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If you have an amazing poem that you believe truely describes the work Turtle Gardens does. Please feel free to email it to me kingsurvives2008@yahoo.ca Donations Are Always Welcome. 100% of the money goes to Animals Care.

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I AM ONE The Reason My life in my words Rescuers Are Angels Rescuers Tool Kit A Rescuer’s Creed	We Are An Animal Rescuer I Rescued A Human Today Here In This House A Dogs Last Will Your Poem Here Your Poem Here

I Am One

“I am only one,
But still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something;
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

Edward Everett Hale

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The Reason
Submitted By Cynda
(to The Labattes from All their rescue dogs)

I would’ve died that day if not for you.
I would’ve given up on life if not for your kind eyes.
I would’ve used my teeth in fear if not for your gentle hands.
I would have left this life believing that all humans don’t care
Believing there is no such thing as fur that isn’t matted
skin that isn’t flea bitten
good food and enough of it
beds to sleep on
someone to love me
to show me I deserve love just because I exist.
Your kind eyes, your loving smile, your gentle hands
Your big heart saved me…

You saved me from the terror of the pound,
Soothing away the memories of my old life.
You have taught me what it means to be loved.
I have seen you do the same for other dogs like me.
I have heard you ask yourself in times of despair
Why you do it
When there is no more money, no more room, no more homes
You open your heart a little bigger, stretch the money a little tighter
Make just a little more room…to save one more like me.
I tell you with the gratitude and love that shines in my eyes
In the best way I know how
Reminding you why you go on trying.

I am the reason
The dogs before me are the reason
As are the ones who come after.
Our lives would’ve been wasted, our love never given
We would die if not for you

Anonymous

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My life in my words.
Submitted By Bev

I am an animal rescuer
My job is to assist God’s creatures
I was born with the need to fulfill their needs
I take in furkids without plan, thought or selection
I would buy dog food with my very last dime
I have hugged someone vicious and afraid
I have watched the change from terrified to trusting
I have cried into the fur of a lifeless little body
I know of no creature unworthy of my time!

I know that all animals DO go to Heaven
They do have a soul and they ask to be loved
God made them so perfect, they just want to trust
We may be the master of all of the animals
But the animals have learned to master themselves
Something people still have not learned

There is nothing more satisfying than helping an orphan
Nothing more rewarding than saving a life
Nothing more greater than seeing them thrive
Who only days ago, was afraid it would die
I have fallen in love – at least a thousand times

I will fight for an animal to make their life better
I will go to any length and use any strength
I will always be the voice for those who can’t speak
I want to be there for any animal with needs

I am an animal rescuer
My work will never be done
My home will always be open
My wallet usually always empty
But…my heart will always be full

By Rabindranath Tagore

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Rescuers Are Angels Submitted By LouiseTail tucked between your legs, Confusion in your eyes - I know it’s hard to understand That someone heard your cries.When loneliness is all you know And pain is all you feel And no one can be trusted And hunger’s all too real…That’s the time the Lord sees you And lets you know He’s there That’s when He sends His messengers The hearts that love and care.Yes, rescuers are angels You cannot see their wings, They keep them neatly folded As they do their caring things. The medicine to make you well, Good food to make you strong, And finally to help you learn That hugs are never wrong. The perfect place then must be found The home where you can live. Secure and safe and happy With joy to get and give. When you reach your Forever Home, Your place to feel whole. The Angels smile, and off they go To save another soul. ~~Author unknown

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What Does It Take To Do Rescue?
Your rescue “kit” should include:

A heart of gold to accept those creatures that don’t measure up as “perfect” in the eyes of the rest of the world.

The people skills of a salesperson. . . to convince those that are looking for perfection that they will find it in a rescue dog if they are willing to look a little deeper.

A heart of steel to be able to say no when there just isn’t any more room for just one more dog.

The knowledge that you can’t save them all.

The ability to smile and speak rationally when the 10th person for the day says “I don’t want this stupid dog anymore. . . take him or I am gonna shoot him.”

Some medical knowledge. . . or your rescue vet bill will be bigger than the national debt.

The fine art of fund raising. . . so your vet bill can be reduced to just under the size of the national debt.

Patience for: breeders who don’t care, won’t help, turn their backs and say it’s not their problem.

Patience for: dogs that were incorrectly placed and come to rescue with so much excess baggage that you think they will never be adoptable.

Patience for: owners who want a quick fix.

Patience for: a world that no longer looks at life as a gift and the lives that we create as breeders as nothing short of miracles.

A sense of humor. . . because sometimes a smile on your face is the only way to hide the agony and turmoil in your heart.

A husband with housekeeping skills that are so outstanding that they could be highlighted in Good Housekeeping Magazine. . . so you can devote your time to all the rescues and be secure in the knowledge that the local Board of Health will not condemn your house.

Personal dogs that will tolerate the never ending stream of four legged orphans, waifs and street urchins that will start arriving the moment you say. . . “I have room.”

Children that like being the “token” child to socialize every dog that comes thru the door. . . being able to say “good with kids” is a real selling point.

Magician skills so you can change anything that comes thru the door, from black tri male to long tail and brown eyes, into blue merle female, good with kids, housebroke, crate trained and obedience trained.

The ability to face the paperwork head-on and deal with it. . . or someone you can send it to and say. . . “Here, do something with this mess!”

Grooming skills for those ugly ducklings waiting for their chance to be a swan. . . with a little help from you.

