"He's a rescue."
How many times have you heard it said? How many times have you said it? Having a rescue dog is a matter of pride, and those words are always followed by a story.
"His owner went into a nursing home."
"Her mom gave birth to her in a barn."
Sometimes we guess.
"He was a stray; I think he was abused."
"She was found in a house; we think her owners left her when they moved."
But each story is important, and each story touches us -- after all, that is why we love our rescue dogs. The stories matter.
Wags, a seven-year-old Lab mix, always had a family. He was loved. But Wags contracted Heartworm and Wags' family could not afford the treatment. Wags became a Peppertree dog and his family turned him in with tears in their eyes. He was named for his constantly wagging tail, but as his owners drove away, his tail stopped wagging.
Wags did not get a lot of attention at adoption events except when people commented on his large size. But one day a man, who was suffering from dementia, sat down while his wife met potential dogs to adopt. She was looking at smaller dogs, but Wags was looking at her husband. He sat next to him and the man started petting his head. Wags wagged his tail.
Wags brought a lot of joy to the wife, and became her comfort when her husband left for assisted living. She was working to get Wags his therapy dog certification so he could continue to see her husband, and bring joy to others who need it.
He's a rescue.
Effie was a young Lab mix from a local shelter. She was full of energy but needed manners. She loved life, but did not understand that life had rules. She needed a patient owner, and she needed surgery. The shelter staff questioned whether it would be wise to spend their limited funds on surgery for a dog who may never get adopted. They contacted us, and Effie became a Peppertree dog.
Effie was boisterous. Effie was a pain. But she was also a charmer. She got her surgery and while she gave her foster family some wild times, she found the perfect adopter who loves her energy. Effie has years of love to give.
She's a rescue.
Gabriel was from New York City. A Shepherd mix that was picked up as a stray, Gabriel was blind, he was skin and bones, and it seemed like he had given up. But there was something about him that made Peppertree decide his life should not end in a shelter. He became a Peppertree dog.
When he arrived, we questioned his health, we questioned our sanity - he would not lift his head, he would bump into walls, and he was marking every corner he could get to. But Gabriel had a guardian angel in his foster mom.
His foster mom gave him love, she gave him good food, and she gave him a home. Soon he remembered what it was like to be a dog. He put on weight, he had a growth on his eyelid removed, and he started to play. No longer were we worried about whether Gabriel would make it, but began worrying about who was special enough to have him.
Gabriel's special family was not remarkable - they were two people with a few dogs of their own. But their willingness to accept an old, blind dog, into their home was remarkable. Gabriel loves his new canine sisters, and his new family.
He's a rescue.
Booth was a German Shepherd picked up as a stray in Washington County, New York. He spent a lot of time in a kennel. Booth was handsome, he was smart, and we thought we would have no trouble placing him. Booth became a Peppertree dog.
Booth was adopted quickly. His family loved him but soon found out he had the true Shepherd drive and he made a job for himself. Booth began protecting the home, and bit a guest. We worried this was the end for Booth, who would adopt a dog with a bite record, and could we safely place him?
But Booth's foster mom was not ready to give up. She found a police officer looking for a K9 dog. Booth was perfect for the job and loves his work, and his new dad.
He's a rescue.
India was from New York City also. She was old, she was tired, and she was a stray. Too dignified to end her days unloved, we brought her to Peppertree. She was given a bed of her own, food, and love. She died in her sleep, hours after getting a name.
She's a rescue.
They are Peppertree.
You can help an animal in need by adopting, fostering, volunteering, or donating. Find out how at AnimalAllianceNYC.org.
I'm homeless and helpless, unwanted alone.
I've no place to stay so I wander and roam.
I've no one to care if I live or die:
Nobody wants me as hard as I try.
I'm abandoned and starving and nobody cares;
I've met with nothing but cruel, cold hard stares.
My stomach is empty, I've nothing to eat;
I have no shelter from rain or sleet.
Why was I born and why am I here?
Without any love, without any cheer.
Won't someone please help me and please hear my plea?
Won't somebody care and take care of me.
People throw stones and chase me away;
They hate me and despise me because I'm a stray.
But if a kind soul would open their door,
I'd not have to be a stray anymore.
Author Unknown
The oldest was 3 years old, and was 6 pounds when rescued. She is a fox terrier. The youngest was 6 months and is a rat terrier. That was five years ago.
Clyde has since passed.... :(
Bonnie is still doing well...:)
Now I lay me down to rest
I pray my soul can stand this test
Of watching critters lose their homes
While owners gripe and cry and moan
I long for strength of spirit and
I pray they'll find a home again
Where they will know a loving heart
I can't do much, but it's a start........
And spare me from the owners please
About the baby's allergies
Or how they're moving out of state
Or spitefulness 'tween the cat and mate
Please keep me sane while dealing with
The woman who bought as a gift
A wriggling tiny ball of fluff
That now is playing way too rough
Remind me I should bite my lip
When confronted with, "he grew too quick"
"I didn't know he'd get so large"
"He seems to think that he's in charge"
Protect my heart when I hear them say
"I think we'll breed our dog one day"
Sometimes I think it'll break in two
Each day brings trials harsh and new
And if I die before I wake
I pray a hopeless soul you'll take
My tears are gone, my faith is bare
Lord, please hear my rescue prayer.
~Author unknown~
between what was and what can be.
I am the pathway to a new life.
I am made of mush,
because my heart melted when I saw you,
matted and sore, limping, depressed,
lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.
For one little time you are mine.
I will feed you with my own hand
I will love you with my whole heart
I will make you whole.
I am made of steel,
because when the time comes,
when you are well and sleek,
when your eyes shine, and your tail wags with joy
then comes the hard part.
I will let you go not without a tear,
but without a regret.
For you are safe forever
A new dog needs me now.
From within the gathering of pets waiting for their special people, a group of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they came close to the passing figure, each bowed low and each received a tender pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew even brighter as the figure softly murmured each name. Then, the newly-restored pets fell into line behind the figure and quietly followed this person to the Bridge, where they all crossed together.
The recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. "What happened?"
That was a rescuer," came the answer. "That person spent a lifetime trying to help pets of all kinds. The ones you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of such unselfish work. They will cross when their families arrive. Those you saw restored were ones who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are permitted to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor pets that couldn't place on Earth across the Rainbow Bridge. You see, all animals are special to them...just as they are special to all animals."
"I think I like rescuers," said the recent arrival.
"So does God," was the reply.
and my life was tough,
at times i wanted to quit
i had enough.
but then kindness
walked when i
thought that
there was none,
now i live my life
with love and fun
I called to her and she came immediately to me. She was a mess; emaciated with mats in her coat. She had arthritis, a skin condition, and she was partly deaf. She also had a broken hind leg that had healed without being set, so she had an awkward gait. She must have been abandoned for weeks, if not months. I took her to the local SPCA shelter, and after seven days I came back and adopted her (nobody had called for her in the meantime).
After a few baths she looked like a lady again. She fit in with our other rescue dogs and cats, and she lived with us for another four and one-half years. She gave us oodles of love, she protected the front door, and she tried to alert us when strangers were around. She knew that we loved her, and she loved us back with all her being.
If you had seen that dog on the day that I found her you might not have given her a second look; I almost didn't. But the rewards that we received from our little Emma are indescribable. I so miss that dog.
He is a survivor.
And he is a rescue.
He's 8 years old now.