I'm gonna be a diamond someday!

(Hit play on the song above, it's Lincoln's song )

After knowing Lincoln for only the weekend, it's no surprise that he was doing so poorly in the clinic kennel.  He is an absolute sweetheart who completely thrives on human contact.  The lack of attention and companionship was really holding him back.  He has made himself at home very quickly and it's honestly hard to imagine him being so depressed.  Moving him here was definitely the right choice!  

He is sick, yes, but I honestly think he will be just fine.  A little TLC (and a few daily medications) is all he needs. His mange has cleared up a lot in the last month.  He still has some edema in his front feet, making them red and swollen.  His skin is extremely hot to the touch.  We know he is uncomfortable and itchy, but his spirits are high.  He only has fur left on about half of his body.  He has none on his legs, chest or belly, and very little on his face, but I'm hoping most of it grows back.  I assume he will have some scarred areas, but hopefully they will be minimal.  He is about 10lbs underweight, but is happily eating everything we give him.  You can see that he will be a very handsome boy when he is all better.  I can't wait to see him.

He was by far the easiest dog to introduce into the pack.  Dixie has had her issues with strange dogs, but she always accepts the fosters as if she understands why they are here and it was no different with Lincoln.  A quick walk through the neighborhood (I'm always a little bit expecting the police to show up at my door when I walk the fosters when they first arrive!)  and they were fine.  He doesn't, or should I say didn't, know how to play, but is learning quickly.  Saturday and Sunday, Jax gave him (and me!) a bit of the cold shoulder.  My Jaxy is a total moma's boy and was a little jealous.  I guess he is over it now because they played all evening and slept curled up together on the ottoman afterward. When Lincoln gets healthy, he may be the first dog ever to be able to keep up with Jax and play every waking minute. 

We think that he is younger than we were told.  It's hard to tell the age of a dog in such bad physical condition.  Calista first got called "about seven" and as she improved, our vets agreed that she was closer to three.  Although the vet in Texas guessed him to be around three, Jonathon and I think Lincoln is actually only about a year old.  He has some very juvenile behaviors.

This is another great, great dog that I am so happy to have in our home.  It's such a shame that he suffered for so long.  No more.

Meet Lincoln

A new dog will be joining our household this coming weekend.  We have been totally consumed by work for the last few weeks, hence the delay in getting a new foster dog.  Still, when one like Lincoln comes along, I can't resist helping him.

Lincoln is in dire condition.  He was actually pulled from a shelter in Irving, Texas, by our rescue on the date of his scheduled euthanasia.  That was about a month ago.  He was a stray, clearly living on his own for a very long time.  He has been staying at a veterinary clinic down in Texarkana, getting constant medical care.  Unfortunately, he just isn't responding the way everyone had hoped.  He is just too depressed there.  He curls up in the drain of the kennel floor and sleeps there all day.  The vet has decided that he may do better in a home environment.  Sometimes, mental health needs to improve before physical health can.  In other words, Lincoln needs the will to live.  I am hoping that we can give that to him. 

He has a severe case of demodectic mange (totally non-contagious to humans and other animals).  He is also extremely underweight and has an injured back leg.  This is what becomes of abandon dogs.  People that think that they can "set them free" when they don't want them anymore are so very wrong.  Dogs are not wild animals and have very little chance of survival on their own.

My new role.

I have some exciting news!  Starting in March, I will play a bigger role at the rescue that I foster for.  I have been asked to be an adoption coordinator!! (the main coordinator of  like15 years parted ways, suddenly, with the group, leaving a huge void to fill)  Now instead of helping only my current foster dog, I'll will be able to constantly be helping find forever homes for the dogs in all of the foster homes!  It comes with major commitment, and plenty of stress, I'm sure, as a lot goes into finding homes for these guys.  When these dogs come to us (as my past fosters have clearly shown), they have usually had hard lives.  It is our goal to make sure that they never have to suffer again.

It will entail screening adoption applications, calling veterinary and personal references, setting up home inspection visits, and arranging meet and greets between foster families and potential adopters.  Most importantly though, it will be matching the right people with the right dogs.  There is a dog for everyone, but not every dog is for just anyone...make sense?  Some of our dogs are dog-aggressive, or can jump fences or are too rough for little kids, or absolutely adore kids!  Does the family need an active young dog or a more laid back, mature dog?  It's all about finding the right "fit."

I think this is the right "fit" for me:-) 

One By One

 

This is a poem that is displayed on our rescues website.  It is about giving senior dogs a second chance.  It amazes me how people can abandon dogs that they have had for years simply because they are "too old."  I have a soft spot for old dogs.  They have a certain "something" that I can't quite describe.  A kind of dignity or wisdom that dogs don't possess until they reach a certain age.  It makes me cry every time one of these grandma or grandpa dogs shows up in a shelter.  They are so confused and sad.  You can see it in their eyes.  They are usually listed as "urgent"  because unfortunately, most elderly dogs don't do well in shelters.  It's too stressful and it wears on them quickly.  It takes a special person to adopt a dog that may only have a short time left.  I think this poem says it all when it comes to why it's so worth it.  (warning...it's a tear-jerker!)

