Please meet "Val" - an 8-month-old Samoyed mix boy. He has a broken hip and needs femoral head surgery. Actually he had the surgery on May 4th, and it seems he is recovering nicely.
Val's story is a long one, and involves about 50 other dogs! There was a lady on the east coast who loved dogs, and she had a couple. And then she found a few more, and a few more, thinking she would find new homes for them. But then she felt that no one could give a good enough home to them, so she kept them, and kept adding more. And then the dogs were too much, she had too many, she couldn't take care of them, she couldn't keep them -- or their pens -- clean. And people started to complain, and animal control was called in and said "you HAVE to get rid of a bunch of these dogs!" In case you haven't heard this term before, this is a person that is known as a "Collector." Their intentions start out good, but they get in over their heads way too quickly -- and the animals suffer for it.
Val is the black-and-white Sammy mix at the right of this photo. Click the picture to see more!
Danielle and Jeanne of Mid Atlantic Samoyed Rescue were asked to take a few of the Samoyeds, and they did and placed them in new homes. But knowing what the situation was, they convinced this collector to relinquish the rest of them. Danielle took pictures of all of the animals, which you can see at: www.samoyed.us. Danielle has taken on a huge job by getting in touch with other breed rescues, and they have managed to find foster and permanent homes for many of the dogs. Buckeye Samoyed Rescue and Delaware Valley Samoyed Rescue have taken in some of the Samoyeds, in addition to ones that Mid Atlantic has taken. Besides the need for Val's surgery, Mid Atlantic has taken a huge financial hit with all these dogs, including the beautiful Icy (seen on the website) who has an internal mass and mammary tumors. These dogs all deserve a chance for a new life. Thank God for all the Sammy rescuers and other rescuers who are getting these new dogs ready for their forever homes!
Val!
Update, April 2005:
Val is the official office Dog. Our office has coverage 7 days a week, so Val is rarely alone. He is still very afraid of anyone new, he hides under the desk and won't come out until the person leaves. He loves everyone here, but God forbid you move any furniture out of place, it throws his whole day out of sorts. He is a really kind and gentle boy. Despite his fear based issues he has never tried to bite or even growl. When he went to the vet we thought he might then, but he did not, he just buried his head in my chest until it was over. He loves one girl in the office so much that he follows her to the bathroom and waits for her return. She hopes to buy a house soon so he can come live with her. In the meantime he does pretty well here. He has a big fenced in yard with a doggie door and gets along with all other fosters that come through here. He is well aware what time lunch is around here and frequently gets half of roast beef sandwiches, cheeseburgers etc.
- Joan M. Kay
More Val!
Thanks to the following special people from Val and SamUrgency:
Ron & Kathy Manor
For more info about helping any of these dogs, please refer to the website or contact MASR at .
If you whould like to help other Samoyeds like Val, see the How You Can Help page. If you have a rescue Sammy in need, see the Guidelines and the Application pages.
Thanks for your continued support of SamUrgency dogs!
