"After 16 years of being a loyal companion, guardian of children, confidant and protector he was discarded."
Animal shelters see all types of dogs, with all types of stories on why they find yourself there. Usually, though, their stories are heartbreaking ones. Like Jake’s. Jake received Ohio’s Humane Society Serving Crawford County, a senior dog, who's family decided they not wanted him.
“Yesterday a gorgeous 16 year old Collie came to us. He was surrendered because nobody had time for him. After 16 years of being a loyal companion, guardian of youngsters, confidant and protector he was discarded,” the Humane Society wrote on Facebook. “We gave him the quietest kennel we could find as he looked around in fear and confusion. He didn’t question or fight… he followed me with trust and dignity and therefore the wisdom that comes with old dogs.” They settled him in and immediately began calling and emailing their friends at various rescues. Within hours that they had a rescue lined up to return and pick him up. Almost Home Dog Rescue in Ohio agreed that Jake was needed, so the two volunteers who came to pick him up cried when they saw his precious old face and pleasant soul.
“We all hugged knowing this is able to be one among the lucky ones. This beautiful dog will have the simplest possible final years,” wrote Crawford Humane. Once Jake was safe, the Humane Society took the chance to elucidate a number of their thoughts and feelings on the irresponsible owners that surrender their dogs to the shelter and then the toll it can combat rescuers. Humane Society Serving Crawford County writes: “The lies that are told, the justifications we hear, the sad old dogs that have given of themselves, the simplest they need to offer, only to be handed over to strangers once they need peace and safety in their final years, all take a toll on those folks who pour our hearts into our job. There isn’t one among us here who hasn’t cried over ones lost. We are accused daily of being cruel and heartless because we are forced to form hard decisions thanks to the irresponsibility of individuals .
“We are stopped in Walmart, at dinner, and at college events to be asked “how long before you set them down?” as if that's the sole reason we work on an animal shelter. And when it comes time to form that call pets are brought here and surrendered because “we just can’t do this to them” and” I assumed since you are doing it all the time it might be easier for you.” We are told “I could never work THERE I don’t skills you are doing it”……, but we wouldn’t work anywhere else!! We work here because people are often cruel and irresponsible and that we want only to assist those that haven’t a voice of their own. We work here because we all know we make a difference one cute fuzzy face at a time. We work here for the puppy kisses, the soft kitty pats, and then the blessing of finding pets a replacement home where they're going to sleep in peace.”
Jake is one among the lucky ones to profit from the commitment and dedication of rescuers like these. Almost Home Dog Rescue says that Jake is adjusting nicely in care, which “he has taken a liking to the leather couch and lives comfortably in Columbus.” They add, “Jake are going to be placed within the AHDRO Senior to Senior program in order that we will be sure he's well cared for and never finishes up homeless again.”
Update: December 2016, Since originally posting this story, Jake has found a home. However, Almost Home Dog Rescue always has pet dogs trying to find permanent family members. you'll view their adoption listings on their website. Share Jake’s story as well as your friends and then the wonderful work these rescues do for senior dogs.