Dubbed “Connie the container dog,” the sweet dog gained worldwide notoriety after having been trapped in a shipping container with no food or water for at least eight days back in January died this week after battling a rare fungal infection.
Connie was rescued by the Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston marine inspectors at the Port Houston’s Bayport Container Terminal after officers heard barking and scratching coming from inside one of the containers. They needed to use a crane to retrieve the container and when they opened it up, a canine nose popped out and there she was – an adorable and loving little dog who definitely had not eaten or had access to water for days.
When pulled to safety, Connie was filthy and skinny, but from the get-go, Connie was loving and affectionate to everyone.
Connie was sent to Forever Changed Animal Rescue where it was discovered the instant canine celebrity had carried her own secret. She had been pregnant and later gave birth to eight puppies – all of whom were adopted. Connie also found a home of her own.
For months, Connie had been unconditionally loved by her new family, and “if love could have saved her, she’d still be with us,” the rescue posted last week after announcing the dog’s tragic death. Connie died from the pythium fungus, an extremely aggressive fungal infection that animals can get from swimming or from drinking contaminated water. It is likely Connie picked up the infection in Texas just trying to survive on the streets before some heartless jerk sealed her in a shipping container.
Pythiosis carries a poor prognosis, and despite consultations with specialists, treatments, blood transfusions and all life saving attempts to help, Connie’s health rapidly declined.
Yes, Connie was deprived of a long life, however her puppies are carrying her legacy forward, but this writer would be remiss if she didn’t stress the following message:
throughout all of the publicity surrounding Connie’s story, we have been desperately trying to raise awareness about a much bigger issue…now that Connie’s story doesn’t have a fairytale ending that eveyone loved to hear, maybe her legacy will at least serve to educate and inform.
there are thousands of dogs #just like connie in Texas that are euthanized in shelters, or living and dying miserable deathis on the streets every day…
almost all of these dogs are intact, so they’re roaming the streets and reproducing like crazy..
Forever Changed Animal Rescue
There are too many dogs needing rescue. Puppies are euthanized every day. The easiest first step is to make sure all dogs are neutered and spayed. Please adopt and don’t shop for your next four-legged companion.
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