August 2013
July 20 was the 14th annual Samoyed Rescue Picnic, and the 10th held at our home. It’s an immense bit of work getting ready, but worth every second to see all the happy Sammies we have known over many years. We all get to sit and visit and catch up on things. It’s also impressive to see all these dogs in one place getting along with each other. We have an amazing breed.
The next time I say things are slow in rescue, would someone please kick me?
Early in July there was a call from a Seattle vet clinic asking about a microchip. Our records showed it was a dog we adopted to a great home (or so we thought) in 2008, named Sammy. In 2008 when we found him he was 94 pounds, and when he was found he weighed only 39. When I called the woman said she gave him away, so we voided her contract and informed her NWSR was taking custody. The two women who found Sammy refused to give him back because of his condition; they were concerned he would be returned to the owner who neglected him. After talking to their vet we believed their motives were good, so he stayed there as they nursed him back to health. We could have pressed the issue but our concern was for his welfare and he was getting excellent care.
A few weeks later they wrote to say he was doing well and they would like us to find him a home. We had one waiting, a couple from Kalama who adopted before and were looking for a dog just like Sammy. He came back to us for a few days for proper grooming (he had been clipped short but not combed out), and on July 31 he went home. His new name is Scooter and he jumped right into the motor home. Scooter will be with his humans 24/7 and get to see the world from his perch on the motor home sofa.
Brody is a nine month old Samoyed pup who was tearing up his apartment when his owner was out. Many times we try to counsel people to train their dog and keep it, but this was a case where we honestly believed someone was too dumb to have a dog. We talked to a vet in Salt Lake City, where he was purchased, and she told us the owner should be put on a “do not adopt list.” Brody was quickly adopted to one of our long time volunteers and friends in Portland, where the story got more involved. She called the next day to say he was sick and at the vet. Because there was a shaved spot on one leg we called the previous owner and she admitted he had “a bug from the dog park” and had been briefly at a Seattle vet hospital. On calling them we learned he had been treated for Parvovirus and the owner hadn’t told us about it. This is one of the most contagious diseases for dogs, often fatal in a puppy.
To make a long story shorter, Brody is fine now and there have been no signs of problems in our dogs. We also had a puppy here for a few hours while Brody was here, and that pup is also fine. All’s well that ends well but we simply can’t imagine how uncaring someone could be not to tell us about Parvo. There is no excuse.
Holley monitors Craigslist for any mention of Samoyeds and sends the listings to the national rescue address. Early on the morning of the 6th I opened a message about a dog in Lacey, and called the number. It was a woman who has cancer and wanted to find him a good home. Kathy was in town dropping off Shadow for an appointment so she continued on to meet the woman and her dog. His name is Jessie, he is 5 years old, and still really a puppy in behavior. When we got the paperwork we learned he was from a breeder friend so we called her. She had no idea what happened, but immediately offered to come get him. We told her about an applicant named Patty who has adopted three times before, who we thought would be perfect. It was arranged that the breeder and applicant would come at the same time to meet with Jessie, and it was so obvious Patty would be perfect that we were all thrilled at the match. Jessie now lives in Bothell.
We are now working with two people who want us to take their dogs. One is in Anacortes with a nine year old female named Denali and a shaky story about why she wants us to take her. The other is in downtown Seattle with someone who doesn’t want to let him go, but he is destructive. His name is Brolly and we will work with him to find a way for them to stay together.
Trent is the old Malamute mix we took in early July. His health has turned around; he is eating now and moving much better. He bonded to us as Mals sometimes do, and we will keep him here. He has a serious back problem and has had a few problems standing in the past few days, so we don’t know how long he will be here. We will enjoy him as long as he stays.
