There will be 3 awards given out at HOPE for the Animals. They are the Rags to Riches Award, the Life Saver Award, and the Treva Slote HOPE Award.
These amazing stories about animal rescue and the people who give of their time, will be highlighted at the PACC911 HOPE luncheon on January 12, 2008.
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Rags to Riches Award Nominees
Best adoption story taking place at a PACC911 function or as a result of one
- 5 Semi-Finalists -
Story #1 Peggy / Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA (AAWL)
January 27, 2007 is a day that will forever stand out for the Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA (AAWL). That is the day that our friend Peggy found a new home, thanks to a PACC911 adoption event. Peggy was a 10-month-old Labrador Retriever mix turned in by her owner. She was a clever escape artist, darting out of doors and even clearing a chain link fence! She was also nervous and timid, and extremely picky about which dogs she liked.
She stayed with us in our kennels for two months, much longer than our average dog. It wasn’t until the PACC911 event in Anthem on January 27 that it finally happened—someone fell in love with Peggy. Sue Fernandez and her two children already had a Labrador (Cooper), but her instinct told her to add Peggy to their family. Cooper had been having some problems at home, too. Just like Peggy, he was an extremely shy and nervous dog. At their first meeting, Cooper and Peggy were very tense and barely looked at one another. Sue and the AAWL made the decision to give this adoption a chance.
And a good thing they did! According to Sue the change has been “dramatic” in both dogs. “Remember the two of them sitting behind the tent, not looking at each other and just being so incredibly nervous? Well, you should see them now! They can't wait to get up every morning and run and play together,” said Sue. “My husband keeps saying that of all the dogs we have adopted, Peggy may have made the smoothest transition—no accidents in the house, no chewing, no bad behaviors at all!”
Peggy’s name was eventually changed to Lucy, and both Lucy and Cooper have turned into totally different dogs because of this adoption. They have both calmed down tremendously, and there’s no need for Lucy to even look for ways to escape since her best friend is right there in the house with her!
Sue says they consider themselves lucky to have Lucy as part of their family. We also consider ourselves lucky. “I honestly believe that had we not brought her to the Anthem event, she may still be here waiting for a home,” says one AAWL staff member. We are so thankful that this PACC911 event gave the Fernandez family a chance to help not just one dog, but two.
Story #2 Rosie / Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office MASH Section
It was a cool Saturday night in December 2005 when Mash first met “Rosie”. She had traveled three days in the back of an old refrigerated delivery truck from Gulfport, Mississippi with a group of dogs and cats that had survived Hurricane Katrina. They were all rescued by the many volunteers that converged on New Orleans to help the people there but also the little critters that had no understanding of the devastation that had been caused by this force of nature.
I can remember waiting for hours that Saturday evening, with all the officers and inmates at Mash who were anticipating this new arrival. It was love at first sight when we were unloading these guys. They were so afraid and so tired. The thing that really stood out was how quiet they were. You could have heard a pin drop in the sections they were house in. This lasted for several days and then the true personalities started coming out!
In the beginning “Rosie” would always come to the door and wait for a touch or a word. As time went by I noticed on my visits that she quit coming to the door and would just look at you from the back of the cell where she was housed, there was sadness in her eyes. Her behavior became more aggressive and she became extremely hyperactive when let out of her cell. We would try taking her to the different PAC911 adoption events but now one was interested because of her behavior. Training wasn’t working so we decided to make her an experiment!
Mash is divided into to units. Mash I houses all the smaller animals, dogs, cats, etc. Mash II houses all the larger livestock animals. So it was decided that Rosie would get to go and spend some time in the “wide open spaces” of Mash II. It made all the difference in her behavior. She became calm and remember that look of sadness in her eyes? It was gone! She would run and play, following the inmates around the compound while they did their chores. After several months it was decided that we would take her to Blessing of the Animals. It was there that Rosie finally had a new family. We received a call several days later from Rosie’s new family asking how this sweet, gentle dog had not found a home before them. Rosie is now living with her new family on an acre of land where she can now run and play all day.
