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