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It may take a village to raise a child,
but it took the internet to save the lives of Gloria and Poe.
by Tamara E. Allen
Born December 31, 1999, they arrived in the world of Apu, and were taken to be loved, honored and cherished for the rest of their lives by a couple from Binghamton, New York. I remember seeing pictures of Gloria as a pup and thinking, wow, what a beautiful girl! I was so smitten that I created a CD for Susan Kamen-Marsicano with variations of Vivaldi’s Gloria in her honor.
I guess no one will ever know what truly happened.
The family ended up in Texas. This year, on April 21st, the owner put Poe and Gloria in her car, drove to the shelter and dropped them off to be put to sleep. All we do know is what she inexplicably wrote on the shelters forms under reason for turning them in: “change of lifestyle”. Oddly she listed the dogs as basenji mixes rather than purebred Basenjis. She then proceeded to cut all ties with anyone who was involved with her dogs and violated her owner-breeder agreement to inform the breeder she no longer wanted or could care for these two.
We are indebted for the shelter workers who reached out to the community and posted photos with their call names. That small act started the ball rolling. The internet “village” came together, and helped save their souls. It is amazing in a few short days, a breeder in New York learned her dogs were dumped at the pound in Texas, which prompted a couple to ask a gal in Baltimore to bring these seniors to their new home in San Diego.
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 Gloria and Poe, home in San Diego |
I have never met these kind souls who banded together to help us, but love them all for what they have done. A few of the villagers that all played a key part in saving Gloria and Poe include:
· Pamela Morgan, with Williamson County Humane Society for getting the word out to rescue organizations that Gloria and Poe needed help.
· Deann Haggard, Liz Newton from Basenji Rescue and Transport (BRAT), Rick Reinhold with BRAT, and Lisa Stewart who helped track down the breeder. Amazingly, it all happened through an internet search using their call names to locate their breeder. Liz got word to Susan Kamen-Marsicano, their breeder, so they could be saved.
· Wendy Hodges for springing Gloria and Poe from the shelter
· Rick Reinhold with Basenji Rescue and Transport for getting them to foster care in Texas
· Anita White in Texas who cared for the pair as if they were her own until we could get them transported to their “forever” home.
· Elaine Hargis Johnstone who referred us to Vanessa to get the duo from Texas to us in San Diego.
· Vanessa at ShuttlePet.com for her compassion, care, skill and love in transporting our precious cargo to us in less than two days’ time.
Vanessa taking Poe for a stroll
· Erin and Matt McCaffery for offering support, guidance, and advice.
It is nothing short of miraculous that this all happened so fast. April 21st they were dropped at the shelter with no notification to the breeder. Someone at the shelter took the time to see that these dogs were special and should be loved by someone. By April 23rd the breeder was located in New York. That same day we heard the news they had been abandoned and leapt at the opportunity to take them in. April 24th, they were in safe at Anita’s. May 3rd, Vanessa was transporting them. May 5th, they were home in San Diego. Every single person who offered assistance so selflessly is nothing short of heartwarming.
Dennis talking with Gloria and Poe, asking to hear their stories
When Gloria and Poe arrived, they looked much older than any 12 year old basenji we had ever owned. Their teeth, in very poor condition, both malnourished, and Poe blind, mostly deaf, and reportedly suffering from seizures. It was probably the first time since their puppy years that they had been to a veterinarian.
While we all wanted nothing but a happy ending for both, Poe suffered a massive heart attack after his kidneys began to shut down a few weeks after he came to our home. He was only with us a short time, but we grieved for him as if he had been here his entire life. He was never alone when he was at our home, and we take solace in that we made sure that he was spoiled, loved and cared for in his final days. He was a tired boy, who died much too young.
Mr Poe (1999-2012)
Gloria we feared would struggle with the loss of her life mate. But in true basenji spirit, she is proving us wrong. Gloria is truly a beautiful dog, in body and soul. As I told Susan, it is as if she was a neglected piece of artwork who arrived dusty and needed a bit more care. In time, the dust has been shed, her weight is up, liver levels at normal, and she has a bounce in her step.
Gloria and Stella, Chllin like Villains
Gloria has adopted our puppy Tippy, and befriended our rescue girl Stella as her new pack.
Gloria cleaning Stella's ears
Gloria gives our place two paws up. Dennis spoils her rotten, leaving Charlie Bear treats on her pillow like mints in a fine hotel. Gloria is spoiled, and loved, as she should be. She refuses to act her age, romping and playing with the two hooligans. When the basenji 500 commences and the two youngsters bounce off the walls, she dives right in. She steals the “kids” chew toys, and regularly waltzes up to the girls, pushing her paw in their noses to find that “play button”. She will be our happy ending, and will be spoiled rotten, as it should be.
Stella, Tippy and Gloria – the new Girl Gang of San Diego
Gloria and Tippy: Happy at Home
Twelve years ago, I thought, boy, that’s a wonderful girl. I was right. It just took her twelve years to come to me.
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