The first time I met rescue dogs Chloe and, later, Hendrix, they could not have been more opposite even though they both have challenging physical conditions: Seven-pound, nine-year-old Chloe is a fluffy-white, puppy-mill Maltese mix with partial blindness; 80-pound, seven-year-old Hendrix, meanwhile, is a black Labrador mix with a permanent leg injury and limp that may require amputation. Both dogs now miraculously enjoy happy lives because they were saved by private nonprofit organizations and caring shelter volunteers who recognized their fantastic personalities that far outshadow their handicaps.
According to rescuers Jennifer Coscia, founder of The Animal Rescue and Adoption Agency (TARAA), and Lindsay Ryan, founder of Tender Heart Animal Retreat and Refuge, physical handicaps and health challenges, including heartworm treatment, do not prevent otherwise adoptable pets from enjoying normal lives and most activities with their owners.
“Treatable, minor ailments like ringworm are no reason to kill an animal, as many high-kill shelters do. The animals with skin conditions or heartworms deserve the chance to live and find their forever homes just as much as the cute, healthy animals,” said Coscia.
Ryan added that some shelters euthanize dogs that are deaf, blind, chase cats, or have other specific behaviors that can be managed and should not lead to a death sentence. Chloe and Hendrix are perfect examples of how otherwise healthy animals with handicaps or treatable health issues can live normal lives as loving companions.
Chloe – The Animal Rescue and Adoption Agency (TARAA)
The most striking thing about Maltese mix Chloe was how calmly and silently she reclined in her chair at the jam-packed Jacksonville International Airport. The petite girl patiently waited to board her flight with her adoptive parents, John and Patricia “Patty” McMenamin. The flight that would start their vacation to visit Phoenix family members was imminent, but Chloe seemed as relaxed as if she were snoozing on the family couch at home.
Putting many of the airport’s other traveling – and barking – dogs and complaining cats to shame, Chloe contentedly watched hordes of people chaotically rushing around. She nonchalantly ignored the blaring terminal announcements. She closely watched her parents and showed friendly interest in strangers.
“She loves people and enjoys traveling – despite her blindness – whether by car, RV, plane, or bike carrier,” Patty explained. “She goes everywhere with us.”
Chloe likes the RV life, traveling cross-country in the McMenamin motor home, which was bought in 2022 for Chloe on her birthday March 11. That raised some eyebrows among the McMenamins’ adult children, who declared, “We never received a gift like that!”
The McMenamins adopted Chloe, rescued by the nonprofit, TARAA. TARAA is a no-kill organization that rescues dogs and cats that other rescue groups often overlook because they are special needs animals or have health issues. Operating with a network of foster homes and weekend adoption events at Petco Marsh Landing, TARAA has placed more than 4,000 animals in homes. Its website provides information regarding how to adopt, foster, volunteer, or donate to help fund their efforts.
The McMenamins’ senior Maltese, Kipper, had recently passed away when they adopted Chloe and Patty recalled it was similar to having a newborn. Chloe was so small, in fact, Patty said only a cat harness would fit her.
“One of her eyes looked strangely bluish, and our vet immediately told us that she was blind in that eye, and although her other eye is normal, it is prone to infections. But none of this stops Chloe from doing everything with us,” Patty added.
Chloe’s medical issues are typical of puppy-mill-bred dogs that often suffer from a range of immediate health problems and genetic disorders, and can exhibit negative behaviors, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
Hendrix – Tender Heart Animal Retreat and Refuge
and Haydon Williams
Hendrix is a large, all-black Labrador retriever mix that ended up as an unclaimed stray at Jacksonville’s Animal Care & Protective Services (ACPS). A stunning, silky-coated dog, Hendrix doesn’t often move because one of his front legs hangs limply, dangling from his body. At the top of that leg, a large round mass is clearly visible. It can be jarring to see him move when he does.
