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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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
This thank you is long overdue – too long, in fact. On Sunday, our family lost our sweet, sweet “Annie girl.” She was rescued about 8 years ago from LSBR and from the minute she got into the car, we knew she was special and we had no idea that all our lives would be changed forever; definitely for the better!
Annie meant so much to my two girls and to me. Over the last 8 years our lives haven’t been easy. Annie has been with us through 2 divorces and 2 marriages. While I am now in my LAST(!) marriage, my current husband came to me as a self-professed dog hater! (You know how some people just love cats…? Well, that was my husband.) He told me, “I hate dogs, and dogs hate me.” Of course, I said, “well, you are going to LOVE our Annie girl; she is the best dog EVER!” He said, “well, even if I like her, she’s not sleeping with us!” –Background, my husband and I had a long-distance relationship for years prior to getting married. –30 minutes after he was in Houston for the first time, Annie was laying in the bed with him! He said, “wow, I don’t know why but she likes me – dogs don’t ever like me!” I said, “well, that’s Annie, she can tell your are special.” From that moment on, she slept with us, every night! But, that was the thing about Annie; she didn’t just give her love to everyone. She would snap at some people who came to the door, it was almost like Annie had a sixth sense about people. Some people, Annie just didn’t like (and, those people didn’t stick around for long).
Through good times and bad, Annie was our companion and our friend. No matter what mistakes we made, she loved us. On the days we just wanted to lay in bed, eat popcorn and watch movies, she wanted to be right there with us. On the days we wanted to go for a walk around the lake, she wanted to be right there with us. One thing that we never questioned was her love for us – she loved us, we loved her, and she died with us. She died with her family around her and she went peacefully. After 8 years of unconditional love from her, that is what she deserved. She didn’t deserve the life she had before us – the life before LSBR. Annie was lucky that LSBR found her and we were extremely lucky that LSBR came into our life; and picked Annie to be with us.
We will forever miss the jingle of her “bling” when we walked in the door and she greeted us. She loved her “bling” with her heart name tag and lifetime rabies license – she absolutely love it. When she didn’t have it on and you would jingle it, she would come running to find you and you would swear she was smiling a Boxer grin! It’s almost like she needed it and us to feel complete!
Annie gave us an unconditional love we could never have imagined and can never be replaced. It is in her memory that I write this letter. Thank you LSBR for what did for us 8 years ago and for what you continue to do for all Boxers and their forever families!
Sincerely,
Julie
We only knew you a short time but you were loved! LSBR Volunteers
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."
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