This Week

Friday

Rocky...

In August of 2015, I got an urgent call; someone found a dog and made a desperate call to the national “Blind Dog Rescue Alliance,” who contacted a Border Collie Rescue in New York who contacted a friend who contacted me with the following message… We need help!

Rocky

A dog has several issues described from the caretaker to the rescues, he was;

Abandoned in a neighborhood

Fell off a retaining wall into a yard and was injured

He was terrified and ended up running into the brick wall.

Front paws look torn open.

May have been beaten.

He is limping

His fur is matted

No shots or Heartworm medication

They are desperate

He is not housebroken, or leash trained.

Please help; we are hoping for rescue, we cannot keep him

but and he is Blind

“He is very sweet” was the last comment from the caretaker who found him, and he was hurt from falling off a retaining wall nearly six feet off the ground. The person who found him also contacted their local Vet for help and to see if anyone recognized him and reached out to everyone, but no one came forward. Once I got the caretaker's contact, I sent an email to inquire about him to see if we could help.

If I have learned anything about finding good homes for dogs, it can be tough at times and nearly impossible to find that right home, even for the perfect dog. “Do I want to get into this,” I thought, and “am I going to have another dog?” I knew from the get-go that this was a hard one, probably impossible, and I did have doubts and concerns, but this guy needed help.

A date was set for him to be transported to a Veterinary in Louisville for his shots/tests and surgery. I drove to Louisville and met the caretaker and Rocky at the Vets office. The family was wonderful and had their children with them who were very fond of Rocky, and I noticed a few tears from the kids during their last goodbye.

He is a beautiful dog, perfectly marked for a border collie, but he was very nervous and scared. “Can I help him?” I said under my breath as I looked at this broken, handicapped, and scared dog. Because he was blind and he needed to go to the surgery prep area, I picked him up, held him close but noticed he leaned his head into my chest for comfort as we walked to the surgery area. After the surgery, I drove back to Indiana thinking about the problems that may arise, the biggest one that came to mind… Where will he live?

That night I added a post to my Facebook page hoping for just one inquiry, someone who could care for him, love him, and give him a chance to live but also help him see through his blind eyes. His outlook was dreary at best. The following day, I went to the computer and punched up my Facebook account, hoping for one inquiry but expected nothing. Our Facebook was on fire; I had nearly thirty-five thousand “likes” and “shares,” something I had never seen. Hundreds of messages were sent, even to my Gmail account, but why? After starting to read them, they were inquiries about Rocky; people wanted him! After answering what I could, I started making a list of people I checked out that seemed like a good match. I was very upfront about his disability because he needed a loving/caring, and knowledgeable home that understood blindness and how to care for him, which might still be hard.

Several months before Rocky came into my life, a family was looking for a second dog to be a companion for their senior dog and had planned to pick up a dog at our farm. On that very day, the wife was involved in an automobile accident, and plans were drastically changed and put on hold. After she recouped for what seemed like a long time, she saw a notice about an available dog on our Facebook page, was this meant to be? I tried to stress the trials and potential problems of having a dog with these special needs. She explained to me that she worked with children and adults that are blind and worked with service dogs. “Why wouldn’t I want a blind dog?” Rocky was cleared to go to his new home that following Saturday.

Nilla And Rocky meet again at the Rainbow Bridge.

Rocky was the joy of their life and traveled in the front seat of their Motor Home and was not now scared to move, and he has developed into a confident dog that is truly happy with his companions.

Rocky, Guinness, and Bear, this was their last trip together.

Several days ago, I received this; “Say a prayer for Rocky; he isn’t doing well. It’s hard that we aren’t home, but I’m glad we are all together, and my Mom is with us. Hoping and praying he will come out of it overnight but suspect he is slipping away.” Later that night, Rocky and Nilla were reunited and are running pain-free over the Rainbow Bridge. Guinness and Bear, their other dogs, are going to miss their brother greatly.

Rocky was a bling dog with countless health and physical issues and overcame all of them with the help of his human parents and Bear, who is another blind dog along with Guinness, all from Clancy’s Dream. He was a great Motor Home companion and always traveled with them to faraway places. This particular trip was Bear's first one with the crew and Rocky’s last one. He was cremated in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and brought home and will be buried on their farm, forever with them.

