THE DOGS OF WINN-DIXIE
TEDDY
Shortly before we left, Rickie realized she could not turn her back and walk away from one large, gentle, emaciated but beautiful, loving German Shepherd. She claimed him for her own, either to keep forever or foster until a forever home could be found, named him Teddy, and he returned to North Carolina with us, nestling his big soft head in the lap of whoever was in the back seat.
Kennel Manager Kelly sits with Teddy.
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On the morning we left, Rickie was able to get him in to the camp vet for a checkup and flea treatment. The heartworm test kits had been left out of the ice chest and were no good, but the vet did find a microchip. "But you still need to get him out of here," said the vet. We were ecstatic and Rickie dreamed of driving Teddy back to Louisiana for a joyous reunion with his owner.
Teddy gets cleaned . . .
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Unfortunately, the microchip proved to be a dead end. It was in from a batch issued to the government of St. Bernard Parish, probably we surmise, to be used for a microchip clinic. No one ever filled out and returned the papers. Teddy was picked up as a stray in Plaquemine Parish. The chances of finding his owners, if they are still living, are slim.
. . . and groomed before going home
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In the meantime, Rickie has had Teddy checked at her vet and he is heartworm positive. Treatment cannot start until he puts on weight. And Teddy & Rickie's Border collies do not get along, so we are all looking for a permanent home for this dog with, preferably, the most wonderful people on the planet. So far none has applied.
"OK, I'm ready to go!"
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Joey, Rickie & I have some funds left over from the incredible generosity of all of you. Your support made us feel that friends were with us every step of the way, and there were many times when that's all that kept us going. We felt overwhelmed by the ocean of unfortunate animals flowing through Winn-Dixie and our inability to really change that or their circumstances in any way.
Teddy stops in Asheville
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Like all of you, we had sent personal checks in the directions of many humane organizations and we gave a week of 14-hour days and still don't feel that we made a dent or a difference in the immensity of the problem. To put the remaining funds towards trying to save the lives of two great dogs who will die without treatment would give us a sense of some finite accomplishment and closure. With your kind permission, that's what we'll do.
And again, thanks to all of you from the bottoms of our hearts.
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