Thursday, November 17, 2016

Evah Arrives at Golden Pines

Its been an unusually busy and hectic week for us, that shows no signs of slowing down even though the weekend is in sight.  Some appointments that were made weeks ago were rescheduled to make time for other more pressing ones.
The week also took a turn when I received a call from my vets office on Tuesday.  A retired lady in her 70's had come in with a Golden Retriever that she'd recently bought from a kennel named Evah.  Her new addition has several medical issues. Medical issues that her limited budget does not allow her to pay for. Retired lady was overwhelmed and not knowing where to turn, a vet-technician contacted me in hopes the rescue I volunteer with could help.  I called Retired Lady and chatted with her. The bottom line was her concern about the money she had already spent and the funds that are needed to provide the care for Evah.  She'd decided to return her to the kennel for a refund.  Fast forward through a couple of phone conversations, and I felt like I had to do something. Rescues (understandably) never buy dogs from people.  Normally, I would never, ever have considered doing it either. But given the circumstances to which Evah would be returned has totally outweighed everything some would say was sensible.  So, I made an offer to Retired Lady to buy Evah from her, and she accepted my offer.
Evah has been used solely for breeding.  Every single season for this nearly 7 year old girl has produced a litter of puppies. According to her papers, Evah was born at this kennel, and her parents were also born there.  The website and facebook page for this kennel show her puppies off, as well as the litters of several other dogs just like her.  Her last litter of 13 puppies born only 6 weeks ago via c-section, is probably why Evah was sold -- Her "job" as a puppy-machine are finally over.  ***I will add here that I am absolutely no way whatsoever against those who responsibly breed dogs because they are devoted to a particular breed, and do it with the health, soundness and welfare of all dogs being first and foremost. What I am against are dogs that are bred solely and purely for profit, which is how this girl has been used.***   
Retired Lady and I met this evening, and I became Evah's legal owner.  Retired Lady could not have been more kind and grateful that she will be cared for. Tomorrow I'll drop her off at the vets office to have blood work and tests done while I'm at work.  I don't know what the future holds for Evah.  But she now has options.  I spoke to a coordinator with the rescue a couple of days ago, and I may sign my ownership of Evah over to the Golden Retriever Rescue. However, I'll admit that I've not really thought that far because my goal was just to get Evah from Retired Lady before she changed her mind about taking her back to the kennel.
Thankfully, tonight and right now in this moment, there are no decisions to be made.  Evah now has a bright future, free of a kennel and that to me is worth more than any amount of money that has changed hands.


39 comments:

  1. Oh Kim! Poor little Evah. What a life she has had. I'm so glad she's in your hands. You are wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Poor little girl - she's such a beauty. I do hope that all will be well for her, and she can look forward to a happy - puppy-free future.
    Both our Labs are retired breeding bitches, though from very different circumstances to Evah. They are the most gentle natured and affectionate dogs you could wish to meet. One thing we learned when looking for a mature dog, is that there is little sentiment in the dog-breeding world. If they can't produce, then out they go.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Another story of love, and Evah will be so much happier with you. a brave, so caring retired lady made the decision which would have been so hard for her, Evah would have been her companion and it shows she cared hugely. Kim, your heart grows in love as does your family.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, how awful for the poor girl! I love her name, btw. It is definitely time for that sweet thing to retire. I hope she can get healthy again and can be a happy member of (your) somebody's family.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bless you Kim for giving Evah a chance -- such a pretty girl.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Poor Evah - so glad that you have been able to give her a chance of a happier future. My peeps could never let my Mum or grandmother go to another home now they are not having puppies and they think 2 litters in a lifetime is plenty for any Mum. Paws and fingers crossed for Evah that she finds a loving forever home very soon - nose licks and love from Moth xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm thankful for you and your kind heart every day and I'm sure Evah is too.

    xo
    Lynn

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good morning, Kim! Oh my, I feel sorry for the life Evah has had up till now. I know you will have her best interest at heart. Evah is a beautiful dog. I hope she recovers and can enjoy some good health. You are awesome taking in another sweet dog. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Evah sure is lucky that she found her way to you. I know that she has landed in the perfect place for her. You, and your husband, are saints.

