Bichon Frise
Salute: Meet Robin and Jack Gray
Note from Website co-owner Tom Antion
I'm pretty much considered a
hard core businessman. I work 16 hours a day on my very
successful Internet business and I think profit all the
time. I take care of my obligations and once in a while
I donate a little to a good cause although I rarely give
much of myself. I'm telling you this to prepare you for
an enormous contrast that was put in my face when I met
Robin and Jack Gray. I have never in my life met such
selfless people as this lovely couple who live in rural
Virginia. As I see it they have pretty much given up any
type of normal lives for themselves to make many
helpless little souls have a better existence while here
on earth. Below is a brief version of their story:
Since 1994, 200 abused and abandoned dogs in
Virginia have regained their health and found
loving homes thanks to Robin and Jack Gray. Their
first rescue was a little dog found chained to a
fence at a local vet's office during a storm one
night. He was so sick he couldn't stand. The
rescues have continued and today they are
caretakers of approximately 20 dogs a year plus 8-10 unadoptable residents.
They specialize in Bichon Frises because they know
and love the breed,
having worked with them for 25 years.
It's a monumental job caring for that number of dogs
in their home. As
Robin says, "I work full time, I rescue full time,
and then I sleep."
They rarely go anywhere together for more than a few
hours, arranging
their schedule so that one of them is always home to
oversee the dogs.
To accomplish all the work involved, each focuses on
one area. Jack
does 90% of the daily physical care while Robin
handles the rescues,
interviewing potential adopters, adopter's problems,
paperwork and
PR.
It has been a challenge to financially care for the
dogs' needs (ongoing expenses for food, supplies,
and vet care - with vet care requiring the most). In
the beginning, all of Robin's part-time salary was
used for the dogs' expenses. Now the rescue has
501(c)3 status which means they qualify as a tax-deductable
organization which encourages more people to donate.
Their web site,
http://www.Virginiabichonrescue.org helps get
information out to connect dogs and adopters,
and encourages donations of supplies and money.
Persons in states other than Virginia interested in
adopting or donating can access pertinent
information at
www.bichonrescue.org
Across the country, devoted, caring people like
Robin and Jack are
making a difference in the lives of hundreds of
emotionally vulnerable and physically injured little
dogs. The deserve our admiration and support.
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