This will be the last newsletter that you will receive from me.  After 12 years and 1,483 dogs, I have come to the conclusion that it is time to close my rescue.  All of you have shared my life through these newsletters  – the downs and the amazing ups – and I wanted to let you know the reasons for my decision.

This last summer I was laid off from my job of 19 years.  This left me in the strange position of being too young for retirement and Medicare and yet too old to want to begin a new career.  The frightening aspect of having no medical insurance and the knowledge of seeing what my employer was doing to “cut” costs, did however prompt me to be a little pro-active and start the process of getting certified as a medical transcriptionist – a job I can do from home and will hopefully be employed again shortly.

The loss of my job and the very real issue of not having my salary as a back up to pay the expenses for rescue, plus some health problems and the loss of many of my foster homes from sheer burn-out, made me face the reality that it was just time to end – kind of like Tony La Russa – I wanted to leave on a high note.  There was also the very real fact that our last foster, Buddy’s, surgery had ended up costing almost twice as much as we had been quoted and we have, quite frankly, run out of money.

On the morning that I planned to take Buddy to meet his potential new family, I awoke with the song “Turn, Turn, Turn” playing in my head – the quote based on the Song of Solomon says “to everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven” – it was a sign that my season & purpose for rescue has come to an end.  I will of course, continue to help any of you in any way I can and we will support and take back any dog we have placed but as of November 1^st have accepted no new dogs.  Midwest Aussie Rescue based in IL will start covering the MO area & helping homeless aussies.

All of our success was a team effort & my biggest thank you has to go to my husband, Rick.  This was neither his dream nor his passion but without his support it would have never gotten off the ground.  He allowed me to fund the rescue for the first three years using our own monies – I think that was the last time we went on vacation also!!  He has put up with my craziest plan – getting the 32 dogs from the auction, overnighting them and then moving them on to other rescues – to my deepest despair when we actually rescued 18 aussies from a puppy mill and the heartaches that followed – to the happiest moments when dogs were placed that originally we thought were not adoptable.  Rick also is as soft hearted as I am – we have personally adopted 26 of the rescues – most of them we felt were not adoptable for either physical or emotional problems – 11 of which are still with us.  We jokingly call our home the “isle of the misfits”.

Others have been very instrumental and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention them:

Anne Heckle was my first supervisor when I was still a part of the ill-managed national group.  She taught me the “ropes”, how to get dogs from shelters and the importance of networking and she has continued to be supportive to this day.

Sheila Kenny was one of my first foster homes, web designer, transporter and patient listener when I needed to vent and has become a truly treasured friend.  She also was my proofreader and made sure I didn’t use “stupid” too many times when writing up the bios about people who turn in their dogs for ridiculous reasons.  She is the voice of reason when I just want to “go off” on people who abuse their dogs and act stupidly (sorry, Sheila, couldn’t help myself on that stupid).  She has been one of the most dedicated and devoted volunteers and after I told her of this decision said she would have never quit until I did – you rarely see such loyalty and without her support, the closing of the rescue would have happened years ago.

Our wonderful vets and technicians – Craig Tockman, who first trusted us enough to extend a line of credit and now Tiffani Witten who has given us her support and the discounts that have allowed us to continue for so long.  Teal Erickson, the vet tech that had her own rescue and has always been there to give us practical advice.  The other vets and technicians at Vet Care of Chesterfield who always treated our rescues as if they were as important as their highest paying client, never turning us away.

All our foster homes – at our highest point we had 14 of them – and especially the last few who have stayed and worked tirelessly – Raymond and Ingrid Florman, David & Becky Becker, Leana & Steve Proetz, Tina Adams (did our Christmas card every year), Al & Candy Ruf – can never be thanked enough – after all is said and done, it’s the foster homes that have made us the success that we are.

Derek Bretz & Bill Duncan who asked what they could do to help and then worked tirelessly for the last 3 years to make our Trivia Night fund raisers such a success and fun time.  Without their help, this decision would have probably happened several years ago.

