There are certain things that inspire us to do everything possible for the dogs we rescue. Obviously, the dogs are our #1 inspiration. There are also wonderful, touching, uplifting quotes, poems and stories that inspire us.  

Here are some of our favorites!

Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way."
— Martin Luther King Jr.

I Rescued a Human Today

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 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.

I rescued a human today.

— Janine Allen

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.
— Anatole France (French writer, 1921)

I See You In My Heart

I cannot see you Mommy, when you cuddle me so near.
And yet I know you love me, it's in the words I hear.

I cannot see you Daddy, when you hold me by your side
But still I know you love me when you tell me so with pride.

I cannot see to run and play out in the sun so bright
For here inside my tiny head it's always dark as night.

I cannot see the treats you give when I am extra good
But I can wag my tail in Thanks just like a good dog should.

"She cannot see. The dogs no good" is what some folks might say
"She can't be trained, she'll never learn She must be put away."

But not you, Mom and Daddy You know that it's alright
Because I love you just as much as any dog with sight.

You took me in, you gave me love and we will never part
Because I'm blind with just my eyes, I see you in my heart.

— Sherrill Wardrip

When You Think of Liberty Think of Me

When you honor the red, white, and blue
When you celebrate our nation's liberty
Think of the one who's been beside you
in spirit, in heart, in body...
No being could be as loyal as me, for I am
your best friend, your partner... your family

When our nation was young
I was the runner, carrying messages
in a war that would leave us undone
where brother fought beside brother.

And, alone in the face of terror
I moved through enemy lines,
as families fought one another,
my mission foremost in my mind.

I was the one waiting for you even though
I sensed you would not be coming home
I languished on our wooden porch
growing thinner, until the war was over
and my days on earth were done.

I was in the trenches, fields, and meadows
accompanying you into foreign lands.
With you in the jungles and swamps
and at your heels on hot, dusty roads
or on blistering, desert sands.

I have been first in the line of fire
first to enter a field laden with mines
putting myself in your stead.
I went unflinching, leading,
to wherever, doing whatever you said.

With you I've jumped from the belly of a plane
dropping into places neither of us had ever seen.
All for the greater glory and good. All for humanity.

When a bullet took your life I laid by your side
my chin on your chest--despair in my eyes.
Content to have remained with you,
until a man in our unit lifted me up,
carrying me back to the war... as he cried.

When we had parted, when you'd gone home
and when on foreign soil I was left all alone
through no fault of your own I was forsaken.

The government advised you that your friend
and helper; the soldier who'd been by your side,
would not be accompanying you home...
To our home, our country, I could not be taken.

And so it was that we were abandoned
after you tearfully told us we could not follow
the men with whom we had served.

Confusion set in as we watched you depart;
being left behind, we had not deserved.
You left us dispirited, empty, and hollow
for we had given to you all of our all.
Like ghosts were we, missing our souls,
for you had taken with you... our hearts.

I have been injured for you.
And I have died for you.
In your absence I have wasted away
from the loss of you.

I'm the scruffy, thin dog sitting quietly
next to the veteran in his wheelchair.
On the hill, the band plays a song
and the man softly cries, while
fireworks light up the night's air.

Gently I place my paw on his knee
lay my muzzle on his withered leg.
He looks at the small flag he is clutching
then he turns his attention to me.

His eyes are filled with thoughts and tears
but his smile is as warm as the sun.
"Thank you for reminding me," says he,
"what's been sacrificed for the freedom we've won."

In the now, we cannot know
who will be needing who.
But what you may not know is
that when you'll be needing me
I'll be needing and looking for you.

We've been a team, you and me
through the many years
that have shaped this land,
and God has blessed us mightily.

So, every now and then, thank me--
with a look, kind words, and the
touch of a gentle hand...

When you think of liberty
and count the reasons you are free...
Don't forget to think of me!

— Kathy Anne Harris

I Adopted Your Dog Today

I adopted your dog today.
The one you left at the pound.
The one you had for ten years
And no longer wanted around.

I adopted your dog today.
Do you know he's lost weight?
Do you know he's scared and depressed
And has lost all faith?

I adopted your dog today.
He had mites and a cold,
But don't you worry.
You've unburdened your load.

I adopted your dog today.
Were you having a baby or moving away?
Did you suddenly develop allergies
Or was there no reason he couldn't stay?

I adopted your dog today.
He doesn't play or eat much.
He's very depressed,
But he will learn again to trust.

I adopted your dog today.
And here he will stay.
He's found his forever home
And a warm pair of hands to lay in.

I adopted your dog today
And I will give him all that he could need.
Patience, love, security, and understanding.
Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed.

— From Philadelphia Animal Welfare Examiner

A righteous man has regard for his animals.
— Proverbs 12:10

At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done.

We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.'

Hungry not only for bread — but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing — but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks — but homeless because of rejection.

— Mother Teresa

Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.
— Mother Teresa

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for somthing, sometime in your life.
— Winston Churchill

The Animals' Savior

I looked at all the caged animals in the shelters...the cast-offs of human society. I saw in their eyes love and hope, fear and dread, sadness and betrayal. And I was angry. "God," I said, "this is terrible! Why don't you do something?"
God was silent for a moment and then He spoke softly. "I have done something," He replied. "I created you."

— Jim Willis

I hold that the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by Man from the cruelty of Man.
— Mahatma Gandhi

Be the change you wish to see in the world.
— Mahatma Gandhi

Maty, a 10 year old dog, has been working as a "Humane Educator" for the Humane Society of Central Oregon. On February 17, 2011, he was honored by the Oregon Humane Society with the Diamond Collar Award. Click here to see a video about his story!