A Tail of Christmas Love and New Life for Molly, Maxine and 23 Others

When we last talked about the Parvo Puppies, Molly and Maxine, they were back at the stable with Tom and Peggy, enjoying the freedom of a large stall and great walks on the Horse trails with Tom and Peggy.
These are the two puppies home from the vets and recovering rapidly.

Christmas is closing in on us as it does every year at this time. This year, I am acutely aware there are a lot of dogs that will not make it to enjoy this Christmas or any other unless some miracles happen and in a hurry.

We were down to about a week before the transport to a new life in the North.  As time drew closer for them to leave I suspected that there would be some additions to the transport knowing that Tereasa liked to rescue as many as possible when setting these trips up.

As the fates would have it, on that quiet afternoon I got a phone call.  Low and behold Tereasa is on the other end from Michigan, breathlessly telling me "we have a situation".  I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I am learning that when she calls and says "we have a situation", What it really means is "I have been on the phone for hours talking dog rescue, funding for the transport and vetting".  All of that now translates to a simple list of "things that need doing in an expedited manor and guess who the local expediter is??

The "new situation" started with a hurried call to Tereasa from one of the Angels of Mercy at the local kill shelter.  They had several small dogs whose time had run out and the weather and shelter are getting dangerously cold. If she cannot get them on transport to LDDR, they will be destroyed.  Tereasa had contacted LDDR and they have put plans into action to take 3 more of our local dogs who are freezing at the shelter.  She then put out feelers for funding for the trip while making arrangements for the local shelter to get the dogs vetted and ready for transport.  The last item on the list is to find local fosters for the 3 little dogs that need to come out now or freeze in the shelter in the next two very cold nights.

At this point, Tereasa called me to explain what "the situation was that WE had."  The 3 dogs were small, had short hair, were freezing and needed to come out ASAP.  The smallest was Tiny Tim a tiny Chihuahua who was scared to death and was not fairing well in the freezing cell that he was in.  There was also an adorable Beagle/Terrier mix Tagged Jingles and her cell mate a tiny puppy of the Chihuahua mix called Prancer.  The first priority was to evaluate little Tiny Tim to see if his fear was going to preclude him from being adoptable.

I decided to take the Hamburger Approach.   We stopped at the local Hardees and purchased a hamburger with nothing on it.  Tiny Tim had a cell mate and I figured that a warm hamburger in a cold cell would lift the spirits of both dogs and hopefully win Tiny's confidence.  Tiny's cell mate was a really cute terrier mix who wanted nothing more than to be held and loved.  Tiny on the other hand was so scared he would only cower in the corner by the freezing doorway to the outside.

I slipped into the cell and sat down on the floor Sleigh, as she was later called, bounced right up on my lap and wanted that hamburger.  I unwrapped it and tore it in small pieces feeding Sleigh while Tiny watched very intently.  Finally he could not stand it anymore and eased up to get his bite and then fear be damned he wanted more of that hamburger.  I scooped him up when the hamburger was gone and once on the leash he was ready to go anywhere that was warm and safe. I held him the 20 miles to his foster moms place and within minutes riding on my lap in front of the heater I could feel him relax and start to take interest in what was going past the window.

Once there he walked around the yard for a few  moments, watched their dog in the back yard and decided that this place and person was okay.  When his foster turned to walk into her house he fell in right behind her and went right in like he lived there.  He made a quick inspection of the home, barked once at the cat who promptly ignored him and settled in with these loving folks for a very happy week prior to transport.


While we were in route I placed a call to Tereasa and informed her of the loving dog that was sharing the cell with Tiny and how it would be a real loss not to take her also.  By time we had Tiny settled at his foster we got a call from Tereasa to tell us they would take Sleigh also.  We went back to the shelter to retrieve jingles and her cell mate Prancer as we had another foster set up for the two of them.  They loved the idea of someone taking them out of there and really did not seem to care as long as they did not have to go back.  I was surprised at how quick these dogs accepted the foster homes with great enthusiasm.  Prancer saw the fosters Daughter on the couch covered with a blanket and went flying across the room, leaped into he air and landed right on her lap with Jingles right behind.

