Sometimes the dogs who are with us for the briefest space of time make the deepest prints on our hearts. This week, we’re remembering a special Rescue Ranch dog whose sojourn here was much too short. Once a forgotten stray dog, our heroic survivor went on to touch countless hearts. We’ll never forget this noble Rescue Ranch ambassador. He didn’t need to find his wings–he already had them.
Forgotten stray dog to forever foster
Noble’s rescue story began as an emaciated, forgotten stray dog in the Vistas. He was barely a year old when he was found starving to death, unable to stand and riddled with embedded foxtails.
Recovery was gradual but Noble proved resilient. After multiple vet visits and several months spent recuperating at the Sanctuary under the watchful eye of our partner Karen Topping, Noble was ready to begin life again in a loving home.
But it wasn’t to be. Immediately after his adoption, Noble began to experience alarming seizures. His adopters returned him to our care.
That’s when Karen met Suzanne Clark, then a volunteer at the Montague Public Library. Suzi had years of experience rescuing shelter dogs and fostering cats and kittens. She was also familiar with human seizures. Karen told Suzi about Noble and encouraged her to meet him. Suzi says, “When I saw him, I couldn’t leave him there.” Suzi lovingly undertook Noble’s care as a medical special needs foster.
A gentle companion
Noble was clean and well-mannered and had no trouble adjusting to Suzi’s home. He was a big dog now, but he crawled right through the cat door to access the yard. He even accepted Suzi’s cats. Though unfamiliar with their attention, he allowed them to rub against him and lay across his face.
Noble adored other dogs and they loved him. Suzi’s partner’s Rhodesian ridgeback was his best canine friend. Once, when Suzi left Noble at home alone, he opened the front gate and disappeared. The neighbors down the road found him playing with their own dogs and called the number on his ID tag–they wanted to keep him!
Noble’s biggest quirk was his enormous appetite, probably the result of being starved as a young dog. He’d eat anything and everything, even pushing other dogs out of their own food dishes. He’d visit the neighbors’ dogs up the hill to sample their food–not that he needed it! He enjoyed a special diet of cooked chicken, vegetables, yogurt, and liverwurst.
Forgotten stray dog becomes the library dog
Suzi didn’t plan to foster Noble permanently. But after a while, “He just became so intwined in my life. I couldn’t imagine not having him.” She took him with her everywhere. He absolutely loved riding in her Ford Bronco, relaxing on a special bed while she ran errands. So when Suzi became the Montague Library manager, Noble came along.
Noble was very gentle and everybody loved him. He became a library fixture, joining right in the activities with the kids. If he needed a break, he’d retire to his dog bed. Sometimes a child would lay down beside him to rest. Story time became “Reading to Noble.” If nobody came by, Suzi recorded herself reading aloud to him. He may not have understood the stories but he loved the treats!
Suzi worked closely with Leann Albrecht at Ashland Animal Medical Hospital to maintain Noble’s quality of life. We don’t know the cause of his seizures, but it was probably neurological. He took multiple medications plus Honest Paws CBD oil for animals with neurological issues.
Between seizures, Noble was a happy, healthy dog. He enjoyed puzzle toys, loved his walks around Greenhorn Park, and slept on Suzi’s bed. Suzi did everything she could to keep him comfortable.
After a year and a half with Suzi, Noble’s seizures increased in severity and frequency to the point where there was cognitive decline. It was time to let go.
Fostering a rescue dog is life changing
Noble was just three years old when he passed. His life was much too short, but it had an immeasurable impact. Thanks to the entire Rescue Ranch team working together to save this forgotten stray dog, Noble was able to experience love.
Suzi says fostering Noble was life-changing: “It opened me up in ways I did not anticipate.” We are beyond grateful for her loving care and know he could not have found a better home. In return, Noble was a blessing, making friends everywhere he went. He’ll be missed by the entire library community.
To help dogs like Noble in need of high-cost and emergency medical care, donate to Kitu’s Fund today.
