Lakota-his travels and progress.'s Page

The Dog lakota- Lakota's story

Lakota came into my life quite suddenly. Every day I get urgent e-mails to help dogs from all across the country. Most dogs have only a day or so before they are euthanized. Normally I try my best not to look at too many of them, because when I see their faces of literally hundreds daily looking back at me on my screen that you have no chance of helping, it tears my heart out because I want to help them but I know I can't. For some reason though I opened the one about Lakota. As I scrolled through at least 20 dogs or so that needed help in a very high kill pound in LA, CA, I came upon Lakota. Lakota was listed as a 15 year old Malamute turned in by his owners. The description went on to say he had been at this animal control since October 31st, which is very unusual for them to keep a dog for so long. I received this e-mail nearly a month later asking for urgent help for him. Since he had been at this animal control for so long, he was so old, and he is an exra large dog, usually they are the first to be euthanized because of the room needed. But there he was, a scraggly, dirty mess tied to a cement wall by a leash. He would not even look at the camera for a picture. I called animal control the following day and was told he was still there but not for much longer. The animal control had been treating him for kennel cough, which also really surprised me since a dog (any dog) that has kennel cough is usually euthanized immediately so it does not spread though the facility. Another rescue had put their name on Lakota's list, but they decided not to take him because of lack of transportation assistance to get them to their rescue. So here I was on the phone begging animal control to put my name on the list and not euthanize him. I said I would come up with someone to pull him from animal control the next day. I knew I had to buy some time, I had absolutely no idea who I could get to pull him fo me, or how on earth I would get him all the way to Michigan. We contacted several trucking companies that help transport dogs and cats across the US. One of them mentioned to me a rescue in the area that might pull him for me, and they could help transport him to Michigan. It all sounded so easy, but of course it wasn't. The rescue could not pull Lakota for 3 more days after I told animal control he would be out the following day. So I was back on the phone with animal control begging for more time. I told them I had a place for him to go and they would be there no later then Monday. The rescue showed up and took him back to their rescue in LA. He was then transported to phoenix AZ to another part of their rescue. That is as far as he got for nearly 2 months he stayed with them while we searched desperately for transportation. I had volunteers going to AZ to visit family for Christmas. One flew and one drove. I had hoped so much that they would be able to help in some way. Things seemed to be looking up, I had a glimmer of hope finally. But it just did not work out. The person that drove already had 3 large dog crates in her vehicle and could not manage another one. So I started to look into airline flights for him. It seemed to be possible at first to get him onto a cargo flight to Michigan until we found out the cost would be $700.00 for a crate 35" high. I had also e-mailed flights that donate their time to transportation of animals only. But the planes were too small for a flight so far. Linda our Vice President started looking into more trucking companies that also donate their time to transporting animals. Most of them turned out to be dead ends, except for one. There was a trucking team that would be willing to pick up Lakota and transport him to Wisconsin, where we would meet them and bring him home to Michigan. Things were finally going as planned and Lakota made it all the way to El Paso Texas, when the unthinkable happened. Lakota had an accident inside the cab of the truck, and the trucker decided he could not handle that sort of thing, so he dumped Lakota at the nearest rescue he could find. This rescue had just taken in 25 dogs from their animal control earlier that day and did not have any room for Lakota. The trucker continued to tell them he would not take Lakota back into his truck and he would take Lakota to animal control if he had to. The rescue helped us make arrangements for Lakota to be taken to a nearby kennel. The trucker agreed to take him that far. We then received a phone call from the rescue telling us that the trucker left with him to take him to the kennel, but came back and dumped him at the rescue again and left. Thank goodness the rescue was so willing to work with us. They made arrangements for someone to come from the kennel to pick Lakota up and they would be able to keep him for only a short time. We were horrified by what had happened. We had such wonderful reviews on this trucking team before hand. It was explained to us later that this trucker was doing his first ever dog transport and had absolutely no idea what to expect. He was required to pay us what the kennel charged for Lakota to stay there. But this was still unacceptable what he had did. One of the directors of the trucking team agreed to board lakota at her home in Dallas until we could make other arrangements for the rest of his trip to Michigan. Lakota was at her home for 2 weeks when we were put in touch with a wonderful lady that volunteers her time to arrange transport for the dogs going to rescues and individual homes with other truckers and individuals who donate time to help transport animals and have the same goals in mind, to make sure these dogs get to their destinations in a safe and timely manner. In 4 days lakota was on his first :leg" of the journey. My fiancé and I got a phone call from a lady who was bringing him to Coldwater, MI and she would be there in just 2 hours! I could not believe what I was hearing, I was going to finally be able to see this magnificent animal after so long. When we drove up, she had Lakota outside on the leash. This poor guy looked so horrible, but he was still beautiful to me. It was immediately obvious that he was severely abused through his life. When he was touched he would hunch to the ground like he was going to be beat and loose control of his bowels. After spending some time with him, I do not think he is actually 15. he looks and acts much younger. We still have a long road with him for rehabilitation, and he may never get to the point of being comfortable with the human touch. But every day I see a little more progress in his rehabilitation. All that matters now is that lakota is finally home, safe, and he will never be abused, yelled at, unloved or unwanted again.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO EVERYONE THAT HELPED GET HIM HERE, AS WELL AS ALL OF YOU THAT DONATED TO HELP SAVE THIS WONDERFUL BOY.

