Schwab Investment of TLC Returns Love Tenfold

Story by Lisa Valentine, HCWS Volunteer

When Heaven Can Wait volunteer Ann Lalli agreed to take in her first foster dog, Sophie, she had no idea Sophie’s forever home would end up so nearby.

Sophie, a 2-year-old Cocker Spaniel, was suffering from Pyometra, a severe infection of the uterus that can be deadly. The infection also left Sophie sterile.

Because Sophie is a Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel, a rare and valuable breed, HCWS believes she belonged to a backyard breeder who tossed her out when she got sick and couldn’t have any more puppies. Although Sophie had a microchip, her owners repeatedly hung up when contacted.

When she was rescued, Sophie weighed less than 12 pounds and couldn’t walk. She was so thin it was hard to move her. Ann took care of Sophie for four weeks and said she was her first foster dog.

“I was vigilant because of her condition,” Ann said. “I just gave a lot of TLC to her.”

Under Ann’s care, Sophie’s weight went up to 19 pounds and she recovered from her infection. She also found her forever family.

“My neighbors had spoken about wanting a lap dog,” Ann said. “Jan always wanted a little dog to sit on the sofa with her.”

Ann’s neighbors, Larry and Jan Schwab, already had one dog, Elvis, who weighs 60 pounds.

“I thought Sophie was a good match,” Ann said. “It was love at first sight.”

The Schwabs adopted Sophie and have since renamed her “Priscilla” to go along with Elvis.

“I see her frequently,” Ann said of Sophie (Priscilla). “I’ll always have a special bond with her.”

Although Sophie’s story has a happy ending, it also reminds pet owners why spaying/neutering their pets is so important. Now it’s also the law.

Earlier this year, Clark County passed a new ordinance that requires dog and cat owners to spay/neuter their pets. The deadline to have animals spayed/neutered was May 19.

To help residents come into compliance, the HCWS clinic offers low-cost spay and neuter surgeries open to the public Monday – Thursday. For information about the service and to schedule an appointment, contact HCWS.