From the time of birth, every parent seeks to identify parts of her/himself in their offspring. Shared traits between parents and their children can be obvious or subtle, inherited or developed. As a child grows and matures, it becomes easier to recognize your own self in them. We consciously or unconsciously compare our children- them to us and visa versa. It’s human nature! “She has my eyes” or “he sounds just like his Dad.” We all are guilty and derive some sort of satisfaction when we can see parts of us in other family members as it strengthens a sense of family and belonging together.

My youngest daughter is 28 years old. If our similarities and differences are drawn as circles in a Venn diagram, those who know both my daughter and me could predict with pinpoint accuracy the shared traits where our circles intersect. Our physical traits are dissimilar…dark brown eyes and similar facial expressions are about it. I am short, she is tall. My hair was blond at her age, while hers is brunette. Personality? We are both extroverts and could find someone to talk to within 10 minutes if dropped in the middle of the Sahara Desert. Talents? We are both artistic, with my talent focused on music while hers includes amazing artwork in several different mediums.

In a Venn diagram illustrating our traits, the point of union in the center is, without question, identical. And that identical characteristic is an overwhelming need to rescue the mistreated, the exploited, the outcast or abandoned, especially when it comes to animals. I like to believe that everyone is born with the seed of compassion that can grow and develop over a lifetime, if properly tended and fed. The love and compassion my daughter and I share for animals is immeasurable, and perhaps one of our strongest, shared traits.

I admit it….I started the whole thing….I am completely responsible. Before my daughter was born, I was rescuing strays, mainly cats. As she grew, so did her compassion for the neglected or unwanted. Animals started appearing in her bedroom that she’d rescued. Two guinea pigs, a snake, and a stash of kitten food and toys hidden in her bathroom in anticipation of adopting a kitten (without me knowing) that “needed a home”. Never mind that we already owned a rescued hamster, and a significant collection of 5 cats that would sometime swell to as many as 6 or 7.

American pit bull terriers, or the more recognizable name of the breed, pit bulls, are often the victims of undeserved prejudice. Because of the negative publicity the dogs receive in media reports covering illegal dog fighting rings and dog attacks, the aggressive behavior that irresponsible owners encourage in the pit bulls is almost universally attributed to ALL dogs of this breed. This is totally unfair!

Stormy does not only describe the weather at the time this saga began. It’s the name of a dog who was dumped at an abandoned house behind my daughter’s property. The dog was discovered fenced in, without food or water. So as not to trespass, and not knowing the dog’s temperament, my daughter had to bide her time and simply fed and watered Stormy as best she could. After several days, a relative of the property showed up and was going to just let the dog run free to get rid of her. The “compassion for the neglected and unwanted” bullseye of the Venn diagram was instantly hit. Jumping into action, my daughter retrieved a wire crate from her house, and she negotiated the help of the unsuspecting relative to corral the dog into the crate. They carried it to her fenced backyard….and Stormy was let free in the safe enclosure.

Then the call came in….”Mommm! I have to help this dog!” Within 10 minutes of releasing the pit bull in her backyard, the dog discovered a safe spot in my daughter’s lap, washing her face with continuous licks. Nevermind that she currently lived in a small, restored bungalow that was already home to a large dog, a rescued cat and a bunny. She discovered an animal in need, a pitbull that most would shun, and sprang into action like Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

It didn’t take long for my daughter to find out that the dog was a repeat surrender to the County Animal Control. Unfortunately this often happens when owners either can’t afford pet food/vet bills, or can’t be bothered with the responsibility of their pet’s care. Animal control came and took the dog, which was required due to the dog’s history. In fact, the dog had a reputation of being “aggressive”, so they would euthanize the animal within a couple of days if my daughter could not find a new home for her. The clock was ticking.

After talking to administrative personnel in the department of animal control, it was discovered that the “aggressiveness” was a misinterpretation by staff, and the dog had never hurt or barked aggressively at anyone. Strike one for the Pitbull breed….again, unfair! Next my daughter determined that the ONLY way to guarantee that the dog wouldn’t be euthanized was to identify the owner, and get them to surrender the dog to her…..which she did.

When my daughter arrived at the animal shelter, ownership papers in hand, Stormy lept into her arms as he knew my girl was his ticket out of there, and to a brand new start to life….a wonderful life that all dogs deserve!

Fast forward a couple of tense days in a desperate search for a new forever home for Stormy. Her wish came true. A family who had owned pitbulls for a long time recently lost one. They reached out through reliable rescue/adoption sites, and my daughter connected with them. This was a family with teenage boys, who were experienced with pitbulls, and they had the perfect lifestyle to devote time and energy to incorporating Stormy into their lives. They made a trial visit to Stormy, along with their current dog, and it was licks and belly scratches all around!! A couple of days later, Stormy, who in the meantime was renamed was collected and driven across town to begin a new life with a loving, devoted family.

One can never choose how their children will look, think or behave as they mature into independent, self-sustaining adults. Many times I look at the outward differences in my girls (now both adult women) and while the physical similarities are few, the deeper unseen traits we share are crystal clear both to us and those who know us well. These traits….compassion, empathy, and the willingness to go out of the way to help those in need, especially defenseless animals, make me extremely proud.

Not everyone can take the time or has the ability to go to the lengths my daughter did to rescue the dog. But I encourage everyone to please take the time to notice situations, reserve judgement simply because a dog is a certain breed, and call rescue groups that are able to provide the resources to help those who can not help themselves. Most importantly, teach your children responsible care and concern for the well-being of all animals. Stormy thanks you!