Timber was a true rescue. Pet Harbor rescued Timber from a dismal existence. Some have asked, "Was it worth it?" In every respect! Timber is a fabulous creature. Given her former "life," we're especially in awe of her. Some details are being omitted to protect those who helped Timber. She came to us because an angel held Timber's lantern. The crusade path led to Pet Harbor. We informed Timber's angel our foster space was filled beyond capacity. The angel would not surrender. She told us once we saw Timber, we would not be able to leave her in her hell. Truer words were never spoken.
Here is the beginning and the new beginning.
Timber has experienced a rejuvenescence. The spectacular journey from the insipidity and filth that defined Timber when we first laid eyes on her to the vivacious and frolicsome blossom she is now has been awesome to witness. What a transformation she has undergone. Unfortunately, the people she depended on for survival have undergone no such transformation. In fact, they think they should be rewarded for taking "great care" of her.
When we were taken to Timber in rural Virginia, what we saw was an overgrown pen. At first, we didn't see a dog. So we weren't sure the pen had an inhabitant. Unfortunately, it did. Rubbish and weeds formed the cobblestones leading to the pen. Timber's gate was not made of pearl. Click to see the gate to Timber's hell. What good was the gate? That gate couldn't hold a Siberian Husky, which is the breed we were told Timber was. Wrong. That gate could hold any dog under those circumstances. How? You see, Timber had a treasure. She had a necklace. And the unlucky Timber got to wear it all the time. Her caretaker told us that Timber had a longer chain, but she had to shorten it because "she tried to get out!" Imagine that. What could she possibly think was better on the other side of that fence?
Obviously Timber's caretakers wanted her to have a Park Avenue-resembling existence. Her house was built with stylish natural walls perhaps doubling as food when necessary, spacious interior with plush carpeting, original decorations, and contemporary ceilings. Oddly enough, there was a brand new chain lying inside the doghouse unused while Timber wore the rusted one. Why, Timber's abode even had a good source of heat and light. We assume the light was for Timber's bedtime reading. Besides the necklace, the most distressing aspect of Timber's "life" was her diet. Rat carcasses lined her mansion. If you look close enough, you will see in this photo two running live rats: one running into Timber's doghouse, one away. Because we were accompanied by the caretaker, we could not photograph the day she took us on the sickening tour. Also, one of us didn't do such a good job at hiding how horrified she was at what she saw. Sometime during that night after we left, Timber's furnishings, the rat carcasses and various other objects, including the extra chain, her food and water dishes, and a tattered blanket, were removed from her dwelling. However, moldy food carpeted the floor, including this closeup view.
Swallowing anger and tears, we left Timber there that night with her self-proclaimed martyr (Her caretaker considers herself a martyr because she was allowing rescue to find her a good home.) so we could prepare for her foster care and make an appointment to take her immediately to the veterinarian. What a sleepless night that was. After assuring the caretaker we would not "put Timber to sleep," which would have been a much greater life than she could ever hope to have in her hell, we whispered the promise to Timber that we would leave her in hell only one more night. How could we possibly refuse those eyes? Besides, when we went in Timber's pen, where she was hiding in her doghouse, she came out to see what we assume was the rare visitor. She looked at us, gently stood with her paws on our shoulders, and gave us soft kisses. Oh, no, we would not leave her here.
Armed with a camera so she could tell her story, the next day we went back. She greeted us. We were this time met by kisses and wags. She knew she was leaving. However, she didn't seem to understand that the automobile was her link to a better life. She wanted nothing to do with it. Once safe and secure in the vehicle, she took one last look back. Though we weren't sure we were telling the truth because we didn't know what her health examination would reveal, we assured her those sad eyes would soon sparkle.
Since we assumed rats were an everyday part of her diet, along with the usual parasites, the veterinarian tested Timber also for the vector-borne illnesses of heartworm disease, E. canis, and Lyme disease. All negative! HALLELUJAH! Amazingly, Timber's health was excellent. She has some tartar on her teeth and was in desperate need of a bath. Other than that, she is fine. We feared the worst. Timber spent most of that day in the vet's bathtub turning the water brown. The vet estimated her age at six.
Since all the extra physical baggage was removed from her coat, we came home and took pictures. We consulted others and decided Timber is an Alaskan Malamute. She weighs 69 pounds and may have some Siberian Husky in her since she has a part of a blue eye, but most of her is Mal. Timber came in, perched herself on the bed, and made herself right at home. At first she was confused and preferred being outdoors. She ran quite a lot. I guess she couldn't run much in hell attached to her necklace.
Timber has been away from her hell only a few weeks, but she is so adjusted to indoor life that she no longer has housebreaking accidents and when it is time to go outside, she goes out, does her business, and stands at the door drooling to come back in. When we want to take her for a ride, she doesn't want any part of it. She feels secure now and doesn't want to change that.
Please, for Timber's sake, if you see a pet you think needs help, let someone know. Because Timber had an angel, her hell ended. If you have the opportunity to be an angel, be one! Don't be afraid to step on toes. Make sure the dog has enough water. Make sure the dog isn't eating rats and moldy food. Make sure the dog isn't abandoned and neglected at the end of a chain. Most importantly, make sure the dog is loved. And if you are owned by a dog or cat and cannot afford to feed the animal or properly care for the animal, please swallow your pride and seek help. Pets cannot speak for himself/herself. Do what is best for them.
Timber is quite the laid-back lady. We have taken a gazillion pictures of her since the rescue. Check out those smiles! There exists no dog more full of love, no dog more grateful. She's completely nondestructive and gets along splendidly with children, dogs, and cats. The funny thing is we didn't think Timber could bark. Lately, though, as she has decided to quit observing and start participating, she has become quite playful. She loves to play ball and try to figure out squeaky toys. When she's playing, she barks/talks to us. To most, the picture below is worth 1,000 words. To us, Timber's play bow is worth 1,000 more days of forging ahead with the tiring task of rescue. If you are interested in adopting Timber, please contact us, but you'd better be prepared to prove you are worthy of her because we have made her an awful lot of promises and will stick by every single one.
Beautiful, sweet, playful Timber. Quietest dog in the world. Yet, she has so much to tell. Most deserving dog in the world. Most grateful dog in the world. Why would she be grateful? Because she wasn't always so lively and attractive.
Read the story to fill in the blanks. To save graphic-loading time, we have separated most of the photos from the story. So to see photos, click on the links.
