Cincinnati dog rescue
Louie’s Legacy Is Saving Lives
It was 2009. Emily Gear was living in New York. Eight years had passed since two planes flew into the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center, causing the two tallest buildings on the globe to implode, killing nearly 3,000 people, and sending a ripple of fear, anxiety, hatred across borders.
When something like that happens in your home town, you are in an instant changed. For Emily, PTSD had seeped into her soul. Her world was a heavy 
place. Her heart was missing a piece.
Emily wasn’t much into dogs back then but she was asked to babysit a basset hound and she said yes. That one little word was what pulled her out of a dark abyss. It became the start of a journey that has ultimately saved more than 22,000 animals by finding them forever homes that are filled with love.
It all started with Louie
There he was. On the 13th page she looked at on Pet Finder. He was a basset/husky mix with red fur and multi-colored eyes. Something about him just spoke to Emily, called for her to drive to Connecticut to meet him in person. He was heartworm positive which was fatal if not treated with very expensive medical treatment. She really was not expecting to bring him home, but she did.
Louie was just what Emily needed at the time.
I was shut down. He made friends with people easily. He was funny. He looked so weird with his short legs on a huge body and a head that didn’t quite fit. He looked like he was pieced together from different toys, she told me.
But also, he knew what she needed every moment. They were in each other’s heads all the time. I don’t think a human being could have done that, she said.
Louie, it turned out, came from a shelter that euthanized more than 99% of its dogs. It blew Emily away that her soul mate, her companion, could have easily been one of that statistic.
Saving dogs. Giving love. This became her life mission.
Moving back to Cincinnati, Emily began volunteering for rescue organizations while making medical and transport arrangements for animals. Soon she realized she needed to start her own rescue.
Sadly, it was one of her foster dogs that opened the gate to her back yard, through which Louie ran out and into the street. His life ended when he was hit by a passing SUV.
He had a specific job to do and when he did it, he left, she told me.
He didn’t get to see the day Louie’s Legacy was incorporated but truly, it is his legacy, that thousands of animals have been saved to do their job with their humans, to bring and receive joy through every day moments.
Louie’s Legacy, now operating out of New York and Cincinnati, is one of the largest shelters in the U.S. Almost all of the dogs they bring in have come from kill shelters.
Today Emily shares her home with four dogs, ages 11 to 15. Joe is a basset/Carolina mix who was a friend to Louie. Sirus Jones is a jack russell mix. Sandusky is a basset/husky mix who she found on Pet Finder just 13 days after losing Louie. And Louie Jr. is a fox hound mix, part of the first litter of puppies she fostered.
They keep me honest about the flow of life. That things begin and end and we need to be okay with that. You can’t waist the now moment worrying about that, she said.
By the way, Emily has also become an animal communicator and healer. You can learn more at www.IamEmilyGear.com.
My Furry Valentine
You can see animals from Louie’s Legacy and many other rescue organizations at My Furry Valentine, the region’s largest adoption event. Thousands of animals will be looking for their forever homes. This year it is February 15 and 16 at the Sharonville Convention Center (11355 Chester Road; Cincinnati, OH 45246). General admission is $5 and early bird admission is $25.
Shay Has A Heart For Animal Underdogs
Shay Baysore, volunteer social media coordinator for My Furry Valentine, will tell you, she has always been drawn to the underdog, those human and non-human animals who are often overlooked, stigmatized, and expected to fail. She has always believed in their capacity to give, receive, contribute and achieve.
“A soul is a soul,” she told me.
And every soul is deserving of love.
That has been Shay’s lifelong passion, ingrained in her as a young child from her father, her role model. A big man with an intimidating presence, he had soft spot when it came to animals. Some of Shay’s earliest memories are of their taking in strays including any injured animal walking by like a three-legged raccoon and abandoned bunny babies.
These days Shay and her husband share their home with five dogs and three cats – all of whom are either seniors or have some sort of difference/disability. Among them are Embry, adopted from My Furry Valentine, who has had to have surgery to narrow her eyelids and has chronic dry eye; Lyo, their Pug who has partial back leg paralysis; and Kylo (pictured with Shay), their puppy mill rescue who is missing a jaw.
With so many pets and so many different issues that require time, patience, and love; being a non-human mom could almost be Shay’s full time job…but it isn’t. She has a busy career as director of digital marketing for Lasik Plus; and donates over 10 hours of her time each week to attract people to My Furry Valentine through social media. She even finds extra time to give to the Clermont Animal Care Humane Society.
