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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What I'll miss most about Simon are our early morning walks. He was such a trooper, always ready first thing every morning, regardless of the weather. He would get up long before I would and wait expectantly while I made coffee, dressed and then stretched out. Sometimes he would get a little impatient, especially if I took too much time to stretch. Stretching while seated on the ground could be problematic since he would try to position his 80 pounds - give or take - squarely in my lap. If that were not enough, he usually saw those moments as perfect opportunities to lay many a sloppy boxer kiss on me. And who could resist a hug and some ear scratching in return?
Simon was such a special guy. He was only with us a short time, and he quickly acclimated to our family and lifestyle. He was curious, intelligent, loyal and above all, loving. He was respectful (or maybe just a bit fearful) of our curmudgeonly basset hound, Tucker. Simon always stepped aside for Tucker when it came to the nightly ritual of "exchanging" the food bowls. Here's how this process worked: both dogs were fed the same food at the same time in separate bowls, but for some reason, after Tucker finished about half his meal, he had to help himself to Simon's bowl. And Simon, being the gentleman that he was, always backed away and let Tucker have at it. Tucker never actually ate much of Simon's meal; he just had to examine the bowl and its contents very thoroughly. Meanwhile, Simon would move to Tucker's bowl and lick it clean. Simon really made out in the deal, but I never told Tucker that!
Simon's favorite pastime was "car sitting". He loved to climb into the car (truck, minivan or any motorized vehicle) and just sit. He would get comfortable and just sit or lie quietly for hours. Sometimes, I couldn't get him out of the back of my car, where he would stretch out and take over completely. Were it not for the south Texas heat, I would have left him to his avocation for hours on end. I'm not sure why he liked the car so much, but he made a great traveling companion, always the first in the car and the last out. I never had to worry about Simon jumping out of the car when the door was opened. Best of all, Simon never complained about my choice of music or my audio book selections.
Simon took everything in stride. He seemed happy just to be near us whenever and wherever we happen to be. I'll miss Simon. His passing has left a huge gap in my life.
LSBR Archive - 2007
Gracie Lou was adopted by the Nadolny family in January, 2006. She passed away very suddenly on Saturday, May 13, 2006. Gracie will be missed so much by her Forever Family. We hope they will find comfort knowing Gracie will be waiting for them - ready to play - at the Rainbow Bridge. Our heartfelt sympathy and thanks to the Nadolny family for saving such a wonderful, beautiful girl and giving her the best life she could have possibly ever asked for.
LSBR Archive - 2006
Timex was a dog that anybody would have been blessed to have known. He lived only nine months, eight of which did not treat him well. He came into my life unexpectedly, but he was welcomed with an open heart. In the month that I came to know him, he was a gentle soul. Always on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary, standing by my side, or sitting on my toes. He loved his toys - the tennis ball was his favorite! Timex would gobble it up and sit there hoping we wouldn't find it. He enjoyed the evenings sitting next to me with his head snuggled in my lap, enjoying the cool summer breeze. Although his hard life caught up to him right before he was to be adopted, all who met him fell in love with his gentle yet strong disposition. Timex will truly be missed, for he was loved and that's more than many can say.
LSBR Archive - 2006
Our Precious Cinderella,
11 1/2 years ago I got my first dog. I was nervous about the responsibility that it would require. I never knew a dog could make an entire family fall in love with her. Cinder was a member of our family from the start. In Cinder we found not only a best friend but she was a teacher, a comedian, a great listener and a healer. We could always look to Cinder to fill our hearts with joy. Cinder, thank you for showing us the meaning of unconditional love and bringing us joy each and every day. So many of our best memories are filled with images of you. You made us laugh and let us hold you when we needed to cry. You were a best friend to each of us, sharing your love with no reservations. You took in Baxter the cat when he was a kitten and loved him like your own. Being our first boxer you taught us that every time we see someone we care about we should shower them with love and affection, even if it's only been 5 minutes since the last meeting! Every morning we looked forward to your greeting us like you hadn't seen us in years. How quickly the years past, and how we wish they could have lasted longer. You left us so suddenly but with such dignity and grace. Our hearts feel broken and will take time to heal. As hard as it is to lose such a dear friend we wouldn't have changed a thing. We knew we couldn't be without a boxer for long and were so glad to find the Lone Star Boxer Rescue. Every one at the rescue has been wonderful. We appreciate everything they did to help match us up with a new friend. We recently adopted Bella (Baby Girl) and brought her home last night. She is such a good puppy that we are sure Cinderella is happily looking over her.
Lynn Meyers
LSBR Archive - 2006
Miss Annie-Butt, as we affectionately called her, was found in an empty house in Leander, TX. The previous owners had moved out and left her behind. She was picked up by an LSBR volunteer and taken to a local vet where it was discovered that she was approximately eight years old, had grade 3 mast cell tumors (cancerous), and severe ear mites that had damaged her hearing. For a long time we thought she was deaf, but as time went by and her ears healed from the mites, she was able to hear a bit. Annie also suffered from arthritis and hip problems, but those didn't get her down.
Due to her cancer, Annie wasn't adoptable, but as the foster parent, I fell in love and decided she had a home with me for as long as she had a good quality of life. Annie was an Angel, and I never wanted her to feel abandoned again. She was always happy to see me and that's such a wonderful feeling. Annie was my shadow. She was great with other dogs and tolerant of the younger fosters I brought in.
Annie was with me for a short year and a half and I still grieve that she's gone, but I'm thankful for the time we had together! None of us are born with guarantees, but while we all want to protect ourselves from loss, I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to care for and share my home with this wonderful girl.
I really miss my little girl.....
LSBR Archive - 2006
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