my name is Zack scow I am the executive director and founder of Marley’s mutts
director and founder of Marley’s mutts
director and founder of Marley’s mutts Dog Rescue I’m an alcoholic and an
Dog Rescue I’m an alcoholic and an
Dog Rescue I’m an alcoholic and an addict with nine years of recovery and I
addict with nine years of recovery and I
addict with nine years of recovery and I just found out that come April I’m gonna
just found out that come April I’m gonna
just found out that come April I’m gonna be the proud daddy of a baby girl do you
be the proud daddy of a baby girl do you
be the proud daddy of a baby girl do you hear that mom so you know I’m also a
hear that mom so you know I’m also a
hear that mom so you know I’m also a rescue dog advocate and the only reason
rescue dog advocate and the only reason
rescue dog advocate and the only reason I’m standing here with you guys here
I’m standing here with you guys here
I’m standing here with you guys here today giving this talk and sharing my
today giving this talk and sharing my
today giving this talk and sharing my stories is because my rescue dogs
stories is because my rescue dogs
stories is because my rescue dogs advocated for me I truly believe in my
advocated for me I truly believe in my
advocated for me I truly believe in my core that dogs are medicine they’re the
core that dogs are medicine they’re the
core that dogs are medicine they’re the best medicine
best medicine
best medicine they were medicine for me when nothing
they were medicine for me when nothing
they were medicine for me when nothing else worked and and the best part about
else worked and and the best part about
else worked and and the best part about this form of medicine is that you can
this form of medicine is that you can
this form of medicine is that you can find it at virtually any County or City
find it at virtually any County or City
find it at virtually any County or City Animal Shelter virtually free of charge
Animal Shelter virtually free of charge
Animal Shelter virtually free of charge just like Lucy grill here in 2008 at 28
just like Lucy grill here in 2008 at 28
just like Lucy grill here in 2008 at 28 years of age I was diagnosed with
years of age I was diagnosed with
years of age I was diagnosed with end-stage liver disease and given less
end-stage liver disease and given less
end-stage liver disease and given less than 90 days to live without a liver
than 90 days to live without a liver
than 90 days to live without a liver transplant doctors told me I was not
transplant doctors told me I was not
transplant doctors told me I was not eligible for the transplant for two
eligible for the transplant for two
eligible for the transplant for two reasons one I was not healthy enough to
reasons one I was not healthy enough to
reasons one I was not healthy enough to take transplant but primarily the main
take transplant but primarily the main
take transplant but primarily the main reason was that alcoholics and addicts
reason was that alcoholics and addicts
reason was that alcoholics and addicts need six months of sobriety in order to
need six months of sobriety in order to
need six months of sobriety in order to qualify for transplant and what that
qualify for transplant and what that
qualify for transplant and what that meant for my family was something
meant for my family was something
meant for my family was something incredibly devastating that meant that
incredibly devastating that meant that
incredibly devastating that meant that basically kicked off five weeks of a
basically kicked off five weeks of a
basically kicked off five weeks of a hospital stay at Bakersfield Memorial
hospital stay at Bakersfield Memorial
hospital stay at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital where I just got worse and
Hospital where I just got worse and
Hospital where I just got worse and worse and sicker and the doctors had
worse and sicker and the doctors had
worse and sicker and the doctors had gotten to a point where there’s nothing
gotten to a point where there’s nothing
gotten to a point where there’s nothing they can do for me they can’t give me a
they can do for me they can’t give me a
they can do for me they can’t give me a transplant they can only pump me full of
transplant they can only pump me full of
transplant they can only pump me full of dilaudid and morphine you know which I
dilaudid and morphine you know which I
dilaudid and morphine you know which I became addicted to the the one thing I
became addicted to the the one thing I
became addicted to the the one thing I had going for me was a dad that
had going for me was a dad that
had going for me was a dad that absolutely has been my biggest advocate
absolutely has been my biggest advocate
absolutely has been my biggest advocate from day one he’s an aeronautical
from day one he’s an aeronautical
from day one he’s an aeronautical engineer and he took to my my wellness
engineer and he took to my my wellness
engineer and he took to my my wellness and my problem my sickness my disease
and my problem my sickness my disease
and my problem my sickness my disease like a math problem and he wasn’t he
like a math problem and he wasn’t he
like a math problem and he wasn’t he wasn’t going to say no he wasn’t going
wasn’t going to say no he wasn’t going
wasn’t going to say no he wasn’t going to hear that his son was going to die
to hear that his son was going to die
to hear that his son was going to die and so when the doctors were saying why
and so when the doctors were saying why
and so when the doctors were saying why don’t you guys just go home for hospice
don’t you guys just go home for hospice
don’t you guys just go home for hospice and and let him transition at home
and and let him transition at home
and and let him transition at home surrounded by his family instead of in a
surrounded by his family instead of in a
surrounded by his family instead of in a hospital my dad saying you know
hospital my dad saying you know
hospital my dad saying you know knocking it down we’re gonna figure this
knocking it down we’re gonna figure this
knocking it down we’re gonna figure this out never underestimate the the power of
out never underestimate the the power of
out never underestimate the the power of a of a motivated father so he got me by
a of a motivated father so he got me by
a of a motivated father so he got me by the grace of dog he got me into a into a
the grace of dog he got me into a into a
the grace of dog he got me into a into a comprehensive transplant program and
comprehensive transplant program and
comprehensive transplant program and when when literally we had absolutely no
when when literally we had absolutely no
when when literally we had absolutely no hope left we got a call from dr. tram
hope left we got a call from dr. tram
hope left we got a call from dr. tram Tran who’s the head of transplant at
Tran who’s the head of transplant at
Tran who’s the head of transplant at cedars-sinai Medical Center which is
cedars-sinai Medical Center which is