Story #3 Sam / Pet Allies
Living next door to a feed store, on a country highway, is both a blessing and a challenge. Sam’s story begins with a call from that country feed store. A stray dog was at the feed store, had I lost one of my fosters? Could I come and see if I knew the dog? I walked next door (1/2 mile in the country) and met a dog, not known to me. I took him home and began the process of looking for his owner, and waiting for three days to pass so I could begin to find him a new home. This dog, Norman as I called him, was very thin. No surprise.
Soon a neighbor wanting to reclaim Norman contacted me. Discussion followed about Norman’s condition and during that time, they indicated they wanted to relinquish Sam, another dog, whose owner had moved away, left him in their care until he could send for Sam, but had never gotten around to it. How sad.
I went next door to meet Sam. He was on a chain, no doghouse but he did have access to shade under a porch. Empty water dish, no food, incredibly thin. I knew I had to get that dog off that chain.
I went home, got a quarantine kennel ready (20 x 30) and went back to get Sam. I brought him home, and he fell on the water and drank the entire dish. I was afraid he’d be sick if I gave him too much at once, so I started multiple feedings and watering throughout the day. Sam was happy, interested in the other dogs and very good with people. Of course he was, he’s a red cattle dog mix.
Sam stayed with me through his quarantine during which time I discovered he was very food aggressive. No surprise, having been starved at the end of a chain. We sent him to a foster home with several other dogs. They had a novel approach to curing food aggression, they fed all the dogs on the porch, putting the food directly onto the ground, so no dog had a dish to call his own and possess. Sounds odd, but for Sam this worked. Sam loved going for rides in the beat up old SUV the family owned, and smiled whenever they came by for a visit.
Sam came to a PACC911 event in October of 2004. There Lisa Schram was looking for a companion for her dog, Jack. Lisa and Jack were looking for a companion dog for Jack, who had multiple and ongoing health problems. The Schrams felt that another dog might help Jack perk up and play and bridge the gap when Jack was gone. When Lisa came by our booth with Jack we explained to her about Sam’s food aggression and his life as a chained dog. Lisa took Sam for a walk with Jack. To our amazement Jack and Sam walked quietly side by side as if they had been born to live together. Lisa, Jack and Sam were gone for some time getting to know one another. When Lisa returned Jack and Sam were bonded forever. Lisa completed the adoption process and we walked with her to her vehicle. We knew that the match was right when Sam jumped in the back of her SUV and quietly lay on the mat that she had brought side by side with Jack. That very first night home Jack and Sam ate side by side with not a side glance at one another.
Sam has enlivened Jack's life; they play tag through the dog door, wrestle, and share squeaky toys. Sam helped him feel young again and Jack has more energy and endurance since Sam became his little brother. That was 3 years ago and Lisa, Jack and Sam come by to visit Pet Allies at our PACC911 events and all three of them are grinning from ear to ear. Both dogs are happy, and are helping the volunteers to feel young again too.
As to Norman, the sheriff insisted he be returned to his owners. They moved so I couldn’t pester them about his condition, nor remove any other dogs from the home (5 at last count). In rescue, you save who you can, and take solace from that. Thank you to Norman for saving your friend Sam.
Story #4 Freckles / Arizona Golden Retriever Connection (AGRC)
Rescuing dogs from the shelter is one of the most difficult jobs, even for the most seasoned animal rescuers. Looking at the euthanasia list from each shelter on a daily basis is never easy because there is always a life or death decision to be made. Do you give a dog another chance at life or do you allow the dog to “cross the rainbow bridge”? In some cases the answer is painfully clear and in others, you simply know that you must find a way to save a particular dog. These are decisions of the heart and anyone who has walked a shelter knows what it is like to encounter that special animal that makes you remember why you are doing rescue.
For Arizona Golden Retriever Connection’s President, Candy Ziemer, this dog was Freckles. Simply a kennel number on the euthanasia list, Candy thought the animal was safe because another rescue organization had “put their name” on the dog. Unfortunately, things changed and suddenly this dog was left with only a few hours to live before being euthanized. Information received from the shelter about the dog left her uncertain about his health condition and temperament, Candy decided to take a chance and pulled the dog off of the euthanasia list, giving her until the next day to evaluate him and determine whether or not she had made the right decision. This is always a difficult call to make and many sleepless nights are spent wondering whether it would have been better to let the dog go or if you have just prolonged his suffering for another day.
