Just want to thank everyone - YorkieTalk.com Forums

megansmomma · 07-02-2010, 08:33 AM

I have been very uplifted to see all of the positive posts regarding the story of Mindy and her tragic ending. There was a lot of drama that went on during the months that her story was unfolding on the board. It is obvious to me now how many people were following the story as it played out before all of us. Sometimes when things got so out of hand in a thread I will begin to feel that I am all alone trying to stand up for what I *believe* is the correct thing to do. I will voice my opinion and stand firm behind my beliefs even if I seem to be standing alone at the time. There are certain moral convictions that I will not waiver from no matter how much mud, stones and hateful words are slung at me I truly believe the need to stand firmly. Mindy is just one of the times that I have felt I could possibly steer someone in the correct direction to help with an animal in need. I reached out and tried as best as I could to help but it was just not enough.

Things like Mindy's story happen all the time in rescue but they are not played out in a public forum for hundreds of people to see. But they are a common occurrence in the lives of many dedicated volunteers all over the country.

I hadn't share this story prior to today but I would like to share with you now.

I am on a lot of other rescue's email lists just that same as other members that are involved in volunteering. On Tuesday of last week I received an email about a Black Lab that was being transported across IL to a shelter in Chicago. They transport vans stopped in a parking lot and Chai the rescue Lab backed out of her collar and ran away. She darted across a busy street and disappeared. The rescue and shelter were frantic and sent out a plea for help. I received the email and since it was literally in my backyard I offered to help.

The rescue volunteer in Southern IL and I talked back and forth. I was the only person looking for Chai here in Chicago.

On Wednesday afternoon there were sighting of her by several people around the area that she was last seen. I drove around for hours looking for her, talked to people and handed out flyers until the weather took a turn for the worst and the tornado sirens started to go off. All the while the rescue was calling and faxing vets, animal control and police departments in the area to help get the word out. Finally, a local newpaper got wind of the story and interviewed us to run a story. My daughter and I made 20 posters and a couple hundred fliers to hand out for Thursday after the storms died down.

On Thursday, my son and I went out to hang signs. While we were out people offered to help us took for Chai, told of us sighting, and one woman even took us to the spot she spotted her earlier in the day. It was right next to the expressway.

We looked for a long time in that area and never spotted her. But we did come across a dog boarding and training business that offered to help look too. So we were starting to build momentum!

After looking for quite some time we decided to head back home. We were not home for 10 minutes and I received a call from the police department of a dog that fit her description right near where he had just been looking. My husband and I immediately when to see if she was alive, it we would be able to help or in the very least remove the remains from the road. It was rush hour and it was a construction zone. It was her and she obviously had been killed.

We pulled off to the side of the expressway but there was nothing we could do. There was so much traffic, cars swerving, the speed of the semis shook my husbands pickup truck. It was the most horrible thing to just sit there totally helpless. I still cannot get it out of my head and it has been over a week.

But~I can take from this experience something that I can carry with me. The next day-Friday- the story of Chai ran in the newspaper along with my phone number. The article was printed before we could inform the paper of Chai's death. All day on Friday and Saturday I received calls about her. People that had spotted her, wanted to help, make donations to her rescue/shelter, it was amazing! A young girl called me and said that Chai had been around her neighborhood and she saw one of the signs so she RODE HER BIKE to the corner to see if there was a phone number. One of the last calls that I received was from a man that had almost hit her when she wandered onto the expressway. He swerved and the car behind him did hit her. He just wanted me to have closure to had happened to her.

Each time that I put myself out to offer help I try to take something positive from what happens in the end whether it is a dog that has been saved or a dog that has lost their life. All of the posts on Mindy's thread have given me more determination to continue to do whatever I can to even save a few. My husband tells me all the time~you can't save them all but you have made a difference for a few. I will also hold close to me that I am taking others along for the ride.

Lou · 07-02-2010, 08:40 AM

Oh Sweetie,
You have made me cry - again.
I just wanted you to know that you will NEVER stand alone for I will ALWAYS be right behind you if not right by your side.
You rock!

