06/28/2009 - by Chuck Monan, Preaching Minister

 All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
~ Cecil Alexander,
All Things Bright and Beautiful

John DeCando, the chief animal control officer in Paterson, N.J., recoiled in horror at the sight of a beagle pup he found on the street.  The little dog was covered with burns from a caustic chemical and left to die by some sadistic excuse of a human being.  So grim were the beagle’s injuries that he almost didn’t make it through the first night at the animal hospital.  Some wondered if it would be kinder to end the dog’s suffering by putting it to sleep.  But after looking into the puppy’s deep brown eyes, DeCando told the veterinary team, “Whatever you do, keep this dog alive.”

Enter a couple who would make a difference.  Janice and Mike Martin have volunteered at the animal-rescue organization for fifteen years.  “When I went to pick up the puppy, I could hardly hold back my tears looking at his red, raw flesh where fur should be,” Janice said.  “The vet told us there were scars on top of his head that had been there before the burns, indicating that he had suffered prior physical abuse.”

The little pup, whom they named Champ, seemed to have no will to live.  But the Martins dedicated themselves to Champ’s care.  He often yelped in pain when they applied cream to his burns.  Mike Martin, who was recovering himself from kidney cancer and a heart attack, helped Champ learn how to trust and how to run and play.  Janice says, “He put his heart and his soul into helping Champ get well, without realizing that Champ was helping him get well, too.”

The Martins grew to love Champ so much they ended up adopting him as their own.  Veterinarian Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon write, “Today, the beagle has a career in helping others as a certified therapy dog in New Jersey.  Mike, Champ, and Officer DeCando go to schools, hospitals, and nursing homes to speak about the prevention of animal abuse.  He has become a bit of a celebrity and is especially popular with children who have suffered burns.”

Everyone who carries around scars should identify with this story.  Certainly the Savior, by whose scars we are healed, sympathizes (Isa. 53: 1-12).  People see Champ, hear his story, see his scars and find hope that they, too, can have a wonderful life ahead.  Mike explains,

Although I’m still on disability, and Champ will always have more scars than fur, we refuse to let anyone keep us from experiencing a full life together.  I want to show everyone that second chances are possible and that the power of friendship and love is unlimited.