WHY I WORK WITH RESCUE DOGS by Betty Vryhof

•  I have always worked with rescue dogs. It began  when I was young and I  put out peanuts for the squirrels and became successful in hiding a baby in my cellar for a few months before the health department took it  away in a cage. So I went down to the shelter and asked about him . Nope . no squirrels there. But many little creatures that needed to be fed such as puppies and kittens. No go with mom. I ended up with 10 cent turtles and fish from Grants later graduating to birds and gerbils. Many burials in toilet bowls and mini milk cartons with man on the moon pix. It was the 60s. Eventually I was granted a kitten which turned out to be having kittens getting sick and running away. Finally our first dog came to us as a stray my father brought home from work. My ears are still rings from the argument that ensued. Mitzi soon followed Mini. But they weren't in much need as the baby squirrel. which  is why our next dog would be Suzie from J.J. Newberrys on rt 23 in cedar Grove. That's right a  family retail store selling dogs. They sold her twin brother  around Easter and left her alone . So we went home with her on our next visit .My mom and dad were newly separated and we kids needed something to occupy our time. She would soon be joined by Dallas from a couple divorcing and moving ; that left him at PAWS . No matter where I have been in my life since ,I have always ended up with a stray animal in need near by. I graduated to rescue dogs later on in life and believe it has to do with a mission of listening to those who have been given a second chance at life and know their time is a gift. My last mission was taking in my sisters beagle . Its still hard to write her story since she passed only a few weeks ago. But a few came before her and one is still with us.  My next few blogs will be their stories. I hope people find thru reading them , the courage to take on these Brave hearts  who hide so much of their painful history to move forward and live life to the fullest: just in case they forgot how to. That's the most important lesson i have learned from all of them. My last rescue MurphyBrown, lived till 14 .Survivor of Cancer & Large Chest Mass surgery in er final years  I had to retire due to chronic medical condition but despite it, I remained with her till her final  hours. What brought me to rescue  in my 20s ,also gave me strength to not only continue to strive, but strength to comfort MurphyBrown in her final moments. I have never,even now ,had any Regrets choosing this path.Thank Ful for a wonderful community & others before  that supported my Animal Rescue Ownership & efforts. I may continue on.Its whats in my heart