Rocky took "His" spot in the Motor Home for his final journey back home.

From my point of view, you have to wonder how all the pieces are put together to make so many complicated issues so simple. Look at all the obstacles that were involved with Rocky, but because love, attention, and companionship overpowered the bad, Rocky, Bear, and Guinness have lived and are living a wonderful life. Don’t think we are in control; higher powers are always at play, and the love for each other and our pets can overcome many obstacles if we would just listen; Unbeknownst to me, Clancy's Dream was already in the works; a year before Clancy died... Ken

“With great love comes great heartbreak.” Katie and Brian Crawford

Rest in Peace, Rocky. 3-17-2019

After Rocky had passed, I contacted the caretaker who found him years ago and told her the news.

"Thank you so much for finding him the best home! Also, thank you for letting me know about him! I was just telling a lady I work with about him last week & have been wanting to reach out to you to see how he’s doing. It’s sad that he died, but so heartwarming to know that he had a great life for the past couple of years!!! I very much appreciate all you’ve done!!!"

Saturday

We’re here to remember…

I heard those words as I sat in the next to the last row at the memorial and funeral of Michael Sorrell our very first foster with Clancy's Dream. I listened to his friends and family tell stories about his life. Some were sad, and some were funny, but all were glowing and spoke of his successes in parenthood, family, relationships, and jobs, but there was more. Michael was a great man, and his life and achievements showed it. The music was pleasant and soothing to my ear and soul and took me right back to my childhood when I played piano for my father in church to gain my allowance.

Michael during a Transport for Clancy's Dream

I learned a great deal about Michael listening to the family and watching people tell their story. Michael was a great man, make no mistake about that and I was humbled by the things he had done with his life. Michael was a dog lover from way back, and he cared deeply about dogs and taking care of them. One of his special dogs was Silver, whom he loved very much and who knows, maybe that's why Michael was led to us.

Michael was our first official foster with Clancy’s Dream. He had contacted us because he wanted to help us with the dogs. No-one knew him and apparently, he found us and wanted to make a difference, and I never asked how he found us, but it must have been fate as sometimes things work in mysterious ways. Michael was a few years younger than me and it was quite a shock that he was suddenly gone.

Michael at the Vet with a rescue.

Melody Reese, a Board Member with Clancy’s Dream and I attended the funeral for Michael because it was the right thing to do and we cared a great deal for him. While I am not a fan of funerals and will avoid them at all cost, even mine, I wanted to go. As we walked into the Community Mortuary and Memorial Center, the first thing, I saw was a display with a Clancy’s Dream shirt that Michael wore along with photographs of him with the dogs he saved and fostered that he cared for so much.

Toby, Michael's first foster before we got him.

I remember the first time I met Michael when he came down to the farm to pick up Toby. Toby was a dog that had lived on a chain his entire life and knew nothing else existed but his circle of dirt and mud. Toby was groomed and sent to Michael, and the magic started, and Toby’s life transformed. Michael had a gift with dogs, and he would be an essential part of their new life. As much as Michael would have loved to have been a foster failure, he said, “If I keep one, then I can’t help anymore.” Michael put the dogs and Clancy’s Dream before himself and his comforts. Mike always got teary and choked up when each dog left for their forever home, and he worried about each one and would always ask about them and would even visit them. Michael never said no to a foster, or he couldn't help us. He did what it took to take care of the dogs, even transporting them at 7 am across town.

In memory of Michael, Clancy’s Dream has created a special fund to honor him. Michael’s Angel Fund, which was mirrored with the Archangel Michael, who is the patron saint of the sick and suffering which we often see in the dogs we take in. Just this Thursday, we found a Border Collie that tested positive for Heartworms and needs help, and he is living in a shelter and needs us. Michael was a true friend to Clancy’s Dream Border Collie Rescue and all the dogs lucky enough to hop into his truck. His memory will live on.

Toby in Mike's truck headed home.