cedars-sinai Medical Center which is where I was born ironically and they
where I was born ironically and they
where I was born ironically and they said you’ve got a meeting with dr. Tran
said you’ve got a meeting with dr. Tran
said you’ve got a meeting with dr. Tran get your butt down here and and we’ll
get your butt down here and and we’ll
get your butt down here and and we’ll check you in we’ll see you over so they
check you in we’ll see you over so they
check you in we’ll see you over so they literally pulled everything out of my
literally pulled everything out of my
literally pulled everything out of my you know pulled all the tubes out pull
you know pulled all the tubes out pull
you know pulled all the tubes out pull all the all the needles out and we had
all the all the needles out and we had
all the all the needles out and we had to sign all the paperwork that said this
to sign all the paperwork that said this
to sign all the paperwork that said this is a terrible decision what you’re doing
is a terrible decision what you’re doing
is a terrible decision what you’re doing and they rushed me down to cedars-sinai
and they rushed me down to cedars-sinai
and they rushed me down to cedars-sinai and mom nearly killed me on the drive
and mom nearly killed me on the drive
and mom nearly killed me on the drive down and we were admitted into the
down and we were admitted into the
down and we were admitted into the comprehensive transplant center at
comprehensive transplant center at
comprehensive transplant center at cedars-sinai and and at first it kind of
cedars-sinai and and at first it kind of
cedars-sinai and and at first it kind of looked like I was just gonna I was gonna
looked like I was just gonna I was gonna
looked like I was just gonna I was gonna go to the I was going to go die at the
go to the I was going to go die at the
go to the I was going to go die at the place I was born and I didn’t want that
place I was born and I didn’t want that
place I was born and I didn’t want that but instead what they did was they
but instead what they did was they
but instead what they did was they dedicated themselves to helping me
dedicated themselves to helping me
dedicated themselves to helping me survive six months to trying to get to
survive six months to trying to get to
survive six months to trying to get to that six-month elusive barrier keep in
that six-month elusive barrier keep in
that six-month elusive barrier keep in mind I have not been six months I’d not
mind I have not been six months I’d not
mind I have not been six months I’d not been six hours sober much less six days
been six hours sober much less six days
been six hours sober much less six days weeks or months for for 12 years prior
weeks or months for for 12 years prior
weeks or months for for 12 years prior to that I was in every day 24 hour day
to that I was in every day 24 hour day
to that I was in every day 24 hour day drinker and user so they gave us
drinker and user so they gave us
drinker and user so they gave us instructions they sent me home and they
instructions they sent me home and they
instructions they sent me home and they said stay near an emergency room you’re
said stay near an emergency room you’re
said stay near an emergency room you’re going to get sick and and try to survive
going to get sick and and try to survive
going to get sick and and try to survive six months do your best and they took me
six months do your best and they took me
six months do your best and they took me off a lot of my medicines they took me
off a lot of my medicines they took me
off a lot of my medicines they took me off the the painkillers which were also
off the the painkillers which were also
off the the painkillers which were also killing me and they sent me home and and
killing me and they sent me home and and
killing me and they sent me home and and that’s where we meet my dogs telling me
that’s where we meet my dogs telling me
that’s where we meet my dogs telling me Marley talk is every day when I was in
Marley talk is every day when I was in
Marley talk is every day when I was in the hospital when my dad would go home
the hospital when my dad would go home
the hospital when my dad would go home my dad would whisper to me they know
my dad would whisper to me they know
my dad would whisper to me they know what my bet he’d say son I really need
what my bet he’d say son I really need
what my bet he’d say son I really need you to come home I can’t get Todd to
you to come home I can’t get Todd to
you to come home I can’t get Todd to come in the damn house he’s just sitting
come in the damn house he’s just sitting
come in the damn house he’s just sitting in the driveway looking down the
in the driveway looking down the
in the driveway looking down the driveway waiting for his dad and so he
driveway waiting for his dad and so he
driveway waiting for his dad and so he were trying to guilt me into feeling
were trying to guilt me into feeling
were trying to guilt me into feeling better into into rallying and so when I
better into into rallying and so when I
better into into rallying and so when I got home
got home
got home needless to say Doug was was elated to
needless to say Doug was was elated to
needless to say Doug was was elated to see me and it’s like his life could be
see me and it’s like his life could be
see me and it’s like his life could be could finally go on I think he’d been
could finally go on I think he’d been
could finally go on I think he’d been holding his breath for six weeks
holding his breath for six weeks
holding his breath for six weeks that my two dogs could be any different
that my two dogs could be any different
that my two dogs could be any different they’re both from the Mavi Animal
they’re both from the Mavi Animal
they’re both from the Mavi Animal Shelter Tugg is an incredibly insecure
Shelter Tugg is an incredibly insecure
Shelter Tugg is an incredibly insecure neurotic lab with very low self-esteem
neurotic lab with very low self-esteem
neurotic lab with very low self-esteem he basically everything that was going
he basically everything that was going
he basically everything that was going on in me I transfer it into my dog poor
on in me I transfer it into my dog poor
on in me I transfer it into my dog poor guy and Marley conversely was was
guy and Marley conversely was was
guy and Marley conversely was was everything that I always wanted to be
everything that I always wanted to be
everything that I always wanted to be Marley was incredibly confident a
Marley was incredibly confident a
Marley was incredibly confident a Rottweiler pitbull this is him right
Rottweiler pitbull this is him right
Rottweiler pitbull this is him right here and he’s just got that that look of
here and he’s just got that that look of
here and he’s just got that that look of of grace and confidence and the way he
of grace and confidence and the way he
of grace and confidence and the way he walked into a room I mean people wanted
walked into a room I mean people wanted
