The Rescue Page offers a listing of rescue groups, most of which mainly work on finding homes for a specific breed. Of course there are the All-Breed rescues which will rescue any breed of dog needing a home and of course you can’t forget the always loveable mixed-breed dog! The people involved in rescue take animals from shelters saving them from euthanasia and place them in foster homes where they can evaluate the dog and it’s reactions towards people, strangers, other pets, cats, and dogs. This way they find a home that will match the dog’s needs. A dog that doesn’t get along well with cats would not do well placed in a home with mainly cats. Some rescues even take special needs dogs, these dogs need special care that the former owner may not have been able to give them or afford. Rescues work hard finding these dogs homes where they can be kept comfortable. Maybe you have one of these homes. All of these are loveable canines seeking a place they can call home. Some may be young and some may be old, some may be small and some may be large but all deserve to be in a loving home. Please check out these pages and even if you can’t offer a permanent home think about fostering. So many rescues are filled to the limit with more dogs every day needing homes. You could be the one to give a dog a second chance!

Once I was a lonely collie,
Just looking for a home.
I had no place to go,
No one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets,
In rain in heat and snow.
I ate whatever I could find,
I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore,
My body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat,
Or gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance,
I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me,
Was really lots of fun.
And then one day I heard a voice,
So gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me,
And took me off my feet.
“No one again will hurt you,”
Was whispered in my ear.
“You’ll have a home to call your own,
Where you will know no fear.
You will be dry, you will be warm,
You’ll have enough to eat,
And rest assured that when you sleep,
Your dreams will all be sweet.”
I was afraid I must admit,
I’ve lived so long in fear.
I can’t remember when I let,
A human come so near.
As she tended to my wounds,
And bathed and brushed my fur,
She told me about the rescue group,
And what it meant to her.
She said, “We are a circle,
A line that never ends.
And in the center there is you,
protected by new friends.
And all around you are,
The ones who check the pounds,
And those that share their home,
After you’ve been found.
And all the other folk,
Are searching near and far.
To find the perfect home for you,
Where you can be a star.”
She said, “There is a family,
That’s waiting patiently,
And pretty soon we’ll find them,
Just you wait and see.
And then they’ll join our circle,
they’ll help to make it grow,
So there’ll be room for more like you,
Who have no place to go.”
I waited very patiently,
The days they came and went.
Today’s the day I thought,
My family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think,
It wasn’t meant to be,
There were people standing there,
Just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heartbeat,
I could tell they felt it too.
They said, “We have been waiting,
For a special dog like you.”
Now every night I say a prayer,
To all the gods that be.
“Thank you for the life I live,
And all you’ve given me.
But most of all protect the dogs,
In the pound and on the street.
And send a Rescue Person,
To lift them off their feet.”

Arlene Pace
September 18, 1998