EATONTOWN – Barely more than a week ago, Matilda lay alone at death’s door, shivering on a public street in Neptune.
Now, the eight- to 10-week old pit bull mix puppy is starting to thrive, being fostered in a caring home, with a loving protector who won’t leave her side.
Matilda, the puppy who was starving to death when the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals rescued her May 7, now spends her time chowing down on puppy food in her foster home and cuddling with her new best friend, Alvin, another pit bull mix who was abandoned himself in Puerto Rico several years ago before he, too, was rescued by the Monmouth County SPCA and adopted.
Matilda, who was found in Neptune emaciated, dehydrated, shivering, barely able to breathe and too weak to lift her head, was rushed to the SPCA’s facility in Eatontown, where the agency’s medical staff went right to work.
“It was something out of a television show like ‘Emergency,'” Ross Licitra, the SPCA’s executive director said of the effort to save Matilda’s life. “It was all hands on deck.”
According to Licitra, Matilda “was literally hours away from death, she actually was.
Matilda looked to have carpal laxity, a syndrome characterised by malformation in the legs and paws brought on by hunger and being confined in a cage, in addition to being hungry, dehydrated, weak, and having respiratory difficulties, Licitra added.
He observed of Matilda, “This poor soul was genuinely hurting.
Matilda received intravenous fluids from the medical staff, who also made sure she was warm. They eventually started giving her tiny amounts of food until she could get acclimated to consuming more without shocking her tiny body.
Within a day or two, “oh my God, the difference was astronomical,” Licitra said. “She responded well to all the medical staff and all the help we were giving her.”
The puppy went home with the facility’s senior veterinary technician so she could be checked on all through the night because she required round-the-clock care, according to Licitra.
In her foster home, Matilda has made the friends of two dogs: Alvin, who seems to be Matilda’s self-appointed defender, and Bug, who the veterinary technician adopted after the dog underwent surgery for a cleft lip.
After being rescued from Puerto Rico, Alvin was brought to the Monmouth County SPCA, where the senior veterinary technician took him in and adopted him, according to Licitra.
The veterinary technician’s identity is being kept secret by the SPCA.
Matilda seems to be enjoying the fact that Alvin is keeping a close check on her, according to Licitra. She enjoys the company of another dog, and the two of them have a close bond. That is what we mean by bonding.
Licitra remarked, “I’ve seen pictures of them cuddling with her head either on Alvin’s legs or kind of nestling in each other.” They are undoubtedly linked, that much is certain.
Licitra said he feels reasonably confident the puppy will soon be out of the woods and could be ready for adoption in the upcoming weeks thanks to all the love and care Matilda has been receiving from not only the shelter staff but also from members of the public who have so far donated $6,000 towards the cost of her care.
She will remain in our custody and care for at least another four to five weeks until she is prepared for adoption, according to Licitra.
The development Matilda has made so far is impressive.
Licitra described the puppy as “a lovely, beautiful animal who is jumping and running and feeling so energetic and wanting to just live.” She really had an unbelievable determination to live. That is why “Matilda” was chosen as the name.
According to him, the name symbolises “sweet and innocent,” as well as “warrior princess.”
Matilda was a warrior who was struggling for her life, according to Licitra.
Licitra denied that he believed Matilda and Alvin would be devastated if they had to split ways after an adoption.
He replied, “Animals are incredibly hardy. “There is without a doubt a relationship between animals when they do live together for a very, very, very long time. I don’t believe there will be a problem after Matilda and Alvin part ways because we frequently observe this with puppy litters. Puppies are born together and spend the first few weeks of their lives together, but they frequently split up and head towards their forever homes.
“I think Matilda will just move forward and live an incredible life once she gets into a loving home, most likely with some other dogs,” Licitra added. When she is ready to be adopted, she will lead an amazing life.
According to Licitra, the SPCA’s law enforcement division is looking into Matilda’s near-death experience as well as any potential harm to her littermates.
The probe also involves the Neptune Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office.
