Ponder this:

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Pet Rescue Soapbox

Some of the most welcome comments I've received on the last several posts have been from people saying that after hearing about our experience, they've decided to get that cat or dog that they'd been thinking about. That's pretty rewarding to me. 

I've written before about how rescue animals are different. My rescued cats and my two other rescued dogs have just seemed forever grateful and devoted. As if they remembered. I'm sure they didn't, but . . . who knows. 
Molly is bearing out the tradition. She's happy for a loving look, and grins back at us. When she hears her name, her tail wags, even when she's sleeping.
As for the way Husband and I feel, you've seen the change in tone here between "petless" and "happily and completely dopey over our pets." And everybody knows that pets are good for you.


Some of the stories behind these rescues could break your heart . . . 
little Sandy and Mac, for example, 
who're being fostered by Molly's foster mom, Melissa.


where we found Molly.


All this to say: 
If you're thinking of getting a pet, Google "pet rescue" and 
take a look around at any of the shelters or rescue sites that you find in your area. 
You might be lucky enough to get a Molly. 



16 comments:

English Rider said...

Let me just add that fostering is a very important part of pet rescue and can be a good way of helping and enjoying animals without signing up for a ten year commitment. The rescue organizations will pay for food and veterinary care for their fosters.
I'm so happy you found your heart-dog and she found you:)

Carolynn Anctil said...

I couldn't agree more! If there was anything I could add it would be not to overlook the senior animals. I have adopted several who were well on in years and I have been so abundantly blessed to be in the presence of such genuinely kind, gentle, wise souls. It's true, your time with them is shorter, yet there is a gift to found even in that awful reality, too. Knowing that you have provided a safe and loving environment, a sanctuary for an animal to spend it's last years in, is a giving back of sorts, however small in comparison to what is gained.

Blessings, my friend.
Carolynn

Linda Myers said...

Part of my plan if the time comes when I am living alone without a pet-allergic spouse. I hope it's a long way off.

Terra said...

Sweet rescue and I see love in your photos.

#1Nana said...

So glad the universe aligned the planets that allowed you to find your animal family.

DJan said...

It's just wonderful to see and hear the love in your pictures and words. Everybody wins. I am so glad, as Nana says, that you've found your animal family. :-)

Barb said...

You've hit the jackpot! I love the last photo with the devoted look in both pet and human!

Rose ~ from Oz said...

June pet rescue is the only way to go (as far as I'm concerned) I just couldn't be happier for you all.
Along with all the other fav blogs I follow I've of course added you to my new bloglovin reader list but it stubbornly will not let me make a comment via that platform. Two others are the same, but never the mind I've simply put you in my favourites/bookmark and I comment from there - technology will not thwart me!!

rachel said...

I agree whole-heartedly, June - 4 of my 5 cats came from one small rescue charity (and the 5th came from my son who had tried his best to keep her after she was dumped on him) and the dog came from another. They know they are getting a better chance this time round, and frankly, despite being deeply loved, still manage to give much more than they get.

But (re English Rider's comment) - fostering kittens didn't work for me; I just kept them!

Long may you and your pets flourish.....

marlu said...

We adopted to "cage mates" from our local shelter a year ago in October. Jack and Jill are not related but they are co-mischief makers; what a joy! They were both found as puppies on the streets of our town. Someone has missed out on a lot of happiness which we are loving...

Hilary said...

I have only ever heard good, happy stories of folks who have their beloved rescues. If there are to be further pets in our lives, I feel certain that that's the route we'll take.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

I'm so happy for you and your family, June! Molly is, indeed, a treasure -- and so beautiful. I've had so much joy from my rescue cats over the years. I think they DO know. One of my favorites, Marina, who was two years old when we adopted her from a rescue organization through Petsmart, had been given up by two families because they considered her too needy. She was the most wonderful cat: so loving, sleeping on my pillow, so happy to be cuddled any time, any place.

When we were moving our furniture to Arizona (from L.A.) three years ago, I boarded our three cats at the time with their vet. The plan was to bring them over to an already set-up house to ease their stress. But Marina looked at me wide-eyed when I left her at the vet. She trembled and cried, something she had never done with us. It occurred to me that she felt she was being abandoned yet again. She had a cardiac episode a few minutes after I left and the vet, after doing tests, discovered that she had leukemia. We were devastated, but determined to give her the best possible remaining life (after making sure our other two cats had leukemia vaccine booster shots). She was so happy to see us come back for her and I think that the short time she had remaining -- she died three weeks after we all moved to Arizona -- was perhaps the happiest of her life because we came back for her and she was not abandoned, after all.

Bless you for inspiring others to give so many wonderful rescued dogs and cats happy, loving homes!

Friko said...

Or a Millie. Or, before her, a Benno and a Boris. And cats before them.

I couldn’t agree more, rescue animals are just so grateful and remain devoted to the rescuer. That is my experience and I’ll always choose a rescued animal over a bred for sale one.

Vicki Lane said...

Our three dogs and two kitties are all rescues ... wonderful critters, all of them (though I must say the cats don;t seem especially grateful. But then, the ARE cats.)

the7msn said...

Popping over to thank you for the backyard hen link. Funniest thing ever, and oh so true.

judy in ky said...

I have three kitties rescued as strays. They are delightful. I am thinking about rescuing a dog next. My next-door neighbor has recently rescued two dogs, and they love them. I wish I could rescue them all!