From Frightened to Fearless: The Heartwarming Journey of Rescue Paws 4 Furry Hearts
It was a cool October evening in 2010 when Sandra McGlynn’s life was about to take an unexpected turn. As she walked through the doors of Miami-Dade Animal Services, she had no idea that the scruffy pup she was about to meet would become her new furry soulmate, and the catalyst for an incredible rescue journey.
A Hesitant Beginnings
Growing up, Sandra had always been more of a cat person. In fact, she had even been bitten by her family’s German Shepherd, leaving her wary of dogs. But when her son Patrick, 8, and daughter Lauren, 5, begged her to foster a dog, she couldn’t resist.
“I was actually planning to give the dog, named Cutie, to a boy at my school where I work as a counselor,” Sandra recalls. “But Cutie had other plans. She followed me everywhere, never leaving my side.”
One day, Sandra came home from the gym to find Cutie waiting by the front door, having stayed there for over two hours until her return. “I told my husband with tears in my eyes, ‘No one has ever waited for me like that before,'” Sandra says, her voice trembling with emotion. “At that point, I knew I could never say goodbye to this precious dog who had shown me so much unconditional love in just one week.”
A Foster Failure No More
Cutie, now renamed Ashes, had found her forever home. Sandra’s hesitation toward dogs had melted away, replaced by a deep, unwavering love. This transformative experience sparked a newfound passion within her – a desire to help other abandoned and neglected animals find the same happiness and belonging.
“After I adopted Ashes, I found a big interest in helping the other dogs in the shelter,” Sandra explains. “I would visit the shelter, take pictures of the abandoned dogs, and post them on Facebook to help them find homes. I even took training at the shelter so I could volunteer and become a foster for Miami-Dade Animal Services.”
A Schnauzer Surprise
Sandra’s next foster adventure came when she saw a post about a gorgeous Schnauzer in need of a home. Determined to help, she drove miles to meet the pup, taking Ashes along to see how they would get along. While the Schnauzer, named Kyle, wasn’t the right fit for Ashes, Sandra spotted another Schnauzer in the pen – one that was easy to overlook.
“He had horrific grooming, full of patches, and looked very nervous and afraid,” Sandra remembers. “I thought, ‘Why not see how this guy does with Ashes?’ Much to my surprise, they did not do too badly.” Without hesitation, Sandra asked to foster the Schnauzer, whom she later named Kyle, and within a week, he had become a permanent part of her family.
A Diabetic Rescue
Sandra’s rescue journey continued to unfold when she received a text from Stefanie Miller, the founder of Saving Grace and Her Furry Friends Rescue. Stefanie had come across a beautiful white Schnauzer at the shelter, and the owners wanted him euthanized because he was diabetic.
“My heart was breaking for this dog because I was able to relate with him, since my mom also suffered from diabetes, and I had gone through some tough times with her due to her illness,” Sandra explains. Without hesitation, she agreed to foster the Schnauzer, whom she renamed Bentley.
Rushing Bentley to the vet, Sandra learned that his insulin levels were dangerously high, and he also had pancreatitis. “I made a commitment to help stabilize his sugar, and with time, his pancreatitis was gone and his sugar was under control,” she says.
After fostering Bentley for about five months, Sandra knew she couldn’t part with him. “I struggled with Bentley’s health, but I made a commitment to care for him as long as God wanted him to stay in my life,” she says. “He gave me five amazing and memorable years, and I wouldn’t change one thing about my time with him.”
Spreading Her Wings
In 2014, Sandra volunteered for a year with Saving Grace and Her Furry Friends Rescue, helping to save countless dogs. “Even though this experience can be very heart-wrenching and emotionally and physically draining, I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” she says. “It is very rewarding, and I have met many wonderful and giving people along the way.”
Inspired by her experiences, Sandra decided to take a leap of faith in May 2015 and start her own animal rescue, Rescue Paws 4 Furry Hearts. The first litter she rescued came from a trailer park in Miami, where all six puppies were heavily infested with ticks.
“It took a few days to ensure all the ticks were gone, but once they were, the puppies were healthy and thriving,” Sandra says. “They were sadly separated from their mother at four weeks, and many of them saw me as their mommy.”
