Olympic Animal “Sanctuary” Success Story #17 – Cookie

Please be sure to watch the video at the end of this post celebrating Cookie’s life after she was rescued from the Olympic Animal “Sanctuary.” You’ll see how much love and support she got after she was rescued and what a great dog she was.

Thanks to Aiko Shenseki from Safe Haven Rescue Kennel for this write up on Cookie.

C is for Cookie! – A long road traveled

Cookie inside her kennel at the Olympic Animal “Sanctuary.” She was inside the kennel 24/7 and as you can see she wasn’t fed often either. Photo from Forks Police Dept.

In March 2014, Debra Ross traveled to Arizona to pick up and foster two Jindo’s for 2 DogFarms (a Jindo rescue). Debra was also picking up a few dogs for Safe Haven to foster. The dog labeled as “Wiley” was an unknown feral German Shepherd (possible coyote mix) and was chosen along with Walter for Safe Haven.

While loading Wiley, Debra asked about the dog who was barking and fence chewing and was frantic to get out and join them. They informed Debra the dog was Wiley’s fence mate and they kept each other company between the fences. Her name was “Cookie” and she was a very sweet mellow (approximately 10 year old), senior girl. So of course, Debra and Safe Haven could not allow Wiley’s fence mate to be left behind. Cookie was immediately set up to go to Nevada with the other four.

“Sanctuary” Founder Steve Markwell used Cookie in this sham fundraising appeal for money to build a new wing to the decrepit warehouse where he stored up to 160 dogs. No wing was ever built, and no one knows what he did with the money. Images from OAS and Forks Police Department.

All five of them spend time decompressing and feeling the love with Debra and her family at the Paw Palace facilities. Cookie and Wiley where inseparable while decompressing. Cookie was the mother dog she needed to be for Wiley and a very sweet, gentle and a kind dog always looking for human affection. She showed everyone her name fit her very well with all her smiles for a ‘cookie’. However, she liked her space and did not appreciate pushy dogs in her face but she was tolerant of all dogs. She did exhibit some resource guarding with her beloved bones and chewies but was not aggressive.

Finally having access to food and fresh water, Cookie relaxes in Arizona in January 2014 after she was rescued. Photo from Maggie McDowell.

In January while in Arizona, Cookie was reviewed by a vet who noted heavy dental tartar and broken canine(s). A few weeks after arriving (in April), Cookie had her blood work, dental and overall health checked. She showed low iron count and as expected, she needed major dental work performed which included 12 extractions. Her iron count returned back to normal after her dental. However her stiff joints showed her age and she was put on joint supplements.

In May, both Cookie and Wiley arrived to Safe Haven to get evaluated and receive any necessary socialization or rehabilitation work. Cookie was paired with the feral boys “Dusty” and “Ned”. As a senior and a bit arthritic she wasn’t a fast running, jumping girl, but she enjoyed river swimming, social outings, grassy park fun and off leash Nevada desert hill walks and more importantly, doggie socialization.

In June, Cookie showed she could be a mentor and pawed it forward with helping Ned learn how to be comfortable in a collar and get leash walked. Confidence building a dog can be as simple as them helping another dog! At the end of July, Cookie showed us she ready for adoption. On August 9th Cookie attended an adoption fair with our friends, Dog Town Canine Rescue. Lorayn Walser who runs Dog Town said, “I love her! Her eyes tell the story of a hard life, but she’s a survivor.” A few weeks later, Cookie was again reunited with Debra to foster and help with her placement.

Cookie’s caretakers in Arizona could see what a sweet dog she was and knew she should have never been sent to a “Sanctuary” for “dangerous dogs.” Photo from Maggie McDowell.

In September, Cookie developed an infection on her tail which required amputation. While healing it was noted she was limping heavily on her front leg. To our dismay on September 18th she was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer (Osteosarcoma) in her left shoulder bone. Cookie, although did not have much time left, she enjoyed and smiled her way around many new experiences. She was now a full time house dog enjoying couch time and sharing her life with the family she deserved so many years ago.

The first week of October Cookie went beach walking at Lake Tahoe and represented the 124 OAS dogs by joining the Safe Haven’s Rise & Walk in Gardnerville. Cookie was a trooper and took on the entire walk with enthusiasm. Her pain and health became too much and on October 23rd she affectionately said Good-Bye as she walked to us individually giving us kisses and tail wags. She will be greatly missed and her ashes are split between Paw Palace and Safe Haven to preserve her memory. Debra also placed a special “Cookie” paw stone at her home. Safe Haven has supported “PAWS Paw” (sponsored by Pat Webb and her Wheels4Paws program) for a “Cookie” & “Eddie” (Rosie’s brother) in Memory paw stickers to be placed on Wheels4Paws future larger transport vehicle, forever showing Cookie and Eddie supporting rescued dogs.

In closing as the story started, Cookie was very aware her life was not in AZ but in Nevada. Dogs know where they belong and get to where they need to be. We are very thankful Cookie had the opportunity of a great end to her life of being loved and cared for in a home environment. Good Blessings Cookie.

The damage done before and during the time at the Olympic Animal Sanctuary in Forks, Washington will take time and dedication on our part to unravel. We keep our eyes open for when they tell us they are ready for their next step. Our Focus is around rescue, repair, rehabilitate, educate and re-home. We at Safe Haven do not put any expectations on our hard cases.

Cookies personality blossomed under the care of Debra Ross. Photo from Safe Haven Rescue Kennel.

Turns out Cookie loved water! Photo from Debra Ross.

In Debra Ross’ home Cookie received more love and attention than she had for years. Photo from Debra Ross.

And Debra discovered Cookie’s goofy side! Photo from Debra Ross.

Cookie got lots of pampering. Photo from Debra Ross.

Images from Safe Haven Rescue Kennel.

Images from Safe Haven Rescue Kennel.

Although she lost her life to cancer last fall, Cookie’s last year was full of love and happiness. Rest in Peace, sweet girl. Photo from Debra Ross.