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Jenni Farrow/The Daily Reflector
The Ball family, Stephanie, Steve, Skyler and pup Sasha, pose for a quick portrait while playing at Boyd Lee Park on Tuesday afternoon. Sasha was seemingly doomed to be euthanized after being surrendered to the shelter by her owner despite the knowledge that she would be put down due to a parvo outbreak.
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New leash on life
Family adopts puppy slated to be euthanized due to parvo outbreak
By Tom Marine
The Daily Reflector
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Six days ago, Sasha was confined to a dog kennel at the Pitt County Animal Shelter, scheduled for euthanasia within 72 hours.
Canine parvovirus — a deadly but preventable disease that attacks a dog's intestinal tract — had forced the shelter to close its dog adoptions until May 1. Every dog surrendered to the shelter until that time would be put to sleep.
Sasha, a playful black and white mixed breed puppy, was one of those animals.
Against all odds, the efforts of a Pitt County family and animal control staff ensured that this dog would get a second chance.
Ayden resident Stephanie Ball said she called the shelter on Friday morning after seeing Sasha's picture in The Daily Reflector. She called early, just as shelter workers were preparing for the euthanasia that morning.
“Had I been a few minutes late, she would have been put to sleep,” Ball said. “Saving a dog's life, what's better than that?”
The Ball family has taken precautions, in the unlikely case Sasha has been infected with the virus. They separated her from their other dog, a rat terrier, and administered her shots at the animal shelter.
Pitt County Animal Shelter Director Michele Whaley said she told Ball to contact her veterinarian and make the final decision to adopt the dog.
“It's our duty to educate (pet owners) and be painfully honest,” Whaley said about adoptions. “We were glad to work with her. Bottom line, if anyone is interested in adoption, we will work with them.”
Ball said her family, including her husband Steve and 2-year-old daughter Skyler, already plays with Sasha in their backyard all the time. On the first day Sasha was taken home, she chewed through her leash but remained on their back porch.
“She has been a really good dog so far,” Ball said. “She's smart and she listens.”
Whaley said dogs left at the shelter after today will not be immediately put down because of a 72-hour holding period that extends past Friday, when dog adoptions officially reopen. Still, she said despite the publicity and efforts to inform pet owners, 10 dogs were turned in to the shelter last Thursday, 11 were surrendered Friday, and two were dropped off Saturday.
“It didn't prevent people from coming,” Whaley said. “Most of the dogs in here won't come down with Parvo, but we can't take that chance.
“(The virus) is in the community, so it is brought in with the dogs. That is why you can't pinpoint it.”
The Pitt County Animal Shelter's operation hours are 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. To search for pets available for adoption through the animal shelter, visit www.pittcoanimalshelter.petfinder.com.
“Call them,” Ball said, referring to the animal shelter. “You never know what can happen.”
Contact Tom Marine at tmarine@coxnc.com or (252) 329-9567.
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Your comments
To The Ball Family
04/30/2009 04:28:19 PM
May God Bless you All. My best wishes to your new family member.
Suggest removalThey all need a home
04/30/2009 01:32:13 PM
I agree with Kelli. For every person that wanted to adopt Sasha there is a shelter full of dogs that need homes. Although Sasha's adoption is a wonderful thing (thanks Ball family) it doesn't close the case that Pitt County has many many unwanted, abandoned animals that need new loving homes. PLEASE get your next pet from the animal shelter and save a life!!
Suggest removalTo Really!!!!!
04/30/2009 09:15:59 AM
How can anyone be negative about this Hero! I don't understand how people like you are so rude. This family saved an animal...and bc the shelter had to put others down..you think this person shouldn’t get praised....Get over yourself!!!! Thank God there are people like the Balls who save animals!
Suggest removalerin young
04/30/2009 09:00:09 AM
I'm so glad you were able to get her!!! You guys are such a cute family!Hope there are more people in this world who's heart is as big as yours.
