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T here was a man once, sitting on a bench, killing time in the mall while he waited for some friends to finish shopping. He enjoyed watching the people go by; the young couples in love, the families, the intent shoppers, and the mall walkers. He liked watching them all.
T he bench he was sitting on was outside a Pet Supply Store and eventually he noticed that there was a rescue group in the front of the store, off to one side. They had many dogs with them. The dogs were beautifully groomed and seemed very happy. Some people were visiting with them and petting them and occasionally filling out some paperwork. Most people were ignoring them. And no dogs were leaving the store.
T he man was intrigued. He went in to the store. A Golden Retriever with three tennis balls in her mouth came up to greet him. A small, fluffy dog of unidentifiable breeding sat at his feet and looked up at him expectantly. There were two Labs and a beautiful German Shepherd. Toward the back, an elderly collie quietly stood gently wagging his tail.
T he man turned to one of the rescue workers, "How can you keep doing this?" he asked in amazement. "For every dog you find a home for there are a dozen more at the pound, two dozen more tied up and forgotten in backyards around the county, and uncounted dozens being born to unscrupulous breeders only to end up unwanted and neglected. Why do you bother? Don't you know that what you are doing doesn't make any difference at all?"
T he rescue worker smiled and picked up the small fluffy dog. "But it does make a difference. It makes a difference to this dog. And to this one. And to this one."
Starfish story revised by Jan Hilborn at National English Shepherd Rescue. Permission has been granted to freely reprint and distribute this as long as NESR at "http://www.nesr.info" is credited.
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| Rila was thrown out of a moving car.
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When Rila was two days old, she and her five litter mates, along with their mother, were thrown out of a moving car in Perrine. The whole family was rescued off the street where they'd landed and all six were successfully adopted out to loving families. Rila is preternaturally smart, understands everything her humans talk about and is the undisputed Queen of the neighborhood.
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| Nasha was found in Allapatah.
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Nasha was abandoned by her family when she was 9 weeks old and was found wandering in Allapatah. She turned out to be a wolf hybrid with her own special and very instinctual behavioral characteristics. Wolves are loving, loyal, pack oriented, social creatures and Nasha is no exception. Through extensive training and lots of learning on the part of her humans, she has become a wonderful, playful member of her adoptive family.
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| Obi was rescued from the Orange Bowl.
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Obi was dumped in the Orange Bowl parking lot and lived there for 3 ˝ years before she was rescued by her family. She survived by begging at tail gate parties, taking hand-outs from the security guards and 'dumpster diving'. She's now a total 'Mommy's girl' who loves to play with her toys and snuggle up on the bed.
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| Fred was adopted from Broward County Animal Control.
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Fred was adopted from the Broward County Animal Control at the age of six weeks. He was ill, but with a little tender, loving care, he became a healthy puppy and is now over ten years old. Fred is the apple of his grandmother's eye and is also bilingual - understanding both English and Spanish. Fred was the valedictorian of his dog obedience class.
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| Sparky was almost run over.
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Sparky was rescued as a tiny puppy from a busy Coconut Grove street during morning rush hour. She was adopted into a loving home and has brought unlimited joy to her family and neighbors. Sparky turned into a beautifully gregarious little girl who loves - and is loved by - everyone she meets.
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