Unchained Melody

Last week, one of my favorite rescue friends, Adrian  in Huntsville, Alabama, sent me a message about a shelter dog he’d just posted on Pet Pardons. He asked if I knew of any rescue groups that may be willing to take a 10-year-old Senior dog, who had just survived the recent, horrific tornado—on a chain.

Obviously, he already had a rescue in mind: me... Lucky Dog Rescue.

The shelter, Huntsville Animal Services, was severely overcrowded, due to the influx of dogs following the storms... and this special girl didn’t have much time. But the wonderful shelter director gave Adrian a time extension, to find rescue placement for the Senior dog. So, he posted the dog on Pet Pardons.... in hopes of finding someone who'd be willing to save her life.

However, Adrian knew the reality for an older Pit Bull mix, who had lived her entire 10 years on a chain. She’s the kind of dog... no one wants.

But... he also thought, after all she's been through... she deserves a chance, and he wanted to give that to her.

Adrian sent me the link to the Pet Pardons profile he'd created for "Junebug" (the name she'd been given at the shelter).

I clicked... and this is what I read:

Junebug is a tornado survivor from the April 27th storms that came through Alabama. Her owners' house was completely destroyed—as it took a direct hit from the tornado. Junebug was chained in the backyard when the tornado swept through… and her life was somehow spared. However, her owners surrendered her anyway, because they said they were trying to get rid of her... even before the storm. Shelter staff has not seen any aggression from this girl… just a bunch of sadness.

Reading those words... my heart shattered. "Junebug" had lived all 10 years of her life on a chain. She was rarely given any love or affection… but she loved her family anyway. Even more, this poor girl was forced to endure a horrendous storm—outside, on that chain—as the devastating tornado destroyed her house and yard. I picture her body flailing in the wind… I imagine the terror that filled her eyes… I can see her crying out for the family... who had left her there to die. I have no idea how she survived… considering that her family’s home was completely wiped away. Nothing was left… except for Junebug.

But what’s even more heartbreaking… is that she DID survive… and her family still didn’t want her. The family said they'd wanted to “get rid of her,” even before the storm. In all honesty, they probably hoped that the storm...  would just kill her for them.

But Junebug survived. And then... after 10 years of love and devotion, the family she trusted with her life… left her in a shelter... to die.

Her fate was almost certain… death in a shelter. Ask any shelter worker… 10-year-old Pit Bull mixes.... almost never leave the shelter alive.

Unless... their name is "Junebug" …

As soon as I read her Pet Pardons profile, I told Adrian: “I’ll take her. I’ll give her the life she deserves. After 10 years without love, it’s about damn time she got some.” Adrian was so relieved and thankful... but also lightened the mood by saying: “That must be a Pet Pardons record-save, huh? Pet posted... and less than a minute later… Pardoned by Ashley.”

At the pound, Junebug was terrified and broken. After days of waiting for her family to return, she soon realized: they would never come back for her… she would never go home again. Each day, she’d cower in the corner of her kennel, as she waited… to die.

But just before her time ran out, Adrian pulled Junebug from the pound and took her into his home ... until she could be transported to me. Her gratitude renewed Adrian’s spirit… as he told me, “Now I know, without a doubt, that they know when you save them.” He also renamed her “Melody,” after the song, “Unchained Melody.” We both thought it was fitting.

Then, this past Sunday, Melody traveled from Huntsville, AL to Meridian, MS... to live with me as one of my foster pups. When I met her, my heart instantly melted. Melody is beautiful. She’s incredible. And despite the horrors of her past… the sincerest hope and innocence shine through her eyes.

Upon arriving, she immediately gave me a kiss, and I felt the love pouring out of her heart… the love that’s been waiting for 10 years—on a chain—to be given. As a tear rolled down my cheek, I said, “It’s all better now, baby girl. You’re safe… forever.”

It’s been several days now, and Melody hasn’t stopped smiling. Her favorite thing: running in the yard. For 10 years, she’s never been able to run free, but now, she can play whenever she wants. As she takes off through the grass, I watch the years of pent-up energy being released from her body… and I cry tears of joy, because I gave that to her.

In the middle of her joyful romp, she’ll suddenly stop… scan the yard for me, and rush over... to give the sweetest kiss I’ve ever received. A kiss that says: “Thank you. This is all I’ve ever wanted.”

And then, she’s off again…

Dogs know when you save them. They just know. And in return, they thank you every day… with a love that will soften your heart, remove your sadness, and change your life. A love that you can’t even imagine… until you experience it…

Do your heart a favor. Adopt a rescue dog.

 

*Melody will live with me until she finds her forever family. She’d prefer to be the only dog in the home, so she can have all the love to herself. If you’re interested in adopting Melody, please fill out the online Adoption Application: http://www.petpardons.com/adoption/

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