With 3 settled and one more to go, I went to our local "Big Box Home Repair Store to talk with some of the people who work there to see if any of these kind souls would share their homes with little Sleigh who was in need of a loving foster.

The first person I ran into was an acquaintance from my years of working there.  I was amazed when she listened to my tail of doggies in need and she told me she would foster Sleigh.  She wanted me to meet her at five when she got off work and she would take Sleigh home and introduce her to her dog.
Sleigh getting some loving while waiting for her new foster to get off work.

The four dogs had warm and loving homes for the week prior to their trip North for a happy doggy Holiday.

We had to round up all the dogs for the trip to their new fosters at LDDR and meet the Transport at Lebanon, Tennessee.  Tereasa did not waste any time either.  LDDR at her urging, took 6 Dogs from Georgia, over 14 emergency rescues from Lebanon, TN and our six dogs from Athens.   Tereasa and all dogs arrived safely in Michigan after a long trip and a lot of hours.

We received some feed back from one of the fosters who is taking care of Tiny Tim and Sleigh.  The foster is really taken with Tiny Tim and may keep him and become his forever mom.  She also informed me that Sleigh had a meet and greet with a prospective new family and by now may already be enjoying her new forever home and family. Hopefully we will hear more on the other wonderful dogs we had sent on their way to a new life. 
Sleigh, with new friend and Tiny on couch at new foster getting a nap.

Dropping our six dogs off was hard as the fosters and I have become very emotionally attached to them.  Knowing that this Christmas transfer means a new and better life with new and loving families makes it easier to see them off.  Especially, knowing that if they stayed here they would never have seen Christmas.  Thanks to the efforts of a lot of folks here and in Michigan and all that Tereasa has done, these dogs & puppies are receiving the most wonderful gift they could receive for Christmas.  Life, Love and a Forever Human Pack of their own.  What more could a dog want other than maybe a hot Hardees Hamburger and hold the onions.
Merry Christmas to you all From the Third Hill
Roy and Gang

A Christmas note from a Brittany Rescue/Transport person

This just in as a reminder of why we do what we do for the wonderful dogs in our lives.  The Brittany Rescue group is one of the rescues I have had the pleasure to transport for.   Everyone I have meant in this incredible network has been some wonderful folks.  Thank you Connie and Happy Holidays to you all and safe transports for the New Year.

 Roy and fur babies From the Third Hill

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Happy Holidays and Thank You from the Brittany Transport Team!

The Holiday season traditionally is a time for giving to others and reflecting on life’s blessings.  In the spirit of the season, we send a heartfelt THANK YOU, for freely giving your TLC, time (and gas dollar) to transport & overnight rescued brittany dogs.  With your compassionate help, many brittanys were rescued in 2010.  (At last count, NBRAN & NEBR were on pace to adopt out 500+ brittanys in 2010!)
We are grateful to the many transporters who have made it an astoundingly successful year for rescuing & transporting … we could not be so successful without your compassionate help.

We’ve started a blog about some of the Happy Tales of the brittanys we’ve transported at http://brittanytransporttales.blogspot.com
Below is a special story from the blog … shared by Connie, who fostered Peyton.

Wishing you all the best in 2011,
Nancy Walker,  Kathy Boje,  Jan Skrocki

NBRAN / NEBR Brittany Transport Team
www.nbran.org          www.nebrittanyrescue.org
_________________________________________________________
"To the people who foster, transport, donate, campaign or look out for dogs in need, thanks to all of you. To the people who are thinking about how they might make a bit of difference, go for it."

NOTE:  Peyton was pulled by Connie from a WV shelter, fostered by her and then went on transport to the northeast in November.  Peyton now has a "fur-ever" family of his own.
  This is Connie's story ... 

