January 11th, 2006 ~

Is a date that I will never forget!

I did my very first rescue dog~ not ever realizing what the impact of this first rescue would do to me for the rest of my life.

Today as I sit in front of my computer going over the long list of every single dog that our network has saved ~ I am so amazed what we have all done together as a team!

Yula

When Yula was saved just two hours before she was going to be put down, Chuck called me at 8 am and I could not reach the shelter by phone to tell them to save Yula. I told Chuck that he better take the day off form work, hop in the car and get over to Ellensburg and that is exactly what he did. Yula was saved 2 hours before she was to be put down. She was tied up for 5 1/2 years outside with no love or care. Chuck and I are still in contact and he has told me that Yula is the best dog he has ever had. It is rescue stories like this that makes my missions so important.

Annie the Aussie

Annie was going to be put down in 4 days. I told the shelter to please bring her to my restaurant and a wonderful thing happened two weeks later when I got a phone call from the PackLeader Detector Dogs. They wanted to test Annie and a miracle happened and Annie passed her test with flying colors. Would you believe that Annie is now a bomb and drug sniffing dog for the State of Washington. I am so proud to see a Death Row Dog become a successful super star like this!

Puppy Kye

When Puppy Kye was thrown out of a truck and needed emergency surgery at the Sammamish High Vet all of your wonderful donations came thru for him and over $ 4,000. was collected to save Kye's life. He is now in a wonderful home with Lisa and her family in Seattle.

Nickel

Nickel, remember little Nickel who sat at the Ellensburg shelter waiting for someone to save her. She needed eye surgery and had a very bad case of Mange from so much stress. Dozens of you called me and I got tons of emails from people all over Washington State to help foster her. The problem was she had to be an only dog but when Nancy and her husband drove to Ellensburg that weekend and they picked up Nickel.....they fell in love this adorable girl. Nickel is now called Nikki and she has had her eye surgery and her skin is just about cleared. Nancy and her husband has now adopted Nickel and they now live happily ever after!

Lucky the $ 4,000. Cat

Remember Lucky, the 4,000 cat that got hit by a car and lost one eye? I sent his photo & story all over the network and got so many caring people. Wonderful Lynn and Dan stepped up and went to the vet to bring Lucky home. Lucky was living at the vet for almost 6 months and is now living in her forever home!

Violet the Deaf Dog

Violet the deaf dog....What a wonderful story this was. Julie emailed me and wanted to adopt Violet. We both knew the challenge this would be as Violet was a big dog and also part Great Dane. I was able to contact a great training school who was able to help me and Julie understand how to communicate with a deaf dog. A very interesting solution was recommended and Violet was put on a collar that had a vibration device put on it. When the remote control button was pushed, Violet was trained to turn to Julie and she responded with trained hand signals. I was so impressed when I spent one afternoon with them and Julie demonstrated how well this communication worked. Violet's new name is Winona Freckles now. Julie and Winona has been one team every since and this dog is doing so well. I am so pleased at what we have been able to do for special needs dogs.

Inspiration

It is stories like this that warms my heart. As I look at my list there are another 146 stories to tell. Most of these dogs have been abused, neglected, chained, beat, starved and living in such horrific conditions. When I meet them, their eyes never leave mine. Their story begins but I promise them that they will go to the very best forever home. As I drive them to their new homes, their heads rest on my lap and the love of each dog is so appreciative.

I owe a very special thanks to the Ellensburg Shelter and their wonderful partnership we developed working together to save as many dogs as we possibly can. Their cooperation and dedication deserves true recognition. Betsy Hardin, Karen Foley & their KCFOA group has worked so hard to connect me with saving so many of their dogs. I would also like to also thank Paula Hake ~ for being one of the most caring Shelter Directors that I have ever met. She is a proven fact that shelter directors can make or break a shelter and make a HUGE difference in saving as many animals as we possibly can.

A wonderful new rescue group called "13 Dogs" was formed after it was discovered that the Cowlitz County Humane Society in Longview, Washington had a mass euthanization of 13 dogs. To my horror they were all adoptable dogs. Our group of 15 people working between Longview & Seattle have since been able to save over 40 dogs and cats! Thanks to Paula, Karla, Kevin, Perrin, Sharon, Linda, Judith, Jana, Kevin, Shelly, Georgia, Leslie, Tina, Carol & Barbara.

So as my rescue list grows so does my heart.

This pet rescue and network has amazed me beyond what I could ever imagine.

Each dog has left his paw print in my life and created an experience of a lifetime. Along the way I have met some of the very best people in the world thru this animal network. I stay in touch with many of you who have adopted one of my rescued dogs and we have so much fun sharing stories, photos and happy memories together.

I want to thank you all for all the love, support, dedication and loyalty you have given me.

I also want to Thank every single foster mom and dad on my network ~ Mary, Lisa, Tina.,William, Joyce & Bill, Paula, Stacey, Linda, and Carolyn.

Without you, so many dogs would not be here today. Your time, patience and love is what made them adoptable.
Many of these dogs have never had the love and care in their life until they were welcomed by you in your warm homes.

I would also like to give special thanks to Judith, Betsy, Laura, Linda, Perrin, Lynne, Jana, Paula, Debby, Joan, Tina, Karyn, & Susan for being a great part of this core team!

We really rock!

I love you all and I thank you again from the bottom of my heart!

~ Ginger