East Amherst, NY 14051
11/20/2009 07:53 PM
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Meet the Pack!
Welcome to our newly updated volunteer page! Some of our volunteers are camera shy so we asked them to post photos of their dogs, instead. Want to volunteer with BDSC? Drop us a line, we'd love to have you join our pack! Thanks for reading! Ginny and Nate (founders/board) (original three) (zero) (jayna) (miley monster) (Quincey) What has been your most incredible/influentual experience with an animal? That would be our own dog, Quincey. He has taught me so much! We adopted him from the City of Buffalo Animal shelter several years ago before we started the rescue, and he came into the shelter as a 5 month old pup wanting to bite everyone's face off. He was on the verge of being euthanized but a rescue stepped in and took him to a foster home. He needed a special placement- a single couple with no children, willing to work with a troubled dog. We fit the bill! We had little dog experience at the time, but we learned quickly, together. We socialized the heck out of him and hit a few road blocks along the way; but we took him to pet stores, dog socializing classes, even signed him up for agility. (he's our agility star!) He's completely turned around and he's the role model for our pack now. He's a model citizen and he's taught us that we can accomplish anything with any dog if given time and trust. Thanks Quincey! Who is your most memorable BDSC dog? For me, that would have to be Max. Max was a beagle who spent his life in an outside pen (typical beagle life) with his sons and daughters. We responded to a craigs ad that was giving them all away, unvetted, for "free". We got Max in and got him neutered and the typical works. I was never a big beagle fan... but Max totally changed my view point on that! He was a 6 year old beagle with no house skills at all. He ended up staying with us for nearly 4 months and not one application came in for him! I was starting to think he'd be my permanent foster until one day... an email came in inquiring about him. I could not believe my eyes! It wasn't just ANY email, it was the PERFECT home for Max. After some exchange, they submitted the application, the home visit checked out, and Max spent the next 6 months traveling cross country in a huge camper touring the country with two college professors from Buffalo State! I was sent emails with pictures of Max peeing on the oldest tree in the U.S.; and another of him barking at some horses while at the camp site. I almost wished they had adopted me instead, Max looked like he was having the time of his life! Gotta love those beagles! Why do you donate your time to this cause? I just love animals so much, I just can't imagine NOT. There would be so many animals that would die in shelters if I didn't do what I do. I just couldn't sleep at night. What do you do when you're not saving dogs? I teach children, and I absolutely LOVE my job! But there is nothing better than coming home from work and having my own 7 furry bodies greeting me at the door each day! (ahhh.... ) So teaching is my passion, but so are my own dogs.... (they are like children to me!) and to be able to spend some quality time with my husband and our OWN dogs is just priceless in my book! What do you think is cool? My husband is cool. I think it's cool that he totally supports my passions in life. He stood back while I was in college during all those final exams in both undergraduate and graduate school and helped me study and supported me through my dream of becoming a teacher. When I accomplished that dream, he supported me as I moved on to accomplishing my second one (rescue)! He even let me plan our dream house in a way so that when we built it, it was very "pet friendly" as we knew we'd end up with a lot of dogs and cats some day. (we just didn't know HOW many) He dove head first into this rescue with me, and it was even his idea to name it, "Black Dog, Second Chance". Yeah, my husband is cool! (and handsome, too)
Nate and Ginny (founders/board) (pile of rescue pups passed out) (Quincey and zero) (Bailey, puppy mill pooch) (zero, agility star!) (Cali girl!) (**my wife's dog, Cleo) What has been your most incredible/influentual experience with an animal? To see my wife work with Angel, a female beagle that came to us from a guy who kept her with her father in an outside pen with no human companionship. Angel was very frightened when we first got her- she wouldn't come out of her dog carrier. She was growling and wanted to bite everyone who attempted to put their hand in there to retrieve her. She was really afraid. My wife was so patient with her and worked with her every chance she had, encouraging her with love (and cheese). After only a week, Angel was out of her crate and on my wife's lap giving kisses! She was actually one of the sweetest dogs ever! She just needed someone to understand her. Angel was adopted by a wonderful lady and the two of them are so happy together. Seeing my wife being patient with Angel and seeing how Angel really opened up because of it, inspired me to be patient with other dogs in the rescue. Who is your most memorable BDSC dog? It's hard to pick just one- but probably Max. We had Max forever. I thought he was our permanent resident, but then out of the blue he was adopted and my wife cried for days. Why do you donate your time to this cause? I just like to help out when I can. I wish I could do more, but between my jobs and our own dogs, it's so difficult. Someone has to hold down the fort while my wife is out saving the world! What do you do when you're not saving dogs? Golf and work, and spending time with our own dogs, of course! What do you think is cool? I think it's cool that what we do really changes the lives of the dogs and their new owners in a positive way (most of the time!) It's really neat to see a family adopt a dog from our rescue and it's such a life changing event for them. It's even cooler when they bring the dog back to visit us at future adoption events.
