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.

WE NEED  YOUR HELP to assist us in covering surgical expenses for Penny who had been severely injured after being struck by a car.

We give a tax receipt for any amount $10 and over, donations can be made by cheque to:

Gerdy’s Rescues & Adoptions

P.O. Box 21, Victoria Station

Montreal, QC

H3V 2V4

If you'd like to make a donation online, click here to contribute via CanadaHelps or PayPal. Just stipulate “For Penny”.

Any amount is welcome and appreciated. Here is her story:

He is a 4 month-old black and white puppy of undetermined origins,  full of fleas when he arrived at a vet clinic after being hit by a car.  It was found his lungs were affected and his pelvis.   His family signed  him over to Gerdy’s Rescues and we rushed him to DMV for further emergency treatment because of complications.    

Saint wanted to live, but he was one sick puppy—his lungs had to be drained several times, he has been  in the oxygen chamber where he needed to be.  The specialist said he MAY not need pelvic surgery—will be re-evaluated later—as he is young and it may be able to mend.  The concern is for his lungs.  But Saint is a young fighter, and slowly he has improved bit by bit. 

We named him SAINT, as he stoically suffered these injuries but never tried to bite, he knew he was getting the help he needed. However, the cost of saving him is more than we can really afford to do. 

We are appealing to the public and friends of Gerdy’s Rescues once again for help.  We were able to help TROOPER because of the donations that came in and are in hopes of the same for this little guy.   

Donations can be made via PayPal or Canada Helps directly through the DONATIONS section of our website. Cheques can be sent to Gerdy’s Rescues & adoptions, P.O. Box 21, Victoria Station, Montreal, QC H3Z 2V4  WE REALLY NEED THE HELP FINANCIALLY!

SAINT is out of DMV and getting a full month of complete and strict  cage rest. This is to strengthen his lungs after all the procedures that were done to drain and correct the punctured lungs. It is hoped also that during that rest time, his body will start to heal in the pelvic area. But that will be re-evaluated by Dr Plante of DMV sometime after the rest period. There is a POSSIBILITY if all goes well, that Saint may not need surgery if it heals over properly. That is the most optimal scenario for Saint, to avoid surgery and further stress to his lungs. So far so good!

He has been a tough little boy, he fought to live and didn’t give up for one second.  Saint knew he had everyone behind him in support, and is a very grateful pup to still be around.  On behalf of Saint—and ourselves—a HUGE THANK YOU to all who donated for his care and sent prayers for his recovery. We had enough donated to cover his medical costs to date, thanks to the Saint’s Angels who came through for him and us. A special thanks to Sara Baxter, Editor of Your Local Journal for focusing attention to the plight of Saint, our deepest gratitude. We will be updating as time goes on.  In the meantime, Saint is a growing boy who is loved by all.

Little Trooper needs your help!

This poor little 4 month old Chocolate Lab puppy had been found with shattered "elbows" on both front legs, likely from being dragged some distance in a shocking act of animal cruelty.

Now Gerdy's Rescues & Adoptions appeals for your donations to aid in his recovery.

TROOPER was found in a box left outside the SPCA in Montreal.  The 4 month old Chocolate Lab puppy  could not use his front legs to walk normally.  Instead he had the posture of a squirrel.   After an xray  it was found that both  his front leg “elbows” were broken and shattered, the conclusion was that someone had DRAGGED him. 

His coat also was worn down on one side to the skin, with almost a shaved look.  But in spite of this, the pup was loving and friendly to everyone, eager to be petted, and SO full of trust.    The xray showed his injuries to be already 2-3 WEEKS OLD, --he had been left to suffer all that time-- and as the body tried to heal these terrible breaks, bone and scar tissue had already started to form.  It was a mess.  

The SPCA called Gerdy to see if she could take the pup over for the extensive surgery as they had not the funds to treat an individual dog.  As it was, no one knew if it would already be too late.  Gerdy spoke with Joan Clark of Animal Protection Foundation (Fondation pour la protection des animaux) who  had so kindly helped with another injured dog’s emergency surgery in the past.   Joan did not hesitate, and offered the Foundation’s help again. 

