Thank You! Harlan Bound

THANK YOU!  Big thanks to all those who contributed to our Chip In.  We reached our goal and we are Harlan Bound.  Tomorrow am, bright and early.  There is so much to do in the next 21 hours...

Pictured above is Ryder Lee - he is one of the many dogs and pups that will get to come home with us thanks to all of you!

We are still looking for foster homes - if you think you have it in your heart and home to help a homeless dog for a little while please let us know.  You can fill out the foster application on the website  - www.safehandsrescue.org or email us at safehandsrescue@gmail.com for more information!

Here are a few more kids hoping someone will be open to giving them a helping hand!

Roxie - about 40 - 45 pounds - loves everyone and good with other dogs!

PUPPIES!  A girl and a boy - looking for a new start to life.

These girls would  love to find families to call their own.

This brother and sister are hoping for a ticket to ride the freedom train!

These girls were left on the mountain to fend for themselves or die.  Super skinny when found and brought to the shelter.  I would love to show them love, kindness and a better life.

Happy Anniversary, Looking Forward - Looking Back

Goldberg & Biscuit wait for rescue Oct 2006

Voices & the Journey

There is a Native American Proverb that says:  It takes a thousand voices to tell one story.  We’ve all heard that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

I find myself contemplating the Safe Hands journey and story as we approach our four year anniversary next week – October 7^th.  Our journey, the Safe Hands journey, began with a vision to save a few doomed dogs in a small, rural county shelter.  Little did we know over a thousand more would follow.  Our journey and our story are told in their voices. 

There are SO MANY truly great dogs who didn’t stand a chance but defied the odds and are now loved, cherished, integral members of their own families.  Dogs like Goldberg who started it all, Chance who saved Barb from a charging dog and won a chance himself, Charles Wallace Martin III of the Walmart Parking Lot and amazing Two Tone Larry the Tough who arrived with a broken body but not a broken spirit.  Each has their own story to tell.

Chance at arrival in Minneapolis

These kids have been given the gift of life and they have given the gift of joy to the lives of the people who have helped them and who brought them Home.  There is nothing like seeing our “kids” happy, healthy, luminescent, adoring and adored.  It is the best feeling in the world.  It is a rush better than any drug.  It makes you feel like your heart might burst wide open and that you are floating on air.  These are the stories that keep us going.  This keeps us doing what we do.  Knowing the difference we can make.  Joy.  Life.

Moving forward, looking back

I am often so caught up, moving forward so fast that I don’t find time to reflect, to share the stories with you as I should.  My very wise friend Laura Gonzo wrote these words once, “Instead of looking up the mountain at the terrain you have yet to cover, try to see behind you to all of the lives you have saved, the lives you have tried to save, and the innumerable lives you have touched.” 

Indeed, we need to remember the lives that we have touched and that have touched ours.  It is the success stories that bring tears of joy, that motivate us and keep us going.  It is seeing Shug, left behind in the shelter, head hanging low, eyes lost and then seeing her smiling, bouncy, happy and loved with a family of her own and a place called Home.  It is seeing the young puppies like Tulip, Rosie & Aurora, so full of life, energy and promise, big eyes and bubbly spirits.  It is preserving their innocence and zest for life by providing a place along the way to that place called Home.  It is taking in baby boy Griffen who was shot clean through and left for dead on the side of the mountain and seeing him now the love of his new parent’s lives, happy, healthy, Home. 

Shug in Shelter

Shug - now Goose - today

“The number is unknowable, but I assure each of you that it is profound and it is precious beyond words.”

  

Tonight I do have a number to share though.  And that number is 1135.  This is the number of dogs that have passed through our hands so far.  Over one thousand sweet souls have been given an opportunity to live.  Over one thousand dogs feeling the sunshine, the grass under their feet, running, playing, loving and being loved.  It is difficult to comprehend and it is truly precious beyond words. 

Individually, we are one drop.  Together, we are an ocean. .  – Ryunosuke Satoro 

Together we are ordinary people coming together to do extraordinary things.  A total of over 5500 dogs have gotten out of the shelter, into rescues and into homes thanks to the efforts of this team of people.  We have taken action and that action has enriched the lives of over 5500 dogs and an innumerable amount of people.    Many of us once strangers, we are united for a cause and ideal that we believe in and hold dear.  I am so proud of our family and I hope you are too.  We have helped provide hope and a measure of optimism to people and animals in a community that previously had very little.  Collectively we have made a difference.

