Hero of the Week: Long Dogs and Friends Rescue: Fletcher's Tough Story

I've volunteered in dog rescue for over 15 years, and continue to support rescues by giving fundraising lectures. I met Janet Tobin through my rescue efforts and she manages a dachshund rescue called Long Dogs and Friends Rescue based in Bensalem, PA . She's taken in some really difficult cases, and in July, one in particular really affected me, and I saved the photos of a special dog named Fletcher. In fact, On July 8, 2024 when I saw him, I told Tom we should adopt him. I felt a connection.  

  Fletcher was 12, a senior dog, and obviously never, ever physically cared for. He was in poor health. His heartless owners (they weren't parents) dumped the failing dog in a kill shelter. Here's his story and how Janet's rescue gave him 3 days of love he obviously never before received in his entire life.

FIRST STEP - Removing a dog from a kill shelter and placing them in a foster home with a rescue.

On July 8, 2024, Fletcher was rescued from a kill shelter by Janet's rescue. 

 Janet posted on facebook: "Freedom for Fletcher thanks to Shari Lynn Susan Moon! This very sweet gent had a bath and finally a real sleep after leaving a shelter made to hold 40 dogs, which actually has over 110. Fletcher is about 10 pounds, at least 12 years. His skin/coat need a lot of help. He's intact and, of course, has dental disease. Let's hope for a negative HW test. Welcome to rescue, special boy♡"

SECOND STEP - Making a vet appointment to get the dog back to health.

July 11- Janet had a vet assess Fletcher and learned of many alarming issues. Fletcher had to go to the ER, so the rescue needed donations. 

Janet posted: "Our Fletcher on his way to ER with Susan Moon. Please say a prayer for this precious boy and donate for his care if you possible can. Every $ helps us help them♡" www.longdogsrescue.org/donate

STEP THREE- RECOVERY OR NOT- Sadly, this poor dog, apparently mistreated over his entire life, didn't have the strength to recover to enjoy senior years.

Janet Posted: "Folks, my heart hurts as I tell you Fletcher has crossed the Bridge. Susan and I so hoped we could turn him around and give him some happy, pain-free life for some time. He did respond well to Susan's touch, her kindness, felt her love. And he ate well, enjoyed a few short walks in the yard. But more was not to be. 

(Right: Fletcher's diagnosis before he went into heart failure. Credit: JST)

A photo of Tuesday's vet diagnoses is posted. Today he went into heart failure, and could not be saved. Thank you all for caring. Fletcher sure deserved more in his little life. I asked my mom to welcome him home at the end of that Rainbow. Run free, precious little man♡"

MY THOUGHTS - My thanks to Janet, Susan and all the people who do rescue. We can't save them all, but we can give them a little precious love they all deserve for the time they have left here. I really took his passing hard, and I only knew of him for 3 days. 

We Did a Dog Rescue Transport! Meet Hayley!

Earlier this week, we got to free and transport a sweet little 6 pound dog named Hayley from the local county shelter. Our friend Shelley works for the Dachshund Rescue of North America  (DRNA) and asked if we could help. Here's the story.

Although not a Dachshund, the DRNA took little Hayley (who is the size of a Dachshund, but more of a terrier/Yorkie mix) into the rescue. 

Tom at the rescue with Hayley after her freedom! 

Shelley meets Hayley! 

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS  Shelters call rescues to see if they are interested in taking a dog into foster care. If the rescue says yes, a rescue representative has to go to the shelter and sign out the dog and they go into foster care.

OUR TRANSPORT - Tom and I drove to the county shelter on Wednesday night.  We live about 30-40 minutes from the shelter (with traffic), and arrived there by 7:15 p.m. After identifying ourselves as volunteers with DRNA, we were taken to room where Hayley was in a cage. 

HAYLEY'S SITUATION - At just 6 pounds it was immediately obvious that little dog went through pain and trauma. There was a gash (treated at the shelter) under her eye, and she had to have a tooth removed that was abscessed (you know how painful that is). We're unsure how or where she was found, but she was brought to the shelter. Of course, her fur was matted and she looked scruffy. She also has a deep cough that we recognized as Kennel Cough. So she's on 3 medications as she goes into foster care. 

When we walked over to her cage she started barking and dancing. It was adorable. She knew she was being saved!

Hayley excited to go home

MEETING SHELLEY  - Shelley lives in Baltimore and we met just south of there in a Park and Ride lot. It took each of us about 30-40 minutes to get there. Shelley has worked for DRNA for many years and has saved the lives of countless dogs. She's amazing. In fact, earlier that day, after work, she took in another dog for the rescue. She's fostering both of them in the short term. 

