Many people accuse our shelter of being the bad guy in every circumstance. There is nothing that is more false than this. We are the only open admission shelter in the county, thus we are forced to accept animals from every citizen. We have to help owners make difficult decisions regarding their aging, wounded, and terminally sick dogs. Investigating crimes against animals is necessary, as is protecting our community from hazardous ones. Every day, we take in 25–30 new animals in addition to housing and caring for approximately 300 animals. We need to find homes for everyone of them in some way.
Sometimes it seems like the statistics are against us and the odds are constantly against us. But occasionally, a minor miracle performed by our personnel serves as a reminder of why we all do what we do.
Earlier this month, a complaint about an abandoned puppy prompted our road cops to attend. It’s how we got to know Jazzy. She could hardly walk after being abandoned in a hotel room. We estimated Jazzy’s age at 9 or 10 years old, but it turned out that she was actually a little older. Despite having severe arthritis, she was incredibly kind and sensitive, allowing us to provide her the finest care possible. We thought she would be difficult to find a home for given her condition. People wait in line outside our doors for tiny pets and puppies, but elders are seldom given the attention they need.
Jazzy was amazingly microchipped. After our team investigated, the information was traced back to a family in Texas. We gave them the surprise of a lifetime when we phoned. You know, Jazzy ran away from home when she was scared by fireworks when she was five years old. At the time, she was twelve years old. She was nowhere to be found by the family. After a protracted search that lasted seven years, they never gave up on her.
We informed them of her medical history, her present state of health, and their alternatives. They were never in doubt. A few days later, Kerry, Jazzy’s owner, took a plane from Texas to Florida, and we were able to reunite them today. We have no idea how Jazzy got to be in Orlando or the details of her past. But now, at last, Jazzy was returning home after seven years.
The reunion was heartwarming, and it was amazing to see Jazzy come to life at her owner’s voice. Kerry told us stories about herself and was ecstatic. Jazzy was unable to look away from him. She repeatedly licked his hand and drew herself as near to him as she could. Her heart was finally entire and remembered even after all those years.
Every day, our volunteers and employees deal with pain and heartbreak. But occasionally, we get to see something like this, which makes every minute worthwhile. We would offer this kind of love to every adoptee if it could be put in a bottle. We would write a joyful ending such as this for each and every one of our creatures.
To see everyone and bring everyone home.