Today we’d like to introduce you to Jen Annecchiarico.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
If I were to look into the eyes of the “2012” version of me, I would be looking at a stranger. Self-absorbed in my social life, a complete lack of self-awareness, working two jobs, always surrounded by a group of friends I truly believed I was living the best possible life I could at the time. Looking back now, I see so much was missing, I was empty and missing something I couldn’t imagine living today without; a purpose. Don’t get me wrong, I was always a good and kind-hearted person but there was a piece of the compassion I have now that was missing.
After a short-lived relationship break-up, resulting in my ex taking his adorable pup, Pegson, with him, I came home every day and was drowning in the feeling of emptiness… something was missing. My mind played tricks on me because that feeling wasn’t a broken heart, not desperation for my ex to be back because I didn’t miss him. I missed his dog. I grew up with animals my entire life. We had everything from dogs, cats, rabbits, gerbils, and fish. My grandfather raised chicken and turkeys as well; he was born in Italy and after coming here decided some things would just be a part of his life… animals were one of them.
With the empty feeling growing larger and stronger, a few months after the breakup, I decided to ensue my search for a dog of my own to fill this void I couldn’t satisfy with anything else. I had two cats at the time but even they missed a dog’s presence so I searched for weeks, went to meet at greets at the MSPCA, emailed rescues and shelters on dogs that peaked my interest with their profiles and background story. But, I just couldn’t decide on one that gave me “the feeling” to act on