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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Four years ago <st1:place w:st="on">Bluegrass</st1:place>
Basset Rescue placed Rosie Lou with me. She is the Daily Drool 12/27 Calendar
Girl, and I’d like to share her story with those who might not know about
her.</span></font></b><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'> <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>Rosie was saved from a puppy mill in <st1:place w:st="on">Eastern
Kentucky</st1:place>. Local newspaper coverage of the rescue effort described
bones of decomposed dogs; dead dogs still smoking from being burned; feces two
to three inches deep in cages that were too small or had too many dogs in them;
underweight animals with sores, raw spots, worms, broken bones. Animal shelter
employees made comments like “horrible conditions”, “the
worst I’ve ever seen”. What went through the mind of Rosie’s
owner? How did he justify his lack of care? I’ve tried to understand but
I can’t<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>I also don’t understand what motivates
rescuers to leave their homes at 5:30 AM and drive six hours to save 6 bassets
they’ve never seen. Or to patiently wash the animals time and time again
before the water finally runs clean? To treat mange, malnutrition, sore feet
from walking on wire crate floors, and other ailments too numerous to mention? And
then to pay the expenses of a behaviorist to evaluate the animals and then
undertake to rehabilitate them. <o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>What would motivate a foster parent to take
a dog so wild that in humor they name her “Lou” because she is such
a lulu? To spend months teaching basic commands, house-breaking, and socializing?
To send her on to a new home with encouragement for the adopter and an offer to
help whenever and however it is needed? And then make room in their hearts and
home for the next frightened animal?<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Today I look at this little girl with
wonder at the path she took, and the people who helped her along the way. I’m
sure anyone who has loved a rescued dog can empathize when I say that words
fail me. Some emotions are inexpressible, and some actions are too wonderful
for language to capture. So please join me in being grateful for Rosie on her
calendar day, and being thankful for people who were willing to save a dog like
her.<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
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