Volunteer finds place in home and heart for two rescued dogs
January 27th, 2014
This past August, RedRover sent a team of volunteers to South Carolina to help care for more than 100 dogs who had been rescued from a puppy mill. One of the volunteers, Pamela Keefe, became particularly attached to two of the dogs, Marley and Cynthia, and returned to the shelter after they became available to adopt the two Shih Tzus. Pamela gave us an update on Cynthia and Marley:
“While we were in Anderson, South Carolina [for the puppy mill deployment], I grew attached to a little Shih Tzu named Marley. She was a pregnant mom who cowered in the back of her kennel. Along with finding her the best blankets possible, I talked to her each time I passed her kennel, hoping that the sound of a friendly voice over and over again might bring her comfort. After we left, I continued to follow Marley’s progress. When she was finally able to be adopted I made the trip back down to Anderson to pick her up.
I had noticed Cynthia on my last day at the shelter. As I walked through the kennels to say goodbye, I found her at the end of one of the kennel rows, terrified and trembling. I wrapped her in a blanket, held her close, and talked to her softly. After a while she seemed less stressed but I still knew that she would have a difficult time finding a home. When I got the call about Marley, I inquired about Cynthia. Fortunately she was also ready for adoption, so she came home with us too!
Since RedRover partnered with PAWS on this rescue I wanted to make their new names a reflection of both organizations. I decided to use the letters in both names to come up with new names for the girls. Marley is now Rose DePaws. Cynthia is Eve Sparrow.
Rose DePaws is coming out of her shell. She likes to cuddle with me on the sofa.
At first I had to coax her to eat but now she is ready for meal time, and peanut butter is her new favorite treat, especially if I put it on my finger. We are working on potty training, and although she understands the concept, she hasn’t learned to alert us to the fact that she needs to go outside.
Eve Sparrow has no concept of a leash. But you can’t let her off leash because she is a runner, and she doesn’t stop running! She also has trust issues especially with men, and will engage on her terms only. There are nights that she will not come to me at all and she ends up sleeping in the family room rather than her crate. At other times, Eve Sparrow will curl up on the sofa and take a nap with me.
Eve Sparrow has very much taken to our 80 lb American Bulldog, Sallymander. Eve Sparrow and Sallymander love to play together, and I love to watch them play tug of war. Eve Sparrow has no clue that she is smaller than Sally!
I feel especially blessed with these two little ones. Puppy mill dogs need repetition and lots of patience, and fortunately we are in a position to offer them both a forever home.”
