Fuzz  Buzz                

  January 2008 

 Florida Keeshond Rescue is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of the Keeshond breed of dog

In this Newsletter...                    Return to our Home Page                    

• Dedication 
• Rosie's Story - the Power and Honor of Rescue,  Patricia Owen-Smith
• Your Newsletter
• Mailing List
• Congratulations to Adopters
• Foster Caregivers Needed

Dedication 

Florida Keeshond Rescue lovingly dedicates this and the next issue of FuzzBuzz to the Keeshonden we rescued from puppy mills in Ohio and Florida,  to all dogs who still endure deplorable conditions and horrific existences in puppy mills and to those people who love these dogs back to wellness of body and wholeness of spirit.  We hope that the information presented will help  raise awareness about puppy mills and the experiences that  innocent beings endure at the hands of cruel and heartless people who care NOTHING about the animals -  the sole purpose of people who operate puppy mills  is to use the animals to generate money for themselves.  We ask that you give the attention to this information that these dear and innocent beings deserve; and we urge you to share this information with others - together we can make a difference but each of us MUST help.   Not one of the puppy mill dogs we rescued ever had a name, not one was respected, not one was vetted, not one was loved, and many were not socialized at all and still suffer unimaginable emotional anguish because of their past experiences.   Instead they were severely neglected, emotionally and physically abused, bodies worn out and used up -  emotionally they were broken.   Even though we hired a professional behaviorist and trainer for two of the dogs, only one so far has been able to overcome  the horrors of his past experiences.  We named the three rescued from the FL puppy mill  as follows: the male we named "Chance" because we knew this was his only chance to make it;  the oldest female we named "Hope" because we wanted her to have hope for the future and, "Khloe", (now called Sunny) because it fit her so well.  All three of them had been painfully neglected, were extremely malnourished, anemic , ill and had tumors or other physical issues that up until the time of their rescue had not been addressed - they clearly were abused.    We named the dogs we rescued from the OH puppy mill "Klare" - because the day we rescued them was the Feast day of St. Clair; " Frani," we named to honor St. Francis of Assisi who is the patron saint of animals and " Porter " whom we named for the chapel located in Portiuncula  Assisi, Italy because it was an important place n St. Clair's and St. Francis' life.  At the time we rescued Klare, she was pregnant and thanks to our vet's care and proper nutrition, she delivered seven healthy Keeshond puppies who have all been adopted by loving forever families . At least Klare's puppies will never know the pains of existence in a puppy mill.  It would take volumes to detail the horrors that these dogs endured and many more volumes  to share even a portion of what they had to go through to become physically healthy not to mention  what they and their foster caregivers or adopters, are still having to do so that these precious dogs can  begin to unlearn what they know about being around humans and become physically and emotionally whole.   Since we know you don't have time to read volumes,  what we will present in this and the next issue  is an  overview about puppy mills, pet stores and the impact on the animals themselves and on the humans who do care about them.  In this first issues we want to honor two very special dogs - Chance and Hope and their very special humans - Patti and Paul.  We feel we can best accomplish this by sharing the wonderful and heartfelt piece lovingly written  by Patti Owen-Smith.  It is based on  first hand experience and we wish to thank Patti wholeheartedly for her generosity of spirit in sharing this article with all of us. Thank you Patti!   In our next issues we will present additional information in an effort to  raise  awareness about the seriousness of this subject. Again, we implore you to get involved. Help in whatever way or ways  you are able: educate yourself and others about this subject, work to change outdated laws and establish new ones that will be in the animal's best interests,  volunteer to foster, adopt or donate to a rescue organization that helps puppy mill dogs, refuse to shop at any store that sells live animals. For the sake of the animals, please get involved - be part of the solution.   We thank you for your continued support and prayers for Florida Keeshond Rescue and the dogs we serve. 

