The Milagro Lesson

It was such a delight to meet so many animal lovers from the surrounding communities during our Halloween Open House last Saturday. I could not believe how many people came out to meet me, my feline friends, those crazy canines, and see our new home at Angel Ridge Ranch. It was such a fun day and I was woo’d and oooh’d upon for hours by hundreds of people! I heard many comment about how lucky we are as homeless pets to be in such a fabulous environment. I would have to say I agree.

But what I most wanted to write about was that although we have a fantastic “temporary home” while we wait for our forever homes – that does not mean that the urgency for our adoptions has diminished. Adoptions continue to be on a decline since the pre- economic recession era – but the need is not, in our community and nation-wide. I will share a recent, true, and absolutely amazing story to illustrate the critical necessity for people to continue making room in their hearts and homes for homeless pets.

This story took place in Alabama and involved Daniel, a 5-year-old miracle beagle. Daniel was among 19 other dogs on “death row” in an overcrowded animal shelter on October 3rd that were locked in a gas chamber to be euthanized. When the animal control officer in charge of the operation returned to the locked chamber he found Daniel waiting inside the chamber door, wagging his tail. The other dogs were no longer alive.

The amazing survival of Daniel immediately attracted several animal rescue groups committed to making sure he was not sent back to the gas chamber. This was when “Daniel Milagro” received his name, inspired by the biblical story of Daniel who walked out of a lion's den unscathed, and his last name, meaning miracle in Spanish. Through a string of coordinated rescue groups Daniel arrived at the foster home of a rescue group in New Jersey. He was seen by a veterinarian and received a clean bill of health. His rescuers commented, "Amazingly, not only did he survive the gas chamber which is very rare … he was not sick…it was almost as though angels pulled him out of there and he didn't even breathe the gas."

Daniel’s rescue group is currently sorting through hundreds of emails from interested adopters to determine the best home for him. So, the lesson that I hope the miracle of Daniel brings to us all is this: why wait for a miracle? Yes Daniel survived but 18 others did not and hundreds others do not on a daily basis across the country. Let us all keep doing what we can to eliminate the need for the “gas chamber”. If Daniel’s story moved you to want to adopt a pet in need, now is the time.

Call the Second Chance Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter Financial Assistance, Volunteer & Foster Care, or other Programs. Visit our shelter pets online: www.adoptmountainpets.org. Direct Pet Column questions to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Photos by Real Life Photographs.