Florida Keeshond Rescue Newsletter

Happy New Year everyone! As we think about the dogs we helped in 2008 and begin the New Year knowing there will be others who need our help, we ask that you also give thought to those dogs whom Florida Keeshond Rescue will be called upon to help. Each one special in his or her own way - their needs are great. The reality is, we can't do this without you - we depend on your support to be able to continue our work to save these precious creatures whom God has entrusted to our care. Please, take a few minutes and read the two articles presented in this issue then go to the archives and read the "Special Edition" of FuzzBuzz devoted to the puppy mill issue to learn what you can do to help stop puppy mills and/or to get involved by volunteering. Thank you. May you and your family be abundantly blessed in 2009 and always. Peace to all Creation.

In June of 2007, as is often the case at the start of summers, I received “The Call.” It seems that there were some dogs that needed help. I’m a foster parent for Florida Keeshond Rescue and as I’m centrally located, I tend to keep quite busy. This call, though, was a first in a couple of ways. First, there wasn’t just one dog that needed my help, or even two, but three. I wouldn’t know why it was another first until I arrived at my destination. I tend to be quite happy when I’m going to get a foster dog, knowing I will be getting the pleasure of meeting another of this wonderful breed. You can imagine the feeling of knowing I was getting three at once! So I packed the SUV with 3 crates, leashes, water bowls, water, paperwork – well, all of the things needed when picking up one – multiplied by three, and off I went.

The background information we were given was a bit vague but I understood it to be that someone had given these dogs to the person I was to meet but that person was unable to care for all three after all. I traveled for a little over an hour and arrived at my destination. A small wooden sign pointed me down a one lane dirt road. The lane was overgrown on the sides, with bushes, trees and weeds rubbing my “Kees Bus” the entire way. The lane was so rutted that I was barely able to do 5 mph. It wound back into a wooded, isolated area and even thru my excitement at getting more fosters, I was leery. There was no civilization anywhere that I could see, nor a place to turn around if I needed to do so -thank goodness for cell phones as I held mine in my hand and continued down the lane. After about 5 minutes, I came to a clearing of sorts, where I had been told to park. As far as I could see, in every direction, were woods. It wasn’t dense, but still a woods. I could see a barn several hundred feet away, and when I called my contact person, they appeared from the barn. As I watched them come from the barn, I took in the rest of my surroundings. Cages and runs, of all different breeds, of every size and age imaginable, everywhere I looked! No grass, just dirt. No buildings, just trees. All of the areas fenced off with chicken wire type fencing, and electrified of course. That’s when I realized the second first of this trip. I was at a puppy mill.

As a foster parent for Florida Keeshond Rescue, I do believe my colleague and mentor does her best to shelter me from the most horrid of animal situations. I’m grateful for that, as animal cruelty and neglect absolutely break my heart. There was to be no sheltering that day. We had 3 Kees that needed us, and whatever it took, we needed to save them. I kept a blank face, showing no emotion, hiding the horrified feelings bubbling inside me. I never said one word to the person who had the dogs about the conditions, the filth, the neglect, nor the smell. I simply introduced myself and was taken to the fenced area holding the three who needed me. We turned the electricity off to pass thru the gate and entered the area. Several other dogs were in the same area but I only had eyes for my beloved Kees. I saw three of the most filthy, broken spirited, pathetic creatures I’d ever come across in all my years. And still, I showed no emotion. I didn’t dare, because there couldn’t be anything happen that would prevent me from getting these poor dears out of there. I got my paperwork signed right there in the run, and with my heart pounding, returned to my SUV. I asked their names so I would know who was who and so I could talk to them on the way home for reassurance. I was told they had no names. NO names? At least two of these dogs were seniors. How could that be? I showed no emotion. So they could travel in safety, I secured them in travel crates, and as fast as that rutted lane would allow, we got out of there. We stopped at the first gas station we came to, so I could take a look at them and assess what needed to be done. T he smell in the vehicle was atrocious but that would be fixed with grooming. The fleas on these three dogs were enough to populate a small city but we had medicine for that as well. The fact that all three were missing the tips of their ears and what was left was raw and bleeding (all from being bitten and eaten by flies) could be treated as well. The fact that none of them were spayed or neutered could be fixed as well. The part that broke my heart was their demeanor. They hung their heads, their ears were down, and their beautiful Keesie tails that normally flow over their backs, hung down as well. There was no light or will to go on in any of these eyes. How could I fix a broken spirit? How could I fix the look in their eyes? How would I give them a will to continue living? Despite the fleas, despite the filth, despite the smell, I opened each crate door. I gently stroked each head and told each one I loved them and I promised they would NEVER be treated as they had been. I mulled over names as I drove home. I thought of and discarded many trio names. And then I thought of the names two of them bear today. I was sent to that place to give these three a chance, and to give them hope of a better life. And so the senior male became “Chance,” the senior female – “Hope” and the younger female received the name of “Khloe” (later changed to “Sunny”)