One puppy in particular, Justice, had a special bond with Sandra. “He had multiple meet-and-greets, and all of them fell through,” she explains. “I could not seem to find the perfect home for my sweet Justice. I already had three dogs, and I knew my husband did not want a fourth. But the bond I had created with Justice was unbreakable, so I decided to keep him.”
A Forever Family
Today, Sandra’s family of four-legged friends continues to grow, each with their own unique story and special needs. After the heartbreaking loss of Bentley in 2019, Sandra welcomed Beauty, a fearful and insecure dog she had rescued previously, back into her home.
“She had already formed a very special bond with me, and it was not fair to her to keep shuffling her around to different foster homes,” Sandra says. “She was getting along great with my other three dogs, which rarely happens, and was already making herself at home. So, after some reflection, I decided to keep her and finally give her the loving forever home she so greatly deserved.”
Sandra’s passion for rescue work continues to burn brightly, and she is excited to embark on the next chapter of her journey with Rescue Paws 4 Furry Hearts. “I would like to use my talents, tenacity, and strong will to continue to work with Miami-Dade and Broward County Animal Shelters, helping homeless, neglected dogs get rehabilitated and vetted, and find them forever homes,” she says.
The Power of Rescue: Transforming Lives, One Furry Friend at a Time
At the heart of Rescue Paws 4 Furry Hearts is a simple, yet powerful belief: every animal deserves a second chance. Through their tireless efforts, Sandra and her team have witnessed firsthand the incredible transformations that can occur when a rescued pet finds their forever home.
The Pet Rescue, the organization’s website, serves as a hub for their rescue missions, showcasing the stories of the animals they’ve saved and the families they’ve united.
Overcoming Obstacles, Changing Lives
One such story is that of Sparky, the diabetic Schnauzer who was surrendered to the shelter with no insulin and the wrong food. When Sandra learned of his plight, she immediately knew she had to act.
“I could not get him off my mind,” she recalls. “I asked God if I am meant to help this boy, then so be it. It is in your hands now.” After rushing Sparky, now named Bentley, to the vet and receiving a crash course on insulin management, Sandra’s dedication and unwavering care paid off. Bentley’s sugar levels stabilized, and his pancreatitis eventually resolved.
“He taught me so many valuable lessons, but the most important lesson I learned from him was that no matter what cards we are dealt in life, we must embrace every moment with grace and with appreciation and love in abundance,” Sandra reflects. “Don’t let unfortunate situations bring you down, because life is too short to live it unhappy.”
Fostering Connections, Building Families
The transformative power of rescue extends beyond the animals themselves, touching the lives of the families who welcome these furry friends into their homes. At Rescue Paws 4 Furry Hearts, the team understands that the bond between a pet and their human is truly special, and they work tirelessly to create lasting matches.
Take the story of Justice, the puppy who captured Sandra’s heart. Despite multiple failed meet-and-greets, Sandra knew she couldn’t let him go. “He had become my second shadow,” she explains. “Letting him go would not only break his heart, but it would also break mine.” Justice’s unwavering loyalty and infectious personality have made him an integral part of the McGlynn family, enriching their lives in ways they never could have imagined.
Educating, Advocating, Inspiring
Rescue Paws 4 Furry Hearts is more than just a rescue organization – it’s a beacon of hope for animals in need and a catalyst for change in the community. Through their work, Sandra and her team educate the public about the importance of adoption, responsible pet ownership, and the harsh realities faced by shelter animals.
“We want to inspire others to get involved, whether it’s by fostering, volunteering, or simply sharing the stories of the animals we rescue,” Sandra says. “Every act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a world of difference in the life of a homeless pet.”
A Future Filled with Possibility
As Rescue Paws 4 Furry Hearts continues to grow, Sandra and her team are brimming with excitement for the future. Their goal is to expand their reach, partnering with more local and national shelters to save even more lives.
“The future of Rescue Paws 4 Furry Hearts holds many amazing things to come,” Sandra says, her eyes sparkling with determination. “I would like to use my talents, tenacity, and strong will to continue to work with Miami-Dade and Broward County Animal Shelters, helping homeless, neglected dogs get rehabilitated and vetted, and find them forever homes.”
With a heart full of love and a unwavering commitment to making a difference, Sandra and Rescue Paws 4 Furry Hearts are poised to embark on an even greater journey of rescue, rehabilitation, and the uniting of families, one furry friend at a time.
