Monday, December 13, 2010

Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus

Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.
Dalai Lama


It is not very often that Silvieon4 allows me to write in my own voice. And why should she? It is HER blog, after all. But today, she knew I needed to express some thoughts and she relinquished control, for this one post.

Those of us who are involved in rescue, whether actively so, or in fund raising or in some supportive role, find ourselves privy to some of the worst of mankind's behavior. We are the witnesses of the wreckage left by the abuse and neglect that a just society should never allow or tolerate. Losing faith in humanity is a reasonable and inevitable consequence. Burn out, retreat into our own small world and distrust of people are common. We are scarred souls. And yet, the very action of rescue is our salvation from complete surrender to desperation.

My darling Wendy was a special need dog. She is and will always be my darling Wendy. I had no hesitation in adopting her and I would not trade her for anything in the universe. She is wonderful and perfect, and I tell her her that 100 times a day.

When dogs like Wendy and Will come into rescue, each step of the evaluation process becomes an act of realization and resignation. Each limitation that is discovered can be a major issue in placement. Hopes dim, expectations fade and sadness takes over. You internalize anger for what was done to this innocent creature, you ache and grieve and feel deep shame for being part of the human race. While for many people, it would stop there, for Robin and Jack Gray of Tidewater Bichon Frise Rescue, that is only the start.

Post evaluation, goals are set, plans of action are implemented and the healing process begins.

With Will, there were many challenges. I am ashamed to admit it, but I really thought that Will might be hard pressed to ever find a home. And then, slowly... like the light of a faltering candle, the hope started. With each small conquest, we all watched as Will blossomed. A video of Will blitzing had us all scratching our heads. He is RUNNING!!!!! The candle was now well light and burning brightly. Will soon became just another TBFR dog waiting for his family.

Today we announced his adoption. What a Christmas miracle. Even this living heart donor needed a tissue to wipe away a few tears.

Thank you. Thank you Will, you worked hard and you really really learned. Thank you TBFR, Jack and Robin, for seeing to it that Will got the best rehabilitation possible. Oh yes, thank you for my Wendy too. Thank you Will's new family for seeing past the imperfections and into the sweet soul that Will is. You will not be sorry.
You have all given me something for Christmas that could not be bought or bartered for. Faith, hope and the joy of redemption.

Thank you, and now I need to go hug my three 4legged monsters.
Silvieon2

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

That was so beautiful!!
Robin D