This little guy arrived Friday night from Tennessee. His story is one of both human indifference to the suffering of animals, and of human kindness and compassion. Two weeks ago, as that “polar vortex” swept south, bringing record subzero temperatures to states like Kentucky and Tennessee, two women noticed a neighbor’s dog still chained up outside. Here’s how one of them described the situation to me in an email:
“On Wednesday a friend and I rescued a Jack Russell mix from what I believe would have been his last night alive … temps that afternoon were in the teens with a windchill in the single digits. That evening was to bring temps in the negative. My neighbor had their 14-year old JRT outside, tethered to a fence post, long enough to get inside the igloo and that was it. There was no visible food or water, as the bowl (an old margarine tub) was on its side and empty. There was no bedding or hay inside the igloo to offer any sort of insulation from the cold.
We knocked on the door and got no answer. At that point I decided it was probably best to spring into action and get the police involved, as other neighbors informed us that the dog had been out since the night before. The owner ended up showing up while I was on the phone, so I politely declined police help and asked the owner if he would be taking the dog in, as it was bitterly cold and there was no way this dog was going to survive these temperatures. He said no, so I asked if I could take him in so he had a chance. They allowed me to take the dog. Upon getting the dog situated, we noticed he was infested with ticks and his collar was partially embedded in his neck. The dog was taken to a local vet where he was treated for ticks. The baby is doing well now, however we are in dire need of a foster. Taco, that’s his name, is completely blind and has never known the inside of a home.”
The dog’s owner subsequently relinquished ownership to them, and the two ladies had then contacted local rescue groups, none of which was able to help. That’s when they contacted us. As luck would have it, our pet transport company, TLC Pet Transport, had a driver heading that way. Just five days after getting the original email asking if we could take Taco, he was here at the farm in New Hampshire.
You know, we get a lot of credit from people for doing what we do, but it’s people like these two ladies who deserve the real credit. The disabled dogs who come to us do so only because someone intervened in their lives to save them in the first place. Here are these women, willing to confront a neighbor over his treatment of a dog left outside in brutal weather. That takes courage and real fortitude. Compared to that, we’ve got it easy.
As for that collar embedded in his neck, this is what the scar still looks like two weeks later:
It goes all the way around his neck.
The ladies took good care of him, not only taking him to the vet the first time but also a second time to get his vaccinations and interstate health certificate for his trip. Taco also went to a groomer for a much needed bath and nail clipping (as you can imagine, terribly overgrown). He weighs 16 pounds. He had neither the body mass, the hair coat, or the appropriate shelter to survive outdoors overnight in subzero temperatures.
Taco is a sweet, friendly fellow, who gets along great with the other dogs. Although he’s never lived indoors before, he is doing very well with house training — only one accident indoors thus far.
We think he’s a Jack Russell Terrier/Blue Heeler mix. Very alert and very smart (as I’ll show in a subsequent post!). I have already scheduled a full round of veterinary appointments for him at Peak Veterinary Referral Center in Burlington later this week, including with our veterinary ophthalmologist. His eyes seem comfortable — there’s no tearing, discharge or squinting. His left eye clearly had a large corneal ulcer on it at one point that was never treated. My hunch is there are multiple things going on with his eyes.
Here’s another shot:
Meanwhile, Tanner — the self-appointed “camp social director” — was happy to have a new friend:
That photo gives you some idea of just how small Taco is. Definitely an easy “picker upper” type!
(The white fluff on the floor in the photo at the very top is part of the green toy you see at Tanner’s feet. Wherever Tanner is … you’ll find shredded toy material scattered about.)
I’ll have more next week on Taco, but for now, please join us in welcoming this little tyke to the farm!
Welcome, Taco! You’re home now, buddy.
It crushes me the indifference man has for dogs, horses, and kids. Bless you for all you are doing for him. He is truly in the best hands now.
So very thankful those lovely ladies took the initiative and didn’t leave him behind. This SO breaks my heart! But the upside is that he is now safe and sound and in a very loving home. Thanks for being willing to take in another minion! You guys are awesome. And I pray Taco lives out the rest of his years healthy and spoiled rotten. It’s nice he has a new buddy in Tanner too!