Suggest removalTO: REALLY
04/30/2009 08:55:24 AM
You sound as though you should be the one getting the praise. I don't see where you did anything wonderful to be recognized for. Maybe they only saved one puppy, but you didn't save any. Get over yourself.
Suggest removalAstra
04/29/2009 10:34:11 PM
Yes, it's great that this family adopted Sasha...I myself have saved a dog from the Shelter but wouldn't it be nice if everyday someone could save a dog/cat? We can't save them all only but even one makes a difference. Good Job Sasha's Family!
Suggest removalReally
04/29/2009 08:48:03 PM
You all are really ridiculous, praising this family like they did something so wonderful. Wow, they saved that one little puppy. I am pretty sure over 20 dogs were put to sleep right after their adoption. I guess it really doesn't take much to be a hero in this town.
Suggest removalKelli
04/29/2009 07:53:18 PM
People cannot drop off animals at no kill shelters...well they can...but think about it there are only so many cages, once they are full where do you think the animals go? Also for anyone who was contemplating adopting Sasha remember there are at least 50 more that still need homes, that is the sad part of the nice story, everyone wants to adopt the poor puppy they saw in the paper. If only everyone who stepped up to adopt that dog would take a different one. Then maybe we could get somewhere.
Suggest removalMarie
04/29/2009 03:53:04 PM
A round of applause and a standing ovation to the Ball family. May God bless this family for their generosity.They did something positive instead of simply condemning the two women that took Sasha to the animal shelter.There were way too many hateful comments posted regarding the original story last week.
Suggest removalJO
04/29/2009 01:30:54 PM
What an awesome story and an awesome family!
Suggest removalSusan B.
04/29/2009 12:49:10 PM
This story has made my day! When I read Sasha's story, I cried. The Balls are saints, and I wish them and their pets many years of health, happiness, and togetherness.
Suggest removalWow!
04/29/2009 11:35:47 AM
What an awesome family!
Suggest removalDANA
04/29/2009 10:46:20 AM
I AM SO HAPPY THAT SASHA HAS A HOME! BLESS
Suggest removalEACH ONE OF THE BALL FAMILY FOR YOUR CARE AND
CONCERN FOR SASHA.
finally
04/29/2009 10:43:53 AM
finally some positive news for a change...thanks for making a difference
Suggest removalGreenville Pet lover
04/29/2009 10:32:19 AM
Parvo is a very serious and highly contagious. It is up to pet owners to make sure their puppies are fully vaccinated before they take them to any park. Parvo is usually only an issue for puppies due to the fact that you have to wait several weeks before you can have them fully vaccinated. If your dog is not fully vaccinated you shouldn’t be taking them to a dog park anyway
Suggest removalVickie
04/29/2009 10:30:13 AM
Thank You SO very much Ball Family!!!! I live counties away and saw this pretty pup with her paws up on the fence and I wanted to cry!I could not believe how cold hearted her previous owners were!I am sure the three of you and now Sasha will be having lots of fun together.Again Thanks for reminding the world we are not all so cold.
Suggest removaldog lover
04/29/2009 10:27:51 AM
This is awesome news!!! Thank you Ball family for stepping up to save a life that will show so much love. Think it's kinda cute everyone name starts with an S it was ment to be.. Stephanie, Steve, Skyler and pup Sasha
Suggest removalTL
04/29/2009 10:01:31 AM
Cleaning up after your dog will help in a public park, but parvo is SO contagious and, unfortunately, it is already pretty much everywhere. We adopted a pup back in January from this shelter that came home with parvo. He made it and, other than a few intestinal flare ups, is healthy.
Suggest removalWhat does Bev Perdue have to do with this?
me
04/29/2009 09:55:25 AM
I am soooo happy to hear this..didnt think there was any hope for this pup after reading the first article. Finally some kind of good news around here!!!!!
