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Dr. Barbara Taylor Gandy
February 24, 2008
Dear Sir or Madam:
In
December my husband and I lost one of the most precious parts of
our life when our 13 year old cocker spaniel died from kidney
disease. I adopted
a dog from Petfinders in February and had great success.
In June, I began looking for a full blooded Clumber
Spaniel and found an ad on Petfinders for several beautiful
clumbers that were available for adoption from Furever Friends.
I e-mailed
the site to inquire about the clumbers and first talked to Kim
Smith’s daughter Krystal and then later talked to Kim.
From the first conversation I had with Kim, I immediately
knew that she was passionate about her clumbers.
As we continued to communicate, I could hear the love and
compassion in Kim’s voice about her work for the rescues.
During the screening process, I understood how important
placing her rescue in the right home and location is, and how
she is always putting the needs of the dog first.
After I was screened and approved for adoption, Kim was
willing to allow me the time I needed to finish my new house.
During this time we kept in contact and I got constant updates
on Hank and the other clumbers she was helping.
After a few set backs with the house I could not wait to
get Hank. Kim and her husband Ed went the extra mile by bringing
Hank 3 1/2 hours to Atlanta, GA. Right away I could tell it was
hard for her to give up such a wonderful dog.
Instantly
I could tell how well Hank had been cared for, trained, and
loved in Kim’s home. I
am amazed at what this working woman can do.
I truly admire her and others who unselfishly give their
time, money, and homes to un-loved, mistreated, and abused
animals. Kim
Smith McLendon is an inspiration and a person who does not idly
stand by to wait for something to happen. She has devoted
herself to a mission to love and care for a special group of
pets.
As my
other dogs in my home get old and eventually pass on, I look
forward to meeting up again with Kim and her organization to get
another incredible clumber or two.
It is nice to see someone not in the dog business who is
not trying to take advantage of the situation and sell puppies
for money, but to rescue and save animals in need.
Sincerely,
Barbara
Taylor Gandy
Director-Recruitment
and Orientation
Dr.
Barbara Taylor Gandy
October 25,
2007
MARTHA FROST
17 New
Brighton Hill Road
Tunbridge,
VT 05077
To whom it
may concern,
I am writing
this letter on behalf of Kim Smith McLendon as a reference to
her character and determination in canine rescue.
I first made
Kim’s acquaintance about a year ago through a Clumber spaniel
chat group. We both joined the group within a week of each
other, and being a relatively rare breed, the group is small and
everyone gets to know each other rather fast. Kim’s love of
dogs is not limited to the Clumber’s, as currently she and her
husband Edward have several of their own dogs and several that
are currently in foster care with them. The amount of dedication
Kim has is clearly evident merely by looking at the amount of
love she puts into each and every dog that comes into her care.
Having
followed Kim’s progress thru some very trying times, I am
constantly amazed by her determination to first and foremost
always do what is best for the dog. When faced with what
certainly seemed to be insurmountable difficulties, she simply
forged ahead and found alternative ways to continue with her
true love, the rescue and rehabilitation of these wonderful
dogs.
Our family
has been involved with dog rescue so I feel we have an insight
as to what is involved in the process, and the amount of
commitment required to follow through the entire process. It is
not for the faint hearted, and not to be taken lightly. Kim has
the qualities it takes to succeed in this.
In my
opinion, the work that Kim does to rehabilitate and find the
best homes for these dogs is nothing short of a miracle. She
will always work tirelessly and do whatever is in the best
interest of the dog, regardless of whatever obstacles come her
way. Please feel
free to contact me if there are any questions I may be able to
help with.
Sincerely,
Martha
Frost
Email: scott.frost@innevi.com
October 24, 2007
Cathy Herbert
Greensburg, Indiana
To whom it may concern:
I highly recommend Kim Smith
McLendon for she has shown the up most heart and integrity in
the rescuing and rehabilitation of Clumber Spaniels from the
horrors of the puppy mill system. She has made a serious
commitment to save this breed and finding the very best homes
possible.
I have personally witnessed
her saving baby Clumbers when their mother died during the
birthing process. She stayed up day and night to tube feed
them when they were too weak to bottle feed and she poured her
heart and soul into saving them and she did save many. That
is a total accomplishment in itself.
I have seen the miracles she
has performed with her rescues through her before and after
pictures of them. She has shown compassion and love to the
Clumbers, giving them everything they need to transform them
from puppy mill rejects to adoptable loving companions.
I am proud to call Kim a
fellow rescuer and friend and we need more just like her.
