By Tracy Dudlik
When people talk about rescue dogs they usually talk about what a gift it is to the dog to choose a rescue. Too often we forget what a gift these animals give us. Let me tell you about two such recues and the blessings they brought to me and two special children.
Years ago my third son James was in second grade and diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. His younger brother was a toddler who spent more time in the hospital than out of it, and at 3 years old was only able to walk with a walker, and required a great deal of care. With all of this happening in his young life, James suffered from serious clinical depression. By December of that year he was on medication for this, and was still almost to the point of non communication. He ate little and seemed more than a little lost. Near Christmas that year our pastor told me about a Boxer Rottweiler mix dog that her daughter had found starving and cold outside a bus station in Washington DC. The dog had journeyed from there to Cornell where their son was a student, and after Cornell expelled the dog from student housing, had landed in Troy Ohio with our pastor who was looking for a family for him. Cassius Clay as he had been dubbed was about 18 months old and had never known the love of a family. My husband and I spoke about him, and about the difference having a friend all his own could make to James. We decided to adopt Cassius. Jake (our pastor’s son who the Cornell student) wrote a wonderful letter from Santa, explaining where Cassius had come from and that he thought James and he would be good friends for each other. It also explained that because the holidays were so busy that Cassius was staying with our pastor until after the first of the year when he would be delivered. The letter was put with a large box of dog care supplies. This was given to James on Christmas morning. At first he was confused but then he read his letter, and a beaming smile came over him as he said “Boy Santa sure knows how to make a kid happy.”
James and Cassius were fast friends from day one. He talked to him, played with him; Cassius helped our Stephen learn to give up his walker by holding onto his ears when walking until he could go it alone. We had that blessed dog for 6 wonderful years until he contracted cancer and had to be helped to the bridge. Today and depressed and lonely little boy, is 20 years old, comfortable with himself and others, spent his high school years competing on the Academic Quiz Team including three trips to national competitions. It is largely due to the unconditional love and understanding given to him by a special rescue.
In the last couple of years, I have had Miss Jazz… not only is my little rescue Schnauzer a joyful addition to the family, but she too has proved to be a rescue angel. Soon after I got her, I had to have surgery on my back. This meant several weeks of lying flat, no lifting, minimal movement, and confinement to the house. For me a nightmare sentence of inactivity. This was the first of two such surgeries I have had now, and during both of them, she has been my constant companion. She sat with me, snuggled me, kept me company, and in general was my little “Nurse Jazz”. She has seen me cry, laugh, be a fool and held me up. Once I started school she became my study buddy. She sits with me as I study, and when I feel overwhelmed by the load, she just gives me that Schnauzer look that says “you can do anything, I know it.” When my old lady dog Shadow had to cross the bridge, Jazz was there again. Just quietly letting me know I wasn’t alone.
These are just two examples of the gift a rescue can give. Unconditional love and companionship comes free with every one of them. We all know how much they give us, make sure others know too. We give rescues a gift when we choose them, but the gifts they give us, are uncountable in the long run.
