Rescue dogs – hoping to play and run once more
The definition of deliverance is “release from prison, danger, or evil.” Such an act would be interpreted as very noble. I remember the time my uncle Lester was “rescued” from a gentlemen’s club in town by his wife. Unfortunately for him, I think Uncle Lester was in more danger after his supposed rescue. He was also confined to his house and was not seen for days. Funny how that works.
Timeless Drive or Time was a three year old retired racing greyhound that my wife and I adopted from a rescue group. It weighed ninety pounds, had smooth brown fur, and could run nearly forty miles an hour. Yet, like a discarded piece of paper, no one wanted him because he could no longer compete due to a toe injury. We took a risk and were rewarded with a sweet and quirky dog who loved to play, watch Cubs games, and push me off the couch.
It wasn’t until years later that I truly understood what it meant to have a rescue dog. Like a cat with a ball of hair, I get choked up when I hear the sad stories of dogs and other animals that have been rescued and are looking for a home. Shortly after Time joined us, we adopted a three-year-old German Shorthair Pointer named Abby. She was badly abused and took care of her health for a year out of a good heart. Believe it or not, Abby became one of the top agility dogs in the country. Agility is a fun sport where a dog runs through an obstacle course as fast as possible while the owner runs along the side trying to keep up without looking silly or losing breath. One owner lost her teeth after falling to the ground and her fake white ivories almost became another dog’s chew toy.
While Time and Abby are no longer with us, we quickly realized that they were two of the best dogs we ever had. Since then we have adopted three more rescue dogs and have been involved with several rescue organizations that have successfully adopted hundreds of dogs to very happy people.
Why would anyone want a rescue dog? Many people think of rescue dogs as “damaged” goods—like a piece of fruit that fell on the grocery store floor. They may feel like they are getting a “second rate” dog that someone else doesn’t want. Nothing could be further from the truth. There are countless reasons for a dog to end up in a rescue group or shelter. These include families who can no longer care for the dog, a former caretaker of the dog may have died, someone has become allergic to the dog, or the person’s lifestyle is no longer compatible with the dog. An inactive owner who is more interested in pulling moss from his navel and doing crossword puzzles probably won’t do well with any dog, much less a high-energy dog like the German Shorthair Pointer.
In general, rescue groups go through an extensive process to make sure each rescue dog is up to date with their photos, well-fed, healthy, and socially well-adjusted before the opportunity for another family to adopt the dog ever arises. The rescue group spends a lot of time matching dogs with potential adopters to find the “best fit” for both. As a prospective dog owner, you can use an online resource like PetFinder.com to find rescue groups and pets available for adoption in your area. Almost every breed of dog has its own rescue group that is run by dedicated volunteers. While I can’t speak for all rescue groups, the ones I’ve worked with in the Midwest do what they can to help each other by transporting dogs, helping with vet appointments, making home visits etc. I was fortunate enough to spend some time volunteering for the Illinois Shorthair Rescue. Rescue groups are in it for the sake of the dogs, with members typically spending their own time and money without any compensation in return. However, I must admit that I was once given a hug and a can of Mountain Dew for transporting a dog. I almost cried. Well, not really, but the Dew tasted great!
Once you find a dog you like, you can contact the rescue group and you will probably need to fill out an application. On the other hand, if you’re not interested in adopting a dog but still want to help, there are all kinds of things you can do as a volunteer and all it will cost you is your time. Rescue groups will be eternally grateful and may even offer you a hug and a Mountain Dew.
The next time you or someone you know is thinking of getting a dog, cat, bird or antelope, please consider contacting your local pet shelter or rescue group. If you decide to adopt a dog, just remember that the dog you save can save you too.
#Rescue #dogs #hoping #play #run