 I said I was an animal lover.  I said that I was particularly devoted to dogs.  In fact, my dogs were the ones who helped me navigate virtually all of the transitions and crises of my life.  Through the past thirty-nine years Keeshonden were always present to help raise my daughter, provide unimaginable comfort during moments of sadness and loss, love me when I was at my most unlovable self, and most of all pervade our home with their antics, attitude, strong will, and those glorious curled tails and fuzzy bodies that make vacuuming a daily event. They have given much but my return of their love has been, at best, conditional.  In spite of what I said about my devotion to them, sadly (and embarrassingly) my history as a Keeshonden owner is not a particularly honorable one.  I had been constant in my care and love of them, but my careful thinking about the welfare of the breed and the nature of my responsibility to this breed was sorely lacking.     In my youth and later in my naiveté I was part of the group of pet owners who thought that the purchase of a six week old puppy from a puppy mill, guised as pet store, was perfectly acceptable and ethical. I did not look past the ball of fur that I purchased to consider the future of those remaining puppies who for one reason or another would not be sold.  I did not have the foresight to consider the inevitable trauma that results when breeder dogs are often forced to live their lives in crates, cages, or filthy pens.  I refused to consider the many senior dogs who have no place to be simply because they are no longer young.  I wanted the flawless puppy or a young dog, the one who comes with AKC papers, the one who has perfect markings, the “easy” dog, and the one I could socialize to my own whims.  I said I was a dog lover but my concept of love was a flawed one.  It was my cherished 15 year old Kees, Rosie, who in her death awakened me to the power and honor of rescue.  In many ways this is her story, the one I believe she wanted me to tell, and in telling it I honor Rosie and all of the Keeshonden who so desperately need our help.  As I moved through the grief of Rosie’s death and finally felt ready for another Keeshond, I could not locate one.  Of course, I was looking for a puppy and none were to be found in the Atlanta area.  Although I did not know it at the time, this was to be my good fortune.  Through a series of interesting mishaps, twists and turns, and pure irony I found Florida Keeshond Rescue and the extraordinary June and Don Hollingsworth.  I began to consider a “rescue Kees.”  We made the trip to Jacksonville prepared to take a young female who was available for adoption.  This seemed perfect, and I was still consumed with having the perfect dog.  As I relay the following, I do so with a smile.  Just when I thought that I had planned the perfect adoption, another plan was unfolding.  Perhaps my Rosie was working her magic. We returned to Atlanta not with the young female but rather with two, 10 year old seniors, Chance and Hope.  By AKC standards, these were two very imperfect dogs who were certainly not “marketable.”  Both had growths and tumors that had been removed so that there were shaved areas on the bodies.  The tips of their ears were gone due to infestation of flies and fleas.  Most of their teeth were missing and our little female’s depression was such that she seldom raised her head nor carried her tale on her back.  She also had given birth to far too many puppies in her life time and her fragile body showed this wear and tear.  Chance, our male, had a badly scarred eye resulting from what our veterinarian said was a laceration for which he never received help and was left to fend for himself.  Both cowered and ran to a corner at any sound.  These were not the dogs of one’s dreams!  What was I thinking??!! And so my journey began with two rescue Kees from Jacksonville who were far from perfect by conventional standards.  Yet, in their imperfections I have found the most perfect dogs I have ever known.  Their patience, kindness, and unbelievable ability to forgive human beings by allowing us into their world are a tribute to the bigness of their hearts and souls.  They teach me daily about the honor of survival that is born out of sheer courage and a will to live.  Hope’s and Chance’s coats are now beautiful and the shaved areas are filled in with the effervescent silver and black fur we all love in our Kees.  The tips of their ears are covered with fuzz, and our Hope’s worn body is now sweetly rounded.  We tell her that she may soon be on a diet!  She is raising her head more these days, and I see a depth of gratitude in her eyes that I have never experienced before in my life. Chance has begun to actually bounce on our walks, and I do believe he is having fun – for the first time in his life.  Their spirits are growing daily and the “Keeshond grin” is appearing regularly on those wonderful faces as we do our two mile stroll around the lake in the autumn leaves.So, here I am at midlife drawing upon the wisdom of Hope and Chance to learn how to grow up as a Keeshond owner.  And, I am growing up, slowly but surely, by stepping up to the plate and assuming responsibility for the dogs and breed I have so loved - all of them, not just those who are supposedly perfect.  It is time for me to do this. I write this article at the close of 2007.  As I say goodbye to this year and greet 2008, I will lift my glass in salutation of Rosie, Hope, and Chance whose lives are so interwoven in deep and enduring ways.  But, I will also toast all of the abandoned, abused, and neglected Keeshonden who are waiting for their human partners to step up, to do the right thing, to grow up and assume responsibility for what we as humans have done to the most special of beings.  It is time to say “no” to puppy mills and to unethical breeders who so damage and destroy.   It is time to consider adoption of those dogs who most need us – the sick ones, the seniors, the fearful, the imperfect.  Now is the time.  Step up.  It is time.

Recently, we mailed packets containing Pet Emergency ID cards and a DVD training video to all the folks on our mailing list. If you would like to be included for future mailings, please send your information to us at: Hollikees@aol.com. Thank you for your interest in Florida Keeshond Rescue and the dogs we serve. We will let you know when we add you to our list. 

2007 proved to be another very active year for us  with a significant increase in the number of dogs from Florida and other states needing our assistance.  Each dog is so special and deserving of respect and the love of a forever family.  What a wonderful blessing our adopters are for these dogs and we thank each one of you for opening your hearts and home for a rescued Keeshond.  At this time, we have  only five  active foster homes and hope you will consider becoming a foster caregiver - the dogs need you and so do we! We pay all approved expenses associated with the care of Keeshonden in our foster care program.  Volunteer Application click here:    Foster Application .   If you would like more information, please contact us at:  Hollikees@aol.com.  On behalf of the dogs we serve, thank you.

Porter before and after grooming

  Sunny on the left Frani on the right

Left: Hope in her forever home with her very own human sister. This picture was taken after Hope and Chance were adopted. It took patience, love, respect and countless hours of work (ongoing)  to get these dogs to look any human in the eye. Now, thanks to the Owen-Smith family,  just look at the love in Hope's eyes as she gazes adoringly and trustingly at her human sister Ashli.  And check out the smiles of both Chance and Hope as their forever Mom, Patti and forever Dad Paul love these precious dogs to wholeness. 

Assistance Requested