Three hundred miles to save a life

I picked up Mari at 7:30 this morning and we headed down to the York, SC Animal Shelter hoping to pick up a german shepherd named Jesse before she was euthanized. Fortunately she was spared this morning. Tracy at the shelter brought her out along with the male german shepherd/rottweiler mix named Sam that she had lived with. Their owner turned them in last week. Who knows why or how you could keep animals as pets and then surrender them to animal control and certain death.


Sam was special. He loves Jesse. Sam had a microchip, so the shelter had to try to locate his owner. When the dogs were first brought in, Sam howled when they took Jesse away - so much so that they put them back together, giving her a few more days. Today was her day.

But it turned out lucky for her, a family in Raleigh wanted her, they only needed help getting her to Raleigh. I offered to drive her to Greensboro and Mari arranged a ride the rest of the way to Raleigh.

Back to Sam. After we left with Jesse, Sam howled and howled and was so upset that he know has diarrhea. His time is up Wednesday, so now we are seeking an adopter or a foster for him. He's already neutered, very sweet, shepherd/rottie mix and about 100 pounds of love in dog form. Sadly he will never see his Jesse again. But hopefully his life will be spared so he can share his love with a family and other dogs.

My feelings this evening are mixed. We saved Jesse's life. She's a sweet girl who deserves to have a wonderful life. On the other hand, Sam may end his days Wednesday, sad, alone, and heartsick for his Jesse. Sam is a wonderful boy too.

At 3:00AM I know I'll be awake sobbing, and wondering why people do what they do to dogs, and wondering why we can't save them all. We try, but we really only make a small dent. I know to those dogs and their new families it means everything. But my heart breaks when I think of the wonderful dogs that die every day. Wonderful, sweet dogs with their missions unfulfilled. Wonderful loving companions just like our Noir and Casey, and Mari's Buddy.

The heartache won't stop until there are stronger licensing laws and affordable options for spaying and neutering pets, and education for children to break the cycle of inhumane treatment of animals.

After 300 miles of driving to get sweet Jesse to her new home, I'm suffering. Sweet Jesse is safe. Sweet Sam is heartbroken. What did we accomplish? I don't know if I feel pride or shame.