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Two weeks ago, I kept an animal I was helping pretty much hush-hush. Though animals are my number one concern I do care for the people involved. I’ll just say that there are controlled substances involved in today’s story.

Scratch was brought to my attention by Bobbie Shannon, a rescuer I’ve been associated with for the past 15 years. From what I was told, Scratch is a pit-aussie shepherd mix, but he looks more like a chocolate lab. He is about one year old and has spent most of his life in closed-in places with very little socializing.  

The young lady whose care he was in saw that he had food and water and that was about all the responsibility she took. Her mom is in a wheelchair and in no way could give Scratch what he needed.

When Bobbie contacted me, we saw that he was caught up on all his shots and had blood tests performed to check for any other possible infirmities. Then he went immediately to Dogwood Farms where my dear friends Josh and Astrid put him in their care. Josh was given a check from my fund and asked to work with Scratch as long as it takes. I will keep the checks coming.  

Josh and I have worked together on many cases in the past, and I trust him implicitly with one of my kids. 

Josh informed me that Scratch was a little skittish at first, but Josh just ignored him.  Scratch’s behavior was quite understandable but Josh’s patience paid off and Scratch now comes around for attention. Scratch has been brought back to Landrum Vet to get caught up on his yearly shots and everyone who meets him tells me how sweet he is. 

Bobbie and another dear friend, Danielle Scruggs of Carolina Goldens have teamed up to get Scratch on a web page in hopes that we find Scratch a proper forever home.

The young lady who first had Scratch made it clear that she loved the dog, which I do not doubt at all.

I had an award-winning tale entitled “Love is not Enough” in 2014, and Scratch’s tale is exactly what I was trying to convey in said article.

I thank the Lord for the marvelous support system I have compiled for my kids. With these wonderful people and all of you, we can make a difference.

God bless and thanks for listening.

Leonard Rizzo is the founder of Lennie’s Kids, a nonprofit organization that helps sick and injured animals in the foothills, promotes animal welfare and works to find homes for pets.