When we took the call to rescue Eileen we knew she had been hit by a car and was facing an amputation of a back leg. Our fears were confirmed by Dr. Shaw and the leg would need to be removed. This beautiful glossy black Dane was in wonderful shape. Eileen was young and otherwise healthy so we placed fear aside and took the plunge. Eileen would be our first three legged Dane. This is in fact how her name came to be. I had to find some humor in the horror. "I-Lean".
The very day she lost her leg i walked into the vet clinic and walked back to the surgery room where she was sitting up in the floor wagging her tail. Fighting the tears was not a success for me. Openly i cried for this poor girl who had no idea her leg was even gone.
Our wonderful foster and volunteer Laurel Bowen took on the task of fostering Eileen during her recovery. Eileen came along very well. Before Eileen even fully recovered she was adopted by one of the most wonderful families (and our friends) we know. Eileen when well would have a new Dane sister named Lady Belle, two parents, and five human siblings. We were thrilled this family came forward!
Tonight i recieved a call from the new family! Eileen is a love who has fit right in with their family. She loves the children and her new Dane sister. However there was an incident. No one knew or even dreamed that Eileen would be a runner. An accidental drop of the leash and Eileen saw runner's freedom. Her new Mom said she never dreamed a three legged Dane could run so fast! Eileen ran fast and hard with her new family chasing behind her. It was our lovely Lady Belle who ran in to save the day! Lady Belle stopped Eileen and held her there until the family could reach her.
Our lesson was learned...Three legs are as quick as four. Although a scary experience it was one of joy for all of us who have prayed and held Eileen close to our hearts. From this we learn to never give up no matter what the circumstances are, no matter how bad it looks, we still can run if we want to bad enough. Thank you Eileen for reminding us.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Rescue at 41
There is not a day in which goes by that someone is not critical of my work when it comes to rescue. I hear many things like "It takes alot out of you, Karen", "Why dont you dedicate time to something worthy", "You must be crazy to do this on top of working and going to school". Those phrases are those i have become most familiar with.
It is a hard thing to explain to those who do not share your passion. It becomes harder when i say i could not live without waking up with dog hair on my face. To say i love this creature beyond measure is something many people just do not understand. However i can say beyond a shadow of a doubt i have met people who i love who share my passion and without them i could not get through my days.
Great Dane Rescue. Could i have picked a larger breed to fall in love with? One with less slobber and less health issues.....sure. However when i learned exactly how gentle, kind, and giving these gentle giants are i was forever hooked. There is nothing like being squashed between three Great Danes. Forever can you look into their souls and watching how forgiving they are of human beings is a lesson in which every one of us could learn.
Let none of you mistake the fact that i have other types of dogs too. In fact i have six dogs. Each one of them a rescue.
Ginger-My Rat Terrier who is 11-12 years of age. She was a breeder dog who turned circles for hours on end due to the fact the cage she lived her life in was the only room she had ever known. It took a couple of years before the circles stopped. She sleeps under the covers at my feet during the night. She has been loved, is loved, and she no longer shies away from humans.
Teddy-My Pit Bull/Chihuahua Mix-7.5 yrs old......o yes....this is his breed. 22lbs of chihuahua voice with a stocky build of a Pit's body. When i got Teddy he was covered in cigarette burns, a few broken bones, and no respect for Human Beings. It would be six months he lived under my bed before he became the leader of my pack. There is no doubt that Teddy is the Boss of the House.
Ruthie-My Peke-5-6 yrs old......whatever could i say about Ruthie? A call came in to the Dane Rescue one late night. The next morning i sent my Sweet Sean to pick her up. We won't bother to say it was a pretty site as he tried to place her into the crate. There was blood, some cussing, and a promise that he would never let that dog out of the crate until i got home. Somehow though she won her way into our hearts and she came here to say. The most demanding of every dog within the house.
Jake- My Dane/Deerhound Mix. 3yrs old I do not tell the others but by far this boy is the light for me. Jake and i have developed that special bond that leaves me in tears at the thought of one day losing him. He is 175lbs and the most gentle being i have ever known. He is protective of his Mom and lets me know at every step he is there for me. His playful jumps when i come home bring a smile to my face even though it usually involves a scratch or two. Thank God i went to see that sick litter of puppies that night against the wishes of all in my home. I wanted him from moment one.
Sophie- Mantle Female Dane 13 months old-O Sophie.....you are the most difficult Girl i have ever known. It is possible some mild retardation is present but her face is incredibly sweet. Sophie minds very well but still must be crated at night as she has quite expensive tastes which include leather love seats and rooms full of Berber Carpet. She never ceases to amaze me in situations where there are many other dogs. Sophie is kind to every human and dog she comes into contact with.
The newest addition is here.....
Emma-Brindle Female Dane 3 yrs old. A Rescue who came through Dames for Danes in which i have fallen head over heels for. Through all of her different homes, being chained, and not properly cared for she is the reason i rescue. I watch as she has been transferred into several homes now adjust and continue to be filled with joy. She has loved so many and lost. Yet she happily goes to the next place and finds a great joy in the people. Emma forgives......truly a quality we lack as human beings. She reminds me daily that there is joy in every situation and with the bad there is so much good. Watching her learn to lay on our bed and realize she is getting food every day is melting my heart. My darkest secret here is that she reminds me of my Jessie Girl who i lost some time ago. The personality is similar except that Emma does not bite men. The bouncing happily ever after attitude is like my Jessie is in the home once more. Although i know there is a difference i have somehow found comfort in this girl. The adopter coming forward would have to be way better than my own home. Way better. I dont think you could shake this girl off me with a stick.
