It is a symbiotic relationship that is obvious to see: a struggling young man sharing love and companionship with a few furry friends.
Each needs the other. Each faces an uncertain future. Each gives the other hope.
In the case of David Carl Lee, his best friends are a canine collection named Mickey Mouse, Macy, Peaches and whoever might show up at the front door of his Pacific home for a brief visit.
It is a close-knit club, based on mutual understanding, steady exercise, creative conversation and gentle care.
“It’s a lot of love, usually,” Lee said of his role as a foster dog rescuer for Old Dog Haven (ODH), a nonprofit regional organization that helps homeless senior dogs. “I enjoy this.”
Taking care of abandoned dogs is not easy, but it turns out to be a natural fit for Lee and his family.
Lee and the dogs create an emotional, physical and therapeutic bond – one picks up the other, each having survived their own plight.
“It keeps him going,” said Lee’s father, David Sr., a Boeing machinist.
Life has been an enormous challenge for David Carl Lee. Born at just 32 weeks old, the less-than-3-pound Lee clung to life. He survived, but the boy was left physically and developmentally disabled and to this day, medically fragile.
Lee, 23, depends on an oxygen bottle. On a good day, his lungs function at less than 25 percent of capacity.
“It’s horrible, it’s so difficult, but what choice do you have?” said Diane, Lee’s mother. “The prognosis is not good. He won’t live a full life, but you don’t know. He’s a miracle. He’s such an incredible blessing.”
Undaunted by their son’s health, the Lees follow an active lifestyle of activities and travel. Disneyland is a regular adventure. The family takes occasional cruises. Games are routine.
Lee competes in Special Olympics, a career that began when he picked up his first gold medal as a young swimmer. The hallway leading to his room is filled with medals, momentos and photos, including one with a pair of smiling swimmers – 8-year-old Lee and legendary Olympian Mark Spitz, who wrote, “From one gold medalist to another – keep up the good work.”
Despite his condition, Lee remains involved. He is active in the renowned Auburn Arts, Parks & Recreation Department’s specialized programs. He likes to read and write. He is a big NASCAR fan.
And he loves animals.
When Diane discovered Old Dog Haven, she found a good opportunity for her son to help dogs in trouble while receiving more exercise to benefit his weak lungs and heart.
Walking the dogs is only part of his day.
“It’s awesome,” Diane said. “These dogs like a half-hour walk and a four-hour nap. Life is good.”
With ODH, the Lees belong to a large network of people who provide loving and safe homes for abandoned older dogs. ODH takes in older dogs from death row, finding them new homes through volunteer foster family efforts.
The Lees receive abandoned, neglected or abused dogs of all descriptions.
“And, in this economy, more and more people cannot afford them,” Diane said. “I just can’t imagine that.”
The Lees even adopted two dogs of their own – Mickey Mouse from ODH and Macy from the Tacoma Humane Society.
Families help ODH by giving medical and behavioral evaluations over a minimum three-week stay to determine if the dog can be adopted or sent to a final refuge home.
ODH covers most expenses, including vet bills, leaving the foster family responsible for feeding and caring for them.
The Lees have had good success. Of the 15 dogs they received this past year, 12 have found permanent homes.
The Lees often name the dogs. With Lee’s love of auto racing, some dogs have left the household with such names as Daytona or Danica (for IndyCar driver Danica Patrick).
The joy and satisfaction come when they connect the dogs with good families. Such an effort often has a happy ending.
Lee enjoys matching the different personalities of dogs to new owners.
He says goodbye to dogs, knowing he has helped save a life – even if it might be a short one.
Making the most out of limited time is something Lee and his family know all too well. Life is too precious not to extend a helping hand.
“We don’t know how long we have,” Diane said, “so we live life to the fullest.”
Reach Mark Klaas at
253-833-0218,
ext. 5050, or mklaas@reporternewspapers.com
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HELP HOMELESS DOGS: More information about the Old Dog Haven program can be found at
www.olddoghaven.org
