October/November 2011
In September’s month’s report we had just heard of a dog named Rory at the Oregon Humane Society, but they wanted to place her themselves. Melissa made sure we were on their list if Rory came back, but we have heard nothing to date. We hope that means she went to a good home. We worked with a shelter in Colville who wanted help with breed ID on a dog that turned out to be a Great Pyr mix.
Two months ago we took in two old dogs, Chip and Ozzy. Their owner was unemployed and couldn’t afford vet care so she tearfully surrendered them to us. We made appointments for them to have growths removed, ears cleaned, and dental work done. When it was all done, we learned the woman had found a temporary job in California. She told us it was for three months with great pay and free housing, and that a friend of hers volunteered to take care of Chip and Ozzy. We decided these old guys would probably be better off in the home they knew, so we let her take them back.
It looks now like things weren’t what she represented them to be. We have been in contact with a friend of hers who told us the house is in terrible shape and the dogs won’t be healthy living there. The friend who said he would care for them backed out, and we were left in the dark. Before we heard about her home, she called to ask what she could do, and we gave her Lon’s name and number so she could kennel them while she was employed in California. She never called him. Apparently it was a mistake to let them go back, but things finally turned positive for these old boys. The woman’s son called us; he just came in from a deployment in Asia and found his mother in distress. He asked if we could take Chip and Ozzy again and we agreed, with the caveat that there will be no further communication with the former owner.
Tundra, the six year old deaf girl from Lynnwood, was adopted into a home we knew back in May. Since then the work schedules of her family changed and Tundra doesn’t handle being alone very well. For her sake they asked if we could take her back, and of course we said yes. Tundra is a sweet, friendly girl who is fearful when left alone. We couldn’t track her history so we don’t know what caused her problem. She is fine here for now.
Sandy in Montana called to say she heard of a dog who needed a new home there. We don’t know any more yet. Meanwhile, a woman called who has a 14 year old female she can’t keep. We contacted the breeder who immediately offered to take her back, but the woman wouldn’t do that because she wanted to put the dog somewhere her grandkids could continue to see her. Both we and the breeder tried to explain that’s not now things work, but with limited success.
On a personal note, I had major back surgery the first of November and recovery is a bit slower than we hoped. It’s something I’ve been anticipating for years, and it should make life better eventually. We decided we absolutely couldn’t foster for a few months, so naturally we have three extra dogs. If you ever thought about helping rescue by taking a dog for a short time, this is the time to let us know. There is a lot of reward in fostering a Sammy, knowing that you helped make a life better.