our lives... And so, by and large, our community here in Simi Valley has at least 60,000 pets if statistics ring true... 

But it STILL takes a community to save a dog's life... Such is the case of Alfee, a sweet boy that recently ended up in Ventura County Animal Services' facility (VCAS) at Camarillo... Adopted as a pup, he was surrendered by the owner to them recently, not having a seen a vet in at least two to three years.... 

While I cannot speak for VCAS, I would imagine their budget would not allow for expensive surgeries like the one Alfee needed.  He had a massive growth of tissue and bone that had grown up from his lower jaw and was displacing his teeth. I can only begin to imagine how uncomfortable this must have been to simply eat or drink:

Not adoptable, we choose to save Alfee's life, get him out of the shelter and somehow raise the funds to get his mouth squared away... However, it was just not TLC that accomplished giving Alfee a new lease on life - it was a community of humans that did this:

• VCAS for making the decision to not euthanize upon surrender by the owner
• Simi Valley Town Center for granting a location to TLC to run Ventura County's only full time rescue shop
• Dr. Amsel and the Simi Valley Spay & Neuter Clinic for consultation and Xrays
• Dr. Betty and Dr. Koss of Caring Hands, who offered a discounted cost to TLC for the surgery
• TLC volunteer Kathryn, who did all the necessary pre-op visits and blood work
• TLC volunteer Jerri, who offered her home as a temporary foster while Alfee recovered from his massive surgery
• A few Simi Valley residents who heard of Alfee's plight and the need to raise the needed $600 to have the surgery (a special thank-you to the three residents who donated towards his surgery! ♥).
• While we did not raise the majority of Alfee's surgery costs, TLC did not stop in our commitment to give Alfee a quality of life he deserved.

So, no... It is not just one person or organization that takes a dog with little chances of having a quality life, but a multitude of folks in our community that make this happen.  Yes, it is just one dog and his life, but it is a great example of what CAN be done if we all just pull together and make it happen!

Alfee is a sweetheart and GREAT dog - he deserved better than he got from his previous owner.  Alfee gets along with everyone, and has been such a patient fellow - from 4 hours to initially demat and clean him up by the TLC volunteers upon his arrival - to undergoing painful surgery without any fussing - to the 2 hours to be professionally groomed after he recovered and ready for his 'glamor shots'.... And onto finding his furever home now...

I am reminded of the quote "Mr. DeMille, I am ready for my photos now!" (or something like that)... Allow me to present the new Alfee!

Thank you to one and all who made this happen for Alfee!

Sincerely,
Linda
Director, TLC