“Save yourself the heartache”

“We purchased a wonderful bullmastiff from GGR almost 2 weeks ago. She was sick when we paid $700 for her.”  C

THE TRUTH

This woman’s real name is Courtnay Reeder.  She adopted a beautiful and loving, healthy Bullmastiff named "Smoochie" from Gentle Giants Rescue on March 7, 2007.

Below is an email sent by her a week later, on March 14, 2007, saying Smoochie is "Perfect."  Her own email and photos contradict her own lies posted anonymously on the internet.

-------- Original Message --------

Burt and Tracy,

Sorry we’ve taken so long to write. We’ve all been so busy.

What can I say about Smoochie that you don’t already know? SHE’S PERFECT!

She is quite content laying on her pillow or blankie with her new little pig animal.

Yesterday Katlyn took a nap with her for about 20 minutes. I didn’t get a picture because I lost the camera! but hopefully we’ll have more moments like that!. I’ve yet to find the pink tutu to fit around her girlish waist, but I’ll send that along as well. We decided to keep her name because there’s just no other way to describe her and her personality. Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to own such a wonderful dog. We love her very much! I’ll be keeping in touch, here’s just a few photos I downloaded before I lost the camera. They’re from our first night home.

The Reeders

Below is a scanned copy of Courtnay Reeder’s actual adoption agreement with her signature on the last page.  It clearly shows that Courtnay Reeder paid nothing - $0 – not a single dollar – 100% FREE for Smoochie.  Yet, she lied on the internet and said that she paid $700.00.

At the bottom of this page is a copy of a statement of a licensed veterinarian who examined Smoochie on the same day that she went home with Courtnay Reeder.  The veterinarian stated in writing that Smoochie was examined and found to be in good health.  Again, Courtnay Reeder lied in her internet post.  Why did she blatantly lie?  Who knows? Who cares? But, fabricators like Courtnay Reeder attempt to vilify legitimate rescuers when it is they themselves who are guilty of their own accusations.

Want to know more about Smoochie and what Courtnay Reeder put her through?  Below is the complete story:

Smoochie the Bullmastiff:

The information written by Courtnay Reeder writing as adopter "C"  who adopted the Bullmastiff is so far from the truth, regardless of how seemingly sincerely she writes to try to blame GG for what she did to kill Smoochie. It is amazing how people can unashamedly lie so blantantly and try to hurt others that are really saving these dogs.  This lady fails to state and she knows that Smoochie, the Bullmastiff she adopted, was originally given up to GG two years prior to her adoption and that Smoochie managed to be healthy and happy for two years of her life - at GG and in another adopters home when she was returned in October of 2006 because of changes in the adopters life and still a perfect  happy loving dog - and she had been at GG again for another 5 months still happy and healthy since being returned and before Courtnay Reeder adopted her. 

Clearly she was doing GREAT at GG.  Here is the info that Tracy Ward gave me so you can see how well they cared for her and how GG is NOT the cause of what happened to Smoochie. Courtnay Reeder wrote to Tracy Ward saying that Smoochie was "PERFECT" after Smoochie had been there for a week.  So clearly what ever has happened to Smoochie, she was not that way on the day they adopted her as you can see from her letter and pictures and we know that she was not that way a week after the adoption as you can also see from the letter and photos and you can also see that she was happy and healthy with GG and with another Adopter for two years!!!! 

Smoochie would likely still be happy and alive if she had never left GG, a place she did great at. You can see below several videos showing Smoochie and all the other healthy happy dogs for adoption at GG. Clearly Courtnay Reeder is not telling the whole story.  Below you will see the facts about this happy Bullmastiff and her history with GG and how well she was cared for and treated there including photos, videos, and actual medical records showing her great care at GG. 

