SGH closing its doors…

Many of you know that I began volunteering at a local dog rescue this summer to get my dog fix and to help try to begin the process of healing my broken heart after I lost Lupe.  After researching local rescues I decided to devote my time and energy (and my firm’s matching contribution for my time) to Shultz’s Guest House.  It was a magical place, convert horse farm with 200 acres of land where dogs can go hiking, swimming and get out of chaotic and overcrowded shelters (they even had a tripawd that was adopted before I could meet her).  I also knew that when I was ready, SGH would help me find my next dog (whose name will be Vivie).

This week I got an email from the rescue manager that SGH is closing its doors due to changes in tax guidelines.  It was a shock to me and most volunteers and I’m not sure of the whole story.  All I know is that a group of people who only wanted the best for dogs have put their mission and passion on hold to figure out how they continue.  All dogs (they only could take up to 10) have been adopted or put into foster, except 1 but fingers crossed as there is a potential adopter looking at him.  I thought about going down to the farm for one last day but I just don’t know if I can handle having to drive away from a place that helped me so much.

SGH reminded me that while we humans say that we rescue a dog, it is truly the dog that rescues us.  I can only hope that in the near future SGH can find a way to continue all the good they have done over the years.  Until then, I look for another rescue to help get me my dog fix and to continue filling the hole in my heart left by my sweet Lupe.

5 months

Miss my little stinkerdoodle all the time but time has made the pain and loneliness without her less severe.

A friend sent this to me a while back and it has new meaning to me as the days, weeks and months pass, so I thought I would share it here…

“It came to me that every time I lost a dog, they take a piece of my heart with them and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart.  If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will become dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”  -Nancy Wenner

I have a lot of dogs that are coming in and out of my life lately with volunteering and each one does add a little bit of itself to help fill the hole and void that losing Lupe has left me with.  I know that it will never fully close because she will always have a piece of my heart but I do treasure the love and joy that I have experienced since she crossed the rainbow bridge.  Extra snuggles and belly rubs to all of your Tripawds and Monkey Butts today…they deserve it 🙂

Lupe July 2011

5 Month Ampuversary…

I just realized it would have been today and while it did bring some tears to my eyes, I had to smile thinking of that silly girl of mine.

So, eventhough she’s whole again (2 eyes, 4 legs) she’s starting the conga line in heaven to celebrate the day she officially became a tripawd and joined the special group of tripawd warriors (TWP to be exact)!