Lynne Turnquist had been involved in a Wisconsin-based rescue group for many years, but didn’t think she had the nerve to start her own rescue.
Yet, after becoming a proud foster fail, the Fulton, Illinois resident did what any Cocker Spaniel lover would do when faced with providing care to a deserving dog—she started her own rescue group.
Thanks to the many contacts she garnered over the years (and her dog-loving husband, Steve), Rockstar Cocker Rescue, a 501(c)3, was launched in January of 2018.
-
Addie and Evie found their forever homes recently thanks to Rockstar Cocker Rescue. Image credit: Rockstar Cocker Rescue
A Needed Focus on Cockers
Cocker Spaniels are a lot like potato chips—you can’t have just one.
Turnquist and the many foster volunteers of Rockstar are living proof of just how special these dogs are.
“We adopted our first Cocker Spaniel from a shelter back in 1987,” Turnquist told The Dog People. “Every Cocker we have ever been owned by was either found or adopted from a rescue or shelter.”
Rockstar helps adopt rescue Cocker Spaniels through a network of foster and support homes in over 12 states in the south and midwest. The nonprofit also organizes fundraisers and education and adoption events to help get more dogs in more forever homes.
“I’ve been fostering for 18 years, and it is so fulfilling to see a dog who has been ‘shut down’ come out of his shell to learn to ‘dog,’” Turnquist shared. “They learn to trust, to enjoy food, and soft and clean bedding, and they realize this is their new life. They learn to thrive.”
She adds, “Every foster is a new learning experience, and everything you learn carries over to the next [dog.] It fills the heart with a love much like raising a child.”
Yet as with many breeds, irresponsible breeders contribute to a need for rescues like Rockstar.
The Plight of Puppy Mill Mamas
Recently, a group of “mill mamas”—female dogs from unscrupulous puppy millers—came into the rescue’s care.
Dogs like these usually arrive frightened, show signs of neglect, and are often not socialized. Turnquist said the group of dogs who came in recently was bad, but not the worst Rockstar has ever seen.
“None of the girls are ready for adoption, nor will they be ready for a while yet,” she shared. “Half of them are in foster-to-adopt situations, and the others are slowly learning to trust.”
Six of the eight girls came in as matted, hairy messes. They were very unsocialized and traumatized, not knowing what would come next. Volunteers and fosters stepped up to help from Iowa to Illinois. One of the females, Phoebe, escaped from her foster hours eight hours later. Thankfully, Rockstar volunteers stepped up to try and locate the petrified pooch. They finally located her at dusk near a busy interstate.
“They are all coming out of their shells, and trust is developing in many of these helpless dogs,” Turnquist reported.
-
Beautiful Riley is a ray of sunshine. Image credit: Rockstar Cocker Rescue
Riley’s Story: A Former Throwaway Pet Comes Out of Her Shell
Riley came from a puppy mill where she was bred out at every opportunity. She was fed pig and cattle feed and had no positive human contact or opportunities to socialize with other dogs. She spent four years of her life without a bath and was never groomed.
“Her tail was buried in a huge mat of fur that covered her entire backside,” said Clara Yochum, a Rockstar foster volunteer. “Her matted fur had corn embedded in it—all over her ears, feet, belly, and backside. She smelled so bad, that my own Cockers backed away when I brought her home.”
In all of her years in rescue, Yochum says she’s never seen a dog as shut down as Riley. She gave Riley a day to decompress and told her things would get better from now on. Upon getting her first bath, poor Riley behaved as if she received an electric shock. It took a few minutes for Riley to understand the warm water was washing away the dirt, grime, and years of neglect.
Yochum is still working to gain Riley’s trust, but she considers this a valuable investment of her time and love. Although this heartbreaking story is unfolding in her home right now, Yochum is up for the challenge. Riley follows her from room to room and shakes and shivers with fear at everything. Loud noises are a challenge, but her foster mom reinforces training with patience, praise, love, and repetition.
-
Roxy is happy and safe with her foster mom. Image credit: Rockstar Cocker Rescue
Roxy’s Journey: Terrified of Humans
One can only surmise what Susan Spalding’s foster Cocker, Roxy, has been through. One of the mill mamas, she was terrified of humans, not potty trained, and fought off a collar or harness.
