There are many people who would wonder why in the world so much time, trouble and expense is being put into something as silly as helping one little white dog?  Those who don't understand there is an obligation we have to those who, through no fault of their own, have had the people they love and depend on turn around to abuse and desert them.  Today it is for Hampton; tomorrow it will be for Auggie, then Mason, Murphy, Sunny - on to those who have no names, only I.D. numbers on their tags.  Those wretched little tykes who greet their humans - whose sole purpose for tossing food at them is so they can breed them - with wagging tails, imploring with such hopeful eyes the question, "Why don't you love me like I love you?"

Each and every one of us, regardless the individual struggles we face, are still blessed with the many wonders which make up our lives.  Life is a privilege not to be taken lightly, or squandered frivolously.  It is our duty to share the gifts we've been given in caring for those who will wither away without us.  When you rescue a dog, a cat, you are doing much more than saving that animal's life.  For that battered and defeated dog, found scrounging through the town landfill seeking something - anything - to eat, will one day be the pride and joy of a person who desperately needed him every bit as much as he needed his person.  In so doing, the chain of life that flows from one act of generous kindness can flow through the world in ways we can't even begin to imagine.

This coming weekend a rescued little dog, found wandering alone, abused, neglected, lost, dirty and frightened, will come home to me.  Whether the changes he'll make in my life will ultimately change the world or not is irrelevant.  What matters is this:  Hampton will have enriched the lives of all who have the pleasure of knowing him.  Whether it's for the time spent driving from one meeting point to the next, or the foster mom who gave so much of herself to save this little dog nobody seemed to want, or the many years he and I will have together, this boy - and all of the oh-so-deserving rescues - will have given us so much more:  The opportunity to be better people because of him, to make a difference in one life at a time - what could ever be more important than this?

To all of you who have done so much in making Hampton's homecoming possible, I can not fully express the gratitude I feel towards each and every one of you.  I will do my best to fill Hampton's life with the care, devotion and, most of all, love he - and all of God's creatures - so deserve.  Thank you for making this possible.