UPDATE 2/18/03 on the Montana Collies
Statement by AWCA President Jean Levitt
*Permission to crosspost*

Jean Be Back – Part III

As we drove north on I-15 towards Shelby, a dusting of snow and tumbleweeds blew steadily across the highway propelled by a frigid crosswind. Occasionally, a powerful gust whacked the side of our vehicle, making it something of a task for me to hold it steady on the road with one hand. My left arm has been carried in a sling for over 15 years now.

I thought about Sir Austin, my service dog, who always rides on the back seat, and about Gentleman Cole, my first service dog – a beautiful tri – who rode there before him. “Cole-ee” was a normal-eyed breed champion and AWCA Versatility Champion. He was the only service dog with the AWCA Advanced Carting title. We were the first service dog team to employ carting as a service dog skill. On this trip the back seat held only our luggage. Kay joked she was my service dog in Montana. I reflected on “Panache,” Ms. Harman’s service dog – the sable smooth bitch who gave birth to 9 puppies after being released from the cab of the truck on Halloween. She was so emaciated and dehydrated when she came off the truck, not even the veterinarians thought she was pregnant. This service dog’s sweet face is covered in scars, her ears are torn, like so many of the dogs in this colony. I have never seen an assistance dog – guide, hearing, or service dog – in such disgraceful condition.

During the over 10 years I represented the assistance dog community with public relations, I have never heard of a service dog bitch being bred! No one I have ever known would risk the health of the bitch by breeding her once she was in service. Nor would they want to do without her services during pregnancy and lactation. I have worked with literally hundreds of service dog teams, training them on public access diplomacy. I created the public access brochure, used by thousands of assistance dog teams. I have toured training centers; lectured at team graduations; made TV appearances on the major networks; written articles; represented assistant dog teams at the veterinary conferences in Florida, attended by 12,000 veterinarians each year; attended the Delta and Assistance Dog International conferences repeatedly. Sir Austin and I represented the United States overseas as assistance dog ambassadors where we gave demonstrations and lectured on assistance dog teamwork at training centers, hospitals, veterinary schools in Africa and Europe. Always, the care and condition of the dog is emphasized. Never would a service dog in the condition of “Panache” be tolerated.

I met “Panache” in December the evening she was released from the hospital. AWCA paid her vet bill, and that of her puppies. Dr. Hardee Clark gave us a break, hardly charging for his time. He knows we pay the bills from funds donated by the collie community and animal lovers everywhere. While one of her puppies crawled up my left sleeve, I buried my face in “Panache’s” neck to hide my tears and apologized; “I am so sorry, girl,” I whispered, “It’s not supposed to be like this.” I didn’t know then this haggard, wizened bitch was only 4 years old, and this was at least her 4th litter.

Kay and I pulled up to the hotel in Shelby, checked in, grabbed my messages, and drove to the courthouse to await jury selection. All interviews of the potential jurors were held behind closed doors. We waited for the final selection, so I could report to you on the website, and then headed for Camp Collie. We had only a few minutes with the dogs before word came that everyone had to leave because the Harmans and the members of the jury were on their way to tour Camp Collie. We later learned Ms. Harman introduced the jury to every dog by a name. I was surprised to learn she gave the name “Sultan” for #35. “Sultan” is her much publicized champion tri stud. #35 was one of the males who had been in the worst condition. This small, prick-eared male is very sweet and well socialized.

We had lunch at Patty’s Place on Main Street, and went back to the hotel to rest.

To be continued...
Calmly,
Jean Levitt, President AWCA
Lisa King, AWCA Director AWCA Rescue
Officers and Members of AWCA

If you would like to assist AWCA with this rescue effort, you may send a check to:
Bethany Burke
AWCA Treasurer
2807 Lee Trevino Court
Shalimar, FL 32579
Make the check out to AWCA and in the memo area note: collie rescue-medical, collie rescue-stainless steel, or collie rescue-general.