An editor forwarded this letter and picture to me today:

My name is Judy and most of my friends already know what a dog lover I am. I work full time and like most of you who do, spare time is limited to “essential errands and must-do-projects”. That’s what I thought until I happened upon the Humane Society of Montgomery County several months ago.

I’d heard about their great work with such limited means and thought I’d just drop off a few items they have on their wish list. Well, I did indeed drop off a few items and took a quick tour of their facilities and met their family of dogs of cats. One look at those animals and reading the brief history on each of their cages was quite a wakeup call.

Some of those dogs have been there for 2 or 3 years. Little Joey has been there since 2004 and she runs the show – just ask her! Some of these dogs can be seen on the HSMC’s Web site, although not all are listed there. The HSMC is a non-profit organization that is fully funded by community donations. No money is provided by federal, state, or county governments.

It is a no-kill shelter filled with beautiful, well-cared for dogs. Each dog has their own little bed and their cages are filled with toys and treats. The staff at the shelter has done a wonderful job and these dogs and cats are their family. Unfortunately, space is limited.

What I thought would be a one-shot deal instead has brought me back time and time again, no matter how hard I tried to tell myself I have more important things to do. I go as often as I can with rawhides or toys; the dogs eagerly grab them. All except for one – Mary.

Mary is a beautiful 5 or 6 year old collie/shepherd mix. She has celebrated two birthdays in the shelter. Mary refused to take my rawhide. Instead she just put her face next to my hand as I reached through the fence. All she wanted was to be touched. I dropped the rawhide on her bed and again she refused to take it, so of course I opened the gate and went in.

Mary is a beautiful, sweet dog and I wondered why she was still here after two years. But the answer is simple. She is not a cute little puppy; she’s an older dog. Yet she has many healthy years ahead of her just waiting to spend with that special someone.

I already have a dog and can’t take Mary home with me but it won’t keep me from visiting her and the others. I gladly trade my weekly lunch allotment for toys and rawhides and it thrills me to see families that take their children to the shelter on weekends to play with the animals and take them out for walks.

The staff and volunteers at the HSMC do their best to give each dog and cat their individual attention but it’s not the same as having a home to call their own, a place where they can have their own special someone to greet at the door, to snuggle up to and to treat you like you are the most important person in the world.

As I glance at the classified ads for dogs for sale I see all the purebreds listed for such outrageous amounts. I have to wonder – what about Mary?

Mary and her friends can be found at the Humane Society of Montgomery County
1183 Flanagan Dr. Christiansburg, Va. 24073. 540-382-1166

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• Posted by Nona Nelson in Shelter stories
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