A Dog Named Cocaine

A few weeks ago I saw a very skinny dog running loose in a parking lot. I pulled in to try to get her off the street.

I noticed 2 other ladies trying to catch her so I pulled over next to them. One of the ladies was the manager of the store there. The other was the dog's owner.

The owner seemed off and was halfheartedly trying to catch the dog. So I got out and the dog ran up to me and I held onto her. Then the manager pulled me aside.

She told me that the owner was a homeless addict who was living in the woods behind the store with the dog. The dog clearly hadn't had much to eat in a while.

So the manager then turns to the lady and says, "This guy takes in dogs sometimes, why don't you let him take her?"

The owner replies, "Yeah, I can't really take care of her anyway. Her name is Cocaine." And then walks off.

The manager thanked me and then I got back into the car and headed home with a new dog.

She immediately got in my lap, laid on my chest and put her head on my shoulder like she was exhausted and thankful.

I told her she was getting a new name and called her "Grace" because that's what God does for us. Picks us up out of a bad situation, gives us a new name and sets us on a new path.

Once I got her cleaned up, I started to post her to some local rescues and adoption pages and to social media to try and find her forever home. The post got a lot of likes and shares but very few wanted to take on that responsibility and commitment. Then a retired Veteran reached out saying that he would love to have her. I actually know this Veteran and how much he loves his pets so I thought "Wow, I couldn't ask for a better outcome!"

The thing is, he lives in Washington and I live in South Carolina. He can drive but not great distances and the closest airport to him is nearly 3 hours away. So, after talking to him on the phone and trying to come up with other ways of transport, it came down to me making the trip to him. Which brings me to GoFundMe.

I am an average guy working an average 8-5 job. A few years ago I started into animal rescue just out of my own passion and love for animals. It is not something I get paid to do. I pay for everything out of pocket which gets very expensive. I rehabilitate, rehome and foster any that come across my path. This year I am starting a business so that I can further my rescue work. That requires a lot of saving. In the meantime, I can't say no to an animal in need.

I would love to be able to get Grace to this Veteran who I know will love her the way she deserves and who would be great for him as well as he just lost one of his canine companions recently. But I can't do it without some help.

All of the money raised is going to this. I'm not recouping any for myself. This money will help pay for a rental car and gas and basic travel expense. I will be sleeping in the car and even found someone to drive with me so that we can get there and back as quickly as possible and not have to rent the car any longer than necessary.

Please consider helping me give this dog a new life and help a Veteran at the same time.

Thank you