McMuttigan's

My morning began with a phone call about a dog that I was  going to rescue. "Donna, when I got their they said he died Saturday. I'm so sorry." This dog was to come to my home on Friday, but nobody would answer the phone and the forgotten Boxer couldn't be picked up. So I was happy and ready to get him this morning, all the bells and whistles. It was like a punch to the gut when I heard those words! I felt all the happy drain and the questions and worry about how and WHY! This was a dog that on Friday was ??? healthy, but on Saturday he was dead. I feel as if my eyes want to burst into tears and at the same time I would like to get to the bottom of things, but the tears come a lot easier. No, I'm not a crier with most things but a dog dying when it could be safe makes no sense to me. I have spent the day trying to answer emails, phone calls, get my graduation things together, anything to take my mind off of the nameless Boxer...It as if I have been looking for a Rainbow to brighten my day when the sky is clearly blue. For me the day has been a definite day of reflection, looking at my fosters and personal dogs and telling them, "I wouldn't trade one minute of you for anything." My heart breaks for the dogs that never know the love and families that they so deserve. They give us whatever it is we ask...even if we think they are misbehaving, in some way we made that OK. I hope in some way I can begin to help those that are truly helpless...the senior dog that lost his owner to cancer, the young dog thats family is moving away, or even the awkward dog that with a bit of attention and training can become a wonderful pet. The lows are very low in rescue and I dream of a day when I can say these kinds of instances don't happen. I would save the world of dogs if I could because they have always been a source of comfort for me. This boys death will not be in vain, but I do believe it could've been averted. I feel sad that it wasn't. For the next dog that I see in harms way I will be much more tenacious and probably a lot more aggressive if something happens to it. I wish all the puppies, adult dogs and senior dogs all the love in the world. If not given by me or a rescue or shelter friend, by someone who sees their face, and for whatever reason it may be says, "that's the dog I've been waiting for". To all you misfit pups out there, even though you don't know it, you are loved. You weren't a waste of my time Boxer boy, and you made your way directly to my heart at first glance. I loved you even though you never knew me. You made a mark on my heart.