Luke is a 4–year–old Golden Retriever that was given up by his tearful elderly owners when they could no longer afford to have a dog.
Pixie was snatched from death row just before her time was up by a caring Cause 4 Paws volunteer.
Cosmo has been at the shelter a very long time. He is a lab mix and was found tied to a pole at the shelter on a very cold morning.
Although Luke, Pixie and Cosmo all have different stories, they have one thing in common.
Their stories, along with the bios of nearly 35 other dogs, are featured on the Tree of Hope – a Christmas tree that offers community members the chance to sponsor a dog available for adoption at four local humane societies and rescue organizations.
"People can come in and pick whatever dog they want to sponsor," said Shelley Becker, owner of Hungry Hound in St. John, where the Tree of Hope is located. "With a minimum of a $15 donation, they get to keep the ornament with them as a keepsake of their generosity."
Whether they were found wandering the streets or were given up by owners who could not or would not care for them, the dogs who are pictured on the Tree of Hope all have a story of survival to share. Though they have found temporary homes at shelters or through rescue organizations, the groups that rescued them are in need of funds to continue feeding and housing the dogs until they find their permanent homes.
A donation form is available online at hungryhound.com/tree–of–hope, and the amount donated will go to the specific dog featured on the tree that is chosen. "The tree will be up until New Year's so people can download the form online and send in their donation to Hungry Hound, or bring it in and choose a photo off the tree as a symbol of their helping homeless animals this holiday season," said Linda Martis, an obedience trainer at Hungry Hound.
Martis, who approached Becker with the idea of having a Tree of Hope this year, was particularly touched by the story of Maggie, a Dachshund mix that Martis deemed her own personal Christmas miracle project.
Maggie was left in an outdoor run at the shelter over night and found by shelter staff the next morning. To make matters worse, she had cataracts, so she had limited sight.
When the owners were contacted through information found on Maggie's rabies tag, the owners said they didn't want her because they couldn't afford to pay for her cataract surgery.
At 6 years old, Maggie found herself not only in need of a new home, but surgery as well.
"I have all but $500 to take care of her surgery," said Martis, who set out on a mission to raise funds for Maggie.
The 10–pound loveable dog will have surgery sometime in January, Martis said.
"There are a lot of good people out there and this is truly the season of miracles," she said. "I know we'll get the other $500 by the time her surgery date comes around."
Four organizations are participating in the Tree of Hope program: Clay County Humane Society, Cause 4 Paws Rescue, Petite Paws Rescue Angels and Last Chance Rescue.
"I've always been looking for ways to help," Becker said. "I know one of the biggest issues rescues and humane societies have right now is that they don't have enough volunteers to go out and promote awareness."
To sponsor a dog on the Tree of Hope, go to Hungry Hound, located at 8243 Wicker Ave., St. John. A donation form is available online as well, which can be brought to the store or mailed in with the donation. For more information, call (219) 365–5543 or go to hungryhound.com.
