BECAUSE OF the sheer number of animals impounded, and the overwhelming intake of throwaways, shelters are often forced to euthanize those that have physical or behavioral disabilities, are over 5 years old, or have been in the shelter too long. Can we even imagine how heart-wrenching those decisions must be for shelter workers who shoulder that responsibility?
    My inclination over the past 60 years of pet rescue has been to choose these rejects, and I have never been disappointed. I was fortunate that my connections within city and private shelters would contact me when such an animal was to be euthanized. Usually this was an animal who was blind, deaf, or aged, and despite publicity had not been adopted. Sometimes shelter veterinarians would turn their frustrations onto me, saying, “Kate, why don’t you adopt one of the many wonderfully healthy dogs that we are forced to euthanize?” But one must chose for oneself her own pet.
    Rusty was an especially rewarding adoption. A kind-hearted PNM employee was driving on I-25 and couldn’t believe his eyes as he watched a man emerge from a pickup truck on the shoulder and deposit the dog in the middle of the freeway, then sprint back to his truck. This good Samaritan pulled over and bounded out to whisk up the confused animal before he became a fatality.
    Thinking that one of our shelters would find a good home for this quiet, medium-sized Cocker cross, this brave individual explained his dramatic rescue to the shelter worker, who assured him that they would help find this frightened dog a loving home. A veterinary exam showed the throw-away to be about 8 years old, and blind. That afternoon I received “the call.”
    My husband Wally and I adopted the handsome red canine that afternoon, and he quickly adjusted to his new home and its six other pets. The dog’s hearing and sense of smell certainly compensated for his lack of sight. He could truck up and down and around the rugged terrain and streams on our fenced property without incident. An obvious choice for his name was Rusty Radar, and his stubby tail wagged continuously as he sniffed and trekked on each new adventure for several years. His evenings were spent happily curled up next to one of six family members.
    Although he lived only six more years, we felt that we had not only given him a little more quality time, but reinforced our reasons for adopting animals shunned by others. All of them have been wonders, giving freely of love, and grateful for another chance to love.
    Next time you are visiting a rescue facility for a new family pet, you might examine carefully the kennel card displayed on it showing the animal’s approximate age, health issues, known history, behaviors, obedience, breed, date of impoundment. It sometimes contains a key to how long the animal will be allowed to stay.
    And if you have the time, patience, and inclination, you might choose one whose days are numbered. Not out of pity, but because you could just experience a remarkable and rewarding adventure.

Kate Kuligowski is a long-time animal rescuer and former education director for Animal Humane of New Mexico and Watermelon Mountain Ranch. She recently published Our Most Treasured Tails: Sixty Years of Pet Rescue, an award-winning finalist at the 2014 USA Best Book Awards. Reach her at wkkjk1027@gmail.com