JERSEY BOY · 07-02-2010, 08:42 AM

I followed the Mindy thread and know how hard you tried to get her the help she needed. You did your best and you are making a difference.

Nancy1999 · 07-02-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou

Oh Sweetie,
You have made me cry - again.
I just wanted you to know that you will NEVER stand alone for I will ALWAYS be right behind you if not right by your side.
You rock!

You read my mind. I totally agree!

Wylie's Mom · 07-02-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou

Oh Sweetie,
You have made me cry - again.
I just wanted you to know that you will NEVER stand alone for I will ALWAYS be right behind you if not right by your side.
You rock!

Perfectly said, Lou

.

I have tears in my eyes. Jodi, thank you for sharing this - these stories are so important. So many lost/abandoned animals die every day unnoticed, unacknowledged, forgotten - and it is heartening when one of their lives leaves us with a little bit of meaning and more awareness so that others get involved too. HUGS.

MaddiesMommie · 07-02-2010, 09:00 AM

You are an angel in what you do. There are those that talk about doing what is right and then there are those like YOU who actually do it. I hope you know that in all my stalking of you

I see the amazing person you are.

Thanks for sharing this story. I agree with Ann, we need these stories. To see a life not lost and forgotten but lost and still have have something to give is heartwarming. love you girl!

Ringo1 · 07-02-2010, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddiesMommie

You are an angel in what you do. There are those that talk about doing what is right and then there are those like YOU who actually do it. I hope you know that in all my stalking of you

I see the amazing person you are.

Thanks for sharing this story. I agree with Ann, we need these stories. To see a life not lost and forgotten but lost and still have have something to give is heartwarming. love you girl!

I agree. There are those that talk the talk and there are those that walk the talk. You walk the talk and you DO make a difference.

megansmomma · 07-02-2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JERSEY BOY

I followed the Mindy thread and know how hard you tried to get her the help she needed. You did your best and you are making a difference.

Thank you for caring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou

Oh Sweetie,
You have made me cry - again.
I just wanted you to know that you will NEVER stand alone for I will ALWAYS be right behind you if not right by your side.
You rock!

Thank you Lou, WM, Nancy, Ringo and my favorite stalker Maddiesmommie it really does mean more then words can say that we are making a difference~together!

I forgot to mention that while I was sitting on the side of that expressway the person that I reached out to was Ladyjane. We might be miles apart but I always know she will be there right by my side too.

BonBon · 07-02-2010, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lou

Oh Sweetie,
You have made me cry - again.
I just wanted you to know that you will NEVER stand alone for I will ALWAYS be right behind you if not right by your side.
You rock!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaddiesMommie

You are an angel in what you do. There are those that talk about doing what is right and then there are those like YOU who actually do it. I hope you know that in all my stalking of you

I see the amazing person you are.

Thanks for sharing this story. I agree with Ann, we need these stories. To see a life not lost and forgotten but lost and still have have something to give is heartwarming. love you girl!

Oh dear. Where are my tissues when I need them?

I just can't say what I feel any better than they have. Huge hugs,
Bonny

megansmomma · 07-02-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonBon

Oh dear. Where are my tissues when I need them?

I just can't say what I feel any better than they have. Huge hugs,
Bonny

Believe me I need one too. Thanks Bon

katy-yorkie · 07-02-2010, 09:26 AM

I am crying, this is sad. I followed the thread about Mindy and was disappointed that it did not work out. And then yesterday to read that a human could be so cold to do what they did to her. You and several others on YT have made such a difference in the lives of abandoned and sick dogs. You are all angels.

QuickSilver · 07-02-2010, 09:29 AM

While this is a sad story with a sad ending, I find it very inspiring to hear of all the people who heard this dog's story and wanted to help. There are a lot of animal lovers out there, and I believe we will see a day not far in the future when all pets are wanted. Thank you for sharing.

megansmomma · 07-02-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuickSilver

While this is a sad story with a sad ending, I find it very inspiring to hear of all the people who heard this dog's story and wanted to help. There are a lot of animal lovers out there, and I believe we will see a day not far in the future when all pets are wanted. Thank you for sharing.

