Disclaimer: I am not trying to spark a debate and do not wish to hear negative comments, I simply want to express my passion and share my knowledge to help people understand why I choose to help homeless dogs from the Middle East.
Every year our rescue helps a handful of dogs from Lebanon and every year I get asked over and over, “Why Lebanon?” My answer is always the same, “Why not Lebanon?” A couple of years ago, I was asked by one of our veterinarians if I would be willing to take in a few dogs from Lebanon and find them homes in the US. Our vet was going there to help with spay and neuter education and to perform dozens of surgeries on homeless rescued cats and dogs for a rescue group called Animals Lebanon. Veterinary care is not what it is here in the States and often times their rescued animals suffered and died due to lack of quality health care.
Naturally I was curious. The sad stories of the dogs there broke my heart. I learned that the country has no animal welfare laws and cats and dogs are extremely overpopulated and living on the streets. Because they have no protection or rights, people often abuse and neglect their animals in Lebanon. It is common for dogs and cats to be poisoned, shot and hit by cars and left to suffer there. This is how people deal with the over population issue. Another issue is the common cultural or religious belief that dogs are unclean and cannot be touched or be inside your home. Also, most people in Beirut live in small apartments and cannot care for large breed dogs, which are among the most common that end up on the streets suffering. Basically, a mixed breed dog over thirty pounds stands a very slim chance of finding a good home in Lebanon. Cats are so overpopulated you see them on every corner. People are desensitized to the suffering of animals. Many children are raised to believe animal abuse is the norm and are not taught compassion for animals. Thankfully there are some who care very much about the animals there.
Animals Lebanon, a non-profit animal rescue located in Beirut, Lebanon, was founded in 2008 in order to protect animals through legislation, education, campaigns and rescue. Animals Lebanon “believes that the welfare of all animals matters, and [we] are committed to bringing about a time when these beliefs are embraced by society and Lebanon is recognized as a leader in animal welfare.” They have established an adoption center for rescued companion animals, enabling them to re-home over 700 cats and dogs. They are also working with the World Animal Health Organization and the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture to draft and enact national animal welfare legislation as well. This group is amazing and are an inspiration to all animal rescuers.
Maggie Shaarawi, Vice President of Animals Lebanon and Janelle Crum, President of Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue with rescue Eva from Beirut, Lebanon. (Summer 2012)
The first group of dogs that came to Hearts of Hope Dog Rescue from Lebanon were so appreciative to be given attention and love. It was something they had obviously never known before. Seeing these dogs that had been abandoned or abused learn how to play with toys, learn basic commands and figure out what it means to be someone’s dog was extremely rewarding. They soon became “real dogs” you could say. The instinct was there, but they had no one to belong to that could love them and teach them.
One dog I will never forget because the transformation in him was incredible was Chippers, the male adult German Shepherd mix that belonged to an officer that kept him tied to a tank, living outdoors, eating only what scraps he was thrown and was rescued when being attacked by two other dogs. The owner was standing by pointing and laughing while Chippers was bitten over and over until he had puncture wounds all over body. His spirit was so broken and it was not in his character to be aggressive, so he just took the beating. Luckily, one of the directors of Animals Lebanon heard Chippers’ cries and came to his aide. She pleaded with the officer to let her take him to the vet to have his wounds treated and she would return him. He reluctantly agreed. The next day she went back and told him unfortunately Chippers had died. She didn’t have the heart to return him to a life of abuse. Chippers has spent the last two years in his wonderful home in Rockford, MI with his adoring owners doting on him.
Chippers when rescued in Beirut, Lebanon. (2012)
Chippers was so broken when he came to the states that he barely lifted his head. When I took him to the vet they could not believe the amount of pain he must have been silently enduring with the injuries he sustained. We did x-rays and his body was full of pellets that lit up like Christmas tree lights on the x-rays. He had broken toes that went untreated and was hypothyroid making his skin very dry and his coat coarse. He looked like he had been to Hell and back, which we found out, he had.
Chippers and Animals Lebanon volunteer, Safaa Hojeij. (2012)
With some inexpensive medication, patience, love and understanding, Chippers soon became a happy, social, loving dog. It was like he never gave up hope on humanity though he had every reason to. His sweet soul, his unconditional love and his unfaltering loyalty is the reason I love dogs so much. What an amazing creature he is. If you tell me dogs do not know how to love, you are wrong because Chippers sure loves his family.
Chippers in foster care. (2012)
Chippers and his mom Danielle. (2012)
Another dog that impacted my life was Eva. She was a street mutt that was lucky to have a caretaker that fed her and gave her water though she lived on the street. One day he came outside to find her crying and bleeding. She had been shot in the face, right between the eyes with a pellet gun. Eva loves people and probably walked right up to the person that shot her to say hello. Unfortunately, the trauma to Eva’s eyes left her permanently blind. Not only was she in pain and suffering, but she was extremely pregnant. Animals Lebanon came to her aide and were able to save her life and the lives of her pups. She had her puppies the same day she was shot and though she was blinded and recovering from her wounds, she was still a loving mother to her pups.
Eva and pups when rescued. (2012)
Eva came to the States with her puppies and Hearts of Hope found them all wonderful homes. Eva was the first disabled dog I ever fostered and she was amazing. She learned the floor plan of my house in no time. She adapted very quickly to being blind. She was house trained and loved attention from people, especially giving hugs. I still miss her hugs. Eva also had extremely bad separation anxiety and did a lot of damage to my house. Eva did not like to be left alone at all. She would cry and try to chew her way out of the house to find you. I feared I would have to keep her because who would adopt a dog with a disability AND bad separation anxiety?
Eva and her pups in Beirut, Lebanon. (2012)
Not long after Eva got to the US, a woman and her daughter came to one of our adoption events and knowing nothing about Eva and her tragic story they fell in love with her. Eva’s mom is a teacher for the blind and had an immediate understanding of Eva’s special needs. I will never forget her home visit and how incredible it was. She’s happily adopted in Spring Lake, MI and I could not have found her a more wonderful family.
Eva and her family. (Summer 2012)
There are many many more dogs like these that I have had the honor of helping. They all have a special place in my heart. I have been to Beirut, Lebanon four times to bring home dogs and several volunteers have come to Michigan with dogs for us to help over the last couple years. My relationship with Animals Lebanon is such a huge blessing for these dogs. The trips are funded by Animals Lebanon donors that sponsor the dogs to help give them a better life and they surely do.
Animal overpopulation is a global crisis. To me, it does not matter what city, state, or country our rescue dogs come from. They are homeless and need help. If I have the means to help them, why shouldn’t I? What harm does it do? Hearts of Hope rescues countless dogs from county shelters in Michigan and a couple other states. To me, they are all wonderful dogs that need homes no matter where they originated.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion and of course I do not fault anyone for wanting to focus their efforts locally. I love helping out local shelters, too. I simply choose to open my heart to these dogs as well. I guess you could say my love for homeless mutts knows know boundaries. Their breed, size, age, or zip code makes no difference to me. I am a dog lover and I love them all!!!
Click here to watch Chippers’ adoption
Click here to see my follow-up visit with Eva
Janelle Crum
President & Founder
(616) 366-8455
Rescue Dogs Rock 