A rescue's "unexpected" journey

The index card at the shelter may not read "BUDDY" but as I looked at the picture over the Internet I saw Buddy. Oh, this dog wasn't exactly like him. But the stature, the beautiful tail, the face and, most of all, the LOOK of fear on the face was exactly what I saw when I selected Buddy to rescue! And, there's no heart on the forehead like my sweet boy but there's the beautiful Buddy look that I see day in and day out. The look that melts my heart each and every time that I see it.

After learning about high kill shelters in the south that are flooded with unwanted animals and retiring from a real estate career I started a nonprofit dog rescue organization. Diamond Dogs Rescue, Inc. I did not originally plan to rescue Buddy. I was actually rescuing a dog in the kennel across from him. When the shelter volunteer mentioned Buddy I read her comments. She said he was just a "plain" dog but so sad. She said he sat patiently looking while she loved on the dog being rescued and gave him treat after treat. He was looking with longing eyes that begged for attention but was not daring to bark or carry on. And when she shared a treat with him, she posted that he took it ever so gently and seemed so grateful.

HOW COULD I RESIST ALSO RESCUING HIM WHEN I HEARD ABOUT HIM JUST LOOKING AT THE VOLUNTEER WITH EYES THAT BEGGED TO BE NOTICE? Of course I said, "get him to"

I remember when Buddy was transported to New Jersey from North Carolina and I picked him up. He was pitiful. So skinny and with a lampshade on his head from recent surgery. He hugged the side of the van that had transported him with his shoulders slumped and he squeezed as close to the door as he could to feel safe. He was trying to hide among the crates of dogs being transported with him.

If he had only known how much I believed in him and that, to me, he was not just an unwanted dog. I'm certain he would have just run into my arms as soon as he met me if I could have only told him that. But I knew not to push him and I waited patiently to earn his trust. He had been through enough already. As we traveled home, he occassionally tossed a glance at me as if willing for me to care. I could tell he wanted the courage to let me embrace him. His tail (just the tip of it) wagged, tapping the seat steadily. It took a while for him to finally come to me, for him to even consider trusting me. But he finally inched towards me and nudged his nose at my hand wanting me to stroke his sweet face and share loving words with him. He captured my heart in just that instant.

Buddy was not originally meant to be mine. I rescued him and then transported him to New Jersey when I found an adopter whose application was approved. He was heartworm positive and arrangements had been made for his treatment to take place when he got to his new home and settled. But God works in strange ways. Because his adopter backed out after I brought him to New Jersey, I decided to keep him through his heartworm treatment and when he was well enough I'd then look for a home.

Little did I know God's real plan for Buddy and for me! You see, Buddy touched my soul in a way that I can barely find words to describe. He is my inspiration! I fell completely in love with Buddy and could never have adopted him out. He is my heart! He is an incredibly sensitive soulful dog. Each and every time I see Buddy looking around to make sure that I'm not far from him or that I see him sleeping next to me as I work, my heart swells with so much love for him.

I can never look at Buddy without that stab of fear in my heart over the thought that he would have been euthanized had he not been "unexpectedly" rescued. I can never look at Buddy without thanking God that he "unexpectedly" claimed me. I cannot imagine my life without Buddy and I know that I will watch over him, as he will watch over me, all the days of our lives!

And so, I know this next dog that I'm rescuing is not Buddy, but is a dog that looks like him. Another abandoned dog LIKE Buddy. So, he is my inspiration for making a difference in the lives of shelter dogs...JUST ONE DOG AT A TIME!