Raleigh : 2004- 2009: “The Most Tragical Dog in the Whole World”

If you sat down to write the saddest doggie story of all time you’d probably come up with something like Raleigh ’s story.

He came to me in 2006 as the most frightened and traumatized dog that any of us had seen, his young life marred by abuse and teasing at the hands of three out-of-control kids.  Socializing Raleigh was the most work I’d ever invested in a dog.  He would stand at the window barking furiously at anything that went by; he would lunge at other dogs while out on walks, growl at people coming to the door, and was generally out-of-sorts with the world.  At home, he could never quite settle in, forever peeing on the rugs and furniture, although he eventually called a truce with his two Jack siblings.

He began to come into his own in the JRT Trials and Fun Days.  He was a natural athlete and excelled at all things Jack- it did wonders for his confidence and he finally began to find his niche in the grand scheme of things.  His temperament changed and he lost his fear of the world. The usual snarling at people at the door was replaced with hugs and smiles and big wet, sloppy kisses. 

Rescue dogs are especially loving once they settle in- Raleigh could hardly express enough gratitude for his new life, forever snuggling and following me around the house.

He began to go down when I had to put down Sydney, his 14 year old rescue sibling.  At first I thought he was depressed but then I realized it was more than that.  X-rays revealed a serious lung infection and other possible complications.  Despite the best treatment and loving-care we could give him, he continued to decline and died in my arms early in the morning on the first day of winter 2009.

Although Raleigh ’s story is heartbreaking on so many levels, it shouldn’t discourage those who want to help in the rescue of these magnificent dogs.  Although he was struck down just when life was really getting good for him, his three years of love in a happy home was able to erase all the bad things that happened to him in puppyhood, and he died a happy and well-loved dog with a wide following of friends and admirers.

Jim Lawson, December 2009