Audrey was in a bit of a panic and Eldad remained calm."I was running between the computer and the balcony with catnip in hand," says Audrey. "Eldad wrote that whatever I do, don't give him catnip because it would make him loopy. He was so helpful that once the cat was safely inside, we made plans to meet. We found that we lived a block away from each other."
Over lunch, Audrey and Eldad instantly hit it off. Even though they came from different backgrounds--she grew up in southern California and he in Israel--they had a lot in common, especially their love for animals. Audrey rescued her two cats and Eldad rescued countless number of strays.
Audrey and Eldad always had a strong bond with animals. "When I came home from the hospital, my parent's Puli, Punim, welcomed me as the newest member of the household by proceeding to lick my face," says Audrey. "Punim was my trusted friend and guardian."
As a young child in northern Israel, Eldad became a caretaker of sick and lost animals. If an abandoned bird needed mending or a litter of kittens were found without their mother, they were brought to Eldad for comfort and care. Rescuing strays never stopped, even when Eldad moved to the States a few years ago. Since living in Los Angeles, Eldad estimates that he has rescued more than 200 dogs.
Foster Care for Dogs
Audrey and Eldad volunteered at their local shelter walking and caring for strays. Spotty, a Pit Bull, was the first dog they brought home from their local animal shelter. He was a watchdog that was kept in a yard with no shelter from the heat or cold. They found him malnourished, sunburned, and wearing a collar that was so tight that it had to be surgically removed. He had fleas, ticks, and internal parasites.
When they opened the cage, he came bounding out showering Audrey and Eldad with grateful kisses. With a lot of love and care, Spotty looked like a new dog. "I thought we were going to help poor Spotty by teaching him a few things," says Audrey. "It was he who taught us about hope, trust, and joy."
After Spotty came into their lives, Audrey and Eldad started bringing other strays home. They eventually moved from an apartment to a three-bedroom home. Many of the dogs they fostered were adopted by people in the area. Their adoption and foster home network grew.
"We would foster dogs, get them well, and then find good homes for them," says Eldad. "It was hard giving them away, but all of the dogs we helped have gone to good homes. We have other people in our network who foster strays. Sometimes, they grow attached and keep them. Other times, they give them to good loving homes."
Happy Tails for Strays
Taz, a stray who was picked up by animal control and brought to a shelter, was found covered in motor oil. He now lives the good life in Lake Tahoe. When Eldad and Audrey rescued him his fur was so matted and filthy that the shelter staff put him in a female kennel. After a few baths and lots of love, Taz was transformed. (See before and after photos below.)
Dasha, an American Bulldog, was found undernourished, weak, and with uterine tumors. Eldad took her to the vet so that the tumors could be immediately removed. After a short recovery, Dasha was adopted by a couple who lives in San Francisco. About six months later, the couple returned to adopt a second dog. They brought Dasha with them. Audrey and Eldad were thrilled to see Dasha looking so well.
Hope for Paws Nonprofit
The number of strays that have been transformed into healthy loving pets continues. Last June, Audrey and Eldad formed a nonprofit 501c3 called Hope for Paws. "Hope for Paws was created because it felt like we can do more than just fostering," says Eldad. "And we figured that with all the experience we have, it's time for us to take it to the next level. We want to help educate the public about the benefits of adopting strays and about properly caring for a pet because that's how things will get solved in the long run; Hope For Paws was born on June 11, 2008--a day before my birthday."
"Having a rescue group allows us to accept donations," he continues, "and this helps us with rescuing the more difficult and expensive cases that no one wants to take. Not too many people will take home a dog with a crushed leg or a dog who needs a double knee surgery. As you know, vet bills can be really high, and we just needed some help."
A Book to Help the Animals
To further their cause, Audrey and Eldad created a beautiful coffee table book filled with photos of many of the dogs they have rescued. Our Lives Have Gone To The Dogs by Audrey Spilker Hagar and Eldad Hagar sells for $9.95. It is quite uplifting, and the photos show the dogs after they have received a lot of tender loving care. One-hundred percent of all sales go directly to rescue, foster, rehabilitation, and placement of the animals. To order a copy, go to Hope for Paws.
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