She rarely stops moving. Full of energy, she adores everyone around her and is always up for an adventure.
The only clue that her life has not always been so easy is her missing leg. Her name is Anna, and she has quickly become an inspiration to her caretakers at D.E.L.T.A. Rescue, the world’s largest no-kill, care-for-life sanctuary — and the only rescue organization focused on saving pets abandoned in the wilderness.
Photos of Anna:
Though the winsome brown dog can’t actually tell anyone what she’s been through in her life, D.E.L.T.A. Rescue veterinarians have pieced together enough of Anna’s history to understand just how remarkable she is. When rescuers found Anna in the desert, she was dragging a badly injured leg. But she was friendly, making it easy for them to bring her back to one of the two fully staffed veterinary hospitals at the D.E.L.T.A. Rescue sanctuary outside Los Angeles.
“Anna must have been someone’s pet for a while, because she’s too friendly and trusting to have been born in the desert,” said D.E.L.T.A. Rescue founder and animal welfare activist Leo Grillo. “She also has been a mother. We don’t know whether she had her puppies in the desert after being abandoned, or in her former home, which nonetheless took her for a drive and tossed her away.”
Anna already had one strike against her when she arrived in the desert: She was born with vision in only one eye. The wounds on Anna’s leg indicate she probably became caught in an illegal coyote leg-hold trap before eventually chewing off her own foot to escape. Her ordeal must have been horrifying, yet the day after her surgery at D.E.L.T.A. Rescue, Anna enthusiastically pulled her veterinary nurse into the facility’s grassy yard for some play time.
“Anna is showing us we can take hits and carry on our work here at D.E.L.T.A. Rescue with passion, in spite of a drop in donations in 2010,” Grillo explained. “She hasn’t let anything get her down. This special dog is inspiring me to work even harder to ensure our work here at D.E.L.T.A. Rescue continues, no matter what curve balls the economy is throwing us.”
For the rest of her life, Anna will remain at the 115-acre D.E.L.T.A. Rescue Super Sanctuary, where staff dedicate their time to providing loving care to Anna and 1,500 abandoned cats and dogs just like her. Once a cast-off, Anna now gives her caretakers the energy and stamina to keep going when things get tough.
To learn more about Anna and the work the 501(c)3 D.E.L.T.A. Rescue has been doing to help animals for over three decades, visit the nonprofit organization’s Web site at https://deltarescue.org. Those interested in supporting D.E.L.T.A. Rescue’s ongoing mission can donate directly from the Web site, over the phone or via postal mail.
6 Responses to “Special Dog Shows D.E.L.T.A. Rescue Workers the Meaning of Perseverance”
From Pat H.:
I cannot say enough about the good Leo and D.E.L.T.A. Rescue has done over the years. On the behalf of all the dogs, cats and other animals they have rescued and give lifelong care, I ask that you consider donating any amount. Leo and his staff truly have hearts of gold and need your financial help for the care and rescue of these animal angels that humans have abandoned and left to die in the desert and mountain wilderness. I have been on a tour years ago and it is a wonderful forever home for the babies he has saved. – Pat H., Los Angeles, CA
From George S.:
Dear Leo,
I get and read all your letters and feel exactly the way you feel. For forty years I have rescued and either kept or found homes for cats and dogs, although I can’t even imagine the extent of what you do, and feel. Our best friends (our only TRUE friends) are suffering and I feel increasingly desperate at the extent of human cruelty!!!!
I will continue to support your (our) cause by sending my monthly contribution and any special gifts I can.
Thank you again for all you do!
From Jessica:
I THINK YOUR ORGANIZATION IS GREAT!!!! IM DOING A PROJECT ON YOUR ORGANIZATION, I THINK WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS GREAT
From Tim:
I Love your website. I’m gonna post a link on my Twitter Page!
That’s a remarkable story and organization! I always feel glad whenever I hear stories on animals that are rescued by these good people.
From Nancy C.:
This is unconditional love for the cats, dog etc that he saves with his heart, mind, body and soul. Plus all the meds, food, a safe loving home for all of them.
If everyone felt and acted this way, there would be no more homeless loving cats, dog etc.
We all should act with our conscious, and our hearts, and help with our money, if only it is a few dollars, it is an act of love and kindness that will always come back to us.
I will continue to support his efforts each month with a glad heart.