Here at The Drake Center, we’ve got some amazing clients. These people are not only wonderful pet owners, but go above and beyond to give back to the animal world—and we’d like to give them the recognition they deserve! This month, meet Susan Mayne, a Boston Terrier lover who left her job in the nursing field to do rescue volunteer work and later founded Boston Brigade Rescue, an nonprofit organization that serves San Diego, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
The Drake Center: How did you get into rescuing Boston Terriers?
Susan Mayne: I got my first Boston Terrier, Bossman, when my daughter was in high school and got a job at a pet store. At the time, I had heard of puppy mills but had no idea that this was where pet stores obtained the dogs which they sell. Our Bossman almost immediately demonstrated many of the health issues associated with poor breeding. After doing the research—which I should have done prior to getting a dog—I learned exactly what deplorable conditions puppy mill dogs live in and why the puppies coming from this source of breeding are so prone to health issues. I vowed then to do what I could to stop this terrible practice and to help as many other dogs as I could because I feel strongly that all animals should be treated humanely.
TDC: What motivates you to keep rescuing?
SM: All you have to do is look into the face of the dog you pulled from the shelter—who was scheduled to be euthanized within the day—while they kiss your face and wiggle their hind end in happiness at a nice bowl of food and a clean bed, and that question is easily answered. Or to look into the face of a senior person who has no family and just wants a companion to take a walk with, talk to, sit on the couch and read a book near, and know that this person needs a dog as much as a dog needs them. Some days are terribly difficult, but that single moment that makes a lasting imprint in your mind makes it all worthwhile.
TDC: What is the hardest part of this job? What is the easiest part?
SM: The hardest part of my job is undoubtedly going to the shelters to pick up dogs. It is so difficult to walk down aisle after aisle of hundreds of unwanted animals, some who have been there so long they no longer even bother to pull themselves up to come to the front of the cage in anticipation of a stroke of the face or a treat stuck through the cage bars. Until we are able to help people to understand the importance of spaying and neutering animals, not just for health reasons, but also to control pet overpopulation, this problem will never go away. I hear almost daily, “I just want my dog to have one litter before I fix them.” They do not understand that the chances are that one of those puppies will end up in a shelter one year later. These are not just mixed-breed dogs, but purebred dogs as well. When I first started doing rescue work ten years ago, we might [have gotten] one Boston Terrier in per week. Now we are routinely taking in four to seven per week from shelters and families who no longer want their dog or cannot afford to care for it. Going to the shelters and seeing the poor faces of hundreds of dogs and cats (San Diego County alone has 13 animal shelters) is heartbreaking. The easiest part of my job is having fun with the people who volunteer with our group, and those who adopt and send me updates of the latest silly or outstanding thing their dog did. We just recently had our first dog who was adopted from us last year, Skippy, (and who Dr. Moore did extensive surgery on and then fostered for me) become a certified therapy dog. Skippy is now working with developmentally disabled children to calm them and make their learning process exciting. We have also had several of our adopted dogs star in movies, television commercials and work in agility.
TDC: Tell us about your most touching rescue success story.
SM: Two years ago, we got a call from a vet in a rural area in San Bernardino who had arrived at her office early one morning in near freezing temperatures to find a Boston Terrier tied by a rope to her front door. Eddie, as we named him, had one eye out of the socket and deteriorating, the other eye horribly torn and infected, and multiple tears to his neck, legs, stomach and chest. It was obvious the injuries were at least several days old and were badly infected. In spite of his obvious pain, the poor boy struggled to his feet, wagged his short stub of a tail and licked her hand weakly. She knew she was in no way prepared to treat the assortment of horrible injures and so she called us and we sent a member up to pick him up immediately. No one can know for sure of course, but the best evidence (old scarring and the nature of the injuries) point to Eddie possibly having been used as a “bait” dog for dog fighting, which is known to occur in this area. I got Eddie into The Drake Center that afternoon for the beginning of what was to be extensive care. Dr. Hamlet immediately began treatment with debridement of dirty open wounds, drain placement where needed and antibiotics. Eddie looked a bit like Frankenstein with all the tubes, sutures and horrible deteriorating eyes, and yet he gave kisses to all. The next day Eddie had one eye removed while he underwent surgeries for corneal transplant and grafting on the other. We did not know if he would be able to get any sight back in that eye and we begin training with a “blind dog trainer” who helped Eddie navigate steps and learn to live more easily in a sight-impaired world. Today Eddie lives the life of a clown with his loving family in Orange County. He regained partial sight in his remaining eye and loves going to the dog park with his family and their two other adopted dogs. He lives the life that any other three-year-old dog should have and enjoys every single moment of it.
TDC: How can others get involved?
SM: First and foremost, please spay and neuter your animals and be sure that they receive the basic medical care which ensures a healthy and happy life. [Boston Brigade] Rescue is always so happy to have volunteers to foster dogs, pick up dogs from shelters, transport dogs back and forth to foster homes, donate items such as blankets, dog beds, leashes (believe me, we do not care if they are new or used) and primarily, donate funds towards our vet bills. Most rescues are 501c3 organizations, which [is a status] we work very hard to obtain. This means that your donation is tax deductible and we will give you a tax receipt for all donations. Just this year alone our donations have been about $12,000. Our vet bills have exceeded $40,000 so far and the year is not over. We do frequent fundraisers to try to keep up with the bills, but it is a constant struggle.
TDC: Tell us about the Bostons that have joined your family over the years.
SM: People in rescue know of the term “foster failure” and this does not mean at all what it implies. It is not uncommon to have one, two, or three foster dogs come into your home that touch a very distinct soft spot in your heart and they never leave. In our case, it has oddly enough been the “difficult” dogs because we get to know their endearing behavior as well as their quirks.
Pumpkin was a little 15-pound tyrant who took it as her personal mission in the world to let every other dog in the world know that she was the alpha of the pack and boy, they had just better move out of the way. We were lucky enough to have a lifetime of laughs thanks to that little girl in the six short years we were lucky enough to have her.
Gizmo was thrown from a moving car in the mountains resulting in a crushed hip and broken back. Gizmo weighed all of eight pounds when he came to us (most of it in his head), and was the only dog who ever stood up to Pumpkin’s wrath. They quickly became best friends and ruled the neighborhood with comedy and gusto.
Penny was turned over to me by a woman who had fallen and broken her hip and had to go into long-term nursing care. Penny had been blind for six years due to juvenile cataracts and during that time was attacked constantly by another dog in the home. I took Penny for cataract surgery, after which she regained full sight. She now spends her days chasing butterflies and lizards (she has not caught one yet, thank goodness) and loves to go for five-mile walks each day.
Bossman, my original boy, is still with me but is in the twilight period of his life now and is slowing down. Going deaf and with very limited vision, Bossman is sensitive and loving and I am proud that he is the primary reason for over 800 other dogs going on to wonderful new lives. His soul is truly gentle and I think this was his purpose. In rescue, I have seen both the best in people and the worst in people, but I would do it all over again in an instant.
If you would like to donate to Boston Brigade Rescue, please visit the website at www.bostonbrigade.com.