    ReplyDelete
  10. no doubt, you have gone above and beyond for this sweet girl...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Despite her prior life, Evah looks like she is a really good-natured girl. No matter whether she stays with you or moves to another family, you have done a good thing by facilitating her next stage of life. (You already know that I think you totally rock ... this is just another example of why.)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh Kim, my heart hurts for that poor girl. Yes, I have bred dogs but tried to do my best for the dogs and the puppies. To force a dog to breed that often will destroy their health and sometimes their minds. She deserves a loving home where nothing is required of her but to enjoy her life. Thank you for helping her.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Oh Kim, my heart hurts for that poor girl. Yes, I have bred dogs but tried to do my best for the dogs and the puppies. To force a dog to breed that often will destroy their health and sometimes their minds. She deserves a loving home where nothing is required of her but to enjoy her life. Thank you for helping her.

    ReplyDelete
  14. another angelic part of your nature coming to help this dearest little girl.
    her health has surely never even had a chance to rebound from one pregnancy to another. she needs REST.

    puppy mills are nothing but concentration camps.
    we just narrowly escaped passing legislation that would allow them to freely operate in our state.
    if you can even imagine that!
    we are still fighting it in every way here. it's rampant enough as an ILLEGAL operation... I can't imagine what it would have been if it were made legal!!! outrageous and unforgivable!
    the mind just boggles. both senators know me by name now! I suppose I'm known as that crazy animal activist.
    but as long as people keep BUYING puppies from the mills... this atrocity will go on.
    and I agree with you. ACTUAL legitimate breeders who CARE for their animals are a whole different and respected thing.
    thank you for what you did for evah. her face already shows her joy and gratitude! bless you darling kim. xo♥

    ReplyDelete
  15. I despise puppy mills. I am glad you were able to help, Kim. God bless you all.

    ReplyDelete
  16. YOU ARE EXCEPTIONAL! A TRUE ANGEL!!!!! Kisses to sweet Evah! DakotasDen

    ReplyDelete
  17. Evah is absolutely beautiful with such a sweet face and I'll bet a nature to match. Bless you, Kim.

    ReplyDelete
  18. How sad that her life was limited to only producing litters. But looks like happy days are ahead for this sweet girl!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Well done! We know she's in safe, loving hands now. We would have bought her, too.

    ReplyDelete
  20. We echo Jody's comment - you are such a kind and loving person who has helped and continues to help so many furries. Evah is so lucky to have found you. She is beautiful. So sad that she has had to endure so much in her short life. Thank you.

    Woos - Lightning and Misty

    ReplyDelete
  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Tears for this sweet baby, how can people be so cruel as to just keep breeding, as if the world needs more puppies. God bless you, love you,Francine.

    ReplyDelete
  23. You are one in a million! Thank you for taking on this sweet girl, she will do well under your care.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Evan found her way to the perfect place for her for the moment. She looks like a sweetheart, and breeding just to make money, season after season is so wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  26. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Awwww, such a sweetie Evah is! It made me just SICK to read that she was just treated as a puppy machine! I am SO glad that she is in your/GRREAT's hands now Kim, where she is guaranteed a happy rest of her life.

    Fri Nov 18, 09:28:00 PM

    ReplyDelete
  28. She's got a bright future as long as she is a friend to Todd.

    ReplyDelete
  29. You have saved Evah Kim... I just know she will feel love, and have a life,, and all because of you.
    Thank you Kim,, for sharing your heart of gold.
    love
    tweedles

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh my Kim . . .
    You are the "golden gem" for the retired lady and
    this charming Golden Evah . . .
    Thank goodness Evah has been retired from her "puppy producing!"
    Enjoy her . . . like I am sure you will . . .

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a story about Evah. Seven years and a C section says it all. Thank heavens for those with hearts big enough to take on this challenge. Options are always good things to have.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Your post has me emotionally all over the place!
    Anger at what was done with Evah
    and the thought of so many others living a similar fate.
    (I have a little Shih-tzu that was handed to me at the clinic because she was too old to have puppies anymore and therefore they no longer wanted her) Yep, I feel like I HATE people
    and then, there's you and I remember that
    I LOVE people!
    Thank you!!!!!
    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  33. You're safe now Evah - paws crossed that you start feeling better. God bless you Kim for all you do for these sweet animals.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Finally, this special girl will know what it is like to be loved! Thank you Kim...you are an angel! Evah seems to know she has found love...just look at her face! I am so happy for her!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Isn't she gorgeous! And now she gets to know what love feels like. You continue to be my hero!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Hi Kim, I foster dogs for a local rescue - not breed specific though. Place like the one Evah came from make me sick. There are tons of them here (I live in N.C.) and dog breeding is big business. And so many of these end up being dumped. Thank you for saving her. I'm sure she would have been killed if returned to the kennel.

    Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh my gosh, she is beautiful!! How wonderful that you rescued her!! I hope her health issues are not too severe... she is a darling.

    ReplyDelete

Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!