The next day Candy went to the shelter fearing what she would find, but praying that the dog would be able to be saved. As an experienced rescuer, Candy was prepared to see an abandoned, fearful and very sick dog. Her first vision was of a thin, mange covered dog looking at her from behind his “prison cage”. But, then she saw something that made her know in her heart that this dog deserved a second chance. As tired and sick as this dog was, his true Golden spirit showed through when he came up to the cage door and put up his paw to be held. Anyone who has had a Golden Retriever understands that this is a characteristic trait of the breed and no amount of discomfort or fear could keep this dog from reaching out to Candy for affection and help. Immediately, she knew that she had made the right decision to save this dog and remembered a very important rescue lesson… Always err on the side of life. For Freckles, truer words had never been spoken.
A new beginning: Freckles was diagnosed with Sarcoptic Mange (Scabies). This disease causes the dogs to scratch and bite at themselves with great ferocity due to the irritation. “His belly was fire engine red, with bumps every where and no fur. The tip of his tail looked like he had almost chewed it off from the itching. He had scabs all over but especially under his arms. His legs had no fur and the worst was his ear tips. They were about a quarter inch thick with hardened scabs.”
Through his treatment and recovery at Candy’s home, Freckles was also healing emotionally. While we will never know his full story, it’s clear he had a home in the past. And, probably a home with children. One thing for sure, Freckles loved kids and he loved playing ball! Candy joked that Freckles must have been a Boy Scout in his previous life as his motto was ‘Be prepared”. He had a ball with him everywhere he went, just in case someone wanted to play ball.
A Forever Home: Fate stepped in for Freckles once again when he met his forever family. Here was a family that was able to look past his physical appearance and only saw the great dog he truly was. Within a few minutes of meeting Annie and Jack and their sons John and Ryan, they wanted to take him for a walk. Candy was concerned that Freckles might be nervous and not want to leave the people he had grown accustomed to. She cautioned them that he may not want to go. But, she could not have been more wrong! It was if Freckles knew this was where he was meant to be and he was off for a walk. He knew these were “his boys” and it was his job to take care of them. The bond was formed immediately and Freckles had found his forever home.
It was clear, this was a perfect match. Freckles found a family that truly loved him for his personality and the love he had to give. The Giesekings found a new family member who would completely devote himself to them. Freckles was finally home and loving every minute of his new life. Now, Ryan is his constant companion and Freckles sits patiently by the door waiting for him to come home. During a recent backyard “camp out”, Freckles got to play the big burly guard dog. When the neighborhood boys’ Dad came to check on the children, Freckles let out a big bark to let everyone know there was an “intruder” coming near his boys. Freckles has adapted to his new life with gusto. His new family adores him and thinks he is the best dog in the whole world.
Rescue dogs do seem to have a new lease on life and love their families even more. Time and time again when we place dogs into new forever homes we hear the same story of the best dog in the world. Freckles Mom, Annie, works as a Pediatric Oncology nurse, once Freckles is healed Mom wants to get his Pet Therapy certification so that he can come visit children with cancer and share his story with them. Freckles ordeal can show the kids that even though things are tough now they will get better. He has many scars where fur where will never grow back. His story demonstrates that it’s what is on the inside, not external appearances that matter.
