Saving Mel from Georgia
On July 8, 2009 I received a phone call from a very distraught young woman who was a shelter volunteer. She was desperate to find a home for a 4 1/2 year old Border Collie who’s time was up. Amy, only 17 years of age had fallen in love with Mel, and was going to stop at nothing to find a rescue that would take him.
Once again, I said yes without any details, and without a photo first. I could hear how important this dog was in her voice.
Amy and her Dad, Randy, transported Mel to my home in Deltona.
Mel was a joy from the very beginning. He never caused any trouble. He was great with the other dogs, loved to play, he was quiet (unlike Bonnie), he had manners. I was just so amazed at how wonderfully trained Mel was.
I posted Mel available for adoption on July 10th. By 10:00 PM on Sunday, July 12th, we had several adoption applications. We made arrangements for a meet and greet on Wednesday July 15th, and Mel was adopted that evening.
Ironically, one of the last applications we received for Mel adopted Bonnie Belle. One more coincidence is that a woman who had put an adoption application on Bonnie Belle originally, ended up being chosen to adopt Mel! Which just proves that just because someone wants to adopt or purchase a Border Collie, they must choose the right temperament for their family in order to make that relationship successful.
Mel melted many hearts, and it was then that I realized that I COULD rescue and re-home these beautiful dogs, that are fully trained, full of love, and had no business being in a shelter, pound, or rescue. I realized then that Fostering was much more rewarding than I had ever imagined.
3 thoughts on “Saving Mel from Georgia”
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This was the boy that got me hooked on helping Border Collie rescues. When I saw the story about Amy's rescue on PRBJ's web site, I wanted to help so much I decided I might adopt Mel without thinking everything through clearly. I was happy there was another applicant at the same time or else I might have tried to continue to convince you our home was right for him and that he was right for us. Thanks for spending all the time discussing everything with me in such great depth. It ultimately helped me realize there will be another right dog for Sheba if it's meant to be.
My Melly! My dear Melly: When I decided to test the waters of shelter volunteer work, I never expected to find you. Melville is beyond my first rescue, he is the heart behind all the rescues I do. Without him, I couldn't have continued on. Without you Ms. Gisele, I could not have continued on. Thank you, for all that you do! Mel has the power to make you feel like you are the only one in the world who is of any importance. He was my sweet boy, and will always be my Melly: I know this to be true for his new mommy Ms. Tina, too! Every time a rescue doesn't go the way I expected, I think of him and reassure myself that everything will be fine. I love you Mel, and I love you Ms. Gisele!
You are a true inspiration Amy and Ms. Gisele is God's messenger. My heart melted when I saw the video and inspired me to act. My daughter raised my awareness of homeless animals when she adopted a puppy from a Georgia kill shelter at the eleventh hour. It was her dog Oliver that I fell in love with and prompted me to do some research. When I did I found out about the tragedy that occurs in shelters every day. It made me look at adopting the rescued dog that is my Sheba, a beautiful Border Collie, that needed me as much as I needed her. Thank you for doing what you do and God bless you an your family.