Study PAWS

Rusty graced my life not long ago and it all happened because of a local rescue organization I had adopted through in the past called “Second Chance Pets”.  Their volunteers work in the League City area to rescue and provide foster home and forever homes for needy animals in the area. Because of their great work, I started to volunteer with them myself!  I came to understand that there is always a need for more foster homes as there are so many needy animals. I was asked to foster a dog that would have had to go back to the deplorable conditions it was currently in if a foster couldn’t be found.  Well, the rest is history and that is how I was introduced to Rusty, the toy poodle.  

He wasn’t great adoption material: over 10 years old, emaciated, covered in fleas, not potty trained, not leash trained and couldn’t follow basic commands. Worst of all, his teeth were so rotten he had holes into his sinuses! He must have been in extreme pain yet he was the sweetest dog I have EVER encountered. He only wanted to be loved and to give love.  He easily integrated into my home with me and my pets and training began. 

A dental procedure was immediately performed which left him with only 4 teeth. Poor guy. Never once, despite the pain, did he show any aggression or fear.  While he healed, I began to see him become more interactive and even more loving.  He would play and run around the house like a puppy and certainly showed up my other dogs!  He just felt so much better once he was healthy that he absolutely blossomed.  I couldn’t imagine not having him with me so I applied to adopt him and was granted the gift of having him with me for the rest of his life. 

I started to take Rusty to public places and could see that people were absolutely drawn to him and him to them.  He loved EVERYONE and would actually stop walking, turn around and stare at people who didn’t stop for him, as if to say, “How could you not be swayed by my charm? I’ll wait here for you.”  He still does it to this day and I knew he had a greater purpose.  I enrolled him in a local program and he became certified therapy dog.  We now go to local nursing/residence homes, hospitals, elementary schools and health fairs where he gives unconditional love and comfort to people in need.  In fact Rusty’s very first therapy “job” was to go to a college campus during midterm exam week and give stress relief for fatigued students.  Where was this when I was in school!?

You’ve probably seen those car magnets that say “Who Rescued Who?”  I can’t think of a better living embodiment of that saying than Rusty.  But you know, he didn’t just rescue me, he rescues everyone he comes meets.  I’m just his vehicle.