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Woof!

NOTE TO ADOPTERS

[by Diane Morgan]

Diane writes, "After a couple of bad experiences with adopters (NOT the dog) in rescue lately -- I wrote this. Forgive the irritated tone. (If anyone would like to place this on their own rescue page for any breed, you have my permission so long as the content is not altered." dcrocodile@aol.com

Note to adopters: Lassie and Cleo and Rin Tin Tin and Toto don't show up in rescue. We don't get the elegantly coiffed, classically beautiful, completely trained, perfectly behaved dog. We get the leftovers. Dogs that other people have incompetently bred, inadequately socialized, ineffectively "trained," and badly treated. Most Rescue dogs have had it. They've been pushed from one lousy situation to another. They've never had proper veterinary care, kind and consistent training, or sufficient company. They've lived outside, in a crate, or in the basement. They're scared, depressed and anxious. Some are angry. Some are sick. Some have given up. But we are Rescue and we don't give up. We never give up on a dog. We know that a dog is a living being, with a spirit and a heart and feelings. Our dogs are not commodities, things, or garbage. They are part of sacred creation and they deserve as much love and care and respect as the next Westminster champion. So please, please don't come to rescue in the hopes of getting a "bargain," or indeed of "getting" anything. Come to Rescue to give, to love, to save a life -- and to mend your own spirit. For Rescue will reward you in ways you never thought possible. I can promise you this -- a rescue dog will make you a better person.

If I didn't have dogs:


1) I could walk around safely barefoot in the dark;

2) My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated;

3) All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture and cars would be free of dog hair;

4) When the doorbell rang, it wouldn't sound like the SPCA kennels;

5) When the doorbell rang, I could get to the door without wading thru four or five dog bodies who beat beat me there;

6) I could sit how I wanted to on the couch without taking into consideration where several little furbodies would need to get;

7) I would not have strange presents under my tree ....like dog bones, stuffed animals and have to answer to people why I wrap them up;

8) I would not be on a first name basis with a vet;

9) Most used words in my vocabulary would not be:

potty, outside, sit, down, come, no, and leave him/her ALONE;

10) My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates;

11) My purse would not contain things like poop pick up bags and dog treats;

12) I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L, T-R-E-A-T-S, O-U-T-S-I-D-E, and F-R-I-S-B-E-E;

13) I would not buy weird things to stuff into 'kongs' or have to explain why I'm buying them, or what a "kong" is;

14) I would not have as many leaves and Pine Straw INSIDE my house as outside;

15) I would not look strangely at people who think having their ONE dog ties them down too much;

16) I would not have to answer the question why do I have so many dogs from people who will never have the joy in their life of knowing they are loved
unconditionally by something as close to an angel as they will ever get. Who else has a friend who considers you the MOST important thing in the whole
wide world all the time.

The Gift



Eyes fearful, paws worn
A sorrowful sight
So forlorn

Love they said would be the cure
For the suffering
You had to endure

So our family grew that day
We brought you home
With us you'd stay

Slowly, gently the bond it grew
Faithful, loyal
Loving true

Looking back it's so unclear
How we got by
Without you here

Trusted companion, devoted friend
You give and give
It never ends

They said we were a gift to you
But now we know
Who rescued who



J. M. Berry