Welcome, Taco, to your new, amazing life!! So thankful that these ladies took him in. He looks like a sweetheart.
bless those ladies and bless Rolling Dog Ranch for being there for this little guy….he seems to know that he is safe and cared for (like that is all he wanted all along) thank you for saving him
I get really angry when I read about anyone who would chain a dog out in bitter cold. I think the fitting punishment is to chain that person outside in the cold. Bless the women who saved him and bless you for taking him. Welcome Taco.
Welcome Taco! The bottom picture Tanner land Taco look like a couple of guys having a chat. 🙂
I am friends with one of the rescuers and have been following Taco’s story since the beginning. It is so heartwarming to see him living the good life now. I hope he has many more happy years at your ranch. Thank you to those wonderful women who took the first steps and saved him, and thank you for taking him for the rest of his life. I look forward to hearing and seeing how he progresses.
WELCOME TACO – YOUR WITH FRIENDS NOW. THANKS TO THE LADIES FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CARE FOR HIM. WHAT WOULD THE WORLD BE LIKE WITHOUT PEOPLE LIKE YOU ALL. FOR HIS FORMER OWNERS, WHAT COMES AROUND GOES AROUND.
Bless the two wonderful ladies that saved this handsome boy. And thank God for Rolling Dog Ranch.
Welcome taco! May you be showered with the love and care your little soul deserves!
How is it possible to write sweet words of welcome and gracious words of thanks to the ladies and you when you are seething with unreleased anger at the former owner for abandoning his dog to the elements to die!? That’s the kind of owner you want to see replaced on the end of that chain in nothing but his underwear, an empty bowl and no bedding in his Igloo for a week!
Taco just hit 7777 on the slot machine of life! Welcome little dude, I’m glad you’re comfortable, have a full tummy and are warm at last….and are making friends! Give him some loving from us.
You guys are the best! Taco is in the best of hands now! Wish we could do the same for all those left outside with no care and no love. I didn’t even notice the fluff on the floor mainly because it’s so much a part of our house that it looks like part of the décor!
Poor, sweet Taco. Now you have lots and lots of friends and love. It looks like you already have your special friend, Tanner, helping you get acquainted to your new home.
He is a Rat Terrier or RT mix, I’m sure of it. I just lost my RT to cancer last week, one who I brought home from my Hurricane Katrina deployment in 2005, so I know the breed and their look. Seeing his pic brought her dearness and face right back to my heart. I am still grieving her loss so much. Taco is darling, but I don’t think he has any JRT or Heeler in him, based on what I know of RT’s and their abundance in the Southern states, too. Thank you so much to those women, and RDF for giving this darling a better life. How cruel and inhumane of his previous owner. Grrrrr
These stories make me cry. They tell us of the most horrible people a humane person can imagine; and they also tell us about the most wonderful angels who are out there making a difference. Lucky Taco, he has no idea how good he has it now! 🙂
The worst part is that Taco spent so many years of his life in that situation. I’m sure he thinks he’s in heaven now. He looks like a real sweetie. It’s a miracle he doesn’t have behavior issues due to lack of socialization. He must just naturally have a great temperament. Welcome Taco! I look forward to hearing all about how smart you are. 🙂
Hmm, I thought everyone had pieces of dog toys scattered around randomly on the floor. And the furniture. And dog hairs all over their clothes. And the furniture.
Yippee! I love a happy ending…wish all dogs could be this lucky. Thank you to the ladies and RDF!
Welcome Taco! You’re a lucky little fellow, you’ll be warm, fed, cared for and most importantly, loved!
Bless those beautiful ladies and bless you too. And bless Taco’s little heart.
Ditto to all of the previous messages! It is sickening to hear of these kinds of stories, but we only hear a small portion of what really happens. It is so heartbreaking. But what a wonderful story we have because of these women and RDF. Proverbs says that a good man will take loving care of his animals, but an evil man’s best actions are despicable. (loosely translated!) Here we have the good, and the evil well represented. Go Taco, Go!!
