This is a story that appeared in the West Virginia Spring 2001 edition of "The Good News". It was written by Claire Stuart.
Nadya's Happy Ending
An Abused Dog Gets a New Leash on Life
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.
L
Nadya in her new collar
By Claire Stuart
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 walkedconfidently 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 andask 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 ColumbusDay 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.
I would like to thank Claire Stuart for writing such a beautiful article about our Nadya. She is truly a friend to all animals in this great kingdom of ours.