Story #5 Wally / Giant Schnauzer Rescue (VSGSR)
As many of you may know, my husband and I picked up two dogs from Lied Animal Shelter in Las Vegas two days before the 1000 animals were put down. Both of the dogs we picked up were candidates to be on that schedule that fateful Friday, but Wally would have been there for sure had we not gone up on Wednesday. We have never pulled a more pathetic animal ever from any place as poor Wally was. He was matted and caked with feces and urine and smelled as I have never had an animal smell before. When he walked out the door and lay down on the sidewalk, I really thought he wouldn't live to make it back to Phoenix. When we stopped at the auto glass place to get our windshield repaired, the kid put down all four windows and stuck his head out the driver's window just to drive our car over to the bay for repair. And the dogs were not in the car!! After he put our car in the bay to be repaired, other workers came over with some hand shampoo they had found and the hose they had and allowed us to wash Wally down to try and remove the horrific odor. We tried but it didn't work. We had to bribe a groomer we found into washing him and finally clipping him down as washing him in skunk odor removal shampoo did nothing for him. When we got him back to Phoenix, we discovered that not only did he have kennel cough or some other pound disease but he also had a low level titer for tick disease. He has been on antibiotics for four weeks, gone from an extremely skinny 60 pounds for a large dog to 87 pounds and still very thin, his blood titers came back negative for tick disease and today at the PAC911 Adoption event at the Franciscan Renewal Center, he met his new Mum. In the course of looking at Wally, we decided he really didn't look like a giant schnauzer but more like a black Russian terrier which were bred from giant schnauzers in Russia around WWII. We had contacted BRT people who came and decided, that yes, Wally is a BRT. There is a wonderful lady who lost her beloved BRT a few months ago as a result of surgery. She flew down today and came to the adoption event at CASA. VSGSR decided that this would be the perfect home for our boy Wally and next week, he will return to Oregon to a wonderful and loving home. His new mom told me this evening that Wally will get more love than he ever dreamed possible. Sometimes things just work out very well for everyone involved and make your heart sing!! This is one of those times. As an update, I just spoke to his new mom and he now weighs 98 pounds, has learned to play with her boxer, and is loving his new life.
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Life Saver Award Nominees
An animal saved by PACC911's Emergency Medical Fund
- 4 Semi-Finalists -
Story #1 Hope / Paw Placement / For the Luv of Dogz / In Defense of Animals
Hope was first discovered in July of 2004 collapsed on a street in Mexico. She was incredibly thin, covered with mange and open sores and had a missing part of her tail. She had trouble seeing as her eyes were irritated and draining. Luckily for Hope a student from ASU discovered this sad little dog and decided to get involved. Hope’s initial rescuer had ties to In Defense of Animals and was able to get Hope to a vet to be stabilized and then miraculously back across the border and into the US. For several weeks Hope went from vet to vet as none felt they could help her mange. When the student was running short of resources she turned Hope over to In Defense of Animals and they took over her care. At about that time Hope was moved to Arizona Pet Resort and three groups banded together and sought help from the EMF as Hope needed intensive care and treatment. For months her little life just hung on day to day as the mange treatment was tough on her system and she was literally living from day to day. She had to stay at APR for 6 months until finally she was strong enough to be spayed and undergo eye surgery. During her stay at APR the staff of APR, and volunteers for Paw Placement, For the Luv of Dogz and In Defense of Animals plus the PETS911 EMF were her lifeline. Countless volunteer hours were spent with Hope to make sure she knew that she was loved and that she received the care she needed. Hope had one of the worst cases of mange that had ever been seen, eyelashes that had curled into both eyes and a thyroid condition that left her too weak to fight off infections….all treatable but all requiring resources. At long last in early December she was strong enough for surgery and to finally leave APR. I will never forget the night I first met Hope…I was at a Christmas party and got a call that a dog needed to be moved from a foster situation that was not working out immediately. The foster called and said Hope needed to be picked up and I got a call from our group asking if I could get her and keep her overnight then take her to APR in the morning. Well I left to get Hope and just loved her little hairless tail and her loving personality and shaggy half grown in coat AND her big bag of meds! Hope’s one night turned into a 6-month stay and two adoption situations that did not work out. When I dropped her off for an overnight trial at her second potential placement I thought I was okay until I got home and I could not stop crying…Hope had been such a big part of our life (mine and my three dogs and two cats). I cried all night and most of the way to Prescott on a visit to my parents the next day. When I got the call that the trial visit was not going well I did not even try to work with the potential adopter as my heart was singing as I rushed back to Phoenix to pick her up. When I got to the house Hope jumped in my arms and has been their ever since! She is my surrogate foster mommy to our endless stream of foster pups. She is my 16 year old beagles sleeping buddy, she loves to play Tug with my Sharpei boy, wrestles endlessly with my 4 year old Rottweiler mix and my two 15 year old cats sleep curled up against her at night. She is everyones best friend and always the first to make a foster feel welcome. Her tail wags non-stop and a new friend is anyone who will rub her belly. People laugh when they meet her as she immediately throws herself to the ground and goes belly up for a tummy rub. Hope was a dog without a chance. She was a commitment that brought together three rescue groups, an army of volunteers and the resources of a community through the PACC911 EMF. Hope is truly a story of hope and is being nominated for the Life Saver award as she literally was pulled from the streets in her 11th hour and then fought through 6 months of treatment before she could even leave APR. Hope was truly a dog that chose to live and lived because of the commitment of the Rescue Community. To me she is the completer to the circle and I can not imagine my family without her.
