This week I was reflecting on just how very lucky TLC as a rescue has been... The synergy in the rescue shop is unique and dynamic... The volunteers who come in for countless hours and give of themselves are one of our strongest resources... I am truly humble when I think of the richly compassionate folks I am surrounded by each and every day...
Some of our most dedicated volunteers are male... That alone makes TLC somewhat different than many rescues... And when we have quiet time at the rescue shop, it is not uncommon to find these guys spending the time to socialize and rehabilitate the dogs...
Five days a week, Big Joe and his son, Joseph come into the rescue shop and each give an 8-hour day... Joseph has 'the touch' as we call it - the ability to really understand dog language and work with issues a dog might have... A quiet kind of young man by nature, Joseph and his dad are heavy foster dads as well... Many lives have been saved by these two fellas... They are especially good at changing 'men-fearful' dogs into men-loving dogs!
Part of our emergency contingent plan at the rescue shop is the ability to move all of our rescue dogs out immediately in the event of a fire, earthquake, etc... In creation of this plan, we also constructed two unusual components we affectionately call 'the cribs'... On wheels and fitting through the rescue shop's front door, they allow us to rapidly move rescue dogs if need be... Throughout the day, some dogs hang out here, and the cribs are also the center part of our 'speedway'...
A few weeks ago, I found Joseph and another volunteer (Shawn) inside the cribs, loving up on and socializing with some of the dogs... This is a very important part of what we do - regaining the trust of the dogs we save and showing them that there are humans who care, don't hurt them and are always willing to sneak in a few cuddles, hugs and pats... The picture was too cute to let pass by, and I seized the opportunity...
Everyone that volunteers at the TLC rescue shop is committed to saving the lives of these dogs that were destined to die for one reason or another... It doesn't matter if there is poop that needs to be picked up, a bath needing to be done or whatever... Whatever it takes... And everyone is unwilling to put in the time and effort to socialize and rehabilitate these dogs... For us it is "all about the dogs"...
Even the President of TLC can be found doing this...
When Sugar and Ray came to TLC, Ray had a strong fear of men whereas Sugar was overly friendly to one and all... Mr. President was found one Saturday afternoon making 'eye-eyes' with the two of these little ones... Using food as a way into Ray's heart, Paul worked quite some time with the pair, using Sugar initially to show Ray that he too could trust a man again...
It took time, patience and a willingness to have Ray go from "You are not trustworthy" to.... "OK, maybe I might trust you a bit"....
And then onto "OK, I trust you enough to give you a kiss"....
And that's all these little ones really want - a second chance or as another volunteer always says, a 'do-over' in their own furever home... They might come to us sick, fearful, unfriendly or unadoptable... But we want to give them a second chance at life... Whatever it takes... Whatever the gender... Whatever amount of time and patience is required...
That's what makes TLCers so gosh darn special and spectacular - the volunteers and foster moms/dads that give so very much of themselves simply to save a dog's life... How many of us can say we have made a profound impact on a dog's life?... And what a great feeling it is inside! We are so lucky to be able to do this!
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