Ruby and her journey from lost to loved

To the Editor:

I have written a piece about Ruby, a remarkable dog rescued and rehabilitated by Responsible Pet Care in Norway. People went far beyond kindness during her stay and have shown interest in what has happened with her.

Dear Ruby,

Today is my birthday. My favorite gift is knowing you have found your forever home with a guy named Jason. Your journey has been long and frightening since the day you were found alone, your face full of porcupine quills, your body and soul filled with pain and fear.

I am so thankful you were taken to Responsible Pet Care. Despite an overcrowded building, too many animals and not enough money, they always find just a bit more space and a lot of love for abandoned four-legged friends.

With the help and generosity of RPC staff, the healthcare professionals at Poland Animal Hospital and many volunteers, you met each surgery and recovery with four paws forward.

Caring people from many communities and states sent monetary donations toward your care. Words cannot express my gratitude to these folks.

I like to think Ruby is a fitting name for you. R is for resilient. U is for unequalled. B is for beautiful. Y is for, well, I can’t think of anything for the Y, but I’m sure you get my intent.

Ruby, I wanted you for my own. You would have made an interesting addition to Spacey Gracie and Wiley Miley. I really, really, fell in love with you, kind of like when Mickey came to stay with us for a few weeks. He crawled into my soul, even though he chewed up a bra and ate a bar of soap.

When his humans came for him I cried for two days. You could have been in my soul, too. For reasons beyond my control I could not pursue this dream. But my friends at RPC have made it possible for my tears to be those of happiness and relief that you will now live the life you deserve to live.

Ruby, you’ve been a model citizen at RPC. Your story has spread to places far away. What an ambassador you are for the folks who are working so hard for the betterment of our shelter.

We are hoping to move into a new facility soon. Perhaps your story will inspire donations to help us reach our lofty goals (Responsible Pet Care, PO Box 82, Norway ME 04268). Thank you from the inside of my soul.

Love, Jackie

Jackie Stoutamyer

Norway