This is my story, I would encourage anyone in the least bit interested to give fostering or transporting a try.  Please feel free to edit, I know I tend to get windy!!

A year ago I lost my Gypsy, a little liver and white "Brittney" girl. About that time I started looking at Petfinder, and the rescues, NBRAN included. I heard a lot about "other peoples problem dogs, something wrong with them for them to be at a shelter, you don't want to get involved."

Within 2 weeks we bought a little Britt boy, different color, different sex, from a breeder, great pedigree, champion stock.

I started transporting a few months later, got questioned about WHY are you spending your time and money to drive dogs when you have a farm full of your own animals and not enough time for yourself?

I didn't know WHY, but it made me feel good. I did it because I could, I guess.

Not long ago I got approached by NBRAN / NEBR, could I pick up a lost Britt from a shelter near my home and take him to boarding? It was Thanksgiving week, but the shelter wanted him out, but he didn't have a foster home yet. I picked him up, and he came home with me for the week. He was skinny, he jumped at every noise, cowered all the time and if he had a tail it would have been between his legs.

My two boys (the hunter, our Britt boy and the herder, our shelter Border Collie mix) welcomed him, shared their toys and home, and a couple days later he was not so scared, he was playful and getting confident. He had some accidents in the house, but learned quickly to be a good house dog.

A week later he had a foster home, and I transported him on his first leg of his journey. My husband was so attached to him by this time he couldn't go. I cried a lot that day.

Just two weeks later I learned his fur-ever family found him. I'm glad now to have been a part of his life, even though it was sad to let him go.

My point?

There are a lot of dogs out there that are not problems, or trouble, just down on their luck. Or their first people didn't know how to care for them. Or couldn't afford the chow any more.

In just one week I watched a dog change, saw him start to bloom. He is every bit as special and good as our pedigreed champion, actually perhaps better behaved!

This kind of thing wouldn't happen without the network of ordinary people who help out here and there when they can.

So to the people who foster, transport, donate, campaign or look out for dogs in need, thanks to all of you.

To the people who are thinking about how they might make a bit of difference, go for it.

You won't be sorry.

If I knew then what I know now, I don't think I would have agreed to buying our little champion. Not that he isn't a great boy, but he would have gotten a great home.

I would have jumped right into fostering the ones that got lost in the shuffle of life, and would now have a bunch of tearful days behind me, but would have also helped others find their best friends.

And along the way I think I would have been found by mine. 

CONNIE

A Tail of Christmas Love and New Life

About 3 weeks ago I received a call from Tereasa in Michigan.  She is a dog transporter/rescuer I had met during my short span of dog transfers and had made a couple of transports for her.  She had arranged for the Last Day Dog Rescue of Michigan to pull and Foster 17 Puppies and Dogs from our local Kill Shelter here in East Tennessee.

Once these dogs are vetted, Spayed or Neutered, they would be put on transport to a New Life in Michigan with the Last Day Dog Rescue and their new foster parents.  Once the puppies arrive at the fosters they evaluate each  dogs/Puppy's behavior, temperament and other characteristics to help matching individual dogs with the best possible adopters available.

When Tereasa called she related the tale that was unfolding around us.  Last Day Dog Rescue had committed to take the 17 puppies and a few of the smaller dogs.  They would go on transport in about two weeks.  The local pound wanted 3 puppies out ASAP as they were over crowded and these three had been there too long.  They were on Death Row and scheduled for extermination on Saturday morning only two days hence. She was "wondering" if I could possibly help get them out and find them a safe foster home until they could go on transport??

I once had tried to tell Tereasa that I was a  transporter but not a rescuer per say.  I have learned working with Tereasa, that, in her book, if you like dogs then you PASS!!  It is really difficult to say "no" to this demure woman with the heart of a Mastiff.  When it comes to rescuing dogs etc. she is driven and I have never heard her to say "I can't", only "how do I do this??".

