Dog Town Canine Rescue
The Forgotten Ones - The Gabbs Dogs
Once upon a time, the remote desert community of Gabbs, Nevada—about 150 miles Southeast of Reno—probably seemed like an ideal place to house rescued dogs.There would be no neighbors to be annoyed by the dogs' barking, no zoning/pet limit laws to worry about, and plenty of space for the dogs to roam.
But there would also be no one to care for the dogs or adopt them if the worst happened—and for these dogs, the worst did happen. In May 2007, their rescuer/caregiver died suddenly, leaving them to an uncertain fate.
145 dogs.
At first there was a lot of interest in rescuing these dogs. It was all over the news, and it seemed that a lot of rescues wanted to help. United Animal Nations, Humane Society of the US, and Best Friends all showed up, as well as the Nevada Humane Society. National Geographic was even there with their movie cameras, recording all of this drama. That was in December 2007.
So now what?
Since that time, several smaller rescues have taken in a majority of the "Gabbs Dogs". But there have been problems with some of the rescues that were approved to take in the dogs. Some of the "rescues" turned out to be nothing more than animal control agencies, and after they became impatient wtih the dogs' lack of progress, they decided to have the dogs destroyed. Once the spotlight was off, and the donations had stopped coming in, these troubled dogs were still there, taking up space in already overcrowded "shelters".
Well, here's what.
Dog Town Canine Rescue, as well as Safe Haven Kennel in Yerington, and the Canine Club in Reno, have taken in many of these dogs given up on by "other" rescues. Some came back from as far away as the "Bay Area" to find safety in places that will let them advance at their own pace. No unrealistic expectations, no hurry, no worry.
These dogs will need special homes with people who understand that they can't be rushed int being "normal". It may take years before these dogs recover from what they have been through.
Joe came to Safe Haven after running out of time at Pet Network in Incline Village.
Fast forward to October 2008 - here are the stories of some of the survivors still waiting for homes
Prancer and his brother Dancer were dumped on the ranch on Christmas Eve. Despite being raised far from civilization, Prancer loves people once he gets to know them. When he is happy to see you, he wiill dance in place. He also talks in little grunting sounds.
Meet Prancer! ADOPTED!
Introducing Hardy! - ADOPTED
We're guessing that Hardy is a mixture of Shar Pei, Mastiff, and Labrador. He is a neutered male, about 5 years old.
Hardy has an easy going personality and his two favorite things in life are treats and attention.
Hardy can be a shy boy at first but he quickly warms up to people.
He has lived his entire life as part of a pack and would not do well in a home without other dogs. Hardy is leash trained and loves to go for walks.
Prancer is a Retriever mix. When he was brought out of Gabbs, his long coat had to be shaved to remove the mats and mud. Even though it was still winter, Prancer was jazzed about his new "do". Prancer gets along with most other dogs, he is leash trained and loves going for walks. He is neutered and fully vaccinated. We're guessing that he is about 5 years old.
If you have a good supply of Chicken Jerky Treats, Hardy will be your friend for life. He is current with all vaccinations and is ready to move into your home.
On the morning of August 1st, Bev Beaman, who along with her husband Larry, manage Safe Haven Kennel, received a call from a volunteer. The message was urgent, “They are going to kill Joe, can you take one more?” Joe, who was at Pet Network in Incline Village, Nevada, was scheduled to be euthanized.
His behavior during the 5 months he was with them had not improved. If a person entered Joe’s kennel, he ran in circles around them, panting, with a glazed stare. Joe could not keep up with the “training protocol” and was felt to be a “liability” because of his unpredictable behavior.
Here's Joe...
Joe was taken to Safe Haven, where after a quiet night in an open run where he could see something and smell the air his pacing decreased. The next day he was allowed to run free with the “rowdy group”. Young dogs who do nothing but play. Joe has a long way to go, but at least he is showing interest in life and no longer has a training protocol he has to meet. Joe will now take treats by hand and willingly sniff his favorite humans. Joe is about 4 years old, neutered and up to date on his shots.
Meet Pinny
and Apple...
Pinny was sent from the ranch in Gabbs to a California shelter (East Bay). She learned to walk on a leash, but was subject to panic attacks where she would …suddenly freeze. Pinny didn’t like to be touched much past her shoulders and couldn’t be lifted. For these reasons, she was deemed unadoptable and in danger of being euthanized. Pinny came to Nevada with Robin Wenham, who also brought Oscar, Harold and Dinky from Peninsula Humane Society. Pinny moved to Safe Haven Kennel and now shares a run with Apple. Pinny is very shy with strangers, but now covers her fear by barking like she owns the world instead of slinking for cover. She enjoys her walks and is even learning to go off lead and come back when called. Pinny is spayed and up to date on her shots.
Shortly after Pinny came to Safe Haven, another call came, this time about Apple. Apple was also in a California shelter.(Tahoe Vista) He was leash trained and had even been adopted once. But then he had a panic attack and jumped the fence and ran. He spent a week living on the beach at Tahoe before he was trapped and returned to the shelter. But time was dragging on, and shelter space was tight…. Connie Nowlin of Wylie Animal Rescue Foundation intervened and Apple was released to Safe Haven Kennel. Because he was a reported escaper, a secure outdoor run was constructed for Apple. It was soon discovered Apple really didn’t want to go anywhere, so he was put in a large run with Pinny. He’s yet to try to jump a fence. Apple is about 5 years old, neutered and up to date on his shots.
Apple!
A dog named Gabbs.
