It's August, 2008, And We Salute Our Friends in Dachshund Rescue

At least once a year, we like to salute all the people who work in dachshund rescue. The ones who put their time and money on the line to give dogs a new life. One of our favorite rescuers is Dona Jo Show. You may recall that a few years back she fostered, then adopted, Fireball, a dachshund/lab cross who was born with severely deformed legs. Dona saw him through surgery, and, when we met him, he was a happy and lively boy, with hardly a sign of his past hardships. Fostering dogs can cause grief and pain of many kinds, and Dona has experienced that grief and pain. But she keeps on, as so many rescuers do. We love them all. And now we're going to let Dona tell you about her latest rescue: Captain Jack.

Captain Jack was rescued from a horrible puppy mill in Oklahoma. Most of the dogs died before being rescued, what ones that did not die, were sold at an auction. All except for Jack. No one wanted him. We think it is because of his bad leg.

Jack's right rear leg had been dislocated at the hip, and then broke at both the knee and hock joint. This leg was in a fused straight position.

We cannot imagine the pain Jack suffered because of this. Jack was sent to Pennsylvania to be fostered and hopefully get his leg surgically repaired. But after a consultation, it was found that Jack's leg was damaged beyond repair. The only thing to do was amputate it.

Jack had surgery on his leg in June. He is up and walking and running. He does not miss that bum leg at all.

Many have tried to figure out how his leg could be so severely injured. Many speculate that Jack was grabbed by his leg and thrown, most likely because he probably tried to bite his puppy miller. Maybe Jack was protecting his pups from being taken away from their mother at 4 weeks of age. Maybe the miller did not like the way Jack looked at him that day.

Whatever it was, Jack has suffered a great deal in such a short life.

But Jack is on the road to recovery. He is ready to set sail on a new adventure. Arrrhhh, Matey, Captain Jack is off and running.

Just after we published this story, we found out that Jack has found his Forever Home, in Indiana. Here's a note he sent to the foster mom who took care of him before Dona.

Hello all – Jack here. Just thought I would let you know how things are here in northwest Indiana. I have friends here – three – that I run and chase all over the yard. I am not really sure of their roughhousing yet, it confuses me some. But mom says it will be fun when I'm stronger and ready to be big. Right now I am really enjoying the role of 'Baby Jack'. I run all over, then come and check in with mom – you know to make sure she's ok in the big yard, I come to the door when I'm ready to go in too. Mom says I need to work on my indoor potty habit a little, but she says I'm not too bad. I really am still very unsure of anyone with a beard, or deep voice – but some that live here spend hours holding me and talking to me and giving me belly rubs. I still yell at them though, when mom isn't here. After all, I think she left me in charge, and they should be sitting on the floor with us longnesses. Oh, and I get to sleep in the big bed with my mom, dad and three friends – that really helps in a thunderstorm. I really like to wear my harness a lot. It helps me to stay calm, and I look good in it too. Mom uses it to catch me sometimes when I get too nervous. My ears are getting better – mom puts stuff in there twice a day. I am eating well – I decided that I should eat under the kitchen table only – so mom moved my bowl. Well, I'm done rambling – I'll write again soon.

Captain Jack

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