Vicki (board)
(Abbey driving) (Bandit and Megan camping) What has been your most incredible/influentual experience with an animal? I really haven't have any incredible experiences with an animal. Just experiencing Why do you donate your time to this cause? I am a huge animal lover and believe these animals need a chance in life. Without people like us they would never get that chance! Just look at our successes! Imagine what would have happened to them if we weren't there. Seeing their smiling faces and getting sloppy kisses makes it all worth it!! What do you do when you're not saving dogs? I am a teacher assistant for preschool children with special needs. I am currently finishing up my duel degree in Elementary Ed and Exceptional Ed in hopes of teaching where I currently work. What do you think is cool? What I think is cool is the way our group ALWAYS pulls together to get the job done! We are like a family here at BDSC! Everyone pitches in with events, fundraisers, transports, and fostering. When we have an emergency, like a dog getting euthanized in the morning, we ALWAYS find a way to save that dog! Sue What has been your most incredible/influentual experience with an animal? Who is your most memorable BDSC dog? (both answers in one reply) I guess the winner of these two goes to my little Willow. She came in as a foster in November of 08 and immediately stole my heart. I knew right away that passing her on to even the most incredible new family was going to be difficult but I also knew it would have to be done. And then she got sick. It started with severe vomiting and bloody stool and she was rushed to the vet who immediately tested her for all sorts of nasties and decided it was hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and recommended a sleep over with IV fluids, meds, the works. I called the next morning and was told I could come get her in the afternoon as she was showing great improvement and holding down food. Then, a short couple hours later, I get a call directly from the vet informing me that little Willow had taken a sudden, surprising turn for the worse and was now completely paralyzed from the waist back! We discussed the potential outcome and decided that the best thing to do was bring her back home where she could be comfortable, place her on anti-inflammatory's and see how she'd progress from there and whether surgery was even an option. So I went to pick her up and they even asked me to come get her out of the kennel because she ws now "fear biting" at this point. My heart broke when I saw her! She had absolutely no muscle control in her hind end. So, I placed her on the front seat for the 15 minute drive home and about one minute in she started screaming like she was being beaten and biting at her tail. I was horrified and pulled over, contemplating turning around and having her put gently out of her misery. What I then realized was that she was urinating and had no control over it and it was freaking her out. She settled down a bit and I decided it was worth giving her more time. So I brought her home, made her as comfortable as possible and hoped for the best. This is where the amazing happened! Two hours later, I peeked in on her and she was able to lift her hind end for a few seconds at a time! A couple hours after that and she could stand but would fall over if she walked. By the next morning she was walking shakily but still struggling with bowel control. I had to return her to a VERY disbelieving vet who simply scratched his head and said he had no explanation for the amazing turn around. Possibly dehyration causing nerve issues? He has no clue. After one week, the only evidence there had even been a problem was a little bow-legged gate and a tiny crook to her tail that I hadn't noticed before. Absolutely astounding! Needless to say, after seeing her go through that, there was NO WAY she was leaving my family. So, she's with us still, and will be for the rest of her days, however many that will be. Why do you donate your time to this cause? I recently realized that donating my time, while some days may seem a bit overwhelming, is actually much more beneficial than NOT doing it! There is nothing like the feeling of knowing you've in some small way touched the lives of not only dogs in need but people, too! The best example is when we took in "Old Roy" (who was a throw away because his deceased owners grown children decided he was no good for their inherited furniture) and matched him up with a senior gentleman who was just looking for a companion to chase away the loneliness. I still get a warm feeling when I remember the two of them walking off to their new found friendship. That's the stuff that makes it all worthwhile. What do you do when you're not saving dogs? I still manage to squeeze in a 48 hour workweek as well as meet the demands of an active teenager and an extremely supportive (most days anyways!) husband. In addition, I have eight of my own furry friends to look out for so, all-in-all, most days are a big blur! But who needs boredom? What do you think is cool? I think it's cool that somebody is taking the time to read what I have to say. My only hope is that it leads to just one more person being compelled to step up and help out! All it takes is that initial effort. Look for the foster/volunteer application. You'll be amazed by the good things that come of it! Deanna
(Abby and Callie) (Casey) What has been your most incredible/influentual experience with an animal? Having the experience of rescuing two very wonderful dogs. Abby and Callie, in picture number two. I believe rescue dogs know and realize how lucky they are to have been given a second chance. Both my rescue dogs are a great asset to our family and to Casey. Who is your most memorable BDSC dog? I would have to say other than the two I have gotten from BDSC it would have to be the weimereiner Rooney. How about Gump and Wanda and Samson and Dutchess. These dogs had sad stories but heartwarming endings. Great ones. Why do you donate your time to this cause? Because helping animals is the right thing to do. They can't speak for themselves. They need someone to have their best interests at heart. They need to have warm beds and warm meals. They love unconditionally and need to know that all humans are not bad. Because they are sweet and innocent and if I could save them all I would. Nothing I can do seems to be enough. It tears at my heart every day. What do you do when you're not saving dogs? Try not to worry about all the dogs that aren't saved and think of all the ones lucky enough to be saved. Work full time at a printing company. Try and find other ways to help dogs and cats. What do you think is cool? BDSC. They work so hard and so many hours. They help so many dogs and cats. And they save so many humans by finding the perfect fit for both the animal and the human. My two rescue dogs give me joy every day along with my Doberman. Saving all the animals they can is a hard job but that is cool to me. The dedication and love they put into saving who they can. Very, very cool. Beth
