Zena - The Warrior Princess
Zena - The Warrior Princess - is a story of resilience, compassion, and the difference one can make when one refuses to look away.
I have been working on my Fur Heaven's Sake & Furbay animal charity foundation for several years, and I was almost ready to launch last year in 2024. But before I could do that, I was given an opportunity to help save and rescue a Siberian Husky. Her name is Zena, and her story shows how Fur Heaven's Sake & Furbay can rescue animals like her. Because sadly, they are in every community.
Zena was obtained as a "free puppy" from a relative of her owner in exchange for a favor. I've lived long enough to know that nothing is truly free. Zena's owner had never had a dog or pet before and had no idea how to care for her. When something is free, people often place little value on it.
And so I watched Zena from my home office window, confined to her cage across the street, for over a year. Repeated attempts to purchase her from our neighbor were refused. Neglected, fed only when convenient, and left in the blazing sun and freezing winters, her owners had given Zena only an igloo doghouse for shelter. She watched other neighbors walk their dogs, throw toys, and enjoy time with their pets. Zena couldn't understand why no one came for her or asked her to play.
In her isolated chain-link cage, they eventually gave her some bales of straw to climb on to see more of the outside world she longed for. Seeing her pacing back and forth, waiting for love and attention—from her owners or anyone broke my heart. We took her food and gave her as much affection as possible in the short time we would spend with her. I hoped she felt the love we tried to show her.
It is tough to enjoy your day and focus on your work when you're watching an animal suffer from abuse and neglect right outside your window. Zena's home was not in a poor neighborhood by any means—these were comfortable homes on one-acre lots. Her suffering stemmed from her owners' ignorance about caring for a dog. They didn't understand that a pet is part of the family and comes with a promise of care, regardless of whether it was free or purchased.
As animal lovers, advocates, and charities, we must make a difference in their lives. Thankfully, we have angels of mercy who do just that—but they need our help! That is the very purpose of Fur Heaven's Sake & Furbay. By design or chance, Zena became the first rescue Furbay would support. Saving Zena cost one thousand dollars. As a disabled veteran, I am not rich by any means, but I would be far poorer if I had done nothing to save her. It turns out that it was the best thousand dollars I have ever spent.
Again, I offered her owner $500 to purchase Zena. I thought it would be enough since he had paid nothing for her. But he said his two young daughters wanted to keep Zena, even if it meant enduring the cage, heat, and snow. They were too young to understand the care Zena needed. I kept trying to convince them to sell Zena to me so I could find her a good home. Finally, they agreed.
As I said, Fur Heaven's Sake & Furbay was created to "Help Others Help Them." I see countless posts asking for money to save, rescue, or rehome animals and to cover medical bills. I admire all these efforts—the time, emotional courage, and financial support people invest are inspiring. But I believe there has to be a better way to support all of us who want to help animals.
Zena now has a backyard to run in, play in, and enjoy the company of people who love her. At first, she didn't know how to act, but seeing her explore and experience room to run, the grass beneath her feet, and playmates to play with! Those moments reward us for helping them live a better life. I believe saving animals is ‘our finest hour.’
Furbay found Zena a new home through the Texas Siberian Husky Rescue Foundation. Today, she has a loving furever home with one of the charity's directors and other Husky playmates for the first time. That is what Fur Heaven's Sake & Furbay are all about..."Helping You Help Them."
Zena is Furbay's first rescue, but she won't be the last. Fur Heaven's Sake & Furbay is here to help us all make a difference in the lives of animals who need us most.
To experience your ‘finest hour,’ please donate to Furbay using the link below. We are selecting animal charities or advocates to submit their stories or projects for which they need funding to Furbay. Your donations will be sent to the charity or project of your choice.
Thank you for supporting Furbay, and feel free to submit an animal charity or project in your community! We will do our best to help!
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