Sincerely,
Cathy
Herbert
(812-593-0408)
CKCSC, Rescue Indiana
Chairperson
Proud Supporter of Lucky Star
Cavalier Rescue
WHITEHAWK
CLUMBER SPANIELS
4852 Stepney Road.
Armstrong, B.C.
V0E 1B8
October
24, 2007
To
whom it may concern,
I
have been very concerned for a number of years about the number
of dogs in puppy mills. In particular I have been concerned
about my own breed of Clumber Spaniels.
When
Kim privately asked if anyone could help her remove some of the
clumbers from the puppy mills I said I would help. Although in
Canada at that time, I had access to funds that Kim could use.
I
have watched Kim pull dogs from puppy mills, raise orphan
puppies, home mature clumbers and keep a few she considered
un-adoptable herself.
I
have the greatest respect for her integrity, her honesty and her
forthright sharing of what she believed would be best for the
rescued clumbers.
My
heart ached seeing this beautiful breed used like machinery. Kim
has pulled them, given them back their dignity and looked for
the best homes for them and given them love. She cleans them up
and monitors their habits to make sure they are suitable for
adoption.
I
have referred people to her and she has been honest with the
enquiries.
I
have nothing but the greatest respect for Kim and her actions
and have suggested that she become a permanent clumber rescue. I
am writing this letter to support any actions she may take in
that direction as with the number of puppy mills springing up
nearly everywhere the clumbers are going to need her.
Yours
truly,
Victoria
Moira Simmonds
www.whitehawkclumbers.com
July
30, 2008
Katie Olds Muller
113 Meadow View Road
Amsterdam, NY 12010
Re:
Adopting Joni from McLendon Land
To
whom it may concern:
My
interest in Clumber Spaniels started about 5 years ago while
watching a dog show and some Animal Planet specials.
I did a good deal of research, visited websites and
joined some e-mail lists to learn more.
When I was finally ready for a dog in 2004 I was right
out of college and as fate would have it I ended up with my
Chester who is not a Clumber but a wonderful addition
nonetheless. Time
went on and I met my husband and became very involved in dog
rescue. At a rescue
event in October of 2006 I looked across the tent (where a
lovely Halloween dog parade was taking place) and there was a
Clumber Spaniel! I
went over and was met by the sweetest dog imaginable.
The nagging voice in the back of my head returned,
pulling me towards the breed.
I
often check Petfinder for local dogs in need and began
occasionally searching “Clumber Spaniel” and in late summer
of 2007 I saw Frieda listed under Furever Friends.
As an avid rescue person I knew the distance and the fact
I owned 7 dogs would make an adoption difficult.
I checked Petfinder often and continued to see Frieda
listed and she continued to pull at me.
I began talking to my husband about his openness to me
reaching out about her. When
I got the “ok” to inquire about her I finally put my
thoughts together on November 2, 2007.
I still have the very long e-mail.
I basically requested information on Freida and I rambled
on about my dogs and our life.
I was deep down afraid I might get a negative response.
While I am active in rescue I also know not every rescuer
is open to speaking to long distance adopters, or adopters with
multiple dogs, or adopters with full time jobs.
So I waited. About
4 days later I got a response from the kindest woman who told me
about Frieda, who she had renamed Joni and was very open and
honest about wanting homes that could spoil and dote on her
rescues. This kind
sweet woman was my first contact with Kim.
We
wrote back and forth many times, as Kim is exceptionally
thorough. I told
her honestly to just keep my home in mind for the Clumbers she
rescued or had as fosters and we would love to find one to be
part of our family. She
wanted us to do a few things prior to any approved adoption.
One thing was spend some time with Clumbers.
So I researched my area and met a lovely couple and their
4 Clumber Spaniels. We
spent an afternoon at their home being slobbered on and it was
simply wonderful. I
then had to complete 2 phone interviews, and 3 personal
references, as well as provide detailed pictures of my home and
fence and a veterinary reference.
I felt so good about providing all of these things to
someone who clearly loved her foster dogs.
Once
all of these things were completed and “checked out” so to
speak Kim told me the best news imaginable.
That she believed Joni would truly LOVE to spend her life
with many canine siblings and that she would like to adopt Joni
out to me. We
decided June would be the best time to adopt Joni but when my
life changed and we sold our home and bought another Kim was
wonderful about pushing the adoption to July so that we would be
settled in our new home.
On
July 26, 2008 Kim and Edward drove 7 hours from their home in
North Carolina to meet me half way to New York in Virginia.
I was blown away by their simple, happy willingness to
make such a long trip. When we both arrived in VA Kim spent nearly 2 hours with me
going over all of Joni’s medical records, her routine, her
likes, her dislikes, and her needs.