So saying I couldn't was not in the cards, besides, I had been to our pound and I know how bad the conditions are.  It is like a WWII Concrete Bunker for Dogs.  It is hard and cold. 

I have to say, like in most shelters around the South there are a lot of very dedicated people trying to do a gargantuan humane job with limited to no government resources other than the gas chamber.  Ours is no different.  There are some real angels working tirelessly to get dogs adopted locally or move the excess pups and dogs on transports to rescue/homes in the North or West.  I found out that these Angels of Merci have the cell phone number of a certain Michigan Resident by the name of Tereasa. 


I quickly ran down a short list of folks in my head that would be likely to say yes that they would take these 3 puppies into their homes for a week or so.  I was surprised to find that the two folks I thought of both said yes!

Since Tom had a stable set up with some very comfy stalls he quickly made one over and I went in search of three wonderful puppies to rescue.  The volunteers at the shelter were very happy to see we were coming to get them as they all loved these dogs and did not want to see anything happen to them.  I picked them up directly from the vet were they had been sent to be spayed and neutered for LDDR.  The puppies were still groggy but glad to see anyone that looked friendly and would give them some attention.  

I drove them over to Tom and Peggy's stable and we installed them into their stall with dog house bedding and heat lamps "just in case".  They loved their new home and being free from cages.  They recovered from their surgery rapidly and soon were into puppy playing and having the fun you would expect from young puppies.

By the end of Day 5 they were full of play and love for all that came to visit them.  On the morning of the sixth day little Molly, the real little live wire, was not feeling well.  By noon it was evident that she was going down fast.  We took her to the Vets to have her checked out and at that time I learned a new phase, "She broke with Parvo."  The Vet covered the scenario of what we could expect and it was not a real pretty picture.

When we left Molly at the vets office Tom and I both had a heavy heart that we had seen our little Molly for the last time.

Now came the worry of would the other 2 break with Parvo also??

I called the Vets office first thing next morning and was informed that she was still alive but very sick.  A check later that day showed there was no noticeable change.  Next morning was a bit of good news.  She was a live and her temperature had come down, but she still could not eat or drink. When she was able to keep down food and water she would be well on her way. For the next few days it was just wait while she was slowly improved each day.
 
On the second day that Molly was at the Vets, I got a call from Tom telling me that Maxine was very lethargic and had diarrhea.  Once you see how fast Parvo can take a health puppy down to near death you don't waste any time and we rushed her right in.  Maxine went through the same routine and three days later when her temp broke we were so relieved.  Five days after going into the Vets Molly come home to our heated basement.  She was so weak and emaciated that I was still afraid that she would not survive. 

We went through the next few days with small feedings every few hours to ease her bowel back into working.  Short walks outside to potty and then back in for some one on one play time on the floor of the basement. I would find myself setting on the floor with her on my lap while she chewed on a chewy at 12 or 2 in the morning drifting off only to wake when every time she would move.  I would then try to convince her she needed to go back in her cage until the next feeding and I would crash in my recliner chair until such a time arrived in 2 or 3 hours.

On the weekend my partner helped with their care and feeding on a regular basis.  Handling these two recovering "wild child's" was a real handful and he really helped me out with the feedings and outings at all hours. 

Two days later Maxine came home to join her sister.  Molly was improving by leaps and bounds daily and wanted to play with her sister very badly.  Maxine however was in no shape to encourage any such nonsense.

This kept up for a week while they recovered to prime puppy form again.  How I survived their recovery week with them learning to bark every time they wanted to go out or play is still unknown to me.  But to see them gain so much strength, become happy and active, did I say they become very active?  Their daily transformation in health and happiness was totally rewarding. 

