This precious dog has a story to tell. A story that encompasses the human spectrum of love and evil. In the end, love prevailed. ”Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” ~ Anatole France
Meet Rilind Reborn. Rilind’s ((pronouced Ri (long “i”) lend)) name means rebirth and because of what I believe to be Divine intervention he has been given the chance to have a new life, a better life. The kind of life every dog should have.
If you are only looking at Rilind’s face you may think he’s just thin but he’s not just thin…he’s emaciated.
Rilind was discovered one week ago as he was literally tossed over the fence at a shelter in Clay County. Shelter staff & volunteers had never seen such an extreme case of neglect. Rilind was covered in urine, feces and fleas. His temperature was so low that it wouldn’t even register, his gums completely white and pale and his red blood cell count was dangerously low. He underwent an immediate blood transfusion. Thankfully, a donor was available at the Pit Sisters rescue group that, in the end, would be the ones to foster Rilind. The blood transfusion appeared to be successful although Rilind’s red blood count is still half of what it should be.
The veterinarian Riliand sees daily believes his hair loss may be attributed to malnutrition. It was also discovered that Rilind has a pretty severe case of heartworms. One thing I noticed about this guy is even though his body is fragile, he has a very strong spirit. He is a fighter. No doubt the love and attention he has received from strangers has helped. Of course we had to bring along some cute costumes for him to try on. I personally think he liked the frog suit the best. You will noticed his eyes are closed in the photo below. There were several times throughout the couple hours we spent together that he just sat and faced the sun, closed his eyes and took in the sunlight.
Brian, owner of Caring Palms Massage & Reiki, was there during the photo shoot to provide reiki for Rilind. He seemed very calm and content during his reiki session.
In this shot Rilind had walked up the steps to the slide at the park. He wanted to go to the very top…but we wouldn’t let him. This shot was a view from the stairs I was sitting on to block him from walking any higher!
This is Rilind getting some love from one of his foster parents.
At one point Rilind attacked a gingerbread treat that he received from Sybil from Pit Sisters, an organization dedicated to bully breeds. You can view their Facebook page where you can read more about their mission.
Rilind is believed to be a Mastiff. Perhaps even a Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff) when he finally gets to the size he should be.
Riland is such a sweet, wonderful dog. Please join his Facebook page herewhere he has more fans than the Jags. (Okay, that was a joke guys. I heart the Jags) Also, if you feel so led please visit the Pit Sisters page where you can donate to the organization to help the lovely sisters take care of not only Rilind but other loving, discarded dogs. If you are able to donate directly to Rilind’s health care, you can do so directly to Lakewood San Jose Animal Hospital (904) 737-2011.
“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals.” ~ Immanual Kant
~ Carmen
P.S – Even though Rilind is being taken care of by a team of loving people, he is still very ill and needs your love and prayers daily. Thanks for reading!
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
This is such a beautiful,strong dog I’ve been watching his progress every.day,and I’ve been praying every day for his survival….thank you to Pit Sisters and everyone at Lakewood…you are doing an Awesome job!!!
Dear God, please bless the ones who are taking care of this precious dog. God please continue to give him strength and completely heal him physically and emotionally. Amen
Great story of a dog will to live and the love of good ppl who will push evil back to the hell where they belong. I pray for the dogs safety and the abusers arrest! This story brings tears to my eyes, but knowing he now has a shot at true happiness and feel the true love from ppl keeps me from crying. God bless all of you! Who are helping!
Love, the four letter word that transcends
I am so happy for Rilind,makes my heart heart,but in A good way now.
my heart hurt meant to say,love you Rilind
Could not help but donate! These poor defenseless animals!! They depend on us and we let them down! Thank God we are not all alike! Please keep us posted on his journey!!! God bless you!
God bless yOu
If not for facebook, I would never have seen these individual cases of abuse. The Patrick Miracle was my first, Bernice was second, and now here’s Rilind. I am glad that so many people are seeing evidence that this meanness happens and that we can help just by sharing these stories on our pages. God bless all the folks who send money, blankets, food, take beautiful heart-warming photos and mostly love these sweet innocent babies. I still sit and sob when I see what humans stoop to just to show power. Please check out the pages I mentioned above, and thank you so much Carmen Cay. You take beautiful photos. I think the district attorneys and lawmakers are being forced to act instead of ignore this kind of abuse because of wonderful people like you!
What a beautiful dog! It gives me profound relief and joy that this horror story ended in love. He wasn’t disposed of and truly great and caring human beings helped to save his life and being. Thank you to those people who made it possible for him to live when he wasn’t able to decide on his own. He has such will. Thank god for the human beings that are friends of animals. God bless you and Roland. I love you and wish you a long, happy, and healthy life in a forever home!
Beautiful boy. I’m in love. He has many people pulling for him.
I’m in tears reading about this beautiful soul and how cruel his former life must have been. Thank GOD for the wonderful people who saved him from a certain death, the doctors who are treating him, the beautiful photography of Riland and the love that is being sent to him from so many.
Dear lord please send your living angles and give this beautiful dog that you created. completely heal Rilind daily surround him with loving give him strength daily to fight for life my heart goes out to you and all who are helping him thank you and may god bless you all I pray that those who hurt this baby pup be put in prison forever
Carmen Cay – I have been following Rilind’s story since the beginning, but have not previously seen this “album.” It confirms what I have thought all along – you (up to now for me an unnamed photographer) have a very special talent for catching the canine spirit in your photos. You have shown what a truly noble soul Rilind has – that his body has been sorely abused, but his inner self was never destroyed. Thank you for showing us the inner beauty of this boy – and for recording so accurately the physical abuse which he has suffered. I hope and pray first for his good health and happiness, and then that those who did this to him are identified and, standing accused by the truth which you have recorded for us all, brought to a justice that is appropriate.