Wednesday, November 9, 2011

this is Lucy

She came from a terrible, terrible cruelty case and lived in the barn with us for a few weeks. You didn't hear much about her because we had to put her to sleep. Beautiful, hopeful, Lucy. The neglect that she suffered affected her behavior in a way that we were unable to fix, and rather than see her live out her life in a lonely, dusty sanctuary pen, we set her free.

I won't pick at the scab of what was "wrong" with her here. Not necessary. What was right with her was that several people loved her and still hold her in their hearts. In my mind, she boomeranged right back to the planet and jumped straight into the body of a newly conceived pup so we humans could have another shot at getting it right. Are we getting it right yet? Yeah - we have some work to do.

Looking at this photo of Lucy aches. Most every shelter worker and rescuer we work with has a long list of the same ache. They come along with the 'job' of helping damaged animals - an occupational hazard of the heart. How much they (we) talk about it publicly depends on how willing they (we) are to face the understandable hurt and anger from their volunteers and public. We were lucky - in Lucy's case, the entire crew of dog handlers understood and silently nodded in agreement when we announced that it was time for her to go.

That will be the way it is at the barn. We'll take in some of the most neglected dogs in the country, and most of the time, they'll walk away with new lives. But sometimes, they're only here to find some love and friendship before they leave the planet.

Rest in peace, beautiful Lucy. Your home will always be here in the heart of the barn.

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20 comments:

  1. ChristinaNovember 9, 2011 at 11:04 AM

    What a beautiful girl. Thank you for doing the best thing for her and for all the dogs.

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  2. AnonymousNovember 9, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    Ouch. I was there a few months ago with a foster who was not meant for this world, and I very well remember the complex feelings that accompany this decision. You guys undoubtedly did the right thing for Lucy.

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  3. UnknownNovember 9, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    You're all about quality of life. Even though you couldn't give Lucy the life you wanted for her, you gave her something better than she'd had before---people who cared about her welfare.

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  4. PattyNovember 9, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    Run free Lucy. Thank you for caring for her and letting her go.

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  5. DianneNovember 9, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    So she's now at the Rainbow bridge. I'm so sorry for your loss, it is never easy.

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  6. AnonymousNovember 9, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    I loved Lucy. I loved giving her belly rubs in the sun. For some reason I remember she only had 9 nipples.
    Thank you, Donna, for letting us remember her out loud.
    nancy

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  7. Isa UrnesNovember 9, 2011 at 1:07 PM

    We will light a candle for Lucy tonight. RIP.

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  8. AnonymousNovember 9, 2011 at 1:21 PM

    Lucy has crossed over the bridge to a better place. Thank you for helping her over. Bless you all!

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  9. c.creativityNovember 9, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Thank you for everything you do, not just the easy stuff that we all get to applaud, but the heart-breaking stuff that we can barely even fathom. If whatever terrible things we, as humans, did to Lucy made her unable to function in this world, I'm so glad that when she was ushered out, it was in the company of those who so badly wanted the best for her and whose hearts ache when they think of her.

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  10. H SkiNovember 9, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    RIP Lucy. I am happy to know that you guys are there to do the right things for these dogs, however sad and painful it may be.

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  11. Anneke Van CouveringNovember 9, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Oh, this made me cry. Really cry. Thank you all for having the courage and strength to do the right thing when it really hurts to do it. Much love to you all, humans and dogs.

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  12. LindaNovember 9, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    Beautiful girl. Sweet soul. Thank you for giving her love in her final weeks. My heart breaks for her, and for you.

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  13. genaNovember 9, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    One of the toughest choices we each face when we bring a furry friend into our lives is recognizing when to let our friends go, for whatever reason. Some wounds are too deep to be healed by love and time, as much as it pains me to say that. Because of you and the volunteers, Lucy got a taste of the good stuff. I hope you can all find comfort in that. xoxo

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  14. AnonymousNovember 9, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    Sad. What a beautiful looking dog. I know if you could have done something for her you would have. Thanks for doing right by her.

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  15. LuisaNovember 9, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    Thank you so much -- more than words, really -- for being so compassionate and so brave. For caring more about the dogs than about human ego and such. Love you guys.

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  16. AnonymousNovember 9, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    Oh, my... her photo says it all. Beauty, delicacy, fear and damage. That lovely face... What a difficult decision you all had to make, and one more reason I have to respect the BAD RAP Team. Blessings on all of you for the courage to walk such a challenging path.

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  17. AnonymousNovember 9, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    RIP Lucy. thank you for comforting her and having the insight to realize It was time to let her go.

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  18. DonnaNovember 11, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    You all are so kind. Thanks understanding like you do.

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  19. KaraNovember 15, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    what a beautiful pup. RIP Lucy.

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  20. maikoNovember 19, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    RIP Lucy. It aches so much to read this post as I just had to put down my foster dog Major for the similar reason. I'd like to follow your example and continue to be a part of the effort to make things better for them. Thank you, BAD RAP.

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