While all of this was going on Tom had kept their litter mate Butch by himself until the transport was ready to go.  He never Broke with Parvo and made the trip with the 16 other dogs to Michigan to the rescue in great shape.  Butch stayed with Tereasa and her husband for another week just be be sure he was not going to "break with Parvo" before going to his foster home. 

Tom took Molly and Maxine back to the stable to foster them until another transport could be set up.  They are now enjoying long walks in the woods with Tom and his Family and the company of the horses and barn cats.  Molly thinks it is her duty to spot the cats before they sneak up on her and sound a loud bark.

Little Molly proves to be a leader.  She thinks she is Alpha Female of her little pack and may very will grow into that role.  She did lead the way into a horrible, life taking, disease.  She fought valiantly for her little life for days and finally lead the way back home to us.  Her sister Maxine had no less a trial but at least had her sisters lead to follow and two days after Molly come home, she also returned to us also.

Due to the wonderful professional medical services of our clinic and the love and care of us who have had the privilege to meet these two tough little girls they have survived and will soon be receiving their ultimate Christmas gift of love and care from their new forever families somewhere in their future up North. 
 
God speed and fair sailing little Molly and Maxine.  Your future awaits.

Roy

Butch taking a drink break

 Butch hiding from his sisters

 Maxine checking out new home

 Molly approving of the new housing.

 Molly and Maxine in  back yard fully recovered and ready for their future.
 

Little Max survives severe burns at 6 weeks of age.

A few days ago, a person my partner works with asked him about our rescue work with dogs.  He explained that his wife had rescued a puppy a month earlier and was wondering if we could find a home for this little guy.  The puppy was a 6 week old pit bull that had been burned with oil to the point of almost death.  

The Story bellow was written by his wife who spent endless hours nursing this little guy back from the brink of death.     I will list some photos that she had taken on her phone.  They are not clear but you get the idea of his early condition.  I will end with some photos we took a  month later when we first got to meet Little Max. 

She wrote Maxes story from his his perspective.

 Hello, my name is Max and this is my story.

A few weeks ago I was found in this nice ladies front yard. I was very close to Death and she seemed to know what to do. I could not stand up, I was very week and in really bad pain from burns all over my back and sides. The Lady who found me picked me up and wrapped me in a towel. We went straight to the vets office and he stayed extra hours working on my injuries to help me.

He told the lady I had hot grease burns on my back and sides. He gave me strong medicine and sent me home with the nice Lady. She bought some Lanacaine to put on my burns.

The family worked together holding and comforting me for the next 36 hours. The Lady put Lanacaine on my wounds and I would shiver with pain. I would hide my face under her arm when she did this. Late one night on about the 37th hour, I was able to look up at the nice Lady. I crawled up to her face and gave her a great big kiss.

It has been about a month and my wounds are healed up. I let the Lady know when I need to go to the bathroom. The lady says I am Smart and Cute as a Button!! She is very busy with all her other pets and the people who live here and I get to visit with them for some play time each day.

The lady says she will find me a wonderful forever home. She says there is someone special who will love me and take super good care of me.

Please help me never to hurt that bad again. Max

This is Max and his foster mom. His back may never have hair on these scars.

Little Max meeting some new friends.

 Ain't I cute!!

We found little Max in surprising good shape for all he had been through.  He was turning into a healthy and happy puppy with a need to chew everything whether it moves or not.   He is recovering really well thanks to LaCrecia's loving care.  

Max was small for his age and would appear to be he runt of the litter.  It is believed that he would have been used as a bait dog to teach other pits to kill.  

On a brighter note he will soon be ready to go to a wonderful home where he will make a loving member of a family.

About 8 years ago I was lucky enough to pick up a little black dog trotting down the middle of our local road with logging trucks rolling by.  The temp was in the high 90's and her little red tongue was hanging almost to the hot pavement.  

She came right to me and soon was enjoying the air conditioning in my car.  We learned that she was not a 3-4 month old black lab as I had thought but a 5-6 month old Black Lab and American Pit Bull.

