What It’s All About: The Story of Sir Remphrey

I was planning to write our next blog with a recap of the extremely successful event we hosted last Wednesday, September 16, but the anecdote that follows about a sweet dog in need is taking priority. Helping animals and their humans is what Jeannessa's Friends is all about! This story is one of many reasons that our inaugural event was so successful. Further details on that are forthcoming later this week. Late on the eve of Jeannessa’s Friends inaugural event, SNAP (The Spay Neuter Action Project) got a call from VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group). A Good Samaritan had brought in a sweet bully with injuries to his jaw that appeared to be old, unhealed wounds. He needed immediate medical attention and he had no tags and no microchip. Of course, they were ready to help this sweet boy, but they needed a rescue organization to commit to helping find a foster and eventually a permanent home, so they reached out to SNAP who agreed to step in for this pup. SNAP specializes in Shepherd breeds and has helped other kinds of dogs, but had never helped a bully. Getting this call at 10pm the night before our inaugural event when we would publicly announce SNAP as our first grant recipient, knowing Jeannessa’s love for bully breeds felt like a magical moment to the SNAP volunteer who received the call! When Robin from SNAP called me on my way to set up for the event to share the news of their new foster, I got teary-eyed chills. My heart tells me that Jeannessa’s energy somehow ushered this boy to the people she knew would help him. SNAP invited us to name him in Jeannessa’s honor and we landed on “Sir Remphrey.” Close to “Sir Humphrey” as Jeannessa called her sweet rescue, it’s almost re-Humphrey, with Remphrey’s primary meaning being “peaceful ruler.” Secondarily, “remp” points to a meaning of mending or repairing, appropriate for addressing this poor dog’s jaw, as well as “mending” the date of Sept 16 from one of tragedy to one of heart-centered action inspired by Jeannessa’s undying spirit. Remphrey is not quite out of the woods yet. He is being closely monitored by the vet team at VEG for the next week or so. After that, he will need a special foster who is able to tend to his post-op care and assess his needs in helping to find him a permanent home. Are you this special person? Let us know and we will connect you with SNAP. Beth, the SNAP volunteer who is currently caring for him, reports that he is a "perfect gentlemen" who patiently rests in his crate.

Helping animals like Remphrey is what we are all about! Every time Jeannessa’s Friends helps an animal get the care and love they need, her life and death matter. And whether you are a friend, volunteer, donor, or simply share these stories on your socials, you matter, too! You help us to do this important work that Jeannessa cared so deeply about! Thank you!