walked into a room I mean people wanted to be in animals wanted to be him and he
to be in animals wanted to be him and he
to be in animals wanted to be him and he was never pugnacious he’s never owned
was never pugnacious he’s never owned
was never pugnacious he’s never owned those dogs I picked a fight he just he
those dogs I picked a fight he just he
those dogs I picked a fight he just he broke up fights he just wanted to keep
broke up fights he just wanted to keep
broke up fights he just wanted to keep the peace he was all about symbiotic
the peace he was all about symbiotic
the peace he was all about symbiotic harmony and so you know my dogs began to
harmony and so you know my dogs began to
harmony and so you know my dogs began to play a critical role in my life then
play a critical role in my life then
play a critical role in my life then they’d always been important to me but I
they’d always been important to me but I
they’d always been important to me but I would need them most then you know
would need them most then you know
would need them most then you know unfortunately what happened for you when
unfortunately what happened for you when
unfortunately what happened for you when I got home was it was suicide suicide
I got home was it was suicide suicide
I got home was it was suicide suicide became my number one enemy alcohol and
became my number one enemy alcohol and
became my number one enemy alcohol and drugs had been my enemy for the longest
drugs had been my enemy for the longest
drugs had been my enemy for the longest time before that and then I became
time before that and then I became
time before that and then I became obsessed and preoccupied with suicide I
obsessed and preoccupied with suicide I
obsessed and preoccupied with suicide I knew where my dad’s gun was and I would
knew where my dad’s gun was and I would
knew where my dad’s gun was and I would I would dream about going out into the I
I would dream about going out into the I
I would dream about going out into the I would fantasize about going on to the
would fantasize about going on to the
would fantasize about going on to the into the woods into the mountains
into the woods into the mountains
into the woods into the mountains somewhere where no one could find me and
somewhere where no one could find me and
somewhere where no one could find me and blowing my brains out I just didn’t want
blowing my brains out I just didn’t want
blowing my brains out I just didn’t want I wanted to find a way to take my own
I wanted to find a way to take my own
I wanted to find a way to take my own life without my dad finding me because
life without my dad finding me because
life without my dad finding me because my dad had done so much for me I didn’t
my dad had done so much for me I didn’t
my dad had done so much for me I didn’t want him to have to find my body at the
want him to have to find my body at the
want him to have to find my body at the house you know I thought about driving
house you know I thought about driving
house you know I thought about driving off bridges anything you could think of
off bridges anything you could think of
off bridges anything you could think of and you know it all kind of changed we
and you know it all kind of changed we
and you know it all kind of changed we had an epiphany one day I was going
had an epiphany one day I was going
had an epiphany one day I was going through an illness called esophageal
through an illness called esophageal
through an illness called esophageal varices with if you’re familiar with
varices with if you’re familiar with
varices with if you’re familiar with liver disease is a very ugly illness
liver disease is a very ugly illness
liver disease is a very ugly illness where you are you’re vomiting blood
where you are you’re vomiting blood
where you are you’re vomiting blood consistently your esophageal veins are
consistently your esophageal veins are
consistently your esophageal veins are basically rupturing in songs huddled
basically rupturing in songs huddled
basically rupturing in songs huddled around the toilet and my usable position
around the toilet and my usable position
around the toilet and my usable position it’s completely naked dogs around me as
it’s completely naked dogs around me as
it’s completely naked dogs around me as they always work and I stood up and I
they always work and I stood up and I
they always work and I stood up and I looked into the mirror and I I didn’t
looked into the mirror and I I didn’t
looked into the mirror and I I didn’t recognize why I didn’t recognize me I
recognize why I didn’t recognize me I
recognize why I didn’t recognize me I was looking at I I didn’t understand
was looking at I I didn’t understand
was looking at I I didn’t understand what I was looking at I just saw a
what I was looking at I just saw a
what I was looking at I just saw a scared to death old man I was bright
scared to death old man I was bright
scared to death old man I was bright yellow my oh my stomach was six was nine
yellow my oh my stomach was six was nine
yellow my oh my stomach was six was nine months pregnant
months pregnant
months pregnant swollen I had a herniated belly button I
swollen I had a herniated belly button I
swollen I had a herniated belly button I these gnarly varicose veins that were
these gnarly varicose veins that were
these gnarly varicose veins that were feeding this blood and bile that it
feeding this blood and bile that it
feeding this blood and bile that it accumulated in my stomach is one of the
accumulated in my stomach is one of the
accumulated in my stomach is one of the most disgusting things you ever seen my
most disgusting things you ever seen my
most disgusting things you ever seen my my arms were skinny I 140 pounds my
my arms were skinny I 140 pounds my
my arms were skinny I 140 pounds my muscles were atrophied I had this little
muscles were atrophied I had this little
muscles were atrophied I had this little old man but I remember looking at my but
old man but I remember looking at my but
old man but I remember looking at my but the mayor goon yeah even that brought me
the mayor goon yeah even that brought me
the mayor goon yeah even that brought me I just looked at it I recognized myself
I just looked at it I recognized myself
I just looked at it I recognized myself I was I was utterly pitiful hopeless and
I was I was utterly pitiful hopeless and
I was I was utterly pitiful hopeless and I just started to sob I started to weep
I just started to sob I started to weep
I just started to sob I started to weep and I just thought this is my
and I just thought this is my
and I just thought this is my rock-bottom there’s no reason for me to
rock-bottom there’s no reason for me to
rock-bottom there’s no reason for me to be here I can’t do this anymore I didn’t
be here I can’t do this anymore I didn’t
be here I can’t do this anymore I didn’t have it within me I hadn’t had it within
have it within me I hadn’t had it within
