Angel
By Della Cialini, retired Rescue
Chairman
Fortunately, because most Löwchen
breeders are very responsible and when there is a problem with one of
their prodigy, they work through the problem or take the back, there
isn't a lot of work for the chairperson to do! I think as soon as I
was involved with the Löwchen, in 1986, I was involved with
"rescue". Although most of the cases have not been a true rescue they
were more "re-locations". There have been only a couple cases that
would qualify as a true rescue with the dogs in terrible shape and
living in deplorable conditions. One of these cases involved 5 dogs
and 3 puppies that arrived from a former breeder. These dogs were
matted to the skin and infested with fleas (the water ran black with
the filth and fleas that came off of them). They each had to be
shaved down and treated for fleas, parasites, and ear infections
among other conditions. They all were in need of vaccinations, as
well as spaying and neutering. They also desperately needed
socialization and a good diet. Most were cautious and fearful but
with special attention and time they became wonderful loving pets.
There are so many beautiful stories about rescued/relocated dogs that
they could fill a book.
I think my favorite story is of Angel.
She was one that came from that rescue. She was at least 9 years old.
She had cataracts that impaired her vision, severe ear infections
that resulted in some hearing loss, a severe urinary/bladder
infection and the beginnings of a uterine infection (she had never
been spayed). She was also very fearful of everything. Since she was
such a mess and at an age that made her placement unlikely, I was
reviewing my options for her. Was it fair to my dogs to add someone
so needy to our "pack"? Was it fair to my family to spend the large
amount of money it would take to help her if treatment was
successful? (All expenses came from our pockets.) Was it kinder to
put her to sleep instead of putting her through the extensive
treatments? I also found out that as a puppy she was in a kennel fire
that killed 45 other dogs, and wasn't expected to survive. How could
I put her to sleep when she had survived so much? So, of course, she
was spayed, medicated, and was making a place for herself in the
group!
Not long after her surgery, an older
man (83) came to my door and told me he had heard through friends
that I had rescue dogs. He explained that he had just lost his dog
and was happy he had outlived her but now discovered how much he
missed having a dog, He wanted another one but preferred an older
dog. While he was talking Angel, who never went near strangers went
right up to him and let him pick her up. I explained her extensive
problems and treatments and her need for attention and love. He
replied he had a lot of time to give her and plenty of love. Two days
later, she went home with him and they are still happy together. It
turns out her hearing is a little better than his, so she barks when
the phone rings or someone comes to the door. He told us that she is
his Angel in more ways than we know!
This is just one of many wonderful
stories of how a rescued Löwchen has changed someone's life. It
so rewarding to be the "middle man" of rescue. With all the dogs that
have been rescued/relocated over the years, all the placements have
come by word of mouth, through friends or a forwarded phone call. The
right people for the right dog have always just come together; I
suspect there has been some divine
intervention!