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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On Monday evening, we lost our beloved Maya, a Boxer/Bulldog mix, after 13 wonderful years. First cared for by myself and her mother, Jamie Smith Ellis, in Atlanta, Maya stole our hearts immediately. And while sometimes human-to-human bonds break, and people move onward, Maya never left her mother's side. Throughout the hardest times, Jamie and Maya always could count on each other. Spending the latter part of her life helping her Mom tend to the garden outside her home in Oregon, Maya settled in to her old age and gave those who love her many more years than the average Boxer or Bulldog might. She managed to hold on through a failing liver just long enough to see Mom through her first pregnancy and welcome the latest edition to the Ellis family. "Maya Angel" can now finally relax as her journey is complete. While she has gone on without us, she will always retain a special place in the hearts of those who loved her.
We adopted Bailey from LSBR in 2007 as a companion for our male boxer. Because of Bailey, I began volunteering with LSBR to help other needy boxers find loving homes. Bailey.....I love you.....you will forever be missed! The Church family
In February of 2005 my husband and I adopted a beautiful baby boxer, Sidney, from your organization. She needed months of treatment for her mange, but she was just perfect. We could not have asked for a better dog. Sure she loved digging up our yard and chewing on my clothes, but we didn't mind.
As our family grew over the years she welcomed each of our children with sloppy kisses and so much love. She was always so gentle and loved to run and play with them.
Unfortunately, we lost our perfect Sidney to cancer this week. I wanted to thank you for allowing us to have her for the last 7.5 years. She meant the world to us.
Kim
Simon was a great dog with a lot of energy and a big heart. He was a listener and just wanted to cuddle and play with his toys and other dogs. A little guy with a big personality, he and his foster sister, Hydra, were inseparable and his loss is felt by both of us. It breaks my heart to see such a good young man, full of life and good intentions go. When I came home yesterday he was so excited to see me he wouldn’t let me put him down and stop holding him. Since he was to meet his potential forever family next week I was loving on him and brought him to play with Hydra. He got out of the fence and ran into the street. I don’t know how to explain how much you meant to us and what a good dog you were. We are all hurting to see you go big guy, you’re my little buddy and I miss you. Foster Dad, David
Allan and I made the difficult choice to send our sweet boy over the rainbow bridge today. What was known as his occasional quirkiness during his high speed sprints ultimately proved to be degenerative myelopathy after extensive testing. In less than 2 weeks he went from a slip here and there during playtime and walks, to us using a towel to hold up his back end....then....having to carry him Sunday Even though I'm crying as I type this, I am soo happy for you buckethead. You can finally run and play again and know that you will always be in our memories and hearts. I will miss your slobber on my clean clothes, walls and furniture. I will miss you drinking out of the faucet while I take a bath. I will miss our weekend coffee on the patio. I will miss you. Your Mom, Sheri
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