(CNBNewsnet)–Reporter Anne Forline, of Bellmawr wrote an article recently for www.dogster.com about Angel, a Golden Retriever, who came into the ![\"\"](\"http://d30nr4b2k915ua.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/13180700/AngelPuppy1-600x900.jpg\")
world on March 9, 2009, with three legs and one eye. Today Angel is a therapy dog who visits hospitals and assisted-care facilities. For her efforts, Houston Mayor Annise Parker proclaimed Angel the Official Therapy Dog of Houston.
From the article:
Despite a veterinarian’s advice that Angel should be euthanized, breeder Barbara Shapley refused to put the puppy down. Instead, Shapley made the unilateral decision that rescue worker Trish Herrera of Houston, Texas, would adopt Angel. Shapley was just that determined to find a home for Angel. Something told her that the puppy needed to live.
When Herrera heard of Shapley’s plan, she laughed: \”I didn’t know anything about a three-legged, one-eyed puppy, but the Golden Retriever world is kind of close-knit.\”
Herrera began rescue work in 2001 at the prodding of her mother. In addition to co-founding the Golden Retriever Rescue of Houston in 2002, she adopted an orthopedically challenged Golden named Rosie and started a fund to help people who adopt dogs with special needs.
Herrera estimates that she has fostered 25 Golden Retrievers, admits to being a foster failure, and has also served as an adoption coordinator. When she had her idea to bring a rescue to the inner city, she wanted to make it different. \”We weren’t just showing sad pictures all the time. Instead, we were like, ‘It’s fun to rescue,’\” Herrera said.
She remembers receiving the call about Angel from a friend, who asked her, \”What are we going to do about the puppy? Everyone knows that you are going to adopt this three-legged, one-eyed puppy.\”
At the time, Herrera was still grieving the loss of Lucy, one of her foster failures, but she didn’t let that deter her. She called Shapley to finally find out what was up, and Shapley told her, \”Only you are going to adopt this puppy and no one else. She was meant for you, and you have to take her.\”
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