Fortunately, not all rescued dogs have been abused, abandoned or are ill, unfortunately,
some are.
Brandy
by: Pamela W. Rogers
I remember the first time I saw you
the pain lay quiet in your eyes
The scars were deeper on your soul
from a life bearing all of man's lies.
Covering your leg was a bandage
going from hip to the floor
What pain! 4 wires 2 pins and a plate
But stoic you, acted only sore
Reflected in your eyes was the record
of a human who had smashed your bone
and the woman who watched you lay dying
two days on her front lawn alone.
When rescue came they could not know
you had already chosen to die
Accepting what ever we did to you
with a patience heartbreaking sigh
No matter what kind of food I offered
you politely declined to eat
Then came swelling and raging fevers
filling your body with heat.
Before long from the constant laying
pressure sores covered your skin
The flesh had melted from your body
Dear God, you were far too thin
I cannot explain how I was so sure
in the ashes of your soul lived a spark
but I vowed it would all be worth it
as I held you, crying in the dark.
So with will enough for both of us
I set out to make you well
For the fevers there were ice packs,
and Gator aid, you hated the smell!!
To ease the sores on your body
I found you a water bed
I laid with you hour after hour
crooned and held your head
I made little balls of all your food
and forced them into you
There were times they came back up again
and my fear for you grew.
Then came the day with the bandages gone
you still wouldn't use the leg.
You'd sink in the pool refusing to swim
no matter how I'd beg.
Creeping and covering ever so slowly
came the first hint of weight
My heart sang with joy and I finally knew
we hadn't been too late.
The first time I saw you walk on all four
I could not stop the tears
The nightmare we had fought our way through
seemed to have lasted years.
One fine day when I looked into your eyes
I knew you were not the same
The spark I had seen in the ash of your soul
had finally grown to a flame.
And then came the day I told you about
and vowed you would see
People who wanted you were taking you home
soon your love would be free
They gave you love and cared for you
and proved I was not a liar
I watched them take that single flame
and fan it to a fire!
A Letter to DRL from one of the Kids
My name is Brandy. I am DRL's No. 231.
About a year ago I had a pretty bad accident, but thanks to many donations from all the
wonderful people in Rescue I was able to have a terrific operation by Dr. Larry Dee at
Hollywood Animal Hospital and these days I am really feeling ferocious like a big, bad
Doberman should. Dad still sort of laughs at the unique way I bark (he calls it screaming)
although I can't imagine why.
On most of the days around my home, I parade around like a champion, but the neatest thing
I've found, if a person wants to get to go special places, like vacations for instance, all
I have to do is limp a lot and complain a little--Mom freaks out and Dad gives in and lets
me go with them, instead of stuck up old Nemesis, C.D.
And since I'm on the subject of this Nemesis, C.D., I guess I should tell you two gorgeous
girl Dobermans live with me and help me look out for Bufo toads on our yard ventures. Also,
there is a little nine year old boy who lives with me and of course, Mom and Dad.
Mom's all excited these days, she's going to get me an I.L.P. number so I can get a C.D.
title like Nema and probably Tasha too. My very dignified name will be: DRL'S Brandy's
Stormy Past.
Hoping to see you at training classes in April and dog shows this fall. Just look for the
handsome devil in a black and tan suit who walks with the slightest limp!
Warmly,
Brandy Sedberry
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Brandy was 13 months old, found under bushes where he had lain in his own blood for 3
days, the victim of deliberate abuse resulting in a smashed hip. He weighed 41 lbs. Six
hours of surgery, the hip was stabilized. He developed an infection and pressure sores.
He endured another surgery to remove the hip pins before going to his new permanent home.
He went on to earn his CD title.
Tico had collapsed in a yard and was so weak he couldn't stand. He had infected dog bites,
large abscess on his neck and internal parasites. He recovered with medical care and lots
of love. He was about 10 when found and lived another two years with loving, tender care.
General Bones came from Animal Control in a coma, suffering from Leptospirosis. His eyes
and gums were yellow, due to a jaundiced liver and failing kidneys, he weighed 43 lbs. The
after picture shows General at 93 healthy lbs.
Doberman Rescue League, Inc.
P.O. Box 24065 Oakland Park, FL 33307-4065
954-946-4100
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