Lucy soon became the little princess of the pack.  She did things at her pace and when she wanted to do them.  My mom passed on a few years ago and had a recliner chair that she liked to use when she was staying with us.  Lucy decided that Gram had left her that chair for her own personal use.     

Here is Lucy Lu enjoying her afternoon nap in her chair.

 Max will soon be on the road to a new life and we will keep you updated here if you are interested.  

Health and Happiness for you all and your furry friends from 

The Third Hill

Another cute Email

This has to be one of the best singles ads ever printed.  It is reported to have been listed in the Atlanta Journal.         

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant.  I'm a very good girl who LOVES to play.  I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire.  Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand.  I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me...  Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Annie, I'll be waiting.....

page down

Over 150 men found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane Society.

The Road to a New Life (page 2)

We continued to hold our morning meeting for the Census at the Restaurant just off the interstate for the next week or so.  Every morning I would pull around back to the grassy shady area to park and every morning I watched for another car with dogs back there but did not see any other dog transport persons.

Soon my work with the census was over and I got back to my retired life and my garden.  I could not get the idea of doing dog transports out of my head.  There is not much I can do these days that make me feel useful but doing a transfer from time to time to help give a dog or puppy a new life was something I could do.

I had a chat with a friend that I had worked with for years.  I knew she was a pet person also and  I related to her about the folks that I had met that were transporting dogs to the North.  She informed me  that her friend who was retired and was currently working in Transport and usually had one or two runs a month.

I immediately contacted Ann and she soon filled me in on how the system worked.   You need to have someone who is working in the network to personally vouch for you.  Ann knew of our little 5 dog rescue home and within a week had me set up with a run to do my first transport.

There are a lot "Do's and Don'ts" to learn to insure the safety of the dog or dogs that we transport.  Top of the list is Puppy Pads and paper towels for the occasional accident or upset stomach, Cold water to keep the animals hydrated at each stop, Treats for your passengers as well as checking all collars for proper fit as some dogs can slip a loose collar before you can react.  Having a couple spare collars is also helpful as some dogs come from the kill shelter with nothing but their lives to start the Road to a New Life.  Having a couple of pet carriers is essential as some dogs are hard to handle in a car and will usually travel better and feel safer in a carrier.

Transporting puppies is another lesson.  Puppies do not touch the ground from the time they leave the rescue or foster until they get to their final destination.  Parvo is an extremely contagious and deadly virus for puppies and simply by walking on the ground where a carrier dog has been can infect a puppy.

Yesterday was one of those rewarding transports.  We picked up a Jack Russel Terrier from a local shelter and drove him over 200 miles to a foster rescue.  Little Jack as we called him on the trip came with only his life and a used collar from the shelter.  He had been there for 30 days which is unusual for a dog to last that long unless they are especially adoptable.  Like so many shelter dogs his name and past are lost and known only to him.

The folks at the shelter went the extra mile to get him to the vet, checked out and then on to a foster half a state away to insure that his future will be a good one.  Little Jack loved to ride in my copilots lap.  30 days of confinement with little human interaction is hard on dogs.  They love to love and be loved and people are half of that equation.

Little Jack would not lay down and go to sleep, he was really enjoying himself watching all the traffic and scenery go flying by as we crossed hills and valleys. When we stopped for lunch we parked the car right in front of the restaurant window where he soon spotted us and all the time we were there he kept an eye on us though the front widow.  We each had a piece of chicken for lunch and when we left we wrapped up two large pieces of chicken skin for Little Jack.

We walked Little Jack again before we left and he dutifully left his calling card on each and every tree he passed.  Once back in the car he was going crazy trying to find where that wonderful smell was coming from.  I unwrapped the fried chicken skin and he gulped down piece after piece until it was gone.  Back on the road Little Jack soon succumbed to his belly full of fried chicken skin and the rhythm of the road.  He crawled into the back seat, made himself a comfy spot and fell sound asleep.  He did not wake up until we stopped to meet his foster mom.

