S
ometimes we don’t need words to provoke us to take
action; it can be nonverbal communication that calls us
to action.
At least, that’s what happened when Deirdra Maraist
saw posts about “Dobbs” (now named Doc) on Parker
County Pets Alive’s Facebook page. Over the summer,
an “odd couple” showed up at the Weatherford/Parker
County Animal Shelter, a dog and a piglet. The two friends
were out on a freedom run when someone brought them
in.
“The owner was eventually found and she came to the
shelter to take them home. Doc however was really bad
off health-wise and they talked her into surrendering him
to the shelter,” Maraist said.
The initial diagnosis of Doc’s condition wasn’t looking
good and things would only get worse. The PCPA, who
works with the Weatherford Animal Shelter, is dedicated
to sponsoring extended medical treatment for dogs, felt he
needed to be examined further so they took him to a local
vet. With the list of all Doc’s needs growing, the PCPA
knew this guy would need a sponsor, so they posted his
story on Facebook with pictures. This is where Deirdra
came to meet Doc.
“I saw some posts about him and Wilbur and his
pictures literally spoke to me. We weren’t thinking about
fostering a dog. I just could not tear myself away from
him. I knew in my heart I was the one who was supposed
to go and get him,” Maraist said. The story is both heart-
breaking and heartwarming, but they are still searching for
the final piece of this five-month saga (in dog years, about
three years).
Dierdra and her husband picked up Doc in July and
she is still in love.
“The most heartbreaking thing about Doc is seeing the
scars and burns covering his body and seeing him struggle
with his eyes. He was miserable, and it was all prevent-
able.”
Since July, the Maraists have seen Doc through heart-
worm treatment and eye surgery and say he is doing better
every day.
“The perfect home for Doc could be a single person
or a family. Someone who loves their dog like family.
Anyone who is committed to taking care of him and his
medical needs his entire life. He loves kids. He can be
pretty rambunctious sometimes and is very strong, so little
ones may be unintentionally hurt. Older children would
be best. Most importantly, he MUST be the only pet. He
has fear issues, which makes him react. After he got his
sight back after surgery, his fear of other dogs became
worse. He does better every day, but that is because I
work with him every day. He doesn’t mind other dogs
unless they are very close to him,” Maraist said.
Doc may not have experienced much love or tender-
ness his first year of life, but he certainly knows a bit about
it now thanks to the kindness of people like the Maraists,
the PCPA and Riverside Vet Clinic, with Dr. Cate. Wilbur
the piglet was adopted and is happy living in the country
with a slew of rescues.
You can learn more about Doc at Sweet Doc’s Diary
on Facebook.
Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter
Giving Second Chances
Campaign
$1.65 Million Goal
to improve The WPCAS facilityand their life saving efforts.
(All donations are tax deductable)
Donate online at: weatherfordtx.gov/animals
[email protected]
http://www.facebook.com/WPCAnimal
403 Hickory Lane | Weatherford, TX | 76086 | 817-598-4111
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