MaggieMae's story begins on March 30,2009. This story covers a period of less than 24 hours with a brief moment the following day. This a long story in writing/reading terms. Not only will you hear a wonderful success story but you will gain insight into an example of how simple things can turn complicated. Hopefully, you will gain even more respect for those who volunteer to help animals. Not all days are like this, most are smoother, some are even more hectic, but all are rewarding.
We received a call from Stockton City Hall that they'd received an anonymous call stating that a dog had been dropped at the pound.
One of our volunteers, Donna Lowey, went over and there was no dog. Apparently, someone had moved an obstruction so that they could push the dog in and leave a few kibbles. The problem was, she could get out the same way they put her in.
Sure enough, there was this little fur ball sitting in the middle of the road! Donna slowly approached, talking soothingly to the dog and BAM! The dog was off and running towards the lumber yard. Poor thing was scared. Who wouldn't be after being shoved into a strange place. Donna got on the phone and told me what had happened. She needed to go back over to the pound to close it up and I was preparing a BOLO alert for our other volunteers.
A short time later, Donna calls back and said, "you're not going to believe this..." When she returned to the pound and opened the door there sat the little dog! She happily greeted Donna. The little thing must have thought the pound and the sweet talking human was safer than those scary streets. Donna got her into a safe kennel with fresh food, water and a toy.
Meanwhile, I had called Lynne Cox, one of CFP's co-founders. She went and picked her up, dubbed her "Madonna" and took her for a visit at Doc Crammer's for a check-up and her first shot. While there, Lynne made a comment that we needed more foster homes as all of ours was pretty full. A lady chimed in that she wouldn't mind fostering the tiny girl. They decided to meet at the ladies home in a short while.
After arriving at the home, which seemed a perfect environment for fostering small dogs, the lady remembered that she had a dinner engagement that night out of town. Geez, what to do?
When Lynne called to tell me what happened, we decided to bring her here to my home. Even though I had two large foster dogs along with my perminate two dogs and one cat, I had a large crate to house her in if she wasn't comfortable with the larger dogs.
No problem! She took her chosen spot on my lap and that was that. She put up with all the "hi, how ya doin" sniffs from the other dogs like a regal lady. She decided that my Schnauzer,
"Mac" was just the right size to be her new playmate and proceeded to try to interest in a good game of "I'm gonna get you my mustached friend"! After a little of that, she discovered our hoard of toys and promptly chose one. When one of the big dogs showed and interest in her toy, she let them know, without a doubt, that was her toy. Here we were worried about her handling the big dogs. Silly humans.
Lynne, meanwhile, was feverishly looking for a groomer that could fit Madonna in the next day. The dogs coat was a beautiful fluffy mass but there was unbelievable matting, especially close to the skin. Her legs,around her eyes,muzzle and rear haunches were solid masses!
That evening, I carefully cut some clumps away in areas that she would normally lay on. I hoped to easy some of the pulling and discomfort she must be experiencing. She laid there and went to sleep while I groomed her. She was obviously use to such things. It made me wonder, "what circumstances brought you to this point little one"?
Sometimes, economical, medical and social situations occur that cause people to loose their ability to care for their pets. Except in the most dire of circumstances, people contact organizations for help in placing their beloved pet. Some people who are completely irresponsible and heartless, in my opinion, will "dump" a dog in a strange place or in the middle of nowhere. That's why it is so important for communities, organizations and volunteers to work together to save these poor animals and search for people who will give them a "forever home".
This little girl's past was unknown. Obviously, she had a home and an owner that cared for her. Were they the ones who left her at the shelter? If so, why had they done so in secret? Why didn't they make sure she was safely secure when they left her? Had the owner gotten ill and could no longer care for her and left her in someone else's care who, in turn, found they couldn't care for her? Though, as dog lovers and volunteers, we ask ourselves these questions, we may never know the answers. We can only care for the dog and hope we can place them where it will never happen to them again.
