By Diana Czarnecki
Annabelle was a skinny scared stray living in a field behind my office building. She was eating scraps from the garbage and sleeping in the bushes. Annabelle was extremely terrified of people and would run every time someone tried to go near her. She never walked on the main roads, instead found short cuts thru the fields and only came out when she thought no one was around. She was becoming a survivor, another lonely scared stray living without love or trust. It took me two months to gain her trust and I believe her story is a true testament of what love and determination can accomplish.
On January 3rd 2006, I was informed by a co-worker that there was a dog in the parking lot. My co-workers know that I am an animal lover and have rescued many. I immediately said okay let me run to my desk and get some dog food that I always keep handy. My co-worker said “no need, it won’t come to you”. “It was extremely scared and ran when I tried to call it”. When I got to the parking lot the dog was gone. So I decided to walk towards the back to an open field where I immediately spotted the dog. I tried calling it and as it turned to look at me, I placed some dry food on the ground. You could tell that this dog had been out for awhile, it was extremely skinny and afraid. She wouldn’t come towards me so I decided to walk away, as I turned back around I noticed she was walking towards the food and started to eat. After some coaxing, I was able to get closer and was able to put more food and water in a dish. I called Paw Placement, an animal rescue group that I volunteer for, and asked to borrow their trap. I spent the next two hours in the field with the dog; but then a crowd of employees started to gather and scared her off. When Paw Placement arrived, we decided to put the trap in the field in hopes that she would return to finish the food.
The next morning I went directly to the trap, the food was not touched and there was no dog in sight. I was a little disappointed and started walking towards my building; but I felt as if I was being followed. I turned around and there she was right behind me, it was as if she was waiting for me. I spent the next two days in the field trying to gain her trust and decided to give her a name: Annabelle, sweet Annabelle. On the third day I was able to convince Annabelle to eat out of my hands. I felt that I had gained Annabelle’s trust enough to try and get a leash around her neck. Unfortunately as soon as she felt the leash she went crazy and pulled it out of my hands and ran off.
My heart dropped I could not believe I blew it, I was so close. I became extremely depressed but knew I could not give up. Annabelle now knew where to find the food and hopefully would come back when she became hungry. I went back to the field everyday and did not see Annabelle. A week passed and still no Annabelle. I kept putting fresh food and water out. I even drove back on the weekend hoping to see Annabelle. Something was eating the food but I wasn’t sure if it was Annabelle. I thought I would never see her again.
I work near an Indian reservation and so I decided to drive around the reservation and ask if anyone had seen Annabelle. I made flyers with Annabelle’s picture and took them to the Indian Reservation’s security office. Within a couple of days I received a call from one of the guards stating that he had seen Annabelle. She had been hiding in a field at another location for the past week. I drove to the location and met with the officer; he told me she had been lying in a ditch during the day to keep cool but ran off every time she saw people around. I also went to the surrounding companies and asked if I could put up her flyer. I asked that if anyone saw her, to please call me instead of Animal Control. Many had seen her and tried to feed her but she was too scared and wouldn’t let anyone near her.
My heart was breaking as it had been two weeks since I first saw Annabelle; the weather was getting hot, the nights were extremely windy, not to mention the rain storms. I couldn’t stop thinking about her; she must be so alone and afraid. Was she hurt? Would she remember me? If she did remember me would she ever trust me again? TO BE CONTINUED…
Editor’s Note: Diana Czarnecki has first hand experience in rescuing semi feral dogs and turning them into loving pets. Diana and her husband, Chris, have made two of them part of their family and they are the reason why she continues to work hard to save the animals in need. Diana is the founder of 2nd Chance Dog Rescue in Queen Creek, AZ.
Which is better – Dogs or Cats? Inspired by the upcoming Meet the Breeds™ event, the world’s largest showcase of cats and dogs, the American Kennel Club™ (AKC) and the Cat Fanciers’ Association™ (CFA) have joined forces to put an end to this long-running dispute once and for all with a definitive one-question survey: “Are you a dog or a cat person? “
In the ongoing fight to save the McDowell Reservation Dogs, last night rescuers were able to save five out of six puppies from a newly discovered litter.
That leaves, by all accounts about 10 more adult dogs that need to be rescued. The key to rescuing them is to find enough foster homes to take them in. 2nd Chance Dog Rescue and the Lost Our Homes Foundation are once again putting out a plea for help!
I grew up with rabbits. I’ve had four in my lifetime. My first, Kit-ho, was a Himalayan Dwarf—all white, black nose, black ears, black paws, black tail—and my best friend in the entire universe. Since then I’ve had lops and dwarf rabbits of various varities.
I’m all for spaying and neutering every companion animal. But, I have to wonder, would everyone think this is such a good idea if it were dogs? Snakes? Pot-bellied pigs? Cats do more than overpopulate. They can and DO attack people. I met a woman at the animal ER who was a concert pianist. I say “was” because she lost three fingers on her right hand when she tried to use a broom to shoo a cat out of her garage. The cat was hurt, so she trapped it in a box with tuna and brought it in, even though she would lose three fingers that night when she sought medical attention for herself.
We are happy to report that three adult dogs and two puppies have been rescued in the last few days. There are still approximately 10-12 adult dogs and one puppy that need to be rescued among the dogs still out there. Jan also believes there are two more litter of puppies out there as well and it is just a matter of time before the moms bring them out to meet her.
Diana Czarnecki, with 2nd Chance Dog Rescue is coordinating the donations and fosters. Anyone interested in fostering can email Diana at