Gideon's Story

Pomelo Gideon’s story began before the auction in Missouri on November 22, 2014. It began in the middle of the night at a small UK vet practice with an emergency C-section and a devoted Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) breeder, Maggie Dawson, on November 24, 2007.

Maggie Dawson, a well-known and respected breeder of CKCS welcomed Gideon and his 4 sisters into the world with their dam, Saskia on that night. UK and US breeders breed and share their dogs carefully to improve and strengthen the health of the breed they know well and love. These types of breeders not only love their breed and their dogs – they view themselves as stewards of their breeds with extensive health testing and planning towards producing CKCS with the best loving, spirited temperaments and with as few genetic health issues as possible. These stewards place their puppies with careful consideration and with the contractual caveat that that puppy will have a home back with the breeder for its entire life regardless of the situation. These stewards are not showing and breeding to make money – in fact with the extensive investment necessary for breeding, health testing, and birthing –they are often fortunate to break even financially.

In April of 2008, Maggie Dawson placed Pomelo Gideon, after extensive due diligence, with a well-known and respected US CKCS AKC Breeder, Terri Taylor Easterbrooks. She sold him with full registration – with the agreement that Terri would respectfully continue o withthe Pomelo's bloodline as a part of her careful breeding program.

Here is the rest of the story from Maggie ...

I was impressed by her request as she was keen to improve the health of her stock and she knew that both Gideon's sire and dam were heart, eye and MRI scanned and were clear. I checked her web site and contacted other breeders on there who had supplied her with pups and was told all was well and it was OK to let her have a puppy from me here in the UK. A friend of mine was also sending a puppy to her at the same time so I relented and said she could purchase Gideon at a cost of £1,000. All my puppies are sold with a contract as standard and one of the clauses in the contract is that I am to be notified if they no longer want the dog and I will either have the dog back or help to find the dog a suitable home.Everything was handled for his safe transport through Sky Dogs and they collected Gideon and transported him to the USA along with my friends puppy in April of 2008.

I kept in contact with Ms Easterbrooks over the years and then in 2012 the communication between Maggie and Terri mysteriously stopped. Maggie credited this to changes in Terri’s life – a marriage and reported health issues – but nothing to cause alarm.

In November 2014, however, Maggie did become alarmed when she learned that Terri’s situation had deteriorated to the point that she was drastically reducing her kennel through a USDA-sanctioned auction in Missouri. This auction included her Saskia’s Pomelo Gideon. To her horror she was unable to make contact with Terri to return Gideon to her.

"Imagine my horror to get a private message from someone in November 2014 asking if I knew a dog with my affix (Pomelo) was listed in an auction to take place in Missouri on Nov 22^nd2014. I was in complete shock. Living in the UK I had never heard of dogs being auctioned off. I checked the auction site and there he was Pomelo Gideon.

I contacted Ms Easterbrooks and got no reply. I contacted the auction house and asked to purchase him but was refused. Friends from Kansas, who I have known for 15 years and have visited, offered to go to the auction on my behalf and bid for him. This was a wonderful thing for them to offer to do for me. I sent them £1,000 and hoped that would be enough to purchase a 7 year old dog. Another American friend sent $1,000 towards his purchase. I then noticed on facebook a gofundme request had been put out for donations to purchase all the Cavaliers in the auction and it was run by Brittney Wilks. It claimed they were volunteers and they would be at the auction to bid for the dogs which would then be handed over to CR-USA. I posted my story about Gideon on my facebook page and the donations poured in from all over the UK and Europe in response to my story. I contacted the volunteers for all the rescue groups attending the auction and asked them to please not bid on Pomelo Gideon as my friends would be there bidding for him on my behalf. They acknowledged that they knew about my friends and I was not to worry.

My friends travelled from Kansas to Missouri the day before the auction so they would be there early in the morning. We were keeping in touch via facebook and I think many were following the unfolding story I was posting on there. My friends were told they could not take cameras or mobile phones into the auction with them and they didn't. They came out several times to keep me updated and said they had seen Gideon. They were very upset to see him in there. They were also carrying a letter from my American attorney making them my agent and Carolyn Stigler president of CR-USA was well aware of this. They never got to produce this because of the hostility shown to them by Angie Ingram.

