A Lifetime Of Second Chances dog rescue by Emily Ann Meyer Frederick, MD

[Omaha Steve]

http://theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/ars/story/a-lifetime-of-second-chances



When I adopted Dora Mae she was already grey in the face. The rescue told us she'd been adopted once before and returned for being too quiet. Still, she leaned into my hand every time I petted her; she was my dog; I had to bring her home.

For the first several months we called her "Dora the Doorstop" because she was afraid of everything and rarely left the couch. Then her true colors showed and she became a fearless social butterfly. Over the next few years, I began to realize just how special she was, she seemed naturally drawn to people and people just opened up around her, so with a lot of training we became a certified therapy dog team.

Only a few months after got our certifiction, we were struck a blow, and Dora was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She had a splenectomy and began chemo, but we were told she would have 6-8 months left, at best. Still, with the blessing of the oncologist and the vet, we continued our visits--a therapy dog with cancer was something special in the nursing homes where other people were also fighting that terrible disease.

And against all odds, she kept going--8 months, a year, two years, and on... We retired from nursing home visits and started visiting elementary schools and libraries wehre people could come to her after about 2.5 years as it was less taxing, and kids loved her just as much--if not more--than the seniors did. She was truly something remarkable.

She finally lost the battle 3 years and 51 weeks after her cancer diagnosis, but we made a lifetime of memories and taught me so much that I will always appreciate her legacy.

Emily Ann Meyer
Frederick, MD


The Animal Rescue Site was founded to provide food and care for rescued animals in shelters. With a simple, daily click of the purple "Click Here to Give - it's FREE" button at The Animal Rescue Site, visitors help provide food and care for rescued animals. Visitors pay nothing. Food and care is paid for by the site's sponsors and distributed by charity partners of The Animal Rescue Site. Visitors can help more by shopping in The Animal Rescue Site store. With each item purchased, shoppers funds food and care for rescued animals in need. The store offers a wide array of items to show your support, as well as fair-traded and handcrafted items from around the world.

[femmocrat]

1. K & R

Bless those good-hearted people who adopt senior dogs.