Of Human Grace and Compassion
Beyond Arden I spend most of my spare time with animals and animal rescue. Dog rescue in particular with A2Z Rescue.
Although 90% of the time working rescue is out and out frustrating, and since we work with high kill shelters down right depressing, there are also many moments that are miraculous examples of human compassion at its best.
Henry is a Golden Retriever. When we posted him for adoption we were inundated with applications. Everybody loves a Golden and Henry was a lovely example of his breed.
He is goofy and loving, playful and downright cheerful. He hasn’t met a person he couldn’t love or an animal that isn’t his best friend. When happy he bounces like a rabbit.
Henry was found wandering along the side of a road someplace down South. Skinny, emaciated… lost and confused. Dumped? Ran off and lost his way? We’ll never be sure.
Passed as healthy by a vet and aged at approximately 6 years old, our rescue posted him for adoption and I handled interviewing the legions of potential homes.
As an adoption coordinator I can’t tell you why I sometimes pick a home. In a fanciful moment I usually think some guardian angel of animals nudges my brain to pick one application over another.
When I picked Henry’s new home, on paper they actually didn’t meet all the criteria we use to weed out applications… but I kept going back to it. So I called them.
And was thrilled by this family. They were the right ones. I just knew it.
Two weeks ago Henry went home with them.
Yesterday he went to the vet.
Henry is dying.
Henry is 10-12 years old. He has cataracts and is losing his hearing.
He has two tumors and hookworms.
Our heartbroken (and embarrassed rescue) could only offer the devastated adopters the opportunity to turn him back over to us. Since I handled the adoption I even offered to provide him foster care in my own home if that made it easier on them.
But this family simply replied that it was sad that Henry was in such a state and probably was neglected for all of his life and the least he was owed was love, compassion and hospice in his last months.
They didn’t want a refund or money for medicine or vet visits.
They made me cry.
They gave me hope.
They reminded me that not everyone wants an adorable puppy or a shiny young purebred dog.
And that the human heart cannot be expressed on an adoption application.
Because of them I can call a few more people tonight and realize for every disappointment there is that intangible hope waiting in the wings….
For Lexi, Bandit, Amber, Maybel, Oscar, Bubbie, Jackson… the list is endless.
But not hopeless.
Thank you Henry and family.
Although 90% of the time working rescue is out and out frustrating, and since we work with high kill shelters down right depressing, there are also many moments that are miraculous examples of human compassion at its best.
Henry is a Golden Retriever. When we posted him for adoption we were inundated with applications. Everybody loves a Golden and Henry was a lovely example of his breed.
He is goofy and loving, playful and downright cheerful. He hasn’t met a person he couldn’t love or an animal that isn’t his best friend. When happy he bounces like a rabbit.
Henry was found wandering along the side of a road someplace down South. Skinny, emaciated… lost and confused. Dumped? Ran off and lost his way? We’ll never be sure.
Passed as healthy by a vet and aged at approximately 6 years old, our rescue posted him for adoption and I handled interviewing the legions of potential homes.
As an adoption coordinator I can’t tell you why I sometimes pick a home. In a fanciful moment I usually think some guardian angel of animals nudges my brain to pick one application over another.
When I picked Henry’s new home, on paper they actually didn’t meet all the criteria we use to weed out applications… but I kept going back to it. So I called them.
And was thrilled by this family. They were the right ones. I just knew it.
Two weeks ago Henry went home with them.
Yesterday he went to the vet.
Henry is dying.
Henry is 10-12 years old. He has cataracts and is losing his hearing.
He has two tumors and hookworms.
Our heartbroken (and embarrassed rescue) could only offer the devastated adopters the opportunity to turn him back over to us. Since I handled the adoption I even offered to provide him foster care in my own home if that made it easier on them.
But this family simply replied that it was sad that Henry was in such a state and probably was neglected for all of his life and the least he was owed was love, compassion and hospice in his last months.
They didn’t want a refund or money for medicine or vet visits.
They made me cry.
They gave me hope.
They reminded me that not everyone wants an adorable puppy or a shiny young purebred dog.
And that the human heart cannot be expressed on an adoption application.
Because of them I can call a few more people tonight and realize for every disappointment there is that intangible hope waiting in the wings….
For Lexi, Bandit, Amber, Maybel, Oscar, Bubbie, Jackson… the list is endless.
But not hopeless.
Thank you Henry and family.
posted by Mama2Arden | 1:23 PM
4 Comments:
that made me cry. very sweet and touching.
That just melted my heart....I can relate to the family that adopted Henry. Our Siberian Husky, Marco, is 11 years old and hasn't been in the greatest health since we adopted him 1 year ago. But I wouldn't ever trade a day that he's been with us for all the money we've spent at the vet. He's worth it all.
Oh, that is lovely.
We have a rescue pup, a little dachshund (she's Co's icon).
oh i could just cry
poor henry
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