This is Why She Rescues German shepherds

by author Rebecca E. Neely
from the Mystical Musings blog

Note: This article was written in 2017. In 2019, Linda Healy started her own rescue organization, Healy Pack, to focus on the needs of German shepherds and especially senior GSDs.

If you’re part of my mailing list or my street team, you know I’ve been working on a special article about German shepherd rescues. I’ve always been an animal lover and I was inspired to learn more about rescues when I created the character of Tan, the German shepherd rescue in The Watcher, Book 2 in the Crossing Realms paranormal romance series.

One of my favorite things to do as a writer is to talk with people who are passionate about what they do. It’s contagious! I’ve talked with an expert, and heard from many of my readers, who’ve shared their amazing stories about German shepherds. Through it all, I’ve learned, enjoyed, and discovered, sometimes shedding tears, and other times, laughing out loud. But it’s all touched my heart.

I want to thank all of these generous people, who shared their time and experience with me about these truly majestic animals, enabling me to make this article possible.

Without further ado, this is why she rescues German shepherds…

Linda Lamek Healy, with two of her rescues, Roman (L) and Saber (R)

The dogs were barking happily when Linda Lamek Healy, long time German shepherd, and all-around animal lover and foster for Heidi's Legacy Dog Rescue, answered the phone. She asked me to hold on a minute, and with a few simple words, calmed and quieted them. Instantly, I was impressed with her easy, yet firm manner, and I knew I would have the pleasure of talking with an old hand.

Indeed. Linda, a retired social worker, has been rescuing dogs since she was a child, bringing home strays, and she’s been around German shepherds just as long. Linda explained why she loves the breed so much. "They’re very loyal, protective, and make people feel safe. Even the calmest one, if they sense a threat, will protect their owners if they are in trouble."

Linda knows this first-hand, as one of her precious "pack" protected her when she needed it. When she rescued him, Roman had been terribly abused, and suffered health problems from over-breeding. But she was able to nurse him back to health. One night, sensing trouble, he shot through her screen door to chase a burglar who was trying to break into her Jeep. Mission accomplished! Way to go, Roman!

"I’ve been in love with Shepherds forever," Linda said. Such a special breed of dog needs just as special an owner. "They’re bigger dogs, they require patience, and I feel, a more experienced owner," she explained.

She's been fostering dogs for Heidi's for four years, and currently, she's fostering seven. In addition, she personally has four dogs. Wow! "I really feel it's what I was meant to do my whole life," she said.

"The dogs are my life," Linda said, and I have nothing but admiration and respect for the labor of love she performs daily for these amazing animals. "It's very fulfilling. I foster a lot of senior dogs with medical conditions, such as mange, malnutrition and hip displaysia. Many have also been abused."

Her day starts at 5 am, and usually, Linda has the dogs settled for the night around 7 pm. Over the course of the day, she feeds them, brushes them, provides medical care, and cleans, vacuuming and mopping floors several times a day. "Because I've fostered so many dogs, and with the veterinarian's guidance, I’ve learned so much about the dogs' medical needs. If it's possible, we feel they’re better off at home, versus in a dog hospital."

As one can imagine, the condition many of the dogs are in when they get to Heidi's is heart-wrenching. Many are sick, have been abandoned, abused and severely neglected. Enter the foster—an angel in disguise, who accepts and cares for these animals at what may be the lowest point in their lives.

Saber, when he was rescued
Saber with Linda and a friend

Linda feels blessed to share many success stories, which she does routinely on her Facebook page. Saber is one such success story. When he came into her life, he had no hair on him except for on his ears, and weighed a mere 49 pounds. Now, he's a furry long-hair, weighing in at 87 pounds.

A lot of love, hard work and planning goes into each and every one of successes like these. Over the last year, Linda had fostered over fifty dogs, caring for them until they’re ready to be adopted. Obviously, getting them to that point is often expensive, as veterinarian bills, medicine and food is costly. "I go through 120 pounds of food a week," Linda explained.

To offset that cost, Linda sets up a table weekly at one of the Pet Supermarkets in St. Petersburg. Donations to Heidi's Legacy are gratefully accepted, and customers receive a discount on their order. It also enables Linda to get some of the high-quality food she so desperately needs for her fosters.

Linda snuggling with her "pack"

Heidi's participates in, and hosts, numerous fundraising events throughout the year. One such event is the annual Gulfport Get Rescued event, sponsored by the Gulfport Merchants' Association, which was just held in late February. As one of the largest animal rescue events in the state, all profits benefit participating non-profit rescue groups. "Not only is it one of the most important fundraisers for Heidi’s all year, financially, it serves to raise awareness, and it’s also a lot of fun."

Thinking of adopting a rescue? Linda explained that Heidi's application process is rigorous. In fact, some of the organization’s volunteers devote their time exclusively to accepting applications and screening applicants. Part of the contract includes Heidi's "following" the dogs. "We want to see pictures and progress. And fortunately, some of the owners are close by, and I get to see the dogs in person," Linda said.

"Depending on the condition they're in, some fosters stay only days," Linda said. "Others, I've had for months. I have a good instinct about the dogs, and about which one will go best with which person."

According to statistics posted at Heidi's, "between 6-8 million dogs and cats end up in animal shelters in the United States each year." (HSUS estimate)

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