A HOMELESS DOG'S CHRISTMAS WISH

Everywhere - Children dream of stockings packed with goodies and big boxes filled with the latest and greatest toys. A homeless dog dreams of one thing - being loved.

That sentiment is what drives animal rescuers to find homes for the thousands of shelter pets across the nation. We want simply and beautifully, the obvious - what every dog lover knows in their heart, to end the suffering and homeless of dogs throughout the US. Dogs want to be loved. They want to be scratched behind the ears, taken for walks, or sitting by the side of the person that they love.

Every dog sitting behind the bars of a kennel door wants the very same thing - the simple pleasure and comfort of being loved. This holiday season, consider donating to your local shelter or rescue.

Tis' the season of giving. Don't forget those less fortunate this time of year; Especially our furry friends.

http://www.muttsmatterrescue.com/

A HOMELESS DOGS CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Tis' the night before Christmas

and all through the town,

every shelter is full -

we are lost, but not found,

Our numbers are hung

on our kennels so bare,

we hope every minute

that someone will care,

They’ll come to adopt us

and give us the call,

“Come here, Max and Sparkie -

come fetch your new ball!!

But now we sit here

and think of the days…

we were treated so fondly -

we had cute, baby ways,

Once we were little,

then we grew and we grew

now we’re no longer young

and we’re no longer new.

So out the back door

we were thrown like the trash,

they reacted so quickly -

why were they so rash?

We “jump on the children,

“don’t come when they call”,

we “bark when they leave us”,

climb over the wall.

We should have been neutered,

we should have been spayed,

now we suffer the consequence

of the errors THEY made.

If only they’d trained us,

if only we knew…

we’d have done what they asked us

and worshiped them, too.

We were left in the backyard,

or worse -let to roam-

now we’re tired and lonely

and out of a home.

They dropped us off here

and they kissed us good-bye…

“Maybe someone else will give you a try.”

So now here we are,

all confused and alone…

in a shelter with others

who long for a home.

The kind workers come through

with a meal and a pat,

with so many to care for,

they can’t stay to chat,

They move to the next kennel,

giving each of us cheer…

we know that they wonder

how long we’ll be here.

We lay down to sleep

and sweet dreams fill our heads…

of a home filled with love

and our own cozy beds.

Then we wake to see

sad eyes brimming with tears -

our friends filled with emptiness,

worry, and fear.

If you can’t adopt us

and there’s no room at the Inn -

could you help with the bills

and fill our food bin?

We count on your kindness

each day of the year -

can you give more than hope

to everyone here?

Please make a donation

to pay for the heat…

and help get us something

special to eat.

The shelter that cares for us

wants us to live,

and more of us will,

if more people will give.

# # #

Meet Gabriel

Friends, Family, and Supporters-

Meet Gabriel. He is the most stunning pekinese most of us have ever seen. His physical beauty is only surpassed by that of his soul and spirit. He came to our rescue on november 29, 2010 after surviving an ordeal that, had it been inflicted on a human, would have resulted in charges of attempted murder against the person who caused this "angel" such suffering, sadness and pain. He was given the name gabriel, not only because of his wonderful, soulful personality, but also in homage to the angels that must have been watching over him.

Gabriel is 2 1/2 years old. He was brought into an urban shelter with blood coming from his mouth, ears and eyes. His face was so swollen, he could not open his eyes. His brain was swelling from the trauma. We believe he was barely conscious upon arrival. His "owner" said their daughter had beat him with a bat. They brought no vaccination records. He was not neutered. He was horribly matted. He was very underweight. His toenails were curling under and growing into his foot pads.

They gave no further information. They calmly left their pet at the shelter. No remorse. No grief. No punishment. We have no way of verifying their story.

Fortunately for Gabriel, the shelter knew he was critical and sent him to the emergency vet facility, where he stayed for about 4 days. The shelter sent out a plea for help, and MMR was the first to step up. We are so grateful to this shelter for the life saving care they authorized for Gabriel; Especially with a very small medical budget. We came to pick up Gabriel on the 5th day, when he was transferred back to the shelter. He still has a bag of medicine he has to take around the clock. He may have been blinded in one eye, and will receive follow up care with an eye specialist. He rode from the shelter on a lap, and was perfect the entire trip to our primary animal hospital, Montgomery Animal Hospital in Rockville, Md. The compassionate and capable staff fed him and gave him a warm, safe place in the kennel, away from all the noise. Today, they gave him a soothing bath and groomed his gorgeous coat. It was reported that they could see the bruising behind his ears when they were bathing him. He was hit with so much rage that it also bruised his tender skin! His eyes are still a bit blood shot, and one has a blood clot, but we are hopeful that it will resolve with the medicine he is currently being given. He will remain at the vet hospital for another day, and will then be transferred to his experienced foster home.

Gabriel will still need further medical care. He will be on opthamalic medicines indefinitely. We do not know if he will have to have any further surgeries resulting from the beating he endured. He will need speciality care until we can determine how much of his eye sight has been affected.

We do know that he does not appear to have any brain damage. He is a very sweet dog, who has a very calm personality and seems to like both big and little dogs, as well as people. He enjoys his good food, and likes to "burrow" a nest for sleeping. He is a perfect gentleman, and a wonderful ambassador for his breed, and for rescue.

Mutts Matter Rescue will be covering all of his medical bills. We are asking for help from our community and rescue friends as we continue to rehabilitate this wonderful boy. If you are able, any amount of monetary donation would greatly appreciated. You can donate via our web site at http://www.muttsmatterrescue.com/ by clicking on the "donate now" button at the bottom on our home page. If you cannot donate, good wishes are happily accepted. If you can post this story to your facebook page, or other rescue sites, we would greatly appreciate that, as well. We really want to get the word out not only to help us with his medical care, but to also share his story. This is what can happen when a community works together to right a wrong.

Thank you for your support!

Melanie Samet