3.24.2011

My ProjectDOG Guest Blog Post

I was recently asked to write a guest blog for ProjectDOG, a site aimed at bringing together the worlds of rescue and purebred dogs. ProjectDOG asked me to share my own life experience, in hopes of inspiring others to get involved in animal rescue efforts. They also wanted me to touch on the subject of purebred rescue groups. Check out my guest blog post below, and click here to see my feature on ProjectDOG.

My name is Ashley Owen Hill, and I'm an animal rescuer. I was born an animal rescuer. It's truly my purpose in life. I have my own animal rescue organization, Lucky Dog Rescue, in Meridian, Mississippi. Lucky Dog Rescue is focused on saving dogs from death row, abuse cases, and those who are sick. I write about my rescue experiences on my blog, Lucky Dog Rescue Blog.

I was asked to share my story, in hopes that it may inspire others to get involved in my mission: saving the world, one dog at a time.

My Life
My entire life has been dedicated to saving the dogs who have been forgotten by the rest of the world. I look into their eyes... and I see pain, fear, and despair. But those same eyes also convey dreams, love, and hope. This heartbreaking and beautiful mix of emotion is why I fight every day to save the most incredible creature on this earth—the dog. Others may witness their pain and look away.
I choose to look more closely, to see them, and to take action.

Much of my rescue work takes place in shelters. On each trip to the pound, I kneel down next to each of the dogs; I rub their heads. I notice them. Most of these dogs have never been “noticed” a day in their life.  While many potential adopters go to the cages with the cutest puppies... I head toward the cages with the forgotten souls. The pit bulls. The abused. The terminally ill. The ones deemed “Unadoptable.”

I head for death row.

When I walk death row, I know that most of these dogs will never make it out alive. I know that my rescue space is limited, and volunteer foster homes are few and far between. And I know... the consequence... when these dogs have nowhere else to go. Their lives, are the consequence. My heart breaks, because so many dogs within these walls have never known love... and likely never will. So many have been beaten, starved, and neglected all their lives... and will never know otherwise. So many have only dreamed about having a family... and will never go home.

And so, I stop, at each cage, to say, “I love you, and you matter.” I reach out a caring hand. I press my face against the gate to offer a kiss. I replace their numbers with names. I study their faces, as to never forget that this precious being once lived. I burn their existence into my memory... so that their life was acknowledged by someone.

And on my next visit... I notice when they are gone… and I know that they’ve joined my Rudy in Heaven…

Every chance I get, I take one with me. I usually take them... on the very day their time runs out. I pull them from death’s door, right into my heart, and I give them a second chance. On that day, the day they are meant to die… instead, their life begins.

I take them into my shelter as a foster dog, and for a short time, I call them my own. But in my heart, they'll always be mine. I nurture them, love them, and teach them. I show them what life is meant to be, as I prepare them for the rest of their journey… their journey to the family who will treasure them forever…

I am the bridge between the forgotten and the remembered.
I am the link from despair to hope.
For these dogs, I am love. I am happiness. I am safety.
For a short time, I am everything to them.

Although they'll one day leave me for a family of their own, they'll stay in my heart for as long as I live.

As one of my rescue children leaves me for their new home, another waits on death row ...for me to arrive.
And when I arrive... another life is saved. Another soul is remembered. Another spirit joins the living.

And we walk out into the sunlight of a new life…

Your Story
In sharing my story, my goal is to inspire others to get involved… to make “Your Story” matter. If you’ve never rescued, fostered, or adopted a dog, you’re missing out on the experience of a lifetime. When I walk by the cages at the pound, I see the most amazing dogs… waiting to die. These dogs are beautiful. They are smart. They are loving, and deserving, and special. And yet, they are killed in shelters every day, because no one steps-up to help them.

Many of these shelter dogs are purebreds. While people spend hundreds of dollars to buy these very breeds from breeders and pet shops, thousands of purebred puppies and adult dogs are dying in shelters each day. If you’re looking for a specific breed, shelters and rescue groups have so many incredible purebred dogs for adoption. In addition, there are breed rescue groups for every breed of dog, with gorgeous purebreds of all ages available for adoption. When you adopt a purebred dog instead of buying one… you will save a life. Thus, you can use “Your Story” to give “Their Story” a happy ending.

Mixed breed or purebred... all shelter dogs deserve homes. They need love. They need protection. They need hope. Please, save a life. They are waiting for you, & they don’t have much time…

22 comments:

  1. God bless you Ashley, you're an angel to these precious babies!!!

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  2. Thank you Ashley, thank you for being their voices!

