“The Sweetest Dog” – Melon’s Happy Tail
April 2nd, 2025
By Savannah Verdon, Development Manager –
On the rural roads of southern Virginia, it’s unfortunately common to find hunting dogs abandoned by their owners, left alone and afraid. But good Samaritans aren’t uncommon, either. Kiele pulled over for the severely emaciated, dehydrated, tick-infested hound mix, thinking her good deed was over once she brought the dog to a community veterinary hospital.
But after the mandated stray hold, no one had come to reclaim the dog. Kiele was concerned that if she took her to a shelter, she would be euthanized for the terrible condition she was in. The shelters were full, though, and none had foster placements available. With nowhere else to go, Kiele brought Melon home with her to finally show that poor dog some love.
Kiele knew it would likely only be temporary, but Melon deserved the best for as long as she could provide it.
“Melon is so young to have had the life she’s had so far. She’s missing toes and nails, knows no commands, doesn’t know how to play or what most treats are, and is petrified of water. Despite all this, she is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met. We’re not sure if we can keep her as we’re still testing out her prey drive around our cat, but in any case, we want to make her as adoptable as possible for the right family. She deserves a full and happy life, so I’m trying my best to support her as much as I can so that she never has a care in the world again!”
In just two weeks, Kiele and her partner, James, had spent thousands of dollars nursing Melon back to good health with supplements, medicated baths, antibiotics, flea and tick prevention, and hookworm treatment – not to mention providing the comforts of being a loved pet, like toys and a warm bed. They were planning to give her a heartworm preventive but fortunately, they didn’t just yet: Melon had tested positive for heartworms, and giving preventive heartworm care to an already-infected dog could be deadly. Going without treatment, however, would be fatal.
After pouring all that love into Melon, whose health was not only turning around but whose sweet, loving personality was shining through her past abuse and neglect, Kiele wasn’t debating whether or not they would get her the heartworm treatment. She was negotiating with her budget to find any way to afford the treatment, which would be as expensive as it was extensive. Melon would need a series of three injections to treat the heartworms, plus eight weeks of rest and one last negative heartworm test before she would fully recover. Kiele would be by Melon’s side through all of it so that one day she could hand her over to the family who would love her forever.
With a disabled cat, Stella, at home, Kiele was used to going the extra mile for the animals in her care. As Melon enjoyed her new toys and steadily available meals, Kiele went online to find some way they could pay for her heartworm treatment, whether it was a more affordable veterinary clinic or kind people willing to help. And who is kinder than RedRover’s FurEver Friends? While the RedRover Relief Urgent Care grant program doesn’t often cover the costs of heartworm treatment, for rescued dogs like Melon whose new families want to give them another chance at the good life, our grants are lifesaving.
With her new FurEver Friends, Kiele was approved for an Urgent Care grant. Combined with a grant from another foundation and the money she and James could contribute, it was enough to start Melon’s heartworm treatment and be sure she was finally on the path to her new family and loving home, after wandering those rural roads alone and afraid.
Our FurEver Friends make a lifesaving difference when they give rescued dogs another chance after abandonment, reassuring them that kindness still exists. Thank you for being a Friend to Melon and Kiele, and making countless Happy Tails like theirs possible!