(Meet the Donnleys!) (Sadie and Dunkin) (Yancey) (Sadie) (Dunkin) What has been your most incredible/influentual experience with an animal? Who is your most memorable BDSC dog? I guess my most memorable BDSC dog would be Wanda/Sadie. She was our first foster dog. Ginny brought her to our house on Superbowl Sunday and we instantly fell in love with her and knew we wanted to adopt her. We couldn't be happier and more proud. She is a huge part of our family and the mother hen of all the dogs in our house. Why do you donate your time to this cause? We used to be a foster family for Erie County (for children). We didn't renew our license after we adopted our twin girls, Bella and Gabby. I still felt like we had a lot to give. I researched a few different rescues and decided that Black Dog Second Chance seemed to be the right fit for us. We are thrilled to be a part of such a well-run, organized, caring rescue. What do you do when you're not saving dogs? I'm very busy with our 5 kids, ages 12, 11, 6, 2 and 2. There is never a dull moment around our house. What do you think is cool? I think my husband and kids are cool. They are loving and supportive in everything I do. What has What has Christy (Molly and her brother) What has been your most incredible/influential experience with an animal? For most of my life growing up, I was afraid of dogs. Then, I got my first beagle when I was 25.When we went to pick her up, she was the quietest puppy, barely making a peep. There were 4 dogs available and 3 other families getting dogs, and they all got to pick first. One by one, Molly watched the others get picked up and she was the last one left, huddled in a tiny corner of the puppy playpen. I just wanted to give her a hug and tell her everything was going to be OK- so I did. She sat on my lap the entire drive home, and when I put her down on the floor of her new house the first thing she did was crawl right back into my lap, curl herself up, and bury her face in my lap. She had only known me two hours, but already I was a source of comfort to her, and already we loved each other. That was the minute when I really got why people love dogs- the love a dog gives is so easy to earn, so simple, and so absolute. Who is your most memorable BDSC dog? I haven't been with the group for very long, so I've only met a few dogs. Even so, it is hard to choose just one. I suppose I would have to say I bonded to Penelope the most though. We met at an Adoption Event where she promptly crawled into my lap, cinnamon-bunned herself into a little circle of puppy and fell asleep into my lap. She is such a sweet and affectionate dog, it is very hard for me to believe her owners would have given her up. I'm so happy she found a wonderful new home now though! Why do you donate your time to this cause? I believe every dog deserves a home, a family, stability, security and love. Dogs definitely have the ability to get attached to their families, to give love, and to feel sadness and fear. Since people have taken responsibility and domesticated dogs, we need to be worthy of that responsibility. It makes me sad that there are so many people who aren't. We hear stories all the time of dogs that rescue people- labs that fight off mountain lions to protect their owners, a dog who rescues his owner from a dangerous intruder, or pulls his owner to safety before she gets hit by a car. Since dogs are so willing to give of themselves to us and rescue us, I want to do the same for them. What do you do when you're not saving dogs? I am a teacher and a freelance writer. What do you think is cool? Summer, when it is warm enough to be outside and take my dogs swimming. Watching them take flying leaps into the swimming pool after their tennis ball is hilarious. Non-dog things that are cool- great wine bars, pubs with trivia nights, and traveling (dog friendly beaches). Cathy
(Cathy, Josie and Tucker) What has been your most incredible/influentual experience with an animal? A few years back, I adopted a 3 legged Rottie puppy from the SPCA. Tori was only 3 months old and left outside a vets office with an old spiral fracture in her front leg. The SPCA had to amputate the leg. I was promoting her adoption at the SPCA one afternoon, fell in love with her and took her home with me that day. At first, many people thought I was crazy, but Tori won everyone's heart that she met. She truly was special in so many ways. Who is your most memorable BDSC dog? I am fairly new to this rescue (6 months) and with each dog that I meet, I am truly amazed at how wonderful each one has been. It continually amazes and baffles me how disposable animals are to some people. Why do you donate your time to this cause? First off, I am "dog crazy". These creatures absolutely amaze me with their unconditional love, plus they are fun! I have been a volunteer Dog Walker at the SPCA for 14 years now. To work with a group like BDSC on a smaller level is so awesome. I am in awe of the dedication of the people in this group. I love how BDSC is truly there "for the dog (or cat)!!" I feel like I have found a "new family" that shares the same passion that I do. What do you do when you're not saving dogs? I work part-time at UB. I dog walk at the SPCA, and my most favorite thing in the world is spending time with my 2 wonderful dogs, Josie and Tucker and my family. What do you think is cool? What I really think is really cool is when a celebrity takes on the cause of helping to save something important to this earth, like animals, children, the environment. It brings so much awareness to a cause when you are famous and hopefully makes the "normal" person think about getting involved too. Volunteering to a cause that you love DOES make a difference and you you truly get self-satisfaction. More people should try it!!!!
