CARSON caught my eye at the rescue operation in Columbia last year. He had heartworm, broken teeth from years of living in a chain link pen, and he was old. Something in his eyes, though, told me he needed another chance at a good life. Carson was chosen for the Pen Pals Prison Dog Training program but he first needed to be treated for heartworms and have his broken teeth cleaned. CFC arranged for this expensive treatment and cared for him while he recovered.

Deven Gaston (Caninecampus.com), the dog trainer for the prison program, took him to Buckinham Correctional Center where he received months of loving care and training from the inmates. In May, 2006, he was transferred to Fluvanna CC for Women to get more loving and training from the women inmates. For almost a year, he got a taste of the good life of sleeping indoors, eating good food, and having the loving touch of humans all day long. I promised him that he would never again live his life outside in a pen. Months went by and no one seemed interested in adopting an old dog with broken teeth and a history of heartworm. The agonizing decision was made by the Pen Pals administrators to return him to CFC.
Although I knew he would be treated well at CFC, I was devestated. My head knows that "you can't rescue them all", but my heart wouldn't let me forget the promises made to him. I already had two rescue dogs at home. I couldn't take him home. How many dogs is too many? Am I dangerously close to becoming a "rescue nut"?

Weeks later I returned to CFC to help paint their training facility on the United Way Day of Caring. I went to see Carson and took him for a walk. He remembered me, but his eyes had the emptiness that shelter dogs get when they stop hoping for someone to take them home. To see this in Carson's eyes, the Carson who had been so responsive to the love he received at the prisons, broke my heart. I went home and reorganized my household to make room for "just one more". Carson is thriving. The light is back in his eyes. He romps like a youngster with my other two dogs. They accepted him immediately, which is a miracle considering the other two dogs took months to adapt to each other.

Every day I look at Carson I know that I made the right decision! Thanks, CFC for keeping CARSON healthy while he was waiting for me to come get him.

Carson at CFC and Columbia prior to his joining his new family!