Tails From the Front: June Retires to Chicago!

June did not understand at all why she was in that smelly, scary place with the hard concrete floor and all the other scared dogs.   She could sense their fear.  She was afraid, too.  The rural shelter was noisy, too, but June could not hear that.  June was deaf. 

June was also 13 years old, and had been a loyal family member for 13 years.  Then one day her mom came home from a few days away, and had a blanket and a bundle in her arms.  June sensed right away that this bundle was special, and when she saw it move, she knew there was a new member of the family.  June was so happy!  A new person to love.  June stayed by the crib and stood guard.  Then a day or so later, Dad motioned to her to come to the door. He had June's leash in his hand.  Great!  She thought.  A walk!  June trotted outside, and Dad opened the car door.  Even better! thought June.  A car ride!  But the car came to the smelly scary place, and Dad drove off without June.  June stayed in her cage, on the hard concrete floor ( which really hurt her arthritic hips) and cried.  Who would watch the baby?  Where was her family?  When were they coming back?

The shelter volunteers tried to explain to June that her family was not coming back.  Her family had decided that June would be too confused by the new baby.  Confused?  June knew exactly what the baby was!  Someone to love and cherish and care for- all the things her family did not do for June.And so June waited and sniffed the air, wondering if her family might really be around the corner.  The shelter staff knew the hard truth- the shelter was too crowded, and at 13 years old and deaf June had no chance.  Poor June was about to go on "the list".

But the shelter volunteers wanted to try everything they could to help June.  So once again, as you readers have heard before, emails went out, Facebook posts were made, and someone in the northern suburbs of Chicago said "Okay, I have room for one more.  Send June over".

And so emails and phone calls went out, a route was planned, and June started her journey from central Indiana to the north suburbs of Chicago.  She arrived at her new home late in the afternoon, met her new canine brothers and sisters, and made herself right at home.

It was clear from June's behavior that although she knew all the house rules already, she had not really been a house dog.  When her new mom put June's food bowl on the floor, June ran to the door as if to say " I have to eat outside".  But after a bit June learned.

The happily ever after?  June went to her new veterinarian at Becker Animal Hospital in Northfield ( who has been wonderful to rescued dogs) and got a clean bill of health.  Even her blood work was perfect!  Even better, Dr. Wagner estimated that June was really only 11 years old.  More years to have June around to spread her joy!

Happy Endings, June!  Welcome to Chicago and your retirement home.  You are safe now.

Would you like to help a dog like June?  You can foster until a forever home is found, you can drive a dog to rescue, you can email or post to Facebook.  There are so many opportunities for you to make a difference and save a life!

 Just contact a local rescue group and ask how to help.  They will be thrilled to help you.  And June says "woof!  Thanks!"