Story submitted by Heidi Hepler Ramo.
‘Bobbi and the Strays’ help in the Far Rockaway dog project – the countless efforts of so many people, the never-ending stories of rescue and needs – here is a story of success that involved many people and different rescuers coming together to help a roving band of dogs and their puppies.
Dogs in the fields of Far Rockaway. Wandering nomads upon a never ending journey, as they flew across the fields of their ‘home’. The seven or eight adult dogs would come and go from the vast area, but always return.
‘Guardian Angels’ Ramone and his daughter Kim were helping to keep these dogs nurtured with food day after day. The roving band of Far Rockaway canines came to know them and loved their daily meals. Other ‘Guardian Angels’ Rose and Bill, who are ‘Bobbi and the Strays’ volunteers, had heard about this story and helped by bringing food.
One Spring day this past April, the gypsy band of dogs reappeared – but this time they came bearing gifts….three (3) different litters of puppies! Yes, you read it correctly, that is three different litters of puppies. The puppies ages ranged from 6 weeks to 5 months! That is when Rose gave Bobbi a call – lots of help was needed.
Toby is the ‘Bobbi and the Strays’ puppy of Far Rockaway.
Scared little Toby
A Chow-German Shepherd and ‘who-else-knows mix’, makes for a glorious combination! Rose and Bill fostered, loved, nurtured and taught this handsome fellow that furniture doesn’t bite, people are cool and it is OK to be inside! Since they have dogs and cats, we discovered that Toby gets along great with all animals and is also a loving mush. His first few months were spent running around outside in the fields, so that was all he knew. Toby is now learning the joy of warmth, human love and cuddling – “a dog’s life’.
His foster parents Rose and Bill told us Toby discovered something else too – that being inside, loved and cozy isn’t so bad either. The day my hubby and I went to take Toby’s photos, he was still fresh to the world of a ‘house’ and enjoyed slipping under the couch to feel safe. He is outgrowing that habit and loves being with people hanging out watching television or whatever.
- Toby with Foster Daddy, Bill
Imagine the great work involved in trapping so many animals, which numbered around twenty-two (22)!!! It took a dedicated team effort to capture all of these wonderful nomadic adults and their pups. Major kudos to go to John, who worked his magic as he trapped at least 16 puppies and most of the adults.
Volunteers come with different abilities and gifts to help – John, Christina, Laura, foster parents Rose and Bill, along with many others, helped in countless ways. The feral adults are spayed and neutered and will live out their lives where they call home. Most puppies went to Sean Casey in Brooklyn.
AND GREAT NEWS UPDATE: TOBY IS ADOPTED AND HAS A FOREVER HOME!
