Happy Tails: Archie and Austin
Sunday, February 10, 2008
By: Sherri Shamonsky

East End Rescue Update

I remember that frosty, cold, day in early January 2002. I was listening to the news when I heard the newscaster say something about a rescue effort lead by Animal Friends. In disbelief, I heard the newscaster explain that over 60 dachshund-mix dogs, many cats and a turtle were removed from deplorable conditions inside a home in the East End.

He went on to say that the three-story unheated house was covered with animal waste and had a foul, sickening stench. Emaciated dogs who had never known the touch of a human's hand were found hiding in dark holes in the floor boards, trembling with fear. And still more terrified, starved dogs were huddled in gaping holes in the walls where plaster should have been.

I was shocked and disturbed. I remember shaking my head and asking myself,  "What is going to happen to those innocent animals?"

I would have never believed it, but nine months after that story hit the headlines, Archie and Austin, the last two rescued dogs that remained unadopted, came home to live with me.

It was a long-time, dedicated volunteer, Arlene Grzybowski, who introduced me to Archie and Austin. She said she wanted to show me a couple of dogs from what was now being referred to as the East End Rescue.

I could tell right away that these two dogs were not like any other dogs I had seen at the shelter before. Archie and Austin did not jump or bark, wag their tails, or even acknowledge us as we knelt by their cage. They did not even respond when we offered them dog treats.

 We spent a lot of time with Archie and Austin. We walked them. We played with them, or at least tried to. We lovingly stroked their sad faces. We sat in the warm afternoon sun with them, sadly realizing that they had probably never enjoyed a day in the afternoon sun before.

We offered them hotdogs. No response. We couldn't even get Austin to lift his head. In fact, it seemed like Austin had given up on life. His eyes were rolled back into his head and except for an aching sadness, they had no life in them.   

At ages seven and nine, Archie and Austin were the oldest of the 60 rescued dogs. They had many years of neglect and lack of love and attention to overcome.

Even after receiving loving care for several months at the shelter, they were still terrified and shaking with fear. They had been given lots of food, love and attention by staff and volunteers, but they needed a home.  

After nine months of waiting and hoping for them, I could not stand it any longer. I took them home.

I remember my husband meeting them and saying, " I will be shocked if Archie and Austin ever wag their tails or even bark!"  They were literally scared stiff. 

The transition was not easy, I will admit. We had just purchased a home, which had been recently constructed and smelled fresh and new. Then, I brought home two dogs who had never gone to the bathroom outside. In fact, they didn’t even like being outside. They were terrified of taking walks. I had to gently pull them to get them to go even just a very short distance.

A few days after we brought them home, I was taking them for a short walk when somehow Archie pulled through his collar and started to run.  Fear swept through me. There was no way I could run as fast as he did. I just stood there and watched him run. 

To my wonder and amazement, he did not run away. Instead, he was running towards our house. But since we only had him a few days, he ran to the wrong house! As I started running toward him, my fear left me and I started laughing.  He was waiting for me on my neighbors’ porch. He looked so relieved when I got to him. He stood by their door as if to say, "Let me in!"

That’s the day I knew that there was hope for Archie, and maybe Austin too.

It took about a year, with lots of patience, love and tears before they trusted me. But after that year or so, they finally bonded with me. Austin's eyes no longer rolled lifelessly back into his head. A twinkle had replaced the aching sadness in his eyes. Archie was no longer scared stiff, and he came when called and eagerly took treats.

I no longer need to leash them in the yard. In fact, when I cut the grass now, the neighbors laugh because Archie and Austin follow behind me like I am the pied piper.

Now, they not only wag their tails, they both bark like crazy!  Sometimes I would even like to shut them up. 

They still aren't warm with strangers, but they love my neighbors. Every time I let them out, they run to my neighbors’ yard to say hello and to beg for treats. They stand at the back door and bark until one of the neighbors comes out with treats. When they see my neighbors across the street they run to them for treats too, and my neighbors always gladly treat them.

Now, those once emaciated, sad, dogs, lacking in human contact and love, are spoiled, by not only me, but by the entire neighborhood! 

Thank you Animal Friends, for rescuing Archie and Austin and for bringing them into my life.