The Image Of Rescue

That's Precious and she's an approximately 6-year old Rottweiler that as of yesterday was in Orlando Animal Control. Precious was found in an abandoned warehouse. She weighs about 65 lbs. and she's exceptionally sweet. She is also heartworm positive and needs treatment immediately.

This isn't the first time that Precious has been taken into Orlando Animal Control. Four years ago she was picked up on the street and was spayed, given her shots and placed in another home in not the greatest of neighborhoods. I met Ms. P when, as a Director of Gulfstream Guardian Angels Rottweiler Rescue, I was called to evaluate her and help determine her age (she was listed by OAC as 1 year old!). She greeted me with a firm, confident stare without a hint of either fear or aggression. She hates to have the slip-leash placed over her head -- I suspect it's happened far too many times -- but she only dodges until you finally catch her. And then, she's perfectly happy to walk with you. So, out to the yard we went for some photos, a physical exam and some puppy runs around the play area.

Precious came over to me when I sat on the bench and placed her head in my lap. I stroked her all over, examined her for injuries or scars and then checked her teeth. She never once complained. Of course, I also kept her supplied with vast numbers of Milk Bones. After the exam and the photo session, we slipped her leash back on and took her back to her cage. I wrote the other Board members and told them that although Precious is middle-aged, she is active, happy, and incredibly sweet with both people and other dogs. Despite the fact that it is difficult to place "older" dogs, I felt we should save this girl and attempt to get her adopted. Last night, the Board agreed and today, we took Ms. Precious out of Animal Control. She'll need to spend 2 weeks in quarantine because of the potential for illness coming out of OAC, but after that, she'll be listed on our website and I'll work personally to find her a good home.

Rescue is hard. For every dog we take in, treat and place there are 10 more that get euthanized in shelters every month. And we can't take every dog that gets picked up. They have to be good dogs. Adoptable, trustworthy and healthy. But when I meet a girl like Precious, and we manage to be able to save her and give her a chance for adoption, I appreciate what Rescue is really all about.

Jim