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Thursday, December 10, 2009

Jacki - A Christmas Miracle


Afer Jacki's owner died last year her remaining family gave her to a dog breeder who put her in a barn, in a cage and there she lived. From a warm home to a cold cage, from belly rubs to fear - how traumatized she must have been.

Just before Thanksgiving, the breeder contacted a rescuer and offered her Jacki. In the process of putting Jacki in the crate for transport, Jacki, who was terrified, bit her rescuer and the nightmare began.

The rescuer, who has a low immune system, ended up in the hospital with a severe infection and Jacki was being cared for by friends. Somewhere along the way, animal control picked up Jacki and took her to the shelter and placed her in quarantine. Since she was originally destined to come into a rescue group one of the members called the shelter to check on her. The person answering the phone said Jacki would be euthanized as soon as her quarantine was up. The subject was closed. It didn't matter there was a licensed rescue who wanted to take Jacki and place her in an experienced foster home where she would live out her days. Jacki would be euthanized. Period. No discussion, no reprieve. Dead - because that was what was best for Jacki. A second call elicited the same response from a second person. Jacki was going to die because that is what was best for her. End of discussion.

Those of us who do rescue understand that we can't save them all, but sometimes, a certain dog will touch us in a way we can't explain. Rescue friends called the shelter asking them to reconsider, polite emails were sent asking for a reprieve and the staff at the shelter was adamant - Jacki would die because that was what was best for her.

Another person called the shelter and a kinder person answered the phone. The call was transferred to the Director who explained Jacki had been badly neglected. She was old, had cataracts, long toe nails, lumps on her body, and she was terrified. He was outraged on Jacki's behalf - no dog should ever be treated the way she had been treated; the family sent her to the shelter and asked to have her put down. Ahhhh, now we understood - so the person explained Jacki's real history and begged to let her go to the rescue where she would stay as a forever foster in one home with one experienced owner - please just let us prove who we are.

And the Director listened. He agreed to research the rescue if they would fax a current license from the state, another rescue person did so immediately. More calls, more emails, more time - a decision would be made on Monday. The only available driver was several hours from the shelter so Monday morning, with an absolute belief that the Director would do what was best for Jacki, the journey of a thousand miles began. A call was made to the shelter to tell them a rescuer was on the way and they were told - "No decision had been made - there's no guarantee the dog will be released to you." Faith, either you believe in miracles or you don't - the driver did, "I'm on my way, I'll call again later." "It's your choice," was the response. Yet is it. The driver kept going.

Two and a half hours into the trip, the driver's phone rang - "Where are you? What state? Your dog is here waiting for you!" said Judy, the kind lady who had originally put the call through to the Director several days ago. "I'm still a few hours away, but I'm coming, thank you, thank you!" Calls went out to fellow rescuers - "Yes! Yes! We can have her! I'm on my way!" Word spread, prayers of thanks stormed heaven!

The driver met a rescue friend closer to the shelter who led the way and the two went inside to pick up Jacki. The Director was unavailable but he had left word to release Jacki to the driver. Robin, the ACO who greeted the two rescuers clearly was not happy the dog was going to be released. Robin was rude, overbearing and insulting. She had nothing good to say about the rescue group or the rescuers who worked so hard to save Jacki's life. The two rescuers listened, one of them was even polite, the goal was to get Jacki out of there, not educate a fool. Papers were signed, a much reduced fee was paid (thanks to a kind Director) and then Jacki was brought out, placed in the driver's vehicle and as soon as politely possible, the two rescue people left. The minute the driver left the shelter property a call was placed to her foster mom - "I've got her, she's safe!" Joy, relief and love came through the phone- "Thank God" said her foster mom. Indeed, Thank God!

Jacki spent a safe, peaceful night at the driver's home and the next morning jumped right into the vehicle when asked. The last leg of her journey began - perhaps she knew she was going home. When the driver and foster mom met several hours later, Jacki put her paws in her new Mom's lap and gave her a kiss. I think Jacki knew - like hearts recognized each other.

Jacki was neglected, terrified, and miserable yet there was something about her that called out to a little rescue group a thousand miles away. Rescue people from all over the country worked on her behalf with calls, emails, providing requested paperwork and sending prayers. The right person answered the phone at the right time. The Director agreed to listen, he investigated and agreed to release her to the rescue group.

At the end of the trip, the driver added up the miles - 1027 miles in two days. Quite a journey for such a little dog - but not so far when you consider that Jacki's release was a Christmas Miracle given to a little rescue group that steadfastly believes in them.

Jacki is safe, she is no longer terrified. She is home. She is our Christmas Miracle.