This Time The Rescuer Needs Rescuing

I became my "Father's Daughter". In 2009 I submitted a story about my father Captain Glenn W. Volkerding a Cape Girardeau Police Officer, who while patrolling the streets would pick up dogs that were injured, abused, or neglected, and bring them home. He would nurse them back to health and them find them homes. I carry his love for animals in my heart every day. It was my dream to do my part in rescuing as many animals as possible. I have rescued many dogs in my lifetime just as my father did. I have helped in the transporting of dogs to their new adopted families. I kept 5 of the dogs that I rescued. Below is my family.

Zade. My German Shepherd. His nickname is: Zaddy Gets All The Ladies. This is his story. My German Shepherd "Onya" had just passed away. Her nickname was: Onya Ola Jonna Dawanna Minnie Magnolia. I was so depressed and saddened by her death that I swore to myself that I would not get another dog. My friend came by and asked me to go yard selling with her. I didn't want to, but I did. We stopped at an old grey house that had a family sitting on the porch. I sat down and started talking to one of the older women there. All of a sudden here comes about 12 German Shepherd puppies running around the corner. Their coats where all matted, they had hundreds of fleas, and had some kind of skin infection. My heart melted over the worst one. I asked her if they were selling any of the puppies and they said yes, that they were asking$450.00. I told them about Onya dying and how depressed I had been. One of the daughters took the puppies back around the house. My friend followed her. About two minutes later here comes all the puppies back. The girl said pick one. I started to cry and asked her if I could have this one. She placed him in my arms and I never cried so hard in my life. Zade is my protector. He's bull headed, listens when he wants to (even though he is obedient trained). Every one of my friends say our personalities match.

Gracie. My "Thinks she's a German Shepherd" dog. Her nickname is: Mary's Amazing Grace and Gracie Ellie May. This is her story. I was looking on Craigslist and saw a sick looking little dog that the ad said was a German Shepherd puppy. She looked so sick. I emailed the people and told them I wanted her. My friend and I took off for St. Louis to go get her. When we pulled up in the persons driveway we looked across three fields and saw this sick, starving, and flea ridden little dog who to us was near death come running into my arms. I knocked on the ladies door and asked her if this was the dog and how much she wanted for her. She said "Give me $65.00". So I did. And when I did, she turned and ran up her steps yelling "We have beer and gas money". I scooped her in my arms and we headed down the highway home. I named her what I did because she survived by the Grace of God. She is now healthy as can be. You can tell her to smile and she will lift her lips up as high as she can get them. If you tell her no she starts to do this "yodeling" sound.

Shadow. My German Shepherd. His nickname is: Me and my Shadow. This is his story. I rescued Shadow from a couple in Festus. I went there to see this dog that a neighbor had said was being abused by them. I knocked on their door and asked the person if they had a German Shepherd. I said that I would like to see him. When I saw this dog I got so mad. I opened their door and took him by the collar and started walking him to my car. They said that they would call the police, and I said "I hope you do, because this is the worst case of animal abuse that I had ever seen". I told them I was taking him to a safe place. When I got him home and saw what they did to him it was beyond words. He was shaved to the skin, had over 75 deep cuts on his body, and was burnt with cigarettes over 100 times. He was about 2 years old and weighed about 40lbs. Now he is my Shadow. He weighs 130 lbs and is the biggest baby. He follows me every where I go. The only thing that I can't break him from doing is sticking his head completely in the giant water bowl I use. But I keep a mop close by to take care of that.

Isabella. My Dachshund. Her nickname is Isabella Tacabella Cinderella Drop The Chalupa. This is her story: She came from a puppy mill that had been shut down. She was the last one the was being taken away. I begged the people to let me take her. She was only 5 weeks old. I pleaded and pleaded until they said yes. I went and bought a tiny baby bottle and tried to get her to take some of the special formula that I had bought, and she would not eat. My Vet told me that she would eat, for me to keep trying. I did, and the tiny puppy started to eat. She is a Mini Dachshund. She weighs about 9 lbs. She is my world. She is so attached to me. I have to hold her in my arms all day, and she sleeps under the covers right under my arm. She howls when I have to leave to go somewhere. When I get back, she falls dead asleep in my arms again.

Ryker. My Dachshund. His nickname is: Ryker Pee Hiker Bob Barker. This is his story: I got him also from an abused home. He was ate up with fleas, had a broken leg that was never fixed, extremely under weight, and had a belly full of worms. He had fleas so bad the night I brought him home that I called a friend to come over and help me give him a bath and pick them off of him. After a few visits to the vet Ryker started to grow longer and longer. He now weighs about 20 lbs. Out of all of my dogs he is the funniest. Isabella and him are partners in crime. She is able to jump on the kitchen table or the living room table and knock things off. Ryker then take whatever it is and runs to his kennel. At the end of the day if something is missing you know where to find it

All 5 of my dogs have their own personality. They make me laugh every day. When I have a sad day it's Zade and Isabella who comfort me. Zade tries to get on my lap like my mini Dachshund does. They are all precious to me. All my friends that have pets have birthday parties for them, draw names at Christmas, fill Easter eggs with dog treats, and we fix our pets a plate for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are treated as God meant for them to be treated. All of my dogs are obedient trained, and potty trained. I couldn't tell you how many of my friends have brought their dogs to me throughout the years to be potty and obedient trained.

So my story will end like this. On July 31, 2013 I will be homeless like the many dogs that would have been if they would not have been rescued by my father and I throughout the years of our lives. If I can't find a home to rent for me and my dogs, I will live in my car. I promised every animal that I ever took in that I would give them a forever home. Yes, I have struggled at times, but I always kept that promise. The only way they will leave me is through death. There will be some people that may read this and say, "Just get rid of them". And my answer to them will always be, God made their heart to love and be loved".

I wish I could rescue all the animals in the world who are suffering, being abused, neglected, unloved, those who are hungry, left on chains or pens never to be played with, those who are left out in the cold and hot summer days with no shelter, but we all know that can't happen. Asking me to get rid of them is no different than asking you to get rid of your children. Only true animal lovers will understand my heart. I grieve for these animals every breath that I take. Being homeless is not just for people.

If anyone has a house that they would rent to me and my dog family in Jackson, MO, please email me.

I will pay a pet deposit...I am on Hud. Please don't let that stop you. Hud is so easy.

This Time The Rescuer Needs Rescuing.

Thank You, and May God Bless You and Your Pets...

Mary