A while back I received a text message from a friend needing help with a homeless dog. Because I volunteer in animal rescue it is not unusual for me to be contacted when someone finds a dog. This sweet dog who my friend was calling Marley had been dropped off at the home of a man who could barely care for himself and the three dogs he already had. The people that had him no longer wanted him. My friend was there dropping off donated dog food and saw Marley who had unfortunately been hit by a car. She was taking him to a vet for treatment but he could not go home with her due to allergies.

I asked for a photo and then set about making contact with other friends in rescue. Within an hour we had a commitment from The Pixel Fund to take him in. Now we needed a foster. As soon as I got his picture I decided to open our home to this sweet boy. It was a complete pleasure.

That being said, dogs are not a good idea for everyone. I always say if you can’t tolerate having your favorite shoes chewed up, don’t like cleaning up poop, and can’t make a lifetime commitment you should not own a dog. Dogs can also be expensive. They need to be taken to the vet regularly for vaccinations and you need to pay for monthly flea and heartworm prevention. When you go out of town they need to be taken care of. They need to be walked and played with.

The shelter where I live is full of dogs that are between six months and one year of age. By that time people have grown tired of them. The glow of puppyhood has worn off and they’ve decided to dump them like Marley or try and get rid of them via Craig’s List or online yard sale sites. The dogs that are listed as “free to a good home” are at risk of being taken by people who will not take proper care of them or even worse, harm them.

Marley on the morning she left for transport

Marley is the perfect dog. I can’t for the life of me figure out why someone got rid of him. While in our home he seldom barked, had no accidents, and got along well with our dogs. He preferred to lie curled up at your feet. He was also our first foster who did not eat his dog bed.

Marley is now living in a loving home in Maine.