Rescuing dogs isn't just a task left up to animal control. We can all have a hand in helping homeless pets; all you need is a big heart and willingness to volunteer your time, energy, and possibly by opening your home to foster a pet in need. Not every dog can be saved, but there are plenty of rescue miracles happening right here in Nashville. One of those miracles was a dog named Jovi and this is his story.
It was almost evening one chilly, rainy night when a dog-lover named Lisa packed up her car and children to drive from Memphis to the outskirts of Nashville. It was a long trip and barely still light out, but the radio soothed the passengers as they drove past open fields that dotted the drizzled landscape.
Not even two hours had passed however when Lisa spotted a dark blotch in the grassy median. Could it really be a dog? She thought. Out here?? Lisa immediately pulled over to the side of the road and got out to try and coax the little guy over to her car. That's when she noticed the frightened animal was limping.
The basset hound/black lab mix was terrified and tried to run from her at first, but cried out in pain. He turned back and hung his head in dispair instead, willing himself into the hands of a stranger he didn't know; Trusting she might offer relief from his broken leg and pelvis.
Lisa held out her hand and gently caressed the dog who would later be called "Jovi." He was only a few years old and very alone out in the dark rain along Interstate 40. The dog may not have known it then, but his luck was about to change the night he met Lisa. Many dogs are abandoned, killed or injured when on their own outside the city limits and to this day no one knows how the dog ended up out there. Jovi could have easily become a statistic, but instead he was going to survive.
Gently, Lisa lifted the 40-pound ball of fur into the back of her vehicle and he only cried out once to let her know of his sad story. The children took over the rest of the drive, caressing his head and telling him he would be okay.
Lisa quickly made some phone calls, desperately trying to find a rescue that could help the injured I-40 dog and give him the medical help he desperately needed. One phone call led her to the next before Samantha at the Last Resort Rescue stepped forward.
If you believe in miracles, Jovi's story was one miracle that led to another. Not only did he survive this one night-- and possibly more-- on the roadside, but he was put in Lisa's path, miraculously seen in the darkness and rain, by a woman who couldn't bear to leave him out there alone. The final step to Jovi's miracle was the rescue that agreed to sponser him was not even located in Tennessee, but in New Jersey.
The only catch for Jovi was that he needed a foster home before the rescue could agree to cover his expenses. The truth was that rescuing this dog would be for nothing if his medical needs were met but not his care. He could then end up in a city shelter if no one could temporary watch over the dog during his long recovery.
Jovi was taken to a veterinary clinic and waited while his guadian doggie angels got to work. Thankfully, a temporary foster family agreed to take care of him immediately following his amputation surgery and for the following few weeks until a permanant foster could be arranged. Yes, Jovi would be a three-legged dog but at least he was alive and very much loved by those who stepped in to save him.
Jovi's name was later changed to Sampson. He was adopted on February 5th by a new loving family that has fallen hopelessly in love with him. I recently caught up with them while writing Sampson's story and they shared this update:
"Sampson is a complete joy! To know him is to fall hopelessly in love with him. Everyone is amazed that he gets around so well without a leg. We say, 'Don't tell him he's handicapped!' He has adapted so well and his leg is getting so strong now that he can stand supported on just his back leg. He is learning to sit up and can do it if he puts his front legs on something. I'm sure it's only a matter of time. He also runs very fast. He slows down to let Dale keep up with him when they are chasing deer off the property. Apparently, he doesn't appreciate sharing 64 acres with them.
We wonder every once in a while how he wound up on that highway. I have made up a bunch of scenarios, any one of which could be true. No matter what brought him to us, we couldn't be more grateful. He is very trusting and can't understand why you wouldn't want to scratch his belly when he flops on his back at your feet...
Next weekend, Sampson is going to be a demonstration dog at a Canine Physical Therapy Workshop. I can't wait to see the reaction from the observers to him!"
This special dog had a guardian angel that night on the road. Some cases can never be forgotten and Jovi/Sampson will always be remembered by those who met and supported him during his journey to adoption.
If you are interested in becoming a foster family for a dog in need, please contact Samantha Grieves at echo0195@gmail.com or Tammy Woods at storkwoods@comcast.net. Homeless dogs are waiting for you and foster care does make a difference.
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