Sunday, March 08, 2009
Part 2, Midwest P.A.W.S. update
Yesterday Jim and I made the drive to visit Brianna and Gayle and the Midwest P.A.W.S. rescue team. We had a truck full of donations and wanted to see what more we could do to help the Missouri 75. What a nice surprise when we pulled up, that the parking lot was full of people with donation drop off’s and enthusiastic adoption applicants! It seems the local news mistakenly said that Saturday was adoption day - so you can imagine the team had their hands and facility full. A couple of the rescued dogs greeted people in the parking lot and though still visibly scarred and slightly underweight, their tails wagged merrily.
Brianna was our guide taking us through the facility that was once a quick mart, then a bank, and now a veternary overflow for Dr. Heath Rose from the Raytown Animal Hospital located directly across the street. The building has a Vet room, grooming area, indoor dog run with kennels, and 2 smaller store-front type rooms along with a nice fenced-in yard in the back. Dr. Rose had 2 beautiful GSP’s at one time and has great affection for them still, hence when Brianna called the facility was offered up immediately. Out of the initial 75 dogs (the respective breed parent clubs made arrangements to pick up the Springers and Weim’s), 60 is what we saw. Several have already gone off to foster homes due to the fast work of this volunteer staff to famaliarize them with people. Of the adults we saw, a majority of them are still very timid. There is a pair that’s being sent to a trainer in Colorado - very frightened and still thin - that have a sad face that tells the story of their abuse and abandonment. We were able to pet ‘Bones’ as Brianna calls him - very immaciated still and a couple of physical deficencies - very shy but if you get down to his level didn’t seem to mind the attention. There are a couple of females that have either recently had a litter or still feeding one - very thin as well. And of course the puppies! Puppies are resilient and outside of being underweight and some facial lacerations you’d never know what had happened to them.
We observed dogs playing in the yard for about 45 minutes while Brianna shared some of the daily miracles of this rescue. The pup on their website with the facial lacerations and hernia is recovering nicely and running full-speed in the yard after other puppies. Those that lost their whiskers due to the heat of flames have already started growing new ones. And nicest to see, 80% of the puppies we watched have already had applications for adoptions completed and will go to their new homes once they’ve passed their final health checks. We observed someone filling out an application while we were there, his son playing with every dog that would come within 3 feet. There was an adult male GSP playing amongst the puppies that acting like one himself. He loves attention and everybody that came into the play yard - just a sweet natured dog. It’s hard to tell about the other adults inside as many didn’t want to give much eye contact or stayed in the back of their kennel. You could tell who was coming around by the number of paws sticking out as we walked by them. It was very hard to comprehend why they had been put in this circumstance (my understanding is that the raided mill owner could also face federal charges in addition to arson 2nd degree), but karma has brought these dogs to a better place and they will get the attention and love they deserve.
A lot of support from the community, the outpouring of donations (goods and funds) and the tremendous group of volunteers make this truely a rescue for these dogs. These volunteers are so appreciative and grateful - and the most kind-hearted animal lovers with tons of patience. When you get a moment, check out the photos from our visit and drop Brianna or Galye a message of encouragement for what they’re doing to help. Thank you!!
This is an updated photo of ‘Red’
Pending 
