Mike Gilliam: Tucson's Angel of Mercy
by Tamra Monahan
photo by Victoria Christie
In Tucson, Arizona, unwanted dogs have a guardian angel. As a volun teer for Tucson Cold Wet Noses animal rescue, Mike Gilliam saves dogs on death row. Each afternoon, the or ganization receives a list of dogs at the county shelter scheduled to be eutha nized, and this is when Mike goes into action. He works to find foster homes for the dogs, eventually placing the ani mals with compassionate companions. This tireless volunteer has one goal: to save as many dogs as he can.
"I'm a dog person," Mike says. "A dog freak, I guess. I see people who give up their dogs for no good reason, and they end up in shelters. Many times, the dogs aren't adopted because most people think dogs in shelters are some how damaged or bad dogs, but that's not the case at all. It's not the dog's fault, it's people's fault."
For ten years, this canine angel of mercy has been looking out for the welfare of dogs who have been tossed aside by a cruel society. He began by adopt ing a cattle dog, which led him to his first volunteer position with the rescue organization New Hope Cattle Dogs, an organization that rescues stray and unwanted Australian Cattle Dogs, Blue Heelers, Red Heelers, and Queensland Heelers. A few years later, Mike and a friend began their own rescue group called Desert Hills Heelers Canine Res cue, but he soon realized he wanted to help all types of dogs, from mutts to pure breeds, so he joined forces with Tucson Cold Wet Noses. Over the years, Mike esti mates he's helped about 45 dogs find new homes.
"The best part about fostering is getting these dogs into wonderful homes," Mike says. "I'm just a step ping stone in their lives."
Always seeking new and better ways to help his canine friends, Mike was inspired by Eileen Smulson, the founder and president of Operation Blankets of Love (OBOL), and recently created a chapter in Tuc son, which "collects, transports and distributes recycled and new pet-related items to comfort stray, sick, ne glected and abused homeless animals in shelters, rescue groups, sanctuar ies and foster groups. In addition, as an Emergency Response Team, OBOL partners with those organizations to provide relief and comfort to ani mals that are displaced or endangered by catastrophe."
From the beginning, the response from people who love dogs as much as Mike has been overwhelming. One week after he started Tucson Operation Blankets of Love, Mike had a truckload of items for the county animal shelter.
"There was a great outpouring from the community here in Tucson who wanted to help," he says. "It's been absolutely wonderful."
Saving dogs is Mike's passion, and this man never grows tired of being dog's best friend. As long as he's in town, Tucson's canine community will have a guardian angel.
For more information visit: www.operationblanketsoflove.org and www.tucsoncoldwetnoses.com
- Become a "friend" of Mike at "Mike Gilliam"
- Become a "fan" of "Tucson Operation Blankets of Love" |
