Stray pets offer chance to make a difference

There are pets in around 63 percent of all U.S. households (71.1 million), and more than half of these households have more than one animal, according to Wikipedia.

Despite this statistic, the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy estimates that over two million dogs enter public shelters each year, and of those, over half are euthanized.

The economy only adds to the problem as would-be dog owners remain on the sidelines, too worried about their future to concentrate on the future of ‘man’s best friend.’

Among those less affected by the current economy, many never consider shelter-dogs – preferring pure-bred pets and puppies.

Even the president of the United States passed up the local shelter in favor of an imported Portuguese Water Dog.

My wife and I might have been like the president, until three weeks ago.

We rescued a stray dog at the end of February. We call her Dixie.

While it is not possible to change the life of every stray dog, we are happy to have changed the life of this one. Dixie has also changed our life.

A supporter of a local pet rescue group sent us this poem:

Once I was a lonely dog,

Just looking for a home.

I had no place to go,

No one to call my own.

I wandered up and down the streets,

In rain in heat and snow.

I ate whatever I could find,

I was always on the go.

My skin would itch, my feet were sore,

My body ached with pain.

And no one stopped to give a pat,

Or to gently say my name.

I never saw a loving glance.

I was always on the run.

For people thought that hurting me,

Was really lots of fun.

And then one day I heard a voice,

So gentle, kind and sweet.

And arms so soft reached down to me,

And took me off my feet.

“No one again will hurt you,”

Was whispered in my ear.

“You’ll have a home to call your own,

Where you will know no fear.”

“You will be dry, you will be warm,

You’ll have enough to eat.

And rest assured that when you sleep,

Your dreams will all be sweet.”

And as she tended to my wounds,

And bathed and brushed my fur.

She told me ’bout the rescue group,

And what it meant to her.

She said, “There is a family,

That’s waiting patiently.

And pretty soon we’ll find them,

Just you wait and see.”

I waited very patiently,

The days they came and went.

Today’s the day I thought,

My family will be sent.

Then just when I began to think

It wasn’t meant to be.

There were people standing there,

Just gazing down at me.

I knew them in a heart beat,

I could tell they felt it too.

They said, “We have been waiting,

for a special dog like you.”

Now every night I say a prayer,

To all the gods that be.

“Thank you for the life I live,

And all you’ve given me.”

But most of all protect the dogs,

in the pound and on the street.

And send a Rescue Person,

to lift them off their feet.”

Dixie was adopted Monday and is part of a loving family … We made a difference.