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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I had to say goodbye to my precious Sunny today. I am going to miss her terribly. Her nickname was Sunnyshine because she brightened every one of my days!! Karen
In 2005 Macey came into my life as a bouncing baby boxer, and stole my heart in every way. She had the biggest spirit and the most personality of any dog I’ve ever been around and she knew me possibly better than any human friend I’ve ever had. When Macey turned two we adopted our beloved Jake from LSBR. In fact I had picked out another boxer that I really liked, but when Macey met him she immediately disapproved. So, we met several others until she and I agreed that Jake was the right fit. He fit into our little family with grace and ease, like he had always been meant for us. They were opposite in personality, but both somehow perfect to me. Macey was smart as a whip, strong willed and determined, fast as lightning and agile in ways that astounded me. She mirrored my feelings in an uncannily accurate reflection…so if I was sad, she was quiet; if I was mad, she was nervous; if I was happy, she was content; if I was excited, she was EXCITED. Her vices were licking (everything and everyone) and eating random and bizarre things (bars of soap, bottles of lotion, bags of birdseed, peach pits…just to name a few). Jake was softer in spirit and aimed to please; he was hopelessly devoted to me and was fiercely protective of me and our home. Years ago when I lost a pregnancy it was Jake who crawled up on the bed with me and put his head under my hand to comfort me. He laid there with me while I cried…and that was my Jakers. His vice was drool…and those of you who knew him know he was an expert at sliming everyone and everything in his path! These two amazing pups saw me through several moves across the country, trying times in my marriage, trouble with fertility and eventually my divorce. They filled my bed and my heart when I was lonely and afraid…and for that I will forever be grateful. In 2012 when I brought two tiny babies (newborn and 11 months old at the time) into our home, they took it in stride as if they had been waiting for them just as I had been. I never could have imagined how easily and how patiently they would adapt to life with two small babies…but they did it, and I was so proud of and amazed by them. Macey left me in February, and true to form she never even showed me that she was sick. We woke up one morning and she was in shock…several hours later at the emergency vet we found out she had lymphatic leukemia and she was gone by that afternoon. It was a shocking and terrible loss. Then just three months later, my Jake went down on a Sunday and after 24/7 vet care for three days, began hemorrhaging internally from cancer in multiple organs and I had to let him go too. Jake was most likely in great pain, but he was stoic and sweet until the moment he left me. As Sug (another LSBR boxer) and I adjust to life without them, we will forever hold them in our hearts and will never forget the love and happiness they filled our home with. Until we meet again my loves…
My precious boxer mix, Gillie Bean, left me on Easter Sunday, 4/20/14, the day before my birthday, when I walked her to the Bridge and said "see you later baby girl". She had congestive heart failure and we fought it for so long; she was a brave girl and fought the good fight. Gillie had a zest for life like no other pup I've ever known. She loved her Mr. Chicken toys more than anything and had about 6 of them at any given time. Some more "loved" than others. Gillie (pronounced like "Jill") rescued me about 3.5 years ago and I think she had been beaten and mistreated before LSBR rescued her. I started out to foster her through LSBR and ended up happily being a foster failure. Even with a sad start to life, that baby girl never knew anything but pure love and happiness at this house and she returned that love in spades. She lived everyday with joy. She was always so happy when I got home from work. She would meet me at the door and pull the door open to let me in. She quickly learned how to snuggle, mooch food, get belly and neck rubs, steal as much of the bed as possible (I even had to buy a king size bed to accommodate me, Gillie and her boxer brother), pull my arm over a hundred times each night for scratches behind her ears, and she definitely knew how to tell me what she wanted and it usually involved love, treats or food. She really liked to dress up in dresses or pretty collars with flowers or her pajamas that her Aunt Kathie got for Christmas 2012 and she especially prissed around when she had on her purple fuzzy coat and scarf. Everybody loved Gills. She answered to many names including Gill, Gills, Bean, Beanie, Beaner, Beans, Princess Peanut and Peanut. She also loved, loved, loved to "go". Go anywhere at all! She loved riding in the car or Jeep and even on her very last day when she had no strength left and it was time for her last ride, she came to the door because she saw me get her special collar which meant it was time for a ride. On the day that I picked her up to foster her, I swore to her that she would never have another unhappy day - and I hope I kept that promise to her. When I took her to the Bridge, Mr. Chicken went with her so she would have him there. I have to keep reminding myself that it was the kindest thing that I could do for her and let her go when I wanted to be selfish and delay my own pain. She didn't deserve to suffer at all after such a terrible start to life. I miss her with every fiber of my being and always, always will. Her boxer brother Sarge adored her and he misses her. Rest easy, Gillie girl. Mommy loves you more than you'll ever know and I miss you every second of the day and I look forward to the day that we will be together again to play with Mr. Chicken, share Funyuns and have snuggles, scratches, go for rides, give tons of kisses, hugs and love. Lots and lots of love. Thank you Debbie and everyone at LSBR for allowing me have the joy and the honor of being Gillie's Mommy and her person for 3 years and 8 months. "Farewell sweet Princess... and a flight of Angels sing Thee to thy rest..." We love you very much Angel Baby, Mommy, Sarge and Grandma. (The Nethery family)
just wanted to let you know that my husband and I lost our Olivine (Bean) this week suddenly and unexpectedly. We adopted her from you 7 years ago (her name was Chena) and she has been a blessing to our family every day since then. She and her boxer brother Bowen (also an LSBR alum) were best friends and loved to run on our farm, jump in the pond and cuddle. She was simply the sweetest little girl we've ever met and was a huge part of our lives. Her joy and exuberance for life were contagious to all and, once the grief subsides, I'm hoping to remember the lessons she taught us: show others how happy you are to see them, revel in the small things, and don't take yourself too seriously - it's ok to be goofy! Thank you for bringing our family together. Allison Scribner
Nearly nine years ago, in May of 2005 our hearts were captured by a young guy named Cisko. We did not realize at that time what a treasure he will become to us. He was the most loyal and loving companion till his last day. He filled our lives with joy, energy and happiness. We would like to thank you for giving us a chance to be rescued by such a wonderful dog. With saddened hearts we would like to let you know that he went to heaven where All God’s Creatures go on April 12, 2014 as his third occurrence of cancer and was beyond a healing point. He was loved very much and is missed tremendously.
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