Sammy’s guardian angels

Gloria J. Towle, Special to The County
3 years ago

Sammy (AKA Sabath) came to The Central Aroostook Humane Society as being surrendered through Animal Welfare Service as the owners just could no longer care for him and his sister. He had previously been to the vet’s and put on medication for the pain he was having in hopes that he would get better. 

We then took Sammy in for a followup appointment, and at that point the X-rays showed that he definitely needed ACL surgery. 

Sammy, a resident at the Central Aroostook Humane Society, will receive needed medical care thanks to the generosity of some friends.
(Courtesy of Gloria J. Towle)

Sammy is a very exceptional dog. He is 1 1/2 years old, very well house trained, a total cuddle bug, very social with everyone, and just a sweet boy. The surgery would be very expensive for Sammy, funds that were just not available for our little shelter to cover. Our manager Betsy, kennel tech Heather, and Chrissy, the State Humane Agent had been heartbroken at the thought of the “worst case scenario” if Sammy couldn’t get this necessary surgery. 

There was a young couple very interested in adopting him. This couple could set him up in his own room and he would have someone home at all times as they work opposite shifts. They had done much research on recovery after ACL surgery and was willing to accept the responsibly for his recovery, but knew that the expensive surgery was not in their budget.

The girls started to brainstorm on how to raise the needed funds to save Sammy. The idea of trying to raise money through a GoFundMe page or through Facebook would take time and patience — unfortunately, time that Sammy didn’t have. 

And then a miracle happened. Barbara A Ganem, a very generous business lady from Houlton, stepped up to cover the entire cost of the ACL surgery and the Animal Welfare Service agreed to pay to have Sammy neutered. Prayers were answered.

Sammy is now scheduled for the ACL surgery at the end of March and will also be neutered thanks to the kindness and generosity of these individuals. Words can hardly express the happiness and hope we all now have that Sammy will have the surgery to ease his pain and also to be adopted by a beautiful loving family. These are the happy-ending stories that make our efforts at the Central Aroostook Humane Society so worth it.

Please check out our Facebook page for available pets up for adoption. And remember to be responsible pet owners: spay and neuter.

Gloria J. Towle is the secretary and a member of the board of the Central Aroostook Humane Society.