This is "Steel Magnolia" aka: Maggie
Maggie lived with me for 10 months after she
and numerous other dogs were rescued from
a "Puppy Mill" in North Royalton, Ohio.
I had only intended to transport since I had a litter of
puppies, however, she captured my heart immediately.
I knew she would be a handful because I
don't have any doubt that Maggie had never
been touched by humans before the day of her rescue.
The person who I transported her to called
me after two weeks (as I had asked her to if she couldn't
keep Maggie.) stating that she didn't think
Maggie would make it. I went and got her. (My puppies
had their first shots by then) It took three
months before Maggie had enough trust to run in, jump on
my lap, lick my face, and run back under the
bed. There were tears of joy that day...I knew then, that
she would make it!
I watched Maggie run, I'm sure, for the very
first time in her life (Mags was guessed to be about 3
years old when I first got her) I wish
I could share with you the the look on her face as she "found
her legs." Her eyes got wider
and wider, as she ran faster and faster. It was an amazing day.
Those were amazing months. Many folks
told me to just "put her down" but Maggie's problems
were caused by human neglect, and only a human's
love would bring her back. I thank God that
she made it. Maggie now lives in PA
with a wonderful family and has completed obedience classes.
Some while later, I got a call from a neighbor
of a person, who had moved and left their two dogs
behind. I really don't know how she
got my number, I just know that I'm glad she did! One was a
black tri Australian Shepherd male, named
Toby. My calls began trying to find a foster home for him,
and soon - there was one to take Toby.
Toby is a very loving boy who just needed some training and lots
of love. (The next door neighbor ended
up keeping the other dog.) I knew the foster home was very
temporary so I looked and prayed for a home
for Toby. Well, it just so happened that Maggie's people
wanted another dog. I called them, and
yes! Toby had a home with Maggie. They are delighted with
their two rescues dogs. And you can
bet Maggie and Toby are very blessed to be where they are.
After Toby, I got call from someone else...don't
know how he got my name either (smile). He had
see a red tri female, maybe a year old, in
the Akron Shelter. I went down and evaluated her. She
was a wonderful girl. She was such a
nice girl that they even held her over after her time had expired,
and she was suppose to be put down.
I paid her fee and found a foster home for her. She now lives
near Toledo and goes by the name of Betty...she
has Betty Davis eyes!
Below are two poems I wrote. The first
is for the wonderful woman who organized the rescue in
North Royalton, Ohio. The poem is not
so good, but the woman that it was meant to honor is amazing!
The second was written in honor of all rescue
people everywhere, the dogs from that rescue - the ones
who made it, and the one that did not.
But most especially...for my Steel Magnolia.
EXTRAORDINARY LOVE
Inspired by: Kay Marks
Written By: Pamela S. Eggers
It takes the most extraordinary love
To give everything that you can,
To that trembling pup that's been
Denied a kind and loving hand.
Or the dog whose offense was just growing
up,
A crime his master just couldn't stand.
So off he's whisked to a shelter or worse...
Thrown away by someone so heartless they can.
It takes the most extraordinary love
To stand firm with all your might.
With one hand provide love and a haven
And with the other prepare for a fight.
For there are those who will condemn you
They've scorned you but still you don't lose
sight.
You know all to well the sting of their venom
But keep the faith my friend, you are right.
It takes the most extraordinary love
To search for foster homes as you burn midnight
oil.
Phone calls galore, arranging transport and
more.
Apathy, little help, no space, in need of
rest from your toil.
Running the frenzied race to beat the "dead"
line.
Your press on time after time, His Spirit
in you is Royal.
I watch with my heart as you struggle to do
more
Your devotion is a testimony and your stay
ever loyal.
It takes the most extraordinary love
To admit that this time your best just wasn't
enough.
Holding in your arms that pup with quaking
fear
Life's breath ebbs away, you cry, "It's too
rough"!
Tears flowing, heart breaking, mind racing,
time stands still.
Who made it your job to deal with this stuff?
OH! Can you see what you did? You gave
all!
You loved selflessly, and God knows...sometimes
love is tough.
It takes the most extraordinary love
To make a heart like yours, to mold that clay
In His most amazing and awesome way.
He's gifted you with mercy, your love never
sways.
Eyes closed, I look back on that heart wrenching
day.
As you carried out dog after dog, for each
we cried and prayed.
So I'm hoping, my friend, to witness the Lord
turn to you and say.
"Well done good and faithful servant, Come
in Kay"!
FREE TO BE ME
Inspired by this rescue experience
Written by: Pamela S. Eggers
My life was nearly at it’s end
And that’s when you stepped in.
My hope was gone, only fear remained,
You had come to deliver me from my pain.
I had no trust left on which to draw,
You reached for me...I began to crawl.
How could I know then, what was to be?
What your touch of love could bring to me?
You instinctively knew my every need
My confidence and body you began to feed.
My trust in you had begun to build
Achieving the result that you had willed.
Your relentless efforts in my behalf
Outline the blueprint your mind did draft.
For the outcome that only your vision could
see
My life filled with love and free to be me.
These weeks and months you labor in love
To restore to me what was stolen..and I rise
above.
This bond we have created I have never known
Look what honor, trust, and love have sown.
Your words say that I am now going to leave
Please don’t make me go! My heart will
grieve.
These people are wonderful...but you own my
heart
With tears in your eyes, you say it’s my new
start.
Looking back now, I understand what you said
that day,
You had reformed me as though I was a type
of clay.
My new family loves me, and now my joy is complete
I trust and adore them, only your memory can
compete.
And I will carry you with me to my dying day
Treasured few are gifted with your loving
way.
I know now it was God’s will for us to part
So you could give another their new start.
When you get to Heaven do you know what you’ll
see?
Everyone of us that you worked so hard to
set free.
God gave people dominion over the animals,
that’s true.
But God, with His wisdom, then created people
like you.
In Heaven we’ll sing a song in honor of you,
and your heart will see,
What your gift of love gave, we each lived
our lives “free to be me”.
Dedicated to “Rescue People” everywhere
Written by: Pamela S. Eggers
3-2-02