CeeCee was the Inspiration

One day I took a trip to a local animal shelter in Atlanta, Georgia.  As I walked past the many dogs on death row, I spotted a beautiful Dalmatian.  She caught my attention because she actually ‘smiled’ at me.  Most people would have thought she was baring her teeth in anger but she was wagging her tail excitedly.

This particular shelter euthanized dogs after 10 days if not adopted so I was not leaving without my new found friend, CeeCee.  She came home with me and lived with me for ten happy years!  CeeCee loved hiking in the mountains and playing with the other dogs and most of all, she loved following her person – me, all over the house. She loved being with me as much as possible and knew I was the one that rescued her.  To this day she remains my “Guardian Angel” and our inspiration.   CeeCee was the most loyal, loving, beautiful Dalmatian that I have ever met.  I never understood why someone abandoned such a sweet loving dog.

CeeCee is a great example of how a shelter dog can enhance a person’s life and make a great loving family member.  She instinctively knew if I was happy or sad and was right by my side through it all.  Through the years,  I have often wondered what would have happened to her if I had not adopted CeeCee from the shelter that day.

My experience with CeeCee compelled me to help other shelter dogs.  A few years ago, I started volunteering and learning how to rescue dogs from death-row shelters.  In 2012, with the help of four amazing women we started “4 Paws 4 Life Rescue” in honor of CeeCee.   As educated professionals we attend yearly animal welfare conferences to improve our efforts.  CeeCee is our mascot and her memory still influences decisions we make for the animals in our care.

Toni

Founder of 4P4L in 2012