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Marley’s Odyssey

August 29, 2008, 4:17PM MT

By Brandi Bennett

Connecting The Dots To Best Friends

Connecting The Dots To Best Friends

By Ed Mason, Best Friends Network Volunteer

On one glorious spring afternoon in rural Kentucky, 1) Stan, an old Best Friends’ friend, waited for a visitor. When his guest arrived, the sight of an unfamiliar dog in the front seat and widespread evidence of a very rough life hinted to Stan that his afternoon plans had probably just changed. But this was to extend far beyond a different kind of afternoon; a wild tale had just begun to unfold (and wag).

The little pit mix in 2) Lowrey’s car was a bait dog for some knucklehead dog-fighting enthusiast. Too small to win but too tough to die, this dog had been stuck in a terrible web of abuse. But the little dude was now free, and although no one knew it, he had fallen under the guidance of the Best Friends circle of influence.

It’s likely that his need to breed had created problems, precipitating an unceremonious country road dumping. That’s where Lowrey found him, snatched him up into her arms, and proceeded down the one-lane, cow trail road to deliver the injured dog to Stan’s place.

Stan and Lowrey cooked up a plan to find the rascal a home, but complications arose, leaving Stan with the dog and apparently few options. His home was already at maximum capacity with rescued dogs and cats.

But soon, that otherworldly Best Friends spirit guide set in motion a chain of events that ticketed Kinky (named by Stan after dog lover, author, musician, Kinky Friedman) for his trip of a lifetime – or trip for a lifetime.

To demonstrate the point of this tale, numbers are being used to indicate a direct Best Friends connection that kept everything moving forward. In other words, all the folks involved are linked through Best Friends in some way. (Might be a connect-the-dots board game idea in there but please consult all parties before exploring options.) At any rate, the numbers are important. So, follow along and enjoy the journey. We’re closing in on number 3.

Kinky’s wounds required immediate veterinary care, and of course, he was an intact male. 3) Joel, a New York friend and longtime animal advocate, offered to help with the veterinary bills. Stan began the relatively easy task of socializing Kinky – a snap because he was a pit, a loving dog. (Kinky particularly loved a sleeping bag for a week or two prior to and after his neutering. The relationship fizzled at the end due to sheer exhaustion.)

Kinky at play with a new friend…the sleeping bag requested not to be pictured in this article

4) Terry, a strong animal advocate in Massachusetts, had once read a funny story in Best Friends magazine by 5) Francis Battista titled Adoption Day Disasters or something similar. It was a clever account of Stan’s appearance on a local newscast’s dog adoption segment in which Stan’s dog, Rodney, a pit/chow cross, ripped one of the weatherman’s pant legs completely off. Of course, this was live TV and pretty funny but probably not at the time. Brian, the weatherman, did the final weather segment attempting to hide the fact that he appeared to be wearing a fancy black suit with those ever-stylish ‘One Bermuda Short’ pants. That look works best…well…works only in profile and from one side but might be in vogue somewhere; it’s a strange world. Brian was a really good sport about it, may he rest in peace. Seriously. Evidently, things grew a little quiet and tense in the studio after the pants ripping-off incident. Some said that pant leg came off like a piece of tissue paper. But Stan felt this was Rodney’s best chance for a home due to his lineage, and since Rodney had shown no aggression for at 6 least months, they went for it. Sorry to digress, but some of you may recall reading that story. Kinky is glad Terry read it.

Stan’s friend, 6) Jan, in Missouri, had once lived near Terry in Nevada. Jan, another longtime friend to the animals, offered to contact Terry about fostering Kinky. Since Terry was a pit bull of a rescuer (and also rescued pit bulls…and had liked the pants ripping off story), she contacted Stan.

Terry and her husband, 7) Scott, worked exclusively in an area of great need: pit rescue. They run a small but efficient foster and re-homing program and really know the breed. Things went well with Stan on the phone prompting Terry to accept Kinky into her program. But Kentucky is a long way from Massachusetts, and it was too hot and scary for Kinky to fly.

Kinky is all dressed up and ready to get on the road.