Whatever happened to this dog, GG was never informed there was a problem, GG is certainly NOT at fault and Tracy Ward had not seen this write up and was crying when I told her, she was so devastated by what these people have done.  She told me about the great letter she had gotten a week after the adoption saying that Smoochie was "PERFECT" as she and everyone who met her already knew, and wished she would have been able to have had GG's expert vets save Smoochie. In Courtnay Reeder's own words, she stated (and you can see her email above) "What can I say about Smoochie that you don't already know? SHE'S PERFECT!"

It is so sad that bad people can take a dog that was rescued TWO YEARS AGO and doing great, and not even inform the person who saved it and spent thousands of dollars on this dog and loved her for years. Instead of asking for help to fix whatever happened to Smoochie, as Tracy told me that GG offers to do for every dog, and instead of giving GG the right to save Smoochie, and was in fact required in the GG adoption agreement, Courtnay Reeder chose to falsely blame them for something that happened in Courtnay Reeder's own home.  Courtnay Reeder signed the GG adoption agreement which specifically stated that if Smoochie were ever to become ill, GG was required to be informed and GG had the right to save her.  Not only did Courtnay Reeder never inform GG that anything was wrong, they completely violated the agreement and caused Smoochie to die by never giving GG notice or the opportunity to try to save her (see underlined section of Adoption Agreement below).  You can read the full story and see the Adoption Agreement and all medical records showing that Smoochie was well cared for and even see the vet check and health certificate from a licensed veterinarian on the very day Smoochie went home showing she was healthy!

Smoochie was originally turned in to GG by her original owner with her exact birthday, so her age was known and her age was also exactly given to the adopter, Courtnay Reeder, on her Rabies and spay certificate. So when Courtnay Reeder writes in her false story that this dog was older than she was told, this is also untrue because her exact age was known from the start.  And Courtnay Reeder did NOT pay for Smoochie, she was adopted at no charge as you will soon see from the contract that is included for all to see.  All is a lie.  See all the real information below and wonder why people find the need to lie and sadly we wonder what really happened to this sweet dog.  I guess we will never know because they never informed GG.  Possibly she got sick or got into poison in Courtnay Reeder's home or maybe they gave her some of the recalled dog food and/or dog treats that has recently killed so many dogs and was big news right at the time she made this post - who knows whatever happened, but it happened while Smoochie was with Courtnay Reeder and in their home and now they are blaming the people who she did so great with for two years!!! How ridiculous is that!  Courtnay Reeder now says in her false story she is glad she had her for two weeks, I think it is unfortunate they took her at all - clearly Smoochie would be alive today if she was still at GG!!! And she would also likely be alive if GG had been informed that she got ill and had been given the chance to save her as was required and signed and agreed to by Courtnay Reeder in the Adoption Contract. Too sad!!! Courtnay Reader is clearly responsible for Smoochie's death, not Gentle Giants!!!

Whether Courtnay Reeder caused Smoochie's death intentionally or accidentally, it was clearly NOT the fault of GG who properly cared for her and kept her safe, healthy and happy for two years!!! Because GG was not given the chance to save Smoochie despite the fact that it was clearly stated and required by the signed adoption ageement, Courtnay Reeder is nothing more than a liar and a Dog Killer who can't keep her word, can't honor her own agreement, and who then cries for your sympathy. Don't feel sorry for Courtnay Reeder, feel sorry for Smoochie who is dead because of what Courtnay Reeder has done!!

Smoochie’s Information and Records:

The following is detailed information on Smoochie from Tracy Ward’s original notes followed by links for you to see all of Smoochie’s medical records, information about her, her adoption agreement, and photos and videos of her showing that she was completely healthy and happy at Gentle Giants until she went home and died under the questionable and possibly reckless care of Courtnay Reeder:

Smoochie arrived at Gentle Giants Rescue on May 3, 2005. She was an apricot Bullmastiff female, spayed, very young and very sweet.  She was born on June 1, 2003.  She was 1 year and 10 months old when her owner turned her in to GG because the owner was moving.  The owner went on and on about how incredible she was with kids and all other animals - their three year old child could even walk her around the dog park while holding her collar, she was so gentle! Smoochie is very playful here and has totally “rubber jowls” - as cute as a face can be! She is very quiet and lays down while kids play with her and she never knocks them over. She instantly loves all other dogs, she shares her toys with everyone, and she loves meeting people here at GG. Everyone thinks she looks like Jabba the Hut in orange and she brings a smile to everyone’s face.