Then came Gabbs. Gabbs was taken off the ranch in November after he was injured by other dogs. He was placed with the Nevada Humane Society, then into foster care. Gabbs was leash trained but remained shy. After his return to the Humane Society, he was judged to be “unadoptable” based on his “kennel presentation”.
He was taken in by David Pyle, a former animal manager for NHS. But in August , David was leaving the area and Gabbs wasn’t able to go with David to the big city. So hopefully last, but not least, Gabbs joined the group at Safe Haven. Gabbs is leash trained, but can also go off lead and will return when called. He enjoys car rides and going to town, but still get nervous when too many people are around. Gabbs is house trained, neutered and up to date on his shots
Turtle was brought out of Gabbs in January, before the big rescue. The other dogs in Turtle’s run weren’t letting her eat and would not let her into the hay house. Turtle was skin and bones and there was concern she wouldn’t survive until the “the day the big truck came”.
Miss Turtle and her sister, Winnie!
After a brief stay at Safe Haven, she was moved into foster care in Smith Valley. It has taken months for Turtle to learn to trust other dogs and humans. Though not yet leash trained, Turtle has started coming out of her shell and barks and romps when her yard is invaded, and will come close enough to get treats. Turtle is a female, about 5 years old.
.Winnie, Turtle’s sister, was placed at a California shelter (Tahoe Vista) after her stay at Camp Reno. An animal behavioralist was called in to evaluate her and suggested she be euthanized. Winnie would lay in the corner of her kennel and tremble uncontrollably when a person approached. She was often found buried under her blanket and bed. A desperate shelter volunteer contacted a Kris Brown, who volunteers at Safe Haven Kennel, and Winnie was moved to the foster home with her sister. Away from the shelter environment Winnie is slowly learning to socialize with other dogs and to lose her fear of humans. She and Turtle have bonded and are always together. Winnie is about 5 years old and is spayed and up to date on her shots.
Ruby Delilah is probably part Chow, part Lab and part something else.
In other words, she's Ruby.
You may notice that she is missing an ear. Her mother chewed it off when she was just a puppy. Sometimes Gabbs dogs do the strangest things!
Ruby was the official greeter at the ranch in Gabbs. She was allowed to run loose and always was there when a car pulled up. We think she would like to have her old job back, Anyone need a ranch greeter?
Ruby Delilah - the official greeter!
ADOPTED!
Ruby can be very intense at times and probably would not be good in a home with small children. She is, however, extremely people oriented, and we think that after just a few days in an adult home, she would decide that you were some kind of a god, and be your humble servant. That's the kind of devotion she's capable of.
Ruby is good with most other dogs unless she thinks they are getting more than their fair share of attention.
Oscar came back to Nevada after a brief attempt by a California "Humane Society" to rescue him. He was not making enough progress so he was in danger of being destroyed by the very agency that sought to "save" him.
Oscar the bobble-head?
Oscar was diagnosed to have some kind of
neurological problem, because sometimes
his head wobbles. But it certainly does not get in his way when he's ready to play!
He is good with most other dogs, and is learning how to walk on a leash. He does a bit of barking when he gets excited, but hey, out in Gabbs, you could bark all you wanted and nobody cared.
Oscar is currently staying at Dog Town with his buddy Harold, another Gabbs to CA to Dog Town refugee.
Weird Harold
Harold came to Dog Town with his buddy Oscar after fleeing a California "shelter" that had agreed to take him. I guess you would say that Harold is one of our more "special" cases, he is extremely fearful of humans and has not made much progress since he was rescued from the ranch in Gabbs.
But Harold is not on any schedule here
at Dog Town. He is happy to hang out
with his canine buddies and we know
that he will make progress at his own pace.
No hurries, no worries.
The Amazing Buffy!
ADOPTED!
Buffy was a painfully shy girl when she was rescued from the ranch. She was best buddies with Prancer and they were staying together at Dog Town. We noticed that Buffy had some kind of skin condition on her nose, and after a trip to the vet's office, were told that it could be a mild form of Lupus.
Since that time, Buffy has been staying in one of our foster homes and what a change we've seen in our girl! Her scabby nose has healed up beautifully and there is no sign of any problem.
What really blew us away was how good Buffy is on a leash! For a timid dog from the desert, Miss Buff is a real pro when it comes to going for walks!
Her foster parents have taken her to some doggie fun classes, and everyone was amazed to see Buffy prancing around the show ring, head held high, like she'd been doing it all her life.
She has come such a long way since we took her in, although she will probably always be a very quiet, reserved dog. Buffy is looking for a home where she can be who she is, and not have to live up to someone's unrealistic expectations. Someone who will love her for the beautiful spirit she is.
Yessa - Now known as Katie
ADOPTED!
We got Yessa in December, 2007 directly from the ranch in Gabbs. She immediately went into one of our foster homes, with a family very experienced in working with timid, unsocialized dogs.
First on the list of things to do, was to get poor Yessa cleaned up. Years of neglect had left her long hair matted up worse than anything we had ever seen. We had no idea what was hiding under all that mess...
Poor Yessa, now known as Katie, was a groomer's nightmare. We were a bit worried about how she would hold up to having her hair cut and washed, but her foster mom stuck with her through her beauty appointment, and she actually did pretty well.
It was like she had become a new dog! Katie was so happy to have all of that dead hair, and dirt, and who knows what, finally gone from her body.
After her grooming, Katie looked like a show dog! You could see the sparkle in her eyes, and just knew that she felt 100% better being clean. She continued to make wonderful progress in her foster home, and later this year she found her forever home with a great couple up in Reno. Katie is even featured in our 2009 calendar - yeah Katie!
