Archive for the ‘Bright and Beautiful’ Category
October 25th, 2009 | 
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For the many families that have given their hearts and homes to a dog that has additional needs, we are eternally grateful for your patience, love and compassion. Not every dog is for everyone, but these special dogs, even with their limitations, are that dog for a special someone.
“I hope to make people realize how totally helpless animals are, how dependent on us, trusting as a child must that we will be kind and take care of their needs.”
-James Herriot
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Fenway’s Story
by Lynnmarie Schroeder
The call went out for a shelter or rescue needed for a “special needs” dog that was in a high kill shelter. NCCR responded and transportation was arranged. You see, behind the scenes is a network of some the most beautiful spirited humans, they are those that transport dogs on death row to safety, week after week.
Arriving at NCCR on the March 28th-29th transport, I had 
the pleasure of meeting a most endearing little man. I was told this little guy was in need of a foster home. His name was Fenway, who we came to affectionately call “Fenz”. He was blind in one eye and had a broken, but healed hind leg. Fenz was a sight to see, pitiful in face and spirit. He would crawl inside you if he could.
At our home, he met his mentors: Cloey (Shepard), Duffy (Lab), Zeus (Rottie) and Tenacious Tessa (Mix). Zeus and Tessa are proud NCCR alumni. Even grumpy Duffy, knew “Fenz” was special. Over the next few weeks, after getting over introduction issues, I can best describe Fenz as the “Velcro dog”, which was tough; I didn’t keep a lap long enough.
We found a large transparent mass under his tongue, (it was ultimately removed) but through these Vet visits we learned a little history. NCCR had asked to have his bad leg evaluated and x-rayed. The vet described the x-ray as “looking at an x-ray of a watermelon” as the x-ray revealed approximately a dozen BBs and his leg had indeed been broken…in half. The leg had let Mother Nature help in the healing process and we all agreed it no longer pained him. His eye had a scar upon it; it certainly appeared that he had been deliberately injured but only a few could know the truth of how Fenway’s misfortunes came about.
You can’t help but think of the scenarios of animal abuse, for Fenway and many others by no fault of their own. Humans have issues that they take out on others and an animal is unfortunately too often the chosen target.
Fenz found his confidence and spirit just before he found his person~a wonderful soul, with a lap. This is just one little story of one little guy, who got a second chance.
Poppy Has Been Adopted!
by Dana Baker
If you are looking for a very “special” little girl, Poppy is all that and more… I have had the honor of fostering Poppy since she came to NCCR, and she has taught me so much with the time I have spent with her. See, Poppy is deaf. When she came into our home, she was a very frightened, and insecure little girl. I have learned to understand her needs by watching her “body language” and doing some research on the web. She is now sharing a room with my little Pomeranian that seems to be teaching Poppy how to play, go potty outside, affection, and to trust. That was the hardest part with Poppy. She did not trust anyone or anything. She has lived in a world of silence all of her puppy life, but with time and patience, her silent and lonely world has become full of love and life. I feel that Poppy would do very well in a home with a family that was willing to continue researching the life of a “deaf dog”. It’s an amazing feeling to teach and be taught through sign and body language. Poppy is very intelligent and learns quite quickly. She has learned to speak when she needs to go outside, give kisses with a touch of your finger to the lips, and to come with a simple motion of your hand. So if you are willing to open your home and heart to the most precious gift you could ever ask for, please come and meet Poppy. A photo and a few words can not begin to describe her full personality.
A fenced in yard is a must for Poppy.