Shelter stats

In addition to the dogs we have brought out of the shelter and into homes there have been great changes at the shelter too.  Many of you will remember that when we started working with Harlan they did not have a washer and dryer at the shelter so the dogs could not have blankets to lie on.  They do now.  While there were windows, there were no lights in the back of the shelter.  There are now.  There was no room for small puppies to be kept separate and safe.  There is now.  The ACO then did not have a vision to create a better future for the animals of Harlan County.  The new ACO does. 

We have been able to help bring Woodstock Animal Foundation to Harlan County to offer low cost spay and neuter.  So far over 2000 animals have benefited from those services.  The county government has seen the improvements at the shelter and the effort that Safe Hands, Starfish Rescue and shelter staff put into saving lives and they have joined in the crusade.  They have dedicated resources to improving conditions and circumstances at the shelter and to support the rescue efforts.  The shelter was just awarded a state grant for a new heating, cooling and air exchange system that should dramatically cut down on illness in the shelter. 

All Terrain Vehicle

So yes, we can look up the mountain, and there is a lot more terrain to cover, many more dogs waiting for their chance to be saved.  We know we can all make a difference in some way.  We all have choices to make, we can choose to lament and wring our hands or we can choose to act.  We can choose to do nothing or we can choose to build.  This group is made of builders and doers. 

Harlan bound so they are homeward bound

And so both looking forward and looking back we find ourselves preparing to embark on a trip back to where it all began.  It is time for our fall trip to Harlan.  It’s time for us to stand in the shelter, breathe in the Kentucky air, roll up our sleeves and get to work.  However, our trip is in jeopardy.  Safe Hands has always believed in doing all we can to heal the dogs and pups in our care.  We have also been unable to avert our eyes or hold back our hands from dogs suffering physical wounds in the shelter.  This year we have had a phenomenal amount of medical bills to heal broken legs and hips, amputated damaged tails, cure heartworm disease and parvo.  Sometimes, usually actually, we win.  Sometimes, we don’t.  We give each one the best chance they can have.  But this comes at a cost.

We need your help…

Last week, we spent our saved up “trip money” trying to save a dog that in the end we could not save.  This alone was devastating.  If we are unable to make our trip and unable to save the dogs we would bring back it will be even more devastating.  So once again, we are asking for your help.  If you believe in the mission of Safe Hands Rescue and the work we do to save the dogs of Harlan and to help the community there please contribute to our trip Chip In.  Any amount helps.  The chip in is posted on the top right side of this blog!

If you are comfortable please post on your Facebook pages or forward along.

Additionally the mailing address is:

Safe Hands Animal Rescue

PO Box 19623

Minneapolis, MN  55419

Thank you so much for everything you’ve done so far.  We hope to earn your continued support as we move forward to save more lives.

Lynne Bengtson, Co-Founder Safe Hands Animal Rescue

On behalf of all the dogs and pups!

A Moment Changes Everything

A moment changes everything

I heard this song on the radio and it struck me, how true those words are. A moment can change everything, the entire course of a life.

I picture in my head that moment the device was snugged into place in Hailey’s heart and I picture the chorus to this song blasting in the operation room – A Moment Changes Everything. I picture them cheering, high fives all around. You would have heard my screams a mile away if I had been there. That moment, that one moment changed Hailey’s life. That moment gave Hailey life. A moment changes everything.

I think a lot about Macy. I think how that moment she was hit by a car, that moment, horrific and violent, changed everything for her.  That moment set in motion a chain reaction.  Macy was a homeless pup, born to a homeless momma, running the streets and trying to survive.  Macy was a fearful girl, who did not know safety or security, just trying to survive.  Macy is a joy to behold.  Macy’s smile lights up the world and she greets each day with a heart wide open.  A moment changes everything.

Clementine was terrified in the shelter, drooling in the corner. Initially she was deemed a lost cause. I walked in her kennel run, crouched down, she climbed in my lap and laid her head on my shoulder. A moment changes everything.

