A throat grotesquely scarred by an 8-inch knife gash, scraggly white and tan fur singed by the blazes of an arson house fire, and tattered paws cut by the jagged streets she ambled on perpetually. For this precious pooch – appropriately deemed by her saviors as Khaleesi, a spirited character in the hit drama Game of Thrones – the likelihood of survival rendered achingly slim for the abused mother. Khaleesi exists as one of millions of dogs that are abandoned every year, only to suffer from injury or illness and are left to die. Taken in and treated to a full recovery, this incredible pup defied all odds thanks to her unparalleled resilience, as well as the foster-based rescue group known as DFW Rescue Me.
Throughout the crisp autumn weeks of the Texas State Fair, numerous Jesuit students participated in the program whose goal is to positively impact the statistics on the estimated six to eight million dogs and cats that are euthanized every year, helping find permanent and loving homes for lost or abandoned canines. Many of these dogs had endured unthinkable hardships before finding their way to the renowned organization, perhaps their most famous being Justice. In April 2012, Justice, a four-month old pit bull, suffered burns on over 70% of his body – supposedly doused with lighter fluid and set on fire with the abominable flick of a cigarette butt, horrendously left strangling on a fence to die. Immediately rushed to the shelter, Justice received 24-hour veterinary care, alongside DFW Rescue Me founder Jim Wegner at Texas A&M University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Although frequenting a wag of his tail or a sweet kiss to concerned faces, Justice’s body grew unable to fight the infection, just as the horrific crime was brought to into the light of social media and public news. The stray brindle puppy, despite being with the organization for nine days, left behind a revolutionary legacy across the nation, unprecedentedly causing Dallas Animal Services, the Dallas Police Department, the district attorney, the mayor, and city council to come together and denounce the intolerability of animal abuse within their city. In Justice’s honor, DFW Rescue Me established the “Justice fund,” a foundation to ensure that neglected dogs within the city of Dallas “receive necessary medical care and the opportunity to know the kindness of the human hand that they so deserve.”
Carrying out the mission of “Voices for Justice,” Jesuit students did their part to spread awareness and exhibit love for our canine companions by greeting fairgoers, showcasing different rescues, and facilitating a doggy kissing booth.
Senior Matthew Joy ’18 reflected on his perception altering experience, noting “dogs are so comforting and fun to work with, so being able to help completely different dogs than the one I have at home is a great experience.” Sharing a similar sentiment, “Pack-Leader” Daniel Nguyen expressed that “it was bittersweet to see the dogs I became friends with embracing the arms of their future families, especially my favorite – Dug.” Due in large part to the wave of visitors at the fair, students like Matthew and Daniel make saving lives easier for the program, prevailing as a crucial role in providing a voice for those who are unable to help themselves. Thanks to the compassionate volunteers, the fight against animal cruelty thrives, promising a second leash on life to many hapless pups.
