Tracker Jack his first day with me, after being rescued from a puppy mill a month earlier.

MSNBC will be airing the National Geographic Ultimate Explorer episode
"Love Those Dogs" on
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, at
9:00 pm Eastern.

This program shows film of the puppy mill where Tracker Jack, Sassy Pants and Bubba were rescued. You will see Tracker Jack and Bubba as their rescue takes place. Please watch and share their stories with your friends and family. Let them know that this is where dogs in pet stores come from, and encourage everyone to look into adoption.

To those that are new to the Pom Springs blog spot - Tracker Jack's story begins in the archives at the bottom of the page on the right side on the 1/16/04 entry.
Our blind Trevor's rescue story starts in entry 9/3/03.

Tracker Jack just loves his fannymail (that is his fan emails ;0) so if you would like, email us at TrackerJackBox@aol.com or click on the link at the bottom of the page on the right.



Here is a picture of another of our rescues.
Timber is on the left, Teddy Roosevelt is the one on the right and Tracker Jack is in the background.

Tracker Jack had mail today...REAL MAIL! Odean Cusack from Pennsylvania sent Tracker Jack the most beautiful blanket that her Mother, Evajean Cusack, hand made especially for him. She enclosed a lovely note that said they thought he would enjoy the red white and blue, 'since you are such a Yankee Doodle Dandy!' It is just so beautiful and soft - he loved it right away! He lost no time in making it all 'his'!

Thank you so much, and for showing how much you care in such a special way. By the way Ms Odean and Ms Evajean, Tracker Jack says he loves you too!

Baby Bear
I have another new rescue. A young, small black bear-Pommy. He is scared to death and a fear biter. The man called me and said he had been loose and someone must have kicked him, but that he was still alive..... All his hair has been chopped off. He bit the man and he showed me the bite in the parking lot of the grocery store. He signed an owner surrender release and then hung him by the neck to put him in my crate. At least the guy did try to get him to rescue and not Animal Control. They would have put this boy to sleep before the man had gotten back in his truck. There is a reason he left the engine running- when he met me in the parking lot ;0) He was afraid I wouldn't take him! This little boy had a mean bite-and he meant it. I used welding gloves and a padded jacket to handle him. We have already made a lot of progress. But it is going to be tricky........ I was told he had shot records at Petsmart, but they can't find them. He is only 1.5 years old and been passed around to at least 3 different homes. I have given him some calm down time in the crate, seperated from the others until I know he is not sick.
I have him scheduled to be neutered, and vaccinated on Monday. I pray he does not have HW.


They called him Max- but that does not suit him. He looks just like a baby bear!
He has already made so much progress. I have only had him 36 hours and already he is accepting me and the other pups. Today I let him play with the other Poms. He acts like he does not know how to play. Timber is determined to show him how good it feels to be a pup!
I sat in a chair outside with him this morning and just let my hand dangle. He came up and rubbed his head under my hand. I wanted to cry! He was trusting me. All he has known is rough play, then biting, and then a beating. It was a viscious cycle, that I am determined to break.

Tracker Jack has been feeling wonderful these days. I think that the warm weather has made him feel better. He was running around the upstairs this morning like a puppy.

Tracker Jack thinks he is a star and should have his own office!!

This picture gives you an idea of how tiny Tracker Jack is. This cat is actually bigger than he is and she is an average size cat!

Tracker Jack was barking into this box - it held his new treats.


Here is just a small bit of Tracker Jack's voice recording:

Track 1 Tracker Jack 02 1 bark.WMA

Great NEWS!! Tracker Jack and Trevor have learned to walk on a leash with a harness.

Trevor would always crouch down when you put the lead on him. With a little cheese and a little patience he is enjoying his new secure freedom on a leash. He just looks so beautiful trotting around with his full coat dragging the ground like a ball gown.

