Ashley Owen Hill

Ashley Owen Hill is someone that I consider a hero.  She is my hero.  I often shake my head in disbelief for all of the animals lives she is transforming and saving.  It blows my mind.  I am in awe of Ashley as she has found her mission in life and is fulfilling it.  

 I look forward to the day when I am able to contribute greatly to her cause.  Ashley is one of the few people on this planet that actually leaves me speechless.  I know what she does day in & day out and it leaves me at a complete utter loss for words.  So, I am going to let Ashley tell you about herself....in her own words.  

My name is Ashley, & I am an animal rescuer. 

I was born an animal rescuer. 

It is truly the reason I was put on this Earth. As a little girl, I would bring home every stray dog & cat in sight. Nurture them. Find them homes. 

I remember how heartbroken I was the first time I realized that not everyone was like me. 

As I get older, I realize just how few people actually are like me. 

It’s difficult to explain the way I feel to someone who doesn’t share my passion.  Most people will admit that it is painful for them to witness a case of animal cruelty.  However, most people are able to see a dog in need, resolve to themselves that they cannot help the dog, and go about their lives as if they never saw the dog in the first place. 

I am incapable of doing this. 

The image of the dog in need will slowly eat away at my soul.  I have nightmares about the dogs I cannot reach.  I am not the kind of person who can just look away. When others turn their heads, I look harder & take action. I see the world for what it is, & I fight against it.  I don’t live in a bubble where I think everything is okay.  I know that things are not okay, and I do everything in my power to change that. 

I am a voice for those who cannot speak.  And I am a voice to be reckoned with. The animals need me.  In most cases, I am their only hope.

As a rescuer, I get angry at the world every single day. 

My heart hurts from the things I have witnessed. 

I get overwhelmed. 

I want to scream. 

Sometimes, I just want to quit. 

To completely give up. 

But when I think I can’t go on, when I think I just can’t do it any more, I look at the dogs.  I look at these precious souls, living a life they never knew was possible. I look at their capacity for forgiveness--which far exceeds that of any human.  My rescue dogs have experienced the worst the world has to offer.  Most of them have been chained, beaten, and starved for much of their lives.  Before me, they had never encountered kindness on any level.  But when I look at them, I see no trace of anger. 

There is no resentment. 

No self-pity. 

There is only the desire to be loved. 

It is truly the most incredible thing I have ever witnessed.

The pain associated with animal rescue doesn’t even come close to the joy it has brought into my life.  My heartbreak is healed daily by the love of those I have saved. They remind me that there is more to the world than my selfish needs. They make me smile, and laugh, and feel ever-so comforted by the unconditional love they give me. 

They make me feel alive. 

And with each that I save, my faith is strengthened. 

My heart is made whole. 

My soul is awakened. 

Because what most people don’t understand is this:  I am not rescuing them. They are rescuing me.

Ashley Owen Hill
www.luckydogrescueblog.com
"Saving the world... one dog at a time." ~ Lucky Dog Rescue