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Baby Halle's Story: From Horror to Healing
Posted by Guest Blogger at 3:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (25)
The dog was "too old," so they threw her away. That's when I found her, huddled in a cage at an animal shelter.
It was October of 2002. I was on another routine visit to the animal shelter to drop off supplies when I saw Baby Halle. I bent down by the cage and called her over. As she approached, her body language clearly indicated that she had been abused. I put my hand near the bars of the cage. She licked my finger and wrapped her paw around my arm, tugging with all her might. A gut-wrenching cry emanated from her soul in a desperate plea for me to save her. I knew instantly that I wanted to take her home with me.
From the moment that the animal shelter released her to me for adoption, Baby Halle clung to me for dear life. It wasn't easy driving with a 40-pound canine sitting in my lap, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck. Yet somehow, we made it home safely.
The first time that I took Halle for a walk, her paws bled. Her footpads were as pink as a newborn puppy's; she had never been outside. Leaves falling from the trees terrified her. At home, loud noises caused her to flee, seeking refuge under my bed.
A visit to my vet revealed some disturbing news: Her coat was brittle and had some hot spots and other raw and bleeding areas. The vet said that the spots were the result of Halle's anxiety and the poor living conditions that she had endured. Specialty dog food helped heal the wounds significantly, but because Halle's immune system was compromised, we were frequent visitors to the vet's office.
An oral exam revealed that Halle's front teeth were mere brown stubbles, gnawed down to the gumline from trying desperately to free herself from her steel prison for years. Baby Halle, as I named her, was a victim of animal testing.
For seven years, Baby Halle suffered in isolation, living alone in a barren cage in a laboratory. Like millions of other animals around the world, she had been subjected to horrible, useless experiments that were conducted under the guise of science. Her only human contact was with the laboratory technicians who pulled her out of her cage each time it was her turn to be used in a test. She suffered extensive damage-both mentally and physically-as a result of her long, unforgiving ordeal behind closed doors.
Today Baby Halle is a very nervous and timid dog-friendly but cautious-and she's never far from my side. As I sit typing in my office, she comes and seeks me out every 10 minutes. I stop working, join her on the floor and hold her in my lap and stroke her, whispering words of reassurance. She groans, letting me know that she feels safe and loved. This is the only time that she is ever truly relaxed. She soon returns to my other dogs in the family room only to repeat this behavior a few minutes later.
Baby Halle has made remarkable progress since she's been here. I've tried to compensate for the years of horror that she endured, but sadly, she will never fully recover or forget. On some level, she relives the nightmare every day.
I will continue to advocate against testing on animals. And I will also be willing to adopt another animal who has this same type of history. I have never had a more gratifying experience in my life or a more loving and loyal dog than my Baby Halle.
Janet Pfeiffer, a motivational speaker and the award-winning author of The Secret Side of Anger, is a leader in the field of anger management and conflict resolution. Her unique approach has helped thousands heal their anger and find inner peace. Janet has generously agreed to donate $3 to PETA for each copy of her book, The Secret Side of Anger, purchased before June 27, 2010, through this link. Be sure to include “Code PETA610″ on the shopping-cart page.
Posted to Family & Friends | Posted to Tags: adopting, animal experiments, companion animals, Dogs, Guest Blogger, shelter dogs
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Desiree L. Dunn says...
June 17th, 2010, 9:36 am
You are truly an angel to your dog and to the others you shared this moving personal story. Thank you.
jeannie grundon says...
June 18th, 2010, 2:15 pm
Good for you. I have rescued several dogs from the pounds and they seem to make the best friends I've ever had. To bad humans can't be rescued the same way.
Naila M. Sanchez says...
June 18th, 2010, 2:17 pm
Bless ALL your family… how lucky are your animals! Thank you for taking Baby Halle into your heart! She lives for you and she knows that you live for her!
Virginia G says...
June 18th, 2010, 2:23 pm
God loves you for caring so much about Baby Halle. I think God chose you for Halle.
God Bless You
Maya says...
June 18th, 2010, 2:23 pm
How wonderful. My husband was in medical equipment field service for many years in CA, and told his boss he would not work in vivisection laboratories at UC and UCLA, which were his clients.
He will always remember a certain Golden Retriever, and that dog was the one that drew the line in the sand.
His boss agreed, and he never had to go back to that lab.
I am very aware of the cruelty of animal testing. In this modern world of near infinite technology, there is no longer need for this, and if there were, cancer, and other dreadful diseases would be evils from the past.
But we continue this heinous practice for money (grants), and greed, to make big pharma and the schools wealthier.
Profiteering by exploiting living, sentient beings is a sin. I am not religious, but this is a sin.
Blessings on you and your Baby Halle. Give her a kiss and a hug from me. I also do rescue, but have not had the pleasure of rescuing one from a lab.