I was waiting to hear that they had got him but was horrified to hear that one of the volunteers Angie Ingram bid against them for Gideon. They went as high as $4,200 and had to stop because they said they could see she wouldn't at any cost. The auctioneer was claiming that Ms Easterbrooks had paid $40,000 for Gideon which was an outright lie. What my friends didn't know at the time was that my attorney would have told them to carry on bidding whatever the cost if they had been able to take a cell phone in with them. Angie Ingram had sent me a private message on facebook prior to the auction, saying she knew about my friends being there and I was not to worry they were all working together. The volunteers all had a spread sheet given to them and it clearly states on that spread sheet that my friends would be there bidding for Gideon. Towards the end of the auction the money was running out so another plea went out for more money to be deposited into Angie Ingram's private pay pal account. Again everyone emptied their pockets and almost $80,000 was paid into her account in a matter of minutes. The last 2 dogs were purchased from Amish people who had won the previous bids and a total of $20,000 was paid for them and those 2 most expensive dogs were kept for Angie Ingram and her friend Crys Carnes. Brittney Wilk also pre-ordered a dog for herself before the auction and that one was purchased by Angie Ingram for over $4,000 which was paid for by donations not by Brittney Wilks herself.

My friends offered the volunteers money for Gideon after the auction but it was refused.They drove off but returned again to see what they could do to retrieve Gideon in accord with the Birmingham rescue rules of operation. They even spoke directly with Brittney Wilk by phone shortly after the auction, under the assumption that she was in Alabama.They told her that they were at the auction representing Maggie Dawson, Gideon’s breeder, with the sole purpose of rescuing one dog – Gideon.My friends offered to foster Gideon and have him undergo all health-related requirements that Birmingham rescue deemed necessary, including neutering.Wilks told them that it was an absolute necessity that all dogs had to return to Birmingham to be temporarily fostered during surgeries and recoveries that could take several weeks.Ms Wilk then suggested that my friends fill out an adoption form and they would be told when he was ready to be collected. Brittney Wilk was very optimistic about my friends’ adoption prospects during the call; however, later she rejected their adoption application on the grounds that they didn't have another Cavalier and lived too far away. He was placed in the care of Mandy Markham Johnson as a foster dog and she decided she wanted to keep him. I have seen pictures of him dressed up in the most stupid outfits, seen his head forced through a cardboard box lid gift wrapped like a present and been pushed around in a bumpy shopping cart with the comment “he will get used to it” She has also taken him to an obedience class where he vomited on arrival and stated that he had been 'puny' all day.

I contacted CR-USA and complained bitterly. They had accepted my friends application to adopt Gideon and thought it was definitely the best home for him. The then CR-USA coordinator in Alabama Lisa Thompson was instructed by Carolyn Stigler president of CR-USA to take Gideon from Mandy Markham Johnson and hand him over to my friends. When I got the phone call from Carolyn Stigler I phoned my friends to tell them of the boards decision. They promptly got into their car which was ready packed and fuelled up for the trip, and took off to Alabama. A while later I got another call to say Mandy was not going to hand him over so I had to contact my friends and tell them to turn back. This was the decision of the board of CR-USAand Mandy refused. Another breeder who went to the auction and was bid against was offered her dogs back once they had been neutered/spayed.

Since then Brittney Wilk, Lisa Thompson were asked to leave CR-USA because of this and other things that were not acceptable. I now have an attorney working on this for me and just hope to get Gideon to my friends where I know he will be loved, treated well and I can go and visit him.

The majority of people who donated to the gofundme request by Brittney Wilk in response to Gideon's story, are now demanding their donations be refunded. Several have contacted Angie Ingram for their donations they made to her cell phone via pay pal to be refunded as it seems to them that they donated money for her to buy dogs for herself, her friends and family."

(CR-USA ) Cavalier Rescue-USA. It used to be the rescue arm for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel club, the original club for showing and registering Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. They were separated several years ago but many still view them as associated with the club and their first action whenever a dog comes into rescue is to contact the breeder to ensure they are given the opportunity to collect and place their dog as they wish.

Gideon's Story Background and Q & A

Background

What you have just read is the story of Maggie Dawson’s ongoing struggle to have Pomelo Gideon returned to her. Ms. Dawson is Gideon’s rightful owner.

Once it became public knowledge Gideon’s TEMPORARY foster family had no intention of returning him to Ms. Dawson…as was ordered by the Executive Director of Cavalier Rescue, USA, (CR-USA,) there was outrage from people all over the world who had donated large sums of money in honor of Gideon’s story in the hopes Ms. Dawson would be reunited with him. Many people have sought answers to the lingering questions regarding Gideon and the actions of the PRIVATE SOCIAL GROUP, Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham and have implored and begged these very people for answers. Only vague and implausible explanations have been offered, if offered at all. Therefore, in an effort to share what we have learned, we have compiled of list of questions with answers when they are known.