Rescue is new every day. There is always some type of crisis, dog in need, ear to bend...Rescue never sleeps nor do the people who live by this code.
It is a hard thing to explain to those who do not share your passion. It becomes harder when i say i could not live without waking up with dog hair on my face. To say i love this creature beyond measure is something many people just do not understand. However i can say beyond a shadow of a doubt i have met people who i love who share my passion and without them i could not get through my days.
Great Dane Rescue. Could i have picked a larger breed to fall in love with? One with less slobber and less health issues.....sure. However when i learned exactly how gentle, kind, and giving these gentle giants are i was forever hooked. There is nothing like being squashed between three Great Danes. Forever can you look into their souls and watching how forgiving they are of human beings is a lesson in which every one of us could learn.
Let none of you mistake the fact that i have other types of dogs too. In fact i have six dogs. Each one of them a rescue.
Ginger-My Rat Terrier who is 11-12 years of age. She was a breeder dog who turned circles for hours on end due to the fact the cage she lived her life in was the only room she had ever known. It took a couple of years before the circles stopped. She sleeps under the covers at my feet during the night. She has been loved, is loved, and she no longer shies away from humans.
Teddy-My Pit Bull/Chihuahua Mix-7.5 yrs old......o yes....this is his breed. 22lbs of chihuahua voice with a stocky build of a Pit's body. When i got Teddy he was covered in cigarette burns, a few broken bones, and no respect for Human Beings. It would be six months he lived under my bed before he became the leader of my pack. There is no doubt that Teddy is the Boss of the House.
Ruthie-My Peke-5-6 yrs old......whatever could i say about Ruthie? A call came in to the Dane Rescue one late night. The next morning i sent my Sweet Sean to pick her up. We won't bother to say it was a pretty site as he tried to place her into the crate. There was blood, some cussing, and a promise that he would never let that dog out of the crate until i got home. Somehow though she won her way into our hearts and she came here to say. The most demanding of every dog within the house.
Jake- My Dane/Deerhound Mix. 3yrs old I do not tell the others but by far this boy is the light for me. Jake and i have developed that special bond that leaves me in tears at the thought of one day losing him. He is 175lbs and the most gentle being i have ever known. He is protective of his Mom and lets me know at every step he is there for me. His playful jumps when i come home bring a smile to my face even though it usually involves a scratch or two. Thank God i went to see that sick litter of puppies that night against the wishes of all in my home. I wanted him from moment one.
Sophie- Mantle Female Dane 13 months old-O Sophie.....you are the most difficult Girl i have ever known. It is possible some mild retardation is present but her face is incredibly sweet. Sophie minds very well but still must be crated at night as she has quite expensive tastes which include leather love seats and rooms full of Berber Carpet. She never ceases to amaze me in situations where there are many other dogs. Sophie is kind to every human and dog she comes into contact with.
The newest addition is here.....
Emma-Brindle Female Dane 3 yrs old. A Rescue who came through Dames for Danes in which i have fallen head over heels for. Through all of her different homes, being chained, and not properly cared for she is the reason i rescue. I watch as she has been transferred into several homes now adjust and continue to be filled with joy. She has loved so many and lost. Yet she happily goes to the next place and finds a great joy in the people. Emma forgives......truly a quality we lack as human beings. She reminds me daily that there is joy in every situation and with the bad there is so much good. Watching her learn to lay on our bed and realize she is getting food every day is melting my heart. My darkest secret here is that she reminds me of my Jessie Girl who i lost some time ago. The personality is similar except that Emma does not bite men. The bouncing happily ever after attitude is like my Jessie is in the home once more. Although i know there is a difference i have somehow found comfort in this girl. The adopter coming forward would have to be way better than my own home. Way better. I dont think you could shake this girl off me with a stick.
Rescue is new every day. There is always some type of crisis, dog in need, ear to bend...Rescue never sleeps nor do the people who live by this code.
How it Started
As a child i have no memory without a furry friend at my side. Sooner was a black lab mix who my parents rescued before my birth. It became evident as i learned to walk and venture out on my own Sooner would never be far from me. Together we got into trouble crossing the fence line into a neighbors yard. The neighbor was neither fond of children nor dogs.
My parents did not believe in dogs sleeping within the house. This was something i desired greatly as a child, to have Sooner laying next to me in the dark of night. Each morning i would run outside and Sooner would greet me with sweet kisses and the happiest of tail wagging one could imagine.
There was a day i ran out and Sooner did not greet me. It would be years later that i found out she had been shot and killed by a neighbor whose trash cans she had violated during the night. It was then i knew somehow it was my job to protect those with no voice. It was my job to educate those who desired pets within their lives. Most of all it was my job to be the one who looks, stops, and works daily to save the lives of God's creatures.
It did turn into hurt birds, turtles, baby rabbits new from the nest, cats, dogs, and even the occassional guinea pig that the neighbor children wanted to drown. Each one of these creatures recieved the best of care and the most love a little girl had to offer. What more could one ask to be? I did not know then that rescue would become a majority part of my life.
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