If you will be one of the hundreds of people who attend this year’s mega adoption event, you may see Shay and her husband with cameras and their phones, capturing moments for Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Before the doors open, Shay also spends a lot of time reading and getting to know animal tags. Then, as she is talking to attendees, she can help match them with their forever new companion.
“I am always tired when My Furry Valentine is over, but it is SO worth it,” Shay said.
About My Furry Valentine:
Where: Sharonville Convention Center
When:
Saturday, February 9th 2019
Early Bird* Hours: 10:00am-Noon
General Admission Hours: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Sunday, February 10th 2019
General Admission Hours: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Main Event Admission:
General Admission Tickets $5 (Children under 5 are free)
*Early Bird Tickets $25 (Children 5 and older only $5 with paying adult)
For more detailed information on My Furry Valentine, including participating dog and cat rescue organization and pets up for adoption, please visit their website.
Joel: A Dog Adoption Story Of Love
On DOGust Day, a day when we celebrate the birth of adopted dogs whose real birthdays may be unknown, I’d like to share with you his very special story. His life, his spirit and his journey while here on earth so moved the people in whose care he found experienced enduring love that he will never be forgotten…and will be a constant reminder of their purpose. Their passion.
Carolyn Evans, otherwise known as Cincinnati’s PhoDOGrapher, founder of the My Furry Valentine mega adoption event, and now executive director of Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society, told me – of all the dogs her rescue and animal welfare work has touched, his adoption story is her favorite.
In Carolyn’s own words, “Joel was one of the 60 or so dogs that was waiting for us when we took possession of the shelter on January 1st. He was a long-timer and was continually overlooked. He was old and sick, and every day we hoped a family would come along and swoop him up. Sadly, that day never came.
On May 1st, Joel was rushed to the vet because the right side of his face was swollen. It was a difficult diagnosis. Initially, the vet thought that it might be an allergic reaction to an insect bite. He also considered the possibility that maybe Joel injured himself with a fall, but that was quickly ruled out. He was treated with a steroid injection, Benadryl and we continued to monitor him closely. Joel came home with our Medical Director where he seemed to improve and his handsome face went back to normal. Unfortunately, the swelling began to return slowly even with the steroids and we took him to the emergency vet because the swelling was so severe that his right eye was swollen shut. An x-ray of Joel’s skull identified a mast cell tumor.
We discussed options, cried, talked more, consulted the oncologist and made the most difficult decision but one that was best for Joel. After a trip to the drive-thru, a few hamburgers and fries, tons of kisses and tears, Joel gained his wings.
Our hearts were broken and we just couldn’t get our heads around the idea that Joel never found his forever home. But then we had a beautiful realization… that WE were his forever home. Every one of us loved him and he will forever be a part of us. Joel WAS someone’s dog – he was OUR dog. Joel was officially adopted by the staff and volunteers of Clermont Animal CARE Humane Society.”
Animals And Humans Meet
While Joel’s story, his home, and his heart are his own personal legacy…what he shares with the hundreds, even thousands of dogs and cats, who have found their way to one of the dozens of local animal rescues and shelters is his capacity to give and receive love.
It is why people like Carolyn – passionate volunteers, advocates, and professionals – do what they do. And it is why over 15,000 people now attend the My Furry Valentine mega adoption event. Nearly 1000 families found their best friend at at the last event in February.
And, THIS year, organizers have added a new summer Summer Lovin’ Adoption Event – scheduled for August 18 and 19 at the Sharonville Convention Center. Just as with the winter event, dozens of nonprofit dog and cat rescue organizations will be on hand with puppies, adult dogs, kittens and cats (and even some smaller animals).
If you are looking to add a new furry friend to your family, absolutely plan on attending!
Before you go, please read my post on considerations to think about BEFORE adopting. Think about your lifestyle and what general breed qualities will fit best within it also BEFORE you are smitten by the adorable face in front of you.
Carol Sanger Has A Heart For Pets
Carol Sanger has been a lifelong champion for non-human (and human) animals. Her compassion has saved and enriched the lives of hundreds – if not thousands – of dogs and cats; and causes she has supported have been a lifeline for vulnerable people who cannot afford the necessary expenses of medical pet care.
For all that she does and all that she stands for, the Cincinnati SPCA is honoring Carol with this year’s P.B. Johnston Humane Care Award that will be presented at its 2016 Fur Ball Gala.
