Despite not knowing it at the time, Molly Wogan, then 12 years old, met a dog while helping at a shelter who would go on to influence the lives of dozens of other rescue pets.
Two years ago, it all began at Cape Ann Animal Aid in Massachusetts. While working there with her family as a volunteer, Molly fell in love with Mama Grace right away.
However, Mindy Wogan, Molly’s mother, wasn’t first sold on the black Lab mix. When the crew asked her if she could take out just one more dog, Mama Grace, she said, “we were about to leave at the end of our shift, even had our coats on.”
They reported that she was a little hyper in her cage and was refusing to use the restroom.
She grew when they took her outside. She was happy and playful, Mindy Wogan remarked. “Not at all like how she acted in her kennel. She would sprint toward me before stopping short, sitting down at my feet, and simply gazing up at me with her gloomy, sorrowful eyes. She was incredible.
The Wogans informed the shelter they would foster Mama Grace and give her a respite from the kennel by taking her home for a few days. The dog got in the back seat alongside Molly as soon as they were in the car.
When Mama Grace got to Molly’s house, the dog immediately settled in and cuddled up to everyone. It pleased Molly’s parents and brother that she blended in so well.
After three days, it was agreed that Mama Grace would remain. On the way home, Mindy Wogan recalled, “I felt in my heart that she was going to be ours, but I didn’t admit it to anyone quite yet.”
Mindy began reading Mama Grace’s paperwork as she settled in. EARL’s Hope Rescue in Georgia’s SueAnn Eady left a note for her that explained Mama Grace’s tragic past. Mindy Wogan cried when she read the letter.
Animal control officers in Georgia had found Mama Grace as a stray dog and had taken her in after suspecting she had been struck by a car. She was pregnant, 20 pounds underweight, and emaciated. She went into labour a few hours after being dropped off at the neighbourhood shelter.
The shelter sent a frantic request to rescue organisations to save the family. Eady had rushed over to grab them. They were all fighting for their lives while ill with pneumonia.
Due of the kindness with which Eady treated her puppies despite their extreme illness, she dubbed the dog Mama Grace and provided round-the-clock care for them.
The puppies were adopted when they were old enough. But Mama Grace remained with Eady, who tenderly cared for her recovery. Eady sent Mama Grace to Cape Ann Animal Aid when she was healthy so she might find her own family in New England.
Mindy and Molly were so moved by Mama Grace’s amazing tale that they immediately emailed Eady and gave her pictures to let her know the puppy had a new home and was loved. Mindy Wogan said, “I thanked her for giving her up, and I told her we would take good care of her.
Eady stayed in touch with Mindy and Molly and informed them of the enormous number of dogs in Georgia shelters who were in danger.
Molly needed to finish a volunteer activity as part of her bat mitzvah preparations shortly after adopting Mama Grace. She created the P.A.W.S Project Foundation to raise money in order to save additional dogs like Mama Grace.