Smoochie was vet checked and in great health on 7/12/2005, was updated on all shots, and received a rabies certificate. She was adopted and she was doing great, but the first adopter had a change in their life making them unable to keep her, and Smoochie came back a few months later with a swollen and infected leg, too. Vet Checked on 12/11/2005 and received antibiotics. “The physical exam uncovered no abnormalities. Smoochie was bright, alert and responsive, and free of visible ectoparasites. It was determined that “Smoochie had an ulcerated callus on her left leg.” Following numerous vet exams and ongoing treatment, her leg was healing nicely. She was adopted but needed a “going home” vet check.

She was vet checked again, and the vet determined that she was ready to go into her new home. Her leg was doing great on meds, and after being wrapped and put a buster collar on to make her leave it alone, her leg went back to normal and the vet said that she could go to her new home on 2/18/2006. Smoochie was renamed Maggie. Her adopter stated that she was doing wonderfully, and that she goes to work with her adopter and lays on her blanket with her toy. Everyone loves her. She walks everywhere and meets everyone and she is adored by everyone that meets her. She loves her toys and her many friends. Lot of wonderful photos were taken of her. Several months later, the adopter says she is having a vaginal problem. After an examination, a large tumor was found that had developed in her vaginal area. An operation was done by GG's specialist vet. The tumor was removed and she was hospitalized from 6/6/2007 through 6/16/2007. She was improving rapidly with medication. The adopter loves her and takes her everywhere.

Goes to work at spa with her, meets everyone. Adopter says she has one pill in the morning and one at night as prescribed by vet and has no leakage. Sends many photos, doing great and everyone is happy.

Smoochie arrived back 10/20/2006 because Adopter was pregnant and decided that she wanted to concentrate on her baby and gave back both dogs that she adopted from GG, though she said she loved them very much and both are wonderful dogs.

Smoochie was at GG again for almost 5 months meeting people, enjoying the other dogs, and doing great as can be seen below in videos that were taken of her just prior to being adopted by Courtnay Reeder (see videos below)

Smoochie was adopted 3/7/2007 by Courtnay Reeder and went home after being vet checked on that day and determined to be in good health.

Conclusion:

On the night she went home, GG had the adopters bring her to their vet for an additional vet check on their way home. She was once again vet checked and determined to be in good health before she went home. The adopters sent an email a week later saying that she was absolutely “PERFECT” and doing GREAT. She managed to be at GG and with another adopter since 5/3/2005 until 3/7/2007doing great - about two years of doing wonderfully and had a great home with the other adopter until the adopter could no longer keep her. Smoochie did not have a heart murmur at any time while she was at GG, as it was not found by three vets, one of which examined her on the night she went home and one of which who operated on her and definitely would have had to listen to and monitor her heart during the operation and this vet and the others all listened to her heart during the examination as well and not one found a heart murmur. So whatever happened to Smoochie certainly was caused in Courtnay Reeder's home. She managed to be healthy and happy at GG.

Smoochie can be seen in videos all over the GG website (see videos below). And the pictures and the email after this adoption show that Smoochie was perfect and happy, as stated by this adopter Courtnay Reeder, a week after the adoption. No vet needed to “guess” Smoochie’s age because her age was known. She was tuned in by her original owner when she first came to GG and her exact age was known and was told to the adopters at the time of adoption. She was stated to be 3 1/2 plus years at the time that Courtnay Reeder adopter her, as you can see on the Adoption Contract, and that is what she is. She was born June 1, 2003 as stated by her owners and she was exactly 3 years old on June 1 of 2006 and was 3 yrs 9 months old at the time of adoption as was told to her adopter and her adopter Courtnay Reeder was also given her rabies certificate also stating her age and that she was born 6/1/2003.

