In 2015, Alan and Cheri lost their beloved Irish Setter Riley. When they were emotionally ready to open themselves up to another dog, they decided to foster as they wanted to help a pup in need but weren’t sure they wanted to commit to adopting again. The Irish Setter organization had no dogs available, but after looking on-line, they discovered Southwest English Setter Rescue (SWESR). Alan’s brother had had English Setters in the past, and he really liked them, but he and his wife didn’t really know the breed. They contacted SWESR and visited with some people who had SWESR dogs.
Eventually they spoke with a SWESR experienced foster parent, and she told them she had a new arrival that had been rescued in western Oklahoma. She explained the dog was very thin and due to a horrifically rough life, all the fur had come off her tail. She prepared them to see a dog that in no way looked like a Setter seen in pretty pictures, but said she’d bring her out to meet if they were interested. This dog’s name was Nora.
Alan and Cheri were interested, and Nora came to visit them at their home so they could meet her. Nora was indeed a pitiful thing. She was tiny, weighing only 28 pounds. She had scars on her nose. Her tail was bandaged, but they could see it was completely bald and still had bloody scabs on it. All SWESR knew of Nora was that she had been a stray, clearly starving, taken to an animal shelter, where she was rescued by SWESR and placed in a foster home.
Nora was released from her leash in their backyard and she cowered down, looking over her shoulder at these new humans. They reassured her she could explore as she wanted, and within minutes she was scampering across the grass, kicking up her hind legs like a donkey would. Nora had a grand time exploring their Setter-interesting yard. Alan and Cheri’s teenage daughter sat on the ground and called Nora to her. Nora nuzzled up to her and melted into their daughter as she rubbed Nora’s ears. All thoughts of fostering were now gone. Nora needed them, and they needed her.
Less than a week later, Nora was welcomed to her new home. One of the first things she needed to learn was that food wasn’t scarce and would appear every meal time. Initially she had to have a special food bowl. She was so afraid her food would disappear that kibble spilled everywhere as she ate in a panic.
Nora also needed to learn the rules of living in a house. Used to running free, for Nora any open door was an irresistible invitation to bolt, and with young grandchildren visiting frequently, Nora accepted these invitations on more than one occasion. Each time Nora would run until exhausted, stopping only due to fatigue, so her new dad could catch her. On one particularly frightening occasion, with Alan chasing Nora on foot and Cheri following in the car, Nora ran into some woods, tangled with some briars, splashed through a pond, and was then lost to sight. Many of us know the chilling terror thinking we’ve lost our dog for good. It was getting dark, but Alan kept calling out for Nora, desperate to find her. Suddenly, Nora appeared and ran straight to him. Alan knelt down and with her final bit of strength she jumped into his arms. She was a soggy, muddy, bloody mess, her belly scratched and bleeding from the thorny brambles. She was completely worn out.
Alan and Cheri drove her home and cleaned and bathed her. That night, as she lay in Alan’s arms in an oversized arm chair, Alan spoke to Nora as she fell asleep. “You don’t need to run away anymore. We love you. We will always look out for you.” They believe this was the moment Nora knew she was home … that she belonged. The once feral dog knew she was loved and knew she wanted to be with a family. Nora never tried to run away again.
Eight years later, Nora loves her whole family, but she and Alan have a special bond. He freely admits that Nora knows how to worm anything she wants from him. She loves to run in her yard, setting butterflies, wasps, birds, and the neighbor’s chickens. She also loves being comfortably ensconced in someone’s lap, looking out a window to see the squirrels or crows, while being petted. She is now quiet and calm indoors, saving her zoomies for the backyard. She likes to bury her toys, and Alan will be doing yard work and will occasionally dig up a dog toy that disappeared years before.
Nora has developed a clear personality, which is delightful to see, as in her earlier years it was as if there were no room in her life for anything other than survival. Although sweet and gentle, she expertly antagonizes her Irish Setter brother, who can be a bit of a curmudgeon, knowing how to push his buttons, and bothering him to play, usually unsuccessfully.
Every time Alan or Cheri return home, Nora greets them at the door, walking in tight circles, her fully feathered English Setter tail wagging furiously, with something in her mouth: a toy, a tennis ball, a towel. She has the Setter “roo’ing” voice, and she indicates her happiness at their return with her happy wiggles and her “roo’s”.
Alan and Cheri are profoundly thankful to SWESR for bringing Nora into their lives. She has been such a joy to them, and they cannot imagine life without her. They have had many dogs through the years and have treasured their days with all of them, but they have learned that although Nora needed them the most of all their pups, they needed her more.