Howllo fellow basset hound and back yard lovers….

This morning as I was happily springing forward (not) I was reading the basset hound wires so I can keep the town informed. I just love discovering great stories and great new places.

OK, so howl have I not heard of this place?

Welcome to LoveHandlers
A Sanctuary for Blind and Disabled Animals

Our mission is to provide these special deserving souls with a loving second chance at enjoying a full quality life, to rescue, save, shelter and rehabilitate and find human companions in good homes when possible. Otherwise the animals are cared for in a loving, secure and comfortable environment for the duration of their natural life. LoveHandlers.org is a no kill sanctuary operated 100% by your donations.

Lovehandlers.og was founded by Apples, a basset hound that was afflicted by glaucoma. OK – you all know howl this had me in tears this morning.

Apples

Hello, my name is Appalachia-Bloom.

My human companions called me “Apples” for short. I was born in southern California on July 21, 1999. Growing up in California I loved to go hiking, running down dirt sand trails, over top of boulders and rock, and through the sage and tumbleweed. Many days during the week I would go to work with my master and sit in the office next to his desk and chew on my rawhides.

On June 13, 2006 my master called to me that it was time to for the ride home. I love riding “shotgun” in his truck with the window down, my head out, my long beautiful ears blowing back in the wind and looking at myself in the side mirror. But this day was different. I stood up to move and everything was going dark.

For a couple of days I had a bad headache that wouldn’t go away. But today was really bad. My master climbed down onto the floor with me and asked why I wasn’t feeling well. Of course I couldn’t respond, except with a reassuring lick to his face letting him know I would feel better soon. But that day as I stood up I couldn’t see my master. I heard him talking to me, but my eyes were covered and I was unable to see. I didn’t understand why then I heard the urgent fright in his voice as I walked directly into the wall of his office. I couldn’t see. Everything was blackness.

Next thing I knew he was rushing me into emergency at the local vet clinic. I didn’t need my eyes to know where I was; I could smell. Minutes passed into hours, and after I had drops in my eyes and they were poked and prodded, I could see some shapes and shadows. My master was beside me the entire time. I could tell by all the different voices something must me really wrong. I heard in my master’s broken voice the news. “Glaucoma”?

For the next 24 hours, my sight came and went. I was on medications, and the pain in my head and eyes was slowing going away, but so was my sight.The next morning I felt my master move. I knew I was awake, but it was still dark. I felt his hand on my shoulder as he guided me outside to my yard. He sat beside me and with an upset voice he explained to me that I was blind; never again to see.

I was grateful to have him to lean on. He cared for me, led me around, took me to the office, had long walks, played with my three dog sisters, treated me to cookiesnd I even continued to swim in the pool! Then one day he said that because of being so responsive in my rehabilitation, I would become the founder of my own ranch for other differently-abled animals.

As founder of the LoveHandlers Animal Sanctuary, I can’t express enough of what it’s like to have the love of my caring family. I got to go for long walks in the mountains, sleep by a warm fireplace on a cushy pillow, got my treats, two meals a day, plenty of fresh water and had so many more new friends to visit and play with. I may have been blind, but my “sniffer” and my ears worked better than ever.

So welcome to LoveHandlers Animal Sanctuary on on behalf of all my friends, we love you! LICK!
Apples

Established 2007

Note: In November 2008, Apples lost her courageous battle with cancer, but her memory lives on the sanctuary that she inspired for differently-abled animals.

I am just so touched by this rescue. Have any of you ever heard of it? I am going to take a road trip very soon and go see it for myself. I am going to see if they have a gift shop where I can donate some Lily Books.

Located in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains and home of LoveHandlers.org. an Animal Sanctuary located at Whispering Spirit Ranch.

Love Handlers a nonprofit no kill sanctuary for “differently-abled” animals. We’re beautifully located on sixty acres in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains, Greeneville Tennessee.

OMG! If you have never seen the Great Smoky Mountains you really need to put it on your list. Just stunningly beautiful.

I just did a map quest and it is about 5 hours from my house. I think Emma would really like it.

What a nice find for our town this morning.

Maybe it was the luck of the Irish…..

More road trip plans later…..Love, Cat, Chaps and Emma

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