Lending a Helping Paw

“Mr. T and Marvin were rescued one hour before being put to sleep,” said Laura Davis, a volunteer with New Beginnings for Animals.

New Beginnings for Animals is an organization that saves homeless animals in overcrowded shelters.  For many, their time is up due to lack of space, sickness or injury. Until they can be adopted into permanent homes, animals within the organization are either fostered by families or boarded with vets—depending on foster home availability. 

Mr. T and Marvin are now boarded by veterinarian Asaf Qadeer, at the Charlinda Animal Hospital in Mission Viejo.  Davis, an Aliso Viejo resident, goes to Qadeer’s office every Friday afternoon to walk the rescued dogs.

Marvin is a small, sandy-colored dog and Mr. T is a small black dog.  Both are young and appear very excited to get out for a walk as they pull hard on their leashes.  They have so much energy that Davis walks them separately unless her husband, Domenick Ietto, comes along to help.

“If Domenick comes, we try to keep them out for over an hour,” Laura said.  “Last weekend we visited my dad and I missed walking them.  I felt so bad.”

Laura grew up around dogs. 

“From the moment I was born we always had two or three dogs," she said. "My mom is a big dog lover.”

Sometimes Laura's family had purebred dogs and sometimes they had mixed breeds.  Laura doesn’t have a preference.  “I like them all,” she said.

Laura likes dogs so much because “they are great companions.  If you love to be outdoors, your dog will love to go hiking with you.  They love to exercise, walk and go on car rides with you.  If you want to sit indoors and read, your dog will enjoy resting at your feet. I hope to always be lucky enough to have a dog companion in my life—or two.”

Laura and Domenick have two dogs, Diego, a Rottweiller mix and Darcy, a Border Collie and German Shepherd mix.  Diego was a stray puppy when they found him, and they had no plans to get another dog until they saw Darcy.  She was a foster dog wearing a vest with the words “Adopt Me” on it.  Diego and Darcy “hit it right off” Laura said, so they adopted Darcy.

Laura has also worked at adoption events for New Beginnings for Animals. 

“You get to see all different shapes, sizes and breeds.  There are lots of Chihuahuas and lots of pit bulls," she said. "I’ve fallen in love with a few Chihuahuas.  They would never have been on my radar, but they are so cute.”

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Shortly after this interview with Laura, Mr. T was adopted by a young couple.  Laura hopes Marvin will be adopted soon.

 “He’s a little dog with a big personality,” Laura said, “And he really needs a home.”

For information on adopting a dog or cat, volunteering or making a donation to New Beginnings for Animals, please visit their website at greatpets.org.