A shout-out to the unsung heroes of rescue
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Last night my wonderful, patient, supportive husband Scott came home from a business trip and was immediately met with Our Lady of San Juan and Immaculate Heart of Mary novena candles burning in the kitchen. "Who are you doing the novenas for?" Not "What the hell is that?" or "Why do you have two candles set up to burn the house down?" or "Have you noticed that you are not Catholic, WTF are you thinking?" But "who are they for?"
I said, "Two dogs in Texas", and he nodded in understanding, said, "Oh, okay", and went upstairs to unpack. After he had decompressed from the trip for a bit, I told him he had to read this blog to get the whole story--after which he was asking how much it costs to treat heart worms and suggesting we should contribute to Bonnie's treatment.
I am so lucky to be enveloped with such loving support. It is what allows me to reach out and try to rescue others rather than just trying to survive myself.
Scott works a bazillion hours a week and is not an active participant in animal rescue work. But he and others like him are no less valuable in the process, because they are loving and supporting those of us who have more discretionary time to do so. Here is to the heroes who may never be seen at the shelters or on Facebook, but who are always there behind the scenes helping make it happen. They are part of the miracle for which I am grateful.
The novena candles continue to burn for Ranger and Bonnie, that they will find their loving forever homes soon. Please read the posts below for their stories. And thank you for every little and big thing that you do to make the miracles happen.
Dear God, Our Lady, Angels, Spirits, and Anyone Else To Whom It May Concern:
The two novena candles for Ranger and Bonnie have continued to burn since yesterday--with the light symbolizing our hope for their happy futures, and the heat emblematic of our passion for not only their rescue, but that of creatures everywhere who do not have a voice of their own. Thank You for being here and working with us in this endeavor.
This is Bonnie. I'm sure You know her better than I do. I've never met her, but who could look at this picture and not immediately love her? I think she could fly with those ears. Forgive me for violating the 8th Commandment by stealing the following from Bonnie's Joe's Animal House Facebook description, but it's so perfect and presents her so well.
"Just look at me, big ears, blue eyes. I was running about town with my buddy Clyde when we got lost and came here to wait for our people. Well we were here over a week and they are no-shows, so we need new homes. Not only am I beautiful and exotic looking, but I have a great personality to match. People just cannot help but to look at my beautiful eyes in awe. I like the other dogs and I like to play with people of all sizes. I myself am a great size, medium they say, and weigh in at 35 lbs (most of that is my ears). I know I will be a great companion for you and would really like it if you took me home.
"I thought I had hit the jack pot when I was adopted, only to have the adoption fall through due to having heart worms, and my new person being unable to provide the treatment. So now here I am again hoping and praying that the right person will come along."
God & Co, I know you are paying attention to this Novena, and I thank you so much. You are making miracles--using the hands and hearts and persistent efforts of so many of your earthly helpers. Bonnie hasn't found her forever home yet, but yesterday several stepped forward to donate toward her heartworm treatment; and she was taken by a rescue, Sun Flower Hill in Terrell, TX.
(For anyone who would contribute to her treatment, you can send a check to:
Sunflower Hill Rescue
PO Box 1953
Terrell, Texas 75160
Please note "for Bonnie" in the memo section of the check.)
(Or call them at (972) 524-4074 for an opportunity to meet the exotic, vivacious, and oh-so-loving Ms. Bonnie.)
Also, it sounds as though there might be someone interested in adopting Ranger. Fingers crossed, novena candles burning. I don't believe in miracles--I rely on them.
xo
Liz
Dear God, Our Lady, Angels, Spirits, and Anyone Else To Whom It May Concern:
I come to you with "two handsful of gimme and a mouthful of much obliged". This is an odd bargain to strike, but you probably hear a lot of those. It has to do with two homeless dogs in Texas, a double novena, and this blog.
You know about Ranger in Burleson. Christy rescued him and has been paying his expenses to board him since April. How on earth and in heaven could such a beautiful, lovable dog not yet be adopted?
When I went home to let my own beloved hound out at lunchtime, I lit a novena candle and said a prayer for Ranger. Actually, I lit two novena candles. I had one that had cracked, and it felt somehow wrong to use one less-than-perfect for such a cause; but it also felt wrong to waste it. So lighting them both seemed like a good belt-and-suspenders move.
When I emailed Christy about the Novena (with the caveat that "I'm not Catholic or even very religious, at least by organized religion standards, but I'm all about using any positive power available"), she told me she'd been working all afternoon to save Bonnie, a heartworm-positive female that had been adopted then returned when the owners found out about her condition.
Here's my bargain: I promise to blog here every day for the next 60 days, and You find Ranger and Bonnie their forever homes.I know my words may not be much to offer, but I feel that writing is my calling; and I'm always procrastinating. So help us all out here, please, and the sooner the better. Those babies need some sweet arms to snuggle into—and someone's sweet arms need those fur babies just as much.
Much obliged.
xo
Liz
