written by Rory Rhodes Adopted dogs get new leash on life. F ew things in life are more rewarding than adopting a dog in need of a furever home. Our rescue dog, Hank, is a 12-year-old coonhound with cloudy eyes, missing front teeth, notched ears and a sea lion bark. He was found hungry and injured in the Kentucky woods and nursed slowly back to health by an incredible foster mom in Michigan. Now he lives happily in our Virginia mountains, baying for walks and anything on the cutting board. Local organizations like the RVSPCA, Angels of Assisi, League for Animal Protection, Smiles Forever and regional Humane Societies work tirelessly to save and place dogs and cats. A devoted community of foster animal parents takes in animals in danger of euthanasia or needing special care. And then there are the adoptive parents, who find that saving a dog's life enriches their own. 64 MARCH/APRIL 2020 TheRoanoker.comhttp://www.TheRoanoker.com