I got the call from birch run about these two. The man had died and
the wife didn't want them. They were leftovers from a litter the son
had bred, so his mom and dad took them to a pen at their farm. It had
all metal sides, no trees for shade and one dog house. They had never
been petted, bathed, groomed, etc. They had a large cave dug under
their dog house for relief from the sun and cold. When we managed to
catch them after playing chase and hide and seek in that hole under
their dog house they were stiff as a board while we held them to take
them to the crate in the van for the trip home. My sister and her
boyfriend were with me and this was their first experience with a
rescue run. My sister was shocked by the smell and the ears and body
fur that was so overgrown and filthy. Their ears actually touched the
ground like dreadlocks. She asked me how I would be able to help them.
I had to honestly say I didn't think we could since they had never had
contact with people. Well her boyfriend went right back to sit beside
their crate and talk to them and try to touch them. Halfway home they
showed some response and by the time we got home they seemed to be
enjoying being touched and talked to and were more relaxed so we
decided to see how far they could come in a trial time. Yep they came
right around. Barb fostered and they blossomed in her care. They were
a curious pair that seemed to have a psychic link. Like spingers in
stereo moving turning etc in unison. We even had to have them together
when one was treated for heartworm. They were blessed again when the
propst family was will ing and eager to adopt them together. They will
always have a special spot in all our hearts.
A Message from their FurEver Home (September 2009):
Adopted: March 15, 2006
Duke and Spike were up for adoption together, and together they are one
dog. There isn’t a day that goes by without one of the dogs doing
something that reminds us how blessed we are to have them in our lives.
Whatever deficiency one dog may have, the other dog makes up for it,
and they soooo take care of each other. They share their food and
water bowls too. When they eat, one of them will grab a mouth full of
food and drop half on the floor for the other one to enjoy too. Or,
they just patiently wait their turn for their head in the bowl. It’s
really amazing. For a special treat, they sometimes get warm bacon
grease on their food. And then, there’s two heads in that bowl at the
same time!
To this day, there has never been any meanness or jealously between
them. Although Duke will nudge our hand if Spike is getting too much
lovin’ from us. He’s all for equal rights. If the dogs aren’t
together, Duke will be at my side. He’s definitely my bodyguard and
always walks on my left side. He’s the serious one. But, when we get
home from work and take the dogs out, they both get that burst of happy
adrenaline and do a little roughhousing in the yard. It’s definitely
Duke that we have to discipline to back off of Spike. Spike is very
fun loving and playful. Sadly, Spike has experienced a few seizures in
the past year. His doctor has been very helpful to us in what we need
to do.
For about the first year, the dogs always slept leaning on one another.
Since then, they leave about two inches between them or lean against
me. I am definitely their major source of security. I thought I’d be
tired of having two dogs at my feet by now, but it feels so natural.
We are so grateful to Mary for rescuing them and to
Barb for being their foster mom, and to our son, Matt who found them on
Petfinder.com.
God bless,
/Debbie & Tom Propst/
P.S. In case you were wondering, the dogs are laying right next to my computer desk as I share my story.
A Better Place Mission Statement:Provide companion animal education, promote and provide spaying and neutering of pets, and continue rescue work to make the community "A Better Place".
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A Better Place Mission Statement: Provide companion animal education, promote and provide spaying and neutering of pets, and continue rescue work to make the community "A Better Place".