Today Little Jack is at an adoption fair where with a little bit if luck and his charming personality he will find a new home.  He will make someone a wonderful family member.

The next time you are at a restaurant just off one of the nations highways and you perchance see a car parked at the back to the lot and someone walking a dog, you may be seeing another lucky traveler on the Road to a New Life.

Health and happiness from the Third Hill

The love of a dog.

I am a Vietnam Vet. I have not talked about it in years but it is what it is.  Like the rest of my comrades for whatever reason we signed  up to serve our Country right out of High School. (I had two very valid reason.  Fist, I new I was gay and I had to prove I was a good an American as the next guy and second, was that I had a low draft number.)

A friend sent me this email and as a Veteran and a person who has had many dog friends this really hit home with  me.   I do not know if it is real or someone dreamed it up but I find it to be a beautiful story and I hope you all do also.

Health and Happiness From the Third Hill.
Roy

 

Reggie The Black Lab They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen.  The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly. I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open.  Everyone waves when you pass them on the street. But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt.  Give me someone to talk to. And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news.  The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant.  They must've thought I did. But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous owner.  See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home.  We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home).  Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too.  Maybe we were too much alike. For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes.  I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in.  but it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to. I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it.  He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever.  When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey. This just wasn't going to work.  He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes.  I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell. The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cellphone amid all of my unpacked stuff.  I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "damn dog probably hid it on me." Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter..  I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home.  But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that?  Come here and I'll give you a treat."  Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down.  With his back to me. Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought.  And I punched the shelter phone number. But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope.  I had completely forgotten about that, too.  "Okay, Reggie,"  I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice."......... _______________________________________ To Whoever Gets My Dog: Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it.  If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter.  He knew something was different.  I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time... it's like he knew something was wrong.  And something is wrong... which is why I have to go to try to make it right. So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you. First, he loves tennis balls. the more the merrier  Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them.  He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there.  Hasn't done it yet.  Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really don't do it by any roads.  I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly. Next, commands.  Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again:  Reggie knows the obvious ones - "sit," "stay," "come," "heel."  He knows hand signals: "back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left.  "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five.  He does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that with him some more.  He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business. I trained Reggie with small food treats.  Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog. Feeding schedule:  twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening.  Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand. He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on  9th Street and update his info with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due.  Be forewarned:  Reggie hates the vet.  Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows. Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life.  He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can.  He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain.  He just loves to be around people, and me most especially. Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new. And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you.... His name's not Reggie. I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie.  He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt.  but I just couldn't bear to give them his real name.  For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again.  And if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine.  But if someone else is reading it, well... well it means that his new owner should know his real name.  It'll help you bond with him.  Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been giving you problems. His real name is Tank. Because that is what I drive. Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news.  I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander.  See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq, that they make one phone call the the shelter... in the "event"... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption  Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed.  He said he'd do it personally.  And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word. Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog.  I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family.  but still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family. And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me. That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to  Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things... and to keep those terrible people from coming over here.  If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so.  He was my example of service and of love.  I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades. All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter.  I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though.  I cried too much the first time.  Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth. Good luck with Tank  Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me. Thank you, Paul Mallory ____________________________________ I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope.  Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me.  Local kid, killed in  Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies.  Flags had been at half-mast all summer. I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog. "Hey, Tank," I said quietly. The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright. "C'mere boy." He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor.  He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months. "Tank," I whispered. His tail swished. I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him.  I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him. "It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me."  Tank reached up and licked my cheek.  "So whatdaya say we play some ball?  His ears perked again. "Yeah?  Ball?  You like that? Ball?"  Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room. And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

The Road to a New Life

During a short stint with the Census this summer, our crew would hold our daily meetings at a local restaurant  which was right off the interstate.  I took to parking in the back as it was a nice shady and grassy area and we were having a lot of hot sunshine here in Tennessee.

