A life, a gift …a Dog

About three months ago I was heartbroken after meeting a dog we attempted to foster. Unfortunately it didn’t work out as she was not cat friendly. The police officer that introduced me to her works the streets of south central LA and tries to rescue the unfortunate dogs she comes in contact with on the streets. She recommended that I get in contact with a rescue group in Santa Monica called

Take Me Home.

I contacted them the following week and immediately got a return phone call. I told them about our family consisting of a son, a male boxer and a senior cat. Within a couple of days I got a call from TMH about a dog they just rescued from a high kill shelter in the valley. Her name was Jo Jo. She was not a boxer like we originally wanted but, she was good with cats and needed someone to give her a second chance. We thought, let’s give her that chance.

A wonderful representative came to our home to interview us and make sure we would all be suitable for each other. She came with so much information and knowledge about dog adoption and wanted to make sure all of our questions were answered. She took time to get to know our pets and think about the dogs at TMH that might be suitable for us. She was so passionate about wanting it to be right for all of us.

The following week the two women I’d been working with at TMH brought Jo Jo to our home to meet our pets. It seemed like it wasn’t even five minutes and Jo Jo and our boxer Slevin were frolicking in play. The play didn’t seem to stop, it just went on and on. She tolerated his energy and actually helped tire him out. It looked like a match made in heaven.

Little Jo Jo stayed and her name became Jolene. Over these past three months the play has not stopped but, there are several naps in between. Slevin and Jolene are inseparable and even Ebony the cat has become good friends with Jolene. I just have to smile. Jolene is ready for everything, walks, jogs, car rides, naps in the sun and good eats. She is a little trooper who has brought us so much joy. I get double the licks, kisses and funny faces which certainly brighten my day. I’ve been blessed to have amazing dogs in my life however, the soul of a rescued dog is something you cannot describe until you experience it.

I’m so grateful to TMH for introducing us to this little gem of a pup. My life has changed in many ways in this short time. The passion of those from TMH affected and inspired me to start working with a rescue group closer to my home. I’ve been blessed to be able to help dogs who like Jolene (Jo Jo) would be dead. Thank you to TMH for the life of Jolene, for my new life and for the lives of those I can help. Keep doing what you do. Take Me Home is changing lives!

Love,

Teri and family (Jay, Jamar Slevin, Ebony and Jolene)