Saturday, August 24, 2013

Quixote’s Possible Dreams at Col. Potter!

Contributed by CP's VP of Intakes & a CP Intakes/Foster Volunteer

Quixote, a handsome 8 year old Dark Brindle Male
 
The following introduction was written by a very special Col. Potter volunteer - Kathy H.  She has been the first contact with CP for many a little Cairn joining our family and, again this week, Kathy showed our newest family member love for the first time in his life.  You can see the distant look in his eyes and how he won't make eye contact with anyone or the camera.  Kathy chose his name and agreed to write his introduction.  It's long, but so very heartfelt and poignant…

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Imagine spending your youth, your adolescence, and most of your adulthood in a dark and dank place, nothing for protection from the cold in the Winter or from the heat in the Summer.  No comfort in any form, no medical attention to your sores, little interaction of any kind, with just enough food and water to keep you alive.  You know there's something else past the walls and wire that contain you - you've seen a glimpse and caught a smell when the big door has been opened, but you can only dream of what is on the other side.  Year after year, nothing changes. Dreams turn into hopelessness.  Impossible dreams… Freedom - like a star - impossible to reach.

This is the only life some dogs ever know.

Enter an amazing rescue volunteer, one who values all lives.  A knight in shining armor, marching into Hell for a Heavenly cause.  They make the arrangements to take all dogs, but especially  the older dogs - the ones that some other Rescues have turned down and deemed as too old to be adoptable; the dogs scorned and covered with scars or with matted facial hair, hiding the fact that when this dog is cleaned up, it may be revealed that one eye is missing;  the puppies that are too old to be considered cute and sold in a pet store but too young to be worth feeding until they're able to be breeding stock, valueless at such a tender young age.

These volunteers take a day away from their families and jobs to go and gather these dogs, of all breeds, from across the countryside, overcoming all sorts of adversities thrown at them along the way, and disperse them into the waiting arms of Rescue volunteers whose groups have agreed to take them on, knowing nothing about them other than an approximate age. They clean them up, give them much needed medical attention - usually for the first time in their lives, find them homes where they will have soft beds, plenty of food and fresh water, learn the ways of living as a member of a family, and be loved, yes - glorious love! Forever.

"To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest
To follow that star 
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far

To fight for the right 
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause

And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star."

These are the lyrics to "The Impossible Dream", from the musical Man of La Mancha, as sung by Andy Williams first in 1971.  I have never heard a song much better suited to be the anthem for Rescue and the plight of these dogs waiting to find Freedom.

~

CP will help Quixote right the wrongs and realize his Possible Dream…

That unreachable star was attained for one Cairn this week.  Please Welcome Quixote, a small, Dark Brindle male.  At eight years old, he was finally able to achieve his dream of reaching the unreachable star of Freedom.  Quixote is named for the character in that musical, a senior who pronounced himself a Knight and went out on missions to conquer evil and right the wrongs of the world around himself.  

Quixote has started his week in Freedom with the customary trip to a vet's office to be bathed, groomed, and fully vetted before moving to the comforts of a Foster Home where he'll learn more about life and love, while waiting for his Forever home to fulfill the final portion of his dream.

Many THANKS to Kathy for ALWAYS being there for the dogs and for her enduring compassion. 

WELCOME Quixote - your impossible dream has become reality!

Col. Potter Needs a Few More Dream Labs! 
Please Volunteer to Foster and help us offer Sweet Dreams to every Cairn in need!

Please  Consider being a CP Volunteer!

CP Foster Home Application form:

CP Transport Volunteer Driver form:

CPCRN Volunteer form:


3 comments:

  1. This was beautifully written. My thoughts are with Quixote as he learns what it's like to be loved and cared for. Cairns are natural leaders, so I know he'll soon understand that he is strong and will become a happy, healthy little man.

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  2. What a beautiful boy! I'm a Spanish teacher and when I saw his name, I just had to see what the website said. I wish I could take him but I'm not a the best point in life to take care of a pup with long hours at work and a small apartment. Some day, though, I hope to rescue from Col. Potter! Best of luck little Quixote!

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  3. Where in Missouri are y'all? We've been looking to adopt either a Cairn or a Westie for awhile. I'm in Tulsa and can drive up, depending on where you're located.

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