breed rescue organizations

[Stenograsaurus]

This is a list of rescuse centers for all breeds of dogs.

http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/~laird/animal_rescue/breed_rescue_organizations#canine

[wolflady]

That is a great link! Of course it has to be, after all it's hosted at my Alma Mater, Purdue University! :D :D Great link and lots of great info on rescues for any breed you could think of! :D There's rescue organizations for everything! Wow! :eek: :cool:

[jackiesdaisy1935]

This is a great link, I looked at all the Schnauzers up for adoption and would love to have them all, they are all beauties that deserve a home of their own.

[lizbud]

HI Wolflady...

I agree it is a great link and also a
Great school. GO Purdue !!!

[shais_mom]

I found this Poem on a cocker spaniel site.
I can't copy and paste it tho.
here's is the link http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/9862
hope it works its a tearjerker poem
It worked for me but now I a was able to copy the poem: here it is
How Could You?


A man in Grand Rapids, Michigan took out a full page ad in the
paper to present the following essay to the people of the community.


HOW COULD YOU?

By Jim Willis 2001


When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics
and made you laugh.
You called me your child, and despite a number of
chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows,
I became your best friend.
Whenever I was "bad," you'd shake your finger at me
and ask "How could you?"-but then you'd relent, and
roll me over for a bellyrub.
My housebreaking took a little longer than expected,
because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that
together.
I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and
listening to your confidences and secret dreams,and I
believed that life could not be any more perfect.
We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides,
stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice
cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps
in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of
the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work and
on your career, and more time searching for a human
mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you
through heartbreaks and disappointments, never
chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee
at your homecomings, and when you fell in love.
She, now your wife, is not a "dog person"-still I
welcomed her into our home, tried to show her
affection, and obeyed her. I was happy because you
were happy.
Then the human babies came along and I shared your
excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how
they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only
she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I
spent most of my time banished to another room, or to
a dog crate.
Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a
"prisoner of love."

As they began to grow, I became their friend. They
clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly
legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears,
and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything
about them and their touch-because your touch was
now so infrequent-and I would have defended them
with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds
and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and
together we waited for the sound of your car in the
driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if you
had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your
wallet and told them stories about me.
These past few years, you just answered "yes" and
changed the subject. I had gone from being "your
dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every
expenditure on my behalf.

Now, you have a new career opportunity in another
city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment
that does not allow pets. You've made the right
decision for your "family," but there was a time when
I was your only family.
I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the
animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of
hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I
know you will find a good home for her."
They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They
understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog,
even one with "papers."
You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar
as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them
take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons
you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty,
about love and responsibility, and about respect for all
life.
You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my
eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash
with you. You had a deadline to meet and now I have
one, too.

After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably
knew about your upcoming move months ago and
made no attempt to find me another good home.
They shook their heads and asked.... "How could
you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their
busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I
lost my appetite days ago.
At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to
the front, hoping it was you- that you had changed
your mind-that this was all a bad dream ... or I hoped it
would at least be someone who cared,..... anyone who
might save me.
When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking
for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own
fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of
the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a
separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me
on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to
worry. My heart pounded in anticipation of what was
to come, but there was also a sense of relief.
The prisoner of love had run out of days.
As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The
burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I
know that, the same way I knew your every mood.
She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a
tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same
way I used to comfort you so many years ago.
She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein.
As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through
my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind
eyes and murmured
"How could you?"
Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she
said "I'm so sorry."
She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job
to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't
be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend
for myself-a place of love and light so very different
from this earthly place. And with my last bit of energy,
I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my
"How could you?" was not directed at her.

It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of.
I will think of you and wait for you forever.
May everyone in your life continue to show you so
much loyalty.
The End

______________________

A note from the author:

If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as
it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of
the millions of formerly owned pets who die each year in American
and Canadian animal shelters. Anyone is welcome to distribute the
essay for a noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly
attributed with the copyright notice. Please use it to help educate,
on your websites, in newsletters, on animal shelter and vet office
bulletin boards. Tell the public that the decision to add a pet to the
family is an important one for life, that animals deserve our love
and sensible care, that finding another appropriate home for your
animal is your responsibility and any local humane society or
animal welfare league can offer you good advice, and that all life is
precious. Please do your part to stop the killing, and encourage
adoption.

[ July 28, 2001: Message edited by: shais_mom ]

[shais_mom]

Here's another one:
Flight of An Angel

by Pam Thiess

I remember the day that you came.
So unhappy, your eyes cast down in shame.
Why would someone give you up?
They'd had you since you were a pup.

