UPDATE: Sept. 12, 2016 –
NANA and her nine Peter Pan have puppies arrived, officially the newest residents of our One Lucky Pup program. We worked hard alongside one of our rescue partners, Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary, Salisbury NC, to keep this family of TEN alive, together and ready for the life they deserve.
While Nana nursed her puppies, FFAS cared for them. We flew to NC twice to visit Nana so that we could learn more about her and gain her trust so that by the third time she met us, at a private airport in NJ, she would know us. During the past ten weeks Nana’s babies were weened and every one of them survived. Nana was an incredible mother, watchful, attentive and nurturing. It was obvious she understood this litter was different. When the time came for FFAS to separate Nana from her puppies we were elated to learn Nana flourished. She played with toys for what may have been the first time, enjoyed meeting new people, discovered boundless energy to run and jump and engaged with other adult dogs without fear or hesitation. Nana had become a dog, and it was a beautiful site!
Thanks to two selfless pilots from Pilots N Paws, Chris and Doug, this family of ten were flown from NC to MD then to NJ, where we loaded them into a van and began seven hours of foster and foster-to-adopt drops for homes in NJ, NY and CT. Finally having all ten dogs safely in our minivan and far away from the cruelty and neglect of their origins was a huge moment for both FFAS and Mr. Bones & Co. As the day wore on and each of Nana’s babies left her, she watched closely, sometimes pulling towards them, but ultimately allowed the transition, because she trusted and knew us. It was important to go to great lengths for Nana because of all that she endured in her life and because of the loss of both of her previous litters.
At about 7PM that evening, we arrived at our last stop, Nana’s foster-to-adopt home where a wonderful couple had been eagerly awaiting her arrival for some time. We brought one of our adoptables, Buddy Love, and one of Nana’s babies, Peter Pan, along so that she could have some familiarity as she adjusted to a new home. Nana opened up, played with both puppies, eagerly met the new people who she may soon call her family and received her first brand new toys, meant just for her. It was incredible to see her play, chase, roll in the grass and prance into this new home. After an hour, we quietly slipped out of the home while her new people showered her with attention, knowing that Nana would sleep in comfort, safety and peace that night.
ADOPTION INFO: Seven of Nana’s nine babies are still available for adoption: Peter Pan, Tinker bell, Tiger Lily, Jane, Michael, John and Cubby. They will be ready to go home on Sept. 29, once they are spayed and neutered. You can meet them on our runway at our annual benefit, Rescue the Runway, taking place Sept. 24 at Berg’n. For tickets and additional information, visit www.rescuetherunway.org
POSTED JULY 13, 2016:
NANA & HER PETER PAN PUPPIES – THE FULL STORY: On July 9 a female dog who had lived on a chain in a North Carolina backyard for four years gave birth to her third litter. Her first litter had no survivors. Her second litter all died as well, for the exception of one female puppy. When this puppy was old enough to be chained, she joined her mother in the backyard, pregnant by the time she was six months. They could see each other, but never touch.
Neighbors watched the home and witnessed many acts of abuse and neglect. The owner allowed the neighbors to feed his dogs and arrange for a rabies vaccination. They built a small doghouse so the dog didn’t have to sit in the hot Southern sun all day. They witnessed acts of abuse from adults and children in the home and called animal control multiple times, each time being told there was nothing that could be done.
On July 10 the man and his family announced they were moving away, leaving the adult female and her daughter chained in their backyard. He posted sad photos of the litter on Facebook and announced anyone could have them. The neighbors who had been advocating for this dog for four long, heartbreaking years jumped into action. Because the man had chained her up, she could not reach her crying babies to nurse them. They removed her chains and her older daughter’s chains and took them all to safety.
One of these neighbors adopted the older daughter immediately and will raise her with her own family. They contacted Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary, Salisbury NC who agreed to take in the others. FFAS then called Mr. Bones & Co., asking if we could help, and we jumped in as well, completing this incredible community rescue. After four long years of suffering, this dog is safe. Her final litter will survive.
In early September, once her babies are weened, healthy and stabilized by the team at FFAS, we will transport this family to NYC and count TEN new additions to our One Lucky Pup rescue, rehabilitation and adoption program.
To honor a very good mother who is incredibly sweet and gentle despite years of abuse and neglect, we named her NANA, after the caring Newfoundland who looked after the Darling children in the Peter Pan story. Her nine puppies are Tinkerbell, Tiger Lily, Jane, Wendy, John, Michael, Liza, Curly and of course, Peter Pan.
Mr. Bones & Co. will be covering the care costs of Nana and her entire litter, including their needs while they are being cared for by FFAS, led by the ever inspiring Sanctuary Director, Mary Padavick. We need your help not only with donations, but sharing their story so that we can line up foster and adopters for these ten incredible dogs, all of whom will make their debut on our runway at our annual benefit, Rescue the Runway, September 24, 2016 at Berg’n beer hall in New York City. www.rescuetherunway.org
DONATE HERE: It’s going to be one incredible fairy tale ending for Nana and her Peter Pan Puppies! We would greatly appreciate your donation to Nana’s fundraiser: www.youcaring.com
Special thanks to Nana’s angels, her neighbors for never giving up, and to Mary Padavick, for saying yes, and then bringing Mr. Bones & Co. on board for phase two of this incredible rescue story. Stay tuned for more updates as this family grows and begins their epic journey North!