Ellie was a dog like no other. He had an energy and zest for life that was contagious to all who met him. But it wasn’t always that way. Ellie had a rough start to life that left him in a critical situation in front of a hospital. He was emaciated, just like a bag of bones, and he looked as though he had given up on life.
But then something miraculous happened. One day, a group of animal lovers were passing by and noticed Ellie lying there. They could see he was in a critical condition and decided to take him in. They brought him to a nearby vet, examined him, and determined that he had been severely neglected. He was dehydrated, malnourished, and suffering from a number of health problems.
Despite his difficult condition, Ellie’s spirit was still strong. He was a fighter and refused to give up. The vets and animal lovers who had taken him were amazed at his resilience, and they knew that they had to do everything in their power to help him. Over the next several weeks, Ellie received round-the-clock care from a team of dedicated animal lovers. They fed him small amounts of food every few hours to help him regain his strength, gave him fluids and medicine to treat his health problems, and spent countless hours with him providing him with love and attention that he had never received before.
As Ellie began to recover, his personality began to shine through. He was playful, energetic, and loving. He had a zest for life that was infectious, and everyone who met him fell in love with him. Word began to spread, and people from all over the world began to follow his journey on social media.
Despite his newfound fame, Ellie was quite humble and grateful. He knew that he had been given a second chance at life, and he was determined to make the most of it. He began to work with the local animal rescues to help other dogs in need, and he became an ambassador for animal welfare. As Ellie’s story continued to spread, he became a symbol of hope for animals everywhere. People who had never considered adopting a dog before began to change their mind after hearing his story.
Ellie’s journey is a reminder of the resilience of animals and the transformative power of love and care. It’s a testament to the incredible impact that a group of dedicated individuals can make on the life of a neglected and abused animal. Ellie’s story is an inspiration to us all, and we should strive to be more like him, to be fighters and never give up, to be humble and grateful, and to use our experiences to help others in need.
Guide Dogs of America Needs Volunteer ‘Puppy Raisers’
Working with wonderful woofers, the sort of furry joy-bringers that make a difference in people’s lives?
Pitching in with a pack of incredible pups can make a lasting impression on a person’s mind, outlook, and, for sure, their spirit, too.
And that chance to lend a hand, your time, some empathy and understanding, and a whole lot of love is coming up, on Dec. 11, thanks to a “puppy raiser” training session with Guide Dogs of America.
This is a virtual happening, via Zoom, and it will be the final online information event before in-person gatherings return to the Sylmar campus in 2022.
Guide Dogs of American pairs trained pups with “… individuals who are blind/visually impaired and service dogs for veterans and children with autism,” with dogs also being placed in “hospitals, schools, and courtrooms.”
“Our highly skilled canines become trusted companions that increase people’s confidence, mobility, and independence. All programs and services, including transportation, personalized training, room/board, and postgraduate support, are provided at no cost to the recipient,” states the organization on its site.
And helping the organization achieve its mission?
Puppy raisers, those dedicated volunteers who are among some of the first people a young, in-training dog gets to know, trust, and adore.
If you choose to pursue volunteering for this life-changing role, there’ll be a few initial considerations, as well as matters you’ll want to mull.
One consideration? Where you reside. You and the puppy in your care will need to call upon the Sylmar campus on occasion, and attendance at both monthly puppy group meetings and “puppy kindergarten classes” is required.
The Dec. 11 information session will address what you can expect from meetings and classes, as well as what at-home life will be like with the future guide dog you’re helping to raise.
Questions covered include the breeds and types of puppies that volunteers raise, what can be expected in terms of puppy proofing and such, what out-of-pocket expenses might look like, and how long the puppy will live in your home.
And, yes: “(W)hat happens when the dogs ‘go off to college’ to begin formal training” is also a central topic of the session, as well as how dogs are paired with their forever people once they’ve graduated.
The word straight from Sylmar? “We ALWAYS need puppy raisers,” says Stephanie Colman, the coordinator of the puppy program.
So even if you can’t join the December Zoom, you can plan to attend an in-person information session on the Guide Dogs of America campus, in early 2022.
Could this be your new year’s resolution?
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