have it within me I hadn’t had it within me for a decade before and nothing had
me for a decade before and nothing had
me for a decade before and nothing had changed and then I can feel my dogs
changed and then I can feel my dogs
changed and then I can feel my dogs looking at me behind me and and I took a
looking at me behind me and and I took a
looking at me behind me and and I took a look at him and and Marlene Tucker we’re
look at him and and Marlene Tucker we’re
look at him and and Marlene Tucker we’re looking up at me like I was you know the
looking up at me like I was you know the
looking up at me like I was you know the sexiest man alive just like I was this
sexiest man alive just like I was this
sexiest man alive just like I was this just Brad Pitt and George Clooney
just Brad Pitt and George Clooney
just Brad Pitt and George Clooney combined and and they didn’t understand
combined and and they didn’t understand
combined and and they didn’t understand didn’t see the pain they may have saw it
didn’t see the pain they may have saw it
didn’t see the pain they may have saw it seen the pain but they didn’t see they
seen the pain but they didn’t see they
seen the pain but they didn’t see they just saw dad they just saw the guy that
just saw dad they just saw the guy that
just saw dad they just saw the guy that had rescued them and they just saw the
had rescued them and they just saw the
had rescued them and they just saw the person that they wanted to infuse some
person that they wanted to infuse some
person that they wanted to infuse some positive energy into so I’m I’m paint
positive energy into so I’m I’m paint
positive energy into so I’m I’m paint the picture completely naked yellow what
the picture completely naked yellow what
the picture completely naked yellow what isn’t yellow on me is bruised I have a
isn’t yellow on me is bruised I have a
isn’t yellow on me is bruised I have a big scar from a catheter that was in my
big scar from a catheter that was in my
big scar from a catheter that was in my back that was draining my stomach and
back that was draining my stomach and
back that was draining my stomach and crying
crying
crying completely naked sweating and and my
completely naked sweating and and my
completely naked sweating and and my dogs are looking up at me just like yeah
what’s going on dad yeah what do you
what’s going on dad yeah what do you want to do dad and and just so excited
want to do dad and and just so excited
want to do dad and and just so excited about about the day about the
about about the day about the
about about the day about the proposition about sky was the limit and
proposition about sky was the limit and
proposition about sky was the limit and that became the first day for the rest
that became the first day for the rest
that became the first day for the rest of the rest of my life that day we
of the rest of my life that day we
of the rest of my life that day we decided to make a small move because
decided to make a small move because
decided to make a small move because life is about small moves you can’t
life is about small moves you can’t
life is about small moves you can’t change it all at once and that day we
change it all at once and that day we
change it all at once and that day we decided to start walking and I still had
decided to start walking and I still had
decided to start walking and I still had ammonia on my brain so I couldn’t
ammonia on my brain so I couldn’t
ammonia on my brain so I couldn’t balance very well I couldn’t do a
balance very well I couldn’t do a
balance very well I couldn’t do a push-up a sit-up a squat lunge I was if
push-up a sit-up a squat lunge I was if
push-up a sit-up a squat lunge I was if you saw me I was the sickest sick person
you saw me I was the sickest sick person
you saw me I was the sickest sick person you ever seen in your entire life that’s
you ever seen in your entire life that’s
you ever seen in your entire life that’s what I looked like I looked like death
what I looked like I looked like death
what I looked like I looked like death frozen over and so we made that but we
frozen over and so we made that but we
frozen over and so we made that but we made that decision and the next day we
made that decision and the next day we
made that decision and the next day we started to walk and then the day after
started to walk and then the day after
started to walk and then the day after that and then several times a day and
that and then several times a day and
that and then several times a day and then weeks turned into months and every
then weeks turned into months and every
then weeks turned into months and every day we got a little bit better and every
day we got a little bit better and every
day we got a little bit better and every day we got a little bit better and my
day we got a little bit better and my
day we got a little bit better and my blood tests which I was taking every two
blood tests which I was taking every two
blood tests which I was taking every two days and then every week started to get
days and then every week started to get
days and then every week started to get a little bit better I’m starting to get
a little bit better I’m starting to get
a little bit better I’m starting to get a little bit better and I I started to
a little bit better and I I started to
a little bit better and I I started to get into rescue which I had done before
get into rescue which I had done before
get into rescue which I had done before I got sick I started to add dogs to my
I got sick I started to add dogs to my
I got sick I started to add dogs to my back because I’m walking like six times
back because I’m walking like six times
back because I’m walking like six times a day might as well bring some dogs in
a day might as well bring some dogs in
a day might as well bring some dogs in my pack and I started taking pictures of
my pack and I started taking pictures of
my pack and I started taking pictures of them and I started writing their stories
them and I started writing their stories
them and I started writing their stories and I started throwing myself into
and I started throwing myself into
and I started throwing myself into rescuing dogs and in volunteering at
rescuing dogs and in volunteering at
rescuing dogs and in volunteering at different organizations and I put I
different organizations and I put I
different organizations and I put I found I found amazing this revival
found I found amazing this revival
found I found amazing this revival within myself because I found purpose I
within myself because I found purpose I
within myself because I found purpose I had a you know these dogs 1,000%
had a you know these dogs 1,000%
had a you know these dogs 1,000% depended on me for their future not only
depended on me for their future not only
depended on me for their future not only tending out and walk them to do all the
tending out and walk them to do all the
tending out and walk them to do all the menial stuff but this dog needs a home
menial stuff but this dog needs a home