Nearly 5 months after the November, 2014 auction, the effort to return Gideon to Ms. Dawson continues.

In 2014, members of a private social group, The Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham made public allegations that a breeder of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in Lineville, Alabama was operating a “Puppy Mill”. This group alleged the dogs were living in substandard conditions and many had serious health issues.

This group attempted to persuade Terri Taylor Easterbrooks, owner of Rock Cliff Farms to cease her breeding operation. She refused, and in November, 2014 sent the dogs to auction. When members of this group learned the dogs would be going to auction, they initiated a fundraising effort through GoFundMe in order to raise money to attend the auction and buy as many dogs as possible. They stated ALL dogs purchased would be turned over to Cavalier Rescue, USA. Although this group was acting as a group of private citizens, they stated they were organizing and working cooperatively with Cavalier Rescue, USA. Two Members of this private group were at that time the Alabama Coordinators for Cavalier Rescue, USA.

Q & A

Q. Was Terri Taylor Easterbrooks of Rock Cliff Farms ever charged by authorities with abuse or neglect of her dogs?

A. No. Per members of the private social group, The Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham via postings on GoFundMe and their Facebook page, which members were asked to publicly share, as well as several media articles, members of this group contacted Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Clay County District Attorney’s Office in Alabama. Investigations were conducted by law enforcement and no charges were filed. (Reference: GoFundMe, Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham, media articles)

Q. Did members of the private social group, The Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham state via the GoFundMe Page initiated by Brittney Wilk that ALL dogs purchased at the auction by their group would be turned over to Cavalier Rescue, USA?

A. Yes (Reference: GoFundMe Page)

Q. Did Angie Ingram, a member of the private social group group, The Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham who was also the person bidding for said group at auction communicate in an email/private message to Maggie Dawson prior to the auction she was aware of Gideon’s story and circumstances and not to worry; the groups would not compete against each other and all were coordinating together?

A. Yes (Reference: Ms. Dawson has this statement in writing from Angie Ingram dated 11-16-14, 6 days prior to auction)

Q. Did the other members of the private social group, The Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham who went to auction, as well as Cavalier Rescue, USA also have knowledge of Ms. Dawson’s and Gideon’s story and her wishes for Gideon?

A. Yes (Reference: Ms. Dawson has written communication from Angie Ingram, Carolyn Stigler and Brittney Wilk, and Lisa Thompson There was also communication between Lisa Swoboda, a representative with The Rescue Trust and Crys Carnes, one of the members of the private Birmingham social group)

Q. Did Brittney Wilk communicate via email/private message on 11-22-14 immediately after the auction to the Executive Director of CR-USA , that her group was in possession of Gideon, that she was aware Gideon already had a forever home with Ms. Dawson’s friends in Kansas and that he would be well cared for while in temporary foster care until Ms. Dawson’s friends from Kansas could arrange to travel to Alabama to take him home?
A. Yes (Reference: Ms. Dawson has copy of this written communication sent from Brittney Wilk to Carolyn Stigler after the auction dated 11-22-14)

Q. Were ALL dogs purchased by the Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham turned over to Cavalier Rescue, USA?

A. Unknown…the claim was initially made ALL dogs were turned over to CR-USA, however, it was later reported that Gideon, and ONLY Gideon was rescinded from being turned over to the rescue. (Reference: Statement made by Crys Carnes on Facebook, one of the private members of the Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham who attended the auction)

Q. Did the Alabama Coordinator for CR-USA, Brittney Wilk refuse to honor the wishes of Ms. Maggie Dawson regarding placement of Gideon with her long-time friends in Kansas as had been agreed upon both before and after the auction?

A. Yes (Reference: Ms. Dawson has copy of this communication)

Q. Was Mandy Markham Johnson, the TEMPORARY foster for Gideon ever instructed by the Alabama coordinators for CR-USA to turn him back over to the Rescue as ordered by their Executive Director, Carolyn Stigler?