One morning as I was parking behind the restaurant in the shady, grassy area, I spied a couple of cars over to one side.  There was, what appeared to be husband and wife walking two big dogs.  Being a gregarious dog person myself, I decided to walk over to meet them and their dogs. 

They were a friendly couple and loved talking dogs, but these two were not theirs.  These dogs were coming from a kill shelter in Alabama where they had  been scheduled to be killed.  They had been rescued by one of the many rescue groups that operate nationally, pulling dogs from the many kill shelters.

Once out of the shelter the dogs will be quickly transferred by volunteer transport drivers to foster homes in the same state until they can be checked out by a local vet to make sure they are Heart Worm negative, get their shots and  obtain a health certificate.  Once they are cleared for travel they are then set up on a transport to either their new forever home or to a foster home until they can find a forever home.

 These two good looking and very happy dogs were some of the lucky ones that were gotten out before they were killed and were now on their way to the Northeast where they had a new forever home waiting at the end of their trip.  Evidently the transports are set up with a series of volunteer drivers who drive about 75 to 125 miles each to meet up with the next driver and and completing the Road To a New Life.  This is a real lifeline for many dogs who would otherwise be euthanized, as I would find out later.

Since being in Tennessee, I have been shocked at how badly dogs and cats are treated down here.  Over all they do not believe in spay and neutering so there is an endless supply of dogs and cats to be put to death in the kill shelters all over the South.  Many owners drive their unwanted animals out into the country and literally toss them out of their vehicles and drive off leaving them to fend for themselves depending on either the generosity of strangers to feed and care for them or a long slow death from starvation.

Fortunately there are a lot of good hearted souls who spend their own time and money to feed, spay - neuter and seek health care for many of these animals but in the last few years it has become very evident that we are fighting a loosing battle.  The shelters are killing and ever overwhelming number of animals and no one wants to pass a law requiring a license and spay or neutering.

I am so thankful that I have come in contact with some of the most amazing and kind hearted individuals that I have ever meant.  They have established a miracle network of rescuers, fosters, transporters, transport coordinators and all the rescue groups that rescue and find homes for dogs of all breeds and even the wonderful, lovable mutts that have no clear linage. 

Since I am retired, we have started our online store in hopes of building up a business that will allow us to help more of these wonderful rescues.  It is a costly endeavor when you are on a fixed income, but one we feel is well worth what ever we can do to help this problem.

 The crew from The 3rd-Hill Emporium.

Below is Miss Cleo who, as you can see helps me when I am sitting in my chair working on my computer.  She likes to hold down my paperwork for me and she is very good at it.  My partner found her at the store he worked at on a cold and rainy morning.  She was a tiny, water soaked and half froze.  He picked her up and found a warm box for her then called me to come out in the cold and rain to get her and find her a home.  Being a sucker for cute cats, I did, on both counts.  She has been with us about 8 years now and just a cute as the day she found us.

This is Lady, our beautiful 3 legged Husky.  She was in need of a leg amputation as someone had shot her in the leg with a small caliber rifle, destroying the bone.  By time we had heard about her, gangrene had set in and they were getting ready to euthanize her.  Two sponsors had made funds available but they were still about $150.00 short.  We offered to pay the balance, the euthanasia was stopped and the next morning she had her gangrenous leg removed.  The following day was Sunday so on Monday I made a trip back to the vets office to see her for the first time.  When I walked into her pen, she slowly got up, hobbled over to me and placed her head on my knee like a perfect lady, hence her name.  For the last 9 or 10 years she has been a loyal and loving member of our home and a great friend to our rat terrier and later to all the other members of our pack.  Like me she is getting old.  She is almost blind but still loves her belly rubs and hearing me tell her she is a pretty girl.  I worry about her a lot and fear that it will not be long before she leaves us and that will leave a terrible hole in my heart.
Until next time
 Roy