Home. Possibly one of the most powerful four-letter words in our language. Think about it (because most of us probably have never *had* to before). When you’re tired, when you’re sick, when the workday has just been too much for you… home is your relief, your respite, your oasis. The ugliness of the world is shut out, at least temporarily, and you can feel safe, secure, and at ease. But what happens when that four-letter word is erased? When there are no walls to hide behind? No roof to seek refuge under?
One NYC woman and her child recently faced this reality. Having lost their home, this single mom was forced to move into a homeless shelter with her young daughter. Their dog, Midnight, was not welcome there. An organization boarded Midnight for a short while trying to buy them time to get back on their feet. But with no relief in sight, Midnight was unfortunately sent to Manhattan Animal Care & Control.
Midnight, who is on tonight’s euth list, is very much loved, very much wanted and up until this point has been very well-cared for. He is neutered, up to date on all vaccinations and microchipped. Adopted as an 8 week old puppy, Midnight has lived with the woman and small child for his entire 2 years of life, playing, snuggling, living the life that we all wish for for these animals. Her only family lives in NYC public housing, where dogs this size are not allowed. She has no options, so now Midnight has no options.
Except the Urgent Family.
We spoke with the owner tonight, trying to type out this plea in between listening to her sob and plead and beg for his life. And we became overwhelmed by tears. Try as we might, we cannot save every dog that comes into NYC ACC (though hopefully one day we will). What we can do though is try to save as many as we can.
Rescue isn’t always about saving dogs from deplorable conditions or rescuing them from the clutches of evil people who’ve caused them harm. Sometimes it is about helping a good dog-owner keep their pet, putting families back together again.
This single mom would love to reclaim ownership of her beloved Midnight when she is back on her feet and once again has a home. What we are hoping tonight is that a good Samaritan or rescue will see this plea, be moved by this family’s plight, and offer Midnight refuge against the storm that their lives have become. She has told her young daughter that Midnight is staying with a nice family with a big backyard and that they are taking good care of him (what else do you tell a little child who is being separated from their best friend?). If it takes months for her to get back on her feet again, she is willing to let him go to a home who can provide him right now with what she cannot.
Please share Midnight’s story with everyone you know. Never has a dog grabbed the hearts of us here at Urgent as this young boy has.
For Urgent thread: click here
To see a video of Midnight click here