I listen for your footsteps
Coming up the drive
Listen for your footsteps
But they don’t arrive
Waiting for your knock dear
On my old front door
I don’t hear it
Does it mean you don’t love me any more.
The Beatles
Those are the words from an old Beatles song, they somehow seemed appropriate for this article. It’s about throwaway dogs, those no one wanted. Dogs that used to have homes but now, for whatever reason, their owner decided they were dispensable.
I look at the words and think about the dogs waiting, patiently, for their owners to come back. Full of unconditional love just wanting to be shared. But the footsteps that they long for are never heard, the knock never comes, does it mean they aren’t loved anymore?
This is where Kristin and Paul Banks come in, they run a dog rescue called Eye on the Sparrow. The couple live in Yorkville, IL and help dogs who have been passed over for adoption in local animal shelters. Although, they have been known to help out as far away as Texas.
Dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes are taken in and can be matched to a family based on their preferences and the temperament of the dog. There are the older dogs with special needs such as blindness and physical challenges that tend to end up with Banks for an extended amount of time, just waiting to be a loving companion to the right owner.
The number of dogs that are taken in by their all-volunteer rescue group, Yorkville-based Eye on the Sparrow, varies from time to time, but the animals are cared for in volunteer foster homes until they are adopted. The organization has already placed more than 400 dogs since it formed.
“I get goosebumps when I see how much joy a dog brings to their new owner, knowing when I first took it in that at that time it meant nothing to someone else,” she said.
For Banks, the joy of finding a good home for an animal that may have been unnecessarily euthanized keeps her actively involved in rescuing.
On their site they have a letter from a shelter manager, sharing the shocking truth behind shelters, it’s a must read for all dog lovers. Keep the Kleenex close by, you’ll need them.
Until people really stop and think before getting a dog, or cat, I can’t see this situation ever changing. When did it become acceptable to try out an animal as long as it works for you? What happened to accountability, commitment and responsibility? I realize there are situations beyond someone’s control where they are no longer able to care for their dog. However, most of the cases come down to one thing, inconvenience.
Many of the pets up for adoption, including their pictures and biographies, can be viewed on www.petfinder.com. Those in search of a specific breed of dog can call 1-800-save-a-pet to find a match.
For more information on adopting a dog from Eye on The Sparrow, contact Banks at 630-553-7553.
Kudos to Kristin and Paul Banks for dedicating their lives, and stepping in, to help where others have so miserably failed. For showing care and compassion, where there was none, so no dog is left behind. We give you a big paws up!
