"I looked at all the caged animals in the shelter, the cast offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love, hope, fear, dread, sadness and betrayal. I was angry. "God", I said, "Why don't you do something?" And God replied "I did. I created you."
There are many times in life when I feel like we as humans look at a problem, wish that someone would fix it but go about our day without making any kind of personal attempt at helping. This quote I feel really defines why I enjoy being involved in rescue, because you truly make a difference in the lives of animals who, without our help would be doomed to being euthanized. I also feel that it points out the obvious, but so often missed point of "if I don't seek a solution to a problem then who will?" We all are responsible for helping to make a change in the world and without everyone doing there part then nothing will ever get better, the world will stay the same or, more likely, get even worse then it already is.
As I sit here typing all of this I am reminded of my very recent foster dog Dozer. He was left in a backyard to starve along with 5 other dogs. By the time Animal Control came and rescued these poor dogs only three were able to be saved. After spending years on a chain, months in Animal control awaiting the finale outcome of the animal cruelty case he was involved in Dozer was a maniac and the rescue I foster for refused to pull him. He jumped at the bars of his cage, displayed possible aggressive tendencies and showed absolutely no manners at all. Animal Control called the rescue and told them they had 3 dogs to euthanize, one of them was Dozer and that they could either have them all or none because Animal Control knew that Dozer was a good dog, he just needed a chance. With no other option but to doom the dogs to death they took all 3 and they are very glad they did. Once out of the shelter environment Dozer was a lover. In our home he showed that he had a very sweet temperament, he loved everyone and that he even enjoyed the company of other dogs. His story is one of the lucky ones, a dog that easily was passed over by anyone coming to adopt but who will make an amazing pet to a lucky family, he was saved by the persistence of Animal Control and a rescue willing to give him a chance. Not all dogs are as lucky as Dozer but I'm proud to be part of something that makes Happy endings such as this one a reality.
Dozer, rescued May of 2010, adopted by a loving family in December of 2010.
Nova, Adopted March of 2001 from Lancaster County Animal Control
Konnor, adopted approximately in October of 2005 from a kill shelter in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Sitka, adopted in June of 2008 from a kill shelter in rural Georgia
Sophie, our current foster dog. History is unknown but she is in the safe hands of a no-kill rescue. She is currently unavailable for adoption because she is expecting a litter of puppies due in a few weeks.