I could go on but you probably get the picture. . . . None of us have all of these things but we all know that the business of rescue is a team effort. Each of us contribute what we can as a team member. Some of us cannot handle the dogs [or cats or birds or horses or rabbits or . . . ], but . . . there are other things that must be done.

Some only want to work with the dogs [themselves, or the cats or . . . ] . . . so. . . leave the paperwork to those that like it. No matter what your situation is. . . it is your willingness to help that is important. ~~

Author Unknown

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A Rescuer’s Creed

• I shall be a believer of all that is good in man and of all that is deserving in animals.
• I shall plead for their lives, campaign for their safety and uphold their right to a natural death.
• I shall seek out the injured and the maimed, the unloved, and the abandoned and tend to them in their last days.
• I shall not forget their place in the hierarchy of life, nor that we walk in each other’s paths.
• I shall bear witness to the wonder they bring into our lives and to the beauty they bestow upon our souls.
• I shall renew their spirits when they are waning, bind their wounds when they bleed, cradle them when they whimper, and comfort them when they mourn.
• I shall be near them in their hour of greatest need – a companion and friend when the time has come.
• I shall watch over them and console them and ask that the angels gather them in their arms. From the creatures of the earth
• I shall learn the fruits of compassion and undying love
• I shall be called the beloved of God.
• In their company I shall indeed be blessed.

Susan M. Pearson

This poem was found at http://www.katberard.com Please visit Kathleen A. Berard’s page to Read more.

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We Are An Animal Rescuer
Submitted By Louise

Our job is to assist God’s creatures. We were born with the drive to fulfill their needs. We take in helpless, unwanted, homeless creatures without planning or selection.
We have bought dog food with our last dime. We have patted a mangy head with a bare hand. We have hugged someone vicious and afraid. We have fallen in love a thousand times. And We have cried into the fur of a lifeless body too many times to count.
We have Animal Friends and friends who have animal friends. We don’t often use the word “pet”. We notice those lost at the road side and my heart aches. We will hand raise a field mouse and make friends with a vulture. We know of no creature unworthy of our time.
We want to live forever if there aren’t animals in Heaven, but we believe there are. Why would God make something so perfect and leave it behind?
Some may think we are masters of the animals, but the animals have mastered themselves… something people still haven’t learned. War and abuse make our hurt for the world, but a rescue that makes the news gives us hope for mankind.
We are a quiet but determined army and we are making a difference every day. There is nothing more necessary than warming an orphan, nothing more rewarding than saving a life, no higher recognition than watching them thrive. There is no greater joy than seeing a baby play who, only days ago, was too weak to eat.
By the love of those who we’ve been privileged to rescue, we have been rescued. We know what true unconditional love really is, for we’ve seen it shining in the eyes of so many, grateful for so little.

We are an Animal Rescuer. Our work is never done. Our home is never quiet. Our wallet is always empty, but ? Our Heart Is ALWAYS Full.?

Author Unknown

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Submitted By Bev Davis

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY by Janine Allen
http://rescuemedog.org/dog-blog/i-rescued-a-human-today-by-janine-allen/

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.

I would promise to keep her safe.
I would promise to always be by her side.
I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE? You can, as long as you include the following, complete statement and a link back to the original article:

http://rescuemedog.org/dog-blog/i-rescued-a-human-today-by-janine-allen/

Written by Janine Allen CPDT, Rescue Me Dog’s professional dog trainer. Janine’s passion is working with people and their dogs. She provides demonstrations for those who have adopted shelter dogs, lends email support to adopted dog owners that need information beyond our Training Support Pages, and aids shelter staff and volunteers in understanding dog behavior to increase their adoptability. Copyright 2011 Rescue Me Dog; www.rescuemedog.org

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HERE IN THIS HOUSE
Submitted by Marina

Here in this house,
I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs ‘out there’.
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake my world will not have changed.
I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I’ll eat.
I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.
I will feel the sun’s heat, and the rain’s coolness,
and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.
My fur will shine, and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house . . .
There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.
I will be talked to and, even if I don’t understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words.
I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.
My name will be used in joy, and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house . . .
I will never be a substitute for anything I am not.
I will never be used to improve people’s images of themselves.
I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone’s idea of who I should be.
I will never suffer for someone’s anger, impatience, or stupidity.
I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.
If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house . . .
I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch…
knowing that, no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.
If I am ill, I will be doctored.
If scared, I will be calmed.
If sad, I will be cheered.
No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and known to be of value.
I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.
My life is a responsibility, and not an afterthought.
I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind and as fair as dogs.

Here in this house . . .
I will belong.
I will be home.
– Author Unknown

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A DOG’S LAST WILL
Author – Luis Delgado
Submitted by King ~ Dedicated to All the dogs who have crossed over or will one day cross over Rainbow Bridge

Before humans die, they write their Last Will and Testament, give their home and all they have to those they leave behind. If, with my paws, I could do the same, this is what I’d ask….
To a poor and lonely Stray, I’d give my happy home.
My bowl and cozy bed, soft pillows and all my toys.
The lap, which I loved so much, the tender loving touch.
The hand that stroked my fur, and sweet voice which called my name.

I’d will to the sad, scared shelter dog, the place I had in my human’s loving heart,
of which there seemed no bounds.
So when I die, please do not say, “I will never have a pet again,
for the loss and pain is more than I can stand.”
Instead, go find an unloved dog.
One whose life has held no joy or hope, and give MY place to HIM or HER.
This is the only thing that I can give …..The love I left behind.
This is my inheritance!
My Last Will and Testament.

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