LIFESAVING NEIGHBORHOOD

AS I READ THE “More Capacity for Love” story in your July/August issue, my heart was warmed by the shout-out to Ruff Start Rescue. I have been a foster volunteer with Ruff Start Rescue since 2015, when I adopted my very first foster puppy from the group. I was hooked, and now I’ve fostered over 50 and have helped so many friends adopt and volunteer.

Within my neighborhood of now 850 homes, my neighbors have adopted 22 of my foster dogs and even a few kittens! Whenever I get new ones, I have more than 20 kids asking to help socialize my foster puppies. For the kids who can’t have pets at home, I educate them on other roles they can play, such as socializing the puppies, gathering donations and talking to their friends about rescuing. Some have even sold lemonade and given me money for the rescue group.

Every Thanksgiving, I host a blanketmaking day in our neighborhood community barn. Last year, I had over 100 families come together to make fleece blankets and they also donated toys, towels and other necessities. It was such a great event. In the end, I was able to send hundreds of blankets and towels to LightShine Canine, a dog rescue group, and the remaining toys and donations went to Ruff Start Rescue.

My entire neighborhood is 100% supportive of rescue organizations and they are so generous with their gifts. Whenever their pets grow out of collars and leashes, I’ll find a donated bag on my front porch. Their love and support for my passion for saving animals is exactly why I will never leave my neighborhood. I have impacted not only the parents but so many children. In this time of COVID-19, the rescue stories and happy adoptions are the light in the darkness that we all need.

Dawn Reimer HOPKINS, MINN.