Today We Rescued Your Dog
by Pat Closher
Today we rescued your dog. We don’t know where you got him from - maybe you saw him in a pet store window or maybe one of your neighbors bred a few litters a year just to make some vacation money or because they loved their dogs so much that of course they wanted to have puppies. We don’t know much about how you cared for him either, although our vet thought that for such a young dog, his teeth were in pretty bad shape.
by Pat Closher
Today we rescued your dog. We don’t know where you got him from - maybe you saw him in a pet store window or maybe one of your neighbors bred a few litters a year just to make some vacation money or because they loved their dogs so much that of course they wanted to have puppies. We don’t know much about how you cared for him either, although our vet thought that for such a young dog, his teeth were in pretty bad shape.
Did you know they were going to keep him outside? At least it was a pretty mild winter. There were no heavy snows, not much heavy winter rain and only a few days of bitter cold. But for all of those weeks he had no companionship, no care, and no love.
For some reason, your grandparents took him to the shelter. Maybe a neighbor complained about him or maybe their own health gave out or maybe they just got tired of him. You know the local shelter is a kill shelter, don’t you? You know that their own statistics indicate that about half of the dogs that enter are killed, don’t you? Maybe your grandparents thought he would be adopted quickly. He is a purebred, after all. No one was interested in him, though, maybe since he’s an adult dog and not a cute little puppy. No one contacted the purebred rescue group either. They probably would have placed him quickly, since he really is a great boy. The shelter is a clean place and they take good care of the dogs. They get good food and they’re bathed and brushed. It’s still a shelter though, and is noisy and chaotic and frightening. He spent two months there in that confusion, away from everyone and everything he had known.
One day, we saw him on the shelter web site. We called and asked about him. The shelter workers were so happy to hear from us and were delighted to agree to bring him to a local pet store where they do adoptions. Do you want to know why they were so accommodating? He was scheduled to be killed that afternoon. He didn’t know that, but the shelter workers certainly did. It hurt them and he felt that, so he knew something was wrong. All of a sudden, though, the shelter workers were happy and excited and so was he. They bathed him and brushed his coat. We think they probably told him this was it - his big chance, or maybe he just knew it somehow. When we met him, we all fell in love.
He had to go to the vet to be neutered, of course, but then he came home. He has his very own 13 year-old boy. You know, it’s almost like watching one of those old Lassie movies, seeing how well they’ve bonded. He’s got good food and his own toys. He’s taken on walks three times a day, is regularly groomed and is taken to the vet for needed care. We’ll be with him always, even if we have to make that last, difficult decision, because, you see, he is our dog and we are his family.
He has a good heart you know, but then he is a dog, so that’s to be expected. He’s probably forgiven you and, with a dog’s grace, doesn’t even remember you dumped him. He’d probably even be willing to greet you at the Rainbow Bridge. But you know what? He’ll greet us and go with us at the Bridge, and then he’ll be with us forever, because he’s our dog and we’re his family.
The way we heard the story, you moved out of state and didn’t want to take him with you. You left him at your grandparents. Maybe you thought a lively, handsome dog was just the thing for them, and under better circumstances it might have been. Maybe they have been cleaning up your messes for your entire life and an unwanted dog was just another mess to clean up.One day, we saw him on the shelter web site. We called and asked about him. The shelter workers were so happy to hear from us and were delighted to agree to bring him to a local pet store where they do adoptions. Do you want to know why they were so accommodating? He was scheduled to be killed that afternoon. He didn’t know that, but the shelter workers certainly did. It hurt them and he felt that, so he knew something was wrong. All of a sudden, though, the shelter workers were happy and excited and so was he. They bathed him and brushed his coat. We think they probably told him this was it - his big chance, or maybe he just knew it somehow. When we met him, we all fell in love.
He had to go to the vet to be neutered, of course, but then he came home. He has his very own 13 year-old boy. You know, it’s almost like watching one of those old Lassie movies, seeing how well they’ve bonded. He’s got good food and his own toys. He’s taken on walks three times a day, is regularly groomed and is taken to the vet for needed care. We’ll be with him always, even if we have to make that last, difficult decision, because, you see, he is our dog and we are his family.
He has a good heart you know, but then he is a dog, so that’s to be expected. He’s probably forgiven you and, with a dog’s grace, doesn’t even remember you dumped him. He’d probably even be willing to greet you at the Rainbow Bridge. But you know what? He’ll greet us and go with us at the Bridge, and then he’ll be with us forever, because he’s our dog and we’re his family.
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Precious Phoenix was rescued by LSBR from a life of a puppy mill mom. Only with us a short period of time but in our hearts forever.
I met Phoenix at 7:30 at night. A beautiful face for such a dog that was suppose to be 10 years old. Her fur was soft and she came right to me. She wanted to be lifted in the car. That's ok, I guess we all want to be spoiled.
It was a four hour drive back home but she kept me company on the console of the car and kept the right side of my face moist and sweet with all the kisses. We shared a grilled chicken salad on the way. She got the chicken. And boy was she hungry!
I took her home to Debbie at about 11:00 p.m. Debbie in your pj's kept a light on for us and let us into your boxer haven. It was hard to leave her but knew she was where she needed to be.
We only had her for a few days. Her hard life caught up with her. Debbie was with her the whole time to let her know she was loved.
Someone told me today not to be sad. He said I took joy in giving to my animals and relieving their pain and suffering. He said Phoenix took joy in being with us. While it is hard not to be sad, it is a part of life and better to help a little than not at all.
Phoenix, you are loved and missed.
-Grandma Mary
Pistol - even though you were only in our care for a week, you will be missed! Your precious little face and cocked ear both shined bright and brought joy to our family and the friends we shared you with. You trotted like a prize stallion despite being the size of a horses hoof. You even got to go where none of your foster brothers and sisters had gone - to the drive-in movies. You weren’t much interested in the movie but did enjoy all of the snuggling you got to do with us and our friends. We know you are no longer in pain and are frolicking in the hills and green fields beyond the Rainbow Bridge. Peace little one from the Basfords.
It is with great sadness that I write this. We had Pops put down yesterday. He had mast cell and it got extremely aggressive. He was only getting worse so it was best for Pops. Pops was very special to us and we will miss him. This is my favorite picture of him in his prime!!! Kilpatrick Family
Pretty Girl was only with me a very short time but she quickly stole my heart. She was surrendered to Lone Star Boxer Rescue with a massive infection. Because she was so severely anemic and was in such great pain with little hope of recovery the vet advised euthanasia. Even in the pitiful state she was in, she was able to give me a smile and wag her little tail. Pretty Girl was aptly named and very brave. It broke my heart that we weren't able to save her. I stayed with her until the end and she passed away with her head in my arms on November 7, 2004.
Debbie Lon and family
LSBR Archive - 2004
She was the sweetest and most loyal companion ever, and there are many good memories of her. Unfortunately she lost her battle with cancer two weeks ago and she left a huge hole in our house and hearts. The Lopez Family
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