A DOG’S LOVE

The story was an all too familiar one for the Oconee Regional Humane Society. A homeless dog, soon to be mother, found in an old abandoned barn. Katy Parker had found the dog and spent two weeks coaxing, talking to her and leaving her food. She named her “Chunky.” And soon, Chunky was following Katy around and sleeping by her back door.

Since it appeared that Chunky would have her puppies any day, Katy’s mom, Joan Parker, a volunteer for the Oconee Regional Humane Society, stepped in and decided to take Chunky to her home for safety and care. Shortly, Chunky had five beautiful puppies. Chunky’s puppies were two weeks old when another emergency arose. A kind woman had tried to save a mother and her newborn Great Pyrenees puppies but was unable to save the mother. She called ORHS for help with the three day old puppies.  Two of smallest and weakest puppies were placed with Chunky in hopes that she would love and mother them. She immediately started to care for them as if they were hers.

On the second evening with Chunky’s new adopted puppies, she began barking and alerted Joan to check on the new family. As Joan approached, the usual calm and gentle Chunky started barking hysterically.  Something was terribly wrong. Although she could not see it, Joan heard it — the rattle of a snake! She immediately scooped up all seven puppies, grabbed Chunky and went for safety on top of the dog house. Her family heard her screams and came to her rescue. If it hadn’t been for Chunky’s love of her puppies, her adopted puppies and for Joan, the story might have had a tragic ending.

All seven puppies have now found their forever homes. But Chunky had been diagnosed as being “heart worm positive” a life threatening illness, and had to begin her very expensive series of treatments.

But Chunky’s story doesn’t end here…

Pamela Affolter and Aneesa Conine-Nakano, 5th graders at Barrow Elementary School in Athens had operated a couple of lemonade stands during the summer raising $20. They wanted to donate the money to ORHS.  Pamela was familiar with ORHS since her family had adopted their two dogs from them two years ago.

They stopped by Pet Supplies Plus in Athens one Saturday with their parents where ORHS has their adoption day, and talked with Bonnie Stewart from ORHS. The girls wanted to contribute to a special project and Bonnie told them Chunky’s story. That was exactly what they were hoping for and decided that they would hold a lemonade stand with homemade baked goods on Saturdays next to where ORHS was holding their adoptions. They got several of their friends together and held two “Save Chunky” days which netted $350.  Since their goal was $500, they decided to hold one more on Saturday, September 25.

Word had spread about the girls and their project and on Friday, Sept. 24, their story appeared in the Athens Banner Herald. Saturday morning, even before the girls arrived to set up their stand, people were waiting for them. In the two hours of their sale, they raised more than $1,000 with more coming in later. Total contribution to ORHS totaled nearly $1,500.

The participating 5th graders from Barrow Elementary School were Pamela Affolter and Anees Conine — Nakano — (co-organizers), Kathy Mayfield, Violet Merritt, Zoe Peterson, Olivia Ripps, Maggie Sligh, Gabby Huff-Streiter.  From Timothy Elementary — 5th grader Hannah Gale.  From Clark Middle School, 8th grader Susanna Conine-Nakano and from Alps Elementary, 5th graders Kayla Pollack (co-organizer) and Journey Louder.

Co-organizer Pamela Affolter said it best. “I thought it was so sad about what happened to Chunky. I wanted to help so badly, and we did! Having the lemonade stands with my friends makes me feel that I can help the world be a better place. I also feel like lots of other dogs that are sick or wounded will have a promising future,  I was so excited to see Chunky yesterday and thought — this is who we are saving — she is so cute and friendly. One little group of people can make a huge difference. It was nice to see how many people out there really care about animals. There is so much bad news it felt good to help make good news!”

Chunky has been cured of her heart worm disease and is healthy, happy and waiting to be adopted to her forever home. ORHS thanks every one of the girls and their families for making a difference and also to the people who gave so generously.  

The Oconee Regional Humane Society is a non-profit organization.  You can visit the website at www.ORHSpets.org and see ways you can help as well as seeing the dogs and cats up for adoption. Tax deductible donations can be mailed to ORHS, 6350 Lake Oconee Parkway, Ste 102, Pmb 178, Greensboro, GA 30642.  For more information call (706) 454-1508. Until there are none — rescue one.