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ast spring, the four-state area was shocked to learn of a terrible case of animal abuse. Thirty Borzoi, or Russian wolfhounds, were found locked in a Martinsburg town- housefilled with waste and trash, where they had apparently been kept for many months. The dogs were malnorished, filthy and sick. Six of them died.

The situation would be terrible for any creature, but it was especially sad for Borzoi (the name is both singular and plural), which are large hunting dogs, specialized for chasing prey.

Closely related to Greyhounds, they are born to run, which compounded the cruelty of being forced to spend their lives closed up in a crowded building.

Many people wondered what had happened to the Martinsburg Borzoi after they were removed from their horrible situation. By coincidence, I recently encountered someone who had adopted one of these dogs, so I thought I would share the dog's story.

The word most often used to

describe Borzoi is "aristocratic." They

are large, slim, elegant dogs with long

silky hair that keeps them warm in the harsh Russian winters. Theyare intelli-

gent and gentle natured. They can run at

thirty-five miles an hour and sail over a five foot fence.

Although they are uncommon in our country, Borzoi is an old breed,

dating back to the 1500's. They were

bred for speed and stamina from grey-

hounds and Russian coursing dogs.

Russian nobles, whose major form of

recreation was holding large hunts.

prized them. The aristocrats loved to charge after game for miles on horse-

back over the steppes, accompanied by their swift Borzoi.

The rescued Borzoi were taken to

the local animal shelter, which was overwhelmed by the necessity of hous-

ing so many large dogs all at once.

Purebred dogs are fortunate, however,

because there are special rescue groups

for many breeds that will step in to help

them when they are in trouble. Within

twenty-four hours, The National Borzoi

Rescue Foundation swung into action.

Rescuers from several states rushed

in with vans and kennel crates and car-

ried the dogs to safety. These compas-

sionate strangers took on the thankless

job of cleaning up the filthy dogs and

provided the required veterinary care,

including spaying and neutering, at their

own expense. Members of the group

fostered the dogs until they could find

homes for them.

Hope was the name given to one of

the rescued Borzoi by her deliverers. She was thought to be about fifteen to eighteen months old and it was believed

that she had never been outdoors in her life.

In a few weeks, Hope was well

enough to go to a permanent home. Her

new family, the Davis family of Pennsylvania, had several adopted Grey-

hounds, a Doberman Pinscher and plen-

ty of space.

They decided to give the Borzoi a

Russian name, so they called her Nadezda, which is Russian for "hope."

Nadya is a shortened Russian nickname

for Nadezda.

Nadya was very fearfull at first and was huddled in the back of her crate. It was nearly two weeks before she would approach people on her own. When she

was taken out to wlk in the yard,

Jeanni Davis, her new "mom," described

her reaction as "like a baby seeing grass and trees for the first time."

The first time Nadya was allowed

off her leash in the yard, she walked around and sniffed everything, but it was three more days until she ran for the first time. She was so excited that on her

first turn around the yard she ran into a tree! She had to learn to play, but soon she was romping with the other dogs.

The Doberman was her first friend.

A rich diet including yogurt, cottage cheese and sour cream put some meat

on Nadya's pitiful, bony frame.

In less than a month, Nadya was enrolled in Obedience class. She learned

important words such as "sit," "stay"

and "down," and how to interact politely

with strange dogs and their people. She

proved to be an apt student.

Nadya passed an important mile-

stone in late summer, when she visited a

weekend flea market with her family.

Instead of shying away from people, she walked confidently through the crowds. She actually approached people and poked her long nose into their hands.

Davis decided to take Nadya for

Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dogs

International (TDI) testing with other dogs from her obedience class.

The bond between humans and animals is a strong one and it has been shown that the presence of animals has a

therapeutic effect on humans. Pets help

humans recover mentally, emotionally

and even physically.

Therapy dogs visit with people in nursing homes and hospitals. They are

extremely helpful to people in circum-

stances where they can no longer have

pets of their own. TDI is the organization

that administers the tests and insures the

dogs while they are on the job.

Davis has two greyhounds that are

TDI certified. Nadya passed her tests

and is now certified as a Therapy Dog

and Canine Good Citizen.

A TDI certified dog is a dog that

can be trusted in public. It must be obed-

ient and have a good disposition. The handler is being tested also, because he or she must be in control of the dog at all

times. Besides obeying basic instructions

such as sitting, staying, heeling and so on, the dog must be able to stand still with the examiner while the handler walks out of sight.

Of course, it is essential that Therapy dogs not be frightened by, or unwilling to approach, people in wheelchairs, with walkers or on crutches. The dogs must be able to remain calm and obedient in crowds and they must not panic at loud and unusual noises. They must also stay under control if food is dropped in front of them.

Jeanni Davis and her Therapy Dogs visit a children's hospital and a State mental hospital every month, as well as making occasional visits to nursing homes. Davis walks the dogs up to the patients and invites the patients to visit with them. All that is required of the dogs is that they stand quietly and get petted. Patients look forward to the dogs' visits and ask questions or talk about their own pets.

Some patients, especially children, want to have the dogs up on their beds with them. That is permitted because Therapy Dogs are required to be clean and well groomed, including short toenails, clean teeth and fresh breath!

In the mental hospital, some patients are allowed to hold a dog's leash and walk the dog up and down the hall. In the summer, Davis' Greyhounds

are taken outside to a fenced-in area so that the patients can watch them run.

Nadya had her first assignment as a Therapy Dog when she visited a retirement home, along with one of her Greyhound friends. Nadya's sad history left her with a tendancy to duck her head or turn away when people reach out to pat her. On the job, however, she stood quietly and allowed everyone to pat and scratch her. She was a great hit with the residents.

Last Fall, Nadya took her first vacation too. She attended Greyhounds Reach the Beach, a huge gathering of retired racing Greyhounds and their families. People who have adpted racing Greyhounds get together annually in Dewey Beach, Delaware, over Columbus Day weekend because the big vacation season is over and the dogs are allowed on the beach.

There were nearly 1,200 Greyhounds, as well as Whippets, Italian Greyhounds, Scottish Deerhounds, Afghans and Irish Wolfhounds at the gathering. There was only one Borzoi--Nadya-- and everyone loved her. She even met a Russian who talked to her in the language of her ancestors.

Nadya is full of hope for a wonderful new life and a rewarding career!

* * *

Editor's note: Jeanni Davis reports that all of the Borzoi picked up by Borzoi Rescue have found good homes.

Claire Stuart loves all creatures great and small.