By: Jessica Burnette, Staff Writer
Agnes Carass once said, “You can’t change a dog’s past, but you can rewrite the future.”
This is precisely what Kristen Wood and her family (Ryan, Ryder – 12, Rylan – 8, and Blakley – 6) did for Ruby in September of 2020.
It was September 4, 2020. Kristen’s husband, Ryan, worked the third shift and took Allendale Road on his way home. Ryan saw a head pop up on the side of the road. At first glance, he thought it was a dog with severe burns.
He picked the puppy up and immediately called his wife, Kristen, who has worked at many veterinary clinics throughout her career. He told her the situation, and she immediately replied, “Go back and get her and take her to the vet.”
Ryan was two steps ahead of Kristen. He already had her in his truck and was on his way to a local vet. Unfortunately, he and Ruby were turned away because he didn’t have an appointment. Ryan proceeded home with Ruby in tow.
When he arrived home, Kristen called their family vet, which is a little over a 30-minute drive, and she was told to bring her in immediately.
She was diagnosed with Demodex mange, a fungal skin infection, and bacterial skin infection.
Demodectic mange is caused by Demodex canis, a parasitic mite that lives in the hair follicles of dogs. Demodectic mange, sometimes just called ‘Demodex’ or ‘red mange,’ is the most common form of mange in dogs.
The vet estimated she was 3 to 4 months old. She was sent away with a laundry list of medications, and the vet assured Kristen that nothing was contagious to their other pets or members of their family.
When they got her home, Kristen posted her picture on her Facebook and was flooded with kind words, well wishes, and many donations to help take care of her veterinary expenses.
She was overwhelmed by the love and support of her community while looking at a puppy who had lacked any care or love in its life to that point.
Ruby quickly became part of the Wood Family as they rescued her and cared for her throughout her recovery. She is best friends with their other dog, Cash, who enjoys lying in bed with the kids and cuddling as closely as possible. (Sometimes even on top of them!)
She still does not grow hair in certain spots and has somewhat of a bumpy coat on her head due to the severe follicle damage.
Kristen says, “Ruby is perfect and happy and healthy, and we are so thankful that she threw our world into a tailspin that random September morning!”
Author: Tracy Sanders
