Female #125, Shelby
From Rescue to Adoption
The story of Shelby as it unfolded on the KB-L newslist.
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 08:09:25 -0800
Reply-To: Tracey Fulmer <t_fulmer@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: The Shelbina Express -- comments from ground zero
I'm in tears from my experience in Shelbina and Iowa, where the 34 dogs
remain, minus 9 that Mimi Wight and I dropped off at the airport yesterday.
These are not tears of joy, but tears of anger, disgust, frustration and
horror at the puppy mill industry and the complete lack of compassion for
these living creatures. I am furious with the AKC for supporting this business.
Each and every AKC delegate needs to go to an auction and see for themselves
where their revenues are coming from and then think very long and hard if
this blood money is worth it. They need to see firsthand at what price they
maintain their museum of the dog. At what price each engraved trophy costs
in terms of a mill dog's life of horror. I will write more on this later
when I have time to compile my thoughts. Right now, I'm so angry and exhausted
I can barely see straight.
I was totally shocked and relieved that every one of these 34 Kerries is
sweet as can be and will make fabulous companions. It's clear that a few
of them were actually kept in the house as pets at some point in their lives.
One knew how to give paw and another had obviously been leash walked. These
may have been imported from Europe. My happiest moment was when I ran with
"big mama" (who was kept in milk and used as a wet nurse) and
it clicked with her that she was able to run again. Compared to other mill
rescues, these Kerries don't suffer from extreme timidity issues -- all
of them still have the ability to wag tails, and after a few days, tails
were wagging all around save a few of the more severely neglected. I didn't
witness one incident of dog aggression. This puppy mill was one of the largest
suppliers of Kerries to pet stores. He sold off his prime breeding stock,
including two bitches that gave him 17 puppies just last January.
Unfortunately, this miller is also the devil incarnate (I am being kind)
when it comes to humane treatment of his stock. One dog was so severely
neglected -- used up at the ripe age of 5 -- that we can't tell if her eyes
say "please help me" or "please help put me out of my misery".
I can't think about her without sobbing. We named her Shelby.
Shelby at the auction
Please donate what you can. If there were ever a time to
give, it is now. I beg you. Through tears of frustration and sadness.
Tracey Fulmer
back in Newton MA but wishing I were still there helping
Date: Wed, 22 Mar 2006 22:44:32 -0500
From: mimij5@ADELPHIA.NET
Subject: Re: The Shelbina Express -- comments from ground zero
To all Kerry folks.
There are few words to describe the week that I have just experienced. There were moments of such horror, such sadness, that no words can express them. There were times when only humor could suffice, and I wish that I had the time and the verbocity to express them. I am just so very tired, and our work is not done, yet. I have been on the phone all night searching for a home for the most endearing, the most needy of our rescues. We've named her Shelby and she is, what can I say, the symbol of all the ugliness of the puppy mill trade.
Shelby is probably the "mom" of half the Kerries rescued on Sat. She is 5 years old, and she looks 20 years old. Someone kicked or beat or whatever in her face. There is a cravass, literally, from the interior side of her left eye to almost the tip of her nose....3" x 1" where one can look thru to her mouth. The teeth on that side of her head are missing. What do you think?...someone kicked her head in? Did someone hit her face with a hammer? Something along those lines happened to this gal who gave these SOB's thousands of dollars worth of puppies in her short life. In her condition, she has obviously been condemned by not only her human "caretakers" but also by the other dogs in her "pack". She has become the "leapor" to everyone....human and canine, alike. She haunts me....and I am determined that she knows "love and care" before she leaves us. Despite all that she has been thru, tho fearful, she manages to give kisses and express affection and graditude for every little thing offered to her. She is the true hero of this rescue, yet, we have no home for her. Shelby needs a home or a foster that is close by a vet hospital experienced with reconstructive surgery. This girl needs and deserves the restoration of her face.
Shelby after her clean up.
I can't write more because my CU battery is about to die.
Please help us find Shelby a home.
More later....
Mimi
Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2006 09:59:19 -0800
From: Tracey Fulmer <t_fulmer@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Shelby has found a home!!!!
A quick note to say that Shelby found a wonderful home with a lovely couple
in the New York area. They had contacted us about a year ago in search of
a Kerry that really needed extra love and attention, and when we didn't
have one at the time, they bought a lovely male Kerry puppy. But when they
heard about Shelby, they knew that she was meant for them.
Thank you to Suzanne Rodda for your enormous help with finding this dear
girl the best home possible.
Please keep your good wishes coming as somebody upstairs is certainly listening
and watching over our beloved Kerries. Now these are tears of joy!!!
Tracey
Shelby's story continues: From adoption to surgery, Life with Shelby
