by Wendy Hunter

You were born with the ability to change someone’s life; don’t ever waste it. ~ Anonymous

The other morning, I woke up at 3:00 a.m. and felt a strange sensation moving over my jammies. It was cool and billowy, and it made me shiver. For the first time in months, I had to pull the covers over my stubbly, unshaven legs. Suddenly, I realized there was a breeze coming through the window, and it WASN’T 97 degrees. It wasn’t muggy or sticky or swampy in the least. And then it dawned on me; an old friend had come to visit. Well, not yet, but he was certainly packing his bags and making airline reservations.

That’s right, Autumn is right around the corner, teasing me with just enough chilly air to make my bare little tootsies cold. Pretty soon, the falling leaves will transform into a riot of color, carpeting the ground with a patchwork of red, orange, and yellow. Picture your grandpa’s well-worn cardigan. Meanwhile, every suntanned kid is back in school, backpacks stuffed with snacks and sanitizer. Children decked out in pink Barbie & Ken gear will cast a bright bubblegum glow across every classroom. Unfortunately, we have a couple more rounds of mind-numbing heat to get through before digging out our raincoats and rubber boots. Then, and only then, can we send Miss Summer packing too. If you’re listening lady, I have a suitcase you can borrow…

Not everybody goes to movies to get their life changed. ~ Samuel L. Jackson

One way to enjoy the summertime heat is to get out of it completely, which is why we have air-conditioned cinemas with fancy seats, gallon-sized soda cups, and hotdogs that cost more than your mortgage. One thing you might not expect to find after your blockbuster movie experience is a temporary new addition to your household. This is how a lovely dog named Eddie found the girl of his dreams. Eddie is a large Shepherd mix with soulful brown eyes and an ice cream sundae coat of caramel, chocolate, and butterscotch. He is a friendly boy, around 3-4 years of age, weighs about 60 pounds, and has a gentle demeanor. In early July, Eddie found himself sitting under a shady tree in the Manchester Mall parking lot, panting vigorously in the 110-degree heat. Whoever had left him there at least had the wherewithal to leave him some food and water, but he was without a leash or collar. Perhaps his family couldn’t find a place to relinquish him because of shelter overcrowding or his size. Unfortunately, it’s a lot harder to find homes for larger dogs these days. They could have at least left him some popcorn money and a ticket to see Strays…

I had a strange feeling that Fate had in store for me exquisite joys and exquisite sorrows.
~ Oscar Wilde

Lucky for Eddie, a curious woman noticed his plight and approached him with a treat. It must have been kismet, because he gladly accepted and jumped right into her car. That kind lady was a person with a big heart who has fostered dogs (mostly puppies) for almost 20 years. She had the know-how to drive Eddie to the Fresno Animal Center, where all strays found within the city limits should be taken. He was scanned for a microchip, but no luck. Since the Fresno Animal Center is perpetually bursting at the seams, Eddie’s Good Samaritan offered to foster Eddie, thus leaving the next open spot for another dog. He was microchipped and given all his shots and flea treatment, completely free of charge. According to Eddie’s new foster mom, he strolled through the front door of her house as if he’d lived there forever. He quickly adapted to her routine and seemed genuinely happy to be with her. Eddie is one of those dogs who always seems up for any of life’s adventures, including taking car rides to Woodward Park. He doesn’t get excited about any of the lakes there, but he enjoys some serious exploring. Eddie loves a walk in the morning and another in the evening, and does very well on a leash. Because of this exercise routine, Eddie has had zero “accidents” in his new home, which can be an issue. I’m sure the foster mom appreciates that, because there’s nothing yuckier than stepping in a wet carpet spot at two in the morning…bleah.

The sun loved me again when it saw that the stars would not abandon me. ~ Jenim Dibie

Eddie is a lot like many of the ARF dogs, meaning we really don’t know much about him. Where did he come from? Why was he given up? Are there some kids missing him right now? Even though we don’t know the answers to those questions, we do know that he’s now in a better place with his foster mom. She says it’s obvious he loves the great outdoors, but when he’s inside, he’s perfectly content to be curled up on the couch watching TV. Apparently, he’s fond of True Crime shows, but who knows which one is his favorite? Since he’s a dog, I’m assuming it’s Buried in the Backyard.” What dog wouldn’t want a nice juicy part in that series, auditioning his amazing searching skills? “Give me a chance boss, just give me one chance. I can find that skull, no matter how far down it is!” Being the quick learner he is and eager to please, I think Eddie would land a couple of episodes for sure. “Tonight, ‘Eddie the Excavator’ closes in on a bad guy whose pets have mysteriously disappeared. Justice will be served!”

The dust shall never be thy bed: A pillow for thee I will bring,
Stuffed with down of angel’s wing.
~ Richard Crashaw

Eddie’s current mom will be fostering him for a bit longer, but he will become an adoptable ARF dog later this month. She’s looking forward to Eddie finding his forever home, hopefully with an active family. He would do well with older children, and he seems to be okay with other dogs. He has visited ARF and got along well with the dogs out there. Eddie is food motivated…sort of. If you offer him a treat from your hand, he won’t take it. However, if you put it on his bowl, he’ll eat it when you walk away. I guess that’s better than him cutting your nails to the quick when snagging a Pup-Peroni! I asked Eddie’s mom what it took to be a good foster parent. She said, “It should be someone who loves animals, is flexible, and willing to put in the effort needed to make an animal feel comfortable in a new environment.” I also asked if it was tough to let a foster dog go. She replied, “I’ve had my fair share of foster ‘fails’ (where a foster ends up keeping the dog), but letting them go does get easier over time. Especially in today’s world of shelter overcrowding, you are literally saving lives by opening up the spots in a shelter that your foster dogs would have occupied. And with puppies, it’s very rewarding to see that you’ve given them a good start in life.” Now if that doesn’t make you reach for the Kleenex, then nothing will.

Don’t try to be what you’re not. If you’re nervous, be nervous. If you’re shy, be shy. It’s cute.
~ Adriana Lima

Before I can get started on any of these stories, I need help deciding which dogs to write about. Since I’m not at ARF much these days, I don’t really know the dogs like I used to, so I rely on my volunteer pals to give me ideas. Sometimes they like to pick dogs that might not get as much attention as others, some who are a little quieter and mellow. Case in point: Rizzo, a wiry Schnauzer mix with a cookies-and-cream coat and the crazy eyebrows that only Schnauzers possess. Rizzo came to ARF via a Schnauzer rescue, who asked if we would be able to take her in. Rizzo is a bit shy when you first meet her, but if you sit down with some treats, she will gradually warm up. She’s a quiet girl, but very affectionate, and more than happy to be your friend. Rizzo is a member of the Walking Group, and she is wonderful on a leash, with no pulling or jerking at all. This sweet girl is a medium size six-year-old and weighs around 30 pounds, a perfect size for pampering. At ARF, Rizzo is quickly becoming a volunteer favorite. Perhaps she could be yours too?

The flower that smells the sweetest is shy and lowly. ~ William Wordsworth

Animal Rescue of Fresno
4545 E Dakota Ave.
Fresno, CA 93726
Website: arf-fresno.com

Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section and check back every month for another animal rescue adventure from ARF. Advertise in KRL and 10% of your advertising fees can go to a local animal rescue. We also have a pet Facebook group for KRL and we would love to have you join!

Wendy Hunter has been volunteering with ARF since 2014. She grew up in Fresno and has been an Office Assistant with Fresno County for 7 years. She has been writing all of her life, though never professionally, and currently writes personalized poetry for birthdays, weddings, pet remembrances, etc.