[BeagleBabe]

THE REASON –author unknown
I would have died that day if not for you.
I would have given up on life if not for your kind eyes.
I would have used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle hands.
I would have left this whole life believing that all humans don’t care.
Believing that there is no such thing as fur that isn’t matted,
Skin that isn’t flea bitten, good food and enough of it,
beds to sleep on,
Someone to love me, to show me I deserve love just because I exist.
Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands,
Your big heart saved me…
You saved me from the terror of the pound,
Soothing away the memories of my old life.
You have taught me what it means to be loved.
I have seen you do the same for other dogs like me.
I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair why you do it
When there is no more money, no more room, no more homes
You open your heart a little bigger, stretch the money a little tighter
Make just a little more room…to save one more like me.
I tell you with the gratitude and the love that shines in my eyes,
In the best way that I know how,
Reminding you why you go on trying,
I am the reason.
The dogs before me are the reason.
As are the ones who come after.
Our lives would have been wasted, our love never given
We would die if not for you.

 

[wayfarer]

Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:

Andy.

 

[threedognight]

Thanks for the post, Jamie! 6 rescues and counting, and I kept three! /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif

 

[Murphys Dad]

I love the essay. Please tell me that I haven't gone completely nuts, because I'd swear that I posted in this thread a couple of days ago! :conf12:

Crazy or not, at the moment we have three rescue dogs, and a come-by cat. Everyone of them is precious to us. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[BeagleBabe]

No, you're not crazy! :lol2: I posted this in two-legger talk the same day I posted it in here.

Here's the other thread in Two-Legger talk:
http://www.abeagleworld.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001270

 

[Genie]

This is just beautiful, Jamie!! Thanks for sharing. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif

 

[angelaH]

Brought tears to my eyes, an extra hug for all rescues.

 

[CarrieD]

Now I remember why I've been away from the boards...

I'm crying again... /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif

 

[Guest]

Great poem.

Lucky is 14 months old.

He has 1 undeveloped eye, *looks fleshy and small most of the time* which apperently he is blind in.

He was Un-nuetured, and was to be bred, however his geens were not good enough I suppose cause of his flaw. When I saw him I did not even notice the one eye he did not have.

I only noticed how cute he was, and was worried someone else might adopt him, only to not care about his defect and BREED HIM ANYHOW.

sO WE ADOPTED HIM ONLY a few short weeks ago, I knew I wanted him nuetured as soon as possible, to try and tone him down a little,(from my cat) and to make sure if worse came to worse and I had to give him up, he would be nuetured and ppl could not use him for breeding.

He is comming along in the short time we have had him, not with the cat, (yet) but with most things, I know he looks to us for guidness and love, and even though he's a little bugger, he does have great POTENTIAL this I can see, and it makes me be the one that is thankfull, thankfull that he RESCUED ME. *tear*

(in passing of my past Su of 15years)

 

[NORTHWEST REDNECK]

Rescued beags & dogs? Well to name a few... Daisy, Snapper, Duke, Rufus, Nibbler & Homer to name a few! (Goober was the only one purchased from a breeder) & is our longest living one thanks to a special diet & vitamins! :thumbup:

 

[Cody of Overlook House]

The post below was entered earlier this evening in the Introductions forum ... given that Ruby has just come home with us. But I'm thinking that it is just as appropriate here.

This morning at about 11:00 ... I drove to meet the Northern California Beagle Rescue foster parent who has been caring for Ruby. And now, eight and a half hours later, Ruby is here ... sleeping soundly in her new doggie bed ... snuggled-up right next to Eddie (my other beagle) and Pink Pig (a 3' tall stuffed toy).

As is Eddie, Ruby is ten years old. She is not quite as peppy ... is a bit less lean ... but with a little exercise and a good diet ... who knows. She certainly is a pro in the affection department ... and she is so mild-mannered and gentle. And she's already playing well with Eddie! Why, she's a much a "lady" as Eddie is a "gentleman."

Ruby is from the home of an older person who died. Unfortunately, none of the relatives were willing or able to take her ... but they were caring enough to take her to Northern California Beagle Rescue.

Our first hour together in the car today was heart-wrenching. She panted, shook violently and was very visibly insecure. While that is somewhat to be expected with an adoption -- after all, she lost one home due to a death ... and here she was again ... on the move ... future uncertain ... and after being in a comfortable and loving foster home -- it didn't make it any easier. But I just kept thinking about our future together ... put soothing music on the stereo ... talked quietly to her ... and gently rubbed behind her ears.

Several times on the hundred mile drive home we stopped for walks ... and that seemed to help. I might add the several dog treats were quite helpful too.

Sometime in the near future I'm going to write a piece about how wonderfully rewarding it is to adopt an older beagle. It's almost as if they are grateful ... somehow knowing that their life has been made better. Sadly, the older ones are the most difficult to place ... and yet, carefully chosen they can be the near ideal pet ... especially for those of us who are middle-aged or older. After all, they are more our speed. Sure they still get excited and antsy at the first hint of an upcoming walk. But when we're sitting on the sofa, quietly reading a book ... they're snuggled up right next to us ... sound asleep ... NOT prancing across the back of the sofa looking for mischief.

Now don't get me wrong ... I love puppies ... especially other people's puppies ... but an older dog allows one to avoid the many difficulties of the puppy years ... which more often than not includes a heckova lot of energy ... certainly more than I ever remember having ... and I'm in pretty good shape.

 

[Murphys Dad]

Thank you so much for adopting Ruby. I love older dogs, and Dusty and I have already decided that, if there are any more dogs in our future, they'll be senior rescues. Seniors rock! :heart:

 

[jrosler04]

ahh, now I am crying..what a post to be my first post (other than my introduction!)

this poem describes us. Shelter volunteers/rescue/foster/tranport!

We have 9 foster dogs right now, one is a beagle who is about to give birth any day now!! She would have been put down..so afraid that if you speak loud at all, she flinches. What type of life did she have before us???

We have 9 fosters, and my truck is on empty, the bank account is emptier than my gas tank.... My tires were completely worn, but we made sure our fosters have the vet appointments that they needed. They are healthy!!

Thanks for such a great poem! Do you mind if I print it out to hang at the dog shelter?? I think it would do a lot for all of us when we wonder why we try so hard...WHY we put so much time & energy in...just to see another severely abused/neglected dog come in...

Thanks

 

[rusty2542]

What a awesome post! I had tears in my eyes reading it it! My Henry was a rescue from Canada. He is my first. If I had it to da all over again I would. The beast thing I could of ever did!

 

[threedognight]

Reading that poem makes me quite sad this evening. This afternoon on the way back from the pet store, I came across this little beagle boy that was emaciated (starving) with a touch of mange. I called to him and he came to me to let me pet him. It was heart wrenching to leave him, but I was unable to pick him up at the time. Since I had a fresh bag of food in the truck, I left him a coffee-cup scoop of food that he quickly gobbled down. I will go back in the morning to see if he is in the vicinity; if he is, he will be coming home!


Cody: Ruby is a doll! Both of my girls are seniors.

 

[Pack Leader]

Henry, my boy, the day I adopted you was a great one! You are very, very welcome, and bring lots of joy to many lives.
Love,
Mom

 

[LuckyBeagle]

I rescued my Lucky as well. That story made me cry.