Through Florida Keeshond Rescue’s dedication to this breed, the promise I made to three hopeless dogs on a Saturday morning in June, was able to be kept. I promised them they would never be treated that way again. The two older ones are now happily living together in Georgia, with a wonderful forever mom and dad. The recent Christmas pictures shared with FKR show my promise came true. The light in the eyes of each of them attest to their true happiness. The younger female resides in Florida and is the apple of her forever mom’s and dad’s eye. Her Keesie brother was a former foster as well. As rescuers we can’t ever forget places like that one where I went that day or the difference it makes that we do go. What would happen to the dogs if no one went to save them?

'Twas just before Christmas, and I'm 10 years old,

My humans abandoned me, I'm scared and I'm cold.

But wait, someone's coming, they're looking this way,

"We're here to help you," I heard one of them say.

Unsure as I was due to feeling so blue,

Deep down inside me, I hoped this was true.

"We're Keeshond rescuers, we won't leave you alone,

We've come here to help you, we're taking you home."

Their voices and touch were so gentle and kind,

Assuring me a loving family for me they would find.

But until that day, they had much to give,

With respect, care and love, I'd have reason to live.

My vet care, my grooming, whatever the deeds,

They did them with love, tending to all of my needs.

They do this for me and for all needy Kees,

In prayer they petition down on their knees,

“Guide us in helping Your dear ones to live,

by raising awareness so others will give.”

Try as they may, they can’t do this alone,

They need foster caregivers and permanent homes.

They count on your donations throughout the year,

Please help as you’re able, for all of us here.

I’ve no way of knowing who my forever family will be,

The rescuers say we’ll just wait and see.

But thanks to my rescuers, I have this new start

Please help them save others – open your heart.

December, 2008, Florida Keeshond Rescue (all rights reserved). FuzzBuzz contents, files pictures and/or portions thereof may not be reproduced without written permission from both the authors and the website owners.

Below find a picture of the 10 year old Keeshond who was rescued around Christmas time in 2008, and who inspired this poem. This is how he looked the day he was rescued. He is an example of the many needy ones who depend on all of us to save them. He is currently in a foster home doing very well and awaiting a forever family to apply to adopt him.. If you would like more information about him, please let us know that you are interested in "TB" and we'll put you in touch with his foster family. Next to TB is "Lucy" as she appeared the day Florida Keeshond Rescue picked her up. She was deaf, nearly blind, very old and beyond scared - someone dumped her at a public facility. She was unable to stand up straight due to severe arthritis and weakness due to neglect. She was barely able to stand or move due to loss of muscle mass. We are pleased to have been able to help this special dog and are happy to share that Lucy thrived on the love she received in her foster home and lived the last months of her life in peace enjoying the respect she deserved. When she was no longer able to enjoy life, Lucy was gently released from all pain and suffering with her foster family right there with her to hold her paw as her spirit gently returned to her Creator. On behalf of the TBs and Lucys of this world and all animals who have been abandoned, abused or are in puppy mill situations, we thank you sincerely for your continued support and your support in prayers.

Jake Lucy

In this Newsletter... Return to our Home Page

This New Year

Mailing List

Foster Caregivers Needed - Please Consider Helping