It was the same story heard all around America, a local county shelter was full again and had an urgent list of 10 dogs that had been at the shelter the longest (approximately 1-2 months). These dogs had done nothing wrong; they were adoptable, friendly and loving dogs that just needed someone to save them. They were running out of time due to a common problem, an overcrowded shelter.

I obsessively followed the list of urgent dogs for the first several days and luckily with hard work from the shelter’s staff and the local community most of the dogs were adopted or rescued with 2 days to spare. There were 2 dogs left; Mongo, a 1 yr old terrier mix, and Karma, a 1.5 yr old pitbull mix. A rescue stepped up to take Mongo but they needed a foster home. Thinking with my heart instead of my head I submitted a foster application around 10pm that Saturday night with 1.5 days to go.  I had decided that it was my turn to step up.  I was approved to be a foster just hours before the appointment and we were able to save him! Thank goodness enough dogs had been adopted/rescued that Karma was also safe and adopted just a few days later.

Two days later, after a crazy day at work, I drove 45 minutes to pick up Mongo from the vets office where he had been fixed. He was the cutest little dog I’d ever seen, so sweet and timid. He rode quietly on the way home to our house, like he was taking it all in – his freedom ride. I will never forget that feeling, driving him to safety, to our home, where he would be safe until he found his forever home. It was a great moment for both of us. The next day my husband left for a 3 day work trip and I was on my own with a full time job, 2 cats, 2 dogs (1 I had just met), and an 8 month old baby. Thank goodness for daycare and a super supportive grandma/mother-in-law!

Over the next week Mongo transitioned wonderfully into our home (ok, maybe our cats would disagree). He was great with our baby and he had become fast friends with our dog. He was so sweet, crate-trained, and a super playful little guy. The thought of him not having a chance at life was absolutely devastating. But I’m not going to lie, life with a new dog that was a little too interested in our cats and with our hectic schedules wasn’t a walk in the park. It did take extra work in the morning, we stayed up later at night, we had to adjust our cats living situation slightly, but in the end saving his life was worth it!

In just 2 weeks Mongo was off to his forever home. A coworker of mine had just lost her dog and she and her husband were lonely for canine companionship.   As he pulled out of our driveway, on his way to his forever home, I shed a few tears. I watched our dog watching him leave and knew that all of us would always have a special place in our hearts for the little guy…our sweet, funny Mongo.

After he was adopted I was talking with one of the volunteers who was an integral part in saving Mongo’s life and she said to me “We couldn’t have saved him without you”.  Wow – what an amazing sentiment. It made me realize that one person can make a difference even if it is just in one dog’s life. I think Mongo would agree that his one life was worth it!

Are you willing to be that person to one lucky dog or cat? You can make a difference by partnering with a local rescue. Please consider fostering, it does save lives and Mongo is proof!