VOLUNTEERS - Dog and cat rescues are always looking for volunteers to transport or be foster homes. Just contact your local breed rescue to learn how to do it. 

Hayley finally going to foster care

TO DONATE TO THE RESCUE: Rescues pay ALL medical costs for dogs and cats they rescue, and it get expensive, so please donate to animal rescues!  Go to www.drna.org for the DRNA rescue where Hayley is now located. 

In the News: 28 Dachshunds were rescued from FL Filthy House

1 of the dogs adopable from DRSF

A month ago in Palm Beach County, Florida, 28 Dachshunds were

rescued from deplorable conditions in a home owned by a 65 year old woman that ran a "puppy mill" in her filthy rat-infested, feces- filled home. She was arrested. All of the dogs went to the local humane society, and 7 of them (some of the more sickly)  were taken in from the Dachshund Rescue of Southern Florida who is doing a fundraiser to help cover their vet costs. 
 You'll find many of them at DRSF who now has 96 DACHSHUNDS WHO NEED A HOME!!!  http://www.dachshundrescuesouthflorida.com/doxies-for-adoption.html
  If you can't adopt one, please DONATE to help them cover the costs

Story:  Beverly Louise Shott: Woman arrested on 28 counts of animal cruelty

WPTV Webteam

2:59 PM, Mar 21, 2016

ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. - A 65-year-old St. Lucie County woman was arrested Monday  and charged with 28 counts of animal cruelty, according to St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara.
Detectives were notified of Beverly Louise Shott's home in the 3500 block of Seminole Road and informed that several dogs were living in filthy conditions.

1 of the dogs adopable from DRSF

"The conditions in which Shott was living and raising these animals was deplorable," said Sheriff Ken J. Mascara. "Animal feces was caked into the rugs, rats were roaming the house and 28 mature dogs and puppies were running free in the home. After examination by a veterinarian, it was determined that all of the dogs were infested with fleas and worms."
Shott was breeding the dogs at her home and then selling them through a business she owned, Sheriff Mascara said. The business is Discount Tackle off of Old Dixie Highway in Fort Pierce.
Employees at a neighboring business say she occasionally had a couple dachshunds with her at the store. They never suspected so many were living at home. However, employees say they knew she was selling the dogs. They say she had signs posted along US 1 advertising the dog sales. They have since been removed.
According to the Sheriff, the dogs were seized by Animal Care & Control and turned over to the St. Lucie County Humane Society pending the outcome of the case and civil seizure process.
Shott was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail on $28,000 bond. She posted bail Monday evening.
The St. Lucie County Humane Society says it will be at least 30 days until they will know if the dogs will be adopted out.
Video: http://www.wptv.com/news/region-st-lucie-county/port-st-lucie/beverly-louise-shott-woman-arrested-on-28-counts-of-animal-cruelty

Adoptable Dog of the Week: Little Bridget!

Looking for a tiny, lovable addition to your family?   (and with no worry about college tuition, back talking or bringing home someone you don't like!)   A dog is a LIFETIME commitment, and a member of the family, so if you are seriously ready to adopt, there's a sweet little girl waiting for you. As members of Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue, there are so many dogs that are looking for forever homes through the rescue and this is the highlighted dog of the week.
 
 MEET BRIDGET
     Meet the petite and oh, so sweet Miss Bridget. Bridget is eight years young and 8 pounds of loving dachshund. Her owner had to say goodbye when she entered a nursing home. Bridget was scared and sad at first, but she quickly learned that her foster parents and their two dachshunds were her new best friends. Now she plays with her buddies in the fenced back yard and snuggles with her foster parents on the couch. Bridget is crate trained and housebroken; she needs to be let out about every two hours when she isn't crated. She is learning commands and walks well on a leash. Bridget loves her food and uses her big eyes to tempt you to feed her more. Her favorite place to hang out is the back cushions of the couch. She is spayed and up-to-date on her shot. She will be ready to adopt shortly after some additional vetting. Bridget's adoption fee is $150.


CONTACT INFORMATION

Current Guardian:	Donna G. at Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue			State:	NJ
Email:	dgerhauser@verizon.net

An Emotional Dog Rescue Day: Transporting Oscar

Oscar, scared in the front seat of our truck

We've been doing dog rescue transports for years and it's only once in a while that we are the emotional first stop when a former pet parent abandons their dog. Saturday, November 21 was one of those days involving a 9 year old mini-Dachshund named Oscar who weighs only 8 pounds.

    I (Rob) did the transport while Tom ran errands so we could get everything accomplished. II met Oscar's dad in the parking lot of a hotel about 40 minutes between where he lived and where we are located. I was the first leg of a transport that would take Oscar to his new home in Rhode Island.
   Oscar's mother and father adopted him as a puppy when he was less than a year old. They raised him. He became part of their family. Then, the parents had a human child. This is a story we hear way too much in rescue.

