December 07, 2007 12:51 pm
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The editor:
I am the “desperate owner” whose ad with pictures of my dog, JR, has been running in the classified ads in this paper for several months. First, I would like to express my gratitude to this newspaper for running my ad for so long—and for all the people who have tried to help me find JR and who have offered me other pets, Thank You. Though he has been gone since July 19, I just can’t give up yet.
You see, a friend gave me JR when I lived in California, during the worst period of my life. My mother was dying and I was diagnosed with kidney failure and was heading toward dialysis. I needed something to love and to be loved by. JR came into a house of sickness when he could fit into the palm of my hand. He cheered us up in a time of such darkness—I will always appreciate this great gift I had for 10 years. My Mom died in 1997 and many friends deserted me. But God and JR were always there—He was a physical reminder to me of God’s presence and unconditional love, while I was living through the hell of dialysis, the grief of losing my mother and abandonment by former friends.
One particularly difficult night some friends from Kentucky called and were consoling me. The next day they went to church in Winchester and asked the church to pray for me because I needed a kidney transplant. After the service Phillip Sizemore a 26-year-old man I had never met walked up to them and matter-of-factly said, “I’ll give her a kidney.” He came out to San Francisco and was tested - we were an acceptable match!
In the meantime, I started feeling anxious about the fact that he had a young family. I couldn’t make peace with it, thinking I’d rather die, than have something happen to him. I decided not to take his kidney. But even after this, he and his sweet wife kept calling me and urging me to move to Kentucky. I’d kid, “Sure, just what Kentucky needs, another person on dialysis.” But they were persistent, and my heart was deeply touched. Finally I told them, “If I get a kidney and I’m well, I’ll come to Kentucky. On Jan. 8, 1999, I was given a perfect matched kidney and felt my life renewed. My house sold in less than a month, friends came to help me move—and by March 15 I was in a rental truck with all my worldly belongings ¬heading for the Bluegrass state. God returned me to a normal life here in beautiful Kentucky—I am so blessed I have not had to take anti-rejection drugs in over 5 years. I worked for a church here and then graduated from Morehead State in 2004, at the age of 55. I have a small business here that I consider a healing ministry.
Why do I tell you all this? I guess I have seen a very hurtful practice here when some people do not understand the friendship and companionship a dog can bring especially to one alone or ill. Someone took my companion dog, perhaps thinking they were saving him. I understand that, but why don’t people try to find the owner before adopting them, giving them to others or perhaps worse, selling them?
Do people know how easy it is to call this good newspaper—which runs lost and found ads for FREE? If you find a dog or lose a dog call immediately and perhaps get together through an ad. The next thing to do is for owners and finders to call the shelter (784-4930) and describe the dog and leave phone numbers. If these simple steps were followed so many people could get reunited with their pets quickly. Then if the owners don’t claim them —well, keep it or give it away — but please give owners a chance to find their dogs. Why do people want to keep dogs that have good homes when there are so many that need homes?
I now wish to make an appeal to those who have my dog. I pray for you and him every day. Perhaps you’ll never see this-but I must try to reach you any way. I miss my dog so much. Tears are running down my eyes as I write this. For me he was my only child, my only family, my only constant companion, I took him everywhere I could and he was a comfort in my life. There is a big reward for him and I would gladly pay it, if I could have him back. Please give me my friend back, and if not please take good care of him. God bless all the people who try to help others and May God put compassion in the hearts of all of us. Life is tough-kindness means a lot. Dogs know that, shouldn’t we?
Nancy Adams
Morehead
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