We are deeply grateful, because after a seven hour surgery—very delicate and challenging for Dr Plante of DMV—little Trooper (as we called him) has a good chance at walking again.  The road ahead is long, as extensive  physiotherapy is necessary after recovery.  Trooper is under close observation at DMV, and sports full leg bandages, one of which has a sticker - “I LOVE YOU”, placed by staff.  And loved he is—this friendly, trusting wee soul who never lost faith in the kindness of humans, despite what happened to him.  He has a wagging tail, a loving look to his golden eyes, and tries to stretch out and play in his recovery cage.  He truly is a little trooper, a survivor determined to recover completely, and not dwell on the monster who did this to him. 

Gerdy’s Rescues and Adoptions will be looking for donations for his surgery and  after-care physiotherapy.    As well , he will nee a good home without pets or children  who could foster him until ready to be adopted -- someone home all day to keep an eye on him and oversee his recovery. 

Please call Gerdy (514) 942 5790 (MONTREAL REGION ONLY) or email info@gerdysrescue.org and to make a donation, please click on our DONATIONS section.

TROOPER has this update!  

“I am getting FAMOUS!  Last week I met Mike Boone who wrote about me in his Montreal Gazette column—I was so excited that I peed & pooed as soon as I met him,-- fame is scary and it was my first interview!  Talk about NERVES!!   Mike and I were good friends right from the start.  He was very understanding of my interview fright!   His will be my favourite column from now on! 

Then on March 18 I was met by a man with a huge black thing on his shoulder.  He said it was a TV camera, and I was reassured by his friendly face, I liked Rudy right from the start!  It didn’t take long for me to get used to the camera and I was soon being interviewed by a very pretty reporter named Catherine Sherriffs for CTV News!  Well, Gerdy had to talk for me and explain stuff about my care, but I was a camera hog right from the start-- hammed it up—oh how I LOVED all the attention!  And LOOK— no more bandages! 

Now I am learning to walk bit by bit.  I still sit like a squirrel, I have to learn to sit like a dog, but I hope in time.  I am putting a bit more pressure on my front feet, but when I walk, my rear is low, I have to get my muscles stronger.  I have a long ways to go, but I want to thank all the people who are donating for my care—I have learned there is love of animals, compassion for their suffering, and help when we need it the most—THANK YOU ALL for helping Gerdy’s Rescues and most of all, THANK YOU Dr Plante and all the people who are caring for me, you are giving me my life back! 

I will work hard at my rehab and be the bestest dog at trying hard with a strong will to get better, because you are all pulling for me.   Humanity comes through at the darkest times, you are teaching me there is good in the world that overpowers evil. 

Thank you everyone who had a part in saving me!  I am SOOOO GRATEFUL! 

Kisses from Trooper”

Trooper adopted as recovery continues

Trooper has found his forever family, who will continue his present and future treatment under Gerdy’s Rescues until he is restored to as  full and active life as possible, by additional  surgery  if necessary and physiotherapy. You can read about his progress here.

Gerdy's Rescues & Adoptions needs your donations to help save Maddox! This loving German Shepherd is in dire straits and needs your help cover the cost of repairing torn knee ligaments and a positive test for Heartworm.

Maddox is a 4-6 year-old beautiful black German Shepherd who spent weeks in a pound, followed by MONTHS  in a shelter.  He spent his days and nights on cold concrete while waiting patiently for a new family to notice and adopt him, to share  their lives forever.  His eyes were bright and eager as he sought acceptance of people checking out the dogs for adoption.  But he was always overlooked because of  his breed, colour, and age.  As time passed, one back leg weakened but was unattended.  His eyes, once so full of hope were instead filled with pain.  There were little options left for Maddox, his time was running out.

He was now desperately seeking refuge with a rescue – any rescue - that would take him out of danger and into safety, and get the leg fixed so he could be adopted.  As time went on he was turned down by many rescues countless times as his medical state was unknown, no vet had ever looked at his leg.  He was seen, therefore, as a financial risk by many rescues unsure how much they were prepared to help.  Finally a decision was made to terminate his life.  This majestic, kind and dignified, gentle, loving boy was to be euthanized as no rescues were found willing to take him on. 

