Like thousands of other people yesterday, I read this post about a sweet dog named Duke and his last day on earth. And because it didn’t make me sad enough to read it once, I read it two more times and then watched his rescue video as well.
I keep thinking about the fact that if Duke wouldn’t have been rescued three years ago, this last wonderful day for him would have never happened. Instead he would have spent his final days in a shelter like so many other dogs have to do.
And thoughts like this eat at me. They make me feel helpless and just sad.
But at the same time I realize that simply feeling bad for all of these dogs won’t do anything to help them. So rather than writing some sappy post about why I’m a dog lover or why we need to save the dogs (those posts will come later) I figured instead I’d share a few pics of some very eligible Bowchelors. (Get it? It was supposed to be like bachelors.) It sounded better in my head.
Anyway, look at all of these adorable pups who are just waiting to be your best friend!
Love your dogs. We may not always understand them, but they understand us more than we’ll ever really know.
Stop it!!! You're making me want to adopt all of them….I love my pup and I want to keep all of the puppies in the world! Haha. That video literally made me teary eyed. So damn mean, that video.
I read it. I cried. and I sobbed. Mostly because my fur baby was given 1 month to live, about 3 months ago. So I cherish every moment I spend with him. Claws, meows, and all…I love my 15yr old to pieces. He's been with me through my college years and many moves with my hubs.
So sad 🙁
those are really cute dogs
What a sweet story that Duke. Couldn´t help get my eyes watery. I recently had to put my little grandma to sleep and couldn´t help but think of her through Duke. I too like to think I gave her a good life in the last 15 years.
oh and the Harlow Foundation…what an awesome idea, I wish too I could own all the land in the world and just fill it up with pups!
Oh god, the first thing I do when I'm out of school is heading for the shelter to find myself a buddy of my own. And I haven't gotten myself to watch that video yet – I know I'll tear up!
What an awesome post. And yea i read that article last night and bawled ma damn eyes out.
If i could rescue all of the pibbles in the world I would!! My dogs are rescues and they are my world!
and cue the tears! this was a great post 🙂
I read that article at 6 am after my alarm went off the other day, and my boyfriend woke up because I started crying so hard. It reminded me of when I had to put two of my dogs down at once last October.
That first picture is adorable! I have been begging to add a dog to our lives but the boyfriend keeps saying no. One of these days I'm just going to go rescue one and bring it home.
I read that article yesterday morning and cried my eyes out. After reading it, I ran as fast as I could over to my dogs and wrapped them in the biggest bear hug. They obviously thought I had gone insane and couldn't get away from me fast enough. This post made me feel all those emotions again. So sad, but so very sweet!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for this post. Yes, I cried – brought back memories of putting my furbabes to peaceful rest. As you know, my dear 14 year old passed in March. I wish I could have had it done at home where he preferred, like the dog in the article had the park. So beautiful.
I volunteer at an animal rescue for a few hours each week. It's the most rewarding thing. If you cannot adopt, foster, or donate money, just donate your time. it's so emotionally fulfilling for both you and your pets.
And don't use the excuse "I can't, it's too sad, I'll just want to take them all home" .. that's bogus! Obviously, logistically, you can't bring them all home, but at the very least you can give them some love for some time anyway. It makes all the difference in the world.
RIP, Duke.
Thanks again, Taylor, for this. This is SO IMPORTANT.
I want to someday start a dog rescue too! I have 2 dogs who got I from the shelter, a GSP and a GSP mix. I always wish I could do more now to help more dogs! Come on winning lotto numbers!!!
Oh my goodness – that video had me in tears instantly. I love this post, Taylor. Your heart is gold! If only we could all rescue all the fur babies in the world…. 🙂
Umm I am bawling in my cubicle at work.
I hadn't heard about Duke, but now I'm sobbing near uncontrollably, which ironically made my dog leave the room. She's not the comforting type. I'll chip in (and come live with you) if you ever want to open up that dog ranch.
I have never been a dog person until we rescued our chihuahua last year. Hes older and has glaucoma in one eye but he is the most amazing dog ever.
If you ever set up the Harlow Foundation, I would happily donate to it. After reading that article yesterday, I went home and let my dog do some of her favorite things and hugged her extra tight. It breaks my heart that there are so many homeless dogs out there without care or love and I would adopt every single one of them if I could. Good job posting the pictures, they tugged on my heartstrings!