Story #2 Princess / Mixed Up Mutts
Meet Princess, the poster child for the pit bulls and what the breed is truly about. Here’s Princess's story--- Princess was at the east side shelter in Aug 06 with a little tank of a puppy sharing the kennel with her. Her ears were swollen and she was in pain. The puppy was adopted immediately, but not Princess. The vet recommended putting her down or going to rescue, as she had ear problems. Mixed Up Mutts happened to be at the shelter and saw the potential in Princess, and off she went into rescue. Her ears were inflamed and swollen and she was diagnosed with chronic ear infections. Her ears were so swollen that cleaning solutions for the ears could not even go down the ear canals. She went to Sonora Veterinary Specialists, where she was diagnosed with ear problems, and bilateral ear ablations was recommended. Not only was this an expensive surgery, but more importantly, a risky one. Since it was so close to the face, she risked nerve damage and possibly permanent paralysis. Not many vets do this surgery, as it is very specialized. Funds for Princess needed to be raised, as it was almost $3000 for the surgery. Through the wonderful work of PACC911, a donation of $500 was received from an anonymous donor and through the emergency fund. Princess, just prior to her surgery, was at the Trail Trek for Paw Placement, where a family saw her and fell in love with her. She went home on a foster to adopt contract. A few weeks later, Princess went to Sonora for the surgery to be performed by Dr. Rizzo. As luck would have it- not everything goes smoothly- and the day she was scheduled for surgery- there were many immediate emergency surgery needs, and Dr Rizzo had to postpone her surgery- but she spent 3 days hanging out at Sonora, winning the hearts of all there. The surgery was performed and she came through without a problem- the best news- NO PARALYSIS....... 9 months after she was on the euthanasia list- Princess is now in her forever home and pain free from the ear problems !!!
Story #3 Gracie / Arizona Benefits Club
On Tuesday, August 15, 2006 a little 10 week old female yellow lab mix puppy was scooped off 32nd Street and Union Hills, a busy intersection) in northeast Phoenix where she had been hit by a car and left to die. She did not move and was presumed dead. But, suddenly she opened her eyes and turned her head slightly and whimpered for help. Her rescuer scooped her up carefully and brought her to the Animals Benefit Club Sanctuary. She was rushed to ABC’s veterinarian, Dr. Katherine Allen, where she was x-rayed and diagnosed with a severely broken right rear leg. The good doctor recommended an orthopedic surgeon right-a-way. Dr. David Bone, orthopedic specialist, did not hesitate. We immediately brought Gracie to his hospital and her surgery was performed early morning the very next day. Several pins had to be inserted with instructions to keep Gracie immobile for the next 7 weeks. She came back to ABC with a full leg cast. Over the next several weeks Gracie healed and the cast was removed. New x-rays showed she healed beautifully and could gradually increase her normal activities.
PACC911 provided help with Gracie’s expenses totaling over $2500 through the Emergency Medical Help Fund. ABC was truly grateful for this wonderful financial help. Thank you PACC911!
This adorable little happy girl was adopted by Jamie Francis of North Phoenix on Friday, January 4, 2007. Gracie is growing by leaps and bounds and is running all over her new house and yard. What is especially touching is that her new owner, a person who is challenged with Lupus and a respected Board Member of the Lupus Foundation of America, Arizona Chapter, finds Gracie to be her inspiration.
Tragic start for this deserving puppy with a very happy ending indeed!!!!
Story #4 Mindy / Finding Fido
Mindy was turned into the county shelter by her owners. They wanted her put to sleep, stating they could no longer care for her. Happens often enough, but by looking at her it was obvious she had not been cared for at all. The county vet examined her and put in her notes, "This dog has been neglected for a very, very long time. Rescue needed immediately or put to sleep by the end of the day. Do not hold until morning."
