When rescuers found a Rottweiler lying next to a road seemingly waiting to die, they took him to a shelter for evaluation and called Denise Novak. They knew if anyone could help the dog, Novak, a founding officer of Save 1 Pet dog rescue in Olive Branch, Miss., could.

At only 49 pounds, the Rottie, estimated at about 2 years of age, was too weak to even stand. His neck was encircled in scars from a chain. Fresh, infected wounds oozed from a new chain wrapped even tighter around his neck. The situation appeared hopeless. The dog was barely clinging to life and the veterinarian suspected he had heartworms.

Novak searched his eyes and knew what she had to do. “It seemed he wanted to live,” she says. “He had a wonderful temperament for an animal that was just waiting to die. I decided to give him a heartworm test — we owed him that much. I told the vet if he tested positive, we would euthanize him, but if he tested negative, I’d take him home.”

Happily, the Rottie tested negative and began a new chapter in his life. Novak nursed him back to health with loving care and good nutrition. Soon his coat shone, his body filled out with new muscle tone, and his spirit soared. “It’s amazing just how thankful he was,” Novak says. “He gave me kisses and reassured me he wanted to live.”

Novak decided to name the dog “Rally.” “He is a true survivor and our poster fur child for the Rally to Rescue program,” she says. “We put a link on our home page (www.save1pet.org) to his story and information about Rally to Rescue.”

After two months, Rally moved in with Julie Cuccia, a Save 1 Pet officer and owner of a dog training business. Rally was further evaluated, taught basic obedience, and was readied for adoption. Cuccia and her family fell in love with the friendly, enthusiastic Rottie.

Something in the Eyes
Novak, who owns a cleaning business, got into dog rescue about nine years ago. She was cleaning a house that had recently been vacated when she made an appalling discovery. The former residents had left their dog behind — with no food or water. He also was thickly covered in ticks. She brought him food and water, but left him at the house.

“I couldn’t sleep that night,” Novak says. “All I could see were his eyes.” She went back to get the dog and took him to a veterinarian. The dog, which Novak named “Joe,” tested positive for heartworms. After treatment and plenty of tender loving care, he lived happily with Novak for eight years.

While Novak had personally rescued a few dogs over the years, the experience with Joe led her to volunteer at the Olive Branch Animal Shelter. She started behind the scenes, cleaning kennels and litter boxes, exercising dogs, and playing with cats. Soon she took in her first foster dog, “Fletcher,” when the shelter became too crowded. If not for Novak, Fletcher would have been put to sleep.

“There was something about his eyes,” Novak says. “I had to save him, and I haven’t stopped fostering dogs since.”

Starting Save 1 Pet
In 2004, Novak took her rescue work a step further and helped form Save 1 Pet. She and six other people are founding officers. They received 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and set out to assist local animal shelters by helping to increase adoptions and public awareness about the responsibilities of caring for domestic animals. Though Save 1 Pet will rescue animals wherever there is a need, the group primarily covers Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee. The rescue organization became a Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue Ambassador in September 2005.

As a result of Save 1 Pet’s efforts, and the dedicated staff of the Olive Branch Animal Shelter, the shelter had a 3-percent euthanasia rate in 2005. “That’s because we help to get the animals out of the shelter and put them in foster homes,” Novak explains. “We’re so proud to be a helping hand in this low euthanasia rate.”

Save 1 Pet also helps increase pet adoption awareness with a “Pet of the Week” column in two area newspapers. “This column places animals in front of people,” says Novak, who submits photos and articles. “It just takes one right call. The column also helps make people aware of the different local shelters and gets them thinking about adopting a pet rather than buying one.”

Save 1 Pet’s work is well-known and respected in the Olive Branch area, and Novak is frequently interviewed by area newspapers. Because of Novak’s commitment to rescue work through Save 1 Pet, she was elected “Volunteer of the Year” in the 2004 People’s Choice Awards in the Desoto County Tribune.

Changing The World
Novak founded Save 1 Pet based on the philosophy of a phrase that deeply touched her during a struggle to save a dog: “Saving one pet won’t change the world, but surely, the world will change for one pet.” This philosophy continues to guide her and her fellow rescuers.