I sat at the first of the week cleaning up the rescue's website. I removed those who were going home, revamped the profiles of Dane's still waiting on their forever homes, and secretly smiled thinking we were low in number with Dane's for the first time in quite a while. I promise I never spoke out loud about this low number of Danes as I know it can serve as taboo, but I did think it.
Our newly voted in Vice President Caroline York called and with a shaking voice told me she had been contacted by an ASPCA President about 2 Danes who were being confiscated and could we make room. Of course we can make room for two Dane's. By evening the 2 Dane's turned to 6 and it was noted they were all in poor condition. The Danes were coming from the Memphis area which made it logical that they come in to our Nashville Branch and start on the road to their forever homes. The "Good Life" as we tell all Dane's in the beginning.
I had to listen with pride in the Young Woman's voice as she told me her plan of action. I never dreamed several years ago when she was adopting my foster dog Apollo that i would work in this capacity with the Woman. Caroline York, adopter, foster failure, and valued as a member of Dames for Danes Great Dane Rescue. Amy Mumpower and I started this rescue $50 dollars in the hole and one Dane at a time. So my pride cannot be masked when I speak of how we have grown and the good clean reputation that has grown with us.
Caroline organized the pickup of the Midnight Blue 6 with our wonderful foster parents Lisa Coffel and Jesse Ross of the Nashville Area. Three cars and six Danes were in a caravan coming through Tennessee to save these babies. I got phone calls in which exclaimed the dismay at the poor condition of the Danes. I listened to Caroline's usually powerful voice, now small and weak crying for one particular Dane female who was in her vehicle.
As a rescuer you get far too used to seeing emaciated dogs. You become far too used to seeing poor conditions and conditions in which to the average human seem larger than they really are. We have touched the bones of dogs in which protrude from the skin and looked into the hopeless eyes of a dog who has given up. It is a rough day for us as Human Beings though when it is the worst we have personally witnessed. This would be Caroline's first experience with a truly emaciated Dane. My first was Crockett. Amy's first was April. It is then in which you cry together for not only the horror of what you’re seeing but you cry because it hurts you to touch them. Feeling the physical pain with each pet you give to this poor animal is something many humans never experience. It is what make rescuer's special. We have the ability to move past the appearance and give our heart to a Dane who needed our love and powerful prayer.
Caroline quickly dubbed her Bella as her project. There would be no doubt she was taking this Dane home. Despite the fact she needed to be carried as Caroline thought Bella would break simply touching her, Caroline wanted Bella to make her whole again. By morning again a small voice comes on the phone and says "Bella is heartworm positive". I knew from the sound of the tears and the small voice that approval not to put this Dane down due to medical condition was being asked for. It is a voice i know well as it is one I have spoken to Amy and one Amy has spoken to me...one in which the other says...."Let us treat her. Let us get her to a healthy weight and then work on her medical conditions". I told Caroline exactly that as I knew without calling Amy it would be a unanimous decision. There are some things i just know about the women i work with.
It was on to raise money for these Danes. Quickly organized fund raisers, begging, and television should aid us in finding help for these Danes who needed it so badly. I sat in amazement as my phone never stopped ringing with offers of adoptions, money, and foster parents who were reaching out to help these poor Danes. There are many days being a rescuer can be so lonely. So many out there do not understand a drive and passion to live among the fur creatures. However on a day like yesterday it restores my faith in the Human Race and allows me to realize that there is so much love and hope out there.
I want to thank everyone who came through yesterday for Dames for Danes and for these Danes who needed your love and support so badly. I want to thank our foster parents for pulling through when we really needed them. I want to thank Village Vet Hospital in Mount Juliet Tennessee for accomodating so many so quickly and with such love. What a marvelous staff they have there. Thank you Caroline for keeping your cool and for loving the breed as passionatley as you do. We are so happy to have you on our team. Thank you to every donator and every person who sent prayers our way. Thank you for all on our side in fighting the good fight for the animals. And God Bless every rescuer out there seeing your first horror. Our hearts are with you as you touch the animal who hurts you so deeply it strips your faith in Humanity.
God Bless All and never forget that the best possible way you can help our cause is to go home tonight and kiss the furry faces of those who inhabit your homes. Take them to the vet when they are ill. Keep them on their preventatives and feed them well. Remember they depend on you and look to you for the love they should know. And always ask for help if you cannot find the solution as there is always a rescuer out there willing to lend their ear and help.
Much hope for tomorrow and those who are now in our care. The Good Life is waiting and we promise to show you how marvelous it is. Bella, Bubba, Midnight Blue, Chloe, Zoey and Mama Lexus you will have a couch to call your own. You will never spend another night in the cold. You will never know anything but human kindness and affection from this point forward. And you will never miss another meal. It is in our power and we at Dames for Danes will keep this promise to you.
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