UPDATE 8/21/03 on the Montana Collies
Statement by AWCA President Jean Levitt
*Permission to crosspost*
SUNNYBANK
As the Montana collies settle into their new homes, the collie community honors all collies-in-need, and all of you who helped restore rescue collies to dignity and provide them with loving homes. On Sunday, Aug. 17, at the Collie Health Foundation Annual Gathering at Sunnybank, the home of Albert Payson Terhune in New Jersey, AWCA and CHF held a celebratory memorial to honor the 193 animals rescued from the Harmans in Montana; the 75 collies rescued from the Chestneys in Washington State last summer, and all rescue collies everywhere. Numbered cards with tartan ribbons were planted on garden stakes at Champion Rock by all in attendance as I called the number of each Montana and Washington collies. Cards representing collie rescue organizations everywhere were planted. CHF President Pati Merrill and Vice-President Nancy McDonald, both who twice came to Montana to help us with the animals, assisted with the planting, as did AWCA Secretary Judy Cummings, who traveled from California especially to attend The Gathering.
The State of Montana was represented by Sandy Newton and Penny Tushingham, who assisted with the planting. Sandy read a letter of thanks to the collie community from the governor of Montana, and presented me with the flag of the State of Montana. Thank you, ladies. Montana will forever be remembered as the savior of the Montana collies.
In May, after the 2nd trial, I visited a jewelry store in Great Falls looking for a gold map of Montana. I wanted to have an engraving of a collie on it and the words “Camp Collie 2002-2003.” Joe Fox of Fox Jewelers, enthusiastically exclaimed he and his wife Terry were volunteers at Camp Collie – Great Falls, and offered to make the charms at cost for anyone interested in ordering one!
“Camp Collie” Charms (Pendants); Custom Made - Special Numbered Edition
Collie Charm Dimensions 1”x 5/8” - Solid 10K gold, $75.00
If you adopted a Camp Collie dog and want that Special Edition numbered charm, we will try to match dog number with Special Edition number. Personalized engraving on the back - $10.00 (dog’s name, “thanks,” “it was all about the dogs,” “We will never forget,” etc.); (3 lines - 12 spaces max; print clearly just as you want it engraved).
Shipping (if needed) - $5.00
Charms are sold at near cost price. All profits will be donated to AWCA.
Write or call for Order Form: Fox Fine Jewelers, 401 Central Avenue, Great Falls, MT 59401; 1-406-452-4367
When prosecutor Merle Raph told me he wanted AWCA to take charge of the adoption process, I considered it an honor. He stated he wanted AWCA to place the animals because he knew we would do what was best for the collies. In Phase I, Toole County Sheriff’s Office allowed core volunteers with whom they were well acquainted to choose a collie and adopt without going through our extensive application process. Phase II meant all other adopters had to go through the AWCA application process, which included: a) filling out an extensive application form; b) submitting to a residential inspection (home check); c) provide a letter of character reference from the potential adopter’s veterinarian on the office letterhead; d) submit to a criminal background check performed by TCSO; e) come to Great Falls, MT, to meet the AWCA adoption team members headed by Rev Oakes.
The AWCA on-site adoption team included AWCA West Coast District Director Megan Loe and Shirley Ibara; professional trainer and behaviorist Marianne Sullivan, who evaluated the special needs collies; professional groomer Kay Bullard, who also helped man the phone bank at the Crystal Inn hotel; representatives from New England Collie Rescue League, Inc., president Pam Frazier and AWCA member Liz Klein; Tri State Collie Rescue, Inc., president Sharon Goodburn and Jean Lally; Southland Collie Rescue, Inc., AWCA member Daria Simolke and Marty Martin.
The Crystal Inn gave us a small conference room on the second floor without charge to use as headquarters. We set up our phone banks there, using phone cards you provided with your donations. Over 500 individuals from the combined lists of interested adopters were called. Those that were still interested in adopting were faxed, emailed, or snail-mailed the application materials. The completed forms were faxed or overnighted to the hotel. The Crystal Inn did not charge us for the thousands of pages of printing and faxing. Every night at midnight, Rev and I answered our emails on the computer in the lobby, cheered on by the front desk staff as we scheduled appointments with potential adopters and arranged for successful candidates to stay at the Crystal Inn with their collies. The enormous mirrored base of the front desk in the lobby sported collie nose prints by day, as Montana collies met themselves in the collie-high mirrors. Every night the mirrors were shined up, only to be reprinted the next day.
Camp Collie volunteers watched the adoption process and hovered over some of the individual dogs they had grown to love, occasionally leading the dogs out to the vehicles of the adopters, giving them final tearful kisses as they helped them into the vehicles. Barbara Duncan gives you insight into how some of the volunteers felt during the adoption process.
