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In 2021, Maryland residents Georgia Dodson and Jade Conner started a nonprofit that rescues aging dogs. So far, Miri's Haven Senior Dog Rescue says it has helped more than 280 dogs, all of which are over 7 years old, many with medical issues. Masha Morton has the story.
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((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US Senior Dog Rescue – Morton
HEADLINE: Maryland Residents Run Nonprofit to Save Senior Dogs
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT:11/xx/2023
BYLINE: Masha Morton
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Washington
VIDEOGRAPHER: Alexey Zonov
VIDEO EDITOR: Alexey Zonov, Anna Rice
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Story Hunter
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:08
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
(PLEASE RETURN TO ANNA RICE AND COPY TO HFR PLEASE)
((INTRO))
[[In 2021, Maryland residents Georgia Dodson and Jade Conner started a nonprofit that rescues aging dogs. So far, Miri's Haven Senior Dog Rescue says it has helped more than 280 dogs, all of which are over 7 years old, many with medical issues. Masha Morton has the story.]]
((NARRATION))
((NATS)) ((Georgia holding a pup))
“This is Oswald. He is a character! He was found as a stray…”
((NATS)) ((Georgia holding a dog))
“This one is Biddy. We call her Sheriff Biddy because she likes to keep everyone in line, she’s always in charge.”
((NARRATION))
Over 65 million Americans have a dog at home. But according to a
((Mandatory courtesy: Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue))
Forbes magazine report in 2022, 54% of dog owners regret bringing a dog home.
Some owners give up their dogs because
((End courtesy))
of the constant cleanup, shedding, barking, and cost of dog care while traveling, among other reasons. An estimated 3 million dogs end up in U.S. shelters every year, according to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Dodson and Conner saved one dog that had been seriously abused.
((Mandatory courtesy: Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue))
She had no jaw, weighed only 1.3 kilograms and couldn’t eat or drink.
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((Jade Conner, Miri's Haven Senior Dog Rescue))
And we did find her abusers and put enough pressure on the police department and animal control and then
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the judge to hold those people accountable for what they did to her.”
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((Georgia Dodson, Miri's Haven Senior Dog Rescue))
“So, we knew that that was really a legacy that was really important to us.”
((NARRATION))
They named that dog “Miracle” or “Miri” for short. That’s how the shelter got its name –
((Mandatory courtesy: Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue))
Miri’s Haven.
The pair continued to take in dogs that were in bad shape, mostly with medical issues.
((End courtesy))
((Georgia Dodson, Miri's Haven Senior Dog Rescue))
“A lot of times it doesn't stem from a place of malice, but they neglect the dog, don't feel their needs are as important as they are.”
((NARRATION))
Private donations help keep Miri’s Haven afloat. It operates from private homes.
((Mandatory courtesy: Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue))
While dogs are waiting for their new family, they live with volunteers.
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((NATS)) ((Georgia holding a pup))
“This is Sissy. She's an 11-year-old pug. She was very loved by her owner, but her owner had to go into a memory care facility, and
((Mandatory courtesy: Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue))
she was left in her home for six weeks with very occasional visits.”
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((NARRATION))
Donations cover the cost of dog food, medical visits and toys. The shelter has a Facebook page that tells the story of every dog in the shelter.
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Some find new families, but not all do.
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((Jade Conner, Miri's Haven Senior Dog Rescue))
“We lose dogs. We have them pass away in front of us. Or we have to take them
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to escort them to the Rainbow Bridge, as they say.”
((End courtesy))
((NARRATION))
When they are not taking care of dogs, Conner sells hand-made jewelry on Etsy and Dodson works as an accountant.
((Jade Conner, Miri's Haven Senior Dog Rescue))
“I selfishly do this for my own survival, because for me to function… without serving another person or these animals, I'm kind of lost in the darkness of this world.”
((NARRATION))
These dogs may have had a rough life, but thanks to Dodson and
((Mandatory courtesy: Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue))
Conner, their lives are now filled with love and care.
((End courtesy))
((Masha Morton,
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 5, 2023 09:39 EST
BylineMasha Morton
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English, US Agency for Global Media