A. Yes (Reference: Written communication from Carolyn Stigler to Ms. Dawson)

Q. Did Carolyn Stigler, Executive Director of Cavalier Rescue, USA at that point order the Alabama Coordinators and temporary foster parents of Gideon to relinquish him since he was under the umbrella of CR-USA and therefore property of CR-USA per their policy?
A. Yes (Reference: This information was communicated by Carolyn Stigler, Executive Director of CR-USA to Maggie Dawson and to many people concerned about what transpired after the 11-22-14 auction)


Q. Did the CR-USA Alabama coordinators comply with orders of the Executive Director of CR-USA to relinquish Gideon?
A. No (Reference: This information was communicated by Carolyn Stigler, Executive Director of CR-USA to Maggie Dawson and to many people concerned about what transpired after the 11-22-14 auction)

Q. Were ALL Cavaliers sold at the November 22, 2014 auction turned over to Rescue as was claimed by members of the private social group, the Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham?
A. No. Two dogs were purchased outside of the rescues/groups that were purchasing dogs to turn over to Rescue. One of the dogs purchased privately was purchased by a breeder, was not neutered and has since sired a litter of puppies. A member of the private social group, The Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham stated in writing the group would NOT bid against this breeder. She also messaged representatives of the other rescues asking them NOT to bid against this breeder. The other dog was purchased privately by a personal friend of Brittney Wilk, who was at that time the Alabama Coordinator for CR-USA. This friend also was one of the top 2 donors to the GoFundMe fund raiser, donating $4000.00. (Reference: Statements made by Crys Carnes, Blake Rhodes, Brittney Wilk and posts on GoFundMe)

Q. How many Cavaliers were bought by the private social group, The Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham with bidding handled by Angie Ingram?

A. 46 (Reference: GoFundMe)

Q. How many Cavaliers were brought back to Birmingham, Alabama?

A. 34 (Reference: GoFundMe)

Q. Were 14 of the 34 dogs brought back to Alabama adopted by members of the private social group, The Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham?
A. Yes (Reference: Various members of the Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham posted on the group’s FB Page which is now a secret group)

Q. A.) Did Brittney Wilk, Alabama Coordinator for CR-USA pre-select an auction dog “Happy Go Lucky” prior to the 11-22-14 auction? B.) Was that dog purchased by a member of the private social group, The Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham with donated funds? C.) Did Brittney Wilk adopt that dog?
A. Yes, (Reference: Brittney’s video stating part of her mission was to get Happy Go Lucky for herself and email sent to another rescue representative requesting no one bid on this particular dog as well as another dog that was pre-selected by a different member of the private social club Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham.)

Q. Was the Alabama coordinator for CR-USA, Brittney Wilk asked to resign from her volunteer position due to her actions regarding Gideon which went against the orders of the Rescue and did Lisa Thompson, the co-coordinator also resign her position?
A. Yes (Reference: This information was communicated to Maggie Dawson by CR-USA Executive Director, Carolyn Stigler on 1-12-15)

Q. Did Lisa Thompson, at the time the Alabama Co-Coordinator for CR-USA state the reasons Ms. Dawson’s friends were deemed an unsuitable adoptive home for Gideon were because they 1) were a retired couple and Gideon needed to be in a more active household and 2) because they did not own another Cavalier?
A. Yes (Reference: Written communication from Lisa Thompson)

Q. Did Angie Ingram purchase 2 Cavaliers for $10,000 each from the high bidder after the auction had ended, and were the dogs purchased with funds from a last minute plea to be donated into her private PayPal account as she was out of funds and this would be the quickest way to get immediate funding?

A. Yes. (Reference: Media articles, GOFUNDME)

Q. Where are those 2 Cavaliers now?

A. Angie Ingram has one of them. Crys Carnes, another member of the private social group, The Cavalier Group of Greater Birmingham who also attended the auction has the other one...adopted by them for standard CR-USA adoption fees, yet purchased after the auction with DONATED funds for a total of $20,000. (Reference: statement made by Crys Carnes)

So here we are nearly five months later with no acceptable resolution. CR-USA has provided no additional assistance in the safe return of Gideon to Ms. Dawson, in spite of the fact

Executive Director, Carolyn Stigler stated Gideon was legally under CR-USA’s control.

Executive Director, Carolyn Stigler agreed Gideon should go to the family of Ms. Dawson’s choosing as per her organization’s protocol when the identity of the original breeder is known.

Executive Director Carolyn Stigler ORDERED the Alabama representatives to relinquish him.

What was supposed to be“All about the Dogs” now has the appearance of being “All about CERTAIN PEOPLE”who wanted the dogs for themselves. There is now the appearance of impropriety and a less than transparent accounting how foster and adoptive homes were chosen.

We have one and only one goal…

JUSTICE FOR GIDEON