By Barbara Duncan
November 2002 began an incredibly bizarre chapter in 3 of our lives with a collie rescue at Shelby, Montana, that defies fiction. The ugly, inhumane treatment that humans can inflict on innocent creatures reached new heights in sheer number of animals. They (over 175) were crammed into a 45 x 8 foot tractor-trailer from floor to rooftop. The misery of starvation, dehydration and other horrors these dogs experienced is still evident in many of the dogs now 9 months later.
I couldn’t fathom the reports and asked a friend if she wanted to ride to Shelby to check out what had been conveyed in news media. Thus began our pilgrimage with a 240-mile round trip weekly to Shelby, now a 70-mile round trip weekly to Great Falls. our hiking day had always fallen on Thursday, so we exchanged hiking for collie intervention. We didn’t know what to do, but knew we had to join others in helping these animals regain some dignity, health, pride, and again find trust and affection to survive.
Our saga has encompassed chief volunteers in Shelby: Barbara, Mrs. H., Mercedes, Toole County Search and Rescue, Toole County sheriff’s Dept., and a group of folks too numerous to county, that believe we are stewards of those “in desperate straits” whether animal or human. These individuals and groups of volunteers came from all walks of life, from a variety of urban and rural communities, and I value these people and the experiences that built a cohesive team to make the animals as comfortable as possible under very trying conditions. The situation improved as supplies, equipment, and space turned up in which to house, feed and meet the medical challenges of the dogs and cats.
Our involvement was both emotional and pragmatic. We could only indulge ourselves with short bursts of anger towards the Harmans as our energies had to be channeled by the task at hand.
As time passed, efficiency grew and volunteers meshed with the leadership which evolved into a good system of teamwork for getting the job done. To see needs met by AWCA, Search and Rescue, Toole County Sheriff’s Dept., Humane Societies, both state and regional, Malstrom Air Force men and women, dog food companies, 4-H groups, school groups, Red Horse Division of National Guard, steel companies, such as Northwest Steel and Fencing, other companies like Petco, bringing needed items, veterinarians and vet supply companies, and on and on it goes, a very long list meeting the crisis that had been taken on. It was amazing to witness and renewed my awareness of the goodness that can stand up when evil has pushed the balance to the brink of despair. The shocking behavior of these so-called dog breeders came to light at the Canadian border on Halloween night.
The dark, long nights of November and December were brightened by a bit of Christmas cheer spread throughout the 4-H Memorial barn. A Christmas tree, Christmas socks and treats for peop0le and dogs poured in. Unfortunately the dogs’ digestive systems were so compromised by parasites and malnutrition that treats could not be utilized by the dogs. It gave them colic and other problems. Gifts of cuddly toys, chewies, and balls helped to occupy the dogs in their confining cages. Some were decorated with Christmas bows or sprigs of evergreen, which added a bit of cheer at least for us volunteers. The greatest treat for almost all the dogs was when you stopped at their gate, leashes ready, and anticipation for a walk brought forth a deafening roar of dogs barking for their turn. It hurt to disappoint the dogs that had to wait for other walkers or until you returned to make them next on the list for an outing.
Time moved forward. The box stalls near the racetrack had changed to rows and rows of panel cages in the 4-H barn, then after 7 months to a metal warehouse building in Great Falls. That move was unreal with Montana weather showing its uncooperative side by providing mud, snow, sleet and fog. Police escorts and aircraft overhead made the convoy one that seemed to be right out of Hollywood’s special effects. Change takes a toll on everyone. Adjustments for the dogs were a huge concern and many dogs reacted to the relocation by regressing to former apathy, health flare-ups, new cage partners, as well as another weigh-in. A change from the fragrant and softer wood chips to the more sterile concrete floors was annoying until attitude adjustments were made. The changes not only affected the dogs but the different core coordinators in Great Falls had many new faces to work with, as well as those of us that relocated our efforts to Great Falls. Cindy, Monika, Sally and husband Chuck, Jill and all the rest had some very trying days. Knees and joints reacted to the hard surfaces, adjustments to many different personalities, schedule efforts and routines were sometimes uncomfortable all around. On a very positive side, one really appreciated the more efficient dish washing facilities, running water from a water main, hot water heaters and more muckers to handle the mountain of dirtied newspaper and bedding as well as a larger base of walkers. Sounds were missing that we all had been acclimated to, particularly the train whistles that rent the air frequently over every 24-hour period and the noon hour blast from City Hall’s siren. The roar of the front end loader as it moved huge buckets of wood chips into the main part of the building was a sound that had surrounded us at Shelby and oddly enough was missed; I wonder of the dogs also thought the cavernous echoing in this new building took some getting used to.
