Tehachapi News

German Shepherd Rescue owner hopes to rise from the ashes

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Like thousands of others dogs, 12-year-old Bailey had survived abuse and abandonment and was subsequently deemed “unsuitable for adoption” before she found sanctuary with Grace Konosky, 67, owner of German Shepherd Rescue.

Last week Bailey died from the injuries she received on April 25, when she ran back inside the flaming modular home where she once found safety and loyal companionship.

“It was a shock,” Konosky said. “She was doing okay, and then she just took a turn for the worse. She went into shock and her organs just shut down.”

Konosky received some comfort when Pawja, a 150-plus pound bear of a dog that she calls her “baby” was released from Tehachapi Veterinary Hospital last week.

Although Pawja’s injuries were more extensive than Bailey’s, he is doing much better, Konosky said, adding that, “he absolutely refuses” to let her re-bandage his burned paws.

Generous donations for the animal’s veterinary care have helped to offset some of the costs, Konosky said, but her outstanding bill for the two dogs’ care is still in the neighborhood of $10,000.

Although Konosky lost Bailey and her Cummings Valley home in the fire, she hasn’t lost her determination to rebuild the local German Shepherd rescue facility she and her animals have called home for the past seven years.

After the fire, Konosky relocated her surviving pets and 18 additional rescue dogs down to the Burbank area kennel she’s owned for 25 years with her daughter, Lyda Norris.

Konosky had planned to sell the Burbank facility this summer in order to provide a permanent Tehachapi sanctuary for more “unadoptable” dogs.

Rising from the ashes: Local developer clears debris

When Lloyd and Brad Sobel, owners of Sobel Development and Tehachapi’s Orchard Shopping Center heard about the fire at Konosky’s facility, they immediately decided to do what they could to help.

Years ago, Lloyd Sobel and his wife Diane adopted Jetta, a pure-black German Shepherd, from Konosky’s Burbank shelter. When they learned Konosky had opened a facility in Tehachapi, they began helping her with various construction projects and donations.

Over the last two weeks, the Sobels have provided a tractor and work crews to clear away the burnt wreckage.

The Sobels also enlisted the aid of Benz Sanitation, to provide trash bins for the disposal of several tons of burnt rubble.

“They’re wonderful,” Konosky said with audible emotion. “just wonderful...I’m just so grateful.”

Diane Sobel said she was saddened to see the house burned to the ground.

“She has done so much good work in German Shepherd Rescue,” Sobel said. “It was quite an experience getting to meet her and know her.”

The Sobels can empathize with Grace’s loss. Jetta recently died at almost 13 years old.

“She was a great dog,” Diane Sobel said. “She was abused and very skittish — afraid of people. She just needed some special TLC.”

Now that they’ve cleared away the debris, the Sobels are hoping others will help provide care for Grace — so she can return home with her dogs.

Seeking help all over

Tehachapi resident Elizabeth Sottile, a member of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, has posted Konosky’s story on the club’s Website, hoping to attract donations to help provide shelter for the woman who has dedicated her life to rescuing helpless animals.

She’s also submitted an application to the television show “Extreme Home Makeover,” on Konosky’s behalf.

“It seems that in order to be eligible you need one foot in the grave and another on a banana peel,” Sottile said adding, “But what do we have to lose!”

More than 1,000 applications are submitted each week, according to Konosky.

As she emptied supplies from a damaged shed steps away from the pile of ashes she once called home, Konosky remained upbeat.

“I’m sure things will turn out just fine,” she said. “Everything happens for a reason.”

How to help

For more information or to donate to the German Shepherd Rescue visit www.gsrescue.org or call (818) 558-7560. Donations to help cover the injured dogs’ veterinary expenses can be made at Tehachapi Veterinary Hospital, 20693 Woodford Tehachapi Rd.

Posted May 26, 2009; Volume 110 - No.7, print edition May 27, 2009