Have you been to a NC English Shepherd Gathering? If you have, chances are you already know Laree Shulman.
In 2008 a Lady from Hickory NC called me to talk about English Shepherds. Seems she had discovered the breed and wanted to know more. I told her to come to the NC Gathering and she took me up on the invitation!
We became friends fast, like we had known each other forever. She had horses — Icelandics and an Arab; I had Paints. We both loved to trail ride. She had been a long time breeder of Dobermans. I breed English Shepherds. Laree went on to become a breeder of English Shepherds and is now owned and loved by English Shepherds, Sophie, Scout and Ranger!
Laree showed up at her first ES gathering and immediately offered to help. I said, “Oh no! You are a guest!” She said, “LOOK! You need help. I am offering, now don’t be silly! Accept it!” … And I did! As they say the rest is history. Laree taught me a wonderful lesson: People want to help! Let them! Laree Shulman has been a major helper and partner in putting on the NC Gathering for many years. From selling raffle tickets, to being the trial secretary for the AHBA Trials, to any and everything in between, including dish washing!
One day in May 2014, Laree was out doing her job for a local vet with a big horse farm and passed out on the side of the road with Scout her English Shepherd beside her. Laree was seriously ill though just how ill was not apparent at the time. The doctors said she had pneumonia at first, but when her illness dragged on for months it became clear something else was going on. It turns out that Laree had a virus in her body and it damaged her heart, resulting in heart failure.
The news is not good. Laree is going in for surgery to have a heart pump implanted next week to keep her heart working. But Laree’s damage is such that she has been put on the Heart Transplant list at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, N.C. Laree does have health insurance — but as anyone can guess, this is going to be difficult at best. Her medication will cost $3000.00 a month over and above what the insurance covers.
Hoping to tap into the generosity of Laree’s many friends and the ES community, we have been planning some fundraisers to help with Laree’s health expenses. Since Laree has been such a big part of the NC Gatherings for the past several years, some of these fundraisers will take place there; others will be available online for anyone who would like to participate. All the proceeds from the special fundraising activities — which will include a 2015 ES calendar dedicated to Laree (featuring photos from NC gatherings), a custom designed “heart dog” t-shirt, and an auction and raffle at the gathering — will go to Laree. We would also love to collect stories, photos, and well-wishes from all of you, to give to Laree along with the financial support.
Now here is what I need you all to do…
(1) Send donations of items for the raffle and auction (which will take place October 12.)
(2) Purchase a t-shirt (or several shirts, you know you will wear them!) — we need to sell at least 50 shirts to use the Booster.com group. You will be provided with a link to Booster.com to order.
(3) Purchase our 2015 NC Gathering Calendar.
(4) Share your comments, photos, and fun memories so we can pull them together in a card/ collage (whatever seems best!) for Laree.
Let’s raise at least 3 months worth medicine costs! This is an ambitious goal but we can do it!! We have set up a “donate” link if you would like to make a cash donation. If you cannot attend and want to bid on items during the auction, we will gladly take bids by phone.
Please help our friend Laree get through this ordeal, and get back on her feet, able to go and do and maybe even herd again with her dogs!
