What do a dog, kitten, sugar glider, owl, alligator lizard, and screech owl have in common? They have all resided in our home as Hope For Paws fosters. Most people think we are a dog rescue, but we made sure to file as a rescue for all animals since we are located in Los Angeles, where the shelters can have anything from hamsters to horses.
We are always up for a challenge. We go into the shelters and take the dogs that the public can't see. Sometimes the animals need thousands of dollars of orthopedic surgery; sometimes they are labeled vicious and unadoptable.
My husband and cofounder, Eldad, has quite a reputation throughout the city and we receive emails and calls day and night asking him to save a dog or cat from a dire circumstance. I am actually known as "Audrey, Eldad's wife." Eldad also goes where no rescuer will go, such as beneath a gang member's hangout to save a Mastiff that the gang was planning to kill. He also has the ability to make frightened or aggressive dogs fall in love with him in seconds.
Someone once compared our house to "Cheaper by the Dozen." I have awakened to a strange black Pit Bull inches from my face, watching me sleep. I don't enjoy the worms that are needed to feed the abandoned birds. I am used to Eldad disappearing in the middle of the night and coming home with ripped clothing, covered in mud.
Our latest adventure took us to a hoarder's house in the middle of the desert, where we brought bags of supplies for the animals and left with four dogs. We plan to go back and take the rest before animal control takes over and euthanizes everyone.
We videotape the rescue missions to show people how, with just a little love and kindness, these animals go from street dogs to well-adjusted pets in a matter of days.
Recently, in the middle of the night, Eldad received an email that read, "I know you save animals. A stray Pit Bull has been hit by a car and is hurt and on the sidewalk. Please help."
Eldad went downtown and found the injured Pit, who took off into a yard, where he was attacked by dogs who lived there. Eldad had to sneak into this stranger's yard and distract the attackers, without waking up the residents of the house.
Eldad ran back to the car and bought cheeseburgers. He sneaked back into the yard, where the dogs came charging at him, and threw the food at them while searching for the Pit who was now bleeding from puncture wounds. Eldad got him safely into the car and to the vet.
The prognosis was not good for the dog we named Ace. He pulled through the night, survived surgery, and came home to us to recover with horrible wounds and drains. We were wary of Ace's personality because he just stared and didn"˜t wag his tail.
Two days later, we awoke to strange noises on our bed. Ace was playing with our fostered Shih-Tzu Lucy, who was trying to stick her head in his mouth. Ace soon turned out to be the happiest, cutest, and most loving dog. He was adopted soon after.
For more information or to make a donation: Hope For Paws - Animal Rescue 8950 W. Olympic Blvd. #525 Los Angeles, CA 90211 (310) 880-1416 www.hopeforpaws.org E-mail:
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