Thursday night as I prepared for bed, I was scrolling through Facebook. As I scrolled, I ran across a post from NaNook & NaKoda’s Big Paws Rescue. If you aren’t familiar with this organization, I encourage you to check out their Facebook page. I’ll share their link at the bottom of my blog.
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NaNook & NaKoda’s goal is to provide safe and loving permanent residence for lost, abandoned or owner-surrendered animals. They rescue animals that are set to be euthanized and also help in the care of animals with special needs.
That night, I read their post asking for community support, funds and possible people to help foster.
The post I read was discussing how they had planned to rescue a German Shepherd from another town but had also received a call that there were Great Danes close to home that also needed saving. My heart broke.
I took a breath and without consulting my husband, shot off a message to NNBPR letting them know that we might be able to foster a Great Dane if needed.
Toni quickly responded and said that she was planning to go out Friday and pick up the Danes and would be back in touch.
The next morning, it was heavy on my mind and heart. The photo that NNBPR had posted of one of the Danes was so sad. They were so very skinny. I brought Aaron his coffee and settled on the bed beside him. He knew something was up at that moment.
I hurriedly filled him in on what was going on and what I had volunteered. Then I showed him the picture. He shook his head in sadness as he gazed at the ribs sticking out of the undernourished Dane. “Ok. I agree.” He stated. “But, just don’t adopt anything else without talking to me.”
Hugging him, I promised him that I would consult him next time. I love this man.
After NNBPR successfully picked up the Danes, she messaged me to let me know how they were. The youngest, now named Niko, had a rattlesnake bite to his face. He required an overnight stay at the veterinarian’s. Thankfully, he is doing better, but is on antibiotics, a special salve is applied daily and the vet had to cut away some of the tissue surrounding the bite. He was not as malnourished as the older Dane.
We met up with NNBPR on Sunday and decided we would take the older Dane home to foster. Kiera named him “Reis”, which is Greek for Giant (pronounced Reece).
Sunday turned out to be a big day for us and for Reis. We took him straight to the pet store where we purchased a collar for him and Kiera picked a handful of treats out. Once we came home, it was time to introduce our giant to our clan.
We were pretty proud of how Ziggy and Sloane responded to him. There have only been a few grumblings between Ziggy and Reis, mainly because Reis did not realize Ziggy enters the house first. What can I say? He is set in his ways.
We have learned a few lessons since Reis came home with us. First, it is not safe to put pizza slices on your plate that is sitting on the countertop when you have a dog whose head can rest on the countertop and has not been fed on a regular basis.
I watched in awe and amazement as his black head shot in front of me, turned to just the right angle and slurped a slice of pizza down, leaving only a pile of slobber in its place.
After safely hiding the pizzas in the oven, we moved into the living room to eat dinner. “I’m going to go fix a small salad.” I declared to Aaron and Kiera.
Reis lumbered into the kitchen as soon as he heard the crackle of the salad box. “Buddy,” I began to explain to him as I added my salad toppings. “This is a salad. You will not like it.” By this time, Ziggy and Sloane had joined us in the kitchen, probably wondering how they could get their own slice of pizza.
I decided to educate Reis, pulled out a piece of lettuce from my spring mix and held it up in the air. “Look, Reis. This is lettuce. You wouldn’t like…” Before I could finish my sentence, a mouth was suddenly over my hand and I felt the piece of lettuce being sucked out of my grasp.
He smacked his lips as I finished my sentence and stared at my empty hand. “…lettuce.”
There have been learning curves as there would be with bringing anyone new into your home. But, watching him soak in the love, safety and comfort is beautiful to watch. Sunday, he would not lift his head up to look at us. Monday, he lifted his head up and wagged his tail.
He quickly bonded with Kiera and follows her everywhere. He can be sound asleep, but if she moves to another room, he is up on his feet and lumbering in her direction. In fact, his first night he slept in her room and at one point, climbed on her bed to cuddle with her.
I woke up several times his first night in our house to check on him. He never budged from his position beside Kiera, not even when I snapped pictures of them.
I’m thankful for his bond with Kiera. I’m excited for our journey as we help him recover and I’ll be even more thankful if we survive his gas.
Please take a minute and visit NaNook and NaKoda’s Big Paws Rescue on Facebook. You can learn more about them on their About Us page and learn how you can help. www.facebook.com/NaNookNaKodasBigPawsRescue/
Rowonna McNeely
Graphic Designer - Mommy to Kiera
Rowonna McNeely works with her husband, Aaron, at Willie’s T’s in the Art Department, regularly volunteers in the community, and has her hands full with her daughter, Kiera, along with two dogs and one cat.
Rowonna is a graduate of May High School (Go Tigers!) and grew up on a dairy farm. She enjoys reading, creating, swimming, and planning events. She’s also a bit of a klutz.