menial stuff but this dog needs a home this dog comes from from behind bars and
this dog comes from from behind bars and
this dog comes from from behind bars and it has no future and I need to provide
it has no future and I need to provide
it has no future and I need to provide that for him so I wrote that anywhere
that for him so I wrote that anywhere
that for him so I wrote that anywhere that would accept my posters I put them
that would accept my posters I put them
that would accept my posters I put them up all over town everywhere
up all over town everywhere
up all over town everywhere I think people got sometimes it was a
I think people got sometimes it was a
I think people got sometimes it was a little dirty a little raunchy so I think
little dirty a little raunchy so I think
little dirty a little raunchy so I think some of their conservative people in –
some of their conservative people in –
some of their conservative people in – Pete you know some people took issue
Pete you know some people took issue
Pete you know some people took issue with him but they were great they were
with him but they were great they were
with him but they were great they were so successful we started having adoption
so successful we started having adoption
so successful we started having adoption after adoption after adoption and adding
after adoption after adoption and adding
after adoption after adoption and adding more dogs in my packing and then that’s
more dogs in my packing and then that’s
more dogs in my packing and then that’s how Marley’s mutts was born that’s how
how Marley’s mutts was born that’s how
how Marley’s mutts was born that’s how Marley’s mutts was born up people took
Marley’s mutts was born up people took
Marley’s mutts was born up people took notice of this yellow guy walking dogs
notice of this yellow guy walking dogs
notice of this yellow guy walking dogs and and and we started to change the
and and and we started to change the
and and and we started to change the world in fast forward now nine years and
world in fast forward now nine years and
world in fast forward now nine years and we’ve saved thousands of animals and
we’ve saved thousands of animals and
we’ve saved thousands of animals and thousands of people and and and we
thousands of people and and and we
thousands of people and and and we continue to making a positive effect in
continue to making a positive effect in
continue to making a positive effect in any way shape or form we can any way we
any way shape or form we can any way we
any way shape or form we can any way we can use the human
can use the human
can use the human I bond to better people’s lives we do it
I bond to better people’s lives we do it
I bond to better people’s lives we do it any way possible and we’ve only just
any way possible and we’ve only just
any way possible and we’ve only just scratched the surface and I can’t wait
scratched the surface and I can’t wait
scratched the surface and I can’t wait to see what the next ten years are like
to see what the next ten years are like
to see what the next ten years are like when we keep we keep trying to get into
when we keep we keep trying to get into
when we keep we keep trying to get into the dark places of this world and find
the dark places of this world and find
the dark places of this world and find out how dogs can bring light so finally
out how dogs can bring light so finally
out how dogs can bring light so finally we got six months I hit my six-month
we got six months I hit my six-month
we got six months I hit my six-month mark it’s time to go down to
mark it’s time to go down to
mark it’s time to go down to cedars-sinai and hear the good news for
cedars-sinai and hear the good news for
cedars-sinai and hear the good news for the bad news I got Mike my cat scam I
the bad news I got Mike my cat scam I
the bad news I got Mike my cat scam I hope to sell my blood work and they said
hope to sell my blood work and they said
hope to sell my blood work and they said you are you know don’t you no longer
you are you know don’t you no longer
you are you know don’t you no longer need a liver transplant your your body
need a liver transplant your your body
need a liver transplant your your body has miraculously healed itself and it’s
has miraculously healed itself and it’s
has miraculously healed itself and it’s continuing to heal itself and whatever
continuing to heal itself and whatever
continuing to heal itself and whatever you’re doing keep doing it so that’s
you’re doing keep doing it so that’s
you’re doing keep doing it so that’s what I did I went back home in and
what I did I went back home in and
what I did I went back home in and Marley and tuggin and all my brood of
Marley and tuggin and all my brood of
Marley and tuggin and all my brood of misfit mutts we dedicated ourselves to
misfit mutts we dedicated ourselves to
misfit mutts we dedicated ourselves to bring the human canine bond wherever we
bring the human canine bond wherever we
bring the human canine bond wherever we could we went to the valley achievement
could we went to the valley achievement
could we went to the valley achievement Center for autistic youth we went to the
Center for autistic youth we went to the
Center for autistic youth we went to the mission at Kern County where we’ve done
mission at Kern County where we’ve done
mission at Kern County where we’ve done all kinds of 12-step programs we go to
all kinds of 12-step programs we go to
all kinds of 12-step programs we go to the bakersfield homeless center we go to
the bakersfield homeless center we go to
the bakersfield homeless center we go to I went to hundreds of meetings hundreds
I went to hundreds of meetings hundreds
I went to hundreds of meetings hundreds and hundreds of recovery meetings and
and hundreds of recovery meetings and
and hundreds of recovery meetings and halfway houses and sober livings and and
halfway houses and sober livings and and
halfway houses and sober livings and and the light that these dogs brought the
the light that these dogs brought the
the light that these dogs brought the the hope that these dogs brought the
the hope that these dogs brought the
the hope that these dogs brought the unconditional love that these brought
unconditional love that these brought
unconditional love that these brought dogs brought what took place in me the
dogs brought what took place in me the
dogs brought what took place in me the transformation that took place in me
transformation that took place in me
transformation that took place in me which which really was a man learning
which which really was a man learning
which which really was a man learning how to love himself through the love
how to love himself through the love
how to love himself through the love himself through the eyes of his dog was
himself through the eyes of his dog was
himself through the eyes of his dog was taking place in these people a lot of
taking place in these people a lot of
taking place in these people a lot of these people are coming out of little
