Giving animals a second chance

I am an animal rescuer and I will continue to rescue animals as long as I live.

I have rescued dogs from people who have callously and heartlessly kicked their dog to the curb. I have picked up dogs from people who were tired of owning the dog. I have picked up puppies given as gifts who “grew too big” or “ate the cats food.” I have picked them up when they have shut down psychologically from repeated abuse and neglect.

I have picked up dogs that have been beaten, fearful, confused and even unnamed. I have picked up dogs that have never had a kind hand reach out to them. I have sat patiently with them when they have been frightened and coaxed them into my vehicle. I have driven them to my home, veterinarian clinics, to a safe foster home or luckily to a new loving forever home.

I have witnessed firsthand their spectacular transformation under gentle guidance, leadership and love. A respected professional dog trainer recently said to me, “You’ll never meet another animal on this planet as forgiving as a dog.” Truer words have never been spoken to me.

Going forward, this column will not be about me. This column will be about rescue, your pets and your stories. I hope this column will inspire more people to get involved in animal advocacy.

I have met many wonderful, compassionate, dedicated people in rescue. People who sacrifice time with their families, their children, their pets and their paying jobs. These are people who will jump in their cars or empty their wallets when they hear of a dog in distress. These dedicated individuals are single parents, married, unemployed, employed, students, retirees and parents with special needs children. They come from all walks of life to help save animals that society has discarded.

I hope to highlight many of these overlooked heroes and to also highlight many of the wonderful rescues in this great province.

Most importantly I want to hear from you. I would love hear about your pets or your rescue stories. I can be contacted at [email protected]. Please be kind to animals.

Tracy Jessiman is a pet portrait artist who lives in Chester with her husband and their four pets. She is a volunteer with Animal Rescue Coalitions of Nova Scotia. She has been rescuing animals most of her life, but more intimately, animals rescued her.