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  3. I'm not sure there is a heaven, but if there is then for sure you will be there with all your fur-kids. Thank you for all you do for them and to remind us that we can all be better.

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  4. Absolutely LOVE your blog!! I've been sharing homeless dogs on FB in HOPES to one day save a life. Can't tell people enough to spay/neuter. Go visit their local shelter etc... breaks my heart knowing each and every day innocent dogs and cats are PTS because they are unwanted. Just breaks my heart. I would LOVE to foster but with 4 dogs of our own and 3 cats, its just impossible. So I will continue to share dogs in need of homes! Thanks for ALL you do and for sharing your story!!

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  5. I wish there was a person like you for every single shelter, or for that matter, every single suffering animal in this world.

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  6. This post was so incredible, it touched me deeply and brought me to tears.

    How did you found your own rescue? Founding a rescue is a life goal of mine, and I'm interested to hear how you did it.

    Thank you for everything you do. Truly inspirational.

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  7. LOVE this post. We just adopted (foster failed) a gorgeous black GSD - we got her the day she was pulled from animal control, on the day she was to put down. She was a mess when we got her - matted hair, skin & bones, heartworms, giardia, you name it. Now she is completely healthy and beautiful. I look at her almost every day and wonder how in the world such an amazing and sweet dog found her self in that situation. But then I remember that millions of wonderful sweet dogs just like her find themselves in the same situation every year. She was one of the lucky ones. I just don't understand why anyone would buy from a breeder.

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  8. I'm so touched. Thank you all for being so amazing :) Love y'all!!!

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  9. All of my Dogs were take in from people or I adopted them from a shelter. I can say your story hits home, because you are telling it the way it is. & I only could dream of having the room or the finance to help these dogs. As well as other animals that people have turned away from. I too have found that kind of love in their eyes, The eyes that says Thank You !!! You are an Angle Ashley!!

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  10. Ashley, you are a gift from heaven for these dogs. Thank You for what you do.

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  11. You truly are their Angel:)I have been fostering dogs for a few years and it such a wonderful feeling when they go into their new homes.You are amazing and thank God the dogs have you <3

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  12. Thank you Ashley for all you do...if everyone did just one thing, imagine how the world could be.....

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  13. Thank you for giving our Daisy's story a happy ending. :0)

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  14. I too share dogs every day on my facebook page & nag, nag, nag my friends about adoption. You are an amazing inspiration. Thank you!!!

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  15. I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
    I could see that you were crying. You found it hard to sleep.

    I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
    "It's me, I haven't left you, I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

    I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
    You were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.

    I was with you at the shops today. Your arms were getting sore.
    I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

    I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
    I want to re-assure you, that I'm not lying there.

    I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
    I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me."

    You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
    I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.

    It's possible for me to be so near you everyday.
    To say to you with certainty, "I never went away."

    You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...
    in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.

    The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning
    and say "Good-night, God bless, I'll see you in the morning."

    And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
    I'll rush across to greet you and we'll stand, side by side.

    I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
    Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.

    Author unknown

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  16. Well if your story didn't bring me to tears that poem above most certainly did. As one who has her own rescue dog from the shelter currently sprawled out next to her feet, I can only hope and pray that you are able to continue this amazing work. Please know just how special you are to your rescue dogs and how you inspire others to do the same. Bless you!

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  17. Blessed be any one who saves animals from abuse,neglect or death.How can people mistreat an animal that wants nothing but love and gives their love without condition?

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  18. I know you have read this many times but you are a true angel to those less fortunate babies who needed someone and there you were. I wish so much there was one of you for every shelter in existence. I have rescued many a dog to find it a home and sometimes I failed, sometimes I won. I also have 30 cats and 2 dogs and all by myself so I know the time and effort you give to them. I will see you on the Rainbow Bridge someday as that is our reward in the end.

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  19. God bless your wonderful work. I have a tender heart for dogs and just adopted a Bloodhound that was tied to a tree with a heavy chain that cut into her neck leaving no hair, red oozing sores, and she was bred until her tummy hangs down - she is 2.5 years old. I love her dearly as I do all my rescued dogs. I wish more people cared for the forgotten and down trodden and weakest of creatures - our discarded pets.

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  20. nice story sir i love to Dog Adopt anyway thank you for sharing such story sir

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  21. I truly love how it’s easy on my eyes as well as the info are well written. I am wondering how I may be notified whenever a new post has been made.
    Its a cute dog..

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