My sister, Ronna, gets to meet all my fosters when she visits. She falls in love with everyone one of them. That night I was talking to her on the phone and told her that it was a good thing she wasn't here cause I know she'd slip little Madonna in her pocket when she left. I had no idea that a ball had been set in motion.
Lynne performed another miracle(as our co-founders seem so skilled at doing)and picked Madonna up for her grooming appointment.
I received a call from my Dad. He asked about Madonna and what I thought about her possible compatibility with their dog, Boo. While we talked he mentioned that they thought of our friend Lu Anne as well. At some point she had considered getting a dog of certain breedline's but they weren't sure if she'd be interested now. After awhile, they decided that they'd better wait on getting another dog.
I sat and thought about our conversation. I knew Lu and I had a fairly good impression of Madonna. The more I thought about it the more I thought, this just might be a good match. I called Dad back and talked to Carole, Lu's best friend and decided to give Lu a call.
We caught up on things and then I asked about her dog interests. I told her about Madonna and that her exact breed was unknown but had some of the characteristics of the breeds she had been interested in. One of the fun things about Lu is, as she talks on a subject that she's trying to make a decision on, you get to hear the debate. It's so funny hearing her talk herself into and out of the subject at hand. LOL. After much debating, she said she would talk with her husband, Fran, and call me back. It wasn't long before she called and said they were on their way to check out Madonna.
Now, as you've read, nothing has went smoothly for this little dog. Nor with the intake process on our end. So why would I have thought things would change at this point?
When Lynne took the dog into the groomer and she had a chance to look at her, a two hour groom turned into a three hour hour groom. Lynne had more time than she could fill running around Bolivar until the appointed time. She decided to head home and would backtrack to pick up the dog. Knowing all of this, everyone should arrive back at my place at the same time. Right.
Lu and Fran showed up first. My two large foster dogs thought that they'd claim them for their own and proceeded to try to hug little statured Lu, at the same time! A boxer, Lu and Lab sandwich was now on the menu! Have you ever noticed that dogs are much like kids? They can be well behaved at home, alone with you. But, let company arrive, especially company you want to impress with your well behaved young ones...and it turns into a circus!
Eventually, I was able to corral the rowdy little clowns and secure them in the bedroom. We were all able to sit and visit for a bit. By the time all this had transpired, it was getting well beyond the time I was expecting Lynne.
I gave her a call to see if everything was okay. As is the case so many times, you're trying to meet a schedule and have alittle extra time, so decide to piddle around at home to burn the time. Well, the phone lines decided to do the burning and Lynne had a heck of a time getting out the door. She was running late. No big deal. I was with friends that I could shoot the breeze with in the mean time.
Lynne arrived with Madonna. Madonna? The white, speckled, almost bald dog I saw didn't resemble the Madonna I knew. It certainly didn't resemble the dog I had described to Lu and Fran. Oh no.
Have you ever noticed how, as you age and experience some of life's letdowns, you become a tad bit pessimistic? I should've learned from the dogs that have been in and out of my life. Many have seen hardships that,as humans, we could never image. Yet, most are ready for the next phase with an optimism and enthusiam that astounds.
In no time at all, the newly named "Maddy" had won the hearts of her new forever family! They returned the next day with a car load of goodies and necessities for the new family member. Kid you not, the backseat was full to overflowing. LOL.
After getting to know their new pet, Lu and Fran, settled on the name MaggieMae. The adventures were only beginning. For more funny and endearing tails featuring MaggieMae, Lu and Fran, checkout Lu's blog at - mrsfrenchie1.blogspot.com. Blog titles - Outside the box 1 and 2 and Where's my socks for starters.
As you can tell,volunteering and adopting is an exciting adventure. So, please adopt and/or volunteer when possible.
Oh yeah, MaggieMae also got an Aunt LdyFalcon who will be entertaining her when Lu and Fran go on trips to Branson. Funny how that worked out. LOL.
Until next time, take care.
