I Rescued A Human Today by Janine Allen
Posted by Janine Allen at Monday, November 17th, 2008.
I am so flattered at how many people have emailed me for permission to cross post this little essay I wrote. Feel free to share this with everyone you know. People can find the dog of their dreams at a shelter; let’s hope they make shelter adoption their first option.
Hugs to all of you and your beloved dogs!
I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY by Janine Allen
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.
I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.
Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.
I would promise to keep her safe.
I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.
I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.
I rescued a human today.
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Written by Janine Allen CPDT, Rescue Me Dog's professional dog trainer. Janine's passion is working with people and their dogs. She provides demonstrations for those who have adopted shelter dogs, lends email support to adopted dog owners that need information beyond our Training Support Pages, and aids shelter staff and volunteers in understanding dog behavior to increase their adoptability. Copyright 2010 Rescue Me Dog; www.rescuemedog.org
21 Responses to “I Rescued A Human Today by Janine Allen”
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July 1st, 2009 at 5:50 pm
This is the first time I have seen this. Have seen a lot of other stuff, but this is the best I have ever seen. Request permission to use on our website, and possibly in other promotional events. Will give you all the credit, and a link to any refuge you would like.
Again, this is a real gem. An angle on rescue that I always knew, but never thought to put in words. You did a great job, and think that it would help our group to be able to use it in publicity things. Just did not want to do this without permission. Thanks so much–Claudia
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:04 am
A very beautiful and heart warming story. I love reading it.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
What a wonderful article! I am going to repost it per your instructions for use on my blog on Thursday. Let me know if that is not OK. Thanks for letting us share it!
August 6th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I have seen this before, and it brings tears to my eyes every time. I have been in rescue for 10 years, and all I can say is AMEN!
Great job!
August 13th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
How sweet and how so true. I hope this gets others to visit a shelter and adopt a new family member.
August 30th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Hi Janine
Fantastic article - very very warming nature. i am an animal lover to the extreme! i dont have any pets at the moment but this will change pretty soon! i’m actually maternal (or shall i call it pupernal) for a dog. i dont have any children yet also. my enquiry is of a different nature though..
i am interested in training dogs but have no lead as to a good school that will teach me? could you give me any suggestions please?
if you could give me anything that would help me this would be most gratefully appreciated!
Regards
Sev
August 30th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
We saw this link whilst visiting another blog and thought we would pop over. How lovely!
It is very true in our case!
love
Martha & Bailey xxx
September 2nd, 2009 at 9:13 am
This is hanging in every room of the animal shelter I volunteer at. It brings a tear to my eye every time I read it. So beautiful.
September 10th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I had never known anything but the struggle of living on the street. She had had not known anything but the struggle of depression and lonliness until she had a little black and brown dog years ago–but she was so sad for the last five years since she lost him. But that lady had a thought that another dog would help her get better. She searched the internet for weeks till she saw my photo (lucky for me that I looked just like her previous pet!) and she worked for two weeks for the money to adopt me, emailing every single day to my pet shelter (doggy jail!) to make sure I did not go to anyone else. Then she got somebody to drive her the 150 miles to get me. Now I am not hungry and hasseled; now she is not lonley or depressed anymore. I rescued a human, also!
P.S. She also spent some time in jail so she understood how that had affected me. This bond helps her to be kind. I like kindness, it is new to me.
September 24th, 2009 at 8:04 am
I read this, and it made me well up with tears. Makes you think about a dogs ultimate happiness is to make their humans happy. I just lost one of my chihuahuas (3 years old) to a blockage in a hepatic biliary duct on Monday 9/21/09. We tried so hard to save her. She was one of those dogs that just strived to make you happy- which wasnt hard. If you just watched her she made you laugh and smile, and one look with her loving eyes said it all. She came from a “back door breeder” (if you will), I think she really knew and appreciated that we gave her a good home, she brought so much happiness to all that encountered her.
October 27th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
This hit home for us! I adopted my dog from the LASPCA after he lost a leg to an alligator. That was in 2002 and today, we still are in contact with our “friends at the LASPCA” They asked about your story and I have directed them to your website! Your story hits hearts all over!
Thanks, Danny and Trey
November 14th, 2009 at 6:58 am
my husband is 78 and in really poor health. about 3 years ago, we lost our beloved little chihuahua to congestive heart failure. ray swore he didn’t want anymore dogs, and i agreed to honor that. but one night i woke up to hear him crying in his sleep. i got up on an elbow to look over, and saw him petting his pillow. the next day we went to the pound and brought home perky, our now 5 year old cocker. and what a joy he is. my husband doesn’t pet his pillow anymore with a real, warm, loving dog to love. thanks for listening, love, robinrse
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:12 pm
What a lovely little story…so touching. It put a tear in my eye. There are so many wonderful animals out there looking to “save a human”. I hope that everyone will visit their local shelter when looking for a new pet to adopt..Stray Rescue of St Louis is a wonderful place if you live in or near St Louis, MO. I have 3 dogs and a cat that all “saved” me!! Thanks for the post. I have shared it with my Facebook friends.
December 14th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
We, too, were rescued in September by Asa, a black lab/great dane mix. We had lost our one lab a year earlier to cancer — I think Asa waited for us — he’s just a big bundle of love.
December 19th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I received a link to this story in an automated news letter today. Ironically, I had just returned home with Lucy, a sweet little beagle mix that was living at our local SPCA.
I am currently in the middle of a divorce and recently had to move from my home of 20 years. I am missing seeing my children everyday and I miss my dog that we adopted 5 years ago. I saw Lucy’s picture on the internet and her eyes haunted me until I had to go see her. Once I saw her, I knew I had to bring her home. A few hours ago she was in a cage in a shelter, right now she is sleeping beside me on the couch. She has a new home with someone who will love her and take care of her, I have someone to talk to - we both win.
December 20th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I just wanted to say I like your site! I was cruising on some different blogs when I found this website. After looking around on this site I’ve come up with some good ideas for my weblog. I just thought I’d let you know
January 5th, 2010 at 7:08 am
I just read your article. I have three dogs, all of whom were adopted. Your article made me cry because it is exactly what happened for me. Each of my dear friends rescued me and continue to rescue me each day. Thank you for the work you do!
January 11th, 2010 at 7:49 am
My husband And I lost 2 dogs and a cat to cancer two years ago. All the animals we ever had,cats,dogs and 1 horse were all someones “throw aways”,going back our 61 married years and beyond. Since we are in our 80’s we decided it was too late to adopt again but Buddy showed up at the young age of 3 months and we had to save him. I know he will outlast us so I planned on training him to be a service dog for a returning wounded serviceman….it is harder than I thought but I don’t want to give up his future happiness. Any suggestions? He just turned 1 year.
January 11th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
This is AWESOME! Made me cry. :)
I am reposting at http://www.barkindoggiebiscuits.com.
THANK YOU!
January 12th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Interesting article & nice site.. will visit again :)
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:19 am
I happen to read this poste, and I am new to all of this. Is it through an rss and more details? I wish I would learn something here.