A volunteer from Gerdy’s Rescues & Adoptions went to assess Maddox to see if anything could be done.  As luck would have it, Gerdy’s took on the challenge that no other rescues would.  One look at this dog, Gerdy was committed to saving him.  Maddox was safe.  The next step was to assess his badly damaged leg, which turned out to be an old, unattended-to injury.  His knee with torn and detached ligaments can be fixed by costly surgery—he can lead a normal life. 

But Maddox was a neglected dog.  Besides not taking him to a vet for his knee injury, neither did his owner bother with heartworm prevention. As a part of the Gerdy routine vet care, Maddox was given his heartworm test which proved to be POSITIVE.   Immediate and aggressive treatment for heartworm was  done, again another unforeseen added expense.  He survived the heartworm treatments.

Collectively, we will join Maddox in his journey as we will not give up on him, because he himself has not given up on life but remains quietly confident that this too shall pass, and he will cured.  To meet Maddox, one would say yes, he is a true Underdog; to know Maddox one would say he just patiently waits, thoroughly expecting to enjoy a pain-free life.  He is the reason why we in rescue continue to help those who need it the most.  We have faith others will help us, and Maddox now has hope. 

Maddox is neutered, vaccinated Max 5, Rabies, Bordatella, dewormed, no fleas.  And currently on pain relief for his leg, presently in great foster care with other cats and dogs (whom he adores!) 

Any and all donations to help for his medical needs will be appreciated—this is a soul worth the saving! 

MADDOX IS NOT YET READY FOR ADOPTION! 

Please mark donations as being “for Maddox”.  We will be listing donor’s first names on the website in due course, and a receipt for income tax purposes will be issued for all donations of $10 or more.   See DONATIONS for mailing address, also ( receipts for CANADA ONLY)—Paypal and Canada Helps.

Update on Maddox

All support and prayers have been received. In fact, everyone’s efforts have proven to be of healing power for Maddox.

Today, February 26th, 2010 brings great news. Maddox is heartworm free after treatment. He has gained weight and now weighs 75lbs. His coat has a brilliant luster, his eyes bright, and his character has flourished. He is doing amazingly well for a dog once at death’s door.

Due to heartworm, the recommendation was made not to do the surgery on the leg until he was healthy. Maddox has been following extensive physiotherapy with pain management for his knee and leg to rebuild muscle, relieve pain, and help bring down any swelling. We followed through on his physio and Maddox has proven to be nothing more than a miracle. He is gaining strength by the day. His muscle mass has increased which has supported the knee and hip. The therapy must continue for months to come and will be re-evaluated by the specialists at a later date.

Maddox’s journey is not over, but his future is bright. He will be forever watched over by Gerdy’s Rescue to ensure that this boy is supported in the months and years to come.

It’s amazing what a community of loving people will do to help an animal in need. Your donations, your prayers, your kind words are what helped Maddox live and gave us the courage and strength to keep moving forward. Gerdy and all her volunteers that have been working with Maddox want to thank you all for your generosity. Your donations helped us ensure that this regal, loyal boy was given the best of care and opportunity to thrive and be a loved companion. Maddox deserved all the attention to get him where he is today..and he could not have done this without each and everyone of you. Bless you all.

Also a very special thanks to our vet Dr. Carl for her determination and dedication. We are so grateful.

Maddox will remain with his foster mom for the rest of his life. They have been through so much together and parting them would be detrimental to both as they have formed an incredible bond…a bond that cannot be broken. Maddox will soon join the ranks for helping other canines that have been abused. Since being with his foster mom, his gentle nature has proven to be of incredible value in helping dogs just like him learn to trust people no matter what they have endured. Maddox’s new job will commence shortly to help others just like him who need a second chance at life.

Way to go Maddox. Best of life to you dear boy! You did GREAT.

"Dear Gerdy’s Rescues,
  
I know I didn't adopt Romeo through your rescue, but I felt compelled to update you about him in the hopes it might help anyone who is considering adopting a Pitbull.

We have had Romeo 3 months now and my hopes and dreams of helping people understand that a Pitbull is as loving, obedient, playful and capable of becoming a family member just as much as any other dog is finally coming to fruition.  I walk Romeo 11k/day, 7 days a week.  He is becoming quite the celebrity.  People stop me daily asking if he's a Pitbull.  He was renamed Romeo to give him a name as gentle as he is and reflect his loving personality. 