If another vet wants to guess that she was 5 yrs old, it still does not change the fact that she was 3 years and 9 months as per her owner's description and it still does not explain what happened to her when she was healthy for 3 years and nine months and was healthy and happy at GG and in the first adopters home since 5/3/2005, that is healthy for just about two years at GG and in the previous GG adopter’s home. So clearly something happened in this adopter Courtnay Reeder's home in that she was either exposed to something poisonous or who knows what. She was a young dog with a lifetime ahead of her. Even if she was 5 years old (which she was not, based on her original owner's representation), so what? That is still a young dog! GG has dogs for adoption that are all ages. You can see them playing in videos between puppy age right up to many 9, 10 and 12 year olds playing and just as happy. GG currently even has several 12 to 14 year olds for adoption that are happy and healthy and looking to find great homes. And the GG contract also states and was explained to Courtnay Reeder that; "Age and breed is an approximation based on owner information and Rescuer's experience and cannot specifically be guaranteed or relied upon as anything other than a best guess estimate." In this case, the owner was very specific about giving Smoochie's age and actual birth date.

Courtnay Reeder did not tell GG at any time that there was anything wrong with Smoochie. On the contrary, Courtnay Reeder as a fact for all to see in her own words told GG that Smoochie was perfect and doing great long after the adoption.

And GG spent thousands of dollars on Smoochie in the time she was there and Smoochie was cleared as healthy by three different vets. She had many blood tests done and was never put on thyroid medicine and was at a great weight for herself so did not show any signs of thyroid problems. A dog that managed to be happy and playful and healthy for almost two years at GG and in her other adopted home. But Courtnay Reeder's false posting did not give any answers about what really happened to Smoochie, only lies.

Tracy never told Courtnay Reeder that she shouldn't bring Smoochie to a vet. To the contrary, Tracy warns every adopter not to wait until a condition gets bad, that each adopter should take their adopted dog to a vet a the first sign of any illness, injury or physical problem. She encourages everyone to bring their dog to a vet immediately. It is a shame Smoochie could not have been examined by GG’s vet to see what really happened to her. But possibly she got into something toxic or was bitten by a poisonous spider - who knows, certainly can’t find out anything when people don’t give any information other than to blame others for what they themselves did wrong.

As a fact, Smoochie managed to have a wonderful life playing and meeting everyone at GG. Sadly whatever happened to Smoochie there at Courtnay Reeder's home clearly happened after the first week because all can see from the email sent after having her for a week she was doing as great as she had done since 5/3/2005 to 3/7/2007 at GG.

Too bad Smoochie didn’t stay a GG, she would likely still be alive and happy and playing with everyone to this day.  Don’t believe all the lies and BS these people are trying to fool us with! Tracy Ward is very nice and you can call her and she will answer all your questions. 

Just look at the page where you can see the bill for Smoochie’s operation below and you can even see a few other GG dogs who received medical care on this same bill and see just how much they spend on the great care they give all these dogs. You can see “daily totals in dollars” of vet bills from about $600.00 to $3,000.00 a day and more on just two pages of their very high vet bills. How many other rescues are paying daily totals of $3,000.00 and this is just one of the many vets that they use, sounds like pretty great care to me. Look and see they don’t spare any expense, they do whatever is necessary in caring for these dogs. It certainly looks like GG's dogs received very competent care.

In all of the videos as in the photos, she was healthy and happy at GG and in the home of another adopter for two years. Here are photos of her at GG and in her previous adopter’s home:

Below are links to videos with Smoochie and many of the other very healthy and happy gentle giants for adoption:

Smoochie 1: Morning Playtime at Gentle Giants Rescue (please allow 1-2 minutes loading time)

Smoochie 2: "Paris" Finally Speaks For The Camera (please allow 1-2 minutes loading time)