Lessons from an Odd Bird: Pearl: The Little Rescue Dog Who Made a Big Difference

In memory of Pearl Noble, November 2005 - April 5, 2021

This pic of Pearl was taken by Gary Horton at a GH Christmas parade. It was the headline on AL.com one year.

With the exception of the brief time between Charlie and Jack, I've always had a dog. Pearl, however, was my first rescue dog. Mine and Jason's first baby was Jack. A year later, we got Bruiser, aka Bee, to be Jack's buddy. Both of them came from the same breeder because we were ignorant about the importance of adopting versus shopping. I've blogged about this before, but Voice for the Animals started one day during a Government class I was teaching when a student was reading a newspaper story aloud about an abused dog. Although Jack and Bee had always lived lives of love and luxury, that dog's suffering started something in me that made me want to do all I could to change the lives of animals in need.

Pearl and her doxie brothers, Bee (L) and Jack (R)

A couple of years later, a coworker from the school mentioned above found a white dachshund on Dauphin Island with a note tied around her neck that said she was deaf and needed a home. I love all dogs and cats, but they knew I had two dachshunds and was into rescue, so they called me. It just so happened that I was going South that weekend to run an animal rescue race. The ladies from the school made arrangements for Pearl (named for her color and my great-grandmother) until I could pick her up. After the race, my dog-loving cousin, Cindy, and I drove to get her. That was December of 2009.

The note that Pearl was wearing when she was found, and our cousin Cindy with Pearl on the day of rescue

Since I was a teacher, this was during Christmas break. We took Pearl to the vet immediately. She tested positive for heartworms. Pearl had the most beautiful blue eyes, but the vet said that one had been damaged due to a hard lick on the head. We had her heartworms treated, had her spayed, and she was as good as new. Voice for the Animals and the Clarke County Animal Shelter Task Force were just getting underway at this time, and I took Pearl to every function possible. We participated in Christmas Parades and spoke to school children, Boys and Girls Clubs, civic organizations, and anywhere that would listen to us talk about being the voice for animals in need, spaying/neutering, and adopting/not shopping. I still see random people who call me "the dog lady" or "Pearl's Mom," both of which I love. Pearl has done so many cool things to be the voice for animals in need like being on the radio numerous times, going to Vacation Bible School, nursing homes, 5Ks, car shows, shelter shopping at Tractor Supply, and countless other appearances. I can't fail to mention that she loved to dress up. As soon as I dressed her, she knew she was going somewhere. She didn't just wag her tail, she wagged her whole body! She had necklaces, shirts, bandannas, jackets, vests, costumes, hats, you name it. Jack's girlfriend, Imogene, even gave her a real strand of pearls.

Pearl on school visits

Pearl made everyone feel special. It was like she was born for the job. She was such a good dog. She was calm, never barked during appearances (although she had gas sometimes, and pooped once, lol), and was gentle with everyone. When we visited schools and the kids were seated on the floor, she would literally walk from child to child, greeting each one, then move on to the next. It was if she had been trained. I did not train her to do that. She never acted tired or fussy.

Pearl went to VBS and got her own certificate, an appearance at the Jackson library summer program, participating in a 5K with me, and shopping for the shelter

Pearl not only befriended strangers in audiences, but she was part of our family. She and her brothers all have their ways and personalities. When my brother died, Jason lived in Louisiana. Jack, Bee, and Pearl were physically there for me during that time. They comforted me like no other, and that's just one example. She was my well-behaved side kick and nap buddy.

Pearl at school with me on the day before a race, at a race celebrating her rescue, Pearl kisses, Pearl with her dad, chilling at home in her Hawaiian hoodie

Eventually, one of her eyes changed. The vet said it had stopped functioning, therefore, had become a target for infection. We had it removed, but that did not slow her down one bit. In December of 2020, I could tell that she didn't feel well. I thought she was dying. I took her to the vet, expecting the worst. Fortunately, it was a few bad teeth. She had her teeth cleaned and a few bad ones pulled. In a couple of days, she was good to go.

Shopping for the shelter, and Pet Costume Contest at the nursing home- we were Slash and Axl and we won 1st place!

About six weeks ago, Pearl developed stomach issues. She stopped eating as much. We made several trips to the vet and took several medications. She was always cooperative, although she lost a lot of weight. Last week, she started eating more, which was very encouraging to me.

Radio appearance

Then, this weekend happened. Pearl stopped eating, but when she stopped drinking is what scared me. This was the first time she had stopped drinking. When she had the scare with her teeth, my friend Lisa prepared me. She told me that Pearl would let me know when it was time. Over the weekend, Pearl became weak and "floppy," as I described her. She wouldn't hold her head up. She also had a different look in her eye. Last night, I knew that she was dying. Our vet is a friend of mine, so I messaged her and made plans for today. I slept on the couch with Pearl, and held her. I held her a lot this morning, and she sat in my lap all the way to the vet. As much I as know I will miss her, I don't want her to suffer.

Pearl and me in a Christmas parade

I once read an article on social media written from a dog's perspective. It talks about a human not wanting to be present as the dog is euthanized, but the dog talks about all the love it gave the human and how the human is all it has. The dog says something like "you're my whole life, please stay with me." The staff at the clinic was very sweet and sympathetic. I was with Pearl the whole time, and they gave me time with her without my having to ask. This was on my way to work, so I will pick her up on my way home. We are going to bury her at home and make a nice gravesite that is Pearl-worthy.

What to wear?

I am sad, and I will miss her, but I am so proud of her. She represented needy animals with no voice. I have no way of knowing how many lives of humans she touched, but I saw her bring smiles to hundreds of faces. I hope that after hearing her story, that many people have chosen to adopt, not shop and to spay/neuter their pets. If Pearl had been able to speak last words, I know they would've been along the lines of how rescue pets are not flawed, they've just been let down by humans.