Patrick the Miracle Dog--A Wednesday Pictorial Journal

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These things should not happen...  Fortunately, sometimes compassion takes hold....  And helps redeem some of the worst of human capability....  This story has a happy ending, unlike some... I wish stories like this didn't need to be told, but they do, to remind us that in the face of sad, sad inhumanity there is goodness.

This story is out of Newark, New Jersey.  On March 16, just before St. Patrick's Day, an apartment complex maintenance worker, cleaning the discarded trash, noticed movement inside of a plastic bag.  Opening it, he found a 1-year-old pit bill, starved and weighing only 20 pounds, half of its normal weight.  It had been dropped down the trash chute, alive inside the bag, and was left to die.

The dog was brought to the trauma unit at Garden State Veterinary Specialists in Tinton Falls, New Jersey.  There, he received: a blood transfusion; heat blankets; the expert care and love of the entire staff; well-wishes and donations from all over the world as his story went viral; and his name, Patrick. 

I became aware of this today from a remarkable item picked up by The Huffington Post.  Corey Booker, the Mayor of Newark, released a video appeal to all who want to help in his ongoing efforts to create a state-of-the-art animal care facility and shelter, a place where any animal that can be saved will be saved.  (Click here for a look at Booker's video and a transcript on the HuffPost site.)

Booker: "By working to build a modern, state-of-the-art shelter through public and private funding, and by employing innovative policies to improve responsible pet care, decrease birthrates, increase adoptions, and help keep animals with their responsible caretakers, we believe that Newark's animal shelter operations can become a model for the rest of the nation. Our ambitious goal is to one day be able to save every savable dog and cat in this new shelter."

Patrick is making a good recovery, and is eating well, taking walks outside.  He enjoys the warmth of his sweaters, and rests among the company of his stuffed toys and the staff of the shelter.  He demonstrates his appreciation and love, and like most dogs, has forgiven humans in general for the mistreatment he had received.  He loves to be touched and petted.


I will not provide publicity here for the person responsible for this mistreatment.  The 28-year old woman has been charged with  two criminal counts of abandonment and two civil counts of failure to provide sustenance to an animal.

Sadly, scammers pretending to be concerned organizations are collecting donations for Patrick's care, and pocketing the money.  Donations can be made to the AHS, or Associated Humane Societies, which is the legitimate organization responsible for Patrick's care. (And there are updates and always new pictures.)


Or, if you are so moved, make a small donation to your local animal shelter.  Even a gift of some old towels, laundry and cleaning supplies, or a blanket, are most welcome.


Patrick is improving, but there are hundreds...thousands... of other dogs and cats still less fortunate. You can help save their lives.


The following amateur video I found while learning about this story was made with obvious love and concern for Patrick.  It's a nice little video, scored to an upbeat and hopeful Annie Lennox tune.  Yeah...I cried.