Meadow
The Chain of Compassion
Eluding capture in the fields and forests not far from Albany, NY, a Vizsla has stirred up quite a bit of speculation as to her origins. Rumored to have escaped her owner at a mere six months old, during her time on the run she gave birth to at least one litter of pups, leapt in and out of people’s yards to visit their dogs, and spent up to three winters in the wild - without so much as an undercoat to keep her warm. Dubbed Brownie Baby, the dog was allegedly caught in September of 2009, but escaped after less than two days of confinement by scaling a six or seven foot fence.
While her past remains shrouded in mystery, one thing is certain about this clever creature – she drew many caring individuals together, all for the sake of saving a dog. Lex Murphy and Carol Rock, two kind souls residing in Colonie, NY, made concentrated efforts to care for the elusive Vizsla over the course of a year. They fed her. They offered her bedding. They snuck heartworm tablets and worming medicine in the dog’s meals and dropped off a stool sample at the vet. Over time, they coaxed the dog ever closer. Captivated by the canine’s refusal to be captured, a local news reporter, Mark Ramirez, started a blog so the community could track the dog’s whereabouts and rally to rescue her.
Finally, in March of 2010, while Brownie Baby snoozed happily on a bed, Carol Rock bravely snuck up behind the unsuspecting Vizsla and snared her. Shaker Veterinary Hospital stepped in and saw to her needs for nearly two months. They removed a non-cancerous growth from her muzzle. They treated her for Lyme disease. They spayed her. They removed broken teeth, most likely caused by being struck by a car. While the doctors saw to her physical needs, Kathy Rogers oversaw her care, directing the staff in taking extensive precautions to prevent her escape, feeding her medication via meatballs under the bars of her cage, and teaching her that people with outstretched hands usually bore gifts in the form of food. From there, Brownie Baby was fortunate enough to find the Vizsla Club of Central New England. Their Rescue Coordinator, Lesli Hyland, who also owns Red Dog Solutions Training Center in Vermont, contacted Shaker Veterinary Hospital and offered to take Brownie into the rescue program. Lesli fostered Meadow for a month, giving her love, attention, and a safe place to call her own, while simultaneously teaching her to go for walks, to face her fears, and most importantly - to trust humans. Although names like Brownie and Baby were cute, Lesli decided a proper name was in order for her intelligent, graceful charge. “I decided to name her Meadow, because she is wild, but peaceful.”
While working with Meadow, Lesli posted her information on several rescue websites in search of a forever home for her fearful friend. I stumbled upon her photo while browsing through mug-shots on Petfinder.com. Immediately smitten, I shared her story with my husband, Nick. After reading Meadow’s history and the type of home needed to rehabilitate her, he agreed that we were up for the challenge. We immediately contacted Lesli for more info. Following an in depth phone interview, a detailed written application, and many emails, Lesli asked for assistance from the Vizsla Club of Long Island, specifically from Stephanie Fischer, their Rescue Coordinator and recently appointed president.
When Stephanie and I first spoke to set up a home visit, she declared herself as “Firm, but fair.” I was somewhat nervous up until the moment she stepped through my front door, but her warm smile swiftly put me at ease. While her husband, Ray, played tug with my feisty Labrador, Toby - Stephanie questioned us about where we would house Meadow, how we would handle her, “why on earth” we wanted three dogs, and how much experience we had with Vizslas. When we admitted we had only met one well trained Vizsla at Toby’s therapy dog test, Stephanie invited us to her home to meet her three bouncy boys: Cliffy, Jake, and her own rescue, Rusty. Undeterred after three red dogs treated us like furniture and showered us in Vizsla kisses, our adoption application was soon approved.
In early June, Lesli and her husband, Brian, trekked all the way from Vermont to assist us in adjusting Meadow to her new home. They spent the morning helping us introduce Meadow to our other animals, answering our many questions, and making sure Meadow felt secure, before heading out to meet Stephanie in person after years of e-mail and phone contact. Thankful of the many people that rallied together to unite us with Meadow, Nick and I were left alone to adjust to our new family member – and she to us. Meadow has spent the past month getting to know us, her new pack mates, Leah and Toby, and our three cats: Whiskers, Cinder, and Mew. At times Meadow’s distress has been heartbreaking to witness, but when she greets us with wiggles and wags, play bows at her big sister, Leah, or rolls on her back while kicking her feet up in the air with glee - we catch glimpses of the gentle and spirited Vizsla underneath. Our hope is that in time, with continued patience, guidance, and love, Meadow will be freed from her prison of fear.
Donna Owczarek