September to Remember
Clifford's Story
Each year, more than 11,000 animals find their way to our shelter, each with their own story. While we care for every one of them, some, like Clifford, leave a lasting mark on our hearts. His time with us reminds us that it’s never too late to show an animal what being loved feels like.
"On March 7, 2022, I got a phone call that I often get when I’m at work. These calls usually mean a coonhound or a golden retriever just came in for shots, as a stray, to be surrendered, or just to visit. The phone call started with “Katlyn, a dog just walked in the door and it’s for you.” Of course, I stopped what I was doing and went to the intake building to meet the stray that was being dropped off. I knew what to expect by the call…a super cute coonhound! Although I thought he was super cute, I wanted to break down when I saw him. Clifford was his shelter name because he was one big dog! Clifford was a 9-year-old treeing walker coonhound (just my type)…but one who was extremely malnourished, neglected, covered in fleas/ticks, very old, and just kind of seemed to be ‘done’ by the look on his droopy face.
This is when I knew he needed us most. Vet care came immediately. We found out he was not only positive for heartworms, but several other tick-borne diseases as well. This wasn’t going to stop me from fattening this boy up and treating him as if he had a long life ahead of him. But day after day Clifford spent what felt like more and more time in the clinic or at different vet offices. The majority of my free time was devoted to feeding him snacks, napping with him, and telling him everything would be okay. Many nights when I got home from work were spent watching him on the shelter’s cameras to make sure he was okay and didn’t seem lonely.
Clifford was fighting a nearly impossible fight. The diseases and months, maybe years of neglect were catching up to him. One morning, he seemed worse than before. I called and made an appointment at a local vet's office where blood tests were run and diagnoses were made. As we assumed, his blood cell count was way off and things were on the downhill slope for Clifford. This is when I felt like he was slowly letting go. He couldn’t fight anymore. His body was giving up on him progressively.
The next few days for me meant feeding Clifford however many cheeseburgers he wanted, letting him sleep on the pile of clean laundry straight out of the dryer, and spending 99% of his time in the lobby with me versus in his kennel. On March 16th, 2022, Clifford crossed the rainbow bridge with me and [fellow staff member] Cassie curled up in a ball beside him bawling like we had just lost a family member.
While his time with us was shorter than we wanted it to be, it comforts me to know how absolutely adored he was in his very brief 9 days with us. To this day, Clifford lives with me and a light shines down on his ashes as a reminder of what my job means to me. Dogs like Clifford deserve more and it is my mission to show them that while in our care at the shelter.
Although moments like these are absolutely heart-wrenching, I know deep down that if Clifford could talk, he would have thanked us for what we did for him. Unfortunately, there are many dogs in this world with stories similar to Clifford’s, but I hope one day the world is a happy place for every 4 legged friend…especially for the ones like Clifford who need it most.”
-Katlyn Hare, Adoption Counselor & Assistant Transport Coordinator
This is when I knew he needed us most. Vet care came immediately. We found out he was not only positive for heartworms, but several other tick-borne diseases as well. This wasn’t going to stop me from fattening this boy up and treating him as if he had a long life ahead of him. But day after day Clifford spent what felt like more and more time in the clinic or at different vet offices. The majority of my free time was devoted to feeding him snacks, napping with him, and telling him everything would be okay. Many nights when I got home from work were spent watching him on the shelter’s cameras to make sure he was okay and didn’t seem lonely.
Clifford was fighting a nearly impossible fight. The diseases and months, maybe years of neglect were catching up to him. One morning, he seemed worse than before. I called and made an appointment at a local vet's office where blood tests were run and diagnoses were made. As we assumed, his blood cell count was way off and things were on the downhill slope for Clifford. This is when I felt like he was slowly letting go. He couldn’t fight anymore. His body was giving up on him progressively.
The next few days for me meant feeding Clifford however many cheeseburgers he wanted, letting him sleep on the pile of clean laundry straight out of the dryer, and spending 99% of his time in the lobby with me versus in his kennel. On March 16th, 2022, Clifford crossed the rainbow bridge with me and [fellow staff member] Cassie curled up in a ball beside him bawling like we had just lost a family member.
While his time with us was shorter than we wanted it to be, it comforts me to know how absolutely adored he was in his very brief 9 days with us. To this day, Clifford lives with me and a light shines down on his ashes as a reminder of what my job means to me. Dogs like Clifford deserve more and it is my mission to show them that while in our care at the shelter.
Although moments like these are absolutely heart-wrenching, I know deep down that if Clifford could talk, he would have thanked us for what we did for him. Unfortunately, there are many dogs in this world with stories similar to Clifford’s, but I hope one day the world is a happy place for every 4 legged friend…especially for the ones like Clifford who need it most.”
-Katlyn Hare, Adoption Counselor & Assistant Transport Coordinator
Donate Today
for 3x the Impact on Pets like Clifford
TRIPLE your impact! Every donation made during the month of September will now be triple matched up to $40,000, thanks to the incredible generosity of Stan and Susan Mathews.
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"There are many worthy causes that don't have all the resources to accomplish all they want to do. We support the shelter because they make such a difference in our community. The innovations introduced by Lorri as director, the love and caring shown by the staff and volunteers, and the innocent lives saved are sufficient to inspire our donations."
- Stan and Susan Mathews |
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Questions about donating? Email or call us at 270-783-9404. To contribute by mail, please send a personal check or money order made payable to the BG/WC Humane Society to:
BGWCHS Attention: Lorri Hare P.O. Box 1456 Bowling Green, KY 42102 |
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Contact Us
Adoption Center
270-783-9404 Humane Society
270-842-8572 Clinic*
270-745-8646 Community Cat Hotline
270-715-0937 Fax
270-783-9474 |
Hours of Operation
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday | 10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday | CLOSED Saturday | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Sunday | 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm *Veterinary services are not available every day. Please call ahead to confirm that a Vet is available. Our Vet normally does examinations on animals between 10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Other services may be available between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 1924 Louisville Road
Bowling Green, KY 42101 After-Hours EMERGENCY Line 270-202-9136 |
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