Tracker Jack took to the leash very well. He will follow food anywhere, and he loves cheese also. Before I knew it he was PRANCING like a show dog on the lead and we walked all the way to our stop sign. This just astonishes me- because he could barely stand when we got him and now he is running!
Tucker does a beautiful job on the lead, but Timber had never been taught. Ronnie(my husband) went camping this weekend so I was able to teach 'Daddy's little girl' how to behave on the lead.
She is a bundle of bouncing energy, but before I knew it she was putting that energy into a beautiful flowing gait. I just hope it lasts!
Today is so hot and we have a new rescue outside. It is a raccoon. I saw it last night and went and put out food and water. It looked as if it fell out of a tree. Poor thing. Rabies is a very big possibility so extra caution had to be taken. I checked on him again this morning and sprayed herbal fly spray on him( he was covered in flies)from a great distance with a really good spray bottle, and fed and watered him again. I don't think he will live, but at least he has been given a chance and is not in misery.
He is bigger than Tucker!

Little blind Trevor enjoying the sunshine and flowers. Just look at that 'smile'!

I am sure most every one has heard of the 'Red Hat Society'. My mother has become a member and opened her own chapter. This group has been inspired by the poem called 'The Warning' by Jenny Joseph. It tells all of the things this woman wants to do when she becomes old and wears purple and red.
I decided to write my own and would like to share it here.

"Purple and Red "
by Elaine Harris

As I become an old woman I shall wear purple and red.
I'll wear a silly red hat which every body notices and turns to stare.
I will spend my time and assets on helping those I can-
And rescuing as many animals as I can take care of,
and being sure I can get the ones I can't take, to safety.
I shall not fritter away my valuble time watching useless TV shows. I will stay connected to the world as long as I can see, via the Intrenet.
I will enjoy each day as if it were my last.
I will cease to worry about what other people think.
I shall roll up my pants and take off my shoes and walk barefoot in the creek.
I will sit on the ground and hug the dogs regardless of how dirty they are. I will lay back and let them walk all over me and let them lick me in the face. I will have conversations with them and talk as if they understand every word.
I will spread smiles and kindness.
I will teach others to do the same. I will teach others to treat people and animals the way they would like to be treated.
I would contact our legislators and ask that a law be passed that everyone that eats in a restaurant, must first learn how to be a server.
I will be patient as I stand in line. I will ask others how they are, and really listen when they answer.
I shall never be ashamed to tell others that I will pray for them and then do just that.
I shall compliment people and make them feel a little better for being in my company.
I will slow down and evalute my priorities. Money will not be at the top of the list.
I will tell my family I love them everyday.
I will work on being selfless and sharing the love of Christ.
I will explore and develop my talents and inspire others to do the same.
I will take good care of my body so my family won't have to.
I will ride with the windows down and let the wind mess up my hair.
I will kiss my husband in public and make him blush.
I will turn my radio up in the car and sing out loud!
I won't look back at the coulda's, shoulda's and woulda's
but will be thankful for where I am today, what I am today, and who I am today.
I think I'll start today...

Jack running in the back yard

Four days ago Tracker Jack suffered a seizure.

He was happily snoring away on his bed under my computer desk when I sensed something was wrong. He was standing frozen, eyes glazed, right below my chair. I lifted him up and he was just frozen, his eyes didn't blink and his tongue was turning blue. I reached and tried to pull his tongue forward to relieve the seal he had made over his trachea and let his air flow continue. The move seemed to wake him and he began to move and breath normally again.

I had no idea what might have brought that on, but I held him close for a long time and watched him carefully. As I was holding him I imagined what I would think if he were to die. I would be devastated, but I would also be so glad that I was the one who held him, who had loved him, who had made his last days happy. I would have been able to let him go in peace knowing I had given him everything I possibly could.

However- I am very glad to say that he is doing fine and seems stronger by the day, with no recurrence of the seizure.
The "Tracker Jack in the Box, a Story of Puppy Mill Rescues" is written. It is just a matter of getting it in the 'print on demand' format and getting it downloaded. This printed book will have to be in black and white with the only color pic being the front cover.
It is so important to get the word out about puppy mills and rescue. I drive myself because I know once I stop, it is hard to get started again.

These are pics I took 2 days ago while all the Poms were resting. They all are doing so well. Tracker Jack is getting stronger every day. Trevor is so loving and happy.