 

 

 

One By One

One by one, they pass by my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can't run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong,

 I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,1
Can't justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,

But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
 And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.

 - Author Unknown

Moving on.

Great news!!!  After five long months with us, Calista has found her forever home!  I am both overjoyed and broken hearted at the same time.   She will definitely take a piece of my heart with her when she goes.  She has fought so hard to become the dog that she is today and I couldn't be happier to have been a part of her battle to survive. 

She will be moving to her new home on Sunday.   Her new family has an acreage about an hour from Little Rock, where she will have plenty of room to run and play with her new doggy siblings.  Denise, her future "mom," told me that she did great with her two little dogs.  I wasn't surprised, as Callie doesn't seem to have a mean bone in her body.  I'm sure she will adjust quickly and be very happy there for the rest of her life. 

Until then, I will treasure her last days with us.  I know that it will be very hard to say goodbye, but she is ready to move on.  I will never forget her.

Two good things...

Calista was spayed last week and is recovering well.  It was a very good thing that she had the surgery when she did.  As if the poor dog didn't have enough issues, she also had a very icky uterus.  According to the doctor, it was close to becoming a pyometra (which is basically an infected uterus).  This condition is rarely diagnosed until it is showing symptoms at which point it is extremely serious.  It can certainly be fatal if not treated immediately with an emergency hysterectomy.  Finally, a lucky break for Callie! 

More good news!  I found out today that there has been another application put in for her adoption!  I have not spoken to the lady myself yet, but she is aware of Callie's hip problem and the heart murmur and is fine with both issues.  I am hoping to set up a meet and greet and then hopefully a home trial as soon as her incision is completely healed. 

I am so praying that this is Calista's forever home!   Lately there are so many dogs listed as "urgent" meaning that they are on death row.   If Callie moves on, although I will miss her like crazy, it will open up our home to a dog that might otherwise live it's last hours in a crowded shelter. 

My life has gone to the dogs!

This past weekend was my four year anniversary in Arkansas.  Time has certainly flown by and I really find it hard to believe.  I feel like it was only weeks ago that I struggled to pack up my things and say my goodbyes.  After four years, I can say quite confidently that this place I currently call "home" will never really be that.  I am definitely a nature lover and Arkansas is a scenic state to be sure, but one I'd be happy only visiting, taking in the beauty of the Mountains and waterfalls, and moving on.  Although I now get teased by family and friends for thinking that 40 degrees is cold and some claim to detect a slight "twang" in my voice, I am a northerner at heart and always will be.  If given the opportunity, I would be out of this place in the blink of an eye.

I am, however, truly thankful for my experience living here.  It has opened my eyes about animal welfare.  Although this is something that I have always been extremely passionate about (up until here, my work had revolved around animals for years), I never knew how awful things were in this part of the country (the mid-south).  I have seen acts of cruelty that I will never be able to forget.  I see heart-breaking neglect almost every day.  Literally thousands of dogs and cats roam the streets.  With shelters full and little, if any, animal control, they have nowhere to go and no one to help them.  They will live short lives and most will die painfully. They will get hit by cars, get sick with disease, or simply starve to death.  And they will die alone, never having known what it's like to have a home of their own, or have someone love them.  

Although I don't call Arkansas home, I will forever be tied to it, and to the surrounding area. I can't move away and put these forgotten animals and overwhelmed rescuers out of my mind.  I plan to continue to give back to the animals from the area long after we are gone, as they have given so much to me.

In the grand scheme of things, my role here has been small.  Looking at the statistics, I have made very little difference.  But, as anyone in the rescue world will tell you, you can't look at the big picture.  It will only conjure up feelings of hopelessness and doubt.  You have to look at each animal as an individual.  Here are some of the individuals that have come into my life in the last four years.  (in order, as best as I can remember)

Phoebe!

Dixie

Having known then what we know now, there probably wouldn't be a Phoebe or a Dixie in our lives.  We were new to Arkansas, having only been here six months, when we came across these two strays while we were mini golfing. We were told that they had been hanging around the course, eating garbage and drinking out of the waterfalls for days.  It was extremely hot and they were very thin, not to mention we were on the side of a busy 6 lane interstate!  I couldn't leave them.  I figured we would simply take them to the humane society and either the owners would come for them, or they would be able to find new homes.  Looking back, it's no wonder that the attendant seemed to think we were crazy for taking the dogs.  He knew what we didn't, and had probably seen dozens of strays come and go from there.  It only took a couple of days before we realized that these young dogs had become our responsibility.  They needed homes, and were getting no help.  As you know, Dixie stayed with us.  Asia really took to her and they bonded very quickly.  There was no plan in our future for another dog, but Dixie was chosen by Asia to stay.  Phoebe went to live in MN!  Emily and Patrick, my sister and brother in law, adopted her. They didn't even meet her in person before agreeing to rescue her.  She now lives happily with them and her "brother" Jersey, their first rescue dog.