Even during her long career as vice president of external affairs for Federated Department Stores (now Macy’s), she focused the company’s philanthropy on animal welfare issues. However, it was upon her retirement in 2005 that she was able to devote so much energy toward volunteer efforts.
I got to know Carol when I was contracted to do public relations for United Coalition for Animals (UCAN). For five years Carol served as its board president and led its $400,000 fundraising campaign to build the region’s first low-cost spay/neuter clinic. Later she helped establish (and served as its board chair for two years) the nonprofit Pets in Need of Greater Cincinnati, a nonprofit veterinarian wellness clinic for pet caregivers with financial challenges. Now she is board chair for the League for Animal Welfare, and excited about that rescue group’s recent growth. The League just opened a mobile vet clinic that travels to rural communities where 90% of residents are supported with government assistance.
Of course, when you talk about Carol’s volunteer work, you have to include her work with Westie (West Highland Terrier) rescues. She and another woman, Sue Durkin, took over the rescue arm of the Westie Club of Indiana in 2002, developing it into a nonprofit, Westie Rescue Indiana, that serves three states and has cumulatively placed over 600 dogs since then. (They are in the process of dissolving it and merging it into Great Lakes Westie Rescue.)
Lisa: How did you love for Westies evolve?
Carol: We got our first Westie actually by accident in 1988. I went to a pet store with my brother Kenny to get booties for one of our Shih tzu’s. The store didn’t have booties but they did have a little, adorable white dog marked down for a quick sale. While I was reading a book they gave me on West Highland Terriers, Kenny was holding her. She came home with us and we named her Kippy. We were hooked and went to a breeder to get a puppy that we named Ditto. We thought all Westies would be mellow like Kippy but Ditto was very different and very busy.
Lisa: Tell us about your first pet.
Carol: I was probably in the 4th grade when my first pet was a little black cat that my uncle, who was a builder, found in one of the houses he was building. There were actually three kittens but that little black one was my favorite. It was the runt of the litter and the others were picking on it. Animals bring out your maternal instinct. I always swore since then that I would always have a black cat. Later I had a black cat who was with me 13 years. And I have a black cat now.
Lisa: Why is this volunteer work so important to you?
Carol: Several reasons. Being able to rescue and to watch those animals who have suffered some trauma to learn to trust again is like watching a flower bloom. Slowly it opens and there is a beautiful creature that feels safe for the first time in its life.
Also, on the other side, pets are really like surrogate kids for so many people. What society needs to recognize is the importance of pets in people’s lives. Animals are so important for seniors and those who don’t have much other reason to get out of bed. Pets make these people feel loved and appreciated. Helping people keep their pets is not a luxury, it is essential. It is a huge emotional connection to life and living for many.
Lisa: What meaning have pets brought to your life?
Carol: Kenny and I currently have 12 dogs, nine cats, three goats and a miniature donkey. I can’t imagine life without them. They are part of our family.
Join Me At The Paw Joggers Run
I am so looking forward to the Paw Joggers Rescue Run on October 18, and hope you will join me.
The event is the brainchild of Billie Mendoza, founder and owner of Paw Joggers, a pet fitness and in-home care service, who I have known for years. Since beginning her business, it has grown to serve much of our region including Northern Kentucky. And, as a way of giving back, Billie wanted to raise money for local rescues.
The Paw Joggers Animal Community Fund (Paw Joggers ACF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the local animal welfare community through events, awareness, and monetary donations. The Paw Joggers ACF and its events are powered solely by Paw Joggers Runvolunteers.
The October 18 event will benefit 43 area animal rescue and advocacy groups. It will include a 5K and 2K raise for people participating with or without dogs. Last year more than 750 raced and $10,659 was given to 32 organizations. Billie and her volunteers are expecting 
many more this year.
I’m excited that this is my second year being a presenter for the event. Through my So Much PETential dog training, I will be leading a contest for children and their dogs, judging with audience participation in categories such as the cutest trick behavior, the best listener (for a dog who listens to and does behaviors asked), and more. If you have a child who will be participating in the race this year, please be sure to enter!
The event will be Sunday, October 18 from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. The race will begin at 10:00 am. It will be at Sharon Woods Park, 11450 Lebanon Rd; Sharonville, OH 45241.
To register, please visit this link. http://pawjoggersrescuerun.com/