They are more than happy and pleasantly shocked to see how obedient & well behaved he is on our walks.  On a typical day like today, I had 3  people praise him.  One was a guy with a dog who offered for the two to play a little.  Don't be surprised to know that shortly into the frolic the other dog, a Whippet/Lab mix was the one who lunged at Romeo.  But no harm done.  More and more adults approach him and are being taken in by his beautiful personality, and on two occasions did not hesitate to allow their young children to come up to him as well.  The reality of it is that what makes him so wonderful is unfortunately why his breed has the stigma it does and is used and abused for aggression.  Like most well balanced dogs,  Pitbulls are eager to please.  

They are brilliant at learning commands in literally minutes.  Yes, minutes!  Their agility is unlike any other breed.  They can scale walls that other dogs would simply run into. They’re like springboards.  Most  important, they are extremely social.  He thrives at the dog run and loves to play with the smallest of lap dogs to the daddy of the Danes and every size and breed in between.  He's great around my cats. They keep 'him' in place. To date I've had 2 offers from people who know me (& Romeo) and have requested that should I decide to give him up, they will be more than happy to have him.  No chance of that happening.  No way! No how!  Without a doubt consistent dedication, commitment, persistence and perseverance are all major factors in raising a loving, well balanced, sociable Pitbull.  But the rewards are tenfold! , I have to tell you that 3 other Pitbulls we have encountered on our outings have all lunged at Romeo.  One even bit him bad enough that his lip bled for a couple of days.  All the owners had claimed their dogs were 'not' aggressive.  But I never blame the dog, only the owner.  It's a pity that such a phenomenal, beautiful and loving breed gets such a bad rap.  It's time to pay a little more attention to the Adopter,than to the dog.  Not everyone has the animals' best interest at heart.   

When I told you we adopted a Pitbull that was before we actually lived with him.  It's only three months later, but we look forward to many loving wonderful years with the best dog we 'never' thought we'd have.
Take care!

Sincerely,

Aida"

SUMMER IS HERE!!!

This story is one that is not unique unfortunately for those of us in rescue. This dog was bred and when she was too old to continue, she was tied to a pole and left to endure the elements and starvation. Lucky for this girl, someone took her to the humane society. Luck, however would not be on her side for long as she was too old to be put up for adoption.

By chance, a volunteer from Gerdy’s Rescue and Adoptions went to the SPCA to evaluate another candidate for rescue. Upon going to view another dog in distress, she was tugged to a cage in the corner where an old gal eagerly wagged her tail and gave her a huge smile -- an elderly English Bulldog X. Oh that smile could not be passed up on and out she came. 

The rescue immediately brought her to their vet where sadly they found two masses in the mammary gland. Due to over reproduction and the neglect obviously of early breeding this girl is positive for cancer. At this age, there is no point in removing the tumor however spaying would slow the process of cancerous cells to spread. 

The reality that this dog has cancer, and the fact that no one wants an old dog that will not have a long life was up for discussion. The discussion was brief and a decision was made as the old gal ran to greet everyone with enthusiasm. It was evident that she still has a lot of gusto in her and she is not ready by any means to go over that bridge. No way!

The decision was made to spay her but the question remained as to who would let her live out her life – a better life regardless of the hour glass. Another decision was made to contact Anml Resq to explore the idea of perhaps collectively joining our efforts to find this deserving girl a home. As usual, the request was not frowned upon as this girl has a lot left to offer…and that smile.

So we named her Summer. A time of rejuvenation. A time of sunshine and warmth, new hope, new beginnings and a time to enjoy the beauty of life and nature. Summer is a time of healing and rejoicing. 

Once again, across the border in Ontario, we will work collectively to ensure that Summer has a wonderful well deserved life. She is full of spunk and wonder, who eagerly plays with her canine companions and her feline friends with zest and exuberance. We get the feeling that Summer will find a home to call her own. How can she not with that wonderful smile….oh that smile!

Summer is now in Ontario.

This is a heartbreaking story about Faith.  It is rare that Gerdy’s Rescue and Adoptions are called upon to try and help someone keep their pet.  This is one of those very rare occasions where rescues have united beyond borders to try and save this deserving young soul.  Thanks to ANML-RESQ at http://www.furkidsrescue.ca and their assistance, we are able to make a difference, no matter how small it is. 

