Posted on 01/28/2012 1:39:12 AM PST by Daffynition
As nearly anyone who has adopted a dog or cat from a shelter can attest, there’s something special about a rescued pet; it’s as if the animal senses he’s been given a second chance at life. That’s certainly the case with Juno, a Belgian Malinois who was rescued from a shelter just days before she was to be euthanized. But since coming to live with her family in Alcoa, Tenn., Juno has taken on the role of rescuer to four-year-old Lucas Hembree.
Lucas suffers from Sanfilippo syndrome, an inherited, metabolic disease caused by the absence or malfunctioning of an enzyme needed to break down long sugar molecules. As the disease progresses, children lose the ability to speak, walk and eat. The disease also causes severe neurological damage that leads to aggressive behavior, hyperactivity and seizures.
(Excerpt) Read more at today.msnbc.msn.com ...
Belgian Malinois ping.
that picture is a tear-jerker
rescue a furry friend and he or she will rescue you right back
My husband rescued Darren, a cattle dog mix. If my husband leaves the place, Darren will be lying by the gate waiting for him to return--even in bad weather.
Rescued dogs do try harder, to the point that saying they’re grateful and know they’ve been given a second chance is not at all a stretch.
They’ll never be quite so at ease and certain of belonging as a dog raised from a pup, but it’s almost heart-rending to see how much they want to belong. I adopted a Walker Hound that had been put out, and she exhibits so much overt affection, it overcomes her lack of knowledge as far as behavior. We’ve been working on that, and she’s getting there.
She’s had a lot to learn, but learn she has and she’s thrilled when she does. “Play” that comes so naturally to dogs raised from a pup was foreign to her, up until last week and I’ve had her for going on two years. She found a Nylabone that belonged to my beloved Lab who passed away in 2007, and really didn’t know what to do with it, since it wasn’t food.
But she figured it out and greets me with it every evening when I get home. She likes to play tag, running around with it in her mouth, then drops it, I pick it up and hand it to her, she runs off, comes back, then I give it to her again. She’s very pleased with the whole thing, it’s like a lightbulb went off for her. Now, there are “toys” everywhere, when she showed no interest before.
So, good for Juno and good for Lucas. They needed each other and were brought together. That happens more often than we realize, if we’re open to allowing it to happen.
What a sad and yet beautiful story. The pictures are just amazing... especially the ones with Lucas in the hospital bed and Juno right by him.
What a sad but wonderful story. I have never heard of this awful disease.
BEAUTIFUL POST!
Our black lab, Bubba, who we rescued 9 years ago was an extreme example. He was so needy and clingy it took us one year to get his mind right and let him trust us not to leave him.
It was worth it. He’s been a wonderful dog. I just had to get him a doggy ramp to get into the car and I dread his birthday next month. He’ll be 7 years older and so will I.
Omega 3 capsules and get the grain out of his diet, there are some brands that aren’t too pricey. If the mobility gets to be much more of an issue, consider an NSAID but carefully. Metacam was a godsend for mine, he went down at age 14 and couldn’t get up on his own, I was carrying him, all 110 pounds, his name was Woody. He got up on his own and walked 15 minutes after his first dose, but I was scared to death that he’d react badly and be harmed instead of helped. Some small number of dogs react very badly to NSAIDs though, so be very careful and stop the minute you see any evidence of blood in the urine or anything else out of the ordinary. Follow the directions to the letter and do not use any other NSAID with it, right down to even aspirin. The consequence is potentially fatal. But, it gave Woody another good year and he was happy as a clam right up to the day he died, here at home, in my arms.
You rang? 
Fortunately, Lucas' father had the skills with which to guide that Belgian. They are often purchased/adopted by people who've not done their research, who are overwhelmed by the dog's activity level and intelligence. So, the dogs end up in shelters or dumped. They are incredible dogs, when they're given a job of some kind. For someone who wants a dog to simply be a pet, who is not willing to be their leader, they will be a disaster.
>They are incredible dogs, when they’re given a job of some kind.<
From the article, it seems like Juno could not have asked for a more perfect occupation. (c;
Oh man.
Why is my screen so blurry.
Beautiful PRECIOUS photo of a beautiful and precious child and his precious and beautiful dog.
Seems to have happened to my screen as well. Must be catching. Great dog and the relationship between the two is so wonderful.
I’m snotting all over the screen after that photo.
Yet, from the time Juno met Lucas, Chester said there was something instinctive about their relationship. “We noticed one day she was turning circles around him and whining, put her nose on him and nudge him. We checked his oxygen levels and they were low,” he said.
Juno is a literal shoulder for Lucas to lean on, and so much more, says his father. “She has given him so much confidence, before he had problems with social settings. Now, If he gets nervous, he pulls her closer to him. She’s made a drastic difference,” Chester said.
Fate. Bringing a boy and a dog together, to help each other in ways that only they fully understand.
What a picture! Totally awesome.
http://www.curesf.org/2011/12/an-update-on-lucas-hembree-and-juno/
Makes me fall apart! And want to hug my dog and granddaughter in gratefulness. What this family has/is going though and the strength Juno gives them to go on.
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