There are countless others that have helped along the way that are too numerous to mention here, but will always have a place in my heart for their willingness to help our beloved aussies.

I would like this not to be filled with sadness, but just the reality that things naturally follow a time line and it was my time to end.  My sincere hope is that I have made a difference in the lives of the aussies that have touched my heart and the people that have taken the chance on them and loved and cared for them.  I hope that I have changed the mind of so many who felt that there was somehow something “wrong” with a dog that found itself in rescue to realizing what precious gems they are!

I do have one last request – I am asking for a last donation to help us pay off the final expenses of Buddy’s surgery and rehabilitation – we find ourselves with over $1,200 still owed.  If by chance, we have any monies left after his bill has been paid, that money would be donated to the Genetic Research Fund led by CA Sharp and backed by the national AKC Australian Shepherd Club.  This fund is very close to discovering a blood test that will detect hemangiosarcoma (the #1 cancer killer in Aussies) and a subsequent vaccine to prevent it.  When we set up our 501C3 non-profit corporation – the articles stated that when we closed, any monies left would go to another rescue or research organization dedicated to the Australian Shepherd.

So, I do not feel this is a goodbye – I feel as if each and every adopter has increased my “friends” list and I will always be here to help you with any problems or questions you have related to your dogs.  Our home number is 636-273-0225 and my cell is 314-740-2592.

Gratefully yours,

Kay Edwards

President and Founder

Aussie Rescue of St. Louis

Dusty is adopted!!
Dusty – 8 year old (8/13/03) neutered black tri, UTD on shots, HW negative, housebroken, crate trained. Dusty lived his first 7 and 1/2 years with his original family, he was then given away and ended up as a stray in animal control. We spoke with his original owners and it seems that they got tired of Dusty because he is afraid of storms and gave him to some friends – the friends were impatient with him when he became afraid and left him out in the yard during one of the severe storms this summer. In his panic, Dusty got out of the yard and the new owners didn’t bother looking for him. Animal Control was going to euthanize him because of his age but we just couldn’t let that happen – he still has a lot of life left to live, is in perfect health and when you think about it, how many storms do we really have in a year? He is fine with rain and even tolerates a mild storm if it’s during the day – he gets fearful at night during storms. Dusty is the sweetest, most low key dog we have seen in a long time. He just wants to be with his foster parents and seems to enjoy the company of both men and women equally and gets along very well with other dogs. He is somewhat of a clown and is very well behaved although if you leave something really tempting, he will put his paws on the kitchen counter. He is great for a bath and even allows us to grind his toenails. It’s very evident that he was a house dog – he has no fear of vacuums and when we put him outside alone, he is always right back to the door wanting in – we think he’s afraid he’ll be left out alone again. He is VERY fearful of storms but if you know a storm is coming a thunder shirt and some mild anti-anxiety medicine really helps (both the thunder shirt and medicine will go with Dusty to his new home). Dusty deserves to have someone love him and let him live out his golden years as the beloved pet that he wants to be. He is very low maintenance, walks well on leash & loves to go for car rides. If you are that special person who sees the value in an older dog, please consider this gentleman of a dog.

Sabrina, black tri female with blue eyes, approximately 2 years old, spayed, up to date on shots, microchipped, housebroken, crate trained. This petite little darling is only 30 lbs and gets along with everyone – dogs, cats, children. It appears that Sabrina has had puppies in the past, so perhaps that is why she is so tolerant and appreciative. Sabrina is a very quiet, low maintenance girl and the only faults we can find is her occasional counter surfing escapades and she isn’t good about not pulling on the leash when walking.

Cheyenne has been adopted 11/12/11!