Griffen and his littermate were brought out to a backwoods mountain road to be shot and killed. The bullet went through Griffen’s shoulders and missed his heart. A moment changes everything.

Roger, sweet Roger, with his seizures and diminished mental capacity and giant heart full of love arrived in Safe Hands and had nowhere to go. His foster home bailed when his condition was discovered. A phone call, Tris says yes to Roger. A moment changes everything.

Grayson crawled in Stephanie’s lap. Heratio reached out of his kennel, tapped Janine on the shoulder and looked in her eyes. Sammy would not take a treat but melted his giant frame right into me.
Winnie licked canned food from Janine’s hand. A big yellow dog lay down in the Walmart parking lot as the Safe Hands crew arrives. A little pup named Aggie arrives at the shelter just as the transport is leaving.
Tracy & Bert say yes to Smushy Face aka Marnie. The Stano’s email – they can foster Benjamin. The vet in Bell County says please take Moxie and onto Janine’s lap she goes. A dad, his son in tow, drops Ella at the shelter on the day we leave.

Happenstance, circumstance, kismet, serendipity, generosity, family, hearts wide open.  These are moments that changed everything.  These are moments that changed lives. 

Hope Reigns Supreme!

Hailey Sue is doing great!!! I apologize in the delay in updating you. It's been a busy few days.

Hailey had surgery as scheduled Tuesday am. The surgeon said the procedure went better than he could have even hoped for. She rested through the night and late morning on Wednesday had an echocardiogram to ensure the piece implanted to seal off the extra blood vessel was in place and holding steady. The echo looked great and Hailey was on her way home!

Foster momma Sue reported that Hailey was very happy to see a familiar face and probably happier when she got walked right out the doors of the hospital. It was a joyful reunion with her sister Makayla.

Hailey has about a one inch incision on the inside of one of her back legs. The procedure was done going up through the vein and into the heart. Poor little Hailey can't seem to leave her stitches alone so soon had to done her "cone of shame" - the E collar. Blue is such a pretty color on her though, don't you think?

Reports are that Hailey is playing with Makayla and has settled right back in like nothing ever happened. A few days ago Hailey faced a death sentence with months left to live at best. Today she faces a long and promising future full of happiness and love. It is almost impossible to believe.


I don't know how much Hailey knew about the danger she faced. I know she got tired easier than her sister and I'm sure she knew that too. She slept more. She got wiped out. But I don't know how much she really comprehended. I can assure you though, that Hailey does know she's happy to be here. She embraces each day, is excited about so many things, and makes the most of every minute she has.


Hope carried the day. Because we had hope, because you had hope, Hailey has a future.

I cannot thank you enough.

Hailey Update!

Great News!!!  Just got word from the surgeon that Hailey's surgery went even better than they expected!! They said she is resting comfortably right now. She has to spend the night and have an echo mid morning tomorrow to make sure all is well. If so she will come home tomorrow afternoon.   Will post updates as we get them.

Hailey's Big Day

Today is it.  The Big Day.  This morning foster momma Sue and I brought Ms. Hailey to the U of M for the surgery to fix her heart.  I think Hailey remembered the U of M, perhaps not so fondly.  She was a bit nervous and as you can see, apprehensive.  We sent her off with hugs and kisses.  Now is the hard part.   We sit and wait.  I'll update the blog as soon as we have any news!

Hailey's Hope Part II

Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.

Today is a slightly less sunshine-y day than the last time I sent you but it is no less a beautiful day to me.  We have achieved that for which we hoped…  Today is the day I get to tell you that we have raised the money for Hailey’s surgery.  That you all have found it in your hearts and already strapped pocketbooks to give hope to a little girl most of you have never met.

I still have no answers to the randomness of life.  But I am once again reminded how great human kind can be and how much goodness can be found in a world that can sometimes seem cold.  People never cease to humble and amaze me.

If Hailey were a person I think they’d make a book or movie out of her life.  Hailey Sue started her life facing great adversity as a puppy mill dog.  She was born into a hopeless situation with bleak prospects for her future.  Much like little orphan Annie, Hailey never lost her spirit or enthusiasm for life though.  Just when things looked up and she was “saved” – her bad heart threatened her new found happiness.  Once again Hailey faced an uncertain future.  Now, thanks to all of you Hailey Sue will undergo surgery tomorrow to fix her heart. 

