Winter 2011 • V ol. 45 No. 4 - San Diego Humane Society and SPCA

When
After months of recovery, Stewie visits with the Humane Officer
that saved him.
Love
It’s not an easy thing to face what you
are most afraid of … to recall a trauma
… to feel pain. Just like human beings,
dogs experience sadness and fear, and
these emotions can be hard to bare.
It’s also not easy to witness a creature, human or animal,
suffer. When the suffering is cruelly or unjustly inflicted, it is
even harder. Stewie was just a puppy when he was rescued from
an abusive situation by San Diego Humane Society Humane
Officers on March 29, 2011. They seized him from his home, filed
for protective custody and began an intensive investigation.
Weighing less than ten pounds, Stewie was carried in through
the doors of the San Diego Humane Society covered in second
and third degree burns. In need of urgent medical attention, he
could barely move and cried in pain. While his head was fluffy
and white, the fur on most of his body was burned off. His skin
10:00 a.m.
Comes out of Hiding
Stewie’s unbelievable resilience changes us for the better
Stewie first arrives to the San Diego Humane Society covered in second
and third degree burns
Photo: Leslie Wallace
Photo: Laura Coburn
cover story
was so unbelievably red; it looked as where countless staff members were in
though there was a stoplight on inside awe of his love for people and for life,
him, pushing up against his flesh. His skin despite all that he had endured. Within
wailed, “I’ve survived something horrific.” just two weeks of his rescue, Stewie no
San Diego Humane Society
longer trembled in fear or resisted human
veterinarian, Dr. Corey Cole, managed touch. In fact, he began exuding more joy
Stewie’s case and was concerned about the and affection with every day that passed.
level of suffering this puppy had endured. “Stewie’s tail wagged wildly at the sight of
He described Stewie’s prognosis as “very every person who came his way,” Dr. Cole
poor” and knew that it was possible that described. “He actually looked forward
Stewie could die from his wounds. Dr. to his bandage changes and any sort of
Cole explained, “This puppy was not treatment, delighted at every opportunity
only devastatingly burned, but also had to experience human touch.” Another staff
a resistant bacterial infection and other member said, “Stewie couldn’t move much
complications.”
in his bandages, but he wiggled to the front
After immediate care from medical of his kennel and would kiss your fingers
partner, VCA Emergency Animal Hospital, through the bars. You had a sense that he
Stewie returned to the San Diego Humane wanted to be held and comforted, but also,
Society where veterinarians performed a that he wanted to give you something in
cutting-edge treatment commonly used in return. He was full of so much love.”
The Many Faces of (a now) Happy Stewie:
human medicine for burn victims. Known As a result of the hard-working
as Platelet Rich Plasma Application, this Veterinary Team and Stewie’s strong will
complicated procedure involved removing to live, he made a full recovery by the time
some of Stewie’s blood, spinning it down in he turned nine-months-old. Though some
a special centrifuge, collecting the platelet fur will never grow back, Stewie didn’t
rich portion of the blood and applying it to seem to mind. He was just like any other
the wounds. The treatment was successful puppy, dazzled by life and in awe and
and then required months of rehabilitation wonder of the world around him.
with daily bandage changes and aroundthe-clock
Stewie was soon moved to the Adoption
care.
Gallery to await his new family, wearing
Stewie spent his days recovering in the a t-shirt to protect his scars. Several
Veterinary Suite at the Gaines Campus, interested parties visited with Stewie,
AnimalFare • Winter 2011
Photos: Emi Killeri
and he charmed each one with his love
of life and vibrant spirit. But it wasn’t
until LuAnn Porter and Kenneth Kilgast
met with Stewie that he found his family.
They had recently lost their dog and were
now ready to find another companion to
love and care for again, but what they
weren’t expecting was to be so inspired.
LuAnn and Kenneth met Stewie with an
adoption counselor and were heart-broken
to hear his story. “How could someone do
this to such a loving and sweet puppy? It’s
horrifying,” said LuAnn.
Fortunately, some dogs have a kind of
resilience, a will deep inside them to not
only live fully, but to love fully, and no
adversity or abuse can touch it. One can’t
help but think that Stewie is a creature
we are all meant to learn from. As Zora
Neale Hurston said, “Love makes the soul
crawl out from its hiding place.” Stewie’s
soul, or his truest self, not only crawled
out from its hiding place, but reached
further to inspire the world around him.
LuAnn and Kenneth adopted Stewie
and cannot imagine their lives without
him, “We are thankful to the Humane
Society Officers who rescued Stewie, and
the veterinarians who never gave up on
him. Most of all, we are grateful for our
newest family member and all that he
adds to our lives.” After such a traumatic
start to life, Stewie has helped LuAnn,
Kenneth and countless others find joy and
courage in their own lives.
Stewie gives resilience a face (an
incredibly adorable one) and a name. He
reminds us all that love is quiet power
that urges us to go on and to find the
beauty in life, no matter what it looks
like.
Editor’s Note: Stewie’s case of animal
cruelty passed its preliminary hearing,
and will go to trial soon. Randy Lawrence,
Director of Humane Law Enforcement,
suspects that Stewie was intentionally
burned and then neglected for almost a
week with severe injuries.
www.sdhumane.org
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