Liza Shannon McClure – Greeted last Wednesday at the Rainbow Bridge by packs of Pooches
Our condolences go out to Liza Shannon McClure’s family as she passed away last Wednesday, March 20, 2013 in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a passionate animal rescue advocate that directly and indirectly saved thousands of dogs over the years, and had a special spot in her heart from Italian Greyhounds. For those that do not know Shannon, as her friends called her, it is likely you read her writings or have been effected by her rescue efforts.
Shannon McClure’s story: She bought her first Italian Greyhound puppy from a local hobby breeder in 1992 and showed him in the AKC Conformation showing. She obtained her first rescue IG in 1997 when she came across a shell-shocked female from a backyard breeder. It was that experience in 1997 that led her to volunteer with a rescue in Missouri where she was exposed to the horrific conditions Italian Greyhounds are subjected to in mills. Only a year later, in 1998, she rescued a 10 year old from the pen of dogs waiting to be executed post mill auction. That dog was not only given a new lease on life but a name, Adeline. Adeline turned into Addie and aside from having a home, Addie was the reason behind Liza’s rescue – Addie’s Safehouse, a private IG rescue for discarded mill dogs.
Her love for the breed lived beyond her IG rescue, she shared her thoughts and feelings with the world when she put them down in writing. She was a published dog writer, co-founder for the IG Times breed magazine, received the Maxwell Award from the Dog Writer’s Association, and received the ASPCA’s Human Issues Award for her piece, ‘Touched by a Spaniel.’ She spearheaded fundraising efforts for the annual Biggie Iggie Auction for IGSA and IGCA/IGRF and was a charter member of the Mid Atlantic IG Club.
This is a poem Shannon wrote to her beloved mill rescue, Minnie Pearl, who crossed the rainbow bridge on January 17, 2002. Shannon wrote this when Minnie Pearl’s body started to fail, during the last two weeks of Minnie’s life, as she slept in Shannon’s lap.
“….over the last couple of weeks when I accepted the reality of this (her passing), Minnie and I sat together in the evenings and wrote “her poem”. It seemed important to me to think of all the special things about her while she was still here to remind me of them. I guess this was a way of pre-grieving, but I truly feel we wrote this together. So do not be sad – I know that Minnie is not sad. She felt like the luckiest girl in the world and she showed it in some way every single day. ” Shannon
In honor of her and all the incredible work she did, her family is asking any and all memorials be made to the Human Society of Memphis & Shelby County www.memphishumane.org.
May she rest in peace. Great woman…
I am deeply sorry to hear this. She was an inspiration to me. A pic of the Burger Nuns is on my fridge, to remind me why I got involved with IG Rescue. My sincere condolences to her family and her friends.
Good-bye Shannon, you did a lot of good. Condolences to her family.
It is with deep sadness that we mourn the passing of Shannon McClure. She was a pioneer in the rescue of puppy mill Italian Greyhounds and mentor to Theresa and me as we started National Mill Dog Rescue.
Her rescues Addie and Minnie were known as the Burger Nuns and were an inspiration to us. My little ones are named in honor of the Burger Nuns.
The Rainbow Bridge must be very joyous right now!
Though late to find this I also mourn the passing of this great woman. I remember the Burger Nuns and loved their pictures.
May we meet someday when all are joined.