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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Our Barkley (Boo Boo, Broccoli, Co-pilot, Junior) passed over the rainbow bridge today (5/20/11).....exactly two weeks after he had a cluster of seizures and we learned that he had multiple cancerous tumors in his abdomen, one of which was most likely bleeding. We brought him home, made him as comfortable as we could and spent as much time with him as possible. Barkley was about 1 1/2 years old when we adopted him from Lone Star Boxer Rescue 9 years ago. He was a funny little guy.....in looks and personality. His very long tongue made him unique but when we went to meet him when he was up for adoption and he pee'd on Mike, we knew this little guy needed us! He was insecure and, because of that, was a little unpredictable but he was the most loving and protective little guy you'd ever want to meet. Yes, he had his little quirks but everyone that met him fell in love with him (except the mailman and the UPS guy)! We feel blessed to have had him in our lives for 9 years! We truly believe he was a gift from God - one of God's little angels that has now returned home!
I've attached my favorite picture of Barkley......with Pearl's squeaky ball. -- The Farris family
Summer, our foster failure, was a street tough scrapper. She chose us, instead of the other way around, and she fought to stay in our family when we thought she was going to be adopted to another. Summer was a nanna to Kali, Zach, Grant and Brooks, always gracious even when they weren’t. But, true to her nature, she would have fiercely protected her family. Thank you, LSBR, for taking a chance on her. Summer, we miss you and we hope you and Karma are playing on The Bridge.
---The Davis Family
This is our beloved Blue. He was adopted from the LSBR 6 years ago when he was just one year old. He died on December 6th, 2010 from cardiomyopathy. He was so sweet, gentle and lovable. He is greatly missed by his family and his dog brothers. He will live forever in our hearts.
Barbara Mack
My husband and I have adopted Feisty (LSBR Foley) in Spring of 2004. We were so excited to take him home with us. He was a little skiddish at first, but once he got to know people, be wouldn't stop kissing them. He loved running around doggie parks and just followed us everywhere; he always wanted to be with us like a little tail. He filled our life with so much love and beautiful memories. In July 2010, Feisty was diagnosed with Lymphoma and passed away on December 14th, 2010. We miss him terribly.
The Fibingerova Family
A heart of gold stopped beating, two shining eyes at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove, He only takes the best.
God knows you had to leave us but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you the day he took you home.
We love you our little Miss Ellie girl. You were a blessing to each and every one of us!
Your loving humans
Granny Linda, Bobbie & Sonny
and siblings Rainey, Ozzie & Claude
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