We pray that you all had a meaningful Easter and got to relax and spend time with family, and reflect and remember what Christ did for us, and the miracle of His rising from the tomb so we could have his eternal salvation.

Tracker Jack looks so sad in this picture. Sometimes I catch him looking like this. I was out of town one day this week and it was the longest that I had been away from him since he had come home. He was very pitiful and a bit standoffish for a while after I returned. He limped a little more on his right rear leg and I am reminded again of just how fragile he still is. A wave of unChristian like anger washes over me and I have to remember to pray for the individuals that did this to him.
I make myself do this so the bad feelings and bad thoughts don't poison me and eat away at my soul, making me tough and hateful.

As I have been thinking about the Petfest one of the strongest memories I have is of the Special Olympics children, that were in town for the Special Olympic games. One of them was a young man that came up to us and just gently stroked Jack's fur. He never said a word. Just looked at Jack and his eyes filled up with tears as he shook his head and kept stroking the rough orange fur.
I knew what he was feeling and I told him not to be sad for Jack that he was in a wonderful home and would be taken care of forever. However he just sighed, shrugged and walked off, still sorrowful.
I know what that gesture meant too- 'How can man do this to another of God's creatures?' and 'What about all the others left behind?'
I have to admit I write this now with tears in my eyes, pain in my soul and a little old orange fuzzy dog on my lap. Wondering the same thing.
Tracker Jack has paid with his poor old body for his all day ordeal on Sunday. He has had several times when I have had to lift him up to get his rear legs working these last two days. But I am sure if he could talk, he would say that it was worth it.

Petfest : Bilo Center, Greenville,SC

My husband, sister(Melinda),Tracker Jack and I, attended the Petfest in Greenville, SC at the Bilo Center on March 28th to represent PMR and try to inform people of the horrors of puppy mills. We thank those who came out and see us and the 'Super Dogs' show.

It was one of the most exciting and rewarding days I have ever spent! From the time we signed in and were shown our space, to the time we packed the car up in the parking lot - We were able to educate people about puppy mills.

Tracker Jack was very popular and people really seemed to be drawn to his little orange fuzzy head and little pink tongue.

At times we had lines 12 wide and 8 deep waiting to touch him and talk to us.
The IMPS people took pity on us and kept us supplied with drinks and support when we took a potty break. I have never seen anything like it.
People were moved to tears. There faces reflected their feelings as I told about puppy mills. They would go white with horror and red with anger, some would cry, but all would listen. I am so amazed at the people who did not know about puppy mills.

The most asked question was: Why does his tongue stick out? That would open the door for me to tell them about the poor nutrition, and conditions at the mills. Then I would show them PICS (on the board) taken from the web site of what mills look like and what Jack's condition was, and then show them PICS of the 40+ that still need adopting.
My husband took us and got us unloaded and set up, then he went home. My sister, Melinda McMillion stayed and helped the entire time.
Our booth was right next to the IMPS booth and she was able to help me while my other sister,(Sharon) worked in the IMPS booth with her Min Pin, Money Penny.

We had such a good time.
Jack got so tired that he fell asleep in my arms several times and people would ask if he was 'real'!

One of the most frequently asked question was 'Why would people do such a thing?' For this question there is a one word answer - GREED.

Tucker's ears.....

These are my two special needs boys. Aren't they just the sweetest things?

Tracker Jack has become my constant shadow. I had no idea he would be able to move so fast, but he trots along behind me wherever I go.
He is going to have a gorgeous coat. It is amazing how thick it is starting to feel.

He has been out of the puppy mill 3 months now. Boy- has his life ever changed!

Trevor is smiling. This is one of his favorite toys. He does not realize he has a handicap. Trevor thinks everyone is blind, just like him. He is a sweet and happy boy. It is so easy to love him and take care of him. I feel so blessed.

I love this photo. Tracker Jack is no longer behind any bars- except bars of sunshine. The sun was streaming in through the blinds and I thought -'What a contrast these bars are to the bars he was behind just a few months ago.' He is very happy now.