Note: My dear, dear Finn went through a surgery yesterday so I wanted to re-post the original piece about him that was published on April 11, 2011 just after he came to live with me. The vet was addressing some of his old injuries. She removed two different sizes of bird shot (meaning he’d been shot at least two times) that was closer to the surface, but left a lot still in him because she didn’t want to cut too deeply into his flesh. She DID, however, find a 22 caliber bullet lodged in his shoulder, which she removed. I can’t know everything my boy suffered before he came to live with me but, right now, as he snores on his ottoman, wrapped in a blanket in front of a blazing fire, the past just doesn’t matter. He is home and he is loved.
Here is the original post:
There seem to have been a lot of rescue stories on the blog lately—anniversaries, reunions—but I have a brand new story to share and it is just at the beginning, so you all get to participate. Today I brought an eighth animal into my family—something I said I would never do. But today I found Finn, for Irish hero (at the vet’s he was dubbed Survivor, but I thought he deserved better).
I’d had my coffee and was setting up to transcribe some notes from an interview, but decided to go to the post office first—no home delivery here–so I could settle in without interruption. And there he was, in the center of town. I don’t know his story. I don’t know from whence he came. But he crossed my path, all bones and sorrow.
He wouldn’t get into my car so I raced home for food and water, terrified he wouldn’t be there when I returned. He’d wandered, but I found him and fed him and picked him up, without struggle this time, and put him in my car. Without even thinking I told him he had a home with me; that he was a good dog and had done nothing to deserve this. He ate more. I called the vet and they could get him in. I called my friend, Craig, to see if he’d come with me because, quite frankly, I was deeply shaken. Craig came immediately and we took this dear, dear boy down the mountain to Dr. Ramsay at Cottonwood Vet—a miracle of a vet, truly.
So much good news mixed in with the bad: he doesn’t have heartworm! Other than being in the last stage of starvation, he is not ill. Miracle after miracle! His blood work was clean! But his protein levels and red blood cell count were at death levels.
So Craig and I went to the feed store to get some special kibble, to the grocery store to get chicken livers, a bed and a collar and we brought the boy home. I was concerned about the cats. Some dogs are cat killers. You just can’t know. But Finn is not, thankfully. He was iffy with Kelee. He’s probably had to be defensive with dogs, out in the world, fending for himself.
Skye hid under the bed, of course, and I wasn’t looking forward to their introduction. Other than Kelee, she’s not had another dog in this house. And it wasn’t great. It was scary, in fact. Barking, growling, lunging, hackles up, all around—three big dogs in one small space feeling threatened. I pulled out my very best alpha attitude and, amazingly, they all listened.
It’s been an exhausting day and evening. I’ve called Craig about a hundred times. But Finn has eaten regularly (he needs to eat numerous small amounts of food every couple of hours), and all three dogs are sleeping peacefully right now—a minor miracle.
I have a wonderful Willa Cather novel I’m itching to snuggle into, so the next big event here in the Weigel household will be to get this crew upstairs, out of the studio, and into my living quarters. Let’s not even THINK about going to bed for the night! Just venturing out to the portal to get wood for the fire was a major event.
A storm blew in this evening, bringing with it badly needed rain. I am very grateful for the precipitation and at least as grateful that this dear dog doesn’t have to spend the night, tonight, out in the rain and cold. Tonight he has a soft bed, a warm fire, plenty of food, and hope. A dog’s belief is an amazing thing. Here he is, nearly dead from neglect, and he already believes in me. Simple trust. A beautiful lesson I hold close to my heart.
And now it has started to snow.
Addendum
By the time this story is posting, Finn has been with us for five full days. His recovery has been amazing. He’s putting on weight faster than I thought he would and he’s able to tolerate food much better.
His energy has been returning in leaps and bounds and he is even wanting to PLAY! While there have been some tussles between the dogs, they are actually getting along remarkably well. Skye seems smitten but Kelee is somewhat jealous of both Skye’s and my attention going to Finn. Time will sort all this out, I am sure.
But as much as I want to put a cheery spin on his story, I was just petting him and found three shotgun pellets in his chest. I tried to comfort him and get him to lie down on his bed and he almost wouldn’t breathe. He was uncomfortable with the attention and did everything he could to present a submissive posture. And it occurred to me that Skye has a shotgun pellet embedded in her flesh and Kelee lost his leg to a bullet. Some nights it is hard to be human, knowing what we are capable of, and yet these animals, who are my family, all of them rescued from some wrong, continue to believe. And I will do everything I can to give them something true to believe in. I can’t take away the past or right every wrong, but I can see to it that they are loved and protected and safe from this day forward. We have a new family member and Finn has his forever home. You know you’ll be hearing more as this story unfolds… Stay tuned!