these people are coming out of little
these people are coming out of little people withdrawal and they need Luci
people withdrawal and they need Luci
people withdrawal and they need Luci looking at them that way they need that
looking at them that way they need that
looking at them that way they need that contact when they’re about to be
contact when they’re about to be
contact when they’re about to be vulnerable when they’re sharing in a
vulnerable when they’re sharing in a
vulnerable when they’re sharing in a meeting they need someone there to to
meeting they need someone there to to
meeting they need someone there to to help let him know it’s gonna be okay
help let him know it’s gonna be okay
help let him know it’s gonna be okay some of them haven’t been unconditional
some of them haven’t been unconditional
some of them haven’t been unconditional love in their entire life you know and
love in their entire life you know and
love in their entire life you know and and all kinds of wonderful things
and all kinds of wonderful things
and all kinds of wonderful things started to happen and then I got a phone
started to happen and then I got a phone
started to happen and then I got a phone call from a woman who said her husband
call from a woman who said her husband
call from a woman who said her husband had just got out of prison even out of
had just got out of prison even out of
had just got out of prison even out of prison for for two weeks
prison for for two weeks
prison for for two weeks he’d been in for 12 years in Oklahoma
he’d been in for 12 years in Oklahoma
he’d been in for 12 years in Oklahoma and she was scared to death he was going
and she was scared to death he was going
and she was scared to death he was going back to prison and she wanted to adopt a
back to prison and she wanted to adopt a
back to prison and she wanted to adopt a dog and I had just the dog for him so I
dog and I had just the dog for him so I
dog and I had just the dog for him so I said come on up
said come on up
said come on up they came on up and and he answered the
they came on up and and he answered the
they came on up and and he answered the door and he was a feral human being
door and he was a feral human being
door and he was a feral human being completely feral human being he would
completely feral human being he would
completely feral human being he would make eye contact with me didn’t
make eye contact with me didn’t
make eye contact with me didn’t understand how to have you know
understand how to have you know
understand how to have you know understandably understandably I had a
understandably understandably I had a
understandably understandably I had a tough time
tough time
tough time how the interactions with men that
how the interactions with men that
how the interactions with men that weren’t course that weren’t tension
weren’t course that weren’t tension
weren’t course that weren’t tension filled with tension hadn’t had a
filled with tension hadn’t had a
filled with tension hadn’t had a conversation with a woman in 12 years
conversation with a woman in 12 years
conversation with a woman in 12 years and yet we’re expecting him to branch
and yet we’re expecting him to branch
and yet we’re expecting him to branch out into the world and understand how to
out into the world and understand how to
out into the world and understand how to where you think you’re going and and
where you think you’re going and and
where you think you’re going and and here we came here baby girl
here we came here baby girl
here we came here baby girl and here we expect him to uh to enter
and here we expect him to uh to enter
and here we expect him to uh to enter back into society and and he was scared
back into society and and he was scared
back into society and and he was scared to death he was scared to death of
to death he was scared to death of
to death he was scared to death of people places and things something I
people places and things something I
people places and things something I could totally relate to and so he gave
could totally relate to and so he gave
could totally relate to and so he gave him shadow shadow was found in a crate
him shadow shadow was found in a crate
him shadow shadow was found in a crate in Ridgecrest with two other dogs one
in Ridgecrest with two other dogs one
in Ridgecrest with two other dogs one had been one was frozen to death and had
had been one was frozen to death and had
had been one was frozen to death and had been shot and shot had also been shot in
been shot and shot had also been shot in
been shot and shot had also been shot in the lung we actually removed two of the
the lung we actually removed two of the
the lung we actually removed two of the three lobes of her of her lung and
three lobes of her of her lung and
three lobes of her of her lung and pulled out a 40-caliber bullet so he
pulled out a 40-caliber bullet so he
pulled out a 40-caliber bullet so he paired the two of them up and that was
paired the two of them up and that was
paired the two of them up and that was the first day of the rest of Robby’s
the first day of the rest of Robby’s
the first day of the rest of Robby’s life that was the first day of the rest
life that was the first day of the rest
life that was the first day of the rest of his life and without shadow I
of his life and without shadow I
of his life and without shadow I guarantee you Robby would be back in
guarantee you Robby would be back in
guarantee you Robby would be back in prison he didn’t know the first thing
prison he didn’t know the first thing
prison he didn’t know the first thing about really how to he was scared and he
about really how to he was scared and he
about really how to he was scared and he didn’t know how to identify with being
didn’t know how to identify with being
didn’t know how to identify with being scared he was intimidated he didn’t know
scared he was intimidated he didn’t know
scared he was intimidated he didn’t know but with the dog all those interactions
but with the dog all those interactions
but with the dog all those interactions are are pacified people you have a dog
are are pacified people you have a dog
are are pacified people you have a dog like this Shana looks a lot like Lizzie
like this Shana looks a lot like Lizzie
like this Shana looks a lot like Lizzie and people gonna come up to you baby
and people gonna come up to you baby
and people gonna come up to you baby what’s cool you know you’re doing rather
what’s cool you know you’re doing rather
what’s cool you know you’re doing rather than having this uncomfortable old
than having this uncomfortable old
than having this uncomfortable old mano-a-mano or there’s a dog to pacify
mano-a-mano or there’s a dog to pacify
mano-a-mano or there’s a dog to pacify it to make it make it more simple and
it to make it make it more simple and
it to make it make it more simple and make it more loving and so that’s how we
make it more loving and so that’s how we
make it more loving and so that’s how we started to learn that’s how he got some
