The Story of Georgie

Georgie, the Georgia Heartland Humane Society 2007 Doggie Dash poster boy, passed away June 14, 2008 evening from multiple seizures. Georgie and Sofi were born blind and with neurological problems, but their rescue typifies what GHHS is all about, opening our hearts and homes even to those who were not so adoptable. Both Georgie and Sofi were very lucky because they found two angels who were willing to adopt them and deal with the challenges of dogs with multiple handicaps. GHHS's own Christine Kilgore and her husband adopted Georgie and Jana Cogins adopted Sofi. Although we were only blessed with Georgie for too short a time, he brought much joy to both Christine and her husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with Christine and Pat through this very difficult and sad time. And we send our heartfelt thanks to them for giving Georgie a wonderful life even if it was too short.

'The Story of GEORGIE'
by Christine and Thomas Kilgore

GHHS received a call for help....there were five sibling pups in need of immediate care. These precious babies were only 5-6 wks old....and had been a by-product of 'inbreeding'... While in my care, two of the sibling pups started showing signs of 'not so normal' puppy behavior. They would walk into walls-fall down hills-trip over everything in their path and even walk 'through' the water and food pans... These incidents would cause them much frustration, they would actually stomp and run as fast and hard as they could (as if embarrassed).

They wanted so much to play, though could not grasp how...when another sibling would pounce on them -you could hear the screams of fright, this became a 'survival of the fittest' situation. Once the other 'normal' pups realized that these two pups had 'handicaps', they began to torment them, along with attacking them. Separation became apparent. As for giving them affection or even grooming, they would become confused by the 'confinement'-this brought on bouts of extreme wiggling, crying, and even biting to be set free...

A vet visit revealed that Sophie and Georgie had suffered a severe case of roundworms, this neglect showed that they were almost completely blind and from the inbreeding, this caused them to have neurological disorders also.

As the days and weeks went by, one by one the siblings were adopted into new and wonderful homes...even Sophie, the female sibling with her disabilities found someone who could overlook her 'flaws'...then there was Georgie. He remained here, right where he belonged...

After that, Georgie became somewhat of a mascot for GHHS(Doggie Dash 2007)-all who have met him, adores him...especially, his foster parents...

It's now a year later... Georgie with his own disabilities, according to the neurologist, will never learn nor will he understand like a normal dog...so, he will always be a puppy, a 65+lb. puppy. He knows his name-where he eats/drinks-where his 'house' is; we never wanted any dog of ours to be an 'outside dog', but he prefers the outdoors-I guess it's due to the natural light and large fenced in yard where he loves to play with his toys and the many 'companion friends' he has made, roll around in sun and Georgie, he loves to run too!!

He reminds us of 'Forrest Gump'-"Run, Georgie, Run!!".

Although, there have been many challenges, Georgie has thrived and blossomed into the most loving 'puppy' you will ever meet. He now accepts any and all types of attention--so, when you meet Georgie just ask him for "Kisses Georgie" and he will in turn give you the sweetest kisses you've ever been given.....

Every where we turn, it's Georgie...
Our lives revolved around his needs: the ramp to the outdoors has barriers on both sides to prevent him from falling (Georgie never learned steps)-to buying high sided, non-tip bowls, to even canceling appointments, if we knew storms were in the forecast. It was all about him...we accepted this, only to receive his 'sweet kisses'.....