I have a special story to share with you. After attending Rosh Hashana services this morning with my parents, we ate lunch and watched "Dogtown - the Michael Vick Dogs" episode that chronicles the amazing rescue and rehabilitation of 4 of the Michael Vick dogs. Then I drove to evening services at an historical temple in Newark, where a pit bull stood on the sidewalk at the entrance to the temple.

I turned into the parking lot, determined not to get involved, but as I walked to the entrance to the building, I found a woman who locked herself behind a gate in fear of the dog. Then a man shooed the dog away from her towards the street. I intervened to direct the dog to the safety of the gated parking lot where my car was parked to protect the dog from oncoming traffic. The dog had recent wounds on both ears, a broken tail (an old injury, perhaps) and a fresh cut with some blood on the top of his nose.



I fed the dog some food and water and closed the gate to the parking lot to contain him. I started making phone calls to rescue friends but no one was available on short notice. So I called animal control, and waited. I called again an hour later, and waited.

I nicknamed the dog L'Chaim ("to life"), on the holiday when Jews hope to be inscribed in the Book of Life. The dog is also the color of honey, which is traditionally eaten on Rosh Hashana to represent a sweet new year. And of course, the name simply made me chuckle while I waited endlessly for animal control to show up.

The temple services concluded, and some congregants helped to safely coordinate the cars leaving the parking lot, while I kept L'Chaim occupied by playing tug with an old leash.

The rabbi and a few other people refused to leave me waiting alone on the streets of Newark. We waited and I called again. I was told it would take another 1-2 hours. The devout men continued on their vigil helping the girl who was helping the dog, as they prepared for the following day's services.

Animal control finally arrived at 11pm. That's good news temporarily, but this isn't where the story ends; it's just beginning.

Pitbulls, even a super friendly one found in front of a religious place of workshop on a high holiday - will likely leave a shelter as a lifeless body in a black garbage bag if we don't do something to change his fate.

So, I write to you today to ask for your help. This is our chance together to save this dog and perform our first "mitvah" - or good deed - of the Jewish New Year.

Will you donate even a small amount for L'Chaim's rescue? We need your help, as L'Chaim needs veterinary care and temporary boarding.

L'Chaim is also in search of a foster home or a rescue group who will love and care for him until a permanent home is found.

To make a tax-deductible donation online or by mail, please visit www.sheltershowcase.com and click on Donate. For more information on L'Chaim, or if you are interested in adopting L'Chaim, please email beth@sheltershowcase.com or call 973 812 PAWS (7297).

For more pictures and a short video of L'Chaim, please visit here

Many thanks,

Beth Mersten
Shelter Showcase
www.sheltershowcase.com
"Helping People. Helping Pets."

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