Biscuit’s story is a little unusual. She was part of the 79 Bowling Green Border Collies that were confiscated from a breeder. She had already been adopted and had a hold tag on her kennel before we got to the shelter, so we didn't take her. A few months later, I got that call for help again.
August 21, 2023:
I was sitting at a Hooser Football game in Bloomington, IN, when I received a call, "Can you help?" The caller explained the issue, and the pieces of the puzzle started to fit together. When we pulled 38 dogs from Bowling Green, Kentucky, a few months ago, we visited every kennel where they were being held. One dog caught the attention of one of our members, but she had already been spoken for. This was good news because she had been saved, adopted, and found a home.
The caller explained that a dog from the same group we picked up had been recovered after being hit by a car, suffering lacerations to her neck and both feet, which left her unable to walk. The owner was contacted, but decided to relinquish her because they couldn't afford the medical bills.
"Can you help?" was answered in just a few seconds, and after that first phone call, Clancy's Dream was ready to step in and assist in any way possible, bringing her into our fold.
Indiana Football lost, but Biscuit, the little Border Collie we originally wanted, was on his way home.
This journey was long, difficult, costly, and extremely stressful because of the injuries and rehabilitation Biscuit needed to return to daily life. After the shelter called, arrangements were made to pick up Biscuit, and Kim Pike Wiseman drove her to the farm. After parking her car, she turned to me and, with a sad look, said, "You won't believe this." Having seen many things in my years of law enforcement, I thought I was prepared for anything. The back door was opened, and my hands immediately flew to my mouth. "Oh my God, this poor dog. How can this be?" Tears instantly filled my eyes, and my heart broke. "This poor little dog."
Biscuit was skinny, weak, and underfed, with both legs bandaged, and couldn't walk. She had been hit by a car and was found sitting alone in a field when animal control rescued her. She was microchipped, and the owner was contacted, but they wanted nothing to do with her, so we were called. One leg had nerve damage and was useless, while the other had torn skin on the foot with bones showing. I worried she might lose both legs, which had always been on my mind.
Time would tell, and we started trying to put her back together the best we could. The next day, a vet visit was necessary, and her leg was restitched and bandaged, but two days later, it rejected, and the skin came off. Cleaning the wound several times a day and applying bandages was necessary, but at times, Biscuit would pull them off, and we would start again. Many people offered toys, puzzles, and medical assistance. State-of-the-art medical procedures were performed, and some had just come on the market and were provided at no cost. Every week for over three months, Lou Anne Denny and I would make a two-and-a-half-hour round trip with Biscuit to the vet for therapy, and usually, Biscuit was in Lou Anne's lap.
In mid-December, the Doctor and I set a timeline for Biscuit's overall health. On Christmas Eve, I sent this email to the Doctor. "In my opinion, because of my experience with the bandage changes on her injured leg with Biscuit, I believe we should move forward with amputation. I now think we are doing more harm than good. I understand others are trying to help with different options, but they are not seeing the reality of her situation. If she were my dog, I would go ahead and amputate the leg. The Doctor agreed, and on January 4, the surgery was completed, Biscuit pulled through, and once she recovered, she went to her permanent home.
I knew this time would come...
We knew it would eventually happen. We had a meet-and-greet for Biscuit and her potential new owners at our house. Of course, Biscuit was an angel and hopped onto the couch with them. As usual, she stood on her back legs and placed her only paw around their neck, just like she always did with me. They arranged to meet us at the veterinarian's office, where they could ask the doctor any questions about her future care.
Biscuit was going home, and it broke my heart. Elaine and I discussed what needed to go with her. The blue puzzle, which I didn't think she would like but did, her toys, blanket, presents, stuffed animals, and special food were sent with her and carefully packed so she’d have them in her new home. After gathering a few things, it quieted down last night. Sitting on the couch, I said, "This time tomorrow, she will be gone."
Before she left, and as she does several times a day, she ran to me while I sat at the kitchen table. I knew it was her because I heard the kerplunk, kerplunk, kerplunk of a three-legged dog running. She got close, slipped under my arm, and stretched up on her hind legs so I could rub her head while she placed her one paw on my cheek. She closed her eyes and pointed her nose toward the sky as if she smelled heaven, and I knew I did. I often wonder if she will remember us in a few months. I hope she doesn't, because she is in a new home with loving parents, but I wish that when my time comes, and I cross "that" bridge, a little three-legged Border Collie runs kerplunking up to me. When Little Biscuit gets close, she goes under my arm, stretching up on her hind legs so I can rub her little head again, and again Little Biscuit puts her paw on my cheek. She closes her eyes and points her nose toward the sky, smelling heaven; I know then, I'm home too. How can one dog touch so many people...She is a spark that melts hearts and focuses our vision on what a rescue is: Never give up, never give in, and know your mission. It's all about the dogs!
The thing about Biscuit is that she was so broken when I first saw her that I honestly didn't think she would survive. The spark was gone from her eyes and her spirit. She couldn't walk on her injured and battered legs; she was lifeless, and nothing seemed to matter, and I knew her future looked bleak. We probably took her to the vet about 30 times, and some visits brought uncertainty and bad news. Good news was not in her future.
After months of rehab and trials with devices, along with cutting-edge technology, it was decided to remove her useless leg. Biscuit was Clancy's Dream dog, and we all carried, coddled, and loved her. Not only did she need it, but we did too. She was a lifesaver to those who touched her and still is. All vets will tell you that every dog is born with three legs and a spare; little did we know how true they were. Things happen for a reason, and some will never know. Biscuit taught Clancy’s Dream what a rescue can do, should do, and will do. Little Biscuit went to her real home with Heather Almond and Mary Helen, and we see her often.
"Rescue is not about what we have done, what we should have done, or what we could have done; it's about what we can do and what we will do." This is Rescue!
