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Bailea and Sierra—two of the worst abuse cases
News from the Dog House
By Jane Galvin
The first day of January this year Bailey, now Bailea to make it more feminine, and Sierra came into our kennel. They were two of the worst abuse cases BCAR had ever seen.
After years of being tied up and neglected, and then being starved, Sierra weighed 20 pounds when found. She is a Labrador retriever and their normal weight is 60 pounds and up. They were found by a neighbor in Talking Rock.
None of the other shelters were able to take them and animal control would have euthanized them. Mike and Carol Monroe and Gerry and Barb Schneider came forward and said they would foster them. The Monroes took Bailea and the Schneiders took Sierra.
They sure had their work cut out for them as the dogs had, and still do have, some major medical problems.
Both dogs have severe hip dysplasia and lack of muscle tone. They will be starting a new treatment with Dr. Habermann called Companion Therapy Laser System. This FDA cleared, deep penetrating light allows relief of pain through the release of endorphins and stimulates the injured cells to heat at a faster rate. Several volunteers I know have used it on their dogs and have been very happy with the results. There are no side effects, unlike strong drugs and surgery.
Sierra had a scary bout with pneumonia that hospitalized her one weekend, and Bailea has an ongoing pulmonary and thyroid problem.
These issues aside, neither family regretted their decision to foster. In fact, both dogs have been “officially” adopted by their families.
Bailea
Carol told me that Bailea is wonderful. She has a sigh she makes when everyone is in a room together that just says it all—it’s real loud and high pitch. It’s obvious she’s happy that her family is with her.
When leashes are taken out for walks (the Monroes have two other BCAR rescues) Bailea starts making different high pitched tones in a conversational style and her tail spins with excitement. However, her legs are so weak that after two blocks she is spent.
Carol and Mike are going to get Bailea a dog stroller/wagon combination to make it possible to take her on the family walks.
This beautiful dog who spent most of her 10-plus years tied to a tree, loves to go swimming, and just as her sibling Sierra, loves to ride in a golf cart. She loves to share whatever piece of furniture her people are on. She’ll come up and put her front paws on the cushion and then wait to be lifted up the rest of the way.
Carol says that Bailea is way too spoiled and that they adore her.
Sierra
When I talked to Barb via phone for this article she said their main problem with Sierra is trying to find a tiara that fits her head! Like her sibling, Bailea, Barb states that she is just way too spoiled. Considering what these two dogs went through for over 10 years, I say they deserve being spoiled.
Sierra has a guttural woof when she wants something. The family knows what it means now and jumps to when they hear it.
Sierra gets along well with the Schneider’s other rescues but is not at all submissive.
In fact she has been known to put uber male, Panther, in his place if he gets in her face.
Her favorite room is the kitchen where many table scraps find their way from the counter to Sierra’s bowl. She loves car rides and has made a couple of trips to Florida where she loves to ride in the golf cart in the retirement village where the Schneiders have a home.
Like Bailea, Sierra has weak back legs due to hip dysplasia and lack of muscle tone.
Daily walks with Gerry are helping build them up.
The Schneiders and Monroes gave these dogs a chance at a happy life, not knowing for how long it will be. Both families say they have derived more from the experience than the dogs have. (I doubt that seriously!) And Barbara strongly encourages the fostering of older dogs. It greatly improves the lives of both the four legged and two legged creatures involved.
These stories are a living testament to the BCAR motto, “Where there is great love, there are great miracles.”
Kennel Open House the last weekend of each month from 1:00–4:00 p.m. If you would like to be a BCAR volunteer leave a message at the kennel (706) 268-1346.
Bailea and Sierra—two of the worst abuse cases
BCAR has ever seen
 |
| Gerry and Sierra getting ready for a ride, Florida style. (Photo by Barb Schneider) |
News from the Dog House
By Jane Galvin
 |
| Jane Galvin |
After years of being tied up and neglected, and then being starved, Sierra weighed 20 pounds when found. She is a Labrador retriever and their normal weight is 60 pounds and up. They were found by a neighbor in Talking Rock.
None of the other shelters were able to take them and animal control would have euthanized them. Mike and Carol Monroe and Gerry and Barb Schneider came forward and said they would foster them. The Monroes took Bailea and the Schneiders took Sierra.
They sure had their work cut out for them as the dogs had, and still do have, some major medical problems.
Both dogs have severe hip dysplasia and lack of muscle tone. They will be starting a new treatment with Dr. Habermann called Companion Therapy Laser System. This FDA cleared, deep penetrating light allows relief of pain through the release of endorphins and stimulates the injured cells to heat at a faster rate. Several volunteers I know have used it on their dogs and have been very happy with the results. There are no side effects, unlike strong drugs and surgery.
Sierra had a scary bout with pneumonia that hospitalized her one weekend, and Bailea has an ongoing pulmonary and thyroid problem.
These issues aside, neither family regretted their decision to foster. In fact, both dogs have been “officially” adopted by their families.
Bailea
 |
| Bailea, upon arrival at BCAR. (Photo by Jim Galvin) |
 |
| Bailea, resting in the Monroe's vacation rental in the Tampa area. (Photo by Carol Monroe) |
When leashes are taken out for walks (the Monroes have two other BCAR rescues) Bailea starts making different high pitched tones in a conversational style and her tail spins with excitement. However, her legs are so weak that after two blocks she is spent.
Carol and Mike are going to get Bailea a dog stroller/wagon combination to make it possible to take her on the family walks.
This beautiful dog who spent most of her 10-plus years tied to a tree, loves to go swimming, and just as her sibling Sierra, loves to ride in a golf cart. She loves to share whatever piece of furniture her people are on. She’ll come up and put her front paws on the cushion and then wait to be lifted up the rest of the way.
Carol says that Bailea is way too spoiled and that they adore her.
Sierra
When I talked to Barb via phone for this article she said their main problem with Sierra is trying to find a tiara that fits her head! Like her sibling, Bailea, Barb states that she is just way too spoiled. Considering what these two dogs went through for over 10 years, I say they deserve being spoiled.
Sierra has a guttural woof when she wants something. The family knows what it means now and jumps to when they hear it.
 |
| Sierra this past January. (Photo by Jim Galvin) |
In fact she has been known to put uber male, Panther, in his place if he gets in her face.
Her favorite room is the kitchen where many table scraps find their way from the counter to Sierra’s bowl. She loves car rides and has made a couple of trips to Florida where she loves to ride in the golf cart in the retirement village where the Schneiders have a home.
Like Bailea, Sierra has weak back legs due to hip dysplasia and lack of muscle tone.
Daily walks with Gerry are helping build them up.
The Schneiders and Monroes gave these dogs a chance at a happy life, not knowing for how long it will be. Both families say they have derived more from the experience than the dogs have. (I doubt that seriously!) And Barbara strongly encourages the fostering of older dogs. It greatly improves the lives of both the four legged and two legged creatures involved.
These stories are a living testament to the BCAR motto, “Where there is great love, there are great miracles.”
Kennel Open House the last weekend of each month from 1:00–4:00 p.m. If you would like to be a BCAR volunteer leave a message at the kennel (706) 268-1346.