Cattle dog mixes, Jonny, Willie, and Patsy

These three pups came to me from a local humane society.  They were in the midst of a distemper outbreak at the location and needed short-term homes for healthy puppies.  Their litter had originally been found after someone tossed them into a dumpster.  All three were adopted locally.

This litter of five came to me when they were only two days old.  They had been left outside of a vet's office all night in a box with instructions to "get rid of them."  In other words, they wanted them euthanized, but didn't want to pay for it.  The pups were nearly frozen to death.  Middle of the night feedings for five pups was a daunting task, but they were so adorable!  These pups ended up going to participate in a dog/inmate training program at the state prison.  That was the last I heard, but I am a big fan of those programs and their adoption rates are high.

  

Little Willie Nelson

Little Johnny Cash

These pups have unique and heart-breaking story.  Their homeless mother (a Jack Russell) had befriended a homeless man, and they were spending their days together.  He didn't know that she was pregnant.  When she went into labor, he knew something wasn't right.  He eventually found a way to get her to the shelter, as he had no money for any vet care.  They did emergency surgery, but the labor had gone on too long.  They couldn't save the mother, and only two of the pups were alive inside of her.  I picked them up only hours after their "birth."  Given the circumstances of the way they entered the world, I knew these pups had little chance of surviving.  They lead to many sleepless nights (One night, I remember driving around for an hour at 3 a.m. looking for corn syrup) and there were times I was sure I was losing the smaller one. They stayed with me until they were 9 weeks old and then went on to the northeast part of the country, via the rescue wagon.  I was so excited when I found out that they were chosen for the program.  It has a 100% adoption rate!

This funny little girl was only with us for a few days.  We picked her up after watching her walk in front of a few too many cars.  She was in a nice neighborhood, but after asking around, she had been wandering there for a few days. We put up signs, but when the weekend had passed, we began to have doubts that anyone was looking for her.  Her owners eventually did call.  They had been on vacation and were unaware that she was even gone. (She was filthy and covered in fleas when we found her...obviously a backyard dog and not a family member. She deserved better.)

Jax

Then came Jax.  What Joy he brings into my life.  He inspires me to work with what I have been given and make the best of things.  His disability doesn't phase him in the least.  Multiple people have told me that he is amazing.  I agree.  Now that I love him so much, it saddens me even more to remember how his life was before he came to live with us.

Laila!

I was drawn to "Emily" who is now Laila Beerling, immediately when I saw her picture on the website.  I had agreed to hold off on another foster for a couple of weeks, but couldn't get her out of my head.  I believe it was meant to be, as she quickly became part of the family too.  She is now living it up in Bloomington, MN!

Calista!

 Little miss Calista has probably been the most difficult dog so far.  She was a roller coaster ride.  It was so hard investing so much effort, and so much hope, and not ever knowing if she was actually going to make it.  She is a true survivor and I know that there is a perfect home waiting for her out there somewhere.

J.D. aka...Mr. Orange

Oh, I almost forgot!  Among all of the dogs that have come and gone, there was this little guy.  A supplier of our business called me at the office begging me to come and pick up a kitten that had wondered into their warehouse during hurricane Gustav.  They sounded so excited and truly worried about the little guy.  They had even named him -J.D. (for John Deere, the name of their company) so I reluctantly agreed.  When I first saw the pathetic animal, my heart sunk.  I was pretty sure that he was beyond my help.  He was clearly suffering from some head-trauma, along with malnutrition and dehydration.  He couldn't stand on his own anymore and his head was so tilted that if I didn't prop him up with a towel, he just rolled over onto his side.  I told them that I would do what I could, but not to get their hopes up.  I took him home.  I decided that if he made it through the night, and didn't get any worse, I would take him to the vet for medications.  If he went downhill, I would have him put to sleep in the morning.  Throughout the night, I got up to check on him, each time expecting him to have passed.  Each time, I was able to force feed him a little warm water or formula and by morning I had even gotten a little canned cat food in him.  By noon, he was offering to lick the food from a spoon on his own and I knew he would pull through.   Once he was healthy enough, I brought him into our office (Dixie would have made a snack of him given any opportunity) and he never left.  Just over 2 years old, he has grown into quite a handsome cat.  He still has a remnant head tilt from time to time, but he wouldn't fit into our animal family if he were completely "normal," now would he?



I would be lying if I said that rescuing was easy for me.  It's emotionally, and sometimes even physically draining.  There are extreme highs and lows.  There is poo and pee and slobber and vomit and blood.  There are numerous trips to the vet and a pharmacy full of medications on my shelves at all times.  There have been plenty of days I have felt overwhelmed and frustrated.  That being said, not once have I thought about giving it up, even if I were to get back into an animal-related career.  These dogs help me be a better person.  They give me a reason to be here in Arkansas that is more important than any job.  They keep me going.  I believe that this is what I am suppose to be doing and I will continue to do it as long as there is a need for it, which I fear, in my lifetime, there always will be.