The REAL Story of Rudolph

I received this in an email from a very dear friend. It touched me very deeply, as I can so easily identify with it's origins. I just wanted to share it with our Dogwood family.

The True Story of Rudolph

A man named Bob May, depressed and brokenhearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night. His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing. Bob's wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears. Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob. Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember. From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little girl. But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced to live in a two-room apartment in the Chicago slums. Evelyn died just days before Christmas in 1938. Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined to make one - a storybook! Bob had created an animal character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling. Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose. Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there. The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print,_ Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer_ and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores. By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an updated version of the book. In an unprecedented gesture of kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story doesn't end there either. Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing cowboy, Gene Autry. "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling more records than any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas." The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.

A PLEA FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT DOGWOOD

 

 

GET ON THE WAGGIN': THE RESCUE WAGGIN NEEDS YOU!!

 

 

 

Rafi Johnson as she works to correct the vanalism done to her rescue vehicle last weekend. Someone poured sugar water into her gas tank, cauing terrible damage to the engine.

 

 

Christmas time has a special effect on people.  Maybe it’s the change in the weather. Maybe it’s the green holly and silver garlands that dress every window and tree trunk.  Perhaps it’s the smell of peppermint candy and baking cookies. Whatever the stimulus, Christmas time makes a heart grow two sizes and begin to feel a special love and peace.

But even the spirit of Christmas can’t change all hearts.   

On Saturday night, December 8^th, someone poured sugar water into the gas tank of the rescue vehicle used by Willies Happy Endings Animal Rescue in Woodlawn TN.

Willies Happy Endings is a nonprofit rescue that provides older animals a place to “retire”. Shelter founder and animal lover, Rafi Johnson, has helped many animals with illnesses and handicaps live out their golden years in love, comfort, and in a place they can call home. Johnson has also reached out to other animals in need, volunteering at the Clarksville Animal Control, and working diligently with other rescues to help animals find that forever place in someone’s heart.

It is unknown at this time why the Nissan XTerra, lovingly called the “ WHE Waggin” was vandalized.  But the effect of the damage has rippled outward in dangerous ways.  What started as a mean prank and act of stupidity by some careless person or persons unknown almost cost Rafi Johnson, and her two young children, serious injury.

After leaving her Woodlawn home and attempting to enter the highway, the vehicle died, causing the brakes and steering to lock up. Johnson was unable to brake at a stop sign and rolled out into oncoming traffic that was traveling at the disabled vehicle at 55 mph.

The WHE Wagin, escaped collision by the grace of the good Lord and no one was hurt.

But now, the WHE Waggin needs extensive repair. Johnson has already placed over four hundred dollars toward fixing  the vehicle, but it will need more work to run correctly and be brought back to its previous durability.

The vehicle known as the WHE Waggin is more than just a set of wheels. It is a symbol of hope in the animal rescue community. 

The yellow SUV has provided transport for countless pups and kitties, abandoned in empty houses or dumped along roadsides.  This vehicle has provided many of what Johnson calls “Freedom Rides” for the animals she has saved from certain destruction at Clarksville Animal Control. Not only does this vehicle provide escape for condemned animals, but it provides the vital daily transportation for rescue business.  Vet visits, picking up donations of food and litter, and countless other tasks are done in the WHE Waggin. 

But of all of its functions, the most important is that of carrying precious cargo to forever homes and places in the heart.

What I’m asking of you today is simple.
I am asking for you to join me in donating FIVE DOLLARS to the repair of this vital tool that supports Willies Happy Endings.

I’m asking you to GET ON THE WAGGIN!!!

Donate FIVE DOLLARS. That’s all.

 If you have a HUNDRED, I’m not going to poo poo you away.

But FIVE DOLLARS is all I’m asking.

How about this? I’ll get the ball rolling with TWENTY! (Done)
 Made via gofundme or paypal to the Willie Happy Endings site and earmarked for the WHE WAGGIN FUND.

You can also call and donate directly to North Stewart vet clinic at 931- 232-9900.

You can find all of these methods at their  website: http://www.willyshappyendings.org/

Christmas is a time of miracles. Together, we can help this shelter back on its wheels so that many, many more freedom rides and forever home drives can be given to those in need.