The WHY of Rescue…

Last week I had the task of photographing 8 dogs in one evening.   I wasn’t sure I was up to it, but since the time I have available to volunteer my services for Paws Rescue has decreased dramatically in the past few weeks, I decided I would dive in head first and see what we could get accomplished.   Thanks to the great fosters  of Paws Rescue and Leigh Conerly (my awesome photography assistant) we got them all done and had a great time doing it as usual!

 

Here are images of the eight dogs we photographed that day.    As I type this, I want to take the opportunity to share something with you… YES YOU READING THIS…

 

I know it gets old and often depressing, seeing the images day after day, of all the dogs needing homes.   Believe me…sometimes I think to myself    “Are we even making a difference?     Is this picture even going to matter?”       How is a dog like this  (scared, hairless, plain- jane looking) even have a chance out there?   WHO will want her?

 

 

But let me tell you WHY I do what I do, and WHY Leigh and the other volunteers do what they do.

 

Because we see not only the poor neglected dog in front of us, but in our hearts we see the potential that is behind those sad brown eyes.      We see not just a dog… but the family bed-buddy underneath.      The nose that nudges under your hand after a long day to give you encouragement to keep going.    The playmate that brings the ball back after your kid has thrown it for the umpteenth time.   The jogging partner that keeps you going up that next hill.

 

I have the special privilege of seeing  some of these adoptees  year after year-after they have found their forever homes and been shown what love is.   I have seen them after they have overcome their shyness…   after they have grown back their hair…  after they have learned to trust, and give back love ten fold.

I have seen them literally shed their shell of an existence and become outgoing, happy, affectionate members of the family.    And every time I see that transformation my heart gets bigger and allows just a little more room for the next potential dog who is just waiting for someone to give him a chance.

 

One of these guys never even made it out of the clinic.      Those of us who are adept at seeing the potential peek through the trembles were all too happy when Animal Medical Clinic’s own Robin Cedotal and her family decided to welcome this little guy into their home.    Even in just a short while, although he was still scared, you could tell there was a AWESOME dog just screaming to be let out of that tiny little shivering, scruffy little body.     I am so lucky that since Robin works for us at the clinic, I get to watch another transformation unfold.   I get to see MORE lives changed (both human and canine).   And I get to feel my heart get just a little bigger  and give me hope for the next one that  comes along…

 

If you are looking for a new family member,   or just want to help change a life and foster a dog and help be part of the magic… please contact Leigh Conerly at Paws Rescue and see what you can do to help today!!     And don’t forget,  if you would like to help by purchasing a 2014 Paws Rescue Calendar you can do so ONLINE by clicking the Link above.   We can ship or they are available for local pick-up!