Rescue Stories
Becca, Kia & Penny
I was introduced to English Setters through a friend who is also a breeder. She introduced me to the dog show life. After over a year of being the Hillhouse auntie and going to shows every weekend it was time for me to have my own English Setter to be a mommy rather than an auntie. Due to being a single working parent there was a feeling of guilt because of all the hours my poor Becca was spending home alone while I was at work.
I visited all the local shelters looking for a companion for Becca. In the back of a pen in the county shelter I saw what looked like an English Setter. I immediately asked to see her. Her name was Kia she was quite old and in poor physical condition. She had never been spayed, had tumors and was undernourished. The shelter allowed me to take her to my vet to have everything taken care of. The clinic gave me a discount on her surgeries due to her rescue status and the GCESF’s Rescue Fund took care of the rest. Kia was not what I had in mind as a companion for my rambunctious young Becca but they bonded. Kia had had a hard life but she thrived with good food and soft beds. Becca became more settled and they had their short play moments between Kia’s long naps. We had Kia for over three years until one day she didn’t get up from her snooze in the sun.
This time the search for a Becca companion was not the local shelters. I got in touch with our GCESF Rescue foster mother and was introduced to Penny. Penny is the opposite of Kia she is young and lively a real handful. Penny has been with us now for four months. She and Becca have wild romps, stalk backyard wildlife and take up entirely too much room on the bed. Both of my rescue experiences have been very satisfying the dogs are wonderful and so grateful to have a home, good food and a warm bed. Becca has a companion, I have no guilt and another life has been saved.
2008