ACPS veterinarians diagnosed it as an injury of unknown origin that was not treated and healed on its own, leaving him disabled. They believed the large mass was benign scar tissue. Hendrix had learned to live with his dangling leg and uses it for some balance.
It was decided that no further treatment was necessary because Hendrix could walk and run, albeit with a pronounced limp, and seemed unbothered by his disability. So, the handsome, intelligent Hendrix returned to his kennel to await a potential adopter who might overlook his handicap.
Compassionate volunteers who adored Hendrix actively promoted him on social media, fearing for his future. They understood that his large size made his small shelter kennel a miserable situation that could lead to depression or negative behaviors. They also knew that all-black animals – and large dogs – are the least likely to be adopted, facts proven by shelter statistics. Add a pronounced disability and limp, and Hendrix’s prospects for a forever family appeared remote despite his affectionate, hilarious personality. He only had one foster-to-adoption placement, and it failed: He was returned to ACPS.
Enter volunteer and tireless shelter pet adoption advocate Lynda Gridley. She not only found a private, no-kill nonprofit rescue to remove Hendrix from ACPS, but she also found another foster-to-adopt placement that has been successful so far. Hendrix’s foster mom reports that he is a constant companion, does goofy zoomies around his huge backyard, plays gently with the family’s nine- and five-year-old boys, and happily assumes top-dog status over the resident bossy rescue chihuahuas who follow the gentle giant around like ducklings.
Tender Heart Animal Retreat and Rescue founder Ryan, not only accepted Hendrix but also had him examined at the University of Florida (UF) Veterinary Clinic, recognized as a regional cutting-edge animal care facility. UF veterinarians ruled out cancer but diagnosed atrophy and probable nerve damage in his leg. Hendrix’s next appointment is with a UF veterinarian orthopedic specialist to determine if anything further should be done.
Gridley knew of Tender Heart’s mission to “pull” less adoptable, at-risk dogs from several counties’ most crowded or kill shelters. Ryan accepts animals no one wants and provides whatever they need in order to dramatically improve adoptability. Ryan does all dog training herself and is currently teaching sign language to a deaf German shepherd. She ensures that dogs needing specialized veterinarian care or surgery receive treatment unavailable at most shelters.
As a newer animal rescue operating through a foster network, Ryan primarily uses her personal funds to finance rescue efforts aimed at removing at-risk animals from various rural shelters and the chronically overcrowded Jacksonville ACPS. She needs financial contributions to construct a simple, insulated facility to house dogs while they undergo rehabilitation, training, or medical recovery.
Additionally, she aims to build a modest boarding kennel at the front of her property to generate income for rescue expenses, veterinary care, and surgeries. Ryan also provides a small free pet food pantry and helps secure spay and neuter services for the pets of needy families. She invites businesses, community clubs, or Eagle Scouts to contact her to volunteer labor or materials for these construction projects.
Tender Heart Animal Retreat and Refuge has a Facebook page while its website is being constructed. The page includes Ryan’s Amazon Wish List and ways to donate. Fencing and construction materials, including labor or in-kind donations, are greatly appreciated. Tender Heart needs remote social media help, grant writers, communications, and computer volunteers who can offer even a couple of hours each week. Animal fosters and transporters living anywhere from Jacksonville to Gainesville are also needed.
The two private, all-volunteer nonprofit rescues that saved Chloe and Hendrix receive zero government funding and can only continue saving animals because of community donations. They both ensure that their adoptable animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and fully vetted, wormed, healthy, and on monthly heartworm and pest preventative medication. If an adoption fee is required, it is solely to help cover the cost of veterinarian services. All financial donations to nonprofit organizations are tax-deductible.
Resources:
The Animal Rescue and Adoption Agency (TARAA)
Taraajax.com | [email protected]
(904) 422-4307
Tender Heart Animal Retreat and Refuge
www.facebook.com/people/Tender-Heart-Animal-Retreat-Refuge-Inc/100095220494287/
(904) 626-1193 | [email protected]