Suggest removalAgree with G'ville
04/29/2009 09:42:18 AM
This is a great story but why do they have a dog that possibly has Parvo in a public park! Cudos to the family for adopting them but please think before taking the dog to a PUBLIC park. It takes 7 - 10 days to show signs or to test positive for Parvo.
Suggest removalJC
04/29/2009 09:08:57 AM
Way to go Ball family!
Suggest removalMarisa
04/29/2009 09:00:44 AM
My heart just broke when I read the original article, and I also called the shelter to try to save Sasha. I was told she was already exposed and had to be put down. When I saw this article this morning, I was so happy. Stephanie, you and your family are very special people to take the chance and save this dog. I hope she brings your family many years of joy and happiness.
Suggest removalConcerned Citizen
04/29/2009 08:44:21 AM
Yeah!
Suggest removallr
04/29/2009 08:43:25 AM
glad to know there are still some good people left in the world...those who love animals. thanks stephanie for making my day with such a nice story!
Suggest removalAlton
04/29/2009 08:38:27 AM
Stephanie, you are incredible!! I know that dog will bring you more than enough joy to compensate for any expenses you have to go through right now. There is a special place in Heaven for people like you!!
Suggest removalSteven Asby
04/29/2009 08:31:59 AM
This made my day, I am happy that good people still exist. Bev Perdue surely wouldn't have rescued Sasha.
Suggest removalHappy
04/29/2009 08:26:21 AM
I am so glad to see this..it just warms my heart!!! I was so upset with the lady that turned her in knowing that Sasha was going to be put down...Such a wonderful loving family...most definitely..the other lady did not have a heart!
Suggest removalG'ville
04/29/2009 08:24:54 AM
ok, so I'll play devil's advocate here. Are we 100% certain that this dog wasn't contagious and left some parvo germs at the park?
Suggest removalcj
04/29/2009 08:05:45 AM
stephanie, saw your comment yesterday on the original article. wasn't sure if it was for real or not, but you are absolutely awesome!!
Suggest removalkvc
04/29/2009 07:44:24 AM
Kudos to the family!!! I'm glad someone stepped up to save this adorable puppy's life!!!
Suggest removalWhat a great story
04/29/2009 07:42:07 AM
This put a smile on my face! Thank you.
Suggest removalGreenville Pet lover
04/29/2009 07:35:18 AM
That is great that the Ball’s took in Sasha. It is sad that the shelter has to do this, but Parvo is serious business. I hope that there are more people in Pitt County that can find a way to help the shelter. The Humane Society of Eastern NC took in 4 dogs from the shelter to try and help, but all they had room for was the 4.
Suggest removalkag
04/29/2009 07:16:49 AM
The original story seemed pretty clear on the fact that adoptions were on hold and animals already there or brought in would be euthanized. I wonder how many other adoptions could have been arranged if readers had any clue the shelter was going to be making exceptions to their own rule.
Suggest removalCongratulations to Sasha and her new family!
jack
04/29/2009 04:03:48 AM
wonderful story
Suggest removalcatlover
04/29/2009 12:11:58 AM
The Ball family are angels to Sasha. Praise God for this miracle to happen. The city NEEDS more people like this and then there would not be so many in the shelter.
Suggest removalAngie
04/28/2009 11:50:23 PM
Stephanie there is a special place in heaven for you! You did a great thing. I have two shelter dogs and they bring so much joy to my family. I hope Sasha is healthy and enjoys a long happy life with her new mom, dad and sister!
Suggest removalWhat a great story!
Animal Lover
04/28/2009 11:36:29 PM
That just made my day! Good for this wonderful family. My heart just broke for this puppy and the others at the shelter when the original story came out last week. I'm glad at least one got another chance!!
Suggest removalProud
04/28/2009 11:24:36 PM
That family rocks! I was so sad for the puppy when I saw the original story. Why don't people drop animals off at the Humane Society or another NO Kill shelter? So mean!
Suggest removalI hope Sasha enjoys her new home.
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