In a small way, I envy Michael because whether we like it or not, this life ends and a new one starts. In my mind’s eye, I have always envisioned heaven as a place where we can be with our dogs, and as much as I pine over mine, I know he did too and now he can visit Silver and all of his past dogs and run with them through the tall grass where no one ever grows tired. I spoke of my Clancy when he first visited the farm, and he knew my pain. Hopefully, Michael will meet him and my Molly, Abbie and even Nellie, Buck, Balti and Oreo because we will forever be connected, he was part of us.

As Melody and I walked out of the funeral home, we talked about dogs needing to come into our fold, "what will we do now, we need fosters." but I knew something always works out when we have a crises because someone is watching over us, and always will and now Michael will too.

Far Far Away, Molly said “Who is this crossing?” while Abbie, Nellie, and Balti walked up, along with a new guy named Buck and a dog named Silver that they just met. Oreo shouted, “He is a rescuer, just like the one who saved me, I can see his heart, it’s pure!” “I can smell the farm, I smell our old home” the others shouted as they met Michael who just crossed the bridge where Silver met him first. Clancy in his somber but strong voice said, “everything happens for a reason.” knowing someday we will all be together.

Rest in Peace Mike, give them all a hug from all of us, we miss them so. Ken

Sunday

Are you in Love?

Usually, we are in love only several times. It’s with our spouse, sweetheart, children and extended family. Who else may be included in this ‘love” group? Some people love money, possessions and even themselves which are just a few of the things we love but are there anything else that takes our heart? While I know this may be a loaded question, “You and Your Dog Are Actually in Love With Each Other,” According to A New Study. This brings up a multitude of questions about our relationship with our dog and what they mean to us.

Do you love your dog, do you do anything of these things, Gaze into their eyes, rub their ears, lean on them, have fun together and even snuggle and these are just a few things we do. While I think there are two kinds of dog owners, they are dog owners and also dog lovers and there is a huge chasm in-between that and the two groups will never understand each other.

A research was conducted in two parts by a Japanese university and was published in the journal Science. Researchers observed the interaction of dogs and their owners and measured their respective levels of the hormone oxytocin. This "bonding hormone" is released during moments of human intimacy, including sex and between a mother and her child and let’s face it, dogs are our children.

I can say, I do love my dogs because they fill my needs of things I like and they reward me with their attention, licks and sleeping in my lap and who would want to lay in lap if you didn’t love them or care about them very deeply, I surely won’t.

According to an article in Mic in partnership with GE, “Not only do dogs seem to love us back, they actually see us as their family. It turns out that dogs rely on humans more than they do their own kind for affection, protection and everything in between.” I see this every time when there is a storm and all the dog’s run to me for protection and comfort. Just during a storm last Saturday, Annie ran to my lap at the first sound of thunder, as most of them do.

While I have written about this before, recently I have pondered this question and the effect on us when our beloved pet dies and leaves us. Many times, I have felt the effects of this and wondered if I am normal and even wrote stories about it. This seems like the answer is right in front of us, but no one wanted to admit it. I remember when one of our dogs died many years ago and as I was burying them, my neighbor saw me and not knowing what I was doing and started walking up to visit. I stopped him and motioned him off because I was crying so hard.

We all will be there

In the next couple of weeks, I intend to set up a place where we can share our thoughts about grief and pain and where we can hopefully help others. Some people will never understand and I one said and was ashamed to admit it, but I cried more when my pet died than when my parents did, why is that. Little did I know others feel this way have said the exact words. Is this because we crazy, I don’t think so but if it’s true, at least I’m in good company. Do our dogs love us, you bet but we will only get out of them what we put in. You need to nurture this relationship as you would any. Ken

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The Visit...

It's fun and games until you get home...

I grew up in a very average home when I was a kid or so I thought. We attended the local Southern Baptist Church, and that meant that you went to Sunday morning service, Sunday night service, and Wednesday night prayer meeting and in my world, it was very normal. I will tell you, I was a rounder. Dad was a Sunday School teacher, Mom sometimes sang in the choir, and I was the local hellion, and I really was.

Definition – Noun - INFORMAL• NORTH AMERICAN A rowdy, mischievous, or troublemaking person, especially a child named Kenny Shuck

I wasn’t mean, I was just curious and didn’t see anything wrong with the things I did, and to me, it was normal. My best friend Billy’s big sister got married at the church, and as a custom, they took the top layer of the wedding cake off and saved it in the freezer in the church kitchen for their first year anniversary. It was a grand occasion but Billy and I couldn’t until it was over to get some cake. It sure was good, and I’m sure we stole another piece, more later.

