He is found in South Carolina.
Beside a highway.
The upper half of his face lies
peeled back
exposing his skull.
He’s been left for
dead
after spending time as a bait-dog
in a dog-fighting ring.
Emaciated at forty percent of his normal weight
teeth filed off
unconscious
barely breathing
full of heartworms
Handsome Jazz’ upper face
is ripped
open toward his ears.
A lovely cross of Boxer and Rhodesian Ridgeback
Handsome Jazz is rescued
by a no-kill corporation from Utah.
Spending thousands of dollars
hundreds of surgical hours
and countless volunteer days of care
this corporation manages to put
Handsome Jazz back together.
They find him a forever home
to live out the last eight years of his life.
With me.
At my cobbled together lake refuge.
With four other rescue animals.
Until the day he dies in my arms
from a massive stroke.
He was a very good boy.
My heart lies in shards.
Comments