Diane Beelman says...
June 18th, 2010, 2:39 pm
Bless your heart, What a wonderful story. I thank you for saving her life.
Karmen says...
June 18th, 2010, 3:20 pm
I adopted a 10 year old abused "throw away" as well. She had a great year and eight months at the end of her life…… She was so loyal and grateful to me as I was to her!!! I called her "Baby Brandi" my discount dog, my pound puppy and my gravy girl. What a great feeling it was to have her. I miss her so much!! She will be forever a part of my life! Thank you for your story, even though it made me cry! It's so hard to believe anyone could hurt such a loving and loyal animal!
Charly-ann Marlor says...
June 18th, 2010, 3:57 pm
I couldn't agree more with the banning of animal experiments.I am so glad you saved Halle and you should feel so proud of yourself.Thankyou so much.
Tucker says...
June 18th, 2010, 4:00 pm
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU ARE A HUMAN I WILL LOVE AND PRAISE, RATHER THAN CUSS AND
YELL AT!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU FOR SAVING BAY HALLIE, LOVE YOUR OTHER DOGS TO!!!!!!!!
Carol Clark says...
June 18th, 2010, 5:15 pm
Would that the world was filled with more people like Janet.
May the day be near when no more animals suffer needlessly in hellish labs.
God bless you, Baby Halle, with many more years of love & care.
Tanya says...
June 18th, 2010, 5:52 pm
Through tears of sadness and joy I write this, what a blessing you are to Baby Halle. I am one that believes there are no coincidences, you were meant to meet that day. Truly a moving story…. Maybe we will see a book out called Baby Halle's story. Thanks for sharing, God bless.
meleri says...
June 18th, 2010, 6:36 pm
I am so glad Baby Halle has a wonderful home now – lots of love hugs and kisses to Baby Halle.
Vicky Slay says...
June 18th, 2010, 10:39 pm
I am so happy for your kindness to Halle. I have a stray that I found at a young age walking in the middle of the street. He is 5 years old now and yes, what he endured is still a part of him, but now he has a good life and thinks he is pedigree and to us, he is. We also rescued a rottweiler from an animal protective services south of where we live. I found him through Petfinder. His owner of 8 years just gave him up because he was old and didn't have proper shots or care. He is one happy boy now but still has some odd ways from his past. I have talked to his owner and she denies a lot of traites that we see in him. She has no interest in visiting , but we are happy that we found him. It is sad what animals have to endure from humans let alone being in an experimental environment.
Cherry says...
June 18th, 2010, 10:49 pm
Bless you for your care, love, kindness and compassion. Bless that poor, darling Baby Halle. My heart bleeds and weeps for the animals still out there who so urgently and desperately need our help.
Experiementing on animals is cruel and heartless, and serves no useful purpose whatsoever! It needs to be stopped!
E.W. van der Wiel says...
June 19th, 2010, 2:39 am
gosh, it makes me cry, what a sweet dog! even after all she's been through
That's why I love animals.
Ms Lois Koch says...
June 19th, 2010, 4:44 am
All I can say is WOW!!!
In this day and age there is no excuse whatsoever for this heinous conduct in treating dogs and other animals like concentration camp inmates!
I believe this Lady is truly an angel in human form. God Bless Her!
Patty Bowers says...
June 19th, 2010, 11:20 am
THANK YOU so much for your greatness of heart and kindness. Baby Halle is SO BLESSED to have you and you will carry the memory of saving her FOREVER in your heart. I send lots of healing love and thoughts to Baby Halle that she will continue to mend her spirit and mind and live out her life securely and happily- and that her traumatic and horrific memories will fade completely.
I send you love and thanks for your beautiful act and continuing love for all your dogs.
Patty Bowers
Merilyn Phillips says...
June 19th, 2010, 9:56 pm
Thank you. Thank God there are folks like you. I am always a bit scared to open my PETA emails because I know I will end up bawling my eyes out!! If only we could save all animals from pain and sadness. How can anyone with a heart harm an animal?? Too many heartless humans in this world. It breaks my heart to know that animal experimentation continues. Please learn what products are a result of animal testing and DO NOT purchase! Please! It has to stop! God Bless you richly, Baby Halle's mommy!
Sibrina says...
June 19th, 2010, 10:27 pm
Thank you for taking care and loving Baby Halle. Sending you all Blessings.
vero says...
June 20th, 2010, 2:46 pm
hi, i loved this story–it is so sweet you found each other and i loved the description of how halle had her arms around your neck as you drove her home for the first time!! i have a rescue dog that was kept in a large-ish box for over 2 years–don't know why. he was also chained inside the box. he was fed 2x per week only during that time. i found out about him from a neighbor. somehow, with god's help, we managed to get him out of there–we called various authorities and animal groups. he was a skeleton when i got him. he is about 9 the vet thinks. anyway, he is doing much better–has gained weight and muscles! it is a real joy to see him wag his tail and be a happy boy!! the first day i got him he climbed into my lap and kind of vented his sorrow by various crying sounds. he did that for a few days and them he moved on and didn't do that anymore. animals and non-humans are the best!!! and humans who see that are the best too!!! thank you for saving halle and telling us about her!
