Hearts, the puppy -- A Christmas Story

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Hearts, the puppy -- A Christmas Story

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uploaded by Sharon Raiford Bush

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Before the yuletide season is over, the Internet will be crowded by warm Christmas stories aimed at making the heart of the biggest grinch grow three times larger. Some will be fictionalized.

Others will be based on real events, like this one.

This is the tale of a tiny puppy still cutting her teeth. She wasn't supposed to see Christmas 2010 because her previous owners didn't want her. Neither did they care to keep her still-nursing baby sisters.

Shortly before the toll of the first Christmas bell, her human parents placed her and her siblings in a manger made of flimsy cardboard; they tossed it on the dark side of a desolate road.

The only sounds these four-legged babies heard were an occasional vehicle that whizzed by, sometimes too close for comfort.

The pups also heard the frightening sounds of roaming predators in search of their next, fresh meal.

Luckily, all humans are not heartless as the ones who discarded the puppies like littered refuse.

In a short time, the crying box of cuddling pups would be discovered and their lives would forever change for the better.

It was actor-turned-animal welfare activist Leo Grillo who found the makeshift crib and rescued them.

Grillo is founder and president of D.E.L.T.A. Rescue, the largest no-kill, care-for-life animal sanctuary of its type in the world.

Grillo brought the puppies back to his mountaintop sanctuary and gave them the food, shelter and urgent medical care they deserved. Sadly, it was too late for one of the pups.

One of the surviving pups with a strong heartbeat, bright eyes, permanent smile and apparent affection for the flash of camera bulbs was named 'Hearts,' Grillo's gift from Heaven; he even dressed her up in red and white faux fur and adorned her for the holidays.

The necklace with a miniature, dangling bell is not the only present Grillo has in store for 'Hearts.'

On Christmas Day, baby 'Hearts' will join more than 1,500 animals at the refuge in receiving their very own Christmas Love Stocking, all made possible by the kindness of animal lovers.

The story of little 'Hearts' is perhaps a big reminder to all of us that everyone has a place in this world and all creatures matter.

It certainly brings to light the true meaning of The Twelve Days of Christmas, which references in hidden subtext the values of faith, goodness, humanity and simply doing the right thing.

And when Grillo came to the rescue of these precious lives, he did a mighty good thing, indeed.

To help care for Hearts and her new family at D.E.L.T.A. Rescue, go here.

Contact author: EPmagWest@aol.com