The Joy of Rescue Dogs

Dear Sacred Agent, 

I’m so pleased that it is International Dog Day which brings awareness to the joy of having a dog in the family, moreover a rescue dog. I am especially happy to have recently added to my long line of rescue dogs by welcoming two big, young rescue dogs from Dali Dog Cyprus: Freya and Summer.

Freya (in this photo with me) is an elegant, gentle giant and has the sweetest soul, and I feel she was sent to me by my previous Cyprus rescue dog, Arthur, who sadly passed last year. I was honoured to be able to give him a home at the end of his life, I acted as a hospice for him – I made sure that for all his lifetime of suffering that with me he got to know what being loved was, what being cared for was and to feel secure.  When he was really ill and weak, I even slept with him in the garden, beside him on the grass in the hot summer nights – no, not dedication or madness as some have commented, it came from a need to let him know I was there for him. Arthur passed on February 17th 2023, and as he left the planet, I felt his soul leave his body and a little bit of me went with him.  I adored him – he gave me so much. He let me know he understood me, and he was there for me too, he looked into my eyes with an understanding that is beyond words.

Let’s face it, dogs just get us! They even know sometimes, even before we do, what we are feeling, what we are preparing to do; when to stay close to comfort us, and when to stay their distance to give us some emotional space to work it out for ourselves. 

These blessed creatures are reflections of us.

I’d urge anyone contemplating welcoming a dog into their family to consider a rescue dog. There are so many loving dogs ready to share your love with them. Some may be traumatised; some have been starved and treated with cruelty or neglect, yet the path to their full discovery of what they are worth comes with that first look… that first moment they take a step towards you rather than away from you. They respond to love so beautifully and somehow just love us right back, whatever their troubled start in life.

Walking them is my pleasure as well as it is their fix; at least twice a day to bound around and meet other dogs and people. Walking dogs is a living meditation that I would not be without. Romping over ground and through woods and by rivers and beaches, I fill my soul up with so much joy and also the peace and wisdom of nature.

I have always had rescue dogs from a child and have fallen in love with each and every one, and yes, I have been heart broken by them when it has been their turn to leave this planet, yet I would not have been without them.

Dogs are furry angels that walk this earth, and it is up to us to walk beside them and cherish, protect, and care for them always.

Please consider rescuing a dog if you can give them your time, attention, walking and love. They’ll give you back so much more than you can ever have imagined.

With fondest love, 

Karen, Freya and Summer xxx