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Julie's Corner
Contact Julie - juliepnjcf@live.com |
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Rescue
Dogs-Angels
in
Disguise "What? Rescue an old dog? She is eight years old. She has lived most of her life. What if she dies next year, or tomorrow?" said my aunt. The thought of rescuing an older dog just seemed the silliest thing to her. That dog has lived most of its life. What is the use of getting attached to it just to have it up and die in a year? Seems like a pretty silly idea. Well, the good thing is that older dogs won't always die in the next year, or two years, or five years.....! Many rescue organizations for pets have a large number of older animals. Owners can no longer physically take care of them, a person moves to another home that won't allow animals, to expensive to keep if they have an medical issues, the list is a long one on why they give them up. Most of the time, there is grief to the owner. It is not a decision easily made. When a prospective pet owner steps up to the plate and says, "I will take her/him" without regard to age, they are doing more than rescuing a pet. They are giving a home to a little animal that has lost all it has known for most of its life. They are taking home a living being that will forever love them, that will honor that bond that forms between a much loved pet and owner. Abby was a rescue sheltie. When my aunt first met her, she was really unsure about adopting Abby. She was an older dog, had a problem with a club foot, was a little overweight, not what a person thinks about when they consider getting a dog. She was not the cute little puppy that bounces around the house. Abby was a little shy. Her history was not really known. She was in danger of being put down due to her age. My aunt decided to take the chance and Abby stayed with her. Abby just died at the ripe old age of 15 years. She lived with my aunt nearly half of her life. She was there when much life pain was in my aunt Ruth's life. She comforted her when my uncle discovered he had cancer. She soaked up tears when it was found out that he very likely would die from it. And, most important of all, she was there after the funeral when the house was empty, cold, and lonely. Abby was a rescue Sheltie. Before Halloween, after my aunt found out her beloved dog had cancer of the bladder, she contacted Sheltie Rescue. This time, there was no hesitation. Yes, she would be happy to adopt an older dog. She took Abby with her to visit Pumpkin. Pumpkin left no doubt in my aunt's mind that she thought Abby was a pretty good friend for a little dog to have. She liked my aunt, but, Abby was her buddy. Pumpkin came home that day. She followed her buddy around the yard while Abby taught her about home protection. She found out the best spots from Abby to hide from the squirrels so that they couldn't see her. She found out how to pop out of that spot so she could run them out of the yard. Pumpkin, soon known as PK, became a vital part of Abby and my aunt's life. She helped extend Abby's life just by giving her the "pack" that the little dog needed. It became fun to roam the backyard with PK by Abby's side. PK loved to follow Abby around the house, curl up next to Abby, and try to snitch Abby's food. She found out that my aunt was a pretty neat person and adjusted rapidly. PK came with thyroid problems, was a lot overweight, and was a very small Sheltie. She came with a big heart, ready to love my aunt, ready to share her home. PK was there when my aunt came home, waiting at the top of the stairs with her little tail wagging, after Abby was put to sleep. Abby lived a long happy life with my aunt. PK will live one with her, too. No one could ever give more than these little rescue dogs to those that adopt them. Consider them when you go for your next pet. |
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