Melissa says...
June 20th, 2010, 3:57 pm
I love this story because unlike so many we never hear about, this one has a happy ending.
I appreciate too the comment from Maya who explains so well what I say to everyone who takes part in cancer research fundraisers – WE WILL NEVER HAVE A CURE BECAUSE THOSE DOING THE RESEARCH DON'T WANT US TO HAVE IT! Are there some people who actually believe researchers have not found cures for all major diseases? Of course they have, but if their information is shared, the research grants would no longer be needed; jobs would be lost and large facilities, closed. Pharmaceuticals companies and hospitals would go out of business. So, the unnecessary testing will continue … we just need to make sure it does not continue on animals!
Kurt Schwenk says...
June 21st, 2010, 11:32 pm
Dear Ms. Pfeiffer,
Although I have never met you I love you with all my heart. Thank you for being such a kind soul to animals in general and particularly to Baby Halle. You are a hero!
With highest regards,
Kurt
Janet Pfeiffer says...
June 22nd, 2010, 5:39 pm
I cannot thank all of you enough for the love and support you have expressed in your comments on my story about Baby Halle. They brought me to tears. God blesses each of us in so many ways and Halle has truly been a gift from God. To still be such a loving and gentle soul after her horrific ordeal serves as an example of what each of us can do when we have been so unfairly treated – let go of the past and live with joy in the moment. Dogs have such a tremendous capacity to love. No matter how badly they are treated, all they seek is love and affection. Humans need to follow their example. I find it no coincidence that dog spelled backwards is God.
In the meantime, we all need to continue to fight for the humane treatment of those who cannot protect themselves. Cures are not found in laboratories. They are found within. Please continue to support organizations like PETA and other animal rights groups. Pray that humankind will become just that: KIND, to all God's creatures.
Bless you all my friends. I will keep you close to my heart and in my prayers.
Carla says...
June 24th, 2010, 7:32 pm
Kisses from Brazil to Janet and the beloved Baby Halle! ♥
HELEN says...
June 22nd, 2011, 4:45 pm
I RESCUED THE SWEETEST MIX OF JACK RUSSELL TERRIER AND CHIUAUA SHE WAS ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF A BUILDING ACROSS FROM ME. IT WAS 20 DEGREES AND THEY HAD FORGOTTEN THAT SHE WAS OUT THERE, OR SO THEY SAID. I WENT OVER TO TALK WITH THE OWNER BUT HAD TO WAIT UNTIL SHE RETURNED FROM WHERE EVER SHE WAS. SO, WHEN I SAW HER GETTING OUT OF HER CAR, I APPROACHED HER AND ASKED IF SHE WANTED THAT DOG OR WHAT? SHE SAID TAKE IT. AND TWO WEEKS LATER SHE HAD ANOTHER DOG AND THEN SHE MOVED. I BROUGHT HER OUT ON OUR BALCONY TO WATCH AND ASSURE HER THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TO HER AGAIN.
THE FIRST OWNER KNOWINGLY PUT AN ADD IN THE NEWSPAPER AS A FREE DOG. THIS OWNER EITHER NEVER TOOK HER TO THE VET OR JUST NEVER THOUGHT WELL SINCE IT WAS FREE THEY HAD NO INTENTION OF DOING ANYTHING FOR HER, SHE WAS DISPOSABLE.
I TOOK HER TO THE VET AND SHE HAD TO BE TREATED TWICE FOR HEARTWORMS. POOR THING, SHE SHAKES ALL THE TIME, SHE HAS AND STILL IS ONE OF THE SWEETEST AND LOVEABLE DOG I HAVE EVER BEEN FORTUNATE TO HAVE IN MY LIFE, THAT IS NOT TO SAY THAT ANY OF THE OTHERS DID NOT LOVE ME. SHE SHOWS A DEVOTION BY JUST THE WAY OF THE LOOK IN HER EYES WHEN SHE LOOKS AT ME. DECEMBER SHE WILL BE NINE YEARS OLD. SHE HAS BECOME MY CHILD THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE. SHE FOLLOWS ME AROUND LIKE SHE IS MY SHADDOW. SHE HAS ME WRAPPED AROUND MY FINGER.
WHEN WE GO OUTSIDE TO WALK, SHE WALKS ME. SHE NEVER MEETS A STRANGER THAT SHE DOESN'T LIKE. SHE LOVES ALL THE ATTENTION.