Hailey remains in good spirits, eager to live each day to the fullest.  Tomorrow is Hailey Sue’s biggest and most important adventure yet. 

We had hope in the kindness and generosity of friends, family and even strangers and our hope was rewarded.  Tomorrow we put our faith in the good doctors and staff at the U of M Small Animal Hospital.  We ask that you join us in sending prayers, well wishes and healing energy to Hailey tomorrow and during her recovery.  I will keep you posted on her progress!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and trust me when I say, Hailey would thank you too!

Take care and best to you and yours,

Lynne and the Safe Hands Team

Hailey's Hope

Hope.  There is so much contained in this tiny four letter word.  There is also so much contained within the tiny four pound package that is Hailey Sue. 

Lately, I have been thinking about how random life can be, where chance fits into the universe, why things happen as they do.  Sadly, I have found no answers...sorry folks. 

But Hailey Sue’s life found its way into Safe Hands by chance.  I know there are so many dogs like Hailey Sue living in squalid conditions with little chance, little hope.  It seems so random that Hailey was somehow selected to receive the gift of her freedom.

Hailey Sue is one of the many victims of bad backyard breeders, mini puppy mills, that exist all over the South.  Jobs are scarce, money more so, but somehow people manage to scrape together a few hundred dollars to buy small purebred dogs, the smaller the better.  Therefore, folks set up shop to accommodate and eek out a living.  The dogs are not so lucky.  Their existence barely qualifies as living.

How and why “her” breeder in Harlan happened to be discovered and investigated allowing her that chance to have a better life is a mystery.  But happen it did.  Originally held as “evidence”, the county court then signed her over to the custody of Safe Hands and six weeks ago she joined our ever growing family.

When she was rescued her physical condition was deplorable.  Skinny and bedraggled, she had two sets of teeth, a full set of baby teeth and her adult teeth too.  Her coat was matted, toenails overgrown and she was not eating well.  She was about 8 months old and had never had any toys to play with.  She had lived in a plastic crate her entire life.  Nearly full grown but bred to be small - she was not even four pounds.

But perhaps even sadder to me was her unhealthy obsession with feet.  What I mean is that she got so excited any time feet approached.  She did not have any connection with faces or people...just feet.  Living in a plastic crate, she would have seen feet coming to bring food or water - feet meant good things.  Living in a plastic crate, she would not have been able to look up into anyone’s face.  Faces did not mean anything at all.

Fortunately she was young and somehow still very open to happiness, joy and wonder.  She has flourished in foster care and while remnants of the past remain, she “grows” more every day. Hailey learned to attach to foster mom, follows her everywhere and developed confidence.  She lives life with enthusiasm and has true joy in her spirit.  Each day is an amazing adventure and life is good now.

But here is where the hope comes in. Hope is defined as a belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life.  Hailey has a serious heart condition called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) that threatens her new found life.  In short, this means there is a extra blood vessel that is attached to the heart in utero that should go away when the puppy is born.  Hailey’s did not.  Most pups born with this condition do not live to turn one without surgical correction. 

Hailey’s heart needs help.  The PDA is causing problems and if we are not able to provide the surgery Hailey’s newfound life will be a short one.  The veterinarians say she only has months left.   The good news is the surgery has a very high success rate (only one complication at the U of M to date) and Hailey has had all the tests and work ups to be deemed an excellent surgical candidate.  The U of M is even donating the piece that is the “plug” to be implanted to fix her condition.  Still the surgery is costly.  The estimate is $3200 for the procedure. 

Hope is also the feeling that something desired may happen, when the outlook may or may not warrant it.  We have hope that we can raise the money for Hailey to have her surgery which can be done on Tuesday, July 13^th provided we have the funds.  We have hope that you will help give Hailey the chance she was provided to have a full and happy life with many, many more feet…or just maybe even faces!

