When Bridie the mild-mannered Pit Bull was surrendered by her family to the Hempstead Town Animal Shelter, she just wanted to be held. She scurried into the arms of staff member Melissa Fogarty and curled up there. “She lay down just like a baby,” says Fogarty. Months later, Bridie still is happiest when she’s being cradled.
Sadly, this isn’t Bridie’s first time at the shelter. She came in as a stray in January of 2013 and stayed there for an entire two years before being adopted by a family that seemed like a good fit. Unfortunately, when a new puppy moved in, they brought Bridie back to the shelter. Through absolutely no fault of her own, Bridie found herself alone once more, confused and frightened.
About a month after she came back to the shelter, Bridie tore her cruciate ligament. Sometimes, explains Fogarty, the stress of living in a small kennel can cause a dog to jump or spin around. In this case, Bridie bent her back leg the wrong way, requiring surgery to repair the ligament.
Even though Bridie is in pain, she has been nothing but loving and affectionate the weeks following her surgery. When Fogarty walks by, Bridie literally leaps into her embrace. During walks, she likes resting, leaning her entire body in her companion’s lap.
When it’s time to go back inside her kennel, Bridie freezes, longing to stay outside for one more minute with her friend. Fogarty must carry her the whole way back, but Bridie doesn’t complain. She is so gentle that Fogarty can scoop her up in one gesture, and the whole way back, Bridie showers her with kisses.
Working in a shelter can be emotionally taxing, but when Fogarty is having a bad day, she always goes to Bridie for comfort. Bridie can sense when a human needs her, and whenever someone’s sad, she snuggles close and stays by their side.
At the shelter, Bridie is not getting the rest she needs to heal. In the kennels, she is stressed and gets very little sleep. The medical staff is quite concerned that if she stays much longer, Bridie will re-injure her leg.
Bridie has been dealt a rough hand in life, and still, she is a selfless soul. Bridie’s best trait, suggests Fogarty, is that she never gives up on people. She trusts with utter abandon. When she’s with people, Bridie cares most about pleasing them and lifting their spirits. It’s time someone gave her a chance at happiness.
Bridie is looking for a forever or foster home where she can recuperate in peace. For now, an only pet home or a home with low-key dogs like herself would be best. If Bridie is taken into foster, the shelter will cover medical expenses.
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If you are interested in adopting or fostering Bridie, please contact the Hempstead Town Animal Shelter at (516) 785-5220 or via email at [email protected].
Featured image via Cynthia Raven / Hempstead Town Animal Shelter
