Gracie 12

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Original: “This sweet girl is the epitome of a Velcro Springer and especially is her mom’s shadow.”

A message from Debbie Lipcsey, MAESSR’s Chief Executive Officer–

“In April of 2020, as COVID lockdowns were beginning, the Warwick Valley Humane Society contacted MAESSR regarding 11 dogs that they had seized from an irresponsible breeding situation in Orange County, New York.  The shelter was trying to limit the number of dogs in its care due to the pandemic, and they asked if MAESSR would be able to find foster homes for these dogs until the case went to trial.  Of course, MAESSR said yes, and the trek began to get those dogs out of the shelter in New York and into foster homes all up and down the east coast.  Because MAESSR volunteers are amazing at what they do, this was a seamless process, and the dogs were quickly settled.

“Because of the pandemic, the courts were very backed up, and the trial did not begin until January 2022.  There were hearings and appeals, and more appeals, and after what seemed like forever, on April 22, 2023 Lauretta and Daniel Duthie of Laurdan Kennels were convicted of overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals, and failure to provide proper sustenance in violation of the State Agriculture and Markets law.  They were fined $1,000 and were required to register on the Orange County Animal Abuse Registry (https://www.orangecountygov.com/934/Animal-Abuser-Registry), prohibiting them from owning animals for the next 15 years.  It wasn’t until March 8, 2024, that they registered, and the dogs were turned over to MAESSR at that time.

“Due to years of neglectful veterinary care and poor breeding practices, virtually all the dogs needed treatment for medical conditions, including dental disease, mammary tumors, deafness, blindness, untreated ear infections and allergies, among other things.  Each dog needed grooming, vaccinations, and most of all the love and attention they desperately wanted.  Where indicated, surgeries were performed for the tumor removals, dental cleaning and extractions. The total cost to provide needed veterinarian care for the 11 dogs exceeded $100,000, which MAESSR shouldered and to date has not been reimbursed by the owners, as was intended during their prosecution.

“Of the 11 dogs that were seized in 2020, these seven, Tara, Eliza, Bennett, Gracie, Nelson, Electra, and Harrison remain in MAESSR care thriving in their foster homes and preparing to be adopted now that the case is closed.  Star, Cameron, Hunter, and Winston crossed the bridge, but spent their last days knowing love and compassion from their foster families.  

“We cannot change the world for all the dogs, but we can change the world for the dogs that come into MAESSR’s care.  We are honored to have been called upon to help and fortunate to have the means to provide what these babies needed.” 

Now, from Gracie’s foster mom–

Gracie now called Grace, came into MAESSR’s care in the beginning of the Covid pandemic. She and eleven other Springers came from a bad living situation in New York and then spent several months in a shelter before MAESSR was asked to foster them. 

Grace was then 7 years old, full of energy and in need of a good grooming. Since the groomers were closed because of the pandemic, foster mom had to do her best to shampoo and clip Grace. Thank goodness Grace was a professional because foster mom definitely was not!  She was so patient with her new mom.

Grace had to learn a lot of new rules for living in a home with other loved pets. Rule number one was she did not own foster mom. Rule number two was don’t eat the cat or chickens. However, the cat felt Grace wasn’t going to obey that rule since Grace had already killed two chickens.  So, the cat decided on her own to move to the neighbors. Good, safe choice, kitty! 

As the pandemic continued, Grace was introduced to more family and friends. Her foster parents have two young grandsons and a young male neighbor. While playing with each of the boys in three separate incidents, Grace nipped at the boys.  It was not clear if she was playing a little too aggressively or if she was frightened of these wiggly, fast-moving children.  Grace has learned nipping is not acceptable behavior and she no longer nips. Currently, foster mom is babysitting an infant and Grace has been very good with the baby.

When Grace came to her foster home, she knew nothing about toys or balls. Today, Grace just likes to steal the toys from the other dogs; she still has no interest in playing with toys.

Grace loves running and walking off leash.  Her foster family does a lot of hiking and this is where Grace is in her glory. While hiking, Grace has found several shed deer antlers — to her foster dad’s delight.  Grace also loves to find turtles and brings them to her foster parents. Luckily for the turtles they are taken away and have to be hidden so she will not eat them.

There is a pet door in her foster home and Grace was not a fan. It took her a good eight to ten months to feel comfortable enough to leave foster mom and go outside on her own.  Grace also used to get car sick because of stress. She now travels well but will not go anyplace without her foster mom.   

Inside the house, there is no need to crate Grace because her house manners are very good. The resident dogs have taught her some new bad habits, though.  She does not beg but steals food off the table when nobody is paying attention. Grace, Grace, Grace!

In the evening Grace is always on the couch pawing foster mom. At bed time she is in bed with her foster parents.  This sweet girl is the epitome of a Velcro Springer and especially is her mom’s shadow.

Now that the courts have decided in the dogs’ favor and after four years of caring for Grace and loving her, her foster parents have made it official: Grace has found her forever home with them!