Posted by Jim Erhardt on September 30, 2016 at 7:48 PM
After being dog-less for about eight years – and after years of gentle nudging by Donna – I finally agreed to get another dog, adopting our Gracie Rose in February of 2014. About a year later, we adopted our Maddie Lou. Both dogs are 100% mutt and were adopted from Mary’s Dogs Rescue & Adoption. With our three human children grown and on their own, Gracie and Maddie are now our canine children.
This journey for Donna and I has not only been about the joy of having canine family members again, but learning about the rescue process and the incredible amount of work that goes into it. Mary started her rescue work five years ago and it has now grown into a substantial operation of volunteers and paid workers to keep it running. MDRA now rescues about 65 dogs a month, saving them from euthanasia in out-of-state high-kill shelters. According to Mary, it is both a rewarding and gut-wrenching undertaking – and always emotionally draining.
Having operated as a LLC, Mary recently made the decision to create a 501(C) non-profit corporation to take the rescue to the next level. Donna and I were honored to be asked to serve on its BOD and as officers of the new corporation, a request we accepted. We are now working with a group of dog lovers, all of us dedicated to the rescue, care and placement in loving homes of dogs that otherwise have little chance of surviving. The shelters they are rescued from euthanize over 90% of the dogs brought to them.
Gracie and Maddie have brought much joy into our empty nest, and we are very pleased to be part of a team that will rescue more like them.
It’s safe to say that rescuing dogs is much like the love of nature. Just so you know, this in no way impacts NPN, just that you may have to suffer from more dog photos in the POP gallery and occasional dog rescue posts like this one!
Posted by Eva McDermott on September 30, 2016 at 10:24 PM
After our old Blue died, Jim said check out Mary's Dogs. I need to have dogs in my life. We too now have two amazing dogs from Mary's Dogs Rescue and Adoption - Smokey and Jazzy. I also volunteer there on a regular basis. Amazing, dedicated people saving some amazing pups and dogs from down south. Jim actually got me involved with taking photos of those well deserving pups to be posted on Mary's website etc.
Posted by Mark Seaver on September 30, 2016 at 10:46 PM
Eva, that's a great view of your two friends, with a fine combo of reflections and looking through the glass. Dogs are such wonderful friends.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on October 1, 2016 at 4:34 AM
Love this shot of Smokey and Jazzy - thanks Eva for your help with photos for MDRA!
Jim, I can't say enough of how I support what you did and dog rescue in general. I could never support a breeder, though I still enjoy those dogs (and all animals). My wife and I adopted Eddie just over three years ago, but really he rescued us! He's the first dog I've ever had, and I was 62 then. This year he accompanied me on my usual two week solo photo journey to Utah and we had a blast. My town is 100% no-kill in all shelters now. Here's a selfie of us.
Discussion
4 repliesAfter being dog-less for about eight years – and after years of gentle nudging by Donna – I finally agreed to get another dog, adopting our Gracie Rose in February of 2014. About a year later, we adopted our Maddie Lou. Both dogs are 100% mutt and were adopted from Mary’s Dogs Rescue & Adoption. With our three human children grown and on their own, Gracie and Maddie are now our canine children.
This journey for Donna and I has not only been about the joy of having canine family members again, but learning about the rescue process and the incredible amount of work that goes into it. Mary started her rescue work five years ago and it has now grown into a substantial operation of volunteers and paid workers to keep it running. MDRA now rescues about 65 dogs a month, saving them from euthanasia in out-of-state high-kill shelters. According to Mary, it is both a rewarding and gut-wrenching undertaking – and always emotionally draining.
Having operated as a LLC, Mary recently made the decision to create a 501(C) non-profit corporation to take the rescue to the next level. Donna and I were honored to be asked to serve on its BOD and as officers of the new corporation, a request we accepted. We are now working with a group of dog lovers, all of us dedicated to the rescue, care and placement in loving homes of dogs that otherwise have little chance of surviving. The shelters they are rescued from euthanize over 90% of the dogs brought to them.
Gracie and Maddie have brought much joy into our empty nest, and we are very pleased to be part of a team that will rescue more like them.
It’s safe to say that rescuing dogs is much like the love of nature. Just so you know, this in no way impacts NPN, just that you may have to suffer from more dog photos in the POP gallery and occasional dog rescue posts like this one!