February 25, 2009

Hope & Joy...our new Additions

Friday, February 20th started out like any other work day, but Friday changed everything for me...

As you can see, we have 2 new additions to our home. I received an email from my friend Simone. She volunteers a long with many other kind animal lovers to rescue animals. Emails are sent out weekly with photos of dogs and cats, all kinds, shapes, sizes, and ages. These wonderful animals are in shelters that are over capacity, and they are slated for euthanization. They are there either because they have been surrendered or they are strays.




The email I received contained a photo of these 2 sisters...surrendered by their owner and whose fate was certain death...euthanization at 5pm.

I responded at 4:30pm that I would adopt the 2 of them.

From there, volunteers worked out how they would transport the pups from South Carolina to Virginia. It took 3 different volunteer transports to get them to South Hill, Virginia where we met Elvis and Trish (also rescue volunteers) for the final leg of the trip.



Susan Ward and Tracy Morgan (and so many others) are instrumental in arranging the adoptions, rescuing the animals and sometimes taking them in until a permanent home can be found.


All of the volunteers are TRUE animal lovers and ask for nothing in return. They are overjoyed to bring these sweet souls to their new owners. I cannot say enough about how truly giving all of these folks are...of their time, energy, finances and efforts to find homes for these animals.


Jean Schnurr, also a volunteer of MAMA's (Mary Ann Morris Animal Society) coordinates the transports. In this particular rural area in S.C. their are little funds available to the shelter. They operate on an annual budget of $20,000 and rely on donations for all the rest of the money needed to feed, shelter, transport and care for these animals. If you would like to make a donation to help with their efforts please send to:

MAMAS

P. O. Box 1511

Bamberg, SC 29003


If you would like to adopt an animal, please send me an email and I will be happy to put you in touch with these folks.


Hope and Joy...that's what we named these 2 beautiful sisters...because Friday was THEIR day...filled with HOPE and JOY!















17 comments:

Karin Bartimole said...

Oh - congratulations to you and to Hope and Joy for finding each other through all the wonderful volunteers and angels involved that saved these beautiful lives!! I'm sure they will bring you incredible love and adventure - as only our devoted canine companions can :)
blessings to you all!
love, Karin

Lakeland Jo said...

good luck with them- they are lovely

aliceinparis said...

Hooray! You will find that Hope and Joy will bring so much more into your life than you can possibly imagine. I had a rescue dog and she was wonderful. Good for you!!!!!!!!!

Amy Gethins Sullivan said...

~wonderful pictures of your new "babies"~
;)
~Amy~

Belle said...

I am in awe of you Leslie. You are such a good soul. They are just wonderful. I hope they bring you lots of hope and lots of joy.

bindu said...

I'm so happy for you and for the dogs! This was such a nice story to read first thing in the morning. :) Congratualtions on your new additions - you did a wonderful thing by taking them in. Looking in those innocent eyes, I shudder to think what would have happened otherwise. Great message, great post!

LADY ROOTS said...

Sistren Leslie,

How wonderful to have Hope and Joy in your life! Are they getting along with the kitties and the koi?

I love that you don't just espouse a worthy cause, asking others to contribute. Instead, you do what has to be done to make life better for others and then gently encourage others to do the same. Marvelous example of living Jah's love.

Bless Up,
Lady Roots

Ring by Ring Designs said...

Those are beautiful dogs. Should be a fun household.

Liz said...

Lucky Lucky Hope & Joy to have wonderful Leslie save their lives and give them a fantastic home.

Hugs and love
Liz

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Poetic Dreams said...

Hi Leslie,
I wantcha to know my gbaby Lil Love is in love with ya "Dog Dog" Which is the white baby and "Dog" Which is ya black baby.When she seen "Dog" licking the floor she said "Silly Dog"

I want to thank ya for ya comment. I used to be a very angry person about what happened to me. But ya know what I learned? I was only hurting myself. Those people didn't know I was full of hate and anger for them. They continued to live their life not thinking or worrying about me. With that I learned I was wasting my life focusing on them.

I know God has his reasons for everything that goes on. I know somewhere in the middle of all that I endured He found favor with me and loved me. I am going to do my best to serve the lil ones who can't speak for themselves.

I added ya to my follow list. I think it's wonderful ya saved Hope and Joy. I'm sure they will be loved immensely.

Hope ya day is wonderfu.
Hugs~

ButterCup said...

awwww, so adorable! Congrats.
Long time no see. Stop by to see my new paintings.

Jen xo said...

oH leslie, you are such a kind soul. They are very lucky dogs!!

jenxo

Anonymous said...

What a heart-warming story and what sweet faces these two have. I wish you many happy memories.

Andrea Mitchell said...

This story totally warms my heart. Due to the timing, I can't help but think that a little fate was involved and therefore, suspect it will be a very happy home for all of you! :-) I wish you all lots of love and lots of fun...gotta hang on to those wonderful experiences to help get thru those 'hellacious puppy times.' No doubt though, the puppies will reward you lots and lots for rescuing them. :-) Happy love all around! xxoo

Renie Burghardt said...

Aww, Leslie, bless you for your good deed! Hope and Joy will repay your good deed with much love and devotion, over the years. They are beautiful, and what a wonderful post.

Hugs and blessings,

Renie

PS. I will send a small donation, as I love animal rescue people.

nollyposh said...

oooooooooh ~Congratulations~ You ~angel~ you xox