I Couldn't Leave Without My Dog

Would you leave a dangerous home if it meant leaving your dog behind? Liz isn't sure she would be able to, and that's why this conversation stuck with her.

In this Spark Short, Michele and Liz unpack their conversation with Lisa Fuller of the SPCA of Luzerne County and everything it changed for them. Michele walked in picturing the cartoon dog catcher and the pound, and walked out with her view flipped a complete 180.

Liz was surprised to learn the SPCA runs almost entirely on community donations. Both of them keep coming back to Purple Paws, the program that cares for the pets of women leaving domestic violence. Neither had ever thought of a pet as a barrier to safety.

They talk about what it takes to be someone like Lisa, who has adopted 18 elderly dogs and has seven at home now. They talk about why animals and kids are the most vulnerable among us, and how much work goes into every animal the shelter takes in, from the vet visit to the microchip to a quiet place to decompress.

Then it gets personal. Liz tells the story of Smokey, the rescued cat who lived like a king with the Graham family, and of Guinevere, the Old English Sheepdog her family had to give up when they moved overseas. Michele remembers the strays of her childhood, and one candy-fueled family punishment she'll never live down. They close on why a dog might be the best reason to get outside, and what you can do even if you'renot ready to adopt.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why the old “dog pound” image of the SPCA is so farfrom the truth
• How a pet can keep someone from leaving a violent home,and how Purple Paws removes that barrier
• What happens to an animal in its first days at theshelter, and why an adoption fee doesn't come close to covering it
• Why the SPCA depends on community donations, notgovernment funding
• What it means to adopt the dogs nobody else will
• Why surrendering a pet can be the right and lovingdecision
• How a dog gets you outside, moving, and connected
• Three ways to help if you can't adopt: foster,volunteer or donate

Resources from this episode:

• Our full conversation with Lisa Fuller — https://www.sparkmepodcast.com/more-than-rescue-what-animals-teach-us-about-being-human/
• SPCA of Luzerne County - https://www.spcaluzernecounty.org/
• Love Stays Home programs, including Purple Paws — https://www.spcaluzernecounty.org/how-to-help/love-stays-home.html
• Fostering and volunteer applications https://www.spcaluzernecounty.org/adoption/
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

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If this conversation resonated with you:

• Follow Spark Me wherever you listen to podcasts so younever miss a Spark Short
• Share this episode with the friend whose dog runs theirlife
• Leave a rating or review. It helps other women in theirsecond act discover the show.
• Tag us and tell us about the pet who got you throughsomething