Tails from the Front: A Golden Boy Travels from Rural Indiana to the North Shore!

Not all rescued dogs come from around here.  Butch was a beautiful golden/chow mix who wound up in a shelter in rural Indiana.  His "owner" had not treated Butch well, and after years of not treating Butch well the "owner" decided to dump Butch.  Get a new, younger model.  Trade him in.  Adios, Butch.  Thanks for the memories.  It's been real. And so Butch wound up in crowded rural pound.  The overcrowded conditions mandated some tough choices.  And unfortunately, because Butch was 5 years old and not a young frolicking pup anymore, he would up on the "not much time left for these good dogs" list.  Not much time left.  You know what that means. So the volunteers sprang into action.  These are people like you and me who give so much time, effort, their own hard-earned money, and love, into trying to save these dogs.  Emails flew.  Facebook pages were filled with Butch's smiling face.  Rural shelters everywhere are packed to overflowing, so the volunteers worked their networks of every rescue group they'd ever noticed, every dog lover they'd ever met.  Facebook posts were shared, more emails flew, and then Hurrah!  A local rescue group said yes, one of our foster homes has room.  Bring Butch up.So the transport was arranged, and I met an Indiana volunteer at a cornfield in central Indiana.  Butch was all kisses and love, and happily lept into the crate in my car.  And off we went.This was a Friday, and a Friday afternoon driving on the Dan Ryan into Chicago can mean delays.  And Butch had them.  Three hours in his crate in major traffic gridlock on the Dan Ryan.  Horns sounding, people yelling.  And Butch never made a peep.Butch was safely delivered into the hands of the rescue group at their vet, Glencoe Animal Hospital, who had graciously offered reduced rates to the rescue to be able to treat Butch for whatever was needed.  He will be ready to go home as soon as he is neutered ( sorry, Butch, it had to be).And another success!  You can help with other success stories!  Help transport, donate time with emails and Facebook posts, maybe even be a foster home.  There are more golden boys out there now who need you.  You will make a difference.