Ninja Knew Best…
Once a street dog, Ninja knew first hand how hard it is to exist on the streets.
One day a kind soul took pity on this ragged black dog that seemed to wander around the same block for hours, day after day, and brought him to a dog sanctuary in Northern California. Upon his arrival, Ninja greeted everyone with such enthusiasm and polite manners that he was immediately classified as highly adoptable and allowed to live on the property as an “Out dog”, meaning that he wasn’t confined to a dog pen. At the sanctuary Ninja thrived. He ate well, regained his weight, napped in the office basking in the company of staff members who adored him, and was free to wander around the 330 acre property located in the Redwood Forest.
Ninja loved his people, but mostly he loved water. Several times a day he would stroll down the path to a creek that snakes its way through the trees and take a dip in the cool waters.
Volunteers and visitors would come to the animal sanctuary and Ninja would be there, running up the path shaking droplets of water from his thick coat and welcoming them with a wag and a wet smile. A few years went by, many people came and went and Ninja eventually resigned himself to living out the rest of his life at the shelter, knowing that black dogs are the hardest to adopt into new homes.
Then, one day, Seik Yee drove north from San Francisco and decided to make a stop in the woods to visit this sanctuary she had heard so much about. She took the tour, visited with many of the dogs and cats that resided there, gave out treats, brushed a few, walked a few more and, before the day was over, she had been recruited into coming up to volunteer often.
Over the following year Seik Yee and Ninja became the closest of friends and, one summer evening, when she left to go back home, he left with her. The staff lined up in the main meadow outside the barn to wave goodbye as Ninja smiled at them through the rear window of the car. Now an old dog Ninja lived his last few years experiencing the life that every dog should be so lucky to have, loved and cared for as a family pet.
When he finally crossed over the Rainbow Bridge Ninja left a legacy of love. As a former stray, Ninja knew how critical pet population control is. How vitally important it is to prevent births of unwanted puppies in order to prevent future suffering on the streets. This spay & neuter clinic is dedicated to Ninja, the black dog that knew and made us all aware of what needs to be done.
Gracias, Ninja, wherever you are. Your loving spirit continues to look out for the furry wanderers whether across town or across the border. You were dearly loved and you are still greatly missed…
