HT-Z Giant Schnauzer Rescue, Inc.
A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization
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Hope's Story
I have not posted about Hope being found because I wanted to make sure that she was back with her new Mom. That happened yesterday 8 February 2007 at 3 PM in Buchanan, VA.
I cannot possibly thank everyone enough for his or her efforts in searching for Hope. Amazingly, we all worked together for a miracle ending - a miracle brought about by a lot of work on the part of many, many people.
Hope came into HT-Z Giant Schnauzer Rescue, Inc from a kill shelter in Long Island, NY, in October 2006. She was surrendered to the shelter with a serious slash in her hind quarter, probably from a razor or a knife, requiring many stitches. Still, she was as gentle as could be. I named her Hope. Everyone who has ever come into contact with Hope has been smitten. She is happiest, sweetest Giant one could meet. Taking her into foster care after her spay, Hope came to our house, met four other giants, a mini schnauzer and a cat. She greeted them all as long lost friends and just moved in. That was that!
She found her forever home with Jean who lives in Virginia. Jean had lost her 11-year-old Giant to cancer several months before and wanted another Giant. She contacted Rescue and eventually contacted me. Jean and Hope are a matched pair. It was obvious that Hope was waiting for Jean to enter her life as her forever Mom.
Hearing of Jean’s accident while returning to Virginia, Hope’s escaping from the car, being sited the following morning at the truck stop in Buchanan and then being picked up by a trucker left me numb. I could not entertain the thought of not finding her alive.
Posting everywhere I could think of, calling all shelters, vets, Post Offices, talking to anyone who would listen, contacting the local TV stations, and trying not to miss any avenue that might lead to Hope's return became my full time job. Despite the fact that Jean had learned all her belongings, including her check book, were stolen from her wrecked car (at the lot the car was towed to), Jean was out every day handing out flyers, talking to truckers, who said they would be more than willing to get the word out. She followed up every lead given to her. Suffering the impact of the airbag, Jean put off going to the Doctor to get herself checked for a week. She felt if she could just find her dog, she could face everything else. The people of Buchanan are amazing,they jumped in to help. everyone was on board.
When the Virginia Police became involved, the trucking company, being difficult with me, cooperated with them. These men, Sergeant David Horton and Officer Kevin Crowder were key in getting Hope back. They worked tirelessly following leads and locating the driver, who it was reported, had a large black dog with her. The driver had been fired and it was said she would be returning to her home in Florida. Everyone was alerted and on the lookout. A Florida woman had received one of Hope's flyers via email, (she works in animal rescue as well). A local shop owner commented to her about seeing a large black Giant Schnauzer with a woman from the neighborhood that did not have a dog before. The shop owner confirmed that the woman was a trucker and the dog that was with her was the dog in the flyer. With flyer in hand, she alerted the Florida Police that Hope had been seen. Her vigilance aided the police immensely in bringing Hope home.
Hope was identified via microchip. I cannot stress the importance of a microchip. HT-Z supports this when Giants come into Rescue. Hope had a collar on, with license, rabies tag and microchip id tag, when she was lost. It was nowhere to be seen when she was found. Only the microchip positively identified her.
After spending the night at the Florida shelter, she was picked up at 9 am by a friend of a Giant owner who also volunteers with HT-Z Rescue. Hope was taken across Florida to meet up with yet another Giant person. Traveling north to NY for Westminster, she graciously let Hope hitch a ride to North Carolina where another volunteer. This volunteer left her home in Virginia in the early am, drove to North Carolina to pick Hope up, turned around, returned to her home to take care of her dogs, then arranged to meet Jean to get Hope back to her.
I understand that Hope’s body would not stop wriggling when she saw Jean. Sergeant Horton and Officer Crowder were there to meet Hope, the girl they worked so hard for. Hope just soaked up the attention and the extra special belly rubs. The press was there to cover Hopes reuniting with Jean.
If it weren't for everyone jumping in to help, Hope might never have been found. Thank you is not enough for all your efforts. Having such an extended family, all working for the love animals, is a blessing.
Again, thanks to all for coming together to bring Hope home!