Reflecting upon the 2 trials and the weirdness and fallibility of our legal system, we prayed and emotionally soared upward and downward with the news coming from the courtrooms. We hoped and despaired and finally after the conclusion of the 2nd trial which resulted in guilt of the Harmans, we felt our thankfulness being tempered by the realization that a plea bargain would most likely be struck and that we wouldn’t be happy with many of the compromises. We were displeased! One must find solace where one can, and it was the fact that a huge number of animals would eventually become spay/neutered dogs and cats. A companionable home life would result for many of them to perhaps in time eradicate the horrific treatment they had endured for years, culminating in the hellish 9 days on that tractor-trailer. Our fondest hope was not possible for 20 dogs that went to breeders, and the 4 dogs to the Harmans and Lethcoes, 2 of which were altered and 2 of which were left intact. We can only hope that the legal system will protect these animals and do follow-up visits to enforce good care.
Other areas of bombardment of feelings were with the bonding that happened even when one was trying hard to not let all of the dogs and their needs crawl deep into your heart. Staying aloof for “dog lovers” just wasn’t working. Dogs named became distinct individuals: Possum, Houdini, Winter, Sammy, B.C., Mr. Nibbles, Timid Tim, Scruffy, Klondike, Kate, Allie, Lucy, Hope, Faith, Princess, Sadie, Liberty, Fog Lee, Bailey, Spring, Sailor, Mindy, and Hallie, and on and on, all heart jerkers. The psych ward, the fallen ones lost to irreparable disease, the stroke girl, the food fights and the deafening chorus expressing their turmoil; their desires to be walked, fed, cuddled or ignored as they sought solitude from the chaos that burst forth when a dog got loose or shrill, sharp clatters ripped open their fears anew. For the emotionally damaged dogs such as number 44, Shyla, when she tried to shrink into invisibility, then painfully built a bit of courage as she first cowered in the Collie Caddie wagon since she wouldn’t walk, then became a bit proud of being towed by her human friends. Shyla has a long road of confidence building ahead with her adoptive family, and she’s in our thoughts and best wishes. Also remember Sammy whose flight from all of us even in a small pen has not been overcome, and he still is a constant blur of tawny fur exploding around the pen. Numerous accounts of collie actions and surprises happen daily and should be recorded in the book that may be written from this long-term rescue.
Next I would address how some of us are reacting as adoptions are being finalized. On our day at the big stark gray warehouse, we look searchingly at those who are making adoption choices. When we know the people and their kindness and compassion, we rejoice. For those who are strangers to us, we anxiously harbor doubts if we don’t see bonding, the loving pats and communication that we want each dog to have, we comfort ourselves with the knowledge that some folks are more shy in public and will show these attributes to them in the privacy of their homes. We comfort ourselves that as much as they possibly can be, potential adopters are being checked out and that not only the provision of the material/physical needs of each dogs is being taken into account, but also the complex motives of adoptive folks. Our hopes and prayers are for much heart searching of those who come to adopt so that each dog will be valued, will be dealt with patiently and with loving kindness to overcome the wretched past.
In summary and until the last Thursday’s effort concludes for my friends and myself, Camp Collie from November 2002 until August 2003 continues to be a life-changing experience. The experience could never be duplicated. The stretching of ourselves and our commitment were almost happenstance. One couldn’t conceive at the beginning the convoluted journey that the volunteer project would entail, but once involved, one couldn’t quit the extreme neediness of so many animals. One couldn’t have believed such long-term care would continue month after month, while the legal system slowly worked through court dates and other delays. One couldn’t imagine the friendships that developed with strangers engaged in a common cause, and the dogs, always the dogs, in our minds’ eye as they with all their great collie hearts try to understand and trust people again. The organizational skills, plus the communication skills that had to be engaged to make it work, were special results that closed the gap of misunderstanding and overcame disgruntle, fatigued, workers. Counties, states, and nations, such as our good neighbors from Canada who jumped into the dirty, heart-rending work, were acts that will be remembered with ongoing appreciation. As I’ve related incidents from both Shelby and Great Fall’s Camp Collies to “outsiders,” they may think that I embroidered the happenings. NOT SO. In fact, words cannot convey the daily miracles, disappointments, surprises, drudgery, blessings and joy that happened to us on our Thursdays, with the collies. It truly is a life-changing experience to witness the struggles and the victories with gallant dogs and gallant people. Our respect for each one of you and for each of us, this rescue is still going forward with more chapters to be written. Jean, all the way from Vermont, is an inspiration and needs to have one particular area recognized as the lady who kept us all informed with her reports via the Internet. Jean, you cannot realize how we opened that site with anticipation to fill in the gaps of communication, finding the time when you were swamped in so many areas is a master effort. Thanks! One final thanks to all the people who have donated funds, blankets and in other unsung ways, give until it hurts.
Calmly,
Jean Levitt, President AWCA
Lisa King, Director of AWCA Rescue
and the Officers and Members of AWCA
Donations are still needed to pay the July/August bills.
AWCA Rescue
Bethany Burke, AWCA Treasurer
2807 Lee Trevino Ct.
Shalimar, FL 32579
and especially
Toole County Community Collie Rescue Fund
First State Bank of Shelby
260 Main St.
Shelby, MT 59474