Saturday, October 1, 2011

Meet Franco


Franco
I would like to introduce you to the newest member of my family.

I have been volunteering at a rescue shelter named Found for several months now. Found rescued Franco from Chicago Animal Care and Control. He was dumped there with a swollen left eye due to blunt force trauma. They think Franco was deliberately kicked in the face by a man (because he doesn't trust men). Since CACC has over 600 animals on a daily basis and lack the funds to treat them all medically,
Franco was placed on death row and was hours away from being euthanized.

Thank God Found saw Franco and rescued him!

I fostered Franco for a month without anyone wanting to adopt him.
Franco had aggression problems and would lunge at dogs and men.
He weighs 9 pounds yet acts like an attack dog.

I have been looking for another dachshund because Fritzl
knew only how to give love and I wanted a more gentle dog.

I have been going to a Pet Loss and Grief support at Chicago's Anti-Cruelty Society since Fritzl's passing to the other side. It assisted me in my healing.

To make a long story short, and with some expert training, tons of love, oceans of patience, plus plenty of doggie treats, Franco is now a loving and gentle dog too!

He is part Papillon and part
Chihuahua. He is between 4 and 5 years old.

Franco is always by my side. He is very intelligent, loves to take long walks,
and was a star in the German parade.

He wakes me up by kissing my face.

He has learned to sit, dance, and most of all, has stopped lunging and attacking.

Franco's heart would race and pound in his chest for no apparent reason.

As soon as I adopted him, that all ended.

Franco knows he has a furever home and will never have to worry or fear again.

Animal Rights Commercial - "Dog"


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The Blessing Of Animals Oct. 4



The animals of God's creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea. They share in the fortunes of human existence and have part in human life.

Our animal companions teach us how to love and care for something other than ourselves.

Those animals that live among us are our companions. Dogs, cats, goldfish, birds, rabbits – when we make them our companions we also assume a responsibility for them. We see that they have food and shelter, we see that they have exercise, we see that they are well cared for, and we truly become their guardians. We give them a home and a promise that they will be cared for and kept safe.

Our pets are a blessing from Creator. They come mysteriously into our lives and they love us unconditionally. They teach us how to love them, they teach us love itself. Let us thank Creator for these pets and send loving blessings upon them always.

Animals bless us in many ways. They give us permission to play. They are our best friends. They walk beside us, they listen to our troubles, and they are glad to see us no matter how depressed or sad we may be. They let us know that we are loved. That is the most important blessing that pets give us – unconditional love.

We, in turn, want to offer them a blessing, a prayer, a promise. We want to offer a blessing to honor the connections we have with them, to thank them for the simple joys they bring us. And by doing so to begin to feel more connected to the rest of God’s creation, or the interconnectedness of the web of all life.

We also bless those things we want to protect. We want to protect our pets, we want them to be healthy and happy.

We bless our pets in hope for being good stewards of their care, and in a way we are asking a blessing for ourselves. We ask that we may be the best kind of loving companions to our pets, as they are to us. Their very presence in our lives is already a blessing for us.

May their innocence, in turn, transform and bless us. Amen.

Blessing of Animal Companions

To my beloved animal companion ___. May you be blessed forever with love, nurturance, nutritious food, fresh water, and loving care. May you always have shelter and protection. May you be caressed with affection and wrapped in happiness and comfort. May you breathe fresh air and play joyfully. May you sleep in peace and dream sweet dreams. And may the love you receive be greater than the love you give.

May All That Is, who created all us creatures of this earth,
continue to protect and sustain us with grace and blessings.