The Brothers Magoo

Ray and Shadow are two black dogs from Los Angeles. That�s about all they have in common other than both sharing a home with Gregory and me. Ray (Ray-Ray) is a 12-pound blind Chihuahua and Shadow is a giant, galumphing, German shepherd who likes to put poor Ray-Ray in his mouth. Shadow weighs in at around 90 pounds although his generally affable klutziness leaves the impression of a 150-pounder when he steps on your foot � and I mean impression quite literally.

Ray-Ray, who occasionally gets creamed by Shadow when the big guy crashes around, is pretty self-assured and generally in charge of the relationship. He makes that throaty little squirrel growl that Chihuahuas do so well and Shadow dutifully backs off.

They are an unintentionally and only occasionally irritating (like when I�m on the phone) comedy duo � an unlikely pair of rescues whose life paths happened to cross in our living room. Shadow gallops. Ray-Ray toddles. Shadow�s baritone bark rattles the windows. Ray-Ray�s soprano rattles his own throat and not much more. They are the Magoo brothers. Ray-Ray, like Mr. Magoo, can�t see where he�s going but always comes out fine. Shadow, like Mr. Magoo is oblivious of the chaos he leaves in his wake and always comes out fine.

I love them both and I especially love how they have formed a happy, mutually dependent and supportive relationship. Typical of most rescued pets, they exude gratitude for a second chance at life and more than pay their keep with affection, laughs and the immense satisfaction of knowing that we were able to give these two wonderful guys a home.

The thought that Shadow and Ray might just as easily have ended up being hauled out the back door of some shelter on a trolley of bodies is a disturbing and haunting image. Yet it�s a fate that befalls 9,000 homeless pets every day. The injustice, tragedy and just plain waste of life of that fact are what power our movement. But that thought and those images are crazy making. They lead to stress and burnout, which do no good whatsoever for animals like Ray-Ray and Shadow.

And that�s another great thing about those two. They make me smile and keep me sane.

So that�s Ray and Shadow. They remind me every day of why we work to Save Them All.

How about you? I�d love to hear some quick snippets of your rescued motivators. Please chime in on the comments.

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Julie Castle

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

Best Friends Animal Society

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


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Best Friends Animal Society

Best Friends is a nonprofit organization building no-kill programs and partnerships nationwide, all coordinated from our Kanab, Utah headquarters - the largest no-kill sanctuary for homeless companion animals.

At the core of our work is the dream that one day kindness will replace cruelty, and animals will no longer be destroyed because they are unwanted or imperfect. Spaying and neutering will be the rule for all pets and adoption from local animal shelters and rescues will be the first option for everyone. Those same shelters and rescues will have the knowledge and resources to help rehabilitate special-needs animals and find the right family for every animal.

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