Why do we do what we do?

Dylan's story can remind us.

He had kept his mistress company and comforted her during her long illness.  But now that she had died, Dylan himself had gotten sick from stress and was in the emergency vet’s in Brewer, Maine.  His mistress’s friend Roberta was worried.  Although he seemed to be rallying, it had been discovered that he had Addison’s disease: stress could rapidly lead to severe shock and death.  The death and his confinement at the vet’s were, of course, stressful; and more stress lay ahead.

The first was another move. A longtime volunteer, whom he of course didn’t know, picked him up and brought him to me on the Maine coast.  Another new person and another new place – with four new dogs to meet.  Then came a visit to yet another vet where he spent a week under close monitoring.  Dylan toughed it all out: he was recovering.  But what would come next?  Addison’s is a lifelong condition: Dylan would never be well – and his medication would cost $50 a month in Maine and who knows what elsewhere? 

What did come next was a phone call.  Cheryl Manning wanted to adopt a Springer.  She is an RMT; his condition did not scare her off.  Quite the contrary.  She hopped in her car, drove from Vermont to the coast in a snowstorm, and took Dylan back with her to his new home.

Now Dylan is spending much of his time in a hospital – but not as a patient.  Now he’s a caregiver.  He’s a certified therapy dog bringing his happy-go-lucky spirit to cheer up hospital patients.

Here are a photo of Dylan and an ode Cheryl wrote in his honor. 

"TIMOTEO TELLS HIS STORY"

Hi! My name is Timoteo.  That's Spanish for "Timothy".  You can call me Timo.  Unlike many of the stories you'll read here, I'm a twice-lucky dog.

My first family was a Puerto Rican couple, Jorge and Cristina, who were studying medicine in Mexico, where I was born.  They raised me from a puppy and taught me excellent manners.  In Mexico, I was trained for the show ring and was actually shown when I was much younger.  I stayed with them for nearly five years.  They were really nice to me, and I was very happy and loved them very much.

After they graduated from medical school, Jorge and Cristina got jobs in New Jersey.  They had a baby girl who had medical problems, and I saw them less and less, as they spent time at the hospital with Isabel.  They loved me so much that they decided to contact ESSCLI-Rescue to find me a new family that would give me the attention I deserve.

I first met Dave and Marji in my old home.  They seemed nice.  They got down on the floor and played with me and petted me, and I was happy to curl up next to them.  (Of course, I'm that kind of dog; I'll curl up with just about anyone.)  A month later, Jorge drove me out to their house, said goodbye, and left.  I was very confused and scared.  I had lived my whole life with Jorge and Cristina, and I didn't understand what was happening.

It took me awhile to realize this was going to be my new home, and that I would have to train Dave and Marji how to take care of me.  They treated me well, but I still missed Jorge and Cristina and Isabel.  Gradually though, I became comfortable with my new family.  They took me on nice walks to parks and ran around with me.  They bought me fun toys.  All the kids on their block like to come over and pet me.

Then we took this really long car ride.  I got really scared.  I was just getting used to these people, and I was afraid I was being taken to someone new. But it turned out okay.  We went to a nice cottage in Maine, and for three weeks I got to romp in the woods, and wade in the lake and go swimming, and ride in a canoe and rowboat.  It was fun!

I like my new family now, and I think I've just about gotten them trained how to take care of me.  (Well, okay, I wouldn't mind a little more food!  I like to eat!)  We go for nice walks and rough-house before they go to work and when they come home.  (I wish they could be home more!)  And we went to Maine again, this time for a week.

So, as I said, I've been lucky to have good homes -- twice.

Zachary

"Zachary" On June 27, 2003, Zachary was bailed out of the Animal Refuge League in Westbrook, Maine by Nanci LaMarque and Emily Shepard. Nanci took him home to meet Daisey, King and foster dog Buck
y, hoping that he would soon be adopted because her house was getting smaller by the minute. When Nanci picked him up she was horrified by the "hot" spot that was 8"x10" on his neck… red and covered in pus. She took him to Dr. Tom and he prescribed the appropriate medication. His bio said that he could be a little traumatic in the car… (didn't appear that way), might fight over food (didn't), and other assorted problems. He was actually a "dream dog". And Jim fell in love with him. But so did Emily. Emily, Nanci and the guys all went out on the ocean in the boat a couple of days later and Zach joined them. He spent the day in Emily's lap, kissing and hugging. Now

Zachary

 Emily has three Springer Spaniels too, so she really couldn't take him, but she told her mother how sweet he was. Suddenly, Emily's mother, Jean Williams and her stepfather, Frank Moreau said, "We think maybe we would like him".

