Charlotte Observer
Charlotte Observer, The (NC) September 2, 2007 Column: JOHN A. ANDERSON - OUR TOWNS THEIR MISSION: HELPING ANIMALS, HOPE SURVIVE COUPLE'S RESCUE EFFORT NEEDS SUPPORT TO ENSURE CONTINUED OPERATION Author: JOHN A. ANDERSON Edition: TWO Estimated printed pages: 3 Article Text: I am always in awe of those people who not only profess a strong faith, but also quietly lead their lives in ways that serve as a compelling example to the rest of us. James and Donna Fowler are such people. They live on a large farm in the rural part of Waxhaw, and their personal mission is animal rescue. Their business is Heaven's Own Kennels, where they board animals, but the kennel is a means to a greater end. Donna Fowler told me that they rescue animals, particularly dogs, in emergency situations. (No owner surrenders, please.) In the past year or two, they have nursed 30 animals back to health from starvation, neglect and worse, and then found them new and loving homes where they enrich the lives of their adoptive families. I was horrified when Donna told the stories of how they came to rescue some of their charges. As an example, Donna related that some people moved off to Myrtle Beach and left a chow locked inside a kennel. The neighbors were alerted by her pathetic barks and yelps. "When we rescued her, what little water she had was green, her food was full of bugs and worms, and she had been locked up for several days," Donna said. People are sometimes afraid of chows, but Donna says this one was the sweetest dog ever. There's a happy ending. The chow was adopted by a family in Tennessee who lives on a lake, and she is blissfully happy in her new life. When the Fowlers rescue an animal, they do everything required to change its life and make it an adoptable pet. Dogs are nourished, spayed or neutered, brought up to date with all immunizations, and most important, loved and taught to trust people. Sugar the "van dog" was another sad story with a happy ending. One day, an Australian shepherd mix came up the road, so skinny and undernourished that her ribs and shoulder blades stuck out visibly from her body. James was able to coax her into a crate, and when they got the dog home, they took at least 90 ticks off her body. The vet told Donna that he was skeptical about her chances of surviving, but Donna said that she "saw something in her eyes." She nursed and fed the dog, and when she brought her back a month later, the vet declared it a miracle. Today, Sugar rides in the kennels' van whenever she can and seems to be a permanent part of the Fowler household. Anyone who has a dog knows that this is a labor of love and a significant expense. Donna told me that the Heavensown rescue effort gratefully accepts donations, and cash is not the only way. Soft blankets, big towels and other suitable clean forms of bedding are also needed. A local Girl Scout troop adopted Heaven's Own for a service project and collected pet food, treats and grooming supplies. Donna said that it "was like Christmas around here." When I asked how she found adoptive families, Donna related that many find their way to her through Petfinder online at www.petfinder.com. Petfinder.com turns out to be an excellent way to match potential owners with animals that really need a home. So is a visit to the Heaven's Own Kennels. Just this minute, Heaven's Own has six dogs and a llama that are awaiting homes. If you want to help James and Donna Fowler, call 704-254-0354 or e-mail them at heavensownkennel@carolina.rr.com. Board your dog there, adopt a rescued animal or make a donation of money, bedding or dog supplies. Their need for outside support is acute at this time because the county is insisting that they add a separate septic system for the kennel - a huge, unanticipated expense. Drop Me a Line If you have something to share about Waxhaw, e-mail: John Anderson janderson@charlotteobserver. com I welcome photos (make sure everyone is clearly identified left to right). Drop them in the mail to 132. S. Main St. Monroe, NC 28112 or e-mail them as a JPEG file. Be sure to include a daytime phone number. Caption: Copyright (c) 2007 The Charlotte Observer |
Story below ran in the Union Weekly Paper first week of Dec 2008
If it is true, as the Disney movie claims, “All dogs go to heaven”, then Heavensown Boarding Kennel may well be heaven on earth for all dogs great and small. Its owners Donna and James Fowler, board animals and much closer to their hearts, are in the business of rescuing dogs.