Oh I just love this! Wish I could take in another one!
I read it too. My Bella looks a lot like Duke. I cried. Gave Bella half of my quesadilla at dinner and hugged her super tight last night too. My husband and I want to have land and a farm one day full of animals so I share your dream and can't wait to rescue another animal that needs some love and a family. 3 of our 4 cats we found outside either under our house, at my job, or at my husbands aunt's house. They are all fat and happy now. 🙂
now i'm crying.
And then i cried so hard!! I dont see how anyone couldnt fall head over heels for those sweet faces!!
I haven't read that article yet because I'm already having an emotional week & I think I will not stop crying if I read it right now. Instead, I just snuggled with my pup and thanked her for coming into my life 🙂
im reading this right after I took millie to the vet because of a slight overdose on her medicine and now I'm going to cry. I seriously want a dog farm.
I watched that Sunday morning in bed and ugly cried for a while.
I wish I could rescue all of the dogs! I told my husband that some day, when we are rich and have a big house with a huge yard, I am going to foster dogs so they can all be saved! Thanks for always raising awareness for the dogs that need to be rescued.
If I could, I would have too many dogs, or any animal for that matter, to count! That article broke my heart.
Of course I had to click on "this post". And then I bawled.
I so hope to be able to rescue a dog one of these days! Just want to wait until we aren't living in an apartment & have a yard where we can let the dog run cause let's face it, I want a big dog and my small apartment just isn't cut out for one of those!
I saw the article, but I couldn't read it. I knew I'd cry my face off, and since I was at work in an office, I decided that wouldn't be a good idea. I teared up just seeing the picture attached to the article and the headline. Soo, no article for me. But now I'm tearing up thinking about how much I wish I could rescue those dogs you posted above, or any of the too-many dogs (or cats) just waiting for homes in the Humane Society or Cat House here in Lincoln. Get the Harlow Foundation started, and I'll be the first one in line to donate my money and time (if I can make it to Chicago)!
I've seen that article floating around and thinking about clicking on it makes me cry so I obviously would be a mess if I actually clicked on it. One day when I'm in that kind of mood where I want to cry but it won't come out, I'll have to check it out. Am I the only one that gets crying constipation?
Just kidding. I decided to be brave and now I AM CRYING ALL THE TEARS.
I just hugged Penny. I want to rescue all the dogs too. They are so sweet.
I love this, and I second the importance of going and hanging out with animals at the shelter–even if you can't take any home, it makes them so happy when people visit. It's such a small portion of our time, but it makes a huge difference in their lives.
Kudos to you for this post, and for finding dogs in all parts of the country that your readers may live close to. I hope you help them all find homes!
Love, Gigi
Duke's story made me bawl yesterday!!! And I watched the rescue video too because I felt it was only proper to. And now I want to adopt a zillion little dogs and give them a good home but I surely cannot afford that so it would just be bad news bears… but I love my doggies with all my heart and I'm proud to say they were all rescue pups too 🙂
Aww Duke's story was both heartbreaking and beautiful. Dogs are so amazing, and when one comes into your life, they become family. We adopted our dog two years ago when he was recovering from mange. They said if it got worse, we could return him. Well, it did, but he had already stolen our hearts and there was no way he was going back to the shelter. He got over it and is now the most handsome, sweetest guy.
Ooo noo I shouldn't have read this at work…*tears*
And now I'm crying at work. Thank you for sharing this.
I really love this post. We, sadly, had to put our rescue down last week and as we (ugh.. choke) watched her take her final breaths, all I could do is tell myself that we gave her the best damned life she could have ever dreamed of. She got to spend time on the water, ride in the car, chew on big bones, and lay on a memory foam dog bed.
Puppies. I wish I could save them all. I like torture myself and search for dogs that I can't have.
Alright. Bawling. And SO happy you posted this. I hope those puppies get adopted! We have a dog and a cat- both rescues – and will rescue our next dog too! (If only our apartment was big enough for all of them!)
I saw this story on the news at lunch yesterday… I CRIED in the break room at work!!! SO FREAKIN SWEET! all of my animals have been rescues. Save a life 🙂
I actually cannot bring myself to read anything sad about dogs because I get so upset! Have you seen the Australian movie Red Dog? Our boy is a Kelpie, same breed as the dog in the movie and I can't watch it without bawling and hugging my Maxy boy just a little bit tighter. Then I sneak him onto the bed to snuggle.
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