Giving Discarded Dogs a Second Chance
Posted by Anne Corke on 2007-02-15. Filed under Monthly Feature
East Central Therapy Dogs evaluator Connie Brown has been involved with the therapy dog visitation program for many years, beginning with the original group that visited in Peterborough as members of Therapy Dogs International. Connie is also active in rescue work with local shelters, providing foster homes, sometimes forever homes, for dogs in need.
All this started some years back when friends at Lakefield Animal Welfare were in need of volunteers to look after the shelter dogs over a long weekend. Connie took home Casey, a two year old Black and Tan/Bluetick hound cross who had been neglected and abused. This was her first, but not her last, experience with hounds, and her first experience with abused dogs. Poor Casey had a dislocated shoulder, her collar had grown into her neck and the tip of her tail had been cut off. It was three or four months before she would learn to trust Connie, and by then, Connie had come to realize that she couldn't give her up. Casey had come home. She and Connie had ten happy years together.
Next came another hound, a beagle. Buddy had been purchased as a hunting dog, but he was gunshy and terrified of loud noises. His unhappy owner tied him up outside and left him there. The neighbours began to complain and his owner threatened to take him into the bush and shoot him if another home couldn't be found immediately. One of the neighbours, a co-worker of Connie's, told her about Buddy. At the time, Connie had a wolfhound cross therapy dog, Zeus, but she had been looking for a smaller dog to visit with as well. And so Buddy came to stay.
Then there was Charlie, an old cocker spaniel, who came from the Northumberland Humane Society. Charlie's coat was so matted and overgrown, he was tripping over his ears. He had bad teeth and his nails had grown into his pads. A visit to the vet and, later on, a trip to the groomer, and Charlie was a new dog! Charlie took on the role of “big brother” to all new canine arrivals in the house. He let them know what was acceptable and what wasn't, and he made sure that nobody picked on the “new guy”. He had five wonderful years before cancer overtook his body.
Next came Snoopy, an old beagle with a host of health issues and a heart full of love. After Snoopy came Clara, another beagle, Daisy, yet another beagle, then Jenny and Amber... yes, you guessed it, more beagles. Connie has gone to the dogs, more specifically, to the hounds!
Incidentally, it was as a result of Snoopy's many health issues, and consequently short life, that Connie began to feed a raw diet to her dogs. Her “kids” now dine on raw meat, raw veggies, eggs, yogourt, fish oil, kelp and all sorts of good things. Although the food costs are a little higher, the dogs are happier and healthier, and the vet's bills much reduced.
Connie isn't planning to adopt any more dogs at the moment, but she is fostering three dogs for Peterborough's Loyal Rescue group. She has also taken in Spock. Spock and his owner, Ross Patterson, were members of East Central Therapy Dogs, until Ross's health took a downward turn. Unable to live on his own any longer, Ross moved into Applewood Manor and Spock moved in with Connie. Spock has a forever home, and he and Connie visit Ross regularly. Truly a serendipitous outcome for all!
When asked how she copes with the stress of adopting older dogs knowing they will only be with her for a short time, she replies that it's never easy, but at least she is able to give them good food, a soft bed and lots of love in the time they have left. One thing's for sure. There's a mob of beagles waiting for Connie at the Bridge and it'll be one heck of a reunion!