If you can contribute we have started a chip in   (http://safehandshailey.chipin.com/haileys-heart-surgery) and are also able to take donations via mail at:

Safe Hands Rescue

PO Box 19623

Minneapolis, MN  55419-0623

Hailey's Heart Surgery

I loved Angelo before I even met him  I loved him the moment I looked at this face in this picture.  This photo, this puppy, so poignant.  You can simply tell that life had not been kind to this tiny being, so young to have so much sadness and uncertainty.   Our transport was booked, our foster homes full or eagerly awaiting their new arrivals.  I tried to tell myself he'd be fine, another group would take him and he'd be fine.  Nonetheless, Angelo's face haunted me, haunted my sleep, and was the first thing I thought of upon waking.  I worried and fretted over this little babe I'd never met, so far away.  He had me captivated and even then, wrapped around a tiny toenail.  I couldn't help it, I called the shelter, "He should come to Safe Hands, send him on to  me, keep him safe". 

And so Angelo arrived.  Trumpets and fanfare, skin and bones.  OK, well there may not really have been trumpets and fanfare anywhere but in my head, but I was so relieved to have him here.  I was so shocked to see how tiny he really was.  Weighing not even four pounds, he was skin and bones.

And so of course the worry and fretting began anew.  Unfortunately, this worry and fretting proved to be with merit.  Just two days after he arrived I was at the clinic with Angelo who tested positive for parvo.  He had no reserves to use in the fight, he was so small and so young.  I hoped for the best but tried to prepare for the worst.  I knew his chances were so slight.  I updated the Safe Hands folks who had met him already and we formed a family around him sending prayers and healing energy.  I visited him twice a day and it's true that there was much darkness before the dawn.

But an odd thing happened.  Two days after Angelo was admitted, when things were really looking down, I was visiting and holding him.  I was thinking about all the people pulling for him, telling him how loved he was and how wanted he was, and all of a sudden I felt a sense of peace.  I knew that Angelo would make it and he would be OK.  I won't lie, there were moments afterwards when my faith wavered.  But I just felt it, I knew Angelo was a survivor.

Survive Angelo did and a week ago Sunday he came home!  The pic above is his first night home.  He had lost more weight, he'd been through hell, but he came out on the other side, and he was home!!

In the week that's followed he has been loved, cudled, fussed over and generally spoiled rotten.  He thinks dogs eat 93% fat free black angus hamburger boiled and with rice please - that other stuff - it's for the...cats??  He is pretty sure puppies belong carried around perched on your shoulder.  Can't wait until he's adopted and 30 pounds or so, still expecting his new parents to carry him around on one shoulder!  He loves to play with his toys, snuggle in your neck and give sweet kisses.  He makes the cutest squeaks and cries when he plays and "attacks" stuffed pheasant or Mr. Blue Bear.

He's such a good boy.  He loves other dogs and is so sweet following the big dogs around and trying to get them to play.  He is not rough and tumble though, he prefers to persuade with his charm and charisma!  He enjoys and appreciates his beds (all four of them - spoiled??  what makes you say that?) and all of his toys.  Pink piggy is his favorite pillow.

Every day Angelo gets bigger and stronger.  The missing hair on his front legs where his IV's were are the only reminder of his not do far distant ordeal.  He is amazing  Perfect.  Precious. 

YODA!!

OK, so Yoda has a new (and dare I say improved?) name....it's Oliver or Ollie.  Yoda arrived in Safe Hands with his mom and three siblings in a very cold November last year.  This is the tiny boy just a few days after arrival at about 3 weeks old...

It was this face that earned him the name Yoda...

But our little man grew to be more handsome each day

 When he was old enough to leave his mom & siblings he went to a new foster home

And he never left!  This is the beautiful boy just a few months ago.

He has a new name, Oliver, and a new sister, Chloe - who was also adopted from Safe Hands!

Update on two of Ruby's pups

Readers of this blog and followers of the rescue might remember last summer when Ruby surprised us with a litter of 12 pups.  Here is young Moby (really, really young, less than one hour old!)

Here is our guy and four weeks old....

And here is the incredibly handsome guy today!  His mom & dad say he loved the snow and cold last winter and is just an all around great kind of guy.  He has playdates sometimes with his sister Nelly (formerly Sassafras)

One more of his handsome mug!

Sassafras, now Nelly, at four weeks old, just learning to eat and getting as much in her nose perhaps as her mouth!

And Nelly today!  She looks JUST like her momma!!