The kennel, which officially opened its doors two years ago, is located deep in the countryside of Waxhaw. It is surrounded by verdant pastures and sheltering woods, land that James’ father once plowed as part of his family’s 100-acre farm. The peace is suddenly shattered by the cacophony of barking one is greeted with upon arrival. Sugar Britches, a friendly Australian Shepherd, trots up along with Donna and James.
Sugar’s story best illustrates the kind of people the Fowlers are and the work to which they have committed themselves. They spotted the dog walking down their lane about four years ago. According to Donna, the animal was “so emaciated you could see every one of her bones from 30 feet away.” Sugar was unapproachable but ironically enough, she ended up in a friend’s yard where James was finally able to coax her into a crate in his waiting truck. She weighed 29 lbs, had every kind of worm a dog could have and stood patiently by while Donna and James picked 90 ticks off her worn and fragile body. Sadly they noticed her bottom teeth had been kicked out. Even the veterinarian held out little hope for the dog’s survival. And yet, says Donna, “There was something in her eyes, she had a will to live.” That will was matched by Donna’s determination to save the dog she now called Sugar. She hand fed her new friend and by two weeks Sugar had gained nearly 18 lbs, had a healthy new coat and was house trained. She has been part of the family ever since and Donna recounts her birthday fell on the day they brought Sugar home. “She was the best present,” she sighs.
It was eight years ago that Donna and James began their mission of rescuing dogs from their home. Prior to that they had been showing Australian Shepherds but when Donna became seriously ill, they knew they had to change their course. They discovered a shared passion for rescuing dogs and what began as just a few has turned into countless saved animals this past year alone. Strong christians, James says “ God places certain things in your life and you trust Him enough to go with it.”
Their tales of saving animals that have been beaten, starved and grossly neglected, from almost certain death, are both horrifying and heartwarming. Take the Australian Shepherd they rescued from a local shelter, with so many knots all over his fur, it took the Fowlers five hours to gently trim and groom him. Donna breaks out in a big smile as she tells you he has been adopted by a family with seven kids.
And then there is the story of bandit, an unusual breed of English Shepherd who had been tied to a doghouse for five years and regularly beaten by his owner. The Fowlers took him in and nursed him back to health. Through Petfinder, a website that posts animals for adoption, a man from Maine read about Bandit. After discussions with Donna and seeing pictures of the now healthy dog, he flew to Waxhaw and drove his new pet home. Calling Donna several days later, he told her excitedly; “This dog is a godsend.” It is the kind of news that makes Donna’s day. “You have to have a heart bigger than your brain to be in this rescue business,” she admits.
The rescue is just the first step towards the process of getting the dogs adopted. The Fowlers make sure each of “their dogs” finds a happy, healthy environment in their new homes. Before that, if the Fowlers have rescued a dog out of the local shelters, they make sure the animal gets its yearly rabies shot, is tested for heartworms, and is spayed and neutered. The costs run high, as much as $150, and James admits, “We are usually in the hole but we have faith that keeps us going.”
The Fowlers are officially licensed by the state to board dogs and are restricted to 60 dogs at a time. They are allowed to keep seven rescue dogs at one time but soon they will be required to get a rescue license, which will raise the limit of dogs they can keep. For those dogs it is heaven on earth. The kennel is clean, air conditioned and replete with televisions. Little doggie doors give the dogs access to an outside playground with equipment any child would envy. “Socialization is very important, notes James. He has a vision of eventually clearing about two acres to create a dog park which would require about 6000 square feet of fencing.
Aside from the Kennel business (dogs are boarded for ($20 per night), the Fowlers rely solely on donations for their rescue mission. They are always in need of bleach, paper towels, canned dog food, flea and tick preventatives and bedding including blankets and big towels. Volunteers for all sorts of jobs to help in the care of the dogs are always cheerfully welcomed.
James and Donna provide something for the dogs that no amount of money can buy. Their love and care for their four-legged friends enables the dogs to trust people again. Donna says it can be immediate sometimes. “As soon as we take them out of the shelter, a light bulb goes off. They seem to know they are free, their expression changes and some have even licked my face!” She adds wistfully, “ We can’t save every dog, it is heartbreaking when we leave the shelters, I lose sleep over it.” In the meantime the dogs she has saved are sleeping peacefully nearby, safe and happy.