Edward walked around with Joni gently telling her how
happy she’d be in a way only a loving dad could.
In the year Kim had Joni she had done all her vet care
including full vaccinations, two heartworm tests, spay and basic
blood work. That
wonderful Saturday in July I picked up a beautifully groomed,
exceptionally healthy, well loved family member.
Through
tear filled eyes Kim hugged Joni and me and after our two hours
of talking and laughing and meeting, Kim sent me home with a dog
I knew she loved very deeply. Kim called twice on the ride home and once after I arrived
home, just to ensure those crucial first moments all went ok.
And since that day we have e-mailed and talked daily, Kim
wanting to know every detail of Joni’s progress and
adjustment. Her
support is ongoing and I know our bond – Joni – will last us
a lifetime. I feel so grateful Kim allowed me to adopt this wonderful dog
and so thankful it also let me meet such a wonderful new friend.
The entire experience was outstanding and though I’d
never part with her I do know for the rest of Joni’s life she
will always have a second home in North Carolina at McLendon
Land.
Katie
Olds Muller
Colleen
Keeney
2807 Springwood Drive
Greensboro, NC
November
20, 2008
REFERENCE:
CLUMBERS IN NEED
Yasmin’s
Adoption
To
whom it may concern:
Just
seeing a clumber had been a wonderful dream of mine for about
five years. I saw the Westminster dog show the year a clumber
won and fell in love. A dog that has the appearance of a big dog
but is not too big with the beautiful coat and sweet freckles,
so adorable! So I started my research (before my computer) to
learn more about their temperament etc.
Last
spring I was looking at dog rescue groups on pet
finders and happened across Clumbers In Need and thought
I was seeing things. I looked almost every day and thought I
would contact them when the time was right. At the time my lab,
CoCo was very sick and at the end of April, I lost her. Sometime
in July, I contacted Kim Smith McLendon and the journey began.
Kim helped to educate me on the breed itself and the rescue work
she does. I realized I had a lot to learn about clumbers. It was
very important to Kim for me to understand the breed and their
particular needs, which can be somewhat different than other
dogs.
In
August my sister Margaret and I were going to be up in the area
and Kim and Edward invited us to come by. I was so excited and
couldn't wait for the day we could see the beautiful dogs. When
we drove up, we could see the Clumbers from the window.
One
by one Kim introduced us to each of her angels, one as sweet as
the other. All full of love as the lady who gives them love and
with each clumber, came their story. Kim goes above and beyond
in her love and care for all these dogs. I remember seeing
Yasmin through the window, with her bone in her month and she
stuck in my head.
Later
when we were outside, everyone was running around and we were
petting them, I called to Yasmin and she came right to me. You
just get a feeling when you meet the Clumber that is the right
one. I remember Kim saying that she likes to pick the right one
for each person or family. She had already picked Yasmin for me
before I’d even met Yasmin based on my interview with Kim and
all that I had shared about my other dogs! This little girl is
so perfect for us and loves her other dog sisters. When you
think of the places these dogs came from and how Kim works with
them, some longer then others, until they can trust and love
again, it is quite amazing.
After
that I started the application process and it was quite
extensive but at least now I understand why it was so long and
somewhat involved. Well, I was approved and then we had the gas
shortage and high prices. Next thing I knew, Kim and her husband
Edward calls to tell me that they will bring Yasmin to me which
took about three hours. Kim likes to help in every way she can.
I was waiting in the street waving at them and again it was so
exciting and worth the wait.
I
couldn't imagine when Kim told me that we would need a couple of
hours to go over paper work but again to my surprise, it was
fantastic. She presented me with a whole binder about my girl
with pictures of her family, as much history about her
parent’s pedigree and health information as Kim could find and
all her vet records from Kim’s vet. The binder also included
breed info, the “clumber non-edible list”, the Dear Vet
letter from Dr Roe Froman, and Kim’s contact information in
case I had questions or needed help with anything. Kim also set
me up with another mentor just in case and I also joined an
online clumber group.
These
Clumbers are a true labor of love
for Kim and I have grown to love her for teaching me so much
about the true meaning of giving during this process. It’s
refreshing to meet someone who is so committed for all the right
reasons. Thank you Kim and Edward!
Sincerely,
Colleen
Keeney
Click on the below links for the actual reference
letters listed above.
To
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Cathy Herbert Dr.
Barbara Taylor Gandy
Martha
Frost
Victoria
Moira Simmons
Heidi's
Thank You Letter
Joni's Thank You
Letter from Katie
Yasmin's
Thank You Letter from Colleen
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