07/06/2022
A loving reminder....
In 1987, My five-year-old son desperately wanted a puppy. We didn’t have much money, so we went to the local animal shelter. Before walking out the door, my wife yelled, “Make sure it’s a female.”
At the shelter, there were a dozen puppies and at least that many people waiting to see them. While waiting our turn, we walked through the shelter with the attendant. At the end of row eight, laying in the back of his kennel was an old, skinny, broken hound, He struggled to stand and hobbled over to see us, wagging his tail. I looked at my son, he looked at me and I knew. His name was Dutch, and his life cost me $5. Dutch lived another year before he quietly passed away, lying in his bed near the warmth of our fireplace.
Thirty years later we went to my son’s home on Thanksgiving. I greeted his wife, hugged my grandchildren, and then I noticed an old, hound with cloudy eyes lying in a dog bed by the fire. I looked at my son and said, “Let me guess, his name is Dutch.” My son smiled and said, “Nope, her name is Duchess. I paused, looked at the dog, looked back at my son, and said, “You're just like your mother.”
The next time you go to the shelter to find a new pet, don't overlook the ones that have cloudy eyes, scars, bark, growl, tremble, meow, hiss, or cower in their cage. We can only imagine the life they have lived. They haven’t given up the hope that one day they will live in a real home. Be patient, give them a chance, show them someone cares, and they will repay you many times over.
Nassau County Animal Services, 86078 License Road, in beautiful downtown Yulee, Florida, 32034, near Target, Home Depot, and Petco.
Visiting hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 11 -4, Wednesday 1 – 6, Saturday 11 – 3. 904.530.6150.