Shirley B. (Ginny's mom!) What has been your most incredible/influentual experience with an animal? I would have to say that is my cat, Missy. Missy was found hiding near some garbage cans by my son, Mike (Mike is no longer with us). Mike was never really a cat person, but felt totally compelled to save Missy, for some reason. When he brought her into his garage on that cold winter day, he fed her some ham from his refridgerator, plugged in a portable heater and brought her a blanket. He called me on the phone and asked me what he should do. She was in rough shape. It was obvious she was abused. When I took in Missy the cat from Mike, I got her into the vet right away. She was missing teeth, missing hair, had a fractured front leg, a broken hind leg, some deep cuts, fleas, I nursed her back to health. I called her Missy Mike after my son. Missy later developed skin allergies but was treated for that. Now her fur is real soft now, and she is the most lovable cat. She reminds me so much of my son. Who is your most memorable BDSC dog? Muchacho. When I held him at the adoption event, he just clung to me. He wrapped his little legs around my arms and felt love like he hadn't felt in his whole life. I didn't want to put him down - I wanted to take him home. Why do you donate your time to this cause? I love animals. I've had dogs all my life. And they've all had issues/problems. I have a soft heart for animals. Sammy, our Keeshond/husky mix had sugar diabetes and needed daily injections. Goldie, our retriever mix had cancer in her eye and had to have an eye removed. Another golden we had, Taz, lived to be 16 years old. Animals need us! What do you do when you're not saving dogs? Taking care of my barn animals. (horse, goats, chickens- ALL pets!) What do you think is cool? I think BDSC is cool saving all these animals because without the help they'd all be in trouble. Countless lives are saved! Kimberly
What has been your most incredible/influential experience with an animal? Since all my dogs are rescues I would have to say when they (my dogs) realized that they were safe & could start their new life- Nothing beats seeing a dog who has been abused or neglected come out of their shell and become a dog who loves to run and play!
Rubyn
What has been your most incredible/influential experience with an animal? I am excellent at training dogs. When I was 3, I was on a local tv show with my dog and other dogs and owners, and showed the audience all of the commands I had taught him. Who is your most memorable BDSC dog? Mine- Savannah!!! (formerly known as Diva) Why do you donate your time to this cause? I adore dogs and it is up to humans to make sure they're cared for and loved. What do you do when you're not saving dogs? Work to afford dog food, heartworm, Advantix, treats, rawhide bones and toys for 2 big dogs!! What do you think is cool? Organizations like BDSC that are dedicated to saving unloved animals.
Jody
(Charlie) (Oliver and Charlie) (Oliver) (Me and Jimmy) (Buddy and Oliver) What has been your most incredible/influential experience with an animal? I would have to say picking out my dog Oliver from the SPCA. I walked into the shelter with only 4 dogs to choose from, and this little dog sat in his dog run and just put his paw on the metal door and let out a cry, no barking, just a tiny cry. I took him home 5 minutes later. This was the first dog that I personally owned, We had a family dog growing up but Oliver was my dog (I got him a week after I moved out into my own apartment). Oliver is my best friend and my shadow. He doesn't care about anything else in the world but me. I was fostering 3 week old kittens last year that needed to be bottle fed every 3 hours all day. Oliver sat diligently staring at the kittens for a week watching their every move. When I fed them he would lick them clean when they were done, if they cried he would cry. He wanted to be their mom so bad, but he is a boy so that wouldn't work so well. He cared so much for these tiny kittens and was depressed when they left. What do you think is cool? I think my Fiancee (Jim) joining the Navy is cool. I am so proud of him for doing something that he is passionate about and that he believes is his true calling in life. And I think it is even more cool that he supports me in mine.
Other Volunteers: Mary, Shirley N., Karen, Darlene, Nichole, Erin, Debbie, Michelle, Maria, Melissa, Brian and Kelly, Katherine and Julia, Andy, Doug, Sarah, Megan and Tyler, Kim, Deb, Sandy, Amber and Erik. |
