Frosty, my certified therapy dog, and I visited an assisted living facility every week. Many of the residents had Alzheimer symptoms. Nevertheless, the residents all loved seeing Frosty, and she loved visiting. For some, we were their only regular visitors.
Joy and Cupcake, two mixed-breed puppies, had a rough start in life. They were born outside and lived their first few weeks outside. When a foster mom for Lone Star Westie Rescue saw a Facebook post about their plight, the rescue reached out and, even though these pups are not Westies, agreed to take them in.
As a child, Erica Cerny and her father began an informal pet rescue. When Erica would find a lost dog or cat, she would bring it home and her father would work to reunite the pet with its owners. With that beginning, it’s no wonder that as an adult, Erica turned to volunteering in pet shelters.
Allie, a three-and-a-half year old Scottie, was turned back to her breeder when the owner lost his wife and had to move in with his daughter. The daughter already had dogs so there was no room for Allie. Allie had one of her rear legs amputated due to an accident when she was a puppy. However, she gets along very well.
Breydon, a five-month-old Wheatie, came into Greater NY/NJ Scottie Rescue from a Mennonite puppy mill. Like so many puppy mill dogs, he has a genetic defect in that he has no knee joint in a rear leg. To make matters worse, he was kept in a cage preventing the leg muscles from strengthening. Consequently, he was dragging his leg when he came into rescue.
Edison, a five-year-old Cairn, came into Col Potter Rescue as an owner turn-in. His owner complained that he was bossy and terrorized her; a real handful. Well, after all, he is a terrier.
When we think of breed rescue organizations, we think of dogs being saved from public shelters, unsuitable home situations, or turned in when owners pass away. Col. Potter Cairn Rescue, the largest national breed rescue in the country, like most rescues, does far more.
A senior Cairn girl, Minuet is a true Cairn princess, according to her foster mom, Linda. “She is happy when things go her way,” says Linda. “But, she growls a warning when I disturb her sleep or try to do something she is not on board with.” That’s OK with Linda, an experienced foster mom who is used to terrier-tude. However, she does sometimes call Minuet “Grumpy Granny.”