Love to you all,
Jeane
You sir, are my hero and I very much mean that. I can honestly say without a doubt you are that dogs hero too.
Thank you Jake. (the George throws a lot of people off) 🙂 It just does my heart so much good to watch him come around as quickly as he is. Proof that love DOES heal!
Ma’am* apologies.
You are a wonderful person. Ever thought about doing this full time? Shelters could always use foster homes in the community. Thanks for your kindness.
Thanks Rob. Actually I just try to help those who cross my path. Eight family members is really all I can handle well (she says until the NEXT one presents itself)! And I have two full-time jobs now, so… One step at a time, right? One animal at a time…
This is one of the most heartfelt things I have come across in a while. Thank you for opening your home to this precious animal. I have a rescue dog (Akita/shepherd) and cat and am so happy to know they are warm, safe and loved, considering the alternative. Love does heal 🙂
Thanks Jack, and thank you for rescuing your two. If we can’t stop the abuse, at least we can step up and give these guys what every animal deserves.
Jeane,
Thanks for elaborating on Finn’s progress:) The film brought tears to my eyes seeing him relax and meld with the group…Very sweet. I am sure it is a watchful steward you are being with the dynamics and each dogs attachment to you – as I understand it, the dogs will have their own dog hierarchy as well as their following your alpha lead:) He is a lucky dog and you are also blessed with the gifts of ALL of your wards undying adoration and companionship:)
As humans we have this tool you have illuminated here – to transfer our ability to find compassion for the wounded psyches of some animals..to ALL animals, humans included:)
Lovely blog and film….love the music:)
XOXOX
Grace
Adam put the video together. Didn’t he do a good job? Finn continues to progress so well. Kelee, Finn, Bubby and I just took a short walk together. Next I’ll be taking Keels out alone, for some of that great bonding walk time. It’s an interesting balancing act because Finn needs so much right now. It is easy for Kelee to see that as favoritism, but he’s getting better about it. I’m trying very hard to offset Finn’s extra needs with extra love to Kelee. Interestingly, Skye is taking it all happily in stride. I am blessed by my beautiful animal family. They swell my heart with their goodness every minute of every day. And, yes, compassion is something needed by every species, all of us, each and every one. Animals do a great job of guiding us there.
Thanks dear.
XOXO
Jeane
BEAUTIFUL!!! Bless your heart for saving his life!! Thank you for spreading some light when it sometimes seems nothing but human darkness surrounds us. Love from Vegas, Mia
Rightfully said, I think it is Finn–and Kelee and Skye–who are spreading the light. They’re just letting me come along for the ride. 🙂
I was forwarded this by my boyfriend, and I just wanted to say how much it warmed my heart. You are an amazing, kind hearted person. It is easy to see how Finn bonded with you instantly. You undoubtedly saved this beautiful boy’s life. The world needs more people like you.
I am going to forward this onto my family and friends. This is something that needs to be shared.
Thank you so much, Ashley, for your kind words. There are many, many people who rescue animals in need every minute of every day. I’m happy to say I am certainly not alone. One of the reasons I tell the various rescue stories is to inspire people to help those animals that cross their paths. It is overwhelming if we think about all the animals in need, but we can all save one dog or one cat. That’s really my message.
When I saw the picture of Finn it struck my heart with such sorrow and my jaw dropped! How sad he looked health wise and I hate to see an animal in such suffering conditions. But thanks to him crossing your path he looks much better from the pictures for he has put on some wieght and with the picture of him rubbing his back on the ground, and him sleeping so comfortably, he looks so happy! The vedio is so precious of Skye and Finn playing. The tender licking that Skye is giving Finn is perhaps a way of showing Finn how Skye knows how he is feeling for once he was in the same position that Finn is in now and it is his way of showing that being in this family is going to be okay, great, and loving! Great story! You’re so gracious to these animals. One thing that strikes me and makes me bitter is how in each of your dogs that they have bee bee pellets in them! How can someone even think of doing (shooting) such a defenceless animal! Hope all goes well for them in that department! Again, a tearful but joyous story! Can’t wait for updates to see how all goes! Take care, Cin =)
P.S. Kelee I’m sure will come around after knowing that he is still your first and foremost loved dog and has not been put on the backburner of your love; that they all can equally be loved and recieve your attention!
Hi Cindy–Yes, Finn is doing so much better. We all slept through the night last night–a first since his arrival! He’s not needing to eat around the clock anymore, just throughout the day. Skye is totally smitten and the dynamic that’s playing out is Kelee became very jealous of Skye playing with Finn. So he wasn’t so anxious about ME–I was consciously giving him lots of love–but worried about Skye’s affections. So we’ll see what today will bring. I need to stand back and not try to control things so much, to just trust the dogs to figure it out. Finn is healing on so many levels–just with plenty of nutrition and water his nose is healing.
You are right about the canvases. I’ve been preparing the grounds for the last week and will begin layering color on today. There will be a post on Friday about my process again.
That’s great news on Finn’s recovery! I can’t wait till Fridays post about your next step on your canvases! GREAT!!!!
Good deal. I’ll see you Friday then 🙂
Oh and off of the subject but I couldn’t help but see the canvans’s done with the grass incorporated into your plaster. They look interesting and I’m guessing that they are not finished but a start for I didn’t see any color/shadow tone into them yet? Can’t wait to see the finished project. Hope I’m correct and haven’t put down your creations in any way for you know I am a fan of yours. Cin =)
Beautiful…..
Thanks Linda. Nice to hear from you. Finn’s doing amazingly well. I’ll post an update of his progress on Monday. Today is the most peaceful morning we’ve had since his arrival–a real blessing.
Skye is a great nurse, she just so soft and caring with Finn WOW and he was so tired and fragile, hes so much better !! thanks to you!!!
Yes, he’s getting better and better every day. Skye is totally smitten and SO sweet with him. But then Kelee got really hurt about Skye’s attentions going to Finn. It’s all a big balancing act and the dynamics of our little family have been toyed with. But this morning Kelee and Finn chased a coyote off the property and they seem to have come back as brothers 🙂
Finn crossed the path of an angel that day and I’m so glad that angel took him home. I am looking forward to reading more about Finn as he recovers and learns how to be a dog without any worries. God bless you and Finn.
Finn is doing so well, it’s really remarkable. I’ll definitely post an update with photos on Monday. I can tell you this: he doesn’t like apples, he’s learning to sleep on soft things, and he’s sleeping through the night. Today was a very good day.
Wow, Jeane, he really was skinny and starving. He sure is a lucky guy that you found him. I think the dogs will work out their pecking order as they usually do, it just takes some time.
Yes, he was in real trouble. He didn’t have a lot longer to live so I’m very grateful he crossed my path. He’s doing remarkably well now, needing lots and lots of rest on top of as much food as he can take in: fresh cooked chicken and chicken broth, chicken livers and kibble. He’s supposed to be getting veggies as well but I’m not very good with that even for myself, but we’re making do. He likes life with me in the studio and the dogs are finding a balance. There will be an updated video posted on the blog on Monday.
I think what you did is wonderful!!! There are so many animals that are thrown away without a second thought. Finn is one lucky guy and he knows it. Our job on this earth is to care for those (including Gods creatures) who cannot fend for themselves. He looks so content and happy now. No good deed goes unnoticed 🙂
I’m just so grateful, Andrea, that I happened by him that morning. A cold, snowy night might have been the end of him. He is SO happy now and it warms my heart to see him contented and healing–this in just a few weeks. I can’t WAIT to see him progress even further.
This is just a wonderful story of human kindness to this beautiful soul of a dog …. I saw it on Life With Dogs and followed the video to your blog … I have three dogs, none are rescues but I would hope that if I could not continue to care for mine that they would find themselves in a home such as yours .. blessings to you Jeane and your wonderful furry family …
Thank you, Toby. I simply couldn’t ask for a nicer compliment than that.
Jeane, I also found your blog from Life With Dogs and will now add you to my list of sites to keep up with!
Thank you so much for rescuing Finn. A long time ago, when I was still in high school, I worked for hours to catch a scared starved dog that had wandered into our yard and we rescued him and made him a part of our family, Casey. He was a blessing every day of his 14 years! Just a loving, sweet, trusting, funny boy. We, the people who get to have these animals in our families, are really the lucky ones.
I am so glad Finn found his way to you and your family!
Hi Jenn–
I’m so happy you like the blog and will be keeping in touch. Thank you.
Thank you, too, for sharing your great story about Casey. We are, indeed, the lucky ones to get to live with these guys who will never forget and are delighted every moment of every day, I think, because of that.
I look forward to hearing from you again.
This made me tear up. Bless you for saving him!
So glad you found his story. He’s doing GREAT now and I am so in love with him. Here are some follow up posts: http://high-road-artist.com/5020/rescue-dog/rescue-dogs-happy-success-story-finn-thrives/, http://high-road-artist.com/5342/rescue-dog/rescue-dog-finn-a-love-story/, http://high-road-artist.com/7133/rescue-dog/rescue-dog-update-finn-at-home/. I saw a bumper sticker the other day that read, “Who rescued who?” So very true.
Are you an angel ? xxxxx
Not at all… how I wish I was. Just a normal human being who can’t turn my back on an animal’s suffering.
Wow! What stories he could tell! I’m just happy that the second part of his story is all about being safe and being loved. Live long Finn!
Yes indeed what stories he could tell–most of which, because of his very positive personality, he’s already forgotten. I’m with you 150%–Live long Finn!