Mud Day! Written by the PACK Program
The backdrop was ugly and covered with three fences of razor wire. There were twenty cameras, a patrol vehicle outside the fence, and an officer standing watch over us. We wore oranges as we had lost our freedom for various crimes, but at this moment we were free men.
Herbie posing for his photos
With his butt lowered and tail tucked for aerodynamics he shot forward across the large football sized recreation yard. He shifted gears quickly from first to second and then to third. He was maxed out in seconds as he hit the pond at 30 miles per hour! Water and mud splashed high and wide as Herbie scooted and darted across the freshly made rain pond. His once glistening white fur coat was now a speckled mess of mud. If dogs could smile—Herbie was beaming!
The warm rays of the sun began peeking through the clouds as we watched dog after dog splish-splash in the pond and roll in the mud. The sheer fun and excitement that coursed through our dogs wiped away any frustration or worry of having to give them a bath.
As I stood there with my friends and fellow dog handlers I knew that this was a moment that I forever wanted to remember. It was a feeling that I wish I could hold onto indefinitely. Like a hug, I squeezed the moment as tight and for as long as I could, because I knew it would only last for a brief time.
The backdrop faded and all we saw and experienced in that moment was sheer joy. We were with friends enjoying a moment as monumental as any on the free side of life. Fence or no fence the moment couldn’t have been any better. I stood with men that I have learned to value, appreciate, and deeply respect. We stood with our boss who sees us as human beings and we watched our dogs have one of the best days of their lives. It was a worthy moment to be felt, recognized, and forever cherished. For that short hour we were not inmates or the scum of the earth. In that moment we were free men enjoying every minute of life! Dogs truly are man’s best friend as they have a way of bringing the best out of us. And truth be told, we get to have hundreds of moments like these thanks to the dogs we get to train.
The PACK Program handlers and their dogs
Rescue dogs and inmates have a lot in common. Many of us are broken and hurt and just need a second chance. The dogs that we get from Black Dog Animal Rescue have taught us far more than we have ever taught them. By helping the scared “Lucy” dogs of the world we learn compassion. By helping the strong-willed “Brady” dogs of the world we learn leadership skills. By helping the baying “Daryl” hound dogs of life we learn great patience! It is the great exchange of love where we learn and grow to our potential.
Lucy
Daryl
Brady
We are incredibly thankful and honored to be a part of such an amazing program. We are thankful that we can give back to our communities in some way. Knowing that the dogs we train and work with for two months straight, 24/7, get to share a lifetime of smiles with their new families in their new forever homes is priceless.
We all extend our thanks and appreciation for all you do, and we especially appreciated the pizza, hot wings, and soda that you provided! It was another moment that we will cherish. It is good to be rewarded for hard work. It is another life lesson that many of us wished we had learned a long time ago. Thanks for giving us, once, scruffy men a second chance by allowing us to help these scruffy dogs with their second chance!
Sincerely, The P.A.C.K. Program
We’re looking for a 2022 PACK Sponsor
The PACK Program sponsorship is $5,000/year and helps to provide the food and tools the handlers need to care for and train these rescue dogs. This sponsorship receives benefits including logo/name on all PACK certificates, in our newsletters and on our website. To learn about all of the benefits (including at events) please email Emilee@bdar.org
