This sweet dog showed up in the woods at the edge of rural property belonging to two wonderful animal loving ladies, where she had apparently been dumped. They first became aware of her lurking in the woods in late Fall of 2000. They started leaving food out for her in the hopes of luring her to the safety of their home but Blanche, as she was to later be called, would have none of it. She would eat the food but she remained out of reach. In late 2000, she finally trusted them enough to whelp a litter of 7 pups under the raised portion of their house but she would never let them touch her. The ladies were able to rescue those pups one day while Blanche was off on one of her jaunts into the woods & they were safely placed in good homes.

This cat & mouse game continued all thru the Spring until one day they realized that Blanche had whelped another litter. Cathie & Kathy searched the woods but never did find them. All they knew was that Blanche was nursing & they continued to feed her but she would never let them get close enough to touch her. After about a month it became apparent that Blanche was no longer caring for the pups. Their whereabouts & fate has never been discovered.

As summer progressed into Fall, Blanche became less fearful. She would tentatively eat from Cathie’s hand but would pull back at any attempt to touch her. Finally on Dec. 9, 2001, Cathie managed to coax Blanche on to their lower deck & they quickly blocked off the exits.  Blanche still wouldn’t let them touch her but she seemed content to stay on the deck .. protected from the weather & safe from what lay beyond. Three days later, on Dec. 12, 2001, she whelped 13 puppies! What a surprise!

Blanche seemed content to stay & let the ladies help care for the puppies. At one time she must have been socialized but she had been on her own for so long, she still didn’t trust humans completely. She would not let them touch her but she didn’t mind them handling the pups.

By the time the pups were weaned & ready for placement in March, 2002, Cathie could pet Blanche. They managed to get her into a neighbors large crate & transported up to an animal sanctuary.  They were told that Blanche would be able to live out the rest of her life protected from the dangers of being a feral dog in the wild.  She was spayed & spent most of the rest of her life quietly laying in the sunshine. She never did trust humans enough to be adoptable. She remained content to let the world roll by around her while she watched from the sideline. 

During the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 25, 2006, Blanche was attacked by a rogue dog that was also housed in her compound.  She was discovered at daybreak & transported to medical help but she did not survive.   She sits at the Rainbow Bridge, along with so many others who have gone to wait for those special people who cared for them & loved them while they were here.  She took a big piece of the hearts of Cathie & Kathy with her.

But God is so good.  And He promises to heal these holes in our hearts. 

Thank you for your loving support and friendship ..... God bless!

We appreciate you SO much!

Cathie & Kathy