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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You left us way too soon! Run free sweet boy!
Baxter joined our family 6 years ago after LSBR rescued him from life as a stray when he was about 4 years old. Although the hard life he had before we met him was beyond our control once he moved in he had the best life a dog could ask for and his happiness was obvious to all he met. Baxter loved traveling and had many trips to Florida and California where he quickly warmed up to his extended family and friends there. Baxter was the most happy, loyal, content dog we've ever met. Fortunately Baxter's decline was swift and his period of suffering brief. Baxter crossed the rainbow bridge three weeks after he became ill and is terribly missed and lovingly remembered by dads Chris, Ken and his adopted LSBR sister, Mikki.
Our sweet Ruby took her last breath today. Her health has been in decline for the last 6-8 months. She suffered with Congestive Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy as well as severe arthritis and hip dysplasia. In spite of her health problems, she remained a sweetheart until the end. She is by far the sweetest dog we have ever known. I like to say that she wore her heart out because she just used it too much :) Ruby was the kind of dog who lived to please, if she could figure out what you wanted, she was eager to do it. It was a great struggle for us at the end because we keep wondering if we should have her put to sleep. Only, she kept wagging that nub... so we keep nursing her :) Now I am so grateful that we waited it out and were there to help her leave this world on her own terms. She took her last breaths with me holding and comforting her. I will always treasure the memory of seeing her look up at me with those big eyes just before she left. We adopted Ruby when she was 2 yrs old and she turned 11 this past February. It seems like so much more than 9 yrs. Life won't be the same without her. This picture was taken last August, around the time that she was diagnosed with heart problems. Sending love and light to Ruby on her next journey...Sandy Pedrazas
JJ has been a true inspiration to me and my family's life. He has brought joy back into my Nessa's (His Dog Sister) life as well. I loved the way he would follow me around my house. He would run upstairs to check on the girls. I loved the way that he and Nessa could not be apart. He has been a wonderful dog and he will be greatly missed. I am happy that we were able to give him the home he deserves even if it was for a short time.
Tasha was adopted from LSBR in 2006. She left us too soon when she lost her battle with cancer. She will live on in our hearts along with the memories she left forever.
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