4/21/26 Three weeks and 3 days ago, we had taken in a little girl who desperately needed our help. She had been neglected for a bit and was in bad shape. We immediately started to work on her needs. We got her nails cut, she got bathed and brushed, and both her and her sibling, who we took in as well, saw the veterinarian right away. They had some concerns, and both needed surgeries. We did not hesitate to take care of their needs. They made it through surgery, and Skye would require additional testing, but within one week, you could visibly notice a difference in how well these two looked and were doing. All good signs to me.
Skye was a bit shy, but she opened up with me and trusted me. She was a sweet girl, and she was easy to love. I feel I failed her in that trust. She was in my home after all. She had many people involved in her care, as many of the dogs who reside here at Beagletopia do. Joan and Rosemary walk the dogs, Carol came and gave baths, we have had some new volunteers come to brush them, Emilia was involved in their care, and Julie. Many hands are involved in care, but ultimately, these babies are my responsibility. My schedule is crazy busy, and most people could not handle the amount of stress and activity in my normal days with very little sleep; however, that is no excuse. I was concerned about Skye, but did not react fast enough. Would it have mattered? Who knows, maybe it would have, and maybe not, but it does not matter now, as it can not change the outcome. I am human, and all I can do is learn. Julie is the one who brought Skye in, as I was pulled elsewhere, and I feel incredible guilt for not being there and not taking her. That is what I live with. Now, you may think these are foster dogs, and I have not had them long, even, but I pour just as much into the ones I have for a short time as the ones I have longer. I do this job, not because I love all the crap thrown at me, but because I love the dogs and they deserve so much more. I wish I could have saved Skye, but she was allowed to get into terrible condition, and we were not able to reverse it. Fred is left behind, but so far is doing ok. For the short time we had Skye, I hope she felt the love we gave her, and it reversed some of the neglect she encountered. Rest in Peace Skye.