{"id":24351,"date":"2025-11-13T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/shelbyville\/?p=24351"},"modified":"2025-11-10T15:08:37","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T15:08:37","slug":"donna-clanton-new-destiny-dog-rescue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/shelbyville\/donna-clanton-new-destiny-dog-rescue\/","title":{"rendered":"Donna Clanton & New Destiny Dog Rescue: Best friends to \u2018man\u2019s best friend\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

HIS SIZE and gentle demeanor were those of a Labrador retriever, but the shape of his muzzle resembled a hound\u2019s. Like most of the dogs at New Destiny Dog Rescue (NDDR), he was a mystery. His coat was the shade of dark chocolate, and a bristly layer of white hair covered his eyebrows, oversized paws, and rounded chin. Severely undernourished, his ribs and backbone protruded from his midsection, and he had several lumps festering beneath his dingy fur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Temperatures last December hovered near freezing each night, but someone abandoned him on a country road in Bedford County to fend for himself. He was in rough shape. The place where his left eye used to be was shriveled and hollow, and due to cataracts, only a remnant of brown encircled what looked like a glazed marble inside his other eye. But there was more \u2014 oh, so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He had only three legs and had never been neutered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Christmas Day, NDDR took him in and named him William. Though someone had obviously abandoned and neglected him, the constant wagging of his tail proved he was still willing to be \u201cman\u2019s best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe was old \u2014 at least 10,\u201d co-founder of NDDR Donna Clanton said. \u201cHe was great with other dogs, and he was just a big lug. But somebody gave up on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why would they pay to have his leg amputated, but not care enough to have him neutered?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photography by Ashleigh Newnes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This and other questions plagued Clanton as she settled William into a portable building at the NDDR property on East Highland Avenue, affectionately dubbed \u201cHotel Bow Wow\u201d by the team of volunteers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got the biggest feet,\u201d Clanton chuckled. \u201cWe had him neutered at Northpoint Animal Hospital. After we had him for months and got him healthy, William was chosen by Albert\u2019s Dog Lounge. We met their vehicle in Murfreesboro, and they transported him to Wisconsin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NDDR was a temporary placement for \u201cSir William the Tri-paw\u2019d Wonder\u201d \u2014 as he is now lovingly referred to by the rescue in Wisconsin \u2014 but a very necessary pit stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clanton started NDDR alongside Kelly Skelton-Weise in 2016. She had previously helped open the Middle Tennessee Spay & Neuter Clinic to stop the overpopulation of unwanted cat and dog litters, but she longed to make an even greater difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wanted to start a rescue that just focused on Bedford County because we have so much need here. By focusing on a smaller area, we can see if we are gaining ground. We can make a positive impact right here within our own community,\u201d Clanton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photography by Ashleigh Newnes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One hundred percent of every donation to NDDR, along with the proceeds from items sold at the Upscale Indoor Yard Sale thrift store at 912 N. Main St., goes toward housing, transporting, and caring for dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One by one, the nonprofit purchased portable buildings. Kasey Cartwright Parsons worked out every detail, from finding the buildings to scheduling their arrival and lining up plumbers and electricians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s an office complete with doggy doors. One building houses older dogs such as Peter and Pops. These two were the first to settle in, so they named it \u201cPeter\u2019s Place.\u201d Though Peter has passed over the \u201cRainbow Bridge,\u201d Pops lounges in the climate-controlled interior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another building houses food donations, squeaky toys, fresh blankets, and other necessities. Volunteers visit twice daily to feed everyone and clean individual kennels, outdoor runs, and communal areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe needed a transition spot to house dogs while we wait for foster placements, locate their fur-ever families, or while we schedule transportation to an out-of-state rescue,\u201d Clanton said. \u201cJersey Shore Animal Center in Brick, New Jersey, was the first receiving rescue we partnered with. They have accepted dogs from NDDR since the beginning. We typically send dogs to them every two weeks. We are so thankful for this partnership that has been such a consistent help with the number of homeless dogs we deal with every week.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photography by Ashleigh Newnes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Our local animal shelters provide most of the dogs to NDDR. \u201cShelbyville Animal Care & Control and Bedford County Animal Control (BCAC) handle the legalities of how long an animal should be held according to the law. The BCAC performs tests and checks for heartworms, so they complete a lot of the initial vetting of the dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many times in life, we celebrate a victorious milestone while simultaneously grieving a profound loss. Clanton said, \u201cBrownie came to us at 6 months old in December 2022. He has been with us longer than any other rescued dog. After waiting nearly three years, he was officially adopted on Aug. 13. The night before, Marvell Jacob, who was one of our most dedicated volunteers, who most knew as the lady behind the counter at the thrift store, passed away, leaving behind five dearly loved rescues. All of which, we will find homes for.\u201d GN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can you help dogs like Sir William, Brownie, and Marvell Jacob\u2019s recently orphaned companions?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n