Macy's Medical Marvels

Macy is a marvel in more ways than one.  I wanted to update everyone on her medical status.

The vets in Kentucky realized that Macy had partial or complete vision loss in her left eye.  When she arrived just over one week ago she did not seem to see anything on that side.  Last Wednesday Macy saw veterinary ophthalmologist Dr. Olivera.  If anyone ever has a pet with any vision issues, this is the person to see.  Dr. Olivera was so kind and gentle with sweet, scared Macy.  He literally had her eating out of his hand in no time!  I suppose it didn't hurt either that he offered good news.  It seems that Macy likely suffered a concussion when she was hit by the car.  Not that a concussion is good, but it means there is a good chance that Macy will regain normal function of the eye.  The great news is that she can already see out of it again!

Currently Macy's left eye is dilating instead of constricting when light is shined in it.  However, in the weird and wacky ways of the brain, if light is shined in her right eye, both pupils constrict as normal.  Hopefully with time the wiring in her brain and nerves on the left side will repair and the left eye will always constrict as it should.  Even if it doesn't, the worst thing is she'll squint in bright light.  Maybe we can get someone to make her a cool pair of doggie shades!

Macy had a big trip to Keller Lake to have radiographs retaken of her pelvic injury.  This time Macy decided to sit on the car seat beside me instead of in her bed.  What a big girl! 

She did so great at the clinic and even though she was scared she let me get her situated for the x-ray without having to be sedated and let Dr. Melissa and Angie hold her in place.  These rads clearly show all of the pellets or bbs in her hindquarters and legs, there are at least 21 of them!  If you look just under her tail at the back of the bone there you can see the break.  We are waiting for word from the orthopedic surgeon about whether she will require surgery.

Let's all hope that Macy can heal without a painful surgery and plating of the bone.  She's been through a lot and I am really hoping that she can continue her forward progress without more difficult times to get through.  I'll post as soon as we know more!

Full of surprises

A few days before the last transport was to arrive we got a call from the shelter - they'd just gotten in a terrier mix mom and her five pups, all nearly the same size as her at just three months old.  They sent this picture along.

We were able to make arrangements to get them all out of the shelter and into rescue with "mom" and one baby coming to Safe Hands, the rest of the pups to another rescue.  My favorite part of that night's intake will always be when the foster mom sweetly asked me if I was sure this was the mom of the pups.  "Oh yes," I assured her, "the shelter called me when they came in and sent the pics along, I know it's odd that the babies are so big but yep!".  And then, she flipped Henry over and pointed to distincly male anatomy and asked - "then what's this?".

OK, so, that's one way to stand corrected!  I wonder what poor Henry thought in the kennel run with all those pups in Harlan!  He's such a good natured guy though I'm guessing he took it all in stride.  He's super sweet and loving, he loves everyone human and canine.  He is a bundle of sunshine and a true joy.

But Henry had one more surprise in store for us.  Foster mom noticed the first night that he seemed to be limping and one leg seemed slightly smaller, atrophied.  X-rays revealed Henry has a fracture in his hip, the ball of the joint is broken off!  I can't imagine how much pain our little guy has been in and still to be so happy go lucky.  So tomorrow, Monday, Henry will have FHO surgery.  Lucky Henry has a loving foster home dedicated to helping him recover, heal and regain strength in his leg.  Please send well wishes and healing energy his way! 

Macy's baby steps

Macy has made tremendous progress in just a few short days.  My heart feels like it might burst when I watch each baby step forward.  Two nights ago I watched as Macy met Safe Hands member Valerie and made a new friend.  She learned that she likes to have a head and face massage a whole lot.  I could see her visibly relax the tension in her little body as she leaned into Valerie's hand and softly blinked her eyes.  Then it happened, Macy had a breakthrough, she head butted Valerie's hand.  Macy asked for more.  Such a small gesture but it means so much.  Macy asked for more!!

Last night I watched Macy play with Safe Hands member Heidi.  Yes, Macy played with her.  She wrapped her front legs around Heidi's arm, nibbled on her hand and grabbed hold of her sweater - all very gently mind you.  And Macy played, with a person, for the very first time.

Today, Macy is off to the races, she played with me and she played with Vyto.  And tonight she wagged her tail at me.  After we played she took a nap and when she woke up and I was still there with her, she wagged her tail!!  I'm not sure I've ever seen anything more beautiful than Macy wagging her tail at that moment!