So on July 5th, Nanci and Jim took Daisey and Zachary up to the lake to meet Daisy, Barney, Oliver, Jean, and Frank. Oh, and Arrow Cohen from New Jersey was there too!

It was love at first sight. Frank basically adopted him on the spot. Zach played ball with the other dogs and got along famously. He spent a couple more days with Nanci and Jim until Jean and Frank could buy him all the right collars, food, and toys, but on July 12 he went home to Buxton, Maine. A new dog has been added to the collection of "Maine-iacs" and we have no doubt that he is enjoying every minute of his spoiled existence even as we speak!

The Infamous "Mr. O"

"THE INFAMOUS 'MR. O'" Marjorie Silver of New York City contacted ESSCLI Rescue’s Emily Shepard to see about adopting one of our available dogs. She had spoken with both Emily and Marge Silverthorn, and kept looking over the list of dogs. At the same time there was an owner surrender named Duke was being fostered at Bob and Betsy January in Westchester County, NY. Marjorie knew that to see any dog it would be tough to get there as she would have to rely on someone else to get her there to meet and greet any dog that she liked. Marjorie would have to be at the will of others in finding a ride since she does not own a car; most people in the city do not. After some more calls to volunteers she finally spoke with George Billeci. George suggested that she look at Duke, now known as Oliver. Never meeting each other, but knowing that she really wanted to see Oliver, George was more than willing to pick up Marjorie and take her to the January’s home on his way to his place in upstate New York.

George and Marjorie met for the first time at 1am at the doorstep of her apartment building, up until that point they had only spoke on the phone. She asked him how she would know that it was him at her doorstep, he said he would be the man with his two Springers and a cat. Hard to miss that in NYC at 1am! But then again, it is the city that never sleeps?! Thus began the adventure began to unite Marjorie with Oliver. When they arrived at the January's, it was love at first sight for Marjorie, though Oliver was not trained at all. He did not know how to walk on a leash, would be skittish with any loud noises or people coming at him from any direction, but it seemed like he was willing to learn. Marjorie decided to take him, so Oliver’s first night was spent at George’s home in the country.

Upon their return to the big, bad city, it was obvious to Marjorie that Oliver had no manners, no training, and was going to be a handful. So she began working with him tirelessly to handle the ins and outs of Manhattan, the apartment building, etc. He constantly would turn his attention from sound to sound and it was particularly difficult to walk past a bar on the block. Since then Oliver has become very good friends with the bouncer at that bar, he always gives him pats and treats which is the key to any Springer's heart! After some patient training from Marjorie, he is able to walk on the leash and waits for commands from her before going anywhere, very eager to please. Oliver had to learn quickly what "drop" meant one day when he caught a pigeon from the street in back of the movie house, he had never picked up food from the street before so this was a new one to him! I guess you can take the dog out of the country, but not the country out of the dog!

The Infamous "Mr. O"

He is still working on greeting other dogs, he will wag profusely with one that he likes, but will bark his head off when he sees one that he doesn't. All in all, Oliver trained quickly and soon became so well behaved that he loves to greet any stranger that talks to him especially ones that are sitting on a bench… must be because they are "on his level". One day his adeptness at greeting people crossed paths with a complete stranger in charge of finding models for catalogs. The man approached Marjorie to ask for her number so that he could contact her to possibly use him. Imagine that, a wayward pup to a possible pin-up model! Only in NYC! During the whole adoption process Marjorie and Emily became very friendly chatting often with each other about Oliver’s progress. To reward Oliver, his Aunt Emily sent a care package with some rawhide munchie balls in it. Oliver was addicted, and considering he is in NYC where you are suppose to be able to find everything in, there is not one store that carries his rawhide munchie balls. Thank goodness his Aunt keeps him well supplied or he would be continuously pawing the closet door!

The country dog had officially become the infamous “Mr. O” of NYC. He is SOOO well behaved through the noise, commotion, and smells in the city. Marjorie took the leap of faith that she and Oliver would be the best of buddies, which he has proved with his kisses and snuggles. She had turned this dog in the rough to a sparkling diamond that Tiffany’s would be proud to display.

