For Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, we’re featuring a member of our community whose own experience underscores just how fulfilling rescuing can be. Meet Sue Derendal of Sue’s Pet Services, providing dog walking and overnights in & around Plymouth, MA.
Sue has a long history of adopting shelter dogs spurred by her own painful experience of having to give up her childhood dog. “I had a dog growing up that I brought home as a puppy,” she recalled. “My dad died when I was 13, and Missy helped me through my grief. When I was 18, I was living with someone who didn’t want Missy in the home. I ended up having to bring her to a shelter, and I later found out that she never made it out.”
In part to overcome that memory, Sue joined a Husky rescue group 13 years ago and eventually rescued her own shelter dog, a Husky mix named Sasha who had less than an hour to live. “There was another dog there also scheduled to be put down,” said Sue. “He was severely abused and 30 pounds underweight. I had to carry him to put him in the back of my Jeep. We found a home for him, and I became good friends with his family.”
After Sasha, Sue rescued Neko, a severely underweight Malamute with a bad ear infection. “We’ve had him for 7 years now. He’s so good-natured.” Neko was followed by Timber, a Husky scheduled to be put down at a Georgia shelter, and finally, a local Husky named Dakota with abuse issues and separation anxiety. “After a year and a half, he’s great with other dogs,” she said. “He’s an amazing boy!”
Rescue work was in fact what led Sue to start her business. She hired a dog walker for her adopted pup, Bandit, but soon found herself working with her, eventually quitting her job as an ophthalmology tech to pursue pet care full-time. “I prefer animals over humans – without a doubt!”
Sue also prefers using PetPocketbook. “Before I was constantly in my book and answering so many texts a day. It consumed my whole life. I would say I have saved probably 15 hours a week with PetPocketbook. Now, I can hop on, and I’m done within minutes. It’s been a lifesaver.”
Let’s join Sue in supporting our local shelters & adopting – you won’t regret it!
Looking for a shelter near you? Start here.