To give visitors and potential adoptees some insight into what we do behind the scenes, the end result being adoption, we thought a series of stories from Gerdy's Rescues perspective would help people to better understand the emotion and effort that goes into saving, in a number of cases, some of the  the animals that  we try to help. SOME OF YOU MAY FIND THESE STORIES  AND IMAGES GRAPHIC OR DISTURBING TO READ, but every effort has been made to tone down those parts. However,  they still are necessary to illustrate the very real plight  of some animals coming into our care.  No description is intended to enhance a story, rather it is what the animal  actually endured. Much to his or her credit, you will see the trust and nobility of spirit undeterred by what life and uncaring humans have cast their way. Truly, these will be stories of the bond between human and animal in rescue.

Woody was found on a golf course after hanging around the area for about 2 weeks, all alone in the world.  For that period the golf course staff fed him when they saw him around, but no one came looking for this sweet natured little dog, and so he just hung around where he could pick up a bit of affection and a meal, coming and going, but having no place to call his own. 

Several golfers saw him on the course but no one called him over to take him to safety.  One day a very kind couple who were out for a game of golf saw him and asked about him. 

They worried about him, then called and asked if Gerdy would take him in.  When Gerdy said yes, they drove immediately all the way back to the golf course and located him and brought him into meet us at a vet.  Woody (as we named him in honour of Tiger Woods), was found to be thin and dehydrated, so we had his needs tended to. 

He was neutered as well, and the vet found he had also a pellet gun pellet in his neck, an apparent target of someone who took potshots at him for practice as a moving target! 

He was a sorry sight!

The following letter was received by us with permission to share it with our supporters. The dog being referred to is a Pitbull mix who was at the SPCA in Montreal. Most of these dogs are gentle, it is the ones bred and trained to fight that pose the danger.  Inbreeding and breeding without concern for gentle temperament for the macho crowd has put these dogs at risk of euthanasia—even the gentle ones. 

People who sport these dogs on the street with spiked collars showing such pride in their unfriendly animals, who have been trained that way because of having the misfortune to have had these types of owners—these people perpetuate fear of Pitbulls.  There will always be those who fear them because of negative publicity.  

However, gentle Pitbulls have people who love the breed and are very good with them. Most people never have a problem with stable natured dogs. Dog breed  is a personal choice. Many, many Pits are being euthanized, even Pit mixes, because of bans. We wonder why they are being banned  yet no one has declared the breeding of Pits be outlawed in the first place; if the breed itself is banned, then why allow pups to be born just to die later by euthanasia because they are a Pitbull?  People who train any large breed to be aggressive fighters should also be banned from owning any dog, period: 

"Dear Gerdy and Judy,

When I begged you to help me find a home for Teddy Bear, you came through. You took the time to come to the shelter and see him, and you referred Lisa to us immediately. She and her husband came on Sunday, with their two dogs, and it was love.... He has gone back to be with them in a forever home.

Gerdy and Judy, this would never have been possible without you.  Teddy Bear had been at the shelter for over 7 months, and we had featured him twice in the Westmount Independent, focusing on the pitbull myth.  Teddy Bear went into foster care at Melodie's home, where he was with another dog and two cats, integrating beautifully.  When he would come to the shelter, he would play with the other pets, most recently with ferrets!  Ladies, so many thanks from the bottom of our hearts, for this rescue.

David Price and Fern Breslaw at the Independent worked to hard to give Teddy Bear a chance. They deserve our thanks for helping us, in every issue and every copy, make a difference in our community. When great people work together, wonderful things happen.

I will have pictures of Teddy Bear with his new family soon.   I would look forward to featuring one of them in the Westmount Independent, in Pet Expert, giving a Happy Dog ending to the saga.

Hugs to you all."

Lysanne

"Hi Gerdy,

He really does fit in well, like he's always been a part of the family!!  My boyfriend loves him so much he keeps telling me it's the best decision I've ever made!
 
We're really happy to have him here & he's adjusting extremely well.  He's a very smart boy.

Take care & keep up the good work!"

Lisa

May 3rd, 2008

“PHOENIX”  the CAT GETS A 10th LIFE THROUGH GERDY’S RESCUES:

Seeing this beautiful young Tortoise-shell cat, you would never realize the trauma she went through not long ago. But one day about a week ago, this sweet stray wandered into the yard of an old man who did not want a cat in his yard, so he did the unthinkable in his anger. He picked her up and tried to strangle her on the spot then dashed her to the ground.    