As I sit with Macy and watch her blossom and grow I can't help but reflect on the life she previously led and how she ended up here, in Safe Hands now.  I keep thinking of the chance encounters, the connections, all the actions and events that happened in this universe to bring this little black girl dog, born in a small rural area in Kentucky with little hope for a good life, to our rescue halfway across the country.  What is the probability that born into her circumstances, she'd find herself here?

I can't get Chances out of my head.  I just keep thinking of the chances she had, which in her situation were slim to none.  Macy's radiographs show her body is full of buckshot, a minimum of 15 pellets throughout her abdomen, hind quarters and back legs.  What are the chances that she would survive being shot at?  Some of her siblings were no doubt less fortunate.  Macy's mom and siblings died and she was alone in the world at no more than 8 months of age.  What are the chances she could endure on her own?  Macy was hit by a car.  What are the chances she would last, with a broken pelvis more than a few contusions and bruises and a concussion that left her vision compromised, in the cold, on her own?   What are the chances someone would care enough about a little stray dog to find her in a drain pipe and reach out to ask for help.  What are the chances that help would be found?

I don't know what it was or how the interconnected web of the world works it's mysterious ways.  I don't know how or why exactly things worked the way that they did.  I just know that it seems like it has to be more than Chance that saved Macy and brought her here.  Macy has touched many lives already and I think she has more work yet to do.

And so, this Five for Fighting song loops through my head:

Chances are when said and done
Who will be the lucky ones
Who will make it all the way?

Today it is Macy who will make it all the way but I will tell you who are the lucky ones.  We are.  I am.  Those of us who get to spend time with Macy are the truly lucky ones.  Her life has not been easy and yet there is a sweetness and innocence about her.  This little girl who has been kicked even when she was down, is still willing to engage.  Macy is willing to look forward to better days ahead.  She is eager to believe.  She is eager to believe that a warm home, soft beds, exciting and entertaining toys, good food, head massages, ear scratches, soft words and company are hers for good now.  She has had nothing and no one.  She has not known what it is to trust.  And yet she is still willing to learn.  Macy thinks she might be ready to no longer be alone in the big, scary world out there.  Behind those enormous liquid brown eyes, beyond the uncertainty, there is a soul that radiates with a purity and an honesty stripped bare of any preconceived notions or pretensions. 

Chances are all they hope to be....

To be part of Macy's new beginning, part of the circle that now surrounds her with safe hands and open hearts is an honor and a privilege.  We are the lucky ones.

Macy's new beginning

Sweet baby girl Macy arrived on Saturday night, February 13th.  Getting her here was no small accomplishment and much thanks are due to all the good hearted folks along the way who made time in their lives at the last minute to ensure Macy arrived safe and sound, to URKY for helping her and getting her stable at the vet clinic in KY, all the folks who donated to pay her vet bill there and to Karen H. who's devotion to Macy and much time, effort and miracle working are the reason she is here now.

Thanks to first time transporter Mick (welcome to the Underhound Railroad!), to Kim and Margie and Judy Walton (yes, one of our Edgerton Angels who once again came to the rescue) and to Safe Hand's member Tess who drove to WI Dells to bring Macy on the last leg home.

Macy arrived hungry, tired and very shy but overall doing very well.  She was interested in her surroundings and happy to have a meal and some new toys to play with.  This will be a big week with an orthopedic consult and an appointment with the eye doc too.  All this while we get to know Macy and hopefully make her more comfortable too.

Meet Macy

I'd like to introduce you to the newest Safe Hand's member, a baby girl in need who joined our rescue just last Saturday night. 

I was first introduced to Macy with this heartwrenching photo:

Macy's story:
Macy was born to a stray dog in Rock Castle, KY - near Harlan.  Her mom got handouts from some neighborhood folks where she primarily lived.  She had babies and soon they were following her around.  One by one the babies disappeared - hit by cars, succumbing to the elements or perhaps to other animals.  In the end it was just Macy and her mom left.  Then a few weeks ago her mom too was hit by a car and killed.  It was just Macy on her own.  I imagine it must have been pretty lonely and pretty scary for her.  A local woman was trying to leave food out for her and keep an eye on her. 

