Saving Lives With Your Passion

Nellie's inspiring story.

Saving Lives with Your Passion

By Jennifer Ball-Bryant, Best Friends Network

Throughout our days, we see through many, their lack of passion. People are enveloped in their daily routines, thinking of the “same old things”, “seeing the same old things” and “doing the same old things”, day after day.

So many people are consumed in their own actions and reactions, that they rarely stop to consider another life or simply to “smell the roses”. Many people rarely listen to themselves, relating to what they acknowledge, feel or love.
They rarely stop to care for their own life… much less a helpless life in desperate need of saving.

This has become a “way of life” for some, but, a thankful pastime for many, as in the case of my friend, Nellie. She is a person who shares, acknowledges and lives her passions, in the purest effort of making a difference in the life of another.

Nellie’s passion…is doing the works of the Lord. That, my friends, has no limit. She places this first and foremost in her life, and by being one with her passion… she has saved the lives of two helpless dogs that were being neglected.

Nellie lives in a community with visible sight to her neighbors, the Smiths. She had been keeping an eye on the neighbors’ three dogs (2 great Danes and a lab), due to her concern that the general care of these dogs was inhumane.

Through her investigative eyes, she witnessed these beautiful devoted animals being consistently neglected and not receiving the care they should.

Regardless whether the Smiths were at home or out of town, which was often and for long periods of time, the dogs were continually left outside in large unheated, uncovered, metal cages with concrete floors. They were left completely helpless and exposed to all of the elements of the harsh weather, lightening storms and seasonal variations and not to mention, their food and water were exposed to possible contamination.

These large breed dogs were “caged up”, unable to run, play or receive the exercise they needed. The Labrador had been living in the presence of his own feces and urine and the Great Dane would “hold” her expelling, which surely caused her pain and organ trauma. They were helpless and caged with no ability to fend off anything.
Now they did have a care person who stopped by the home to feed, water and let them out 3 times a day - but that was the extent of the care.

Nellie, the neighbors and townspeople were horrified and furious when they were told that the care-taker who was feeding the dogs had noticed that one of the Great Danes was acting ill. The caretaker notified the Smiths and suggested that the dogs be taken to the vet. The Smiths refused, saying that they would be home in two days and that they would take him then. Upon the owners return, the life of this beautiful dog was over.

Everyone was so deeply concerned with this situation that they began to expose the situation in search of an answer and to ensure that this situation would be resolved.

They created such a passionate interest that everyone who knew of this situation began to fight for the lives of these dogs by exhausting all avenues in order to save these helpless beauties from this inhumane treatment.

During this community “outreach”, The Smiths once again left town. They were already on the road and a great distance away when they called Nellie, asking her if she would take care of the dogs and check in on them while they were out of town. They also stated that they had no idea when they would return.

Not only did they already leave town, leaving the dogs outside in the metal cages, but they had made absolutely no prior arrangements for the animals care. Nellie of course agreed, yet this was the last straw.

Nellie contacted many people and affiliations, inquiring what might be done to save these animals. She finally decided to plead with the Smiths’ mother, Betty. She lived nearby and Nellie was friendly with her. Nellie called Betty and she pleaded with Betty to allow her the authority to find suitable homes for the dogs. Betty said she would ask have to ask The Smiths if they would agree to this. Upon her return call to Nellie, they had adamantly refused and stated that they were going to come back to town and get the dogs.

After a while, this claim proved to be untrue. Once again, Nellie contacted Betty with another more forceful plea. Finally, Betty called Nellie and told her that she was granted permission to find a home for the Labrador and that she would take the Great Dane to her home.

Nellie was so happy and relieved that she jumped right on the situation and began to spread the word. Later that evening, a wonderful man called inquiring about the dog. Nellie knew without a doubt… this was God's amazing grace at work. The man came to the home to introduce his dog to the Labrador - it was love at first sight for all of them!

This once neglected precious dog now had a new home, a much deserved loving family, with lots of space to run and play.

Thanks to the works of Nellie and her passion to save a life…. these dogs are now happy, un-caged and in truly caring, loving hands. They are now free to explore and enjoy their passions.

There is a deep passion that burns inside all of us. Please stop… listen to yourself…. acknowledge what you truly care about …learn and expose your passions because you never know when another life will need your passion!