This week, several families will visit there new prospective dogs that are in Clancy’s Dream care. In my mind, every dog has some issues, even mine They might be little issues, and some may be more serious, but each one of us and every dog has something that may stand out. Before the new family comes over and meet the dog, the dog has already settled in and is living a normal life, acclimating into our style here at the farm. Then it happens, when the new prospective owner walks in, the dog starts barking and acting scared. I have even seen them get into a skirmish with one of my dogs, and I ask myself, where did that come from. If I have said it once, I said it a thousand times, “I have never seen that before” and it was true and I know they thought I was lying, but I wasn’t.

On one hot summer day on Sunday morning, the choir had a “special” piece of music and Billy, and I was sitting right behind the floor fan at the back of the church. The choir got up, and the church was silent. When they started to sing, so did I. I thought it was only fitting because I knew the words to the music and I would help make a "joyful noise" too. I inched up to the large floor fan that was blowing air up to the front of the church and like a professional singer, I bellowed out the words into the whirling fan blades which projected and amplified my voice. Everyone was amazed and kept turning around and shaking there head from side to side, it must have been a Baptist thing. Mom must have gotten sick because she left the choir and walked back and sat between Billy and me. Everyone watched her walk down the center aisle to the back of the church, shaking there head. I will never understand why she pinched the snot out of my leg and for some reason, I didn't get any Sunday dinner, I'm sure I needed to practice.

Sometimes it takes just a few hours for a dog to settle down. Their whole world had changed in an instant. The go from one home to another, and at times, it is a drastic change. Some dogs come from very little freedom, or a 3 X 4 steel cage at a shelter with no yard to 10 acres of rolling hills and open spaces and they are confused. Some dogs come from an outside dog house to a warm king size bed. Some dogs come from no human contact to laying in a person’s lap for the first time, their world had changed and they are confused.

My actions didn’t start in my adolescent years, but a little younger. One of my first vivid memories of church happened one Sunday service where I became bored which was often. Mother didn’t believe in letting me bring my toys to church, so I had to entertain myself. I ask her for a piece of chewing gum, and she sat her purse next to me. Well, that turned out to be a bad idea. My Mother was a smoker and smoked Kent Cigarettes and after rummaging through her purse. I found one, and after grabbing it, I stood up on the seat facing backward to the congregation and pretended to smoke it. People were amused at first, and then some started to laugh. I was so proud I was being funny and the more smiles and laughter I got, the more I pretended to smoke and faster I got. I would take in a big draw and blow the pretend smoke up into the air, just like Mom but I swear I did not know it was a Tampon. That was not a good day in the Shuck house.

All dogs are Angels at times

When people first see a dog, I always worry that they want that "perfect" dog, one that doesn't do anything wrong but acts like a perfect angle. There are no perfect dogs, but be patient, things will come around, and they will settle in and learn your ways and abide by your rules, but as God is my witness, sometimes they act like little Hellions when you want them to be angels. We all make mistakes and have faults, and it’s a miracle I made it to an adult and my family not kicked out of the church. If I was not given a chance as a kid, where would I be now... See, as bad as I was, I made it and so will the dogs that are not perfect. they just need your understanding, I now pity my mother.

Every word of this story is true and it's only a small portion of my young life. Billy and I did finish off the Wedding cake before the first year anniversary and our fun continued. Ken

“Now that I have arrived at your home, everything is strange, and I don’t feel good.

Don’t feel impatient if I don’t sleep on my new bed. Yesterday, I slept on a cold concrete floor.

Don’t be terrified if I gobble up my food. Yesterday, I had to do it to survive.

Don’t get angry if I pee on your floor. Yesterday, it didn’t matter where I went.

Don’t be sad if I am afraid of your loving hand. Yesterday, It wasn’t a loving one.

Have patience with me, it’s your world, but not yet mine.

If I trust you, I can give you the greatest Gift I have to give. . . My Heart.

Please never forget, I had nothing before. All I need is a bit of time to adjust.”