Enter Joe. 8) Joe, an over-the-road trucker, was making a run from California to New York at the time and happily agreed to the transport. A distant meeting place was tricky for Stan because one of his dogs had just undergone surgery, so Joe came all the way to I-71 between Louisville and Cincinnati – quite a bit out of his way. He pulled his big rig into a huge truck stop where Stan and Kinky waited nervously and immediately lashed Kinky’s new crate to the trailer, informing Stan that Kinky could sleep with him up in the luxury cab. And off they went to meet Terry in Massachusetts – Kinky and the trucker, ridin’ in style.

Kinky arrives in Massachusetts

Kinky quickly made friends with everyone in his new Massachusetts environment. Scott and Terry continued socialization and recovery. After two adoption interviews that didn’t make the grade, Terry finally hit pay dirt with Shelly’s family from New York.

Kinky was a huge hit with Shelly and the kids, and all is well today. They recently moved from New York to South Carolina, at last bringing Kinky’s Ullysseseque meanderings to an end. But Kinky, now called Marley, can brag that he has slept in backwoods Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York and South Carolina. We’re happy to report that the Palmetto State appeals to him. He likely had influence in the decision because guys from the South usually don’t like it up North. It’s something about the cornbread.

Marley has risen from the lowest of the low to an object of near worshipful adoration. Indeed, he’s one of the lucky ones. Marley might say, “All glory to Jah mon,” but it seems the real truth lies somewhere in the ethereal power of an occurrence set in motion by lines intersecting smack dab in the middle of Best Friends. To keep this thing going, we should probably say, “All glory to Dogtown.”

Marley, now in a loving home of his own

I nearly forgot to recap this story with a little lessons reinforced list, so here ‘tis:

*Dog fighting is reprehensible, but horseracing is no better. Honest.
*Spay/neuter is probably the single most important thing we can do.
*Dogs’ ability to forgive and forget is beyond amazing.
*Pit Bulls and Pit Mixes are very cool dogs - stoic, loving, tough as nails, friendly to all.
*Many people are good people who can make good things happen.
*Best Friends now controls the universe with their top-secret love connection ray device.

Article posted by Brandi Bennett, Best Friends Network Staff

All photos of Marley used with permission, and courtesy of the kind people who helped him out along his way. Top photo is of Marley and his human "siblings"

Comments

Posted September 18, 2008, 2:41PM by mikeysmom

What a great story! Thanks to all who participated in Kinky/Marley's rescue! And Marley, you handsome fellow, enjoy your new home knowing that you are loved!

Posted September 18, 2008, 6:8PM by Kats5dogs

Not only was this a WONDERFUL story of how people with passion can make a difference in one little dog's entire life, but this is the most cleverly written story I have ever read - I giggled through the whole thing (except poor Kinky/Marley's beginning story)

Posted September 18, 2008, 9:36PM by jeramiedreyfuss

I love this story. Show how Forrest is about to meet up with his forever dad, Chef David and new sister Daze. They are in Colorado (not Denver or Aurora) tonight and he drove a 10 year old Rottweiller, Lodi, that needed to get to her divorced mom in Missouri, so she is going to get there this weekend. Wish someone could save Kane in Denver who is on execution row, It's possible he could be adopted out of state. If someone could help me teach my rescued pittie girl, Lola to accept another pit, I would take Kane. Kane loves kids, parrots, little poodles. Sounds like a dream dog but Denver doesn[t like his looks so they took him at gunpoint from a broken hearted family.

Posted September 19, 2008, 6:37AM by jeramiedreyfuss

Just a follow up note about Kane, the pit who was on death row....Roverlution.org has gotten him released and he is traveling with FORREST on htheir way to new forever homes in Southern California. There are so many wonderful people out there and thank you Best Friends for your help in saving these wonderful dogs in Denver who were innocent and sentenced to certain death because Denver didnt like their looks. I am glad for Marley and all the wonderful pits who get loving homes. Pits are the best dogs of all and don't deserve this abuse. Now let's find a home for kahlua.

Posted September 25, 2008, 1:59PM by margie1

I absolutely loved reading about Marley's journey.
I felt so sorry for Marley in the beginning...but look at all the wonderful people that were involved! How uplifting to read this story....Kudos to the writer! I rescued a Pit as well and have come to love the breed.
God bless all of you that rescue!

Posted December 29, 2008, 6:18AM by asp

Many thanks to you all for the kind comments about Marley's story. Sorry I had to use a pen name. So many people were involved, I didn't want it to be about me. The story was about the spirit of rescue (and Best Friends).

Stan