What would your story be, sweet one?
Did your family grow tired of the doggie fun?
Or maybe you just got old and gray,
No longer moved fast, and just got in the way.

You were so scared, so unsure,
As the person that you loved left you at the door.
I called you by name, told you it would be all right;
I put my arms around your neck and held you so tight.

As time went on and I earned your trust,
Manners and training were a must.
And I know that we made quite a pair.
Another page turns in foster care.

Not every day was hearts and flowers, you know this much is true,
But as a team we kept on trying and saw it all the way through.
We spent much time chasing demons; consistency was the key.
But little did I realize I needed you as much as you needed me.

The time has come, my precious one, look how much you've grown.
There s a family who wants a dog to love for their very own.
You have to move on, as another needs your space.
I know you are ready now, the wag of your tail,
that smile on your face.

I took notes and pictures, right from the start.
But the best memory I have of you is etched deeply in my heart.
I will not say goodbye, as that is forever.
Our bond is special, I'll forget you never.
So spread your wings, my precious one,
the world is waiting for you

Soar high, and fly, and begin your life anew.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

Those are beautiful and so sad poems, you can be sure I am crying as I write this, thank you so much for sharing them, I think I will go spend some time with Daisy and Perry and give them a hug and a kiss, tell them I will always love them and they will always be by my side forever.
Jackie

[Daisy's Mom]

Those were so sad! There are tears in my eyes as I type this. The saddest part is that these are true stories, over and over again :(

[Pam]

I am crying too! :( It would be impossible not to while reading those. I am going to do exactly what Jackie's Daisy did...go and smother Bella in hugs and kisses and make sure she knows she will never ever have to experience anything like that in her life. My heart goes out to anyone who works in a shelter and must experience this on a daily basis. It would tear me up!

[ July 29, 2001: Message edited by: Pam ]

[3-greys-and-a-mutt]

Oh that first poem is so sad - it made me cry! It makes me wish that I could go to our local dog pound and take home every hard-to-place dog that is on death row. :(

[Angels3]

I'm in tears after reading both poems. Thank you for posting them.
I wish I could tell Jim who wrote the first piece that his work is now circulating in Australia. I'd like him to know that his efforts will help dogs down the other end of the earth.

[Sudilar]

I always cry my eyes out when I read How Could You?

[wolflady]

lizbud! :D :D I'm originally from Columbus, IN...not far from Indy!! I really do miss the midwest sometimes, but am coming back at the end of Aug to see my new nephew!! I can't wait :D Are you a Purdue alum??

[wolflady]

Shais, great poems...they really get you thinking...and you can't help but hug your precious babies a little tighter.

3-greys, I know what you mean! I wish I could just bring all the furbabies home from the pound! It's so hard to go there and see all those sad faces waiting for homes... :(

[Stenograsaurus]

How could you is so sad :( . I copied it and sent it to my mom. I tried to get her to adopt a 10 yr. old lab and she said "I don't want that old thing." I thought the poor thing. After years of devotion, it's going to end up dying without a family to love. If I didn't have an aggressive dog, I'd get her in a hearbeat. Here she is http://kobie.petfinder.org/PA06.324177.jpg

Here's her story:
http://web2.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?action=2&pet=324177&adTarget=468petsgeneral&SessionID=3b65ab5240fb940d&display=&preview=1&row=0

[AdoreMyDogs]

I made a promise to Graham when I adopted him that I promised to never take him for granted, and I would absolutely never get rid of him. I show so much love towards Graham all the time people are surprised when they ask me when I got him and I reply 7 years ago. Graham...I promise to never do those bad things to you...cross my heart.

[jackiesdaisy1935]

I fell in love with Keisa, I wish with my whole heart that she finds a forever home.
She is so beautiful and so loving. It breaks my heart to see a 10 year old with no home or family of her own at that age. :(

[lizbud]

shais_mom...

Thankyou for posting both poems.
i had read 'How Could You ' a few years ago
so i was somewhat prepared for the emotional
impact the message carries...Still cried bitter tears for the 'old and forgotten' furkids that once thrilled someone; and whose
life held such great promise...
How could we indeed, go back on our promise to them...
The second poem does offer some hope ...
Thank God for Rescue Workers everywhere.

I wonder just how much a full page ad
costs in our local paper??? (Just a thought) thought...
page as cost in the local papers

[lizbud]

wolflady,
No i'm not a Purdue alum, but my son is..
Also have a niece who is third year student.

P.S. Believe me you would not want to be
here in this heat & humity we've had lately.