Dear Friend,
I hope that you and your loved ones are happy and healthy. You make a lot of happily-ever-afters come true, and I wanted to share a special one with you today.
Around 8.5 years ago, Thanksgiving time, a fire raced through the Tennessee brush. As first responders arrived on the scene, what they discovered was shocking. The fire had burned around a large and active dogfighting operation, where around 65 terrified tethered and confined dogs watched, unable to escape, as the fire raged. The dogs survived only because the heavy logging chains around their necks that they dragged behind them to move had killed the vegetation around their individual radiuses: the fire burned around them.
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Safe from the fire, these dogs were still in grave danger. The bones of other dogs were on the ground in and around trash burn piles. None of the survivors, mostly American pit bull terriers and beagles, had access to food or water; most were underweight. Many had scars, untreated wounds, and broken bones and, as fighting dogs, none of their outlooks were positive. A noose hung from a tree. |
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Norton was just one of the dogs at this site. He wore a heavy chain around his neck. It seemed he'd been used as a bait dog. |
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Because of help like yours, ARC deployed as soon as we got the call that the dogs and authorities needed help. We were on scene within 24 hours to help these dogs, documenting the cruelties perpetrated on them for evidence packages and legal proceedings; setting up an emergency shelter to care for the animals' medical, physical, and emotional needs; and, when they were ready, matching them with trusted placement partners around North America so they would find loving families. Authorities believed this to have been the single largest dogfighting rescue in Tennessee history.
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Gentle Norton was especially traumatized by his time in the dogfighting operation; everything was new and scary to him. He and the other dogs received care and once ready for travel, ARC placed Norton with our placement partners at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. While there, Norton had a chance encounter with a volunteer who was on a volunteer vacation for a few weeks. She saw how he would scurry across the room in terror if she even looked at him or moved toward him. She decided she'd make it her priority to help him trust again. Day after day, her patience and caring started to pay off, with the tiniest of signs.
There was the day he stood a step or two closer than normal… the day he maintained eye contact for longer than a second… and then, the thing she’d been waiting for… the smallest of tail wags. Soon after, she was lightly petting him.
One small step for the volunteer, but she realized these were giant steps for Norton. She also realized her volunteer vacation was drawing to a close... and that as Norton began to trust her, she was having a hard time thinking of leaving him. Just to see how it would go, she decided to do an overnight visit with Norton. She rented a hotel room. She turned around to lift Norton onto the bed but before she could even bend down, he jumped up onto the bed, found his comfy spot, and fell asleep peacefully, hogging most of the bed.
And with that jump on the bed, Norton took his permanent leap into her heart. Before leaving, she officially adopted Norton, and this brave, once-abused boy found his forever home.
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Because of his abusive past, Norton is still reactive to other dogs whom he doesn’t know and even gets scared of his own reflection, so he is the only dog in his family. His face and neck have multiple scars, a visible reminder of his painful past. But life is good for Norton.
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He has his own wardrobe... |
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...outfits for every occasion! |
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He organizes his collection of swallow-proof chew toys on his blankie. |
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Norton stays warm in fuzzy blankets. |
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He enjoys his afternoon bed snack of green beans and carrots every day. |
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Norton loves car rides, and has his own special seat in his guardian’s van. |
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He knows he is safe and cared for. |
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And he and his mom are best friends. |
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Once cold, terrified, hungry, and used as a bait dog, timid Norton started out with very little hope for a happy life. Every day was violent and scary.
But kindness like yours changed the trajectory of his life. He lives a quiet life, which suits him perfectly, and has now been in his home for many years; he recently celebrated his 10th birthday. Because of kindness like yours, Norton is safe and protected, and completely beloved.
This is the gift that you have given him and so many others. Norton and all of us at ARC say THANK YOU!
The steady, generous help like yours from caring people is what helps animals like Norton and the others from Operation Broken Chain every day...
...including our dedicated ARC Angel sustaining donors who make monthly gifts to help ARC respond immediately wherever and whenever abused and neglected animals need help the most.
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Thank you, always.
You cut chains and open cages. You heal the hurting. You turn fear and suffering into love and joy.
We're forever grateful to rescue animals like Norton with you.
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Love,
Animal Rescue Corps
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