Tanya McMickle Shares Her Special Reason for Volunteering

RMGDRI is focusing on volunteering in the month of January and as a result, we would like to share a special story from one of our volunteers. Her story is one of triumph over a negative life experience that ultimately led her to volunteer for RMGDRI.

In 2008, I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. I underwent multiple surgeries, aggressive chemotherapy for nine months and radiation therapy for two months. When I was going though chemo, I was laying in the ward with my 9yr old daughter sleeping next to me (for support). No pun intended, but I was "sicker than a dog". As I lay there, unable to sleep, I overheard two nurses talking in the hall. One nurse was crying about a gal that had passed & the other nurse attempted to soothe her with "We can’t save ‘um all". In my 12-year career as a Vet Tech and in multiple other pet-related settings, I had heard that term used, but for the FIRST time, I WAS ONE OF THE DOGS! I have come to hate that term.

After a lengthy recovery, my husband and I began to look for a family dog. We rescued, foster and purchased multiple dogs on our own over the last two years including a Chihuahua, Chinese Crested, Miniature Pinscher, Italian Grey Hound, three English Bulldogs, two Olde English Bulldogs, three Mastiffs, three Danes, and a couple of mixes. These dogs came from horrible situations and needed “saving”. I am happy to report that all of these dogs are now in loving homes – two of them ours. Hefner, a beautiful, goofy Dane (one of the three mentioned previously) is now a proud member of our family as well as McLovin, our smashed-faced, squishy English Bulldog. By the way, we don't do this any more and do not recommend it. This is what I like to refer to as post-chemo insanity.

It was during this time period that I began to associate my experience with battling cancer and the great need for the love, kindness, care and support of anyone and everyone around. It is what got me through each difficult day. With my pet experience, I realized that I had a great desire to help animals in need and pass on the support that I had received.

We chose to support RMGDRI as we love our Dane and the people involved in this organization are truly doing it for the dogs! These are a GREAT group of caring people. We will always have a Dane (or three) in our family. Although it may be true that "We cant save um all", I personally know how blessed these Danes are that there are people that are going to keep trying!

Tanya McMickle
RMGDRI Foster Recruitment Coordinator