More information from the wonderful people at Operation Roger-THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR YOUR HELP! HE WOULD NOT BE HERE WITHOUT YOU GUYS!

#330 LAKOTA (Alaskan Malamute) Phoenix, AZ-Linwood, MI
LAKOTA #330 a Grey and White Alaskan Malamute, male, about 53# originated in the Lancaster, CA, area shelter. He was transferred to the LA County Animal Control for neutering and placement. He was then transferred to Diane with TARescue, Phoenix, AZ, for transporting to his new adoptive home in Linwood, MI, with Heather S and Linda A.
Driver Merlin M picked Lakota up in Phoenix and soon knew he was in over his head in dealing with Lakota's needs. Lakota was extremely skittish, fearful, and unable to control his body functions while in the truck. Unable to deal with Lakota, he made it to El Paso, TX, where he went to the Animal Rescue League of El Paso. Unable to take Lakota in, the director, Loretta H, referred Merlin to another rescue/shelter. Team Leader Nancy R, was contacted and went into action to resolve the situation. The driver back tracked his route in an attempt to reach the new location but was stopped by a 26' length restriction sign. He was over 70'. With that facility closing at about the time he arrived, Merlin returned to the original location and arrived there about 15 minutes before it also closed. By this time nearly 4 hours had elapsed. Nancy arranged for Loretta to stay with Lakota until someone from the other facility could arrive. Merlin had to leave to make his next delivery.
Lakota spent two nights at that facility until Driver Dale D and his co-driver could arrive about 5:30 a.m. to pick him up. Dale was able to confirm everything Merlin had said about Lakota. Dale met LOH Sue W and her granddaughters, Ashleigh and Maya, at a truck stop in Weatherford, TX.
Scared of all noises, especially big trucks, Lakota dove into Sue's pickup front floor board and wouldn't be budged. At home she put him in the 10x10 pen formerly occupied by two other dogs, a large pup, Buddy, and a Doxi, Huck. Lakota quickly found the dog house and made himself at home for the next two weeks. At about 15 years, he is so comfortable in a doghouse or other small areas, he must have been a puppy mill dog turned loose to die on his own in the desert of California. (Sue's opinion.)
On 1/31/09 Sue drove Lakota to Gainesville, TX, to meet the first of many 4-wheel drivers arranged by Team Leader Krystal M in cooperation with Transport Coordinator Tanya K whose team then transported him on to Michigan to his new fur-ever home. Lakota is docile and compliant once in hand. Getting a hand on him once he is loose is another story.
Two emergency meetings of the BOD and all the parties involved has resulted in continuing efforts to resolve the matter. While this transport started out badly, the resulting pulling together of all of the people below should show the true hearts of the rescue/transport community. It is not about people. It is about God's 4-legged critters.
Operation Roger Drivers Merlin M pu 1/15/09; BOD Dale D pu 1/17/09; LOH Sue W pu 1/17/09; Team Leaders Nancy R and Krystal M; Independent Transport Coordinator Tanya K along with 4-wheel drivers Sharla B, Dee R, Tanya K, Susi Y, Dorrie H, Jan M, Jonni T, Gina W, Revajane L, Shawna Z, Donna K, Lesley R, Heather S, and Keith S. Del 2/1/09
*************************************************************

We received this Email from Heather S 2/2/09:
I would like to thank each and every one of you that assisted in Lakota's transport. Without all of you, he would not be here ready to start a new life. When I picked him up yesterday, I just kept staring at him, because I was still in shock that he was actually here. We have a lot of rehabilitation to do with him, and I am taking it very slowly with him. I have just been sitting in the room with him quietly, allowing him to get used to my presence. When he is ready he will come up to me.

Lakota is eating very well, and was quite hungry when he finally got home. My spare bedroom/computer room is set up for him, and he is right next to my bedroom so I could hear him if he started to have any problems. he only has had one mess in the house so far, I am sure there will be many more, but it all takes time and a lot of patience. He allowed me to massage his front paw last night. I just sat with my eyes closed, and rubbed his foot gently for about a half hour. He was so relaxed he leaned back against my book shelf, so he could still watch me if needed. He is everything I had hoped for, and I am so happy to be able to finally be able to give this guy a chance at happiness.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart and Lakota's. I will have pictures posted on our web site soon of this darling boy. Please visit it reguarly to see more updates!
www.fewstepsfromhome.homestead.com
Heather Smith - President
Few Steps From Home Animal Rescue
*************************************************************

We received this Email From: "Krystal McClain"

I know that many have already expressed their appreciation, but i wanted everyone to know that you truly are marvelous.

When Tanya added 1 more and then 2 more dogs [including LAKOTA] to Luke's transport you could have easily rejected the idea of taking on that many passengers. many people wouldn't offer that much of themselves, but all of you drivers did.

You did what was impossible for any one of us to do on our own and made it possible. I think that this shows us with each and every successful transport just how much people can come together to make this world a good one to live in. You are taking the most "unimportant" members of society and giving them importance. It truly is the noble work that we all should strive to do more of.

Thank you, for opening your planes, cars, and homes to 4 souls that were once thrown away. and thank you even more for doing it so joyously. It truly warms the heart to see so many people not only willing to give, but wanting to.
Krystal McClain
Operation Roger Team Leader-Krystals4Wheelers