A Day at a Dog Rescue

 Today at Lucky Dog was actually a pretty normal day. Dogs walked, kennels cleaned, water buckets filled, medications given—the usual rhythm of LD. But outside our gate, we were reminded of another side of rescue.

Two people came to us today hoping we could take dogs they were trying to help. The first was a beautiful, friendly retriever found running loose at night with a cut rope around his neck. He was thin, filthy, and couldn't safely stay with the finder's own dog. We couldn't take him in, but we could help. We suggested a vet check and offered to share his photos and story on Facebook to help find him a safe place.

Later, two young men arrived with a young German shepherd. He was malnourished and dirty, with old scars on his ears, nose and head—but remarkably calm and gentle. One of the men had been caring for him for two weeks, but his landlord was threatening to kill the dog. As he told us what was happening, he began to cry. And yes, so did we. Again, we didn't have room to take another dog. But “we can't take him” doesn't have to mean “we can't help him.” We offered to arrange for a veterinary exam and sterilization and to cover the cost and provide food so this young man can hopefully continue caring for him while we figure out what comes next.

There are so many dogs needing help, and one of the hardest realities of rescue is knowing we simply cannot take them all. But rescue doesn't always mean bringing another dog through our gate. Sometimes it's a vet visit. A bag of food. A Facebook post. Helping someone who is already trying to help. Sometimes it's simply finding another way.

Neither of these dogs entered Lucky Dog today. But hopefully, both have a better chance tonight than they did this morning. We may not be able to do everything, but we can always do something.

That's rescue, too.

Two beautiful souls.