Faith was loved very much by her family who rescued her from an abusive and neglectful owner.  In fact, Faith was left behind when the family moved.  Luckily Faith was taken by a young woman and her son.  She was nourished back to health, and learnt that hands were that of love and affection.  She was safe until one fateful day.

Faith is a result of the Ontario Pitbull Ban.  The city has not granted Faith an opportunity to live a life with a family that love her.  They have ordered Faith out of the province of Ontario or she was to be put to death.  Her owner and her young son are devastated.  Faith did nothing to merit such an order.  There was no incident of aggression, free at large, or excessive barking, infact there was no incident at all.  Faith is guilty of being born with an appearance and physical characteristic that are similar to a Staffordshire bull terrier or an American Staffordshire Terrier, or and American Pit Bull Terrier.  In fact any boxer X or American Bulldog or any breed that is of a mixture for that matter, could also be destroyed based on this law.  Already, thousands of dogs with any resemblance has been and will be destroyed.  This is a travesty.  Animals of all breeds are in danger of being killed randomly, indiscriminately without thought for the animals or their loving families.

Faith is now safe in Quebec.  She will undergo DNA testing to find out what her ‘type’ is, though for us at Gerdy’s we will not discriminate.  She will find someone that will love her and cherish her forever. Her previous owner has put her trust in many people to ensure that her lovely Faith is safe and we have promised that we will collectively find Faith …hope.  Hope to be free of threat, hope to be loved once again, hope to find someone who will open their hearts and home to a once very loved dog.  We have ‘Faith’.

Faith is approximately 1.5 years of age.  She absolutely adores children, loves to play with dogs and is good with cats.  She is great on leash and would encourage an avid runner to go the distance.  She is clean in the home, not destructive and has good manners.  She is stubborn at times but with gentle guidance she responds well.  Faith has no aggressive tendencies and shows no signs of food or toy aggression either.  She is an energetic girl who would benefit from an active family.  Faith is not a guard dog.  She greats everyone with enthusiasm and eagerness.  Faith patiently waits to share her life with a deserving family who will protect her and cherish her forever.

This story is not only about a dog but also about human beings, and what it means to be a human being.  It is about how humans and animals are intertwined – how there should be no borders, nor laws without merit which rip animals from the loving arms of those who love them.

We cannot re-unite Faith and her ‘mom’ but we can make people aware that this law exists and pray that it does not affect any citizen of this province.  We can only have ‘Faith’ that this ban is lifted and all animals are equal and treated as such.  There is no room nor should there be tolerance for a bias and unfounded law which is destroying the lives of our nations animals and humans alike.  We need to be fully aware that any one of us could loose our beloved pet under these circumstances.

Trixie is 8 years old. Too old to be a mama dog. But her owner decided to mate her with a Giant Schnauzer for the fun of it, on a whim. Heavy with unborn pups, the owner then decided to get rid of her when he lost interest. He threatened to kill her if no one took her off his hands. 

Through kind and compassionate animal-loving people, she made her way to Gerdy’s Rescues. Currently she is boarded with a veterinarian so she can be observed, as birth appears to be imminent—she is a skinny long haired girl of white and caramel, very sweet, serene, beautiful, and completely helpless in this situation. We could not take her out of her cage to photograph her, the less moving around right now the better. 

She is a high risk mama- to- be, at this point we can only hope and pray both she and her pups survive this birth. We at Gerdy’s have made the point with people over and over—SPAY/NEUTER your dog—because when an idiot of a breeder mates a female with a larger male, the pups can be too big for a safe delivery. Had this girl been sterilized at an early age, she would not be in the risky position she is now. 

Trixie is a very serene and wise girl—an old soul—if she makes it through, she will be a wonderful family dog for a very fortunate family. And FOR SURE, she will be spayed, and her pups sterilized at the proper time if they are lucky enough to survive. Gerdy’s will do our best to make this a happy ending for Trixie and her babies.

Update:

Trixie safely delivered her 7 puppies at the vet clinic. She is a good mum and all the pups are black with a bit of white on the chest, no doubt taking after their father, the Giant Schnauser. Mum and babies doing well so far. We will keep updating their progress.

