Blog  >  Terminally Ill Canine Joins Her Final Forever Family Today

Terminally Ill Canine Joins Her Final Forever Family Today

August 26, 2013 • Rescue

FIDO was so happy to get this update – Read the resounding response for RIO below:

Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.  – Last week, Helen Woodward Animal Center sent out a plea for a terminally ill 5-year-old black Labrador Retriever blend named Rio.  The sweet-faced canine who had survived Super Storm Sandy was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.   Given only months to live, Center staffers hoped to find her a final forever family.  Over the last few days, in an overwhelming display of kindness and compassion, applications from animal-lovers across the country have come pouring in and today Monday, August 26th, Rio will finally rest her paws in a home of her very own. 


Rio quickly made an imprint on the hearts of Helen Woodward Animal Center staff members.  Desperate to play with the other dogs at the Center, Rio was slowed only by her compromised lung function, based on the growing cancerous masses in her lungs and near her heart base.   Requiring supervision throughout the day, Rio – known to gently “kiss” cats, dogs and humans alike – spent the last few weeks living part-time at the home of a Center adoption technician and part-time at the Center facility.   Despite the staff’s reticence to see her go, all agreed that the affectionate canine deserved a loving home base to live out her final days but were concerned that the expense and emotional toll of Rio’s diagnosis would keep perspective families from adopting her.


Happily, Center hearts weren’t the only ones touched by Rio.  When news of Rio’s condition went public, her story quickly gained media attention resulting in an overwhelming number of adoption applications from as far away as Washington D.C., Alabama, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Utah, and Arizona.  Due to Rio’s delicate condition and Center veterinarians concern of undue stress from travel, only California applications could be given serious consideration but, even with the restriction, Helen Woodward Animal Center adoptions staff had quite a large and heartfelt variety to choose from.

With the assistance of Center pet trainer Rob Kuty, Center veterinarian Dr. Stephanie Oba and Center Adoptions Service Manager Amelia Petersen, the applications were narrowed down to five “perfect matches.”  The five applicants then underwent an even more thorough screening process to make sure the potential adopters were comfortable with the upcoming health needs and life-style conditions Rio would require.  Finally, a meet-and-greet was arranged to acquaint Rio with applicants and their own fuzzy family members to make sure that the personalities were a match.


Now, one very special family has been selected to take Rio home for good.  A local family, with extensive dog experience, and their Helen Woodward Animal Center rescue named Liberty are looking forward to welcoming Rio into their La Mesa home.  Explaining why she and her parents were certain that they could provide a good home for Rio, Heather Bardin shared, “Both of my parents are home during the day so Rio will always be in good hands.  My dog, Liberty, would love having a dog friend at home too.  It really means so much to us to provide a loving home to Rio for the rest of her days.”

“I’m thrilled for Rio,” stated adoptions staff member and temporary foster Shea Durfey.  “I love her so much and she has been such a sweet addition to my family.  I’m really going to miss her but I want her to have a comfortable place to stay all day with a family that loves her.  We found the perfect one.  As much as my heart breaks to see her go, it’s full of joy for her too.”
 

Last week it was announced that the Del Mar Albertsons/Sav-On Pharmacy had offered to cover the costs of Rio’s medication expenses for the big-hearted family willing to take Rio into their home.   Now Blue Buffalo, a dog and cat food company with philanthropic efforts towards pet cancer research has jumped in to provide a life-supply of food for Rio to the adopting family.  Representatives from both companies will attend the adoption event on Monday to present the Bardin family with gifts and support.


At 11:00am, today Monday 8/26/13 -  Rio’s new family signed her adoptions papers and accepted the generous donations. The Del Mar Albertsons/Sav-On Pharmacy and Blue Buffalo and Center staff members shared their final goodbyes. 



Rio enjoys a meet-and-greet with Heather Bardin and Liberty

For more information on Helen Woodward Animal Center call (858) 756-4117 x 1, go to www.animalcenter.org  or stop by at 6461 El Apajo Road in Rancho Santa Fe.

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