hello all. for those of you that dont know, my name is chris. i operate
arkansas scottie rescue.  i am currently an lpn/scrub tech, and in school to
finish my r.n. one of the classes i am taking requires me to write a personal
essay about anything i feel strongly about. after several tosses of the coin,
here is a rough excerpt from my paper. the events and feelings involved are
true.
during the course of a lifetime, most people join or participate in an
activity that they feel is worthwhile. my chosen activity is scottish terrier
rescue. i do not breed or show scotties, just help out the ones in need. in the past
few weeks, several people on a list that i am a member of, have had scotties
that have passed away, been sick, recovered, or just feel the aches and pains
of old age. as a scottie lover, it touches me in a way that some will never
know.
but the main reason i am writing this is to applaud the sometimes forgotten
people, who live with grief and sorrow at all times. the ones that find,
shelter, foster, adopt, and love the unlovable dogs:  the rescuers.
i have gotten 8 scotties in 4 months. some were puppy mill dogs, some were
strays, some were owner turns, some were old, young, abused, ignored, beaten,
and mistreated in ways we will never know. they all have one thing in common:
they were all unwanted.
as a rescue person i have seen the best and the worst that man can do to
animals. i take these innocents into my home, offer them food, shelter,
water, safety and security. they also receive medical treatment as they need
it. they are assured that they can be at ease, with no worries. our common
goal is to find them a loving forever home. some may never find that place.
some will find it and live long and happily. some will reside here for all
their days.
i currently have 5 scotties living with me.
gator, who is my special one. he has bad skin, no hair in spots, still
cringes at swift movements, and was a beaten puppy mill dog. he will not look
a stranger in the eye. but he will look me in the eyes, and beg for a rub. he
is a permanent part of my family.
madeline, my petite older girl. she is silver/grey, is blind in one eye, has
a torn ear, teeth missing, allergies, and was found wandering the streets.
she is the one that tells me goodbye when i leave, and says hello when i come
home. she sleeps as close to me as she can get, and never complains if i take
too much of the pillow. she is the second member of my family.
nate and ivy are two dogs rescued from atrocious conditions at a puppy mill.
along with tillie, who has a forever home at last.
they were malnourished, matted, unkempt scotties with severe eye/ear infections. they both were shaved to remove the mats in their coats. they both have undergone prolonged medical treatments including surgery. they both were adopted out to families, and they both returned for various reasons to my home. i do not regret this. the situations were just not right. but we will look and hope for the right
person for them.
kissee is my newest. she is 9 years old and was an owner turn in. her vet
records indicate very good health care. but the shelter reported that the
owner thought a round of antibiotics was too high, and gave her up. she is on
antibiotics once more for a respiratory infection. we will find her a home
soon. she deserves one.
tillie had surgery and has recovered fully. she is doing wonderful in her
new home.
katie was picked up with ticks so bad on her that she could not see. she is
fully recovered and is in her new home. she has a new family, and they are
inseparable
susie was picked up as a stray. limping and weak, it was obvious that things
were not right. the vet confirmed the worst. this brave scottie had been
struck by a car. she has since gone to the bridge, but she had someone with
her to tell her it was alright.
my story and my attitude is similar to countless others. i love each dog
that enters my life. i feel the pain and sorrow at each passing, at each
adoption, at each new rescue. even though sometimes it is mixed with joy for
the dog, that he or she has found a life, never to be abused or abandoned or
ignored, beaten, neglected, hurt, or having its heart torn once again.
but in the end, all the pain is worth it. and the happiness. there is no
reward greater than to look into a set of eyes, and see love, trust, and
peace mirrored there. that is why we do it.
so to all those that are involved in rescue, no matter what the involvement,
no matter what the breed of animal, i salute you. you are my brothers and
sisters.
and to the animals whose lives i have touched, i thank you. you have made me
a better person. thank you.

chris
arkansas scottie rescue
maumelle arkansas
www.arkansasscottierescue.com
 
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