“She had clearly never been allowed to be a dog,” Spalding shared. “Watching her come out of her shell little by little has been incredibly rewarding. She is a great little dog and didn’t deserve to live her life that way.”
For the first few days, Roxy would not allow any human touch and she always looked very sad. After two weeks, she began opening up. Although she is skittish, she will sit on her foster mom’s lap, follow her around, and smile with her little tongue sticking out.
Rockstar covers the costs of Roxy’s care so Spalding can focus on love and attention. This is her first foster experience, and she plans to adopt Roxy.
Spalding wants everyone to know that it’s amazing what a little bit of love can do for an abused and neglected dog.
-
Raelynn’s eyes tell a story of fear and hope. Image credit: Rockstar Cocker Rescue
Raelynn’s Road to Recovery: From a Cage, to Freedom
After nearly five years of fostering, Katie Norbutas is a proud foster fail two times, and possibly a third in the near future. She is currently fostering Raelynn, whom she describes as a “petrified breeder release” who lived like a hamster, afraid to come out of her crate.
For the first week, Norbutas watched helplessly as Raelynn shook with fear and experienced submissive urination. She seemed very fearful of her other dogs and did not want to interact. Finally, the weather was nice outside, and it was time to run and play.
“Raelynn started to bark like she wanted to play long,” Norbutas said. “So I set up a playpen for her outside where she blossomed around my other dogs.”
She no longer shakes when her mom picks her up, which is incredibly brave for a dog who spent four years locked in a small crate. She is now happy and free to run while learning not all people are bad. She will never be bred again.
Why Fostering A Dog Matters
Fostering a dog helps reduce the number of pets in overcrowded shelters but it also opens that kennel for another animal who can be saved. Foster parents prepare dogs for their forever homes by working on their personality, helping them to trust again, and recover from trauma.
Without foster volunteers, Rockstar Cocker Rescue could not function as it does. They would be overwhelmed and unable to place dogs into permanent homes.
“Seeing the progress of my fosters has been absolutely life-changing,” foster mom Celia Campbell shared. “My foster fail dog, Ralphie, was born with a severe heart defect, and he had two heart surgeries in two years.”
Had Rockstar Cocker not rescued him, he probably would have succumbed to his heart problems. Ralphie is not only surviving but thriving and just celebrated his third birthday.
Ralphie’s story is not unique. Foster families provide daily care, transport the dogs to and from veterinary visits, and make sure they are groomed. Foster parents literally become rockstars themselves, helping abused or unwanted dogs live the life they deserve.
-
Chico and Ralph, foster dogs of Celia Campbell. Ralph is now Celia’s baby. Image credit: Rockstar Cocker Rescue
Advice For People Who Have Never Fostered
Of the many foster volunteers interviewed for this piece, they all agreed on one thing—fostering a dog has incredible rewards. In their own words, here is why they feel everyone should foster a dog.
“Think of a foster dog like a dry cake mix. Add food, water, and lots of love. It can get messy, but you will have a beautiful result when you are done.” – Lynne Turnquist, Fulton, Illinois
“Patience is the most important thing. Remember, they are often traumatized and fearful of humans. This is all the more reason to do it. YOU become the reason they trust again.” – Celia Campbell, Indianapolis, Indiana
“Fostering gives a dog in need a chance at a better life. It’s not a lifelong commitment nor a financial burden. Fostering is a win-win for everyone.” – Emily Maple, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
“Stick with it and ask questions. The first two days are generally the worst. It is stressful trying to get the new dog acclimated to your home life, but take it from the dog’s perspective. Be patient and don’t rush or push too much too soon.” – Katie Norbutas, Peoria, Illinois
“Do it! Some days it will break your heart; other days, it will test your patience. But most days, fostering will bring joy, laughter, and love.” – Clara Yochum
Mill Mamas: The Road Ahead
Although they have a long road ahead, the mill mamas have already begun their journey in healing. They are being fostered by caring volunteers in various states.
“The girls are all now getting spayed and their final vaccinations,” Turnquist reported. “Several of the fosters have agreed to adopt, and each dog is making progress.”
Like turtles, they are slowly coming out of their shells and trust is emerging in many of them—that’s the power of fostering, and the life every dog deserves.