We walked by her kennel and saw this little girl shaking, hanging her head, with such a sad look in her eyes. Once we had her out of the kennel, she perked up a bit, but we could see (and smell) the neglect. She favored her back hind leg, had a tennis ball sized hernia hanging from her stomach, and had a jaw that was so infected she was unable to close her mouth. She was matted and filthy, as if she had been lying in dirt. She went right to our groomer to see what was under all that dust. She said in 20 years of grooming, this was one of the worst cases she's seen. She was full of twigs, stickers, foxtails, and burrs. Once that was shaved, she found scabs and scars all over her body--the result of years of flea and tick infestations. Her jaw was a mess.
The next day we went to the vet, not sure if she was beyond repair. He took her back to the exam room and came back shaking his head. Her leg had some ligament damage which was never fixed, the hernia had probably been there for several YEARS, and her jaw was the result of some type of blunt force trauma which had caused the teeth to pop out. The infection had been left untreated for so long that it had spread into the jaw and completely rotted the bone. He looked up and said, 'She's in bad shape--but I think I can fix her." As a small group with limited funds, we have to be careful of the cases we take on. At that point, we didn't care--he said he could fix her and we were going to do everything in our power to make sure she was taken care of.
Surgery was two days later--she was spayed, had her hernia removed, tested negative for tick fever (which was amazing), and had a major jaw resection. One half of her bottom jaw was removed and reconstructed with tissue from other parts of her body. Despite having very major surgery, the next day Mindy was wagging her tail and giving kisses to the vet staff. She went home a few days later--she was a new woman!
Gone was the shy, scared little girl. Mindy was now confident, loving, social, and friendly to everyone she met. She loved going for walks, greeting the neighbors, riding in the car, and hanging out on the sofa watching TV.
Mindy is now adopted and lives in her new home with a poodle mix brother, also a rescue. Everyone who meets her is amazed at her spirit and demeanor--especially after the neglect she suffered in her previous home.
The Emergency Medical Fund saved this dogs life. Had it not been for the EMF we would have been unable to financially afford the surgeries needed to save this darling little girl. We are so thankful it was available to us and will continue to use it to save more terrific gals like Mindy!!!
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Treva Slote HOPE Award
Recognition of an outstanding volunteer who exemplifies the PACC911 motto of Uniting the Pet Rescue Community while going the extra mile! The Treva Slote Hope Award has been so named to honor and memorialize a local pioneer and legend. Treva Slote paved the way for the compassionate work done today by more than 80 individual rescue organizations and shelters. Over 50 years ago, arriving in Phoenix as a young woman, Treva realized the need for humane care and treatment for the animals who were injured or abondoned. At that time, any strays were picked up and taken to the county pound, which was then nothing more than a catch and kill facility. There was no concern for the welfare of the animals, but rather a mentality of them as nuisances, with a need to remove them from the streets. There were no laws then to protect them.
Treva changed all that. Her 50 year legacy leaves behind the founding of The Arizona Humane Society, the founding of the AZSPCA, strong programs being utilized at the Animals Benefit Club and the Arizona Animal Welfare League, and legislation protecting animals from cruel and inhumane treatment.
Over ten years ago, Treva alone went to rescua a dog who had been hit by a car in South Phoenix. It was 2am. She found the Dalmation in the street. Two police officers came to assist as she was loading the dog into her vehicle. They were on the side of Broadway Road as a drunk and illegal driver smashed into the back of the car, hitting Treva and the officers. Treva fought for her life for many weeks and lost her leg as a result of the accident. Her first words upon regaining consciousness were, "Did the dog survive?" Sadly, he had not.
Treva's work surely did not end with this tragic event, but instead continued with vigor. She wheeled her chair into many courtrooms to testify against animal cruelty cases and she fought for the animals until she died, earlier in 2007.
It is PACC911's honor to name our award in memory of Treva Slote, as many pioneers of today continue to selflessly work to save and protect the innocent animals in need.
Treva's legacy continues through each of them.
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