As most of you know, Elaine and I are the founders of Clancy’s Dream Border Collie Rescue Inc. It started when our Beloved Clancy suddenly passed away in front of us. Since then, Clancy’s Dream and the Board of Directors have saved and re-homed many Border Collies from expected doom and loss of life.
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| Clancy, our founder, started it all |
This week was an overabundance of people and dogs needing help and assistance that came our way. We receive calls every week, and we always strive to assist in any way possible. Sometimes, it’s just advice from experience, and sometimes it’s just comfort where their dog has passed, but mostly it is where a Border Collie needs help. For whatever reason, we seem to be the go-to cause for the breed here in Indiana, and the surrounding states, and that's the way we want it...
I will tell you that you have to examine your surroundings in life with these things. Sometimes doubt creeps into your mind, and while you try to do everything you can, you have to wonder, “Are we doing any good?” Driving to town several days ago, and after receiving the notification from a rescue group that they were full, our rescue coordinator posted it on our social media. It automatically popped up on my screen, and when I saw the photo, I choked up a little. “Can we help?” I wondered. I immediately thought about Clancy and his love and compassion for others and his need to help. Phone calls and messages were made, and things were in the works.
Once the decision was made, I was off to get a dog. You always worry about what you will run into, and this was no exception. I did know the dogs were on a tether in the backyard. Once I arrived, I was not greeted at the door, so I went to the backyard. The dog was standing as far as her chain would allow her to go. A downward tilt of her head with turned up eyes was observed I approached with caution. This was probably one of the best behavioral assessments I could make at that moment. Will she growl, bark, lunge, or bite? I approach, but I’m safe, protected by a steel cable, and I then thought, “Am I really safe?” Step by step, I got closer. It had been raining; there was no grass but mud and standing water. What if I slip on the mud? I'm trapped within her space. I got closer and closer, and these few seconds determine her fate…
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| Before |
As her head lowered even more and her eyes followed me closely with her ears pinned back, two inches was left to get into range, and as I stuck my lowered hand into her limit, I was committed, one way or another, good or bad. We both stood still, and I spied the tip of her tail wiggle from side to side and said, “Good girl, good girl.” It all changed, “this human is good,” and she knew, and so did I.
I went into her mud circle, and she had a friend. She bounced and turned circles, getting caught
on the cable. I was dirty as hell by
then and figured it was time to meet the dog's owner. She started winning as I left, and I said, “I’ll be back, girl,” and I'm sure she had heard that before and wondered. After finishing the relinquishment papers and passing the behavior test, it was time to go home. I put our rescue collar on her, and she
stepped out of the mud onto the grass, and she really did dance for joy. Even though she was on a lead, she was out of
the mud and was happy. She bounced into
the car and never looked back. She was
groomed by a donation from a pet salon later that day, and did great and looked
even greater.
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| After |
On three different occasions during this day, I choked up and shed a few tears. I asked myself, “How can this happen,” Why does this happen?” and “What can be done?” I do know there is a movement in Illinois where people are changing laws, picketing pet shops that sell puppies, because most of them are puppy mill dogs. Indiana recently hosted a statewide conference for shelter and rescue directors and leaders, including staff, to address problems that I attended. All of the issues are addressed, it’s just getting people to really listen, I mean, really listen! Education is always a key to solving this problem, but people need to take action.
This dog is only one dog that was saved from a life of pain and neglect. This coming Tuesday, we have already made arrangements to take in and foster another dog that is living their life on a chain. At night, before I drift off into my dreams, I often think of the ones that we can't save, and I will never forget the faces. There is always more. Let me make it clear, it’s not me doing this. It’s our Board of Directors and the people who work so hard behind the scenes, and there are more than you know. I’m just a small tire on this car. If it weren't for the help YOU, our readers, we would not be able to help any dogs. You, our friends and caring companion, saved one this Saturday, and the 2 other dogs coming into Clancy’s Dream this week. Ken
