|
 |
The Story of Bonnie and Clyde and How New Mexico Collie Rescue (NMCR) Came to Be... by Vicky Gann, NMCR President My voice mail had three messages that November 25, 2000, afternoon coming from different corners of the United States, one from California, one from New York, and the third obviously not a southeastern NM accent. All had the same message, "Two collies in the shelter in Albuquerque, NM. You need to do something!" My name and telephone number had been found at the American Kennel Club rescue website as a rescuer for the state of New Mexico. The only other person listed at that site had died earlier in the year. I was the only contact out there and had never handled a rescue outside my area of Southern New Mexico. The problem was that I lived in the southeast corner of the state, which was hours away from Albuquerque. We are a very large state. There was no way I could drop everything and head for Albuquerque. I made a few phone calls to fellow New Mexico collie folks and was told that the dogs would be checked on the next day by a collie person who lived not far from Albuquerque. Thinking that the problem was handled, I expected to have either an e-mail or a message on my voice mail telling me that the collies were rescued and in good hands. Late Monday night, when I arrived home after class, there were no messages on my computer or voice mail. Totally frustrated, I decided to take action. The next day I contacted the shelter by telephone. When I explained that I was working with the Collie Rescue, I was given the utmost courtesy and cooperation by the Albuquerque shelter's staff. It was confirmed that an adult female sable and white collie was in their care, but no one had yet come by to check on her. The shelter promised to hold her for Collie Rescue until we could get someone in place to pick her up. A small male that they thought might be a collie was also there. At the same time, the magic of virtual communication had allowed an on-going e-mail discussion with others throughout the United States who shared love for the collie breed, as well as concern for these two collies in Albuquerque. I could not locate a contact within the Albuquerque area who was willing to spring these two collies. The Illinois Collie Rescue group heard of our plight and highly recommended their former members, Karin and Jeff Turro, who had moved to Albuquerque some months earlier. Contact was made with the Turro's and they quickly came to the rescue. While finalizing the requirements for release, news about this pair, now dubbed "Bonnie and Clyde" went around the world on the Internet, as well as the pictures that Karin and Jeff had scanned. Bonnie was a beautiful, classic, sable and white female with outstanding collie temperament. Little Clyde was not the picture collie that Bonnie was, but it made no difference. He was a wonderful loving fellow. Both had been picked up as strays. Money came in from concerned folks in other locales to help pay shelter and veterinarian fees. Individuals in Phoenix, volunteered to foster Bonnie and Clyde, as well as offered them "forever homes". Bonnie and Clyde made the trip to Arizona half way with the Turro's and the last leg with an Arizona collie transport team. Unfortunately little Clyde did not live long. He died during the Summer of 2001 from a brain tumor. But he was loved and he loved his new family. Their lives were richer for having shared those last months with him. Bonnie is at home with a devoted, caring, Arizona family. As a tribute to Bonnie and Clyde, this story cannot close this without saying that it was because of Bonnie and Clyde that New Mexico Collie Rescue exists today. The concerned individuals who came forth during this episode, as well as others who have joined since, are now the individuals who make up New Mexico Collie Rescue.
|
