On Friday, devastating news was released about Ralph, the death row puppy who had been held at a shelter in Texas. The six-month-old pup had a protruding eye which the shelter was not able to adequately care for – as such, he had a brief amount of time before he would be put down.
Though most have likely assumed that Ralph was euthanized at the animal shelter…that is actually not the case. In fact, a rescue group pulled him, put him into a medical foster home and even had a medical sponsor in place.
Alas, Ralph could not be saved, despite the efforts of those who wanted nothing more than to see him live a long and happy life. In a Facebook post, Puptown Gal, his rescuer, explained the tragic turn of events:
Yesterday, we received a plea for Ralph who was going to be euthanized at 4 pm yesterday. We were told he had an eye issue, which we were prepared to handle. We found a medical sponsor, a medical foster and a vet willing to help him last minute.
Last night, upon arriving to the medical foster’s home, we received a message that Ralph had some severe bleeding in his backside and couldn’t use his back legs. The foster thought maybe he was hit by a car. She kept him comfortable and brought him to a vet first thing this morning.
And then explaining the devastating diagnosis:
Ralph suffered a broken back, had zero function/feeling in his legs and was paralyzed. Scar tissue was also so severe that it seemed like the injury wasn’t new. His bladder was also heavily inflamed, leading them to believe he wasn’t having proper function internally. They said that even rehab wouldn’t help him, and his quality of life would be nonexistent. That doesn’t even touch on the neurological issues he would be facing based on the breakage of the vertebrae and how his nerves were pinched.
And expressed gratitude that he briefly knew love:
One thing we can confidently say is that his last day with us was PAIN-FREE and filled with lots of snuggles & love, something he’s never seen before. The TX foster & vet team gave him so much love over the last 24 hours. And now we have to live knowing we did everything we could to save him, but it wasn’t enough.
Adding final words of sorrow and regret:
Ralph/Lucas, I’m so sorry humans failed you. I’m so sorry your life was was so short and filled with pain & misery. I’m so sorry you didn’t get to experience the forever love you deserved. And I’m so very sorry that we had to make the decision to send you over the 🌈 bridge. Although you were part of our tribe for such a short time, your impact and rescue mission will forever be in our hearts.
Rest in peace Ralph.
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Whilst I am VERY sad Ralph didn’t survive, I am VERY grateful for the rescue that saved him. In his last couple days of life, Ralph was loved…….
Ralph, I absolutely know that you are in Heaven. Please look for MacKitty and join his wonderful snuggle buddies group and RIP amongst loving friends.
Thank you, Dearest Ones, for trying and for your love and care. Please remember Puptown Gals–you are TRULY amazing! Ralph is smiling on you from heaven!