Penny anyone?

The bark must be out.  Every pet and their person stopped by today to see the new and improved clinic.  Some came for their happy visits too, and despite getting the pokes tails kept wagging. 

We had one very scared visitor today too.  She was a 9 year old black lab mix and her name was Penny.  At first I thought she was scared thinking my parents might hurt her.  It was only a short while later that I realized why she was really scared.
"She's just too much for us" Penny's mom pleaded.  "My husband's disabled and can no longer care for her.  I'm so busy caring for him, that I can't care for her.  And now her back end is bleeding.  We think she should be put to sleep."  Bea instantly cringed at hearing this.  I didn't think twice, knowing that mother gives out sleeping pinches every day.  The difference was, that pets wake up from mother's sleeping pinches.  Once Bea told me what this lady was really talking about, I understood why Penny was so scared.
Mother examined Penny, who had to wear a muzzle because she was afraid for her life -- literally.  "It looks like the blood is coming from an infected anal gland.  We can treat that with antibiotics and she'll get better right away" mother advised.  But the news that Penny's problem was easily fixed did not register as happy  news to Penny's family.  "We just can't take care of her any longer.  She's afraid of people and other dogs.  None of the shelters will take her.  What are we supposed to do?" Penny's mom ranted.  Mother looked into Penny's frightened eyes and said "If we can find a shelter to take her, will you agree to not have her euthanized?"  And that was how Penny came to stay at our clinic.
Mother called one of her friends at Canine Castaways; the same place that Aunt Becky came from.  She agreed to keep Penny until they could judge for themselves if she was too scared to live.  I've heard of being afraid for your life, but I never knew that being so afraid could cost you your life. 

Mother says that anyone who might like to give her another chance should call the clinic on Monday.  Penny's resting quietly in one of the villas now.  She turns her back to us, but is otherwise pretty calm.  I'm sure she would say 'thanks' if she could.