Joal Derse Dauer is bringing Sadie, an incredible and beautiful dog, to talk about Sadie’s dramatic rescue at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 30, at The Timbers of Shorewood, 1100 N. River Rd., Shorewood.
Born and raised in suburban Milwaukee, Dauer has had a passion for animals since early childhood. She has used this passion to become an animal activist, teacher, lecturer and author to share Sadie’s story in hopes of strengthening animal cruelty laws and enforcing harsher sentences for animal abusers.
Sadie was found in the mountains of Kentucky with a bullet hole between her eyes and one in her back, put there after she had a litter of puppies. She was left to die. Kind strangers found her and took her to a veterinarian.
Through a series of events, Sadie was transported to a no-kill shelter in Wisconsin where Dauer found her. After she was told Sadie’s story, Dauer asked if she could take her to a doctor. She was told she could as long as she paid.
The first doctor said that Sadie should have a cart, because the x-rays confirmed the bullets and shrapnel in her spine. The second doctor told Dauer that because Sadie couldn’t walk and was incontinent, she should be put down.
“However, I saw something in Sadie’s shining eyes that told me something different,” Dauer said. “I took her home and put her in the garage for the night, because sweet Sadie was a mess. The next day, I took her to the animal clinic near my house, and the veterinary doctor said that Sadie deserved a chance. I agreed.
Sadie was adopted to her forever home with Dauer in April 2012. She has undergone surgery and receives daily therapy in her journey to one day walk again. Despite her disability she is a happy, healthy dog, who along with her owner, travels the country spreading a message of hope, healing and disability acceptance.
“Our residents and members of the community can’t wait to meet Sadie,” said Linda McCluskey, director of activities, Timbers of Shorewood.
Dauer is a free educational speaker with Chicago area pro bono speaker’s bureau – FreeSpeakers.org.
The Timbers of Shorewood is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay – a weekend, a week, a month or longer.
The presentation is free and open to the public. For more information call 815-609-0669.
