本文全文摘选自Reader’s Digest, Canada, 2023-04，可供高中英语学习交流使用。

Carie Broecker, a lifelong animal lover, had already worked on the board of an animal rescue organization in Pacific Grove, California, for 12 years when she found herself taking care of a dog for an elderly woman who had emphysema.

The woman had been worried about what would happen to her dog, Savannah, and was comforted whenever Broecker brought the pup over to visit. After the woman’s death, Broecker ended up adopting Savannah.

     This experience inspired Broecker. She decided to open a dog rescue nonprofit dedicated to taking care of dogs belonging to people who were dying or going into assisted living facilities. The organization would offer both short-term foster arrangements and full adoptions.

    She asked a former colleague, Monica Rua, to work with her. Rua agreed to help and suggested they also take in senior dogs from shelters, who are often bypassed.

    To date, Peace of Mind Dog Rescue has helped thousands of dogs and seniors with everything from temporary fostering during medical procedures to financial assistance for pet care and rehoming dogs whose owners have died.

“Sometimes a person’s only source of love is their pet,” says Rua. “So anything we can do to keep an owner and their dog together is meaningful.”