See All Special Needs Springers

These two dogs came in as strays to the SPCA in Elizabeth City, NC. They caught the attention of the staff there who really went out of their way to seek help for them and give them as much time as possible. After a lack of interest in adopters at the shelter, ESRA pulled the two dogs together into safe foster care.

Laverne is about 12 years old, give or take some and she has a heavy case of heartworms. Shirley is younger, about 8 years old, and also with heartworms, although she does not have symptoms.

Both are sweet girls, always together, like peanut butter and jelly! They are housetrained and quiet. Laverne is in for a likely rough ride during heartworm treatment. She'll need all paws crossed for her health and safety. Of course, Shirley really wants Laverne to pull through okay too! So I'll tell her you're all keeping them in mind.

In their own words:

"Hi, Laverne and Shirley here. Our journey into rescue began in late February when we were found wandering together in Elizabeth City North Carolina. I am Laverne, the beautiful and mature Liver and White Springer Spaniel. My best friend is Shirley, the petite black all American canine. For as long as I can remember we have been together. Roaming the streets and being out in the elements has been difficult, especially since we are both heartworm positive. We are strong girls and have survived a lot, and with the help of the SPCA of Northeast North
Carolina we have been taken off the streets. The nice folks at the SPCA contacted ESRA and we are now in
foster care. Our foster mom Mary Baker has taken us to a great doctor for treatment. We hope once we are
finished with treatment we will be able to be adopted together because we love each other so much. Please
reach down deep into your heart and consider sponsoring us in the Special Needs Program.

Hi, Laverne here. I know ESRA is for Springer Spaniels and I am blessed to have been rescued by this wonderful group, but I just want to thank you all for helping my best friend Shirley also. I am much sicker then Shirley and will
require a couple of months of intense treatment. I hope that with the care of my doctors, my foster mom and of you out there that I will be up and around real soon. As you see I am a beautiful older woman and quite adoptable.

Hey Ya'll. Shirley here. Laverne thinks I am asleep, but I am younger then she is and not nearly as sick. I want to thank you all for helping us get rescued. With all of your help and care we will be healthy again real soon. I just want to say, if we can stay together it would be really great because we love each other very much. ESRA is the greatest! "

They will both be receiving costly treatment and we'll keep you updated. Stay tuned!

Update, April 26, 2004: Both are part-way into heartworm treatment and doing well. Nothing but happy, in fact! They are very sweet dogs that charm every person who meets them. Heartworm treatment hasn't even affected Shirley at all. She's flying through it just fine. Laverne is doing great but just needed closer monitoring at first. She is actually feeling so much better that the foster mom has caught her counter-surfing! She is so gracious that she shares her bounty with Shirley! What a team!

Update, July 10, 2005: Laverne started walking "funny" last week and her foster mom rushed her to the vet. She was having seizures and heart problems and passed away quickly at the vets with her foster mom with her. We are waiting for word on how her sidekick Shirley is adjusting to life without Laverne.

Update, January 16, 2006: After a rough summer of losing her best friend, Shirley has rebounded after her loss of Laverne. She was very upset for weeks, not wanting to eat, and not wanting to bond with any of the other dogs and was failing. Her foster mom worked with her to keep her motivated to live. Since the fall, Shirley has bonded with Major, another foster dog in her foster home and is eating and has gained back some much needed weight. She is a happy dog, but is in need of dental care due to bad teeth risking infection. ESRA will be getting her this needed work, thanks to the generous support of her sponsors. At this point, Shirley will then graduate from Special Needs and will be again an active foster dog with ESRA. Thank you all for your support of Laverne and Shirley, and your continued support of ESRA.

Update, December 20, 2006: (From her foster mom, Mary Beth) Shirley came to me as part of Laverne and Shirley, foster dogs.  A Springer and Corgi mix that truly loved each other.  After Laverne was not around, Shirley adjusted to my other ESRA NC/SC foster, Major, well.  At first she pretended not to care about him. Then one day, I tried to let only Major out, without her, to go to vet.  Boy, she cried and barked and carried on. I finally gave in and let her join him on his vet trip.  I notice she sleeps more and harder now. Sometimes I let them out for potty breaks and come and see them rolling on their backs together side by side. She loves to sleep in the sun.  She's almost like cat with rain, though.  She holds it, rather than go outside and get wet.  She is very fond of her blanket on the couch.  She is still not all the thrilled about being picked up, but likes to get on my lap for naps.  She has bad teeth. She's had several removed already.  January 4th she goes to have a dental again.  She still likes greenies, milkbones, her doggie cookies, and hot dog treats.  She tolerates the pictures, but are not her favorite thing.  She is shedding right now, and just got stripped this past weekend.  She is still a love bug to all people. She is so sweet to my friend Kathy and Bob, and their two kids.   She got a good annual vet visit, except for teeth, and that was from her “bad time” on the streets of Elizabeth City .  She is all ready for short car rides, and long ones to sleep. I am very grateful for all those people that helped sponsor her and Laverne.  They are truly what rescue is all about.  Thank you for allowing them to learn about the nice things in life.

Contact: Heather Young, youngh19066@yahoo.com

Click Here To Sponsor Laverne and Shirley

LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY'S GENEROUS SPONSORS:
Melissa C Verrault	In loving memory of another girl from Elizabeth City, Dixie (1978-1993), my first wonderful Springer.
Pam and Mark Civile	In memory of all the Seniors Springers and all Seniors looking for a new home.
Laura & Earl Marinus	In memory of Sir Shenendoah's Hershey, who loved unconditionally, opening hearts to everyone who met him.
Bob Knell	In memory of Samantha, Rose, & Brady
Ashley Hawkins	Thanks to Mary Baker for her wonderful dedication to fostering Springers. She fostered my dad's dog, Sam, and we have been so blessed by him. Thanks to Kathy Patterson as well, for all of your hard work and all that you do for the Springers of NC/SC.
Cathryne Slaughter	From Maggie and Mr. Barney
Katrin Owen	Happy 21st Birthday, Florence!
Cordelia Steinacker	Happy 21st Birthday, Florence!
Judy Hultquist	A gift from another ESRA senior, Molly, who was rescued by Karen in Mesa Arizona
Tabatha L. Sturkie	Thanks to Pam, who helped me find a loving home for my Buddy Girl, and thanks to the Scharrs' who wanted my Buddy Girl.
Paul Alberon	In memory of Duncan
Karen Feldheim	For Buddy, our senior Springer, adopted 4/03, that we love dearly.
William Lundquist
Gary Hanes	In memory of Little Maddie from Texas - never forget!
Cindy Brassfield	For all the "special" Springers I have known.
Bob Knell	In memory of Samantha, Joshua, Rose, & Brady
Jim & Tressa Goughenour	In memory of Chipper & Putter, our departed Springers
Gregory Morse	Gift from Buddy and Guy, a fellow rescue dog. Our Dad is typing this as our paws do not work on keyboard. We are so sorry for your loss. Good luck.
Michelle Reichlin & Mike Sherrill	A gift for the Special Needs Dogs, so they have a Merrier Christmas.
George R Jarvis	On behalf of our Springers, Molly & Max.
Karen Bruskin	In memory of Sammy and Sunny.