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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Diamond and I met nearly 6 years ago at the Houston Lone Star Boxer Rescue. Sharon Reitman helped me as I patiently met about 20 boxers that April Saturday afternoon. There was an instant connection as we were introduced when she crawled right up into my lap and looked at me with those gorgeous brown eyes. Even at 60 pounds she was truly a lap dog. Our relationship developed into something that few people are lucky enough to ever experience in a lifetime. You see our family consisted of just her and I. We did everything together and were literally inseperable. I could never have found a more well loyal, accommodating, and lovable partner. Diamond knew when I was happy, sad, sick, or even just having a bad day. She would tilt her head sideways as if she was listening to ever word I said and grunt. She brought me so much joy and happiness... She truly was a Diamond! It has been just over 1 year since Diamond has left me. I know that we will meet up again someday and I know that she is looking down on me hoping that I find another Rescue Boxer to love and share my life with!!!
Les
Our “Gentle Ben” was rescued almost 4 years ago, was loved by so many and became a special part of each of our lives. Thanks to Cheryl, Aimee and the staff at the Fritz who took special care for him for many months, then Bertha and Gail for giving him a chance and a wonderful home filled with unconditional love for three years. Then by Amy and her family for loving him so very much through his final months.
“For the three years we had him he was a love sponge. We always felt really safe when because we knew Ben would not let anyone hurt us. He loved my great-grand kids so much and in return they loved him, many tears when he went away. The children would say ‘Ben loves me, he does.’ He will be missed by all of us.”
- Bertha
“At first glance Ben had a serious face and if you did not know him you would see a little mean mug. He never was mean, loved his fur friends Beauty and Xena, and he truly was a sponge that absorbed every ounce of love that was thrown his way. He will be missed and he was loved in ways that no one outside his inner circle would understand.”
- Gail
Ben’s loss leaves many broken hearts…until we meet again our special Gentle Ben, we love you!
- Bertha, Gail, Arwyn, Bobbie, Amy, Riley & Bailey
Tank, aka "Fat face" - we made fun of your slobber and chased you down with those rags...but I promise you we didn't mind one bit. I know baby boy, you hated having your face wiped. For daddy & I it had become entertaining...to see who could catch you first. Thank you for letting us love you, for overlooking our bad habits too, and for sharing each day of the last 1 ½ years of your life with us. You must have known you were getting sick honey and we're sorry we didn't know sooner. We didn't see this coming and we just weren’t ready to say good-bye. We know you weren't either. Thank you for hanging on...for waiting for us to return from our trip so we could hold you and comfort you as you passed over the Rainbow Bridge. We will never forget you and you will never be replaced. Please don't feel lonely for we will see you again some day. We love you and miss you so horribly.
Mom & Dad (Paulk family)
Thank you LSBR for taking Tank in and for giving us the opportunity to love him!!
- Marty & Wendi Lindquist-Paulk
Rosie was born June 12, 1998 and passed over the bridge June 26, 2011 - 13 years.
She was, as Alan said when he saw her last month, "all worn out" and I think that's a pretty good description of what happened with her. She taught me how to open my heart and love unconditionally. Really, she was all heart.
Rogers
On May 29, 2011, around 7:15 p.m., our dear, sweet, beloved Riley crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Riley spent his last few days where he loved to be the very most, at his lake house in Seguin. Though he tired a little quicker than normal, he had a great last morning playing in the yard and wading in the water then spent most of the rest of the day resting on his couch in the a/c, going outside every now and again to check on things... ever the watchful General. When Riley suddenly started displaying acute signs of the illness that plagued him for the last few weeks of his life, we knew it was time. We were able to get Riley to the emergency vet clinic in New Braunfels, where we held and comforted him as they helped him cross the Bridge. In typical Riley fashion, his passing was very peaceful and graceful.
As much as our hearts are breaking, we are very grateful to God for answering our prayers to allow us to be with Riley at the end. The last thing we wanted was for Riley to be alone or to experience any pain or discomfort. He was most certainly not alone and I think his discomfort was minimal. He was still giving us love and kisses up to the very end.
Riley enriched our lives for 10 + years. He was such a good boy and always made us so proud. The joy and love he brought to our lives and the lessons he taught us are beyond measure. Riley was always a source of comfort and love and he had a special way of taking you to a calmer, more peaceful place when you needed it the very most. I think everyone sensed a special quality in Riley and that is what endeared him to everyone who knew him. He was impossible not to love. Riley is missed by so many, including his brother, Woody (Pug), his uncle, Toby (long-haired Dachshund), his grandparents, extended family and so many friends. Riley was our big boy and he will forever occupy a big space in our hearts.
Riley, we know you will be there to greet us at the Rainbow Bridge, with that big smile upon your face. Until then, my love, you will most definitely live on in our hearts.
Mommy & Daddy (Steph & Dwain Morris)
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