I sure hope that it will be sooner than later.

chachi · 07-02-2010, 09:52 AM

Your post is very inspirational. To be honest when you posted your latest thread about Mindy I had forgotten who Mindy was so I had to go back and read a past post about her. I quess its old age creeping in. Anyway wwwwwwhen I discovered who it was it made me even more sad and mad about the situation because so many people on the forum were trying to get her to go rescue. Anyway no one on here tried harder than you and I just wanted to thank you and tell you I have alot of respect for you. UNfortunately you cant always convince people to do the right thing sometimes their pride takes over. Anyway thank you again for all your efforts

red98vett · 07-02-2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megansmomma

I sure hope that it will be sooner than later.

Me too but it just seems never ending - there are so many more people saving and helping I think than ever

....but the flip side is the amimals we share the planet are horribly treated by humans and have been throughout history - with that .....I really wonder if it will ever stop.

Most people ARE compassionate but there are far too many who will never feel an ounce of compassion for any creature ...it's not just dogs and cats that suffer on a daily basis and the more I learn about the other awful things we do to animals ....the more I wish sometimes I DIDN'T know.

Ignorance can be bliss but it IS thanks to people like you and others who truly step up to the plate and offer this hope - and for that - I thank you too.

Mindy's ending was senseless but I'm also a realist these days - that poor little girl is one of hundreds of thousands let down by the human race.

You did what you could and I know there was drama but in the end hearts were in the right place and you had no way of knowing this would happen to her...please try to remember that - you DID try and that's more than most would do if in your position.

hugs

07-02-2010, 08:33 AM	#1
megansmomma Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL Posts: 12,235	Just want to thank everyone I have been very uplifted to see all of the positive posts regarding the story of Mindy and her tragic ending. There was a lot of drama that went on during the months that her story was unfolding on the board. It is obvious to me now how many people were following the story as it played out before all of us. Sometimes when things got so out of hand in a thread I will begin to feel that I am all alone trying to stand up for what I believe is the correct thing to do. I will voice my opinion and stand firm behind my beliefs even if I seem to be standing alone at the time. There are certain moral convictions that I will not waiver from no matter how much mud, stones and hateful words are slung at me I truly believe the need to stand firmly. Mindy is just one of the times that I have felt I could possibly steer someone in the correct direction to help with an animal in need. I reached out and tried as best as I could to help but it was just not enough. Things like Mindy's story happen all the time in rescue but they are not played out in a public forum for hundreds of people to see. But they are a common occurrence in the lives of many dedicated volunteers all over the country. I hadn't share this story prior to today but I would like to share with you now. I am on a lot of other rescue's email lists just that same as other members that are involved in volunteering. On Tuesday of last week I received an email about a Black Lab that was being transported across IL to a shelter in Chicago. They transport vans stopped in a parking lot and Chai the rescue Lab backed out of her collar and ran away. She darted across a busy street and disappeared. The rescue and shelter were frantic and sent out a plea for help. I received the email and since it was literally in my backyard I offered to help. The rescue volunteer in Southern IL and I talked back and forth. I was the only person looking for Chai here in Chicago. On Wednesday afternoon there were sighting of her by several people around the area that she was last seen. I drove around for hours looking for her, talked to people and handed out flyers until the weather took a turn for the worst and the tornado sirens started to go off. All the while the rescue was calling and faxing vets, animal control and police departments in the area to help get the word out. Finally, a local newpaper got wind of the story and interviewed us to run a story. My daughter and I made 20 posters and a couple hundred fliers to hand out for Thursday after the storms died down. On Thursday, my son and I went out to hang signs. While we were out people offered to help us took for Chai, told of us sighting, and one woman even took us to the spot she spotted her earlier in the day. It was right next to the expressway. We looked for a long time in that area and never spotted her. But we did come across a dog boarding and training business that offered to help look too. So we were starting to build momentum! After looking for quite some time we decided to head back home. We were not home for 10 minutes and I received a call from the police department of a dog that fit her description right near where he had just been looking. My husband and I immediately when to see if she was alive, it we would be able to help or in the very least remove the remains from the road. It was rush hour and it was a construction zone. It was her and she obviously had been killed. We pulled off to the side of the expressway but there was nothing we could do. There was so much traffic, cars swerving, the speed of the semis shook my husbands pickup truck. It was the most horrible thing to just sit there totally helpless. I still cannot get it out of my head and it has been over a week. But~I can take from this experience something that I can carry with me. The next day-Friday- the story of Chai ran in the newspaper along with my phone number. The article was printed before we could inform the paper of Chai's death. All day on Friday and Saturday I received calls about her. People that had spotted her, wanted to help, make donations to her rescue/shelter, it was amazing! A young girl called me and said that Chai had been around her neighborhood and she saw one of the signs so she RODE HER BIKE to the corner to see if there was a phone number. One of the last calls that I received was from a man that had almost hit her when she wandered onto the expressway. He swerved and the car behind him did hit her. He just wanted me to have closure to had happened to her. Each time that I put myself out to offer help I try to take something positive from what happens in the end whether it is a dog that has been saved or a dog that has lost their life. All of the posts on Mindy's thread have given me more determination to continue to do whatever I can to even save a few. My husband tells me all the time~you can't save them all but you have made a difference for a few. I will also hold close to me that I am taking others along for the ride. __________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain

07-02-2010, 08:40 AM	#2
Lou Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: A little town south of Chicago Posts: 4,525	Oh Sweetie, You have made me cry - again. I just wanted you to know that you will NEVER stand alone for I will ALWAYS be right behind you if not right by your side. You rock! __________________ http://www.its-a-yorkie-thing.com Gracie Skeeter Adie Tyler

07-02-2010, 08:42 AM	#3
JERSEY BOY Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: sparta nj usa Posts: 3,800 Blog Entries: 1	I followed the Mindy thread and know how hard you tried to get her the help she needed. You did your best and you are making a difference. __________________ Laurie, Jersey Boy and Miss Brielle

07-02-2010, 09:00 AM	#6
MaddiesMommie LoveMy2 Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 4,060	You are an angel in what you do. There are those that talk about doing what is right and then there are those like YOU who actually do it. I hope you know that in all my stalking of you I see the amazing person you are. Thanks for sharing this story. I agree with Ann, we need these stories. To see a life not lost and forgotten but lost and still have have something to give is heartwarming. love you girl! Last edited by MaddiesMommie; 07-02-2010 at 09:03 AM.

07-02-2010, 09:26 AM	#11
katy-yorkie Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Katy, Texas USA Posts: 1,458	I am crying, this is sad. I followed the thread about Mindy and was disappointed that it did not work out. And then yesterday to read that a human could be so cold to do what they did to her. You and several others on YT have made such a difference in the lives of abandoned and sick dogs. You are all angels. __________________ Jeanie, mom to Buster and Maggie

07-02-2010, 09:29 AM	#12
QuickSilver Thor's Human Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,929 Blog Entries: 31	While this is a sad story with a sad ending, I find it very inspiring to hear of all the people who heard this dog's story and wanted to help. There are a lot of animal lovers out there, and I believe we will see a day not far in the future when all pets are wanted. Thank you for sharing. __________________ If you love something, set it free. Unless it's an angry tiger.

07-02-2010, 09:52 AM	#14
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	Your post is very inspirational. To be honest when you posted your latest thread about Mindy I had forgotten who Mindy was so I had to go back and read a past post about her. I quess its old age creeping in. Anyway wwwwwwhen I discovered who it was it made me even more sad and mad about the situation because so many people on the forum were trying to get her to go rescue. Anyway no one on here tried harder than you and I just wanted to thank you and tell you I have alot of respect for you. UNfortunately you cant always convince people to do the right thing sometimes their pride takes over. Anyway thank you again for all your efforts __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427