By Sharon Gittleman
DETROIT – There's one dog that animal lover Kat Delph can't forget. Rosebud, a Spaniel/Border Collie mix, was discovered living in the street by the founder of Delph's pet rescue group, Home Fur-Ever. Rosebud led her human savior to her brood of puppies and then drew the woman to another dog in even bigger trouble.
"He was standing chest high in water and there was a wire wrapped around his neck," said Delph. "He couldn't move. He was starving."
With the help of Home Fur-Ever, the abused dog was treated for his injuries and found a good home. However, Rosebud hasn't fared so well. Vets discovered she has cervical"cancer. While chemo treatments would help extend her life, Rosebud has yet to find a human family to care for and love her.
Delph hopes her LGBT brothers and sisters will step up and help Rosebud and the dozens of other dogs and cats nurtured by the foster-based no-kill pet rescue.
"We are in desperate need of volunteer foster homes and donations of money, dog food, crates and toys," she said.
Delph believes LGBT people will come to the aid of the homeless dogs and cats. Delph and her partner Rachel Wolski share their house with three feral cats and two dogs – an Australian Cattle Dog/Border Collie mix named Digger and a purebred Australian Cattle Dog called Kiki.
"In the 50's, 'Kiki' was a slang term for a dyke," she said.
Digger is a dog with personality.
"I say, 'Digger do you believe in God?' and he wags his tail. I say, 'Digger do you believe in Jesus?' and he wags his tail. I say, 'How do you feel about Satan?' and he barks and growls," said Delph. "He doesn't like the devil."
While Digger may have strong standards, some humans in the Metro Detroit area seem lacking in ethics and compassion. One of the dogs Delph encountered was found with an eye plucked out. Others are adopted and then soon tossed out of their new homes.
"People have ridiculous reasons for giving up dogs," she said. "Someone brought back a dog because it barked. I'd be more shocked if it mooed."
Others have returned dogs that didn't immediately befriend their owners' pets. Blended families take time, said Delph.
"Dogs are just like people," she said. "You don't like everyone you meet, either."
At the "Meet Your Best Friend at the Zoo," pet adoption event last weekend at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, Home Fur-Ever found new families for nearly a dozen dogs – both young and old. From noon to 5 p.m., on May 26, you'll have another chance to adopt a Home Fur-Ever rescued animal when the group comes to Pet Supplies Plus at 30730 Orchard Lake Road.
You can also select a dog or cat from the animals profiled at the group's web page, www.petfinder.com/shelters/homefurever.html. There, you'll find a photo, description, breed and approximate age of each adoptable dog or cat.
"We'll set up a meeting for you," Delph said.
