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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Dear Rescue Friends, Ashton, my most favorite foster dog and beloved pet of the Baker family, crossed the Rainbow Bridge Monday morning at Dr. Sartor's. Ashton was only between four and five years old but was diagnosed a month or so ago with Lymphoma. He was able to have one and half months of quality time with his family after his diagnosis, which was a blessing. Please keep Ashton and the Baker Family in your prayers. "You'll always be one of my most special foster pups Ash!"----"In Memory of Ashton"----"Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me. Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me learn. Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear. Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Keep my pan filled with water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stay ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should you be in danger. And my friend, when I am very old and no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands."
We were the proud parents of three wonderful boxers. True, we felt overwhelmed at times when all three decided to chase squirrels at the same time, but in our hearts we knew we were the luckiest boxer parents in the world. Then our lives were turned up side down. We lost two of our babies in a two-month period. Going from a 3-boxer household to a 1-boxer household in such a short time period turned our hearts inside out. Darby was sick with a brain tumor, blind, confused, etc. I'm sure you've heard similar stories. Her passing was expected but still heart-breaking. Then just two months later, completely out of the blue, our happy, seemingly healthy, "big man" as we liked to call him, died of a massive heart attack. To say we're devastated is an understatement. They are all special, but in our hearts Riptide was truly a special dog. He was sweet, playful, loyal, proud, and sometimes down right silly. By the way, our remaining boxer is "Flash" and he is a terrific little fellow. Funny, we still refer to him as little even though he's 80-lbs. Compared to Riptide, all other boxers were little so we got in the habit. Flash is a sweet and rare reverse brindle with lots of flash, hence the name. --- Daisy and Thad Hickman
Smylie was a female boxer that LSBR and a Good Samaritan named Regina tried to save. Regina found Smylie roaming the streets in a busy area. Smylie was extremely emaciated, would not use her left rear leg, and was suffering from skin problems, which were later determined to be due to road rash, poor health and poor nutrition. Regina contacted LSBR, who then took Smylie to a vet who confirmed her leg was broken. The break was assumed to be a few days old due to the amount of swelling involved. LSBR and Regina approved the surgery to have the leg plated so she could hopefully regain full use of the leg. This poor girl hung on through this not so gentle surgery and did so well. Unfortunately, while in recovery, Smylie passed away. It was very sudden. The vet and staff administered CPR, but Smylie had passed on was no longer in pain. Smylie was cheated out of a happy, healthy life in a loving home, but we can be thankful that she was able to spend a night or two with her caring rescuer. Smylie was a sweetheart that quickly stole the heart of the kind woman that found her.
In 2001 we adopted Joe Boxer from LSBR, it was for sure the best thing we could have done. I'm sad to say that our Joe Boxer went to meet his maker last Saturday afternoon. He was the best dog we could ever have dreamed of getting and the fact that he came from rescue made him even more special to us. He will be forever missed and loved by our entire family. I attached a photo taken of him just 3 days before he passed. Thank you for your continued hard work. -- Jamie Boling
As unexpectedly as she came into our lives, our Karma left us as quickly. We weren’t ready to say good-bye at only four and a half years old. If I’d have known it was the last morning I would see her, I’d have given her at least one more kiss. I am grateful that we had the years together. I am happy that she was a good sister to her fur brother and sister, Jackson and Summer. I am appreciative that she was a good sister to her skin brothers and sister; Kali, Zach and Grant. Of our three dog babies, she was by far the easiest. Her passing has left an emptiness in our house. Karma, we love you. We’ll see you on the bridge. --- The Davis Family
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