On Tuesday, January 26th this woman came home and saw blood smeared on the street.  When the little black dog didn't come around any more she became very concerned.  She finally tracked her to a drain pipe where she had crawled in and curled up. The woman could not get her out.  She checked on her every day but Macy would not move.  Finally on Saturday the 30th she got help from a friend and they were able to get Macy out of the drain pipe and into an outdoor dog house on the woman's porch.  She curled up in the house and would not move.  The woman had no money to take her to the vet and she knew enough to know Macy needed more than she could give her.  She sent out an email plea for help.

The email made it's way to a group called United Rescues Kentucky (URKY) of which we are a member.  URKY board members were able to get her to a vet in a nearby town.  They started a Chip In to pay for her medical expenses.  She was dehydrated, very thin, in immense pain and very, very afraid.  Radiographs revealed that she has a broken hip.  At this point the surgeon they consulted felt the injury would heal on it's own with cage rest and that surgery was not recommended as it would be a severe procedure requiring installing a metal plate around the bones..

And this is where we come in.  Macy needs a rescue that give her every chance to heal both physically and emotionally.  She needs to be enveloped by the love of good people who care about her.  URKY has heard great things about our group, about the people that make up our group, about how hardworking and dedicated we are.  They have heard we have big hearts and gentle hands and that we go above and beyond what even we thought was possible to provide care and comfort to the dogs who's lives we agree to be responsible for.  They would like us to take Macy.  They feel we can give her the best chance to be happy and whole.

Macy is estimated to be around 8 months old, she weighs just 21 pounds.  She is extremely frightened and lies curled up in a ball.  She will not even eat in front of her caregivers.   Right now Macy thinks she is alone in the world.  She does not know how many folks already care a great deal about her.  The folks of URKY are all pulling for her and let me tell you that these are mighty fine folks who work really, really hard to save dogs (& cats!) in Kentucky.  What they see and deal with and what they do on a regular basis has me amazed and in awe.  

And so, with much thanks and gratitude to the "think tank" of folks I consulted about this decision, I agreed to bring Macy into our fold.  Macy needs us.  A wise man told me, this is what we do.  I'm hoping you will join me in finding room in your hearts, minds and busy lives for a scared little back girl who has nothing right now in this really big and terrifying world.  I am hoping you can join me in forming a cocoon of love and safety around her.  She is going to need us all.

Elijah & Rahja's Best Silly Faces

Elijah Eskimo Einstein Ali is growing up.  He has discovered that he likes it outside and thinks he should be an Eskimo.  He has mastered the "sit" for his treats and is doing a pretty decent "watch me" (sans distractions mind you!).  Just today started in on "leave it" and progressed quite quickly for his first lesson.  And every time I walk into the room he is so dang happy to see me he bobs and jabs just like Ali.  So Elijah Eskimo Einstein Ali it is  (Oh and he says his favorite poet is ee cummings so sometimes he likes to be called just "ee").  And by the way, our little ee, who arrived 1 pound 13 ounces, weighed in at a full and whopping 10 pounds this morning.  He's pretty darn pleased wih himself don't you think?

 

Rahja Mahal Madame Currie Butterball has grown up so much I tease her and ask who she is and what she did with my tiny baby Rahja.  She too has mastered stairs, a mean "sit" and a decent "watch me" (unless the other dogs are around and who can blame her - they are way more fun to watch then me!).  Rahja got off easy today and missed her lesson as apparently distractions get me too!  She is brave, adventurous and really, really wants to play with the big dogs.  Until they come charging at her in the yard to engage her in a game of chase.  She gives a little shriek and runs away until at a "safe" distance she stops and starts sniffing around like, "oh, I meant to just run over here because there is something really interesting, not because I'm still afraid of a dog five times my size charging at me, play or not...really, it's just so interesting over here".  She has turned all round and puppy plush with soft, soft fur and a belly of puppy jelly.   She weighed in at 9 pounds 4 ounces this morning.  Elijah is all legs, Rahja is all roundness and full.

The kids got to go for a big adventure today, an outing to the pet store, their first!  They did very well on their leashes and meeting new people.  It was great socialization and I was so proud of them!