phool star and magic

STAR and MAGIC, rescued Borzois, live in Northern California.
Click for more about BORZOI RESCUE

Click for the story of their mom Nancy's beloved former friend, who now plays at the Rainbow Bridge,
GABRIEL

MAGIC was picked up from the streets of Novato, CA, in mid-June of 1998. Scrawny and sick with giardia, tapeworm, and roundworms, he was taken to the Marin Humane Society. While the vet estimated his age at 18 months, we later found out that he was just a seven-month-old puppy. They named him Magic.

After six weeks, no owner had come forward and no one had expressed an interest in adopting him. The shelter had a policy of not releasing animals to rescue, and Magic was running out of time. Some friends informed me of his plight and I drove up to San Rafael the next day and adopted him.

Like all the other rescues from this same pedigree, Magic was sweet, gentle, and intelligent. He showed no signs of physical abuse, but knew nothing about toys, other dogs, or snuggling. Gabriel treated him like the puppy he was. He stuck to her like glue. Best I could tell, his only bad habits were a tendency to be mouthy and to be fearful of other large male dogs.

As his health improved, Magic began to show how playful and heartful he could be. The last afternoon of Gabriel’s life, as we lay on the floor together waiting for the vet, Magic raced in from playing with the Golden Retriever who lives next door. He was carrying an old, dead rat, which he promptly dropped next to Gabe. Then he gave her a little yip and raced outside again to play. Roadkill was ALWAYS Gabriel’s favorite treat. Even though she had refused any food that morning, she took one sniff and grabbed the gift. I have always thought this was Magic’s way of saying thanks and good-bye.

Magic still has some health problems. He may always. But these days he’s a world-class snuggler and a first-rate trickster. He “does” cats, children, and small dogs. He’s exchanged his mouthiness for better ways of getting and giving attention. He’s become confident on the street and with unfamiliar dogs. And he’s able, one way or another, to make almost everyone laugh with delight.

If you come by Gabriel's Gate, call for him with his favorie nickname - "Jik."

MAGIC

STAR got her name as we drove home from the backyard breeder who sold her to me. I had gone to buy her once I discovered she was Magic’s sister, still unsold after one year, unspayed, and from a breeder whose unpapered Borzoi had ended up in rescue year after year.

She’d been kept in a small pen on the far side of the ranch. She’d never been on a leash, never been in a car, never been in the house, never socialized with strangers, children, or other animals. She’d rarely been handled or groomed. She’d never been called by name. At the sight of us, she cringed and shook so badly she could barely breathe.

The drive home was a terrifying four hours for her. I stopped several times to see if she would take any water or a treat, but she was too afraid. Finally, just past the Golden Gate Bridge, I offered her some sliced turkey left from my lunch. Still shaking like a leaf, she licked at it a moment and then began to eat.

“Don’t worry, little girl,” I found myself saying. “Your star is on the rise now!” As we continued to drive, I thought that “Star” would suit her very well indeed.

Star has had a lot to learn about the outside world. Fortunately, she shares her brother’s playful and remarkably resilient disposition. She’s discovered what a fast runner she is – she can leave her big brother in the dust now! She’s fascinated with obedience training. She’s sure, now, that it’s OK to look me in the eye and come to me for cuddles.

While she still has a ways to go toward feeling confident and secure, Star already fills our home with her special, twinkling light.

STAR


STAR and MAGIC, rescued Borzois, live in Northern California. Click for more about BORZOI RESCUE Click for the story of their mom Nancy's beloved former friend, who now plays at the Rainbow Bridge, GABRIEL

MAGIC was picked up from the streets of Novato, CA, in mid-June of 1998. Scrawny and sick with giardia, tapeworm, and roundworms, he was taken to the Marin Humane Society. While the vet estimated his age at 18 months, we later found out that he was just a seven-month-old puppy. They named him Magic. After six weeks, no owner had come forward and no one had expressed an interest in adopting him. The shelter had a policy of not releasing animals to rescue, and Magic was running out of time. Some friends informed me of his plight and I drove up to San Rafael the next day and adopted him. Like all the other rescues from this same pedigree, Magic was sweet, gentle, and intelligent. He showed no signs of physical abuse, but knew nothing about toys, other dogs, or snuggling. Gabriel treated him like the puppy he was. He stuck to her like glue. Best I could tell, his only bad habits were a tendency to be mouthy and to be fearful of other large male dogs. As his health improved, Magic began to show how playful and heartful he could be. The last afternoon of Gabriel’s life, as we lay on the floor together waiting for the vet, Magic raced in from playing with the Golden Retriever who lives next door. He was carrying an old, dead rat, which he promptly dropped next to Gabe. Then he gave her a little yip and raced outside again to play. Roadkill was ALWAYS Gabriel’s favorite treat. Even though she had refused any food that morning, she took one sniff and grabbed the gift. I have always thought this was Magic’s way of saying thanks and good-bye. Magic still has some health problems. He may always. But these days he’s a world-class snuggler and a first-rate trickster. He “does” cats, children, and small dogs. He’s exchanged his mouthiness for better ways of getting and giving attention. He’s become confident on the street and with unfamiliar dogs. And he’s able, one way or another, to make almost everyone laugh with delight. If you come by Gabriel's Gate, call for him with his favorie nickname - "Jik."	MAGIC

STAR got her name as we drove home from the backyard breeder who sold her to me. I had gone to buy her once I discovered she was Magic’s sister, still unsold after one year, unspayed, and from a breeder whose unpapered Borzoi had ended up in rescue year after year. She’d been kept in a small pen on the far side of the ranch. She’d never been on a leash, never been in a car, never been in the house, never socialized with strangers, children, or other animals. She’d rarely been handled or groomed. She’d never been called by name. At the sight of us, she cringed and shook so badly she could barely breathe. The drive home was a terrifying four hours for her. I stopped several times to see if she would take any water or a treat, but she was too afraid. Finally, just past the Golden Gate Bridge, I offered her some sliced turkey left from my lunch. Still shaking like a leaf, she licked at it a moment and then began to eat. “Don’t worry, little girl,” I found myself saying. “Your star is on the rise now!” As we continued to drive, I thought that “Star” would suit her very well indeed. Star has had a lot to learn about the outside world. Fortunately, she shares her brother’s playful and remarkably resilient disposition. She’s discovered what a fast runner she is – she can leave her big brother in the dust now! She’s fascinated with obedience training. She’s sure, now, that it’s OK to look me in the eye and come to me for cuddles. While she still has a ways to go toward feeling confident and secure, Star already fills our home with her special, twinkling light.	STAR