EXCUSES FOR ABANDONMENT COMMONLY INCLUDE:  "I had a baby and the baby has allergies to the dog, OR  I'm afraid the dog will hurt the baby, OR the dog is annoyed when the baby punches the dog or pulls the dog's tail (what dog wouldn't be?)"

OSCAR'S FEAR   - This time, the dad, who was obviously bonded with Oscar, was an emotional wreck.  When I met him in the parking lot of the arranged transport place, the dad got out of the car with Oscar, who knew something bad was happening. Dogs know. They sense people's emotions and watch people's actions.  As the dad gave me Oscar to hold, Oscar snapped at me - he was scared He didn't know what was happening to him.  

WHAT DO DOGS THINK WHEN BEING ABANDONED?  Dogs wonder "who is this new person?"  / "Why is this new person taking me away from my dad of 9 years?"  /"What's going to happen to me?" /  "This new person doesn't know anything about how I like to play, sleep, eat..."  /"I'm afraid!" 

SEEING THE BOND WITH HIS DAD - Knowing Oscar was afraid, I let  him sniff me until he settled. Then I held the leash as his dad walked from his car to my truck, putting in Oscar's 2 beds, blankets, container of food, and bag with medical history, etc.  Each time Oscar's dad took a step, Oscar stepped with him. I could tell they were bonded.

WHY WAS HE BEING ABANDONED AFTER 9 YEARS? - The dad said that although he had some allergies to Oscar's short, red, fur, his little girl has allergies, too. I held my tongue, because I have to focus on the dog. ** I wanted to tell the little girl to "deal with it and take benadryl" for 5-6 more years so Oscar could live the rest of his short life out with his only family. But I didn't.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT DOGS, ALLERGIES AND KIDS - It's a fact that if you have a dog in your house and a child is born, the kid may get allergic reactions. HOWEVER, if they're continually exposed to the allergens, they eventually develop antibodies and resistance to the allergens (That's what allergy shots are- they inject the thing you're allergic to, into your bloodstream so you build up immunity to it).

THE EMOTIONAL ENDING - When I saw the dad hug and kiss Oscar goodbye, If I wasn't so emotional I would've been somewhat angry -because it was apparent to me that it really wasn't the dad's decision to let Oscar go. The dad cried and couldn't contain himself. Of course, neither could I. I cried, too. The dad could barely say anything other than "I'm sorry." He got in his car and continued to cry, as I did when I got in my truck. Oscar just stared up at me. This was heartbreaking.

Rob, Oscar and Trudy

THE RIDE TO TRANSPORTER #2 - I drove Oscar to Trudy, who was the second driver in the chain of drivers between Maryland and Rhode Island, where Oscar will live out his senior years with an older couple who previously had a Dachshund named Oscar who passed recently. I played music and talked with Oscar as I drove to meet Trudy. I kept him on the front passenger seat, continually rubbing the fur on his head and back of his neck, calming him (although he was still shaking in fear all the way to the next stop).

TRUDY TRANSPORT - I met Trudy at a predesignated spot and Oscar got more scared all over again. He snapped at first, but then warmed up. He had no idea what was happening to him. Again, it was heartbreaking to see this little guy so frightened. We quickly posed for a picture together, contacted the rescue coordinator that we were 15 minutes early, and I loaded Trudy's car with Oscar's stuff. Again, I got choked up as I watched her drive off. That poor little dog just lost his family today.

THE RESCUE- It was only thanks to Donna at Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue, that a home was immediately found for Oscar. Thanks to Katie in Virginia who set up the transport and managed to get all of the drivers who volunteered. Thanks to 8 drivers in different states from Maryland to Rhode Island who took time out of their Saturday to bring an innocent, abandoned, scared dog to a new home.

Dog rescue really takes a village, and it takes an emotional toll. However, we do it for the dogs.
People need to know that adopting a dog is the same as adopting a child - it's a LIFETIME commitment.  For more information about Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue, and for all of the dogs who are looking for a life-time home, visit: www.c2cdr.org. If you can't adopt or foster a dog, please consider making a donation that goes to the veterinary care of all the dogs we save.- Rob

POST TRANSPORT UPDATE: Rescue coordinator, Donna Gerhauser said: First, I want to thank Katie Wehner for pulling together this transport and all of the wonderful people who helped get Oscar to his new home. He is with his new dad who is over the moon in love with Oscar and overwhelmed with gratitude. I know it was sad and confusing for Oscar to leave his family but I really believe that this match was meant to be. Rob, I think that this Oscar was sent by his predecessor to mend his daddy's broken and lonely heart.

Fortunately this story had a happy ending.