started to learn that’s how he got some
started to learn that’s how he got some momentum that’s how he was able to put
momentum that’s how he was able to put
momentum that’s how he was able to put one foot in front of the other like I
one foot in front of the other like I
one foot in front of the other like I was fast forward Robbie starts
was fast forward Robbie starts
was fast forward Robbie starts volunteering for us he starts giving his
volunteering for us he starts giving his
volunteering for us he starts giving his testimony at the mission at Kern County
testimony at the mission at Kern County
testimony at the mission at Kern County because mom made him and and he starts
because mom made him and and he starts
because mom made him and and he starts you know working with us working with
you know working with us working with
you know working with us working with dogs and he gets hired at Freedom of
dogs and he gets hired at Freedom of
dogs and he gets hired at Freedom of Animal Sanctuary
Animal Sanctuary
Animal Sanctuary which is a huge organization as their
which is a huge organization as their
which is a huge organization as their primary as the ranch manager and kennel
primary as the ranch manager and kennel
primary as the ranch manager and kennel director and so here I think to myself
director and so here I think to myself
director and so here I think to myself this gallium had no hope has now
this gallium had no hope has now
this gallium had no hope has now solidified a job in a future for his
solidified a job in a future for his
solidified a job in a future for his family and his girlfriend and and a life
family and his girlfriend and and a life
family and his girlfriend and and a life away from crime he’s not going to be a
away from crime he’s not going to be a
away from crime he’s not going to be a statistic let’s let’s figure out how to
statistic let’s let’s figure out how to
statistic let’s let’s figure out how to do this because the statistics are
do this because the statistics are
do this because the statistics are eighty percent of men who get out of
eighty percent of men who get out of
eighty percent of men who get out of prison are gonna end up back there
prison are gonna end up back there
prison are gonna end up back there within three years eighty percent back
within three years eighty percent back
within three years eighty percent back within three years gets how much it cost
within three years gets how much it cost
within three years gets how much it cost to incarcerate a man in the state of
to incarcerate a man in the state of
to incarcerate a man in the state of California roughly $50,000 $50,000 per
California roughly $50,000 $50,000 per
California roughly $50,000 $50,000 per year just to incarcerate that’s more
year just to incarcerate that’s more
year just to incarcerate that’s more than I make
than I make
than I make you know since think about that for a
you know since think about that for a
you know since think about that for a minute
minute
minute so we set out to to trying to replicate
so we set out to to trying to replicate
so we set out to to trying to replicate this but what it we had accomplished
this but what it we had accomplished
this but what it we had accomplished with Robbie inside Penitentiary’s and we
with Robbie inside Penitentiary’s and we
with Robbie inside Penitentiary’s and we met some negative feedback at first and
met some negative feedback at first and
met some negative feedback at first and but we weren’t going to take no for an
but we weren’t going to take no for an
but we weren’t going to take no for an answer and thank God for Lisa Porter and
answer and thank God for Lisa Porter and
answer and thank God for Lisa Porter and thank God for karma rescue we were able
thank God for karma rescue we were able
thank God for karma rescue we were able to get our foot in the door at Cal City
to get our foot in the door at Cal City
to get our foot in the door at Cal City State Penitentiary and and that’s when
State Penitentiary and and that’s when
State Penitentiary and and that’s when amazing miraculous things started to
amazing miraculous things started to
amazing miraculous things started to happen we we established a 14 week long
happen we we established a 14 week long
happen we we established a 14 week long program 10 dogs 25 inmates and the
program 10 dogs 25 inmates and the
program 10 dogs 25 inmates and the purposes for those inmates to train the
purposes for those inmates to train the
purposes for those inmates to train the dogs to achieve canine good citizen
dogs to achieve canine good citizen
dogs to achieve canine good citizen certification that’s basically halfway
certification that’s basically halfway
certification that’s basically halfway to therapy dog status and the men at the
to therapy dog status and the men at the
to therapy dog status and the men at the end get a legitimate vocational
end get a legitimate vocational
end get a legitimate vocational certificate stipulating that they’re
certificate stipulating that they’re
certificate stipulating that they’re proficient in training they can also
proficient in training they can also
proficient in training they can also re-enroll and get more accreditation
re-enroll and get more accreditation
re-enroll and get more accreditation more accreditation the idea is that the
more accreditation the idea is that the
more accreditation the idea is that the health and the pet industry is a ninety
health and the pet industry is a ninety
health and the pet industry is a ninety billion dollar a year industry ninety
billion dollar a year industry ninety
billion dollar a year industry ninety billion dollars a year and they don’t so
billion dollars a year and they don’t so
billion dollars a year and they don’t so much care if you have a felony record if
much care if you have a felony record if
much care if you have a felony record if you’re going to be a dog trainer all of
you’re going to be a dog trainer all of
you’re going to be a dog trainer all of us have dogs now they’re like family and
us have dogs now they’re like family and
us have dogs now they’re like family and a lot of us have troubles with our dogs
a lot of us have troubles with our dogs
a lot of us have troubles with our dogs so we have an opportunity to put a whole
so we have an opportunity to put a whole
so we have an opportunity to put a whole lot of guys that don’t otherwise have a
lot of guys that don’t otherwise have a
lot of guys that don’t otherwise have a vocation or or a way to support
vocation or or a way to support
vocation or or a way to support themselves when they get out of prison
themselves when they get out of prison
themselves when they get out of prison with a job that they love and a job that
with a job that they love and a job that
with a job that they love and a job that they have a lot of experience with
they have a lot of experience with
they have a lot of experience with rather than just being a welder or an
rather than just being a welder or an
