About Sophie

Sophie was spending what was to be her last day at the
Southeast Volusia Humane Society. She was brought in by an
animal control officer when she was found wandering the
streets with no identification. A test at the humane society
showed that she was suffering from heartworm disease. Her
sweet and loving disposition was undaunted by the
circumstances she found herself in and she waited patiently
for things to swing around in her favor.

We can all relate to Sophie's situation at one time in our
lives. Things can be going great and suddenly everything
changes, leaving us with doubt and fear.

Sophie's faith was rewarded the day before she was
scheduled to be euthanized. She was one of many beautiful
animals who were hoping someone would come in that day and
take them home but something compelled me to seek her out.
She wasn't even in a space where I would have found her,
since she had been placed in their quarantined section. And,
I wasn't looking for another pet. I had my fair share.

My mission that day was to set the humane society up with
some quality pet food. I needed my GPS to find the place,
since it is relatively hidden off SR44 on Glencoe Road in
New Smyrna Beach, FL. I had never been there before.
The odds against me finding Sophie were seemingly
insurmountable. But, life has a funny way of guiding us
straight to where we are supposed to be and how we
handle it is up to us. I didn't even want a Siberian Husky
when I asked one of the girls working there if they had
any.
She said that they did, but that I could not see her
because she was in quarantine. Something in my nature
hates hearing no so I asked someone else if I could see
the husky that they had back in quarantine. She said yes,
but told me that she was being put down the next day and
had heartworm.

Undeterred, I told her I really wanted to see the
dog. Back we went, past scads of frantically
barking dogs who desperately wanted out. Each
one of them was locked up for crimes they didn't
commit and it was heartbreaking. Way in the back,
in the midst of the leaping, barking frenzy Sophie
was laying there calmly. I put my hand in her cage
and she licked it while staring straight into my
eyes. It was as if she knew I was coming and was
waiting for me. This was a no brainer.

Two quick phone calls had to be made, the first to
my resigned fiance who knew better than to argue
this one and the other to the good people at
Ravenwood Animal Clinic and Sophie got her
miracle. She also found out that there is a world
of difference between being down and out and
down for the count. Before the referee could
count to ten, the cage door opened and Sophie
walked into her new life.

Giving her a good life wasn't enough for me
anymore. There were too many dogs just as sweet,
just as wonderful and just as loyal who were left
behind that day. Standing by and doing nothing
was no longer an option for me. I had to make her
life matter and do whatever I could to help this
desperate situation. I founded a non-profit
organization called Sophie's Circle and we are
dedicated to doing our part to improve the lives of
animals and the people who love them.

Through organized events and regular networking
meetings, we are raising money to help the rescue
organizations and doing our part to make a better
world for animals. Sophie's Circle Yappy Hour
events are held once a month for a $5.00
donation.
Sophie's life matters. So do the lives of all the
homeless and abused animals who just want to to
be loved. Giving feels good and good begets good.
But, most importantly, every single day holds the
possibility of a miracle. Just ask Sophie. - Kathy
Blackman