An Endeavor of the Heart
Dec 2001
By Nancy McGinnis
I have written more than 100 articles in my freelance career, encountering many interesting folks in the process of researching and gathering material. But I have never been more privileged to work with such a dedicated, resourceful, tireless and articulate group as those who have shared their rescue and shelter wishes for this project. [See Holiday Wishes story]
This comforted me as I sifted through the incoming requests great and small, recognizing how, together, they reflect the overwhelming magnitude of need. And I am inspired to make a difference by my pup Zap, a wonderful Siberian husky mix who became part of our family thanks to Susanna Richer of the Maine chapter of Dogs Deserve Better. If you have ever been blessed with the unbounded joy and affection that a canine companion brings to your life, filling one of the needs described in this issue is a way to express your gratitude.
Three years ago, Zap, a Siberian husky mix, was a trusting pup living dangerously on the edge. In an overcrowded kill shelter in Kentucky, there is little chance for a happy ending for a canine that happens to be neither a hunter nor lap dog.
As she has done many times before and since, Richer, coordinator at the Maine chapter of Dogs Deserve Better, had made the trip to bring north this young dog and as many more as she could pack into her mini van, to seek a better chance at life.
Recently, Richer and her colleagues have focused their efforts on abused and abandoned dogs here in New England, and work in cooperation with the Augusta, Corinna and Dexter shelters in Maine. “We are in dire need of a mini van in good working condition,” Richer said. “The vehicle we’d been using has failed inspection due to severe rust issues, and is beyond repair.
“This is a critical need for our rescue. We count on our mini van to transport over 200 dogs a year to foster and forever homes, to/from the vets, to meet prospective adopters, to events and to the dog park for socialization and fun. It is also used to pick up donations, to bring donations to other shelters and to conduct home visits.”
Richer estimates she spends as much as 70 percent of her waking hours behind the steering wheel on behalf of Dogs Deserve Better. Every day she is faced with begging or borrowing a vehicle from reluctant friends and family to continue her mission of helping dogs in need.
“The only requirements for our dream mini van are that it has automatic transmission, front- or all-wheel drive, removable seats and one that has a valid inspection sticker—or is able to pass inspection without major repair.”
Even if you can’t offer a replacement mini van, there are other ways to help. Shelters and rescues are in constant in need of everything from cleaning supplies to peanut butter and Kong rubber dog toys. You will find their detailed wish lists throughout this issue of Downeast Dog News.