rather than just being a welder or an electrician or something some of the
electrician or something some of the
electrician or something some of the other things that they offer in prison
other things that they offer in prison
other things that they offer in prison so I mean we knew there would be some
so I mean we knew there would be some
so I mean we knew there would be some some benefits we knew those things would
some benefits we knew those things would
some benefits we knew those things would happen vocational training dogs these
happen vocational training dogs these
happen vocational training dogs these are all dogs from know from high kill
are all dogs from know from high kill
are all dogs from know from high kill shelters and we’re really starting to
shelters and we’re really starting to
shelters and we’re really starting to happen was these these dogs that
happen was these these dogs that
happen was these these dogs that desperately needed these men for
desperately needed these men for
desperately needed these men for rehabilitation
rehabilitation
rehabilitation we’re rehabilitating one another and we
we’re rehabilitating one another and we
we’re rehabilitating one another and we saw all these walls start coming down we
saw all these walls start coming down we
saw all these walls start coming down we saw racial walls start coming down in
saw racial walls start coming down in
saw racial walls start coming down in prison and men of other races don’t get
prison and men of other races don’t get
prison and men of other races don’t get along they don’t interact with one
along they don’t interact with one
along they don’t interact with one another and we had guys the heads of the
another and we had guys the heads of the
another and we had guys the heads of the black guerrilla family and the head of
black guerrilla family and the head of
black guerrilla family and the head of the Bulldogs which is a white gang
the Bulldogs which is a white gang
the Bulldogs which is a white gang partnering up over a Chihuahua named
partnering up over a Chihuahua named
partnering up over a Chihuahua named killer and then giving a speech at
killer and then giving a speech at
killer and then giving a speech at graduation where both the men cried and
graduation where both the men cried and
graduation where both the men cried and both the men talked about how the other
both the men talked about how the other
both the men talked about how the other is their brother and and that they don’t
is their brother and and that they don’t
is their brother and and that they don’t know what they do without him that they
know what they do without him that they
know what they do without him that they were all brothers and so we saw gang
were all brothers and so we saw gang
were all brothers and so we saw gang lines coming down we have we have Crips
lines coming down we have we have Crips
lines coming down we have we have Crips Bloods Aryans black guerilla family
Bloods Aryans black guerilla family
Bloods Aryans black guerilla family northerners southerners everybody’s
northerners southerners everybody’s
northerners southerners everybody’s represented in our in our programs
represented in our in our programs
represented in our in our programs especially at Corcoran State Prison
especially at Corcoran State Prison
especially at Corcoran State Prison which is one of the toughest prisons in
which is one of the toughest prisons in
which is one of the toughest prisons in California and we were able to pull it
California and we were able to pull it
California and we were able to pull it off and we brought the violence
off and we brought the violence
off and we brought the violence in that yard and we brought the
in that yard and we brought the
in that yard and we brought the interaction between correctional officer
interaction between correctional officer
interaction between correctional officer and inmates up and and and all kinds of
and inmates up and and and all kinds of
and inmates up and and and all kinds of magic started to happen we started to
magic started to happen we started to
magic started to happen we started to reunite families with their loved ones
reunite families with their loved ones
reunite families with their loved ones they started to follow on Facebook and
they started to follow on Facebook and
they started to follow on Facebook and these people have been out of sight out
these people have been out of sight out
these people have been out of sight out of mind and nobody’s paid attention to
of mind and nobody’s paid attention to
of mind and nobody’s paid attention to guys that haven’t talked to their kids
guys that haven’t talked to their kids
guys that haven’t talked to their kids in ten years somebody wrote a letter to
in ten years somebody wrote a letter to
in ten years somebody wrote a letter to me about their son I mean about their
me about their son I mean about their
me about their son I mean about their daughter but written him off said I
daughter but written him off said I
daughter but written him off said I don’t want you to be my dad anymore I
don’t want you to be my dad anymore I
don’t want you to be my dad anymore I don’t ever want to hear from you and
don’t ever want to hear from you and
don’t ever want to hear from you and after being in the dog program she wrote
after being in the dog program she wrote
after being in the dog program she wrote back and said I want you to be in my
back and said I want you to be in my
back and said I want you to be in my life I need you dad I’m so proud of you
life I need you dad I’m so proud of you
life I need you dad I’m so proud of you is there anything I can do to help
is there anything I can do to help
is there anything I can do to help support the program so we’re looking
support the program so we’re looking
support the program so we’re looking we’re now in for prisons we’re at
we’re now in for prisons we’re at
we’re now in for prisons we’re at California City Wasco North Kern and
California City Wasco North Kern and
California City Wasco North Kern and California corporate state prison and it
California corporate state prison and it
California corporate state prison and it is my goal it is my direction in life it
is my goal it is my direction in life it
is my goal it is my direction in life it is my purpose in life to take this
is my purpose in life to take this
is my purpose in life to take this program and expand it to every
program and expand it to every
program and expand it to every Penitentiary in the state of California
Penitentiary in the state of California
Penitentiary in the state of California because dogs are medicine they are the
because dogs are medicine they are the
because dogs are medicine they are the best medicine and they are free of
best medicine and they are free of
best medicine and they are free of charge so thank you guys for letting me
charge so thank you guys for letting me
charge so thank you guys for letting me share I really appreciate it
”
Be First to Comment