Arrow

"Arrow" After years of missing Bowzer, Terrie Cohen's four pawed family member of 17 years, Terrie's husband, Lee finally was convinced that it was time for a new dog. Terrie surfed the internet and found ESSCLI--Rescue and filled out an application. She and Emily Shepard talked, discussing several dogs. Soon after that first conversation, Emily called and suggested that possibly the right dog might be available in New Jersey. The owner had made a deal with his fiancé to get rid of the dog when they got married. They were in the process of redecorating and the fiancé didn't think that the dog went with the new décor. Although Terrie was about to go on vacation, she felt that she needed to go and meet this dog, Arrow, immediately. When the owner was contacted he said that the dog was 6 years old, hyper, stressed and black and white with freckles. He was not allowed to kiss faces, get on the bed or he was yelled at.

On July 16, 2002, Terrie and her daughter, Janice went to see Arrow and he was so dirty that it turned out he was actually liver and white. He was tied to a stake in the backyard and looked like he had been forgotten and was starved for attention. But instead of giving him attention, the owner came out and handed Janice a candy bar to give to him telling her that he had one everyday.

Terrie thought that possibly Arrow was crazy because of the chocolate. She decided that he needed her and she would take him home. The owner gave Arrow two valium because he said he was crazy in the car. Not surprisingly Terrie was beginning to wonder what she had gotten herself into.

Arrow

The valium and the chocolate were immediately cut out of Arrow's daily routine. Terrie figured she could balance him out, he probably only needed the valium because of the chocolate. After a number of calls to Emily, Terrie said that she was thrilled with Arrow and he was the perfect dog for her. Soon she offered to help with rescue and was put to work.

Today, Arrow is a well adjusted, sweet, loving dog. He moved in and knew it was to become his home. Now he has to sleep in the bed between Terrie and Lee every night. He patrols the yard and keeps his house safe. It's his way of earning his keep. Although Lee was never a dog person, he is today. Arrow has won his heart and Lee walks him faithfully every night. Janice calls Arrow brother and plays the role of older sister. Although Arrow can never take the place of Bowzer, he now has a special place in three hearts for eternity.

Parkley

"Parkly and Joey" Judi Rodgers and her husband Bill Green had JW, an English Springer Spaniel, for 13 years and in 2002 he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Although devastated by his passing they knew that soon they would need another English Springer Spaniel to fill a hole in their hearts.

Judi called ESSCLI Rescue and Emily told her of a 5 year old male Springer, who was in a shelter in Brooklyn, NY. He had been there for about two weeks and was in desperate need of rescue. Although the shelter was not normally open the day after Thanksgiving, Emily made arrangements for Judi and Bill to visit Parkly. He came bounding out of the back and immediately licked Judi and then ran to Bill. Bill took him for a walk and noticed that he had blood in his urine. Since Judi is a nurse, she knew that she had to take him home and care for him, so home he went. After a check at the vet, it was determined that he had a urinary tract infection and impacted fecal glands.

When Parkly went shopping for a new bed and toys, he snubbed the rawhide bones that he was offered. But a few months later he became the "bone chewer" of the family. He is very protective of "his" bones and eats them twice as fast as everyone else in the fur family. Come to find out, he was once very well trained. He has wonderful manners and also has a few tricks up his sleeve.

Joey

Soon after bringing Parkly home, Judi contacted Emily again and said that she would love to help out rescue and would keep her eyes out for any English Springer Spaniels who needed help. In February, she and Bill noticed a desperate plea from the St. Francis of Assisi shelter in Jersey City, NJ. They decided to take a trip there on their way home from work. What they found was a frightened liver and white beauty. He was cage aggressive and it took some time and patience to get Joey out. Once again Bill took him for a walk. This handsome three year old won their hearts again. He resembled JW, but had his own distinct personality. Joey jumped right into the SUV and decided he was headed for "home" and there was no turning back.

Judi called Emily and told her about the dog and Emily asked when it would be convenient for someone to pick him up and take him into foster care. As you already know, the answer was… "NEVER, he is staying here!"

Today, Parkly and Joey are happy, in good health, and love their sister Lydia (an American Cocker). Joey is Bill's dog, almost knocking him over when he gets home from work at night. Parkly is still the king of the bones! All three dogs love one another and it could not be any other way. They sleep next to each other every night and eat their meals together without any problems.

Although Judi and Bill failed at fostering, they won the love and gratitude of two very special dogs and ESSCLI Rescue too!