NC RESCUE MAY 2003

May 1, 2003 a horrific cruelty case broke in the NC mountains, over 25 goldens were involved. Foothills Golden Retriever Rescue soon was called in to assist, taking 19 goldens and placing them into foster care, nursing them back to health and adopting them out to new loving families. Unfortunately, help came too late for 6 who sucumbed to starvation. On May 10th, the day of release from the Haywood Co Shelter, I met the Foothills volunteers and picked up Homer, Angel, Skipper, Sydney & Hope ... it was the most horrendous site one could ever imagine. Here is my Homer & Angel....

MY NC RESCUES MAY 2003
	Angel the Day she arrived at 22lb w/ sores all over her body

Homer the day he arrived at 37lb w/ a huge "bed sore"

NC RESCUES 1 YEAR LATER
	Angel aka Pudgey Bitch In the background is Sasha, another Rescue we adopted August 2004 @ 14+ years old!!!

Homer D. Poe ... named for our favorite store!

NC Rescue 3 Years Later ...

NC Resuce 5 Years Later ...

THANK YOU … Foothills Golden Retriever Rescue … 5 years later May 10, 2003, a day I will never forget, it was the day I first met Homer D Poe and Angel and little did I know the journey we’d begin together. The sight of the NC Rescues was overwhelming; I had to take a moment, before getting on with the task at hand. My friend, Yvonne Sargent and I soon loaded 5 dogs for our trip back to Raleigh. The stench of these dogs was incomparable. Our first stop was to drop off Skipper with my sister and then on to meet several Neuse River Rescue volunteers who took Sydney and Hope, before proceeding home with my new fosters, Homer D Poe and Angel. Homer D Poe and Angel were both in horrific condition; Angel’s body was a mere 22 pound skeleton and Homer just 37 pounds. Their coats were matted, they had lesions between their toes and else where and poor Homer had this horrible sore on his stomach. When you attempted to demat them, their skin would rip from their skeletons. Angel was so hungry she ate a hole in a rubbermaid food container; Homer on the other hand would not eat. The first weeks were critical, hand feeding, round the clock care and numerous vet visits. Their will to live had been taken, but their love & trust endured. As I fed Homer one night I made a promise to him that no one would ever harm him again, I would be his guardian. My husband’s worst fear, the fosters never left and we adopted Homer D Poe and Angel in August 2003. Five years later, I have two happy healthy rather senior goldens. Both still have some issues related to the starvation but we deal with those. Angel has what I call “Starved Dog Syndrome”, her alarm is set to each meal time and she BARKS until she is fed. Both drink like the water may be taken and you have to call them from the bucket. Neither have been totally house broken, so we are fortunate to have a nice dog room where accidents are easily cleaned up. The worst survival habit, poop eating! We fight hot spots on a regular basis, so now with advancing years we will shave them in the spring, that truly helps. Both dogs were considered to be very old when we took them but after care, appeared younger, but now five years later we are also dealing with senior dog issues, aches and pains but we can treat those and give them comfort. Even five years later, I can not look at those pictures of the condition my Homer and Angel were in without crying, the suffering they endured was horrendous … but yet they still give us their unconditional love every day. Homer and Angel love a good romp on a dewy morning in the back yard. Neither can play without barking and Homer often chases the younger dogs and if he stopped barking might actually catch them. They take over raising each new puppy that enters our home. They have fabulous temperaments, getting along with any stranger canine or human. Angel has the nickname “Pudgy Bitch”, she’s a tad chunky but I think she earned that right! Homer has the most wonderful head and expression with soft kind eyes, I know he is thankful for the love and care we give him. During the NC Starvation Rescue, I shared numerous pictures and emails with so many people, Angel became what I called the “poster child” for the rescue while Homer was the humorous character. Golden enthusiasts throughout the states sent money, supplies, and toys to the Rescue and others just offered prayers, which these dogs needed as much as anything. Because of Homer and Angel we have made wonderful new friendships in the golden community, saw the kindness of others and the power of caring. The work and rehabilitation was intense but the rewards tremendous. I am so thankful that I was able to give Homer and Angel just a little of myself and in return they have given us their all. Please support your local rescue!!!!

Angel Loved May 10, 2003 - April 7, 2008

It is with great sadness I inform everyone that Angel was helped over the Bridge this morning. Who will ever forget the first stories of the NC Rescue and then the horrific pictures I shared of my Angel. She was a meer 22 pounds clinging to life. But Angel and Homer D Poe were survivors and they both made it through. Angel and Homer became common topic on W_G, and the support of so many strangers was tremendous, life long friends have been made b/c of these 2 special dogs. Of course, like all my old rescues ... they never left. Seems ironic that Dr Kim , Dr Amy and myself worked so hard to help her survive, only to join together 5 years later to help her cross the bridge. Angel had one of the most pure souls. She loved every new puppy that entered our home and soon became mother and playmate to each. She and Homer were bonded by a horrific situation and were paired always.... rarely do we speak of just Angel or just Homer but as a pair. Every morning they loved nothing more than a barking rowdy romp in the dewy grass. For a dog who had been treated so horribly, she never lost her goden personality and kindness ... she trusted and loved even when she had been failed. My only hope is that her almost 5 years with us some what made up for the horror she lived. I believe my friend Renee actually named her Angel, and she truly was a blessing from God ... a TRUE ANGEL....she touched our hearts and will never be forgotten. Rest well my "Pudgy Bitch", you will truly be missed!!! Anyone going to the Eastern, will see a great 2 page ad for Homer & Angel with pictures from arrival to just last month ... it was meant as a thank you to Foothills GR Rescue and a celebration of the live of these 2 remarkable dogs ... little did I know it would be a tribute to my ANGEL. As always ... please remember to support your local rescue ...

And then there was Suzi 7/08-11/09

"Suzi" at 13+ joined us on July 11, 2008. She was an owner turn in to a shelter in Greenville SC, her family did not want to deal with the expense of an aging dog. When Suzi first arrived she could not stand on her own and had to be lifted to her feet ... with proper feeding and exercise, Suzi is now chasing the dogs far younger than herself around the yard. She will live her remaining days in our household loved and cared for as each Old Gold deserves!!! November 3, 2009 Suzi passed to the Bridge, she had a good life with us and is missed dearly

Homer D Poe 6 years after Rescue
	Homer D Poe attends the Sandlapper GR Specialty April 2009, 6 years after his rescue. He had a grand time parading around the ring to the cheers of the crowd ... I believe he was BIRP "Best in Rescue Parade"!