As I promised last week, I wanted to share more pictures of our adventures with animal advocate Kelly Backes and her St. Louis Blues hockey star husband David. Just after filming public service announcement in support of animal adoption, one of the Backes' own rescued dogs got lost and was away for a harrowing 24 hours.
1 A very happy and relieved Kelly Backes after Rosey's return.
2 Moments later, Dr. Ed declared Rosey uninjured and in good shape.
3 Vets and techs at Hillside Animal Clinic had to work around Kelly, who couldn't stop kissing Rosey, as they checked Rosey out.
4 An exhausted Rosey happy to be back in mama Kelly's arms
5 A few scrapes and scratches had to be bandaged up.
6 Just one day before, the Backes', and with their rescued pooches, Rosey, Rodney and Marty, joined Abbie from Adopt-a-Pet.com to film a PSA for adoption.
7 Thankfully, this happy family would all be together again after Rosey's frightening ordeal.
8 Photographer Brian Kuhlmann (www.briankuhlmann.com) plans the shoot with Kelly.
9 Kelly and Rosey get ready for their close ups.
10 David tries to position Marty and Rodney while wearing hockey gloves.
11 Always have a lint brush when filming animal lovers!
12 Kelly guards the goal from Rodney's shot.
13 David poses for the animals.
14 Marty joins papa, offering her mug in support of shelter animals everywhere.
15 The stunning and compassionate Kelly gets a call that another animal she was advocating for is now safe.
16 A very tired Rosey resting safely at home the day after her return.
17 Lots of rest to catch up on!
18 Marty tells Rosie how worried she was when she was missing.
19 I put on my therapist's hat and listened to Marty as she shared her feelings about Rosey's temporary departure.
20 Adopt-a-Pet.com's Abbie Moore and Kelly Backes, with Rodney, Abbie's favorite among Backes' rescued pooches.
21 We all recount the previous evenings events as we relax with the reunited pooches.
22 Purina executive Brenda Bax gets emotional upon meeting the dog she'd help search for the previous night.
23 I finally got to meet and hug Rosey as well.
24 Kelly tells us the story of Rodney's sad past. Fortunately it's only happy days for Rodney Backes now!
25 Kelly with her current foster crew: a mama beagle rescued from a horrific illegal breeding operation and her three pups.
26 Kelly and David have fostered and worked with the pups to get them ready to be adopted.
27 David Backes and one of their foster puppies. As you can see, compassion is super studly!
Thankfully Rosey returned home virtually unharmed. I have no doubt that if she had not returned, Kelly and David would still be out looking for her now. These two advocates are tireless when it comes to helping animals, whether their own companions or shelter animals in need. They also see their role as a supportive one. According to Kelly, "We are trying to help others to help them."
Kelly and David share their home with three rescue dogs and two cats -- one of whom is missing an eye. If there is an opportunity to help an animal, David and Kelly are always there to help out by cleaning a kennel, fostering a nursing dog with pups, educating others, or raising funds and awareness.
Today I spoke with Kelly, who reports that Rosey has recuperated well from the 24 hour outing that had us all nervous wrecks. David was in the background preparing his pre-game dinner while tending to the mama foster dog who had been spayed earlier today. Kelly was clearing up after the three puppies while telling me about a very sad animal control call that she assisted with the previous day. These two are always right there in the trenches!
Kelly and David met in kindergarten and have been advocating for animals ever since. Kelly attributes much of her advocacy to her parents, who always took it upon themselves to offer help. She recalls her parents fostering and adopting animals that others could no longer care for and rescuing animals running in the road. Kelly feels her parents taught her an important lesson with regard to animals: with all the joy and love comes responsibility to offer proper care.
Kelly takes her role as an animal advocate very seriously. "I want to be a voice for them so they do not suffer," she told me. "I feel like I was put on this earth to help our four-legged friends know what compassion and love is. People so often say to me, 'Well I just see so many animals and it makes me sad, it seems my help is never enough,' and my response is always, 'doing SOMETHING is so much better than doing nothing.'"
When asked what kinds of things others can do, she replied, "It's amazing what a simple email or phone call can do to help an animal get saved. Even if a person helps just once a week, they can help with transport, sponsorship, donating food and litter. They can fix fences or bring hay to a shelter to keep outdoor animals warm. They can foster a mama cat and help her with her kittens. This is a great way for kids to see what love nurturing achieves."
Kelly's passion is amazing. She believes it is critical that people become educated about pet overpopulation As she puts it, "be curious, ask questions, and become aware of what rescue groups are doing in your own area. Learn the facts and be a voice for animals."
As Kelly was sharing her thoughts on advocacy, David piped up in the background, "We get SO much more than we give. These animals love us unconditionally and need our help."
Well said Mr. and Mrs. Backes! Let's all follow their lead and get involved. Helping animals is truly a team effort, and the team needs as many players as it can get!
In kinship,
Dr. Pia Salk
PS: Here are some of the groups that the Backes' work with and support:
St. Charles Humane Society No-Kill Shelter
Dedicated Veterinarian Dr. Ed- mentioned in photo gallery.
Photographer for Backes shoot: Brian Kuhlmann
From: Sonya | 1/20/11 at 2:10 am
Yay a happy ending! Thankfully Rosey is back with her loving Mom and Dad. Yay for wonderful people like Kelly and David who open up their hearts and home to our four-legged friends.
From: Basil | 1/20/11 at 9:51 am
Hello Dr. Pia,
You, Kelly and David have made my day. You are the best helping all our friends. The more we spread the news about helping, the more people we can get to help. Thank you all so much and I am very glad Rosey is safe and sound.
LOve & licks,
Basil
From: Kirby Bear | 1/20/11 at 11:02 am
Hello ladies, Kirby here.
And hello to you too Dr. Pia. You always seem to have some good stories to tell. I like to hear them, but often find it hard to read the ones about abused animals. As for the abuser of these animals, I would like to sink my teeth into their … All of my snow is gone now and it’s a whole lot warmer; too warm for me with my winter coat on. Just give me a few days and it will start to come out. That means a lot of brushing for me. I love the brushing. It’s almost time for Martha.
Catch you later, Kirby.
From: delia | 1/20/11 at 11:26 am
Kelly and David seem to be a match made in heaven...they love animals and have a huge heart...how wonderful!
And you Dr.Pia putting on your therapist's hat...well what can I say, Lucky dogs!
I think it's wonderful to know there are caring people out there...Bless you all!
From: DDR & animallover jan | 1/20/11 at 11:40 am
Hi Dr. Pia, Thanks for another spectacular blog post! How wonderful that beautiful Rosey is back home with her loving parents and caring brother and sister! The Backes family is fantastic! Sure wish there were many more humans who are as caring as them. Hope you and your wonderful family is continuing to do extremely well. God Bless everyone who takes great care of their sweet pets! Have another great week! Jan & DDR