Rescuing Carlo






		Rescuing Carlo by Dolores Benzing, Carol Grzymkowski, Elaine Kroposki and Robin Shugg

Carlo first came to our attention on July 14, 1999. His plight and photo were publicized on www.petfinder.org which stated he was in the Teterboro Animal Shelter. Dolores e-mailed the shelter and called Olivia Seligmann-Kelly, the only official NJ beardie rescue person. She, in turn, called Paul Glatzer and posted a note on BDL. Paul contacted Richard Schneider to check-out the dog that had been found in Carlstadt, NJ wearing an old flea collar. Carlo was/is a senior beardie. When Dolores spoke with Paul, he said the dog should stay at the shelter because more people would see him than if he were taken out and placed in a vet/boarding facility. Unfortunately, no one expressed interest and even the shelter had doubts about placing "an old dog." Besides neutering, his medical needs were barely addressed.

Carol and Robin visited the shelter on a Saturday afternoon. As they waited for the attendant to bring Carlo out, the woman in charge commented that he was a very nice dog and what a shame it was that "he only has until the end of the month." Carlo greeted Carol and Robin with his tail wagging. When they took him outside, it was obvious that he was in great need of medical attention for a number of conditions. Carlo's skin, eyes, ears, and teeth were all involved and needed addressing by a veterinarian. In addition, he seemed to have a marked hearing deficit. He appeared to be very thin and although he had been clipped, he was in dire need of a good grooming session. In spite of it all, Carlo seemed to have a sweet and docile temperament. He allowed Carol and Robin to look in his ears, check his eyes, peek in his mouth and examine his skin. Carlo just seemed happy to be outdoors and receiving attention. As Robin and Carol left the shelter, it was with a feeling of quiet desperation as to what could be done (quickly) to rescue this beardie.


	With publicity on BDL and the petfinder website, inquiries about Carlo started to pour in. Dozens of phone calls were made and scores of e-mails posted. Still no appropriate home for Carlo was identified and his time was running out at the shelter. Robin and Dolores searched their phone book yellow pages to find a vet with boarding facilities. The only one who could take Carlo was in North Bergen. Paul again called upon Richard, who was about to be admitted to a NYC hospital himself, to take Carlo to the North Bergen vet. There a series of miscommunications took place and things were done in a rather piecemeal fashion. Carlo spent thirteen nights there and showed marked improvement in his health. Carol, Robin and Dolores visited him about half way during his stay in North Bergen, and identified areas that still needed to be addressed. The vet hospital would take "orders" only from Richard, so Richard had to be contacted to call the hospital and arrange to have these procedures done. He also made the arrangement for Carlo to be released in care of Dolores.

	Meanwhile Karen and Jeff were busy creating a wonderful story about Carlo on the club's website, complete with photos taken by Robin, all set to music! Many positive comments were made about how great it was. Because he is not on the Internet, Paul went to his local library to view the "Meet Carlo" story and was favorably impressed.

Paul approved of one new home for Carlo, but four days later the adoption was canceled by the prospective owner when she had second thoughts about the dog and her eleven indoor-only cats. Suffice it to say there were many inquiries about Carlo, many unrealistic because of his age and the fact we did not want to ship Carlo in this summer's blistering heat, as well as the fact that people with multiple pets, working two jobs, and having several small children did not seem appropriate. Carlo needed a foster home immediately until the right new owner came along. Paul was consulted but his suggestion was not suitable for Carlo. Elaine Kroposki had offered to foster Carlo and she was called upon to see if the offer still held. It did.

It was time to get Carlo out of the vet setting and his cramped quarters. On August 10th Carol and Dolores made a flying trip to North Bergen and brought him back to Dolores' where Carol gave him a bath prior to the trip to Elaine's home in Milford, PA. What Carlo really needed was some time at a spa...but since time was limited, he was treated to a 30 minute shower. He was hoisted, sprayed, scrubbed, rinsed, air blasted and probed...all without one grumble or complaint. He was once again escorted by van for the next leg of his journey. He spent the remainder of the trip sitting quietly on the floor, looking out the window, content to just watch the traffic and the world go by. He never moved or uttered a sound. He probably wondered what the two crazy women in the front seat had planned for him next. Carlo arrived at Elaine's house, having convinced both Carol and Dolores that he is one sweet tempered Beardie.


		As soon as Elaine saw Carlo, she had two thoughts. First, "What a cute guy" and second, "Boy, he sure is thin!" Carlo adjusted immediately to her kennel and her dogs. He was introduced to his run and bed and then went out in the yard to explore. He ate well, slept well and was a perfect gentleman while he was there. The transformation in just five days was astonishing. He put on weight, seemed much steadier on his feet and was much more active by the end of this short time. In the last few days, his tail was wagging a lot more, he was obviously looking for more attention and there was a sparkle in his eye that was not noticed on his arrival.

		Within a few days some serious inquiries were received by e-mail; they were forwarded to Elaine. The first was from a woman in Maryland. Elaine made the arrangements for the woman and her fiancee to visit Carlo on Sunday, August 15th. They brought their mixed breed, Bo, (also a rescue) with them to get her approval of Carlo too. The people were extremely nice, caring individuals who seemed that they would be excellent owners for Carlo. Carlo took to his new people immediately and soon they were off to Maryland and home. His new family had a Beardie before and live in an adults-only home with a nice sized fenced-in yard. Hopefully Carlo will live out his years in comfort.

	Poem: Rescued Dog by Arlene Pace

This site last updated on Sunday, March 30, 2008