On April 25th, 2007, 51 dogs were rescued from a horrific life on 1915 Moonlight Road, Smithfield, VA, where Michael Vick ran a dog fighting operation. Ten years later 1915 Moonlight Road is a rehabilitation center for abused and neglected dogs – home to Dogs Deserve Better.
This is one of my favorite non-profit rescues and I proudly “wear” their magnetic sign on my van. I am always surprised at how many people mention it to me – shoppers in a parking lot, bank tellers and fast food drive-thru employees for example.
If you’re aware of an abused or neglected dog, do something! Call the local authorities, your local shelter or even Dogs Deserve Better for advice. If you’d like to read the whole story about the dogs and Moonlight Road, Jim Grant has written a new book called “The Lost Dogs”. Go to their website dogsdeservebetter.com to see what wonderful things they’re doing for neglected and abused dogs.
Thank you for another wake up call that we all need to stay vigilant for the innocent that are pushed into a horrible life. Our dogs are rescues and one had a bad puppyhood and we were asked to be very patient and willing to help her heal and I said we are old people ( 65 yrs ha!) with all the time to love and treat her well with patience. I keep a pillow on my couch that says my shelter dog rescued me and that she did! She taught me I could learn so much after losing our beloved terrier of 16 years and just reaching out and helping an abused dog find a good life to live out no matter how short or long was what they deserve. I can never forgive bad people who mistreat animals and educating others is how we can end this cycle. Thank you for all the love you give to animals yourself.
Kathy – thank you for being an animal lover and advocate! Our dogs do indeed rescue us!
Sounds like a deserving organization. Are they in need of funds? I would think this is a non profit group.
Martha – right now they are needing money in their veterinary care fund. Go online – they need all the help they can get and will be so thankful for any amount you can give. And thank you!
Amen and THANK YOU MARY for always reminding us how important it is to rescue!! And spay and neuter!!
Thank you Mary for getting the word. Every town and city in America have problems with abandoned dogs and cats and puppy mills. We all need to support where we can. I rescued a street dog or as Kathy said Gizmo rescued me after our 15 year old mini poodle Chloe passed on.
When Wayne’s SIL needed a home for her Black Lab, Wayne took on Buck. Buck rescued me from a deep depression and Wayne & Buck became inseparable!
Buck died 6/26/2012 and Wayne followed him 4/11/2013. Missing both my guys!!!
Ann – I am so sorry for your losses! How sad for you and I know you’re a strong person who can handle almost anything. Thinking of you!
A very good book on a topic that continues to make me curious…why people fight dogs. For those of you who haven’t read it, it very good and the statistics show that pit bulls really don’t want to fight.
I agree Mary. Dogs do deserve better. I’ll donate in honor of a dog who started at the end of a chain and became a beloved friend and companion…with no more chains!
Lisa – I couldn’t agree more with your statement that pit bulls don’t want to fight! Thank you for being a dog lover!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mary! I volunteer at a no-kill dog rescue & sanctuary & I have seen first hand how cruel people can be to these beautiful creatures. Last May I was part of a rescue team that took 87 dogs out of a horrible environment and if that wasn’t awful enough there were rats running rampant. The sheriff’s department estimated there were 100,000 rats! No, that is not a typo. The sheriff deputies were wearing hazmat suits because they were wading in urine & feces past their knees. Some of these dogs had NEVER had human contact. Our rescue took 27 of the dogs. I am happy to say some have been adopted but some will most likely never be able to go to a forever home. It is so rewarding when one of the dogs that you have worked with responds with a lick on the hand or you are finally able to pet and hug him/her. I sincerely hope there is a special place in hell for anyone who abuses an animal.
Cathy – thank YOU for all your efforts! As much as I can support these rescue groups, I am a total coward to go into the situation physically like you did. I feel like I hide my head in the sand so I won’t have to witness abuse and neglect because it haunts me and I dream about it. And the rats!??!! Good grief! I am a no-kill advocate except in certain situations – I think some of those poor dogs who can’t overcome their tragedy should be put down out of their misery. You and I could talk forever, couldn’t we? And then there are the puppy mills!
Cathy – it’s also the reason I don’t want to travel to another country where most dogs are homeless, etc. I just couldn’t stand it. I am a coward.
My heart breaks for every abused dog, kitten and a child. Kudos for all those who are able to give hands on help.
I am furious Mary. I just heard on tv that police are looking for the person who left out hotdogs with nails in them, which a dog ended up eating. Good grief – what is wrong with people?
Cindie – oh, how can that be???? Why oh why? What would they have to gain from such a cruel act?