Lincoln
This is Lincoln, formerly known as Chandler. I adopted him within minutes of him losing his life on August 27th. He had already received a few reprieves and I knew this was his last chance. After sharing his picture from PAAS with everyone I knew, a friend of mine decided she was going to get him and save him before his euthanasia time at 2. I told her to let me know if anything changed and I would make sure he got out. I patiently waited by the phone and at exactly 1:37 she texted me and said “plans fell through, I can’t take him.” My heart sank. I didn’t need any more dogs as I already have a rescue male Dobie and a female Boxer, but I knew I had to do something.
I got on the thread and let everyone know I was heading up to AAS and to pray that I would make it in time. I walked through the doors a little after 2 and my heart sank AGAIN. The line was SOO long, I figured surely I was too late. That’s when I saw a smiling face walk up to me, who I now know as Lindsey Hurr and asked if she could help me. I rambled off his ID# I had written down on my hand and she started crying and mumbled “Chandler? You are coming to adopt him?” Tears ran down my face as I told her yes. It was a VERY emotional moment. She took me to him and we took him outside and it was love at first sight. Such a gentle giant with a broken soul, he looked so sad but managed a tail wag that someone was there to see him. I signed the paperwork and left, AAS then called me to let me know he was heartworm positive..once again…my heart sank.
I have worked for clinics but have never dealt with heartworm with one of my own and as a full time student and part time waitress I questioned if I had gotten in over my head. Many thanks to the PAAS volunteers, Sponsor Adoptions and all of the strangers who donated, shared and pulled for this boy and raised enough money for his heartworm treatment, we are forever grateful and I could not have done it without each and every one of you. Lincoln has been with me over a month now and it feels like he has been here all of his life. He gets along with my dogs and my cats and is so eager to please. He has started his heartworm treatment and after he is well we will work towards earning his CGC (Canine Good Citizen designation) and doing work with the public to see if we can’t change some people’s minds about this wonderful, misunderstood breed. I can’t say thank you enough to ALL of you, please do not let a heartworm positive dog scare you away, anything is possible and these shelter dogs have a HUGE fan base, do not underestimate them, I have seem them do wonderful things! I have gained some amazing friends throughout this journey…and as for Lincoln…well I am still trying to figure out who rescued who. I have included a collage of him including his intake picture, his freedom picture and a few from around the house.
– Destani Leverett