God bless those incredible ladies for stepping up to save sweet little Taco – they are truly heros! Welcome Taco – you have seen misery most of your life, but you have an incredible new life to look forward to, thanks to the amazing efforts of caring neighbors, and the warm hearts of Steve and Alayne!
Sweet Taco! I am so happy this little guy is safe and will know love. This is a story of angels on this earth helping an innocent animal. Thank you all!
So happy to see Taco getting settled at RDF. Thanks to the two ladies that took the time to rescue him. Wonderful to see him snuggling up on a warm blanket with friends like Tanner keeping tabs on him.!
I’m so grateful for the ladies and you guys. This story did make me weep. I don’t understand people that can treat animals this way. I hope the best for Taco, and we need more Tanners in the world. 🙂 What a sweetheart. Thanks again for your compassion and taking in this little guy. Looking to forward to updates on him.
Thank you to all who had a hand in saving sweet Taco. I will never understand how a person could leave this cute little dog outside chained to a fence in such horrible weather. The two ladies who took it upon themselves to save Taco should receive an award for their awesome work. I’m so glad there are people like them and like you all in Rolling Dog Farms who are able to save and care for the little Taco dogs in the world.
Sometimes I’m just speechless. Taco will NEVER know another cold night–EVER!! Thank YOU ALL for being his angels. xoxoxo
Hugs to Taco!!!
Welcome Taco! you’re a lucky lucky boy
Welcome to doggy heaven, sweet Taco!:-)
Huge hugs to you all from Italy.
He looks very much like my dog, whose a tri color Miniature Australian Cattle Dog. Formerly called Queensland Heeler. His Mom weighted in at 15 lbs and his Daddy was 18 lbsm.
I have been following your stories/blog for sometime now. I would like to say thank you from all the animals that you have lovingly helped for so long. I myself enjoy following the new and happy lives these animals get after all that these abused animals have endured. Please keep up the wonderful work and may God watch over all of you.
What a cute little guy. For someone who has never lived inside he sure seems to be comfortable. I didn’t realize that Tanner was the social butterfly he is. I guess he’s showing the new guy the toys. (or what’s left of them!) The ladies who saved him deserve a big shout out. Taco couldn’t have ended up in a better environment. He’s a lucky little guy. Welcome Taco!
Welcome to RDF Taco. You’ll love it and you’ll make lots more friends as you meet the gang. I can’t wait for updates on the new guy.
WELCOME HOME TACO WELCOME HOME
Way to step up Tanner, show him the ropes
It makes me so sad to read about Taco’s life before RDF. But I find comfort in knowing sweet Taco is in a loving and caring environment now. He is completely adorable. I’m in love!
Welcome to a real home Taco!!
I only hope that for every heartbreaking situation that is similar to Taco’s that there are hundreds of happy stories to out weight the heartbreaking ones.
Many thanks and a purple heart of love and bravery to the women who rescued Taco. Thank you…thank you….thank you!!
I agree with all the comments. I truly believe in karma. The 2 ladies who helped to save Taco will have good luck come to them. Taco’s owner will get the opposite of that. Taco is so sweet looking in the photos. He will love his new home. Again, bless you for taking in another animal.
So much good here, with a special place in heaven for everyone’s special kindness to Taco. And the polar opposite for you know who as well in my sense of justice. Nothing sweeter than to get to RDF, complete with new best bud Tanner!
God Bless the two ladies that rescued Taco and God damn his former owner. He is so handsome and just the right size. I don’t get it but isn’t he a lucky boy now!!
I wonder if he will become one of Alayne’s minions. 🙂
I’ve been sharing some of your blog posts over on tsu. Hoping to introduce you to more people.
Taco, if you had a bell you would be ringing it!! You lucky boy. Welcome.
I read somewhere that the only domestic dogs that can tolerate and manage being kept out 24/7 in the northern climates are the nordic breeds. siberian huskies, alaskan malamutes, etc. Probably the larger size ones due to the fact they maintain body heat better. Also these dogs can manage this life ONLY if acclimated from puppy hood, That is what the article said. I believe it. Needless to say this winter was extreme and no pet should be out and exposed for long periods. I would never let my pets sleep outside ever! I hope Taco gets a wonderful new home.