That January day started like most others: get up, let the “kids” outside, feed them and dispense their meds. Then something in my morning email changed the easy-going mood. A Bakersfield woman inquired whether Wonder Dog Rescue could take in a young Boston Terrier with serious problems. Without hesitation, I said, “YES!” and soon eight-week-old Wee Wee Lily was on her way to the Bay Area.
As the director of an animal rescue group, I receive such inquiries frequently. I created Wonder Dog Rescue in 2003 in order to rescue, rehabilitate, and re-home dogs at risk of euthanasia due to homelessness or health and behavior issues. We also provide hospice to dogs considered unadoptable because of health issues or old age. I know my life’s work is to increase awareness about rescue, animal euthanasia, spay/neuter, and other issues pertinent to the human/animal bond – and especially to help out the most needy canines that come to my attention.
Lily had an advocate, and so was more fortunate than most special needs dogs. Sadly, many owners and breeders deliver dogs with special needs directly to their local shelters, sometimes leaving the poor animals in the night-drop box. Some of these dogs were once cherished family members who became inconvenient to have around, while others come from puppy mills, bleak back yards, or horribly abusive situations.
Special needs dogs may suffer from problems other than poor physical health. Some are emotionally scarred, terrified of life. Amazingly, it often takes so little to help them learn to trust again and to blossom into loving, grateful creatures.
I used to find that dogs with severe ailments, such as cancer, heart disease or Cushings, were nearly impossible to place in forever homes, but more and more people are taking these creatures in. I am so grateful to the people who contact me to say they want to rescue dogs that nobody else will take. Every time this happens, another life is saved and another heart opens.
One such case involved Pearl, an eight-year-old Lhasa mix who was blind and deaf. I was concerned about taking her in, as I had never before encountered these challenges and wasn’t sure I could place her. To my surprise, Pearl was soon adopted by one very special couple, James O’Ahern and Sally Livesay, who loved and nurtured her until her passing. Having one blind dog already, they didn’t hesitate to welcome Pearl into their home. It was definitely a win-win. Pearl had the TLC she deserved during her final months and Sally and James felt blessed to have her.
Nowadays, many special needs animals find homes through the dedication of rescue groups like ours. For example, in the “old days,” most deaf Dalmations were destroyed, as they were considered to be aggressive or unsound. Now breed-specific rescues step in and save many of them. I’m often amazed at the lengths to which rescue groups and individuals will go to save a dog, sometimes literally. Many times, rescuers drive great distances to save the lives of at-risk animals.
Wee Wee Lily’s health problems were very severe, the worst that I’d encountered. She had a collapsed chest, deformed spine, and deformed and paralyzed back legs. She suffered from “failure to thrive,” so needed help with eating, drinking, and pottying. Lily never gained weight; at four months of age she still weighed only two-and-a-half pounds. Yet this tiny creature became MY teacher. I learned so much from her about patience, good will, and serenity. She had the most amazing spirit! She was pure love.
Our vet understood her challenges and gently told me that she would not live long. Indeed, six weeks after she arrived, Lily was gone. She passed in her sleep, right next to me. I was crushed to lose the little dog who felt like my soulmate, but I would do it again in a heartbeat, and I know another chance will come along soon. There are so many special needs dogs who need our help.
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” This pretty much sums up my philosophy of life. I cannot alter basic human behavior, but I can work to create awareness and change. To this end, rescue has become my passion and purpose. I highly recommend this work. Giving of oneself to honor and protect the lives of dogs offers such great rewards.
Linda Beenau has been involved in rescuing Boston Terriers since 1992. To facilitate this work, she founded Wonder Dog Rescue in 2003. She now lives in San Francisco with two senior deaf dogs and Raja, a special needs Frenchie. For more information or to contact Linda, visit www.wonderdogrescue.org.
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