Cheyenne is a 1 year old Aussie mix that wandered into a campsite in Central Illinois skin and bones and infested with ticks. She was turned in to the local shelter, then rescued from “death row”. With good care and exercise she is now a very healthy spayed, micro-chipped, HW neg, housebroken velcro girl. She loves all people and dogs, is curious about horses but doesn’t bother them. Not sure about cats as I have none inside. Outside she will chase them but listens when I tell her to “leave it”. She came with some severe separation anxiety and though she has improved by leaps and bounds, she will need to go to a home that is willing to continue working with that. She is very good with kids but can be very “hyper” when first let out of the crate and would probably bowl over a young child in her excitement. As part of the anxiety, she requires a very secure crate. Because she is still a puppy, I don’t trust her loose in the house for very long at a time unsupervised. She is a very sweet and loving dog that just wants to be with people. She is making so much progress that I am confident she will make someone an awesome lifetime companion.

Buddy was adopted 10/19/2011!

Buddy update: Buddy has been having weekly cast changes since his surgery – 2 weeks ago we had some unsettling news when the vet told us that he had an infection at his surgery sight. A mega dose of antibiotics was started and as of yesterday, it looks like the infection is almost gone. Buddy has been an excellent patient and a favorite of all the people at the vet clinic. He is SO good that he has never had to be given anesthesia for the cast changes! The only problem I have now is keeping him quiet. I believe he is much younger than we first thought – he loves to wrestle with his foster brothers and sisters and lays on his back, throwing toys in the air, playing like a pup. I think he is no older than 2. We have found that he walks beautifully on leash and stays close, loves being petted and is quiet in his crate. We are hoping that he will be ready for adoption by the end of October and are now taking applications for his forever home.
Buddy needs your help!
Buddy was rescued by a good samaritan named Susan after she noticed him as a stray. Buddy is extremely friendly and Susan noticed immediately that he favored his right back leg – partially dragging it and pointing his foot out in an unnatural position. Come to find out, Buddy was hit by a car that crushed his right rear ankle causing instability and extreme pain. When our vet x-rayed him to try to figure out what was wrong with his leg, it was noted that he was full of buck-shot. We sure wish Buddy could tell us how that happened but our guess is that he has had a very colorful past. After Buddy was neutered, he had to go through surgery to put a plate into his ankle to stabilize it. This surgery had to be done by a specialist. He will be in a cast for approximately 3 weeks, then bandages, then physical therapy. Although his ankle will be stabilized, it will also be “frozen”. He will be able to walk, although will probably have a slight limp, but the most important thing is that he will no longer be in pain and will no longer need the anti-inflammatory and pain medicines that he now gets twice a day. Buddy will be available for adoption this fall and we are confident that he will find a home since he is a wonderful boy who gets along great with other dogs, loves kids, rides wonderfully in the car and is leash trained. The total cost for Buddy’s care including his neuter, treatment for Erlychiosis (a tick borne disease) and his orthopedic surgery is almost $2,600 – his adoption fee will be the same as for all our dogs – $225, so we need help in paying for his care. We are looking for sponsors to help Buddy – please consider helping with his care – we appreciate any help you can give!!

THANK YOU TO:
Fresca Jacobs, Columbia, MO
The Bloomfields, Ozark, MO
Mary Ann Howley, Santa Fe, NM in memory of PaPa Dog
Tony & Janet Ward, Holliston, MA
Sanni Keskimaki, Seattle, WA
Martha Merrick, Licking, MO
Leslie Lenz, Wildwood, MO
Michael Dumm, St. Charles, MO
Lois Hansford, Success, MO
Anita Tipton, O’Fallon, MO for services provided by Vicki Dickey
Linda Case, Belleville, IL in gratitude for her Lacey girl!!
David & Mary Ann Hirsch, St. Louis, MO (long time supporters)
Susan & Jerry Forrester, Success, MO
Judy Sullivan, Palmyra, MO
Don Eggers, St. Louis, MO

You had found me Rusty, a Red Merle, some 8 plus years ago. 

He passed away a year ago, July 13th. 

I apologize for the delay in contacting you. 

It’s still very hard.

I want to thank you for putting us together.  He was the most amazing animal.

He made converts out of dog-doubters.  Since I was in college at the time, he was the first dog to many of my friends, including my now-fiance’.  A truly aristocratic ambassador of the canine species.

Thank you again.

Andy