A dog was mistreated and left alone
Natalie Olivieri had saved enough dogs to be aware of Harper’s horrific abuse and the trauma it had caused.
Harper was discovered in a large field in Redland, Florida (also known as “The Redlands”) by Olivieri, vice president of Furever Bully Love Rescue, an organization with headquarters in Orlando and a reputation for having a high stray dog population.
The area is essentially a dog dumping ground, according to Olivieri, who spoke to The Dodo. People simply leave them in place.
Every day, Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project makes a trip to The Redlands to feed the city’s stray canines. It uses roughly 350 pounds of kibble to feed about 100 dogs, according to Jessie Pena, the organization’s vice president, who spoke with The Dodo.
Pena clarified that there are more dogs than it can assist.
There are a lot of dogs out there, according to Pena. “Our coverage is limited. Redland is enormous.
Furever Bully Love Rescue and Redland Rock Pit joined forces in February to rescue a few local pets while also raising money for dog food. In order to meet volunteers from the other group, Olivieri and three other volunteers from Furever Bully Love Rescue travelled to The Redlands.
It was an encounter Olivieri will never forget.
We turned down this dirt road because it was so far away, added Olivieri. “On your own, you could never locate it.”
Dogs started to show up when Redland Rock Pit volunteers started setting out food. At that point, Harper, a 1-year-old hound mix, was discovered by the rescuers. The Redlands volunteers had previously encountered her during their visits, and they estimated that she had been living in the field for four to five months.
According to Olivieri, Harper left the house with four or five other canines. “Harper simply fully dropped to the ground in fright as soon as Harper approached us and we met.”
Harper had wounds on her head and back, and Olivieri saw that she was obviously scared of people.
She was undoubtedly mistreated and neglected, according to Olivieri. We were not going to leave her there, in any manner.
The rescuers were able to get a lead around Harper’s neck, but she resisted being taken back to the truck.
Olivieri stated, “We had to pick Harper up. “At this time, we didn’t even put her in a box, so we laid a blanket on the floor.”
Harper was treated for anemia, worms, and a tooth infection when Olivieri and the other Furever Bully Love Rescue volunteers brought her (along with two other dogs from The Redlands) to the veterinarian when they returned to Orlando.
Harper’s fear issues, though, would take much longer to resolve.
She didn’t get up for almost three days, according to Olivieri.
Harper also clung to people like it was the end of the world whenever they took her up.
The president of Furever Bully Love Rescue, Jennifer Adorno, told The Dodo, “I had never had a dog hang onto me so tightly.”
According to Olivieri, “It might be a comfort thing or it could be that she’s holding on so she doesn’t fall.” “With abused pets like that, it’s hard to say.”
Harper immediately entered foster care with Cheryl Kessler since Furever Bully Love Rescue lacks a physical housing. Kessler has only known Harper for a few weeks, but he has already noticed a significant change in her.
Kessler told The Dodo that the dog “leaves her kennel and runs around outside.” “She’s just being a really regular, everyday dog, doing donuts in the backyard. I adore watching her break out of her shell and reveal more of her personality.
She gets better and better every day, according to Olivieri. She is learning that she will receive both food and love on a daily basis, which is why she is starting to resemble a dog.
After roughly five months, Harper will be available for adoption. Get in touch with Furever Bully Love Rescue if you’re interested in adopting her or one of their other canines. On its website, the Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project also lists a large number of dogs in need of homes.
