The story of Ode –
Open Heart, Brave Spirit
by Marilou Chanrasmi
In mid-July Pet Haven received a request from Karen Good of Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue (to learn more about Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue visit their blog). On July 8, a puppy was found wandering near a baseball field in Redby, Minnesota and was taken to the shelter by a local resident. The shelter's director took the puppy to a veterinarian, who treated her for burns on her ears. The burns were so severe that the puppy's ears flaked off. She also sustained burns to the top of her head and her whiskers. The puppy was named "Ode" (pronounced ‘Oday’) for "heart" in the Ojibwa language of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians.
On July 19th, Ode was transported from Red Lake to the Twin Cities and taken into Pet Haven’s foster program 
where she spent a week at a vet clinic being checked out, vetted and pampered by the staff at the clinic – like everyone else who encounters this puppy, they fell hopelessly in love with this gentle spirit. How could a puppy who had endured so much pain be so loving? How could a puppy whose ears had been intentionally burned – the subject of such inhumane torture - then left to fend for herself, learn to trust again so quickly?
On July 23rd, as I met a couple other Pet Haven volunteers at the vet clinic to pay Ode a visit and to take photos, I learned just how incredibly resilient, loving, brave and compassionate the spirit was of this 12 week old puppy. She came prancing out from the back of the clinic, with her tail up high, wagging and ready to go for a walk, only to stop momentarily at the front desk in hopes of getting some treats! In the 3 
short days she had been at the clinic, she had touched the hearts of the staff at the clinic. Just two weeks prior, her ears had been set on fire. If not for the physical injury I would have never known she had endured such a horrific experience. Even now, one month later, I feel a knot in my stomach as I imagine the pain, the sense of hopelessness, the fear that must’ve been in her heart. I imagine myself in her place, and I imagine myself two weeks later. I wonder, could I be, even just a fraction, as loving, as forgiving, as compassionate, as brave as this 12 week old puppy?
On July 25th Ode went to the loving foster home of Mary and Tino, Pet Haven puppy fosters. Ode went to her foster home along with another cute little black puppy, Eve, who arrived on the same transport from Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue. Foster mom shared the following after one day of fostering Ode and Eve:
"Who put the batteries in Eve? She was shy for about five seconds. Once she got in the backyard she ran around like crazy chasing Gracie [one of Mary's dogs] and wrestling with Ode. I was trying to water my plants and she got under the stream, getting herself all wet. Then she jumped into the pool and splashed around. She finally passed out after about an hour.
Ode is a bundle of energy. She runs, grabs tennis balls and ropes, tosses them into the air and catches them. She already is pretty good at playing fetch. Ode also loves to get her paws wet in the pool and bite and any bugs that have had the misfortune of falling in. I shared my Popsicle with Ode and she was in heaven. Notice the blue tongue?
The first few days came with some of its usual challenges as the pups started to challenge each other and get into fights, and Ode began displaying some resource guarding with food and foster mom’s attention. We immediately asked Maureen of Canine Coach to visit with Ode and Eve and ensure that we quickly nipped any negative behaviors at their puppy stages. Mary has done a tremendous job of establishing herself as the leader of the pack, socializing the pups, setting boundaries and exposing them to all kinds of critters (they moved into a foster home with 3 dogs, 3 cats and 1 guinea pig), 3 teenage kids, adults, as well as car rides and a plethora of new sounds, from lawnmowers to vacuums to screaming kids!
Ode and her foster sister Eve became best friends and went everywhere with foster mom – drive in theatres, art fairs, errands. They also participated in Pet Haven outreach events to help get the word out about Pet Haven. Everywhere they went, everyone stopped to pet them and ask questions. For volunteer and foster mom Mary, it was great opportunity to tell them about Pet Haven and share Ode’s story. The immediate response is often 
anger at the abuser. Instead of retaliating with anger at the individual who has committed such a violent act, we would like for Ode to stand for hope, forgiveness, compassion .. only by having an open heart and a brave spirit like Ode, will we be able to break the cycle of abuse.
Mary has done a wonderful job representing Pet Haven and caring for Ode. She recently shared the following:
When children see Ode they ask, "What happened to her ears"? I tell the truth, saying someone hurt her. This is always followed by the inevitable "Why"?
What do you say to a child? This has been plaguing me and keeping me awake at night. How much do you say or not say? Do I shrug my shoulders and walk away? We want to protect our children from the world's harsh reality. Nevertheless, knowledge is power and the story of Ode can teach our children the importance of talking through our problems.
