Every rescued animal has a “back story.” My husband, Steve, and I volunteered with the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue (VGSR) for many years. We have seen it all. There are dogs, cats, rabbits, and yes even cows, found wondering the streets or countryside, show up at people’s homes, are left behind when their humans move or “dumped” at shelters. In many of those cases, we don’t always know where they came from, but at least we know that their “once upon a time” can begin when they are rescued, made to feel safe, and begin their new life.
There are times when we are all too aware of the animal’s story. Sometimes a family cannot afford the expenses associated with owning an animal, people lose their jobs, an owner is ill or dies. And then there is the individual, who for his/her own reasons, decides not to keep the pet because, just because …
Let me share the story of Luke, a good old boy who deserved better treatment at the hands of his (former) human and the local family that gave him a home and a wonderful life.
In late 2011, a fellow volunteer contacted us about two German Shepherds he was fostering; one of the pair was Luke. The owner of the dogs had a new job in California. He wasn’t ready to take the dogs with him but chose not to give them up. He hired a dog sitter to care for them while he was across the country. After a year on the West Coast, he contacted VGSR and said the dogs could be adopted, because they no longer “fit his lifestyle.” Yes, as dog rescuers, and animal lovers, we were all impressed with that reason!
We took Luke to adoption events in the Shenandoah Valley and during one, a couple from Winchester showed up. They wanted to look at the adoptable shepherds, preferably a young one. The husband took to Luke immediately and said that was the dog for him! Steve told him Luke was no youngster (maybe 10 or so), but it didn’t matter. Luke found his humans and moved to a beautiful dog- friendly home, where he was loved. He lived out his years living la vida loca! The good folks who adopted Luke let us know he died (or in the dog world, passed over the Rainbow Bridge) in 2017. We think often of Luke and his good luck, living out his senior yearsWe’ve often asked ourselves, who did not fit whose lifestyle?
Luke‘s humans remain great supporters of the rescue and our annual golf tournament. This fundraiser, in its 17th year, will be held Sept. 19, 2025 at Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Course (Front Royal, VA). For information, use this link.
https://www.vgsr.org/info/display?PageID=16176
This article was contributed by Sandy Schwalb
