Area volunteer makes sure dogs are given quality homes

Vilonia resident Mary Dillaha Neiser may be dog's best friend especially to a breed that commonly weighs more than 100 pounds.

Her telephone number is often the first called when a new home is needed for a Great Dane. She, along with a handful of volunteers, operates the Arkansas Great Dane Rescue organization with pre-screened foster homes located around the area.

Prior to its formation, Neiser worked with many other organizations to rescue a variety of dogs. She was inspired, she said, to begin the Arkansas Great Dane Rescue after seeing an increasing number of the "gentle giants" being surrendered. However, she said, the cost prohibited her from being able to take care of many. She realized, she said, that she could do a lot more work with Great Danes with the enlistment of some volunteers focusing particularly on that breed.

On Jan. 1, 2004, Arkansas Great Dane Rescue incorporated on it's own, as a non-profit corporation. Currently, there are eight healthy Great Danes, either spayed or neutered, in foster homes awaiting adoption.

Neiser has owned several of the Danes. In fact, she currently owns two, Six and Ty. She's had Six, who is 9, since the dog was four or five months old. And, she was the dog's fifth owner.

"I don't know why," Neiser said. "She was perfect."

Large in stature, Neiser said, Great Danes are often very intimidating. However, once you get to know them, she concluded, they for the most part are big pussycats and generally get along well with all.

"Great Danes were born to be boar hunters," Neiser explained. "I don't know why. They are big chickens and lazy. There goal in life is to sleep."

Neiser has a special interest in educating others about their habits and special needs. It is her goal to make sure each surrendered Great Dane goes to a home where the owners are aware of the breeds' particular quirks and needs prior to adopting. She believes education may cut down on surrenders.

"I want the (potential) owners to know the dogs get up to 150 or so pounds and need to be kept inside," she offered. "Outside, they are like unsupervised teenagers. They do not fit well with the lifestyle of some people. It's not uncommon for Great Danes left outside to stop eating. They pine for their owners. They are very family oriented and need to interact with their family."

Placed in a permanent home that makes adequate provisions and provides some training for them, Neiser contends, they are the perfect pet.

In addition to spearheading the Dane rescue group, Neiser also is a part of SPOT (Saving Pets One At A Time) taking in all breeds of dogs, cats, birds, guinea pigs, snakes, ferrets, horses and "mostly any animal."

Currently, both the Great Dane Rescue and Spot are in need of foster homes, Neiser said, willing to provide a lot of love and socialization until permanent homes can be located. They are also in need of volunteers to serve in a variety of other capacities including to be drivers with their "Doggy Express," where they transport dogs to meet potential adoptees. Last week, Neiser was searching for a volunteer to transport a poodle to Texarkana. During the interview, she received a call from a man who had successfully transported a Scottie to Tulsa.

"This would be a great way for someone to help," she added.

Neiser's dreams are far reaching. Someday, she would like to spearhead an operation that provides a "retirement home" for dogs who's owners have passed away, coupled with an adoption center specializing in matching elderly pets with elderly humans. As well, she wants to operate a pet cemetery.

"You know dogs help people live longer and have better lifestyles," she concluded.

Neiser grew up in Little Rock. As a child, she loved animals. Self-described, she said, she was a "city girl with a country heart."

After she married, she moved to Washington where she lived in the suburbs of Seattle for about 20 years. While there, she became a "horseshoer" and worked in the profession for 15 years. While she enjoyed it, she said, there weren't many women in the profession and those who were didn't garner a lot of accolades.

"I never did tell my grandmother," she joked. "She wouldn't have understood."

Inquiring as to why she opted for that profession, she said she wanted a job that was flexible where she could home school her children. Working with horses, she also began rescuing horses that were in neglectful situations.

When she moved back to Arkansas her family included horses, dogs, cats and kids and, she said, she needed a house outside of a large city. That led her to a home in Vilonia where she has lived for about 12 years.

In Neiser's spare time, she works full-time selling advertising for the Spanish yellow pages. She has two sons, Evan, who is in nursing school and Damon, who is soon to be a UCA graduate.