Update:

Trixie is a good mother to her healthy little brood of 5 boys and 2 girls,  all doing well.  Trixie and her babies will be for adoption when the babies are weaned, no sooner than 2 months old.  All will be sterilized by Gerdy’s at the appropriate time!

5 boys named:  Deisel, Jet, Tonka, Montana, Cole.  2 girls:  Rosebud & Velvet

Eyes open, ears starting to hear!  Giant Schnauzer daddy’s looks starting to show in the offspring.  Mum Trixie has no privacy to eat her dinner!

A special appeal by Gerdy!

The 3 Amigos seek a loving permanent special home

Please help us! We're three Bassethounds who were rescued together from a puppy mill after years of constant breeding and neglect. Gerdy gave us names and the vet care we needed so now we're ready to show our love and appreciation!

Calhoun: Red and white male about 7 - 8 years old.

Judy: Tri-colour female about 7 - 8 years old.

Gilda: Speckled red and white female about 7 - 8 years old.

It seemed so easy. Last week we took in 3 Bassethounds who were used for breeding all of their 7 or 8 years in a puppy mill. They had become too old for profitable puppy production. They had lived all together in their space allotted, and had become bonded over the years in their misery, truly 3 AMIGOS surviving by their concern for each other’s well being as we later discovered. 

There went our plans to place them up for adoption individually! It would be almost inhumane to split them up as they are so bonded that they need each other having shared experiences, yet are open to being lovied all 3 at once! They have WONDERFUL personalities! Is there a home out there for these three to live together the rest of their lives in happy retirement, just feeling loved for the first time in their lives? 

They have had nothing but each other, they didn’t even have names—so now they do and are getting to know them. We are meeting the medical issues they arrived with as typical breeding dogs for pet shop puppies—the pups are cute but the parents are never seen. Well we are treating these wonderful souls for severe ear and eye infections, parasites, a turned in painful eyelid requiring surgery, an abcessed toe due to a toenail grown so long it grew backwards into the paw pad, severe urinary tract infection, and the worst teeth conditions in all three that the vet has ever seen—sheer neglect over the years. 

These dogs are SO USED to the pain of their bad teeth that it has become normal for them to regard pain as something they are used to and so NORMAL. They WILL have their teeth done by us as well as the aforementioned things. PLUS never again will they breed! We are getting all 3 of them spay/neutered. We will provide all that. 

We need someone very special who will ADOPT all 3 of them, not out of pity, but because these three have gone to hell and back and deserve loving care for the rest of their lives in a home where they feel truly wanted and valued just for being themselves for the first time ever. Their hearts and lungs are good. These guys are not hard to walk either, on leash. The girls like to walk together near the male. 

The red and white male is now CALHOUN; the female tri-colour is now JUDY; and the speckled red and white girl is now GILDA. They have discovered they like car rides—Judy and Gilda sit side by side, shoulders touching, in the back seat with Calhoun on the other side—all 3 watching the world go by. 

To see them enjoying for the first time their freedom and discovery that the world can actually be a good place, contentment felt for the first time ever just sniffing nature’s scents, and the joy on each face as they receive human affection they never had before—brings to mind the thought: After all they went through with the worst of humanity, how can they look at us with trust, calmness, and the expectation that life with humans could ever be good and loving—what faith a dog carries that all will be well no matter what he has been subjected to—and for the lucky few who do get that second chance, the miracle for man is that these dogs can trust again so easily.

We at Gerdy’s Rescues are DELIGHTED to announce with great happiness, that the 3 Amigos have all been adopted into the same home!!!

We were so afraid that dream of ours would not come true, much as we wanted it. As time passed and we got to know the now named by us (as they had no names of their own being puppy mill parents):  Calhoun, Judy, and Gilda.  They are all fantastic dogs, so close to each other that they watch out for each other and depend on each other for moral support—a bond formed in a horrific puppy mill by survivors. 

These are the most loving three dogs!  Bassets are known to be so gentle and these are so deserving of true happiness after all they went through together. They will never breed again, all are sterilized, so now they can just relax at their new home where they will be wonderfully cared for and loved by a wonderful couple who are their angels in human form—and angels to us at Gerdy’s too!! 

The 3 Amigos are looking forward to the New Year when they will be able to travel to their forever home at last!

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!