Hamlet

Hamlet was seized by Sergeant Milton Gras from his previous owner on 2-01-05 for neglect and starvation. Sergeant Gras was horrified at the skinny, lifeless Dane he found lying on the floor in the bedroom when he arrived. He told us that he really wasn't sure Hamlet was going to make it because he had clearly given up on life and didn't even get up to greet him when he entered.

Rather than face charges for animal abuse and neglect, the owners voluntarily surrendered Hamlet to Sergeant Gras who took him immediately to RMGDRI's partnering vet, Alameda East Veterinary Hospital, for emergency care. Hamlet spent about a week at the vet so that they could monitor his feeding and give him several smaller meals a day. Hamlet was so severely malnourished when he came in that his stomach could not handle more than a couple cups of food at a time.

The volunteers of RMGDRI were so inspired and thankful for the services of Sergeant Gras that we created and designed a new award called the "Hamlet Award." This award will be presented first to Sergeant Gras and then annually to one special individual who stands out in their efforts to help one of our very special Danes come into safe haven in rescue with RMGDRI.

Hamlet is an older Dane, approximately 7 years old, so we knew he would require a very special foster home to nurse him back to health. Dr. Barry from Alameda East has been interested in adopting a Dane from RMGDRI for quite some time. He fell in love with Hamlet when he met him and immediately filled out a foster application. A board member went to his house and after meeting with both Dr. Barry and his fiancé, Audrey, they were officially approved and ready to begin fostering with the possibility of a permanent placement once Hamlet is healthy.

To view larger images, click on the photos.

Week one:

Hamlet came in weighing 109 and after one week he was up to 117! He has started sitting on couches, loves to play chase with the cat, and is even becoming playful with the other dogs in his foster home.

These photos were taken on 2-07-05

3-18-05

Hamlet has torn his ACL on his right hind leg and the left is about to go as well. He has severe arthritis, so Dr. Barry has been monitoring them both for quite some time. He will be undergoing surgery this week and Dr. Barry will be performing the surgery at no cost for his services, only materials. We are incredibly grateful to have such an amazingly generous veterinarian on our team! We should have photos soon.

3-20-05

It is with a very heavy heart that I must tell you all that Hamlet passed away tonight. He was at Alameda East recovering from surgery and developed aspiration pneumonia. The wonderful staff at AEVH did everything they could possibly do to revive him, but his time had come and there was really nothing anyone could have done to save him.

We are so incredibly grateful to Dr. Barry and Audrey for showing him what a loving home was all about and we know that he felt very cherished and adored during his final days. Hamlet is happily playing with all the other Danes in doggy heaven and he will be remembered always! Thank you, Hamlet, for touching us all with your grace, bravery, and loving spirit.