| Torrie Finds a “Forever Home”
By Diane Anderson
On the day before Mother’s Day, 2002, Victoria, better known as Torrie, arrived at our house, her “Forever Home”. Her journey towards a better life began when she was one of thirty German shepherds seized by the Dutchess County SPCA during a large puppy mill rescue operation. At the time Torrie was days away from giving birth to twelve white German shepherd puppies (eleven of whom would survive and be adopted.)
Several weeks after the puppies were born it became clear to Sharon, the current foster mom, that Torrie needed a break from motherhood. Sharon contacted me to ask if I would take Torrie for a week, as her next foster home was not yet available. Since I had already planned to foster one of Torrie’s puppies when they were old enough, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know the pup’s mother.
My mother and I met Sharon with Torrie at an agility trial in Pennsylvania. Torrie captured our hearts as soon as we saw her walking across the parking lot. During the next week she was loved, pampered and embraced by all of us including my husband and our three dogs and five cats. As the week went on, I found it hard to believe that Torrie was going to leave us. But when the planned time elapsed, I sadly returned the dog to Sharon. However in less than a week I learned that the next foster home had fallen through – this may have been due to my prayers. Several days later my husband and I, with our dogs, picked up Torrie and headed out to our 40 acres of woods in Port Jervis. When Torrie jumped out of the car, she stood perfectly still with a look of wonder in her eyes. I’m sure she thought she had found heaven on earth, a long way from the cruel puppy mill life. .As for us, we were blessed with an angel.
Torrie became an important and cherished member of our family. Over the next couple of months, she was a source of great strength for our family as we had to say goodbye to our oldest shepherd very suddenly. Torrie seemed to understand our grief. She paid special attention to Tara, our younger dog, who would wander around the house looking for big brother, not understanding where he was.
My heart nearly dropped to the floor one day when I received a call from the enforcement department at the SPCA requesting information and a picture of Torrie to be used in the upcoming puppy mill court case. I was sick at the thought that we might lose her, but the case was successful, and Torrie got to stay with us.
Her new life consisted of daily walks in the woods, where she was able to run freely about with the other dogs. She quickly realized the joy of swimming, chase games and numerous rides in the car.. She also enjoyed our family’s tradition of Sunday morning pancakes
Torrie truly loves people and loves being the center of attention. It was clear early on that she was meant to work with people. As a member of Delta Society Pet Partner Program since 2000 (I am an instructor / evaluator) as well as from my experience with Animal-Assisted Crisis Response, I knew Torrie would thrive in this type of work. We began traveling to New York City by train. We would spend the day walking around, meeting people and building Torrie’s confidence. By November (six months after Torrie come to us) we were certified as a Delta Society Pet Partner Team. Since then Torrie has been visiting with developmentally disabled children and adults in a variety of settings, as well as with elderly nuns in a home in southern Westchester. Torrie also is used as the “Neutral Dog” during Delta Society Pet Partner evaluations. Torrie was one of the featured Delta Society dogs at the Intrepid on September 6, 2003. She is now learning agility, and she just loves it when everyone cheers after she does the obstacles.
During the past two years Torrie has taken four trips to Florida to visit my family. Twice we drove and twice Torrie flew with me in the plane’s cabin. My parents loved this dog so much that they fenced in their yard so she would have a place to be free and safe outside.
Torrie has taught our family about gratitude and contentment. She definitely emits gratitude in her interaction with her loved ones. She exhibits contentment as she lies in her favorite spot, her head resting on a soft toy and a cat or two curled against her warm belly.
We send blessings to all of you who fought for Victoria, we are truly grateful to you. |