I have come up with an analogy:
Say your dad comes home from work and he is very grumpy. He grumbles, glares, and snaps at your mom. Now your mom is angry and hurt. She turns to you and yells that your room is a mess and go clean it. You did not do anything and now you are in trouble. You stomp off to your room very angry. In wanders your dog or cat and wants your attention. You are angry and don't feel like playing. Your pet doesn't understand and keeps pushing their head under your hand. Suddenly you blow up yelling at your pet and kick them. Your animal friend runs out of the room scared and hurt. As you calm down you start to feel bad knowing your pet didn't deserve that.
What if there was something more going on in your life? What if you were depressed and angry and felt no one cared. This is what happened to Ode. Someone was hurting so bad inside he or she took it out on a little dog. You know you would never do such a thing but maybe you can understand and be a little compassionate towards Ode's attacker.
Next time you are angry try taking a deep breath and counting to ten. Read a book. Run around the block. When you are calm talk to someone like your mom, dad, teacher or best friend. If we all took a little time to work through our anger then animals like Ode would not get hurt.”
Ode has also touched the heart of local artist Jessie Marianiello of Stray Dog Arts. After hearing about Ode’s story Jessie pledged to help make a difference in the lives of abused, abandoned and neglected animals. She has donated a painting of Ode to Pet Haven’s Fall Benefit silent auction. She shares the following on the Stray Dog Arts blog.
How One Dog Changed Everything
for Stray Dog Arts…
The first time I heard Ode’s story was on July 21st, 2008. Ode, pronounced "O-Day," is Ojibwa for "heart"—and full of heart, she is! At 12 weeks old, Ode was found wandering with both of her ears burned off, scared, and in pain. Since that day, she has made an incredible recovery—not only physically, but emotionally as well. Because of Red Lake Rosie’s Rescue, Pet Haven, and an incredible foster family, Ode has been given a second chance.
Ode is a brave spirit—one of the bravest I 
have ever known. So brave, in fact, that she changes every single person who comes in contact with her. Myself included. She is, after all, the one responsible for altering the mission of Stray Dog Arts.
Painting animals has led me home (home, that is, to my truest self), but Ode is the one who opened up the heart of this home in a way that I was unable to imagine before her. Ode has opened up doors and windows and friendships and opportunities that have led me to an even deeper sense of satisfaction, hope, and meaningfulness in the work I do as an artist. For this, I am forever grateful. This little pup, who was horrifically abused 
and then abandoned, has opened up my eyes to a whole new way of being. If there are angels on earth, then Ode is surely one of the most high-spirited among them. Sweet Ode, what an incredible teacher she is.
Dear Ode,
Thank you for breaking me open.
Thank you for sparking an entire world of possibility.
Thank you for leading me to Eve (your foster-sister who I am adopting because of you!).
Thank you for showing me that everything is possible.
Thank you for connecting me with Pet Haven and convincing me to take the leap.
Thank you for your rambunctious, bubble-loving energy.
Thank you for showing me that there is always hope.
Thank you for teaching me the importance of letting go.
Thank you for being a living example of bravery.
Thank you for changing the world, just by being you.
Thank you for teaching me how each of us is capable of making the world a better place, simply by living our truth.
Thank you for helping me get over my own self-doubts and fears.
Thank you for showing me another way of seeing.
Thank you for leading me to endeavors that support me—inside and out.
Thank you for being an inspiration.
Thank you for playing ball with me and jumping on me and showing me how you can run.
Thank you for helping me to be a better person.
Thank you for bringing me to this place of open-hearted love.
Thank you for showing me that anything is possible when you BELIEVE.
Thank you for changing my life.
Ode, I love you.
Your friend forever,
Jessie Marianiello
Not only has Ode taught so many of us about loving, living, playing, forgiving, compassion, letting go and hope, but she is bringing a community together. Ode is truly an open-heart and brave spirit. Somehow, in my heart, when I took photos of this brave spirit the first day I met her, back on July 23rd, something inside of me knew she was going to give back more to all of us, than we could ever give to her.
You can meet Ode at our upcoming Fall Benefit as she will be a special guest in our fashion show and will be walked by Dana, Director of Operations for Chuck and Don’s who is personally sponsoring Ode and paying for all of her food, supplies, toys and treats.
You can follow along on her story as we post updates on our dog blog.
Ode is a testament, and a reminder to us, on how love and hope can, and will, prevail. She is one of many reasons we must continue to be a voice for the abandoned, abused and neglected animals.