Rescue dog thoughts

I'm currently watching a marathon of the show Pitbulls and Parolees and having a snugglefest with Jackson. The episode I'm watching right now is highlighting some of the most challenging dog rescues  that the Villalobos Rescue group has done in the past. After each challenging story, the group is showing pictures of where the dogs are now. So basically I'm snuggling Jackson because every time I see those darn happy doggy faces in their forever homes I start tearing up! I love seeing these stories and the hardworking rescuers who have saved, trained and helped these dogs find such good homes.

The woman who runs the Villalobos Rescue (her name is Tia) said two things during this episode that stuck with me:

The first is, "We hear this phrase all the time 'rescue'. I rescued a dog. Well, maybe instead this dog rescued me." I whole-heartedly agree with that statement. And I am so thankful that Jackson picked me to be his owner. I have no idea what happened to him before me, what trauma or neglect he may have faced but just knowing that he will never experience that again makes me smile. As ridiculous and quirky as he is, I would never change anything about him because that's what makes him. 

The last is a question not a statement, "How many thousands of dogs sit in animal shelters across the country overcome with grief and depression because their owner abandoned them?" Tia said this after reuniting a dog with her owner after a year and a half or more. The dog was super aggressive and not responding to any training. She showed no emotion towards anyone. Then the rescue group received a letter from the original owner who wanted the dog back. Turns out the owner got arrested and the dog got left in a hotel room and then who knows what happened to her. The owner had her life back together and was now sober for a year - she wanted a second chance with the dog. Tia decided to give the owner another chance. They showed the reunion. It was as if the dog had been with the owner that morning; she acted as if little or no time had passed! It was amazing (I was definitely bawling!). 

Just some things to think about. 

...And a little rescue dog promotion.