Merry Kerry Rescue

Janet Joers
Kerry Blue Terrier Foundation, Rescue Director

Neither rain nor sleet nor snow will stop a Rescue volunteer on a mission. Today that volunteer was Tracy Campanello, and her mission took her on a 300-mile, 7 1/2-hour journey on snowbound, icy roads, past jack-knifed trucks, through detours, in blizzard conditions to rescue 6 Kerries from a puppy mill. This "white-knuckle" drive was her return trip from Ohio back to her home in Kentucky, with her SUV laden like Santa's sleigh with 6 merry Kerries inside, soon to make some lucky families very happy.

When Tracy got home, did she put her feet up and sip a hot coco? No, she got all the dogs vetted, began bathing and grooming them, and then took 4 of them home for temporary foster care. Incredible! This rescue took grit, courage, and determination, and all of Kerrydom owes her a huge debt of gratitude. Tracy, you--and your husband Dave!--were the saving grace for these precious Kerries.

This Rescue represents a complete sell-out of Kerries from one puppy mill. We got them all! Rescued were:

• 1 female, 4 years old
• 1 male, 4 years old
• 1 female, 1 1/2 years old
• 1 male, 1 1/2 years old
• 2 males, 3 months old

Because the dogs were apparently kept mostly outside, all have parasites, but have now been treated, along with ear and eye infections, so common in mill rescues. Apart from being underweight (probably due to parasites), all 6 dogs are otherwise healthy. Not surprising, all dogs were filthy, and most were loaded with burrs, nettles, and "garden debris." Coats were overgrown, but only the 4-year-old girl had to be clippered down, as her coat simply wasn't salvageable. (Don't worry, she will grow a better one!)

As a group, these are not our usual shy mill dogs. All are quite confident, fawn on attention, and some gave kisses on the grooming table. The 3-month-old puppies are as playful and happy as could be. Temperaments look to be very good! Conformation is also good, though none have been docked. The 1 1/2-year-old male has a striking silver coat, and will surely turn heads when he gets out and about in the real world.

Tracy has arranged for a local boarding kennel to temporarily house our Kerry kids, but this is expensive, and with Christmas on the way, the kennel soon won't have room for them. And we are short on foster homes! If you have "room at the inn" in your home to help care for one of these sweet Kerries, please contact one of our Rescue Coordinators right away. As this is the season of giving, we hope that some of you will come forward and offer a safe harbor for just one needy Kerry who has no place to go. Fostering a Kerry who needs your help is a deeply rewarding experience. Please consider letting it enrich your holidays, and adding new meaning to the true spirit of Christmas.

The Foundation would also appreciate your support through monetary donations, and your purchase of our fundraising products. These funds assist our Rescue program, and help insure that no Kerry gets left behind.

Not all of us are in a position to heroically execute a Rescue like Tracy Campanello did. But surely we can all help in some way. Your support is greatly appreciated.