When I first saw this picture along with the words I had a very strong, and mixed, reaction to it. My stomach ached and tears came out of nowhere. The tears were of terrible sadness and absolute joy at the same time. It was extremely overwhelming, to say the least! I still get teared up at times when I look at it. Uh…like I’m doing now as I write this post!
Why?
Because that’s my dog Lydia, and she came way too close to being one of those 3 or 4 million dogs. Seeing those words next to her picture really hit me hard.
She got lucky though. She was not euthanized!
Lydia was a shelter dog before I found her at Town Lake Animal Center, and I was told she probably wouldn’t have lasted much longer had I not adopted her. She could have easily been injected with a euthanasia drug and not had the chance to be the beautiful dog she was meant to be. Instead, she is full of life and love and absolute joy and I cannot imagine not having her with me. She’s helped me get through some pretty tough times in the past eight years, including my mother’s death, and she’s added a whole new dimension to my life that wouldnt be here if she wasn’t. The thought of her being killed because nobody want her sends chills up my spine.
I’m so glad I was able to save my little girl, but it makes me ill to think there are so many others out there who aren’t as lucky as she was. Ldyia is alive. Others are dead. I don’t know how many of the dogs I saw at the shelter the day I met Lydia were killed that day. I don’t want to know exactly. I do know it’s too many and that makes me sad and angry.
The pictures of Lydia and Archie are from the Shelter Dogs and Deaf Dogs Photo Book projects. It’s a book being put together by Melissa McDaniel, a pet photographer who happens to have a beautiful deaf dog named Sadie. She decided she wanted to do something to help shelter dogs and deaf dogs. So she’s traveling the country and taking picture of dogs who are either deaf and/or rescue dogs. The photos will appear in the photo books, which will help raise money for rescue and deaf dogs. Lydia and Archie are both going to be in the Rescue Dog Photo Book.
The photo book projects is a photography initiative, a series of photo books with educational content, designed to call attention to certain topics, raise awareness on issues, celebrate the beauty that is around us, and give non-profits a means to raise money for themselves.
Check out the Photo Book Projects: Rescue Dogs & Deaf Dogs website and if you can, order the book. Part of the profits will help non-profit dog groups. And, of course, if you’re looking for a new dog or cat, check the shelter. You might just find your Archie or Lydia there too!
Lydia and Archie are both very lucky dogs. Not just because they’re going to be in a book (although I am pretty excited about it!), but because they are both alive. And me . . . well . . . I know I’m lucky . . . Archie and Lydia are my family!
Technorati Tags: shelter dogs, rescue dogs, Photo Books Project, Melissa McDaniel
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
can’t type much…too many tears..of sadness and joy …x0x0
Saw your message on Twitter page, I enjoy your story because it’s so close to heart. I to just adopted my Ralphie from the shelter and he had been there for over 2 months. He is the best dog in so many ways, with some minor issues..but not enough to end his life. He’s a sweetheart! I to wonder about all the dogs that are in the shelters needing a home and never getting picked out. It’s so sad and it breaks my heart every day. I just cant imagine what to do to help, there is just sooooo many. Where do you even start , you know? I am glad you saved your baby and enjoying your life with her. I am so happy to hear great stories….. Thanks for sharing, and looking forward to reading the book.
My Joey was rescued when he was 5 months old. He had been hit by a car in front of his house. His owner came out, pulled him into the front yard, and left for work.
That evening, when the puppy was still alive, he was taken to the ER to be euthanized. I got a call from the vet asking for help. The owner didn’t even want x-rays taken, just put him down. As the pup was being prepped for the “pink juice”, he grabbed the vet’s hand with his paws and began licking like crazy.
That’s when I got the call. I was the vice-president of an organization that funded high-end vet bills. I spoke with the owner, told him we would cover all expenses with no strings attached.
The owner declined my offer, saying, “He just wanted to get another dog”.
Words came out of my mouth without my brain even thinking about them, “Would you relinquish ownership?”
