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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Cali, one of Libby's pups, has passed away. She did not live long but she was safe and loved while she was with us.
Our precious Cash crossed the rainbow bridge 10/26/17. He was adopted from LSBR in 2014 and was diagnosed with renal disease shortly after. We did the best we could to make sure he had a long happy life.. from special kidney diet foods to blood pressure medicines and plenty of plush, warm beds and VIP access to our shower for his nightly drinking water... he was treated like a king. Unfortunately within the last couple of days, he went downhill pretty fast. He stopped eating, lost a lot of weight, and became very lethargic. Ultimately, due to his kidney failure, we decided to let him go to ease his suffering. As much as our hearts are hurting, we want to thank you guys for giving us the opportunity to welcome Cash into our home. Although he was only with us for a “short “ period of time, he was a wonderful addition to our family and brought so much joy to us and to everyone who met him. We will miss him tremendously. May he Rest In Peace.. Alice and Michael
During the month of August in 100 degree heat, my wife rescued Cassie from an abandoned golf course in Houston. Cassie, acting as a watch dog, was locked in the facility, outdoors, without shade, food, or water. She was taken to a local vet and later transferred to Texas A&M where the doctors were given carte blanche to do anything they could to save her. Over the next 14 months she was taken to Animal Imaging in Dallas for an MRI because her back legs had problems with coordination. She was referred to Dr. Rick Wall at the Woodlands for underwater treadmill therapy three times per week to attempt to develop muscle strength in her legs. After several months of the treadmill, the results were not what the doctor expected, so we returned to Dallas for a follow-up MRI. Cassie lost of control of her rear legs soon thereafter, and we took her back to A&M. The A&M vets consulted with UCLA and the University of Florida, exchanging their findings. It was determined she had a spinal myopothy disease for which there was no cure. It is a disease similar to MS in humans. The spinal cord just dissolves in the spinal housing over a period of time. Cassie had trouble breathing the week before Christmas 2006, and I rushed her back to A&M where radiographs revealed three large tumors in her chest cavity. I was instructed to return home with Cassie, fix her a comfortable bed near the fireplace and continue to give her the love she never had in the early years of her life. Three days later - on a Sunday, in freezing weather - I returned to A&M, at their request, where Cassie knew, and was ready, to continue on her life's journey. Our experience with Cassie demonstrated to my wife and me that our animal friends are not only faithful companions but also spritual guides.
- Randy & Cindi Simpson -
LSBR Archive - 2007
I just wanted to let you and everyone at LSBR know that Chance passed away yesterday. We miss him so very much! We found out that he had an enlarged heart a while back, but he never showed any signs of this being a problem. It was just a regular day,nothing wrong. My sister came over and Chance greeted her at the door. She was saying hello to him as she made her way to the living room. He rolled on his back,as if he were scratching it and then started shaking like he was having a seizure. Then he rolled to his side,taking his last breath. There wasn't any thing I could do,he was gone. It all happened so fast. I took him to the vet and she said it sounded like a heart attack. They say we rescued him...but in a way, I think he rescued us.
LSBR THANK YOU for giving us the chance to love him, thank you for Chance
WE LOVE YOU CHANCIE BOY! YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!
FOR EVER GRATEFUL,
CHRISTI FISHER
Chavez came into my life when I desperately needed a friend and remained faithful by my side. He is the reason I turned to rescue, and that I continue rescuing and dedicating myself to the boxer breed.”
- Alicia & Terry Ligon
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