Save the Animal Kisses

A lot of people have asked me to write about how I got started in animal rescue. Actually, I've been rescuing dogs all of my life. As early as 5 years old, I began taking in stray dogs and cats and finding them homes. Many of my rescues found their forever home... with my family.

As a kid, there were times when I'd arrive at a birthday party... but never even make it inside. I’d see a stray dog, wandering through the parking lot, and honestly, I was physically incapable of leaving the pup all alone.

While my mom would beg me to go into the party with my friends, I preferred to just sit on the concrete and comfort the scared dog. Sure... I’d go inside for a second... just to steal some hot dogs and hamburgers... so I could feed this poor starving baby.


Then, when it was time to go, my poor mother would wince... because she knew: we weren’t going anywhere... unless that dog was coming with us.

I helped at the local shelter as a kid. Every day after school, I'd beg my parents to take me to play with the dogs at the pound. Actually, many of our family pets were death row babies from the shelter.


Back then (much like today), I’d look into their eyes... and see a pain so deep, that it physically hurt me.

But despite the heartbreak I felt ... watching their suffering, I soon realized that I could save them.


So, as a little girl, I decided to dedicate my life to replacing their pain with happiness.
And that’s exactly what I’ve done.

All of my life, my goal has been to take care of dogs.  At age 9, I started my own business, The Pet Sitters Agency. Basically, I'd take care of pets when their families went on vacation, because I never wanted those pets to be sad while loved ones were gone.

Ironically enough... I grew up to own Lucky Dog Retreat, a boarding kennel, focused on giving pets their own special vacation when their families are away.


I guess this was always in the cards for me...

I was also an animal advocate as a kid. There were many times, when I’d boldly approach a neighbor, and say:
“Excuse me, Mister. I’m sorry to bother you, but your dogs look very hungry. I think they'd really like it if you fed them more. If you don't have enough food... maybe I could feed just them for you? And... also... if you aren’t ever going to play with them, could I maybe come over every day... and play with them for you??”

I'll never forget it... one particular neighbor said, “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Please, just go home now, and DON'T come back.”

Well... I was always taught to respect adults, but I have to be honest: when it came to this man, and his treatment of his pets... I knew it was wrong.

For weeks... I'd watched his 2 dogs... being insanely neglected in their own backyard. He'd  forget to give them water. He'd forget to feed them. He'd forget to play with them. He'd forget to love them.

And finally... at just 8 years old... I decided to do something about it.

Like I said... first, I offered him my help. Yet, I was rejected.
But did that stop me? No.

Instead... without his knowledge, I secretly fed them; I secretly played with them; I secretly loved them.

Every day, I’d rush home after school, and sneak over to play with his dogs.
Then... at 5:30 pm, when I’d see his car pulling into the driveway... I’d quickly climb his fence.... and run home as fast as I could, so he didn’t know I'd ever been there.


I remember the heartbreak I felt... because this man didn’t love his dogs. He forgot about them, every single day of their lives. 

So... I decided to take care of them myself. Every day before... and every day since... I've been doing the same... for other dogs who need help. 

Back then, I remember crying myself to sleep every night, because those poor dogs were outside all alone... with nothing, and no one.
Today, I cry for others... who know the same pain.

I've always been this way.

I've been active in animal rescue throughout my life, and I always knew that I’d have my own rescue organization when I grew up. There was never any question in my mind... or anyone else’s. This is why I was born.

Rescue is what I know... and what I do, and I’m just thankful to be able to make a difference... doing what I love.

Sooo... I told you all of that... to tell you this story. Yesterday, I got the following, very special message:

Ashley, My 13 year old daughter, Arianna, has started a website. It’s called 'Save the Animal Kisses.' It would really mean a lot to her if you would 'like' her facebook page and maybe check out her website. She visits your sites daily and is always showing me your pictures and videos. She is very special and a true animal lover. Her dream is to someday open her own rescue, and basically... follow in your footsteps. Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better role model for her to want to be like. Thank you for being you, and we appreciate all that you do.

Wow. I was touched beyond words.

I looked at Arianna, this 13 year old girl, with a dream of saving the world... and I saw myself. I saw me... as a little girl, desperately trying to make the world a better place for animals.

I thought back to the discouragement I received as a child... from those people who told me that my dream was silly or stupid. The people who said, "There are just too many animals who need saving. You'll never make a difference."

They’d say that I was “just a kid,” and kids can’t change the world. Or, “Why do you care so much? A dog is just a dog. Animals are just animals. They don’t matter.”

I remember crying, because no one cared… sobbing, because there were so many animals hurting, and so few people trying to help them.

And I remember coming to the realization... that I was different than other people… and if I wanted things to change... it was up to me to make it happen.

I looked at Arianna, and I wanted her to know that she CAN make a difference. At that age, hearing that you have the ability to save the world means everything.

So, my mission for the day became: Make Arianna's dreams come true. On my personal facebook page, my Lucky Dog Rescue Blog fan page, and the Pet Pardons fan page, I put out a plea: please show this special girl how amazing she is... by Liking her page.

Her page started the day at 19 Likes, and my goal was to get her to 100... before she got out of school for the day.

Well, those 100 Likes happened within the first 20 minutes...

And by the time Arianna got out of school.... her page had 1000 Likes! She had messages from across the globe saying, “You are amazing. You CAN save the world!”

And then, I got the most touching follow-up from her dad... about Arianna's reaction:

Words cannot express my gratitude for what you did for Arianna today… and all of her tomorrows. It was a very inspiring day, to say the least.

You are truly a wonderful person, Ashley! When she got home from school, Arianna was absolutely speechless, excited, and grateful... but mostly--motivated.

Her mom and I were very emotional while reading the comments people wrote on her facebook page; knowing how touched Arianna would be when she got home. You truly touched our hearts today!! Thank you so much.

PS- Arianna, you are amazing. Never forget that. Never let anyone take that from you. Never let anyone stop you from saving the animal kisses. If anyone ever tries to put you down for your big heart... you send them to me. Your dreams... are my dreams… let’s make them happen together!

Please visit Arianna’s Save the Animal Kisses facebook page!

Click here to visit the Save the Animal Kisses website!

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