Here in this house…

I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks
of the other dogs ‘out there’. I can sleep soundly, assured that when I
wake my world will not have changed. I will never know hunger, or the fear of
not knowing if I’ll eat. I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from
the heat. I will feel the sun’s heat, and the rain’s coolness, and be
allowed to smell all that can reach my nose. My fur will shine, and never be dirty or
matted.

Here in this house… There will be an effort to communicate with
me on my level. I will be talked to and, even if I don’t understand, I
can enjoy the warmth of the words. I will be given a name so that I
may know who I am among many. My name will be used in joy, and I will
love the sound of it!

Here in this house… I will never be a substitute for anything I am
not. I will never be used to improve peoples’ images of themselves. I
will be loved because I am who I am, not someone’s idea of who I
should be. I will never suffer for someone’s anger, impatience, or
stupidity. I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved
by all. If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my
teacher for blame.

Here in this house… I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch…
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me. If I am ill, I
will be doctored. If scared, I will be calmed. If sad, I will be
cheered. No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful
and known to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not
cute enough. My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought. I
will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair
as dogs.
Here in this house… I will belong. I will be home.

Virginia, a small,doxie/chi mix was surrendered by her owners to our local shelter. Our rescue found out about her just two days prior to her scheduled euthanasia day.

After scouring the internet’s various rescue sites and sending out mass email pleas for help, as our rescue was at full capacity, Virginia’s prayers were answered. The only problem was…how to get Virginia to the family that wanted to adopt her as they reside in Toronto, Canada. I must admit the task seemed daunting. Daunting that is until Alice Knottmyer, a pilot,stepped in with an offer to fly Virginia to Canada at no charge.

With an offer of a forever home and a free plane ride to get home, not a moment could be lost. Virginia was quickly pulled from the county shelter and placed into boarding, an appointment was set up with our veterinarian  for Virginia to be spayed, heart worm tested, wormed and brought up to date on her vaccinations. Virginia also required a health certificate as she would be traveling across state lines. Within a week Virginia was ready to go.

I am pleased to say that all of this came together and Virginia was flown home to her new family in Canada last week. A heartfelt thank you to the Read family for opening their home and heart to this sweet angel in need and  to Alice Knottmyer without whom,none of this would have been possible.

VIRGINIA~