Getting to Know the People of MABCR - Brooke Lowder
Brooke Lowder began volunteering for MABCR near the end of April this year. Sadly, for Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue, she is moving to Carmel, California. Brooke has been a true whirlwind volunteer and exemplifies exactly what a determined person can do in a short amount of time and will truly be missed.
Brooke is another example of age simply not mattering when it comes to making a difference in the world. Brooke was born in Palo Alto, California in 1980. She was adopted and grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2002, Brooke graduated from Haverford College with a double major in Sociology and Spanish. This past June, Brooke graduated from The Restaurant School of Philadelphia. Indeed, this as truly been a busy summer for Brooke: she also became a certified dog trainer, fostered five dogs for MABCR, is moving to California, and last but certainly not least Brooke is getting married September 18th! Truly a woman on the go!
Brooke shares her life with her fiancé Nick, who is a DJ in the Philadelphia area and her three dogs Sierra, Jupiter and Bandit. Sierra is a 20 month old American Eskimo who came into Brooke's life via Petfinder and a private rescuer in New Jersey. In a little over a year and a half Sierra has gone from a dog with submissive urination problems, afraid of everything and everyone, to a happy-go-lucky, well-adjusted dog. Jupiter is an 11 month old German Shepherd Dog who Brooke sheepishly admits was a pet store impulse purchase. Jupiter is a beautiful black and tan GSD who had double FHO surgery three months ago. After having both femoral heads removed, Jupiter is doing very well and recovering nicely. Bandit is a sweet little blue merle Border Collie who stole Brooke's heart while being fostered for MABCR!
One reason that Brooke purchased Jupiter is because of her Grandmother. Brooke's Grandmother always had German Shepherds and they were always well-behaved and lovely dogs. Her Grandmother was very involved in the Humane Society at her home in Winter Haven, Florida. Sadly Brooke's Grandmother suffers from Alzheimer's Disease and no longer has German Shepherds. She does have one small poodlemix who she just dotes on. Brooke's Grandmother has a nurse companion who cares for her and as a result of this kind woman, she has a very high quality of life. They travel together to see grandchildren (always bringing her dog along) and she is no longer on any medication. ItÕs easy to see that caring for dogs and animals runs strong in Brooke's family.
In addition to her Grandmother's influence, volunteering for a rescue appeals to Brooke because of her own adoption story. On this subject, Brooke says:
This is a little strange since I've never written the story. Being a southerner, we rely on oral tales! So forgive me if I digress...Basically, my birth mother found out she was pregnant at age 21. She knew she wanted to give me up for adoption, but didn't really know how to go about it. She found a man who was running a non-profit organization for pregnant women. This was 1980, right around when private adoption was becoming legal, but was still not very normal. He set her up with a place to stay, food to eat, and paid hospital bills. According to him, the family that was going to adopt me would provide all of this for her. My parents were one of those families.
Late into the pregnancy, the police department began to suspect foul play. My parents had already been called and told that there were some other couples basically "bidding" on me. My father flew out to California with his lawyer to try and resolve the situation. My mother, understandably, couldn't make the trip because she was heartbroken. They had waited six years to have a child, and were on a public adoption waiting list, which added another six years to the wait. They tried to work it all out, and the police department was closing in. My birth mother had no idea what was going on, however, the man told her that once I was born, she should put me on a plane to Canada. That's when Interpol got involved. One policewoman was in charge of the case. After my father met with my birth mother, my birth mother told the female officer that it was between my family and another family in Texas. She said she wanted me to go into a religious family, and wanted me to be their first child. The officer made the decision, and chose my family.
On another interesting note, I just found out a couple of years ago that I was a month late, and they had to induce labor twice before I was born. With all the questions people have about life; where would I be if I hadn't taken this job, gone to this school, been in this place at this time, it's always been a huge question for me. What would have happened if I had been born on time? If the female officer hadn't chosen my family?... Something to ponder.
So we can all understand why the idea of rescuing a human or dog, nurturing them and giving them a family of their own is something Brooke strongly believes in. She sees human adoption as a form of rescue. Truly a correlation I had not noted before speaking with Brooke but one that makes perfect sense.
At age 24, Brooke has made a lasting impact on Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue and she should serve as an inspiration to us all. When I commented on how impressed I am with the many tasks she completes for MABCR, Brooke replied sheÕs looked at MABCR as her summer job since she's currently unemployed until she moves out to California. She certainly made me think about the college students I work with and the children of neighbors of mine. You can bet I will encourage them to get involved in their choice cause because they can make a difference. Brooke is proof of that.
On a lighter note, when asked which she prefers, raw bones or rawhide, Brooke hesitated and then replied with utmost certainty rawhide. As for what St. Peter will say to her when she reaches the pearly gates, Brooke gave the question some serious thought. She went on to explain that sheÕs an amateur Buddhist and believes in Karma and reincarnation, another reason she decided to get involved in rescue. To quote Brooke: "Who knows, perhaps I was a rescue in a past life, dog or human, because I know I definitely was one in this life." A very thoughtful, serious answer to my rather light-hearted question.
Finally, what would Brooke like to see happen to MABCR? Again, Brooke provided me with a very thoughtful answer, one that belies her youth. Brooke wants MABCR to expand. She would like MABCR's good deeds influence others to perform similarly, not just stop at adoption or the occasional phone interview. Brooke would like to see the people who adopt from MABCR be inspired to give back to the organization that gave them the Òfurry love of their life." And finally, one last quote from Brooke: "I love this organization and think you all do such wonderful things. Keep up the good deeds." Well Brooke, this organization loves you too and we all wish you well as you follow your chosen path through life. You will live on in MABCR's memory and we do hope youÕll come home and visit occasionally. Good luck Brooke, you will be missed.
Related links:
- Haverford College: http://www.haverford.edu/
- American Eskimo: http://www.eskiesonline.com/
- Petfinder: http://www.petfinder.com/
- German Shepherd Dog: http://www.gsdca.org/
- FHO: http://www.vmth.ucdavis.edu/vmth/clientinfo/info/saortho/fhofaq.shtml
- Humane Society of Winter Haven, FL: http://www.hsus.org/ace/352
- Winter Haven, Florida: http://www.winterhavenfl.com/content/
- AlzheimerÕs Disease: http://www.alz.org/
- Buddhism: http://www.buddhanet.net/
- Fearing-Lowder Medical Fund: http://www.mabcr.org/fearinglowderfund.htm
Sarah Fisher, MABCR Biographer
