Rescuers save dogs from harm

By Larry Dreiling

Cow dogs, and Border Collies specifically, have been lauded in song, poetry and novels.

Their beauty, intelligence, quick wit and high style have been the stuff of movies and fine art.

Unfortunately, a few good dogs have met up with a few bad owners.

Take Whiskey, for instance. He is a happy animal now, ready to work at any time at any ranch.

A few months earlier, Whiskey's owner had attempted to kill him by poisoning him with anti-freeze. The liquored-up owner later tried to shoot Whiskey. The bullet grazed his ear.

Now, the 4-year-old Border Collie is looking forward to being adopted by a farmer, rancher or anyone with plenty of land for him to roam and plenty of love to offer, in return for his affection.

Linda and Larry York took in Whiskey a few weeks ago. The Yorks operate Pet Pals of Goshen County, WY. Founded 18 months ago, this animal rescue shelter takes pride in accepting all kinds of animals, from iguanas to raccoons, though canine rescues and adoptions take up most of the couple's time.

Larry York retired two years ago after over 30 years as a plant supervisor, at sugar factories in Nebraska and Michigan. The couple returned to Linda's home place, near Hawk Springs, WY. Linda York had become a devoted humane society volunteer, in Saginaw, MI, during her family's time in Michigan.

"It was amazing," she recalls. "You got into to seeing things like the results of Pit Bull fights. When you see heads and bodies that have been ripped apart, it really moves you.

"In one year, Saginaw County was euthanizing over 5,000 pets. I volunteered at a no-kill shelter that didn't have the funding or facilities to conduct rescues.

"On an average day, 15 puppies would be brought in. We had money to save five, while the others went to the county shelter, where they eventually would be euthanized. My job was to sort who lived and who died.

"I had a tough time of taking these animals to the county shelter, which performed euthanasias. You become very religious in this job, because you know you are the one sending these creatures back to God," she says.

Moving back to eastern Wyoming, York suspected she might find the peace that had eluded her in previous year, from seeing so many animals needlessly suffer and die.

" Then I saw puppies and kittens being given away free out of stock tanks, at the local (now bankrupt) Country General store," York says. "I ran across a clerk who was breeding dogs and giving them away and in the parking lot was an area lady who now has over 200 dogs spinning around in cages, in her kennel.

"They could be why we have so many dogs running loose in the area, along with so many people who aren't educated about taking care of these animals," she says.

Seeing all the dogs that had not been spayed or neutered gave way for York's idea to start a pet club, in her area. Pet Pals of Goshen County was officially accepted as a federally approved not-for-profit operation in December, 2000.

"Just as I got the approval, I was asked to help take in some dogs from a Shih-Tsu puppy mill bust, in Scottsbluff, NE. Then, in February, 2001, the Panhandle Animal Shelter, in Scottsbluff, asked us to help find homes for 40 Northern-bred sled dogs. They were found hooked to six-foot long chains and laying in their own excrement," she says.

The shocking part of the discovery of these sick sled dogs was where they came from, Mrs. York says.

"They were being taken care of by Bible students. I was totally shocked. I find this very common that many church groups back East are using puppy mills to make money. They see nothing wrong with it. Church groups run some of the biggest and cruelest puppy mills in the world.

"That is what makes me so mad about this is because when I had to put animals down, realizing I was send these creatures back to God. It was because so-called religious people were trying to make money off these animals by running these puppy mills," she says.

Within a few days after the sled dog bust, 68 Yorkshire terrier and Maltese breed dogs were taken, in another area bust.

"They had had rags shoved down their throats and people hit their throats with hammers to pop their vocal chords, so they wouldn't bark," Mrs. York says.

"They also were being fed horse feed, which made them reabsorb their jawbones. It is cheaper than dog food. Remember, most puppy mill breeding stock only lasts five to seven years, because they keep breeding them until they drop.

"That is why people who go to a shopping mall pet shop or a big pet store in big cities; they usually have no clue about the health of that dog. All they see is a dog wagging its tail. Most of these dogs have papers, but can have all kinds of genetic problems.

"You need to check for the proper nutrition of the mother, which is very important for puppy development. If the mother isn't fed right, you will find that even though the puppy looks good, you can have problems ranging from vision problems, bad skin, bone and joint problems, and even liver and kidney failure," she says.

While it often seems city dwellers are heard to be the culprits for many cases of animal abuse, rural residents can be just cruel, in the treatment of their cow dogs.

"A lot of times, you will find dogs that are left to fend for themselves, in order to get something to eat," Mrs. York says. "We find them drinking out of horse tanks, which is a sure way to get worms. They often don't even check them for fleas and ticks."

The Yorks have managed several Border Collie rescue stories, but Whiskey's tale is incomplete.

"It started when a neighbor called to tell me he found out another neighbor was trying to feed his dog anti-freeze," York says. "Still another neighbor found Whiskey, over at their place, eating on the carcass of a calf that had just died, in the cold.

"Since we have no county laws that allow animal control people to intervene in these situations, I said to the person that he needed to talk to our other neighbor and tell him he could call me if he wanted to not have the dog any longer.

"Finally, the guy calls and tells me his dog wouldn't heel his cattle right. It was in the bullpen trying to herd his bulls. That is when I got mad."

Mrs. York says, "I had to tell him, 'Well, duh, it is a herding dog.'"

Since Whiskey wouldn't drink the anti-freeze, the rancher got his gun. He shot at the dog, but missed.

"He told me, 'I don't know how I missed him. I'm normally a good shot," Mrs. York says. "He said, 'The dog had climbed into my pickup, so I guess he is going to live a little bit longer. How soon do you want the dog?' I told him to bring it over as soon as he could. Twenty minutes later, we had a Border Collie rescue.

"I managed to find a bullet hole on the left ear. He hadn't missed, but just grazed him," she says.

The gunshot wound has healed, but Whiskey still needs a home, Mrs. York says. The couple says that dog and many other wonderful animals are awaiting adoption.

"You can see so many abused animals, and they still wag their tails at you. They are so forgiving. All they want is love," Mrs. York says.

Sometimes, that love is hard to come by, she says. That is why, these days, dog owners must take a different view of caring for their animals.

"The excuse often is, 'It's a country dog. My neighbor knows my dog, just like he knows me.' I don't care if it is a cow dog, hunting dog, house dog or a little fru fru dog. You have to treat them like you would a 2-year-old child.

"Secure them in the back of your car or truck. Don't let them ride in the truck bed. Vaccinate your dog, just like you do a kid. Take him to see the doctor when he is sick and don't let them play out in the road. Clip their toenails and give them baths," she says.

In the last 18 months, two veterinarians have been crucial to the success of her animal rescue operation, Mrs. York says. Dr. Stephen Kerr, Torrington, helps with immediate needs, when rescued animals come in.

"Dr. Mary Kate Lawler, from Cheyenne, is associated with Spay USA and the Doris Day Foundation," Mrs. York says. "Both groups help low-income families with reduced or even free spay and neuter services. She brings her van up here, when the weather permits."

The Yorks know they cannot save every animal on Earth, just a few. It is this "think globally, act locally mindset" that gives Linda York the ability to insightfully express the feelings of many animal lovers.

"Even Mother Teresa, who cared for the poorest of the poor people of the world, once said, 'Animals are God's children, too.' It is my saying, too," Mrs. York says.

Meanwhile, Whiskey and many more ready, willing and able cow dogs are available for work on farms and ranches, at an animal rescue near you.

Date: 6/25/02