The Shelter Dog Promise
Poem by Justine Rose
I’ll wrap you in my arms
To let you know you’re safe
In your bed, you’ll be nice and warm
I promise you’re here to stay.
So many still are waiting
In the shelters, they sit alone
I promise to wear this ring
Until every dog has a home.
December 1, 2020, was a day filled with deep grief and heart-ripping sadness. Our sweet little girl, Judea, took the journey to her forever life in the arms of our Lord and away from the horrific illness that ravaged her body. While this dreadful illness was short-lived, it struck suddenly and offered no mercy. Every effort to diagnosis the cause was thwarted, and the affliction puzzled every one of the specialists who worked determinedly to save our precious pup. Nothing worked. None of the medical community at all three veterinary hospitals had ever witnessed anything like it.
Over the decades, Jim and I have had to say, “Farewell,” to all our beautiful four-legged family members but this felt harder, deeper somehow. Perhaps it was our age. Perhaps we were just not up for losing another magnificent creature who God made — my breath of Heaven. Whatever the reason, we experienced grief that gripped our hearts into deep, relentless despair.
Judea’s unbelievable way of being able to teach others how to be kind was extraordinary, and she left an indelible mark on the hearts of those she met — especially the children.
How could we ever find calm, peace, or the desire to welcome another “at risk” pup into our home? How would we ever find the “right” pup for us?
I am blessed to have a wonderful group of social-networking friends who offered sincere condolences, prayers, and support. In the days just before Christmas, I received a message from a member of FaceBook’s Deaf Dogs group. “I’ve got a deaf dog for you!”
Elsie was at the rescue shelter, That Place Called Home, hoping for her forever home. Elsie found us!
Georgine Murphy and Nicole Lea had rescued Elsie from a dire situation and brought her to their rescue shelter where she received wonderful attention, great love, and real acceptance.
One family attempted to adopt her but returned her to the shelter in the short order of a week. She had “too many issues” and an enormous need to work off her extremely high level of energy. Real concern arose that Elsie might be unadoptable.
Dalmatians are known for their high energy level, propensity for deafness, urinary tract issues, and strong spirit. (Elsie has all of these - plus!) Having had three Dals before Elsie, all deaf and with some of these same issues, Jim and I were familiar with the trials and weren’t discouraged from entertaining the idea of adopting this sweet little girl. And when I say, “little,” she only weighs in at about 35 pounds. (Her weight was only 25 pounds when she arrived at the shelter.) Compare that to our Judea who weighed 54 pounds.
Jim didn’t hesitate and believed that Elsie was meant to be ours because she came to us — she found us. We hadn’t searched for her! He simply announced, “Go get her! Bring her home!” and helped set up transportation as soon as possible. We both wanted her to come home without delay.
The problem: Elsie was on the west coast at the California/Oregon state line living at the rescue center That Place Called Home with Georgine and Nicole. Jim and I, on the other hand, live on the East Coast in Connecticut.
Under normal circumstances, finding transportation would have been so much easier. But it was winter and too cold to fly her. Additionally, her size was just a bit too large for her to ride in the passenger cabin with a pet nanny. I am not fond of transporting any animal on an airliner, let alone in the cargo section. Too many risks exist, and the perils are too hazardous.
We explored the private pilots who give their time and resources to fly animals to various parts of the country to their forever homes. However, the season, the weather, and the lack of pilots thwarted this possibility.
Then, the COVID restrictions caused questions, how-to’s, and different requirements across the states.
An incredible member of Facebook’s Deaf Dogs group, Issabella, generously volunteered her time and great efforts to assemble folks who believe whole-heartedly in rescue to form a transportation chain and bring Elsie to Connecticut. This meant that each driver would transport Elsie for a four to six-hour leg of the trip and require at least forty folks. A daunting task! Jim and I wanted desperately to get Elsie home as soon as possible, and this option would take weeks to put together. How could we ever ask someone to take on this enormous mission? Not only that, the timing was terrible. Remember, it was the holiday season. Who would choose to be away from their families and friends?
Our last hope was to find a professional animal transport. After numerous contacts, research endeavors, and telephone calls, Jim and I found a company that worked during the holiday season. So, on Christmas Day, Elsie began her journey cross country. The estimated trip was five days, but the mid-West was suffering from bad winter weather conditions affecting driving. Jim and I, the entire family, and many amazing friends at home and on FaceBook waited not-so-patiently. Biting our nails and waiting by the telephone, every day brought a new delay because of weather and even a breakdown of the truck. UGH!
Hallelujah! On January 2, 2021, Elsie arrived home. She immediately offered kisses and her gentle ways to all of us, best of all to our young grandchildren. All of us fell instantly in love. And just when everything seemed perfect……..
After only two hours of being home, Elsie suffered a terrible seizure and was rushed to the emergency clinic. I felt like I was reliving Judea’s story. Elsie underwent countless blood tests, MRI, ultrasounds, and spinal tap. Jim and I didn’t want any stone left unturned and wanted to continue That Place Called Home’s hard work of giving Elsie every opportunity to live the best life ever. ELSIE DESERVED ONLY THE BEST. Our sweet, precious little girl had to overcome so many obstacles. We determined that she was going to be loved and accepted NO MATTER WHAT:
Despite her special needs of being deaf and blind in her left eye.
Despite her medical issues of being epileptic and prone to crystals in her urinary tract.
Despite her high energy, the habit of pace-paw-dig, and a light addiction in which she chases reflections and moving lights.
No second thoughts. No mountain too high enough. Every worthy effort.
I tell you about Elsie’s adoption to share with you that every adoption, every precious animal saved, brings enormous reward, endless joy, and heart-filling love. Rather than buying, rescue a pup who sits and waits to be loved, to be part of a family. Confused, sad, and anxious, too many sit and wait for someone to love and love them. Too many are sentenced to death because of human behavior and decision. Too many are abandoned, discarded, thrown away.
Whether two-legged or four-legged, every one of our stories is unique. Every one of us is unique and has different needs. Adopt, don’t shop, and receive the love that is unimaginable. Adoption is the best option for welcoming a new four-legged family member. As quoted from Two Traveling Dogs, “Rescue is the breed of choice.”
Join the “ring” of love.
Adopt! Don’t shop!
