The Follow-up...

In my heart, I wish we could save every Border Collie, but sometimes it's impossible.  I remember when I worked at a Veterinarian's office and an emergency came in, it wasn't in the cards that the dogs who was injured would be saved.  While I was visibly upset, I remember so well when the Vet put his arm around me and said: "Ken, we can't save them all."  In my perfect world, I dream that we can, and I believe all of us share that same dream but it's not possible.

Saved, one happy Boy...

While Clancy's Dream is a Border Collie specific organization, we owe that to the breed and to the people who want a Border Collie.  Just because a dog is black, and white doesn't make it a BC.  I remember driving several hours to a shelter in northern Indiana with a board member, and after evaluating the dog, the worker took the dog inside, and the two of us discussed it.  Nearly at the same time, we looked at each other and said: "I don't think this is going to work," and it wouldn't work for several reasons.  We went inside and spoke to the shelter worker, and I said: "We won't be able to take the dog, I feel like a heel, and we let you and the dog down."  I learned a valuable lesson at that very moment when the worker said "Sometimes, you can't fix something somebody else screwed up," and she was right, sometimes you can't.

Several months ago, we took in a little girl into Clancy's Dream who was a senior dog and very active.  She was with a Foster, and after a few weeks, they mentioned that they would like to keep her, it was perfect.  Just a few days after that statement, the unthinkable happened, her attitude changed, issues occurred, and this was not the same dog.  When they called me, I said: "take her to the Vet, and let's get her checked out."  I called the Vet and talked about her behavior and made an appointment as soon as they could get her in.  On my way to Louisville to get her, the Veterinarian called with bad news.  She had gone into a seizure and would not come out of it.  Knowing the Vet and trusting his opinion, and after everything was tried, he was sure it was a brain tumor.  Nothing helped at all, and the decision was made to take the pain away and let her pass with dignity. 

We try so hard to make Clancy's Dream and the Nellie Effect happy, pleasing, and safe, but at times, it's not, it hurts deeply.  She had a private cremation, and she came to the farm with our past dogs and became a part of Clancy's Dream along with The Border Collies of Dogwood Ridge.  When her ashes were picked up, I called her Foster parent and told them they were here.  When time allowed, the Foster came up, and we took that walk down the driveway to a place under the tall trees, where the sun shines through an open canopy and wind chimes that sing with the breeze.  Our Senior rescue girl was home, and we sprinkled her ashes to forever rest with Clancy, Mollie Abbie Nellie and friends and rescues dogs who also passed before...

Several days after the Fosters Dogs passed, this was found and the photo was sent to me, sweet but sad memories

Walking to the gravesite, I noticed the wind chimes tinkling and thought how normal and pleasant it is every time I visit.  After her ashes were scattered, we hugged, and I said, "I'm so sorry," and I was.  We talked about the dogs that have crossed the bridge, at one point, our Foster said: "the wind chimes are singing, but there is no wind, look at the leaves."  "It usually happens this way," I said, "but I believe they are talking to us," and in my heart, I know they are...

Scattered Ashes

The very day our Foster came up to spread the ashes, she also transported a dog that had significant medical issues who was picked up for us from another state and she had been doomed until this day.   Later that day, that very dog was transferred to a Foster who would treat her special needs and has.  Fate has a funny way of working when one door shuts, another one opens.  Laying to rest, our senior girl was heartbreaking, but today our special needs girl is thriving and living in a home where she is loved and coddled and well on her way to recovery and a new life.  There are many happy moments here at the farm but sad ones too.

Just this Saturday another Border Collie was adopted from the farm, and as I walked to the main gate to open it as the adopters left, I walked by Clancy's grave.  As it is a custom when I approached Clancy's resting place, I heard the sweet tones of the chimes, but this time I heard "One more is saved, but more are coming."  Ken

My life as a rescuer:
Always up
Always down
Always anxious
Always looking
Always more...