At 11pm at night, I had adopted a dog sight unseen. I told the vet to make him comfortable and I would get him in the morning and take him to an orthopedic surgeon. He ended up having a broken pelvis and shattered leg, which was repaired. He’s always been a little gimpy, but he’s been the sweetest dog I’ve ever had.
It’s almost like he promised to be the best dog ever if he could just live. He held up to his promise.
Joey will be 12 years old in August. We both know every day is a gift. He recently had to have his original surgery done again. His joint was wearing out and breaking down. Recovery is much more difficult at this age, but he’s still my happy, loving, uncomplaining guy.
When I think about how this great dog almost never got to have his life, and what both of us would have missed, I get chills.
We’ve traveled across the country together, camped in the mountains and desert, shared our joys and our losses, and above all, loved each other.
The difficult thing is when I think about all the other wonderful lives that are being snuffed out with no chance of running at the beach, catching a frisbee, riding in a car with their head out the window, snuggling up in bed with their person, I get overwhelmed with sadness.
Joey, Lydia, and all the other rescues are the lucky ones.
We rescued Missy…a 10 yr old English setter years ago.. She had a forever home but kept running away and finally her owner said she would not pay the fine to get her out..so she sat for 4 months and was adopted but brought back within weeks as she wanted to run..imagine that…a dog wanting to run…she was there another 4 months when my niece and my two kids went to adopt a puppy…there was something in her eyes and her posture that made me say..she is the one—with no complaints from my family..We have lots of woods that she ran in without ever causing a fuss to others (it was our land) and we had 4 wonderful running years with her…and 15 years of wonderful memories and smiles…
I adopted my Sweet Sam when he was only 10 weeks old. He came from an abusive breeder and had been locked in a closet. In 14 short months Sam has gone from living in a closet to being a registered therapy dog. He works with children with special needs, it’s amassing to see him with the kids. I know he was ment to be with me and I’m looking forward to many wonderful years with Sweet Sam and watching him work.
Rescue dogs are the best! All four of mine are rescued. And the photo project about shelter and deaf dogs sounds like a wonderful idea.
I did want to point out one thing. As your title says, Lydia was not euthanized. But neither are most of the millions of dogs who are killed each year in shelters. They are killed; they are executed; there are a number of words that are appropriate for their fate. But they not euthanized. Euthanasia, by dictionary defition, is the killing of hopelessly sick or injured individuals for reasons of mercy. Killing for space does not come under this definition.
I am on a campaign to end the use of the word “euthanasia” for the killing that goes on for space in shelters. It is inaccurate, and it gives this killing an aura of legitimacy and kindness that it should not have.
I hope you’ll join me!
My nephew just got his new beagle puppy from beagle rescue in Atlanta. He named him Lucky.
My sister and I have both rescued over the years. I have also bought a couple as well. But I tell you, the joy in saving a life is amazing. I can’t go to shelters or I would end up being a shelter.
Thanks for sharing this, and for the link to Melissa’s blog. What a wonderful project, and I am so glad you have Lydia and Archie.
I volunteer with the local pug rescue and my latest rescue is one who was going to be euthanized at the shelter because she was deemed unadoptable because of a medical condition. Thank goodness she found her way to us because she is our little spitfire and a year and a half later, she is still doing well.
Thanks to all of you for sharing your rescue stories. They all bring tears to my eyes!
“the joy in saving a life is amazing”
You said it, Robert! And then…to have that life with you for years, giving you companionship, love, and laughter…what could be better?!
Therese,
It’s so wonderful to see Lydia and Archie in this book! I’m weeping as I write this, thinking of what might have happened to my own little Baku had he ended up in a shelter (we found him in the street and he had been dumped by his owner when they moved away). Too many wonderful, amazing dogs are euthanized because their people decide they no longer want the responsibility of owning a dog. Shame on them. My doggie is the best thing that’s ever happened to my fiance and I and we THANK his owner for not wanting him! That’s how much we love him….we’re glad he ran in front of our car 5 years ago! I’m gonna go hug him now.