By Diana T. Sabol, CLTP, PLTA President
We have all taken chances in our lives from time to time, making a leap of faith in the hope that things will work out for the better. Here’s the story of a recent Chance I’ve taken:
Eight months ago, I was in Wilkes Barre visiting agents when I happened to mention to one of them that I thought I was ready for another dog, having lost my St. Bernard months before. I had decided that I wanted it to be a rescue dog. This agent volunteers his time at a dog rescue, and said he knew of the perfect dog. A few hours later, Chance and I were driving 100 miles down the turnpike to his new home. Actually, I was driving, and he was enjoying the scenery, which must have looked like doggie paradise after what he’d left behind.
Chance had arrived at the rescue dragging a chain and missing a back toe. During his stay at the rescue, he found his way into the horses’ stall and was kicked in his head, fracturing an eye socket which resulted in a recessed eye with limited vision. But he survived it all and refused to let these unfortunate mishaps slow him down. He is the sweetest PLTA “first dog” ever. I was very lucky to have found him and have learned much about perseverance from him.
In many ways, his life is similar to the ups and downs we are experiencing in our industry right now. We too will survive and I look forward to an UP year. I hope to meet many of you during this year, and update on Chance’s story as we go forward.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m a current volunteer at Blue Chip. I actually started the day after you adopted your dog. I am helping there and am happy that you like your dog and are planning on keeping him. Too many people give dogs back to shelters or just set them free. Good Luck.
What a heartwarming update on Chance – I was one of the fortunate people who had the opportunity to meet Chance during his time at Blue Chip. He certainly is a very special dog and deserves all that you have given him – this is one of the wonderful success stories. Hope springs eternal at Blue Chip No-Kill Animal Rescue – there is always a feeling of love, comfort and support that everyone involved experiences. I am pretty sure that the people benefit more than the animals .
I adopted my dog, Zac from Blue Chip a little over a year ago – same story, we had lost our dear Toby in February and I DIDN’T want another dog. In need of emotional support myself, I headed to Blue Chip with a love of animals and an exclamatory “But I don’t want to own another one.” A month later, Zac came home with me . And how I love him!
What a great story! We can learn much from our fellow creatures that we share the planet with, and dogs are certainly among the wisest of souls. They have all the good attributes of people with none of the bad, and there is no more loving and loyal a companion than a rescue dog. Good Luck in the future!-GST.