12 May 10K Lives Saved: Mason & Winnie’s Adoption Stories
The following blog post is written by long-time Last Hope K9 rescue volunteer and adopter, Paul C.
After having volunteered with Last Hope K9 Rescue for a couple of years, it was now my turn to experience the joys, worries, and happiness of bringing home a rescue dog. We had lost our resident boy after eleven years and, after months of adjusting to this loss, we were ready to open our hearts again. Our household was unique in that we already had an elderly female boxer and three cats, so finding the right fit was necessary. We did come close a few times with all kinds of dogs (even a Great Dane) when our future dog, Mason (formerly known as Tysen), appeared. It was a little unnerving because his picture was the spitting image of our boxer boy who had just passed. Our first reaction was no, we can’t; he is too similar to the dog we just lost, and it would be upsetting to have a constant reminder of that loss in our house everyday. Then something clicked and we thought maybe it was some sort of sign or fate and we would be crazy not to move forward. That was the best decision we could have made because this boy is so special. Mason was found wandering the streets of Little Rock, Arkansas and he had two angels that found him to give him another chance through rescue.
There is something to be said of a rescue dog, that we rescue them and they rescue us right back and somehow we knew Mason needed to give back more. We enrolled him in a therapy dog program and he is now a member of the “Healing Pups Therapy Program” at Boston Medical Center. He loves visiting the patients and staff as much as he can, but none more so than his pal JoJo. This young boy was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was terrified of all his doctor visits, so JoJo’s nurses reached out to the program for help and soon Mason became his personal escort. Mason was “on call” and attended all of JoJo’s appointments with him; their bond was something for the movies. I am happy to report JoJo is thriving and no longer visits Boston Medical Center, but he still sends a card or email to check in with Mason, his buddy.
It is said that it takes a village to raise a child and I believe it takes a community to rescue a dog. It is a
community not bound by geography. From the fierce Arkansas advocates, selfless Southern fosters, to the tireless transport team. All those volunteers behind the scenes from home visits and applications, the open-hearted Northern foster, to the end goal of a loving adoptive family. Each step of this journey a little piece of our hearts is given to a rescue dog until they are home and are given that last piece, that piece that completes them.
Thank you Last Hope K9 Rescue for not only bringing Mason into our lives, but also for his sister Winnie (formerly known as Addie Mae, or better yet ‘Pretty Princess’ to her Southern foster who nursed her through heartworm treatment.) She is a joy of a different kind, one that says “a little moxie does a girl good!”
To help us save more dogs like Mason and Winnie, please donate to our $10k for 10k fundraiser.
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