One Dog's Purpose

This is a remarkable story that I am compelled to share. The writer requested everyone to share with friends and so I do.  Source: Pawpulous

"Gumby is a dog of action that could not be contained. As a hound, he had the tendency to wander. And over the years he became quite the escape artist. According to BarkPost, Gumby was about 3 or 4-year-olds when he was found wandering the streets of South Carolina and taken in by the Charleston Animal Society.

He was handsome, healthy, and exceptionally friendly, so the staff at the Charleston Animal Society didn’t think twice about whether or not he’d be adopted.

And he was. They just miscalculated how long he would be adopted for. His first adoption lasted an entire three days. His second adoption only lasted six days.

Gumby spent the next two years being adopted and returned back to the shelter. He was taken back by to the shelter his adoptive parents eight times and was picked up off of the street three times.

His adoptive families just didn’t know what to do with him because he would constantly escape.

Finally one of the staff members at Charleston Animal Society figured out why Gumby would always return to the shelter.

“He knows he has work to do,” Behavior Team Leader Donya Satriale said.

It was discovered that Gumby had a special skill. The Charleston Animal Society’s staff discovered that Gumby is an empath and has the ability to comfort incoming dogs who are experiencing fear and anxiety.

So instead of continuing to try and place Gumby in a new home, he now works with Satriale on her team and lives in the shelter. He serves as the “Ambassa-Dog” and helps with behavioral demonstrations and helping new dogs adjust.

Thankfully, the Charleston Animal Society is a no-kill shelter. If they hadn’t been, Gumby may have faced a different fate.

Gumby also has a second job at the Charleston Animal Society. He helps to heal sick kittens with eye infections. Gumby donates blood every two weeks which is used to help the cats get over their infections.

“Gumby gives back! Remember Gumby the white hound who returned to the shelter 11 times and now is our playgroup King?” the Charleston Animal Society wrote on their Facebook page. “Well, he is now a blood donor for kittens with eye infections! We draw his blood every two weeks extract the white blood cells from his blood and administer to the kittens’ eyes! (Healing eye drops) The serum from his blood has healing properties! Opie will heal faster.”

You can help the Charleston Animal Society help dogs like Gumby by checking out their website and making a donation here."

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Source: Pawpulous

We all have a wonderful purpose and Grumpy shows us that every one of God's creations is special, unique, worthy, and acceptable.

Reader's Choice Awards Nomination by TCK Publishing

I continue to give myself a pinch every time I look at my published book or hold it in my hands. Having never thought of myself as a writer let alone a published author, my book, Hogan's Hope, is a "dream come true." My "dream" now is that his message of hope for anyone to live a full and successful life can be spread to everyone and I work to share his purpose and legacy.

Hogan's Hope: A Deaf Hero's Inspirational Quest for Love and Acceptance has been nominated in the General Non-Fiction Category and needs everyone's vote! So please click on the logo above, go over to the 5th page (General Non-Fiction), and scroll down to Hogan's Hope.

When we rescued Hogan in 1993 at the age of 18 months, almost all deaf dogs were being destroyed, mistreated, or abandoned. Hogan's is a tale of a deaf dog who prevailed as he learned over sixty -five signs in American Sign Language. His ability and tenacity provided the hope of life for many deaf dogs worldwide and his courage to overcome challenges and prejudice continue today to give inspiration to anyone, human or pet, that accomplishment, success and genuine love are truly possible. He overcame all the myths.

We adopted Hogan as a deaf, malnourished puppy whose early abuse made him wary of new situations and locked him in a world of silence. Being teachers in the public school system, we quickly decided that teaching Hogan sign language would be the cornerstone of communicating with him. Gradually he learned to trust us and became confident in relating to new people, other animals, and unknown circumstances. Little did we know that Hogan's story would lead to numerous requests for interviews, news stories, and public appearances. Some of these programs included Oprah Winfrey, Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures, Dateline with Dennis Murphy, Positively Connecticut with Diane Smith, Amazing Tails, and Good Morning America. Two separate radio interviews to Japan began the international buzz that deaf dogs are intelligent, do learn, can lead completely normal lives, are loving, and make wonderful family members.

Through his lifetime of determination, Hogan's journey offers the promise that we all are capable of achieving an amazingly "ordinary" life and a life away from isolation. His tale of valor reveals that dreams do come true and offers insight into the world of true faith unconditional love and endless hope. 

"Once you choose hope, anything is possible."     -Christopher Reeve

Please help us with your vote. Thank you in advance for your support and encouragement.