There was a police report made after the act was witnessed by a shocked person. Preparations were made to euthanize the cat for humane reasons—but to amazement, she began to purr. Instead they administered drugs to shrink tissue swelling as she was blind from the trauma. She was soon able to walk again and vision came back into one eye when Gerdy was asked if she could take her over to get a new home. Imagine our joy as now she has vision come back in both eyes and seems to be back to being a normal cat.  However, she will be kept an eye on in case there was hidden damage. This kind and gentle little girl is about  all of 8 months old and still trusts the human touch!    

DUE TO THE LACK OF STRONG AND EFFECTIVE ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS IN QUEBEC, THE PERSON WHO DID THIS WILL PROBABLY GO UNPUNISHED… but for THIS abuse victim there is happiness on the horizon—she has been offered a loving, safe indoor home—but first we  will have her spayed as should all cats be in this era of overpopulation with its associated dangers, including unfortunately, ones like this.

February 10th, 2008

We had just started a day of running errands and looked for most of the afternoon off. Gerdy got a call that someone walking her dog downtown came across an injured dog in an out of the way park area, would never have been found otherwise. 

Tracks from the busy throughway illustrated her being hit while on the road, with cement sides preventing her from climbing up to safety from the busy road.  It looked like she was hit and knocked up onto the roadway side and plunged with shock and fear through the snow for about 10 feet till she collapsed bleeding, in the snow.  At some point, she got up again, and made her way for another few feet. The bloody story of her struggle was written in the snowbank. She got up again to where she was calmly laying exhausted when found by a woman walking her dog. She immediately telephoned someone for help to Joan Clark of The Animal Protection Foundation, who in turn called Gerdy. Our plans changed very fast. 

We grabbed a muzzle, sheets, and a scarf and we drove downtown. The woman met us and led us to the dog, who as we approached, raised her head and looked so calmly at us, she knew she was safe.  We could not move her, so covered her with blankets.  Joan Clark was was there too, comforting the dog. We looked at each other as we realized we were all seniors and no way could we carry the injured dog safely back to the car!  So Gerdy called Dina at SPAWS Center who promptly offered to pick up a stretcher at the vet and bring it over, which she did. 

In the meantime, I saw a street person at the road intersection begging coins from drivers.  I went up to him and asked if he would help carry down from the hilltop an injured dog because it was too heavy for us to manage that.  I offered $5 and he said he liked dogs and was able with Dina, who loaded the dog onto the stretcher very gently, to carry the stretcher to the car.  Noticing he had been deprived of quite a lot of money in the time it took him to help us, I gave him a $20 bill instead, and he said he just was happy to help the dog.  I insisted he take it, then he offered to make change, but I insisted so he was happy I think, being able to help in the rescue as there was no one else around, a very decent guy. Dina also insisted he take some from her as well, and he had to be coaxed to accept it. No matter what his problems, he was an angel that day for sure!

We took her to an Animal Hospital where they took her in immediately for assessment.  They put her on iv and painkillers and will take xrays  to see the extent of the damage, involving her hind end—how seriously we do not know.  We know there was laceration to her rectum.   Looks like problem on the hind quarter. We are HOPING no nerve damage so she can be saved.  We will save her if possible.  That dog communicated with us the whole while through her rescue with her eyes.  She knew she had found friendly assistance and she only growled once, from pain, when she was moved onto the stretcher.  Otherwise this dog was the gentlest of souls!  We named her Angel, as she had a few of them to help her through this ordeal and no doubt an angel doggy by her side.  Pray for her!  She has a lot of people helping her, Angel’s angels!

February 25th, 2008

With all the devoted attention she is getting at the animal hospital she can’t help but feel good things are starting to happen for her and she has hope for a good future. She is now tentatively walking on 3 legs, time will tell if she will be able to walk on her injured leg, she is making it accompanied outside to do her business. So far, so good!

February 28th, 2008

Angel is still putting no weight on her  leg, but her attitude is very bright and hopeful.  She is walking quite happily on 3 legs, favouring the operated one, and eating well. Angel has some good news to share—after vet technician Heather looked after her so much at the animal hospital, she fell completely for Angel’s quiet charm. Now she and her husband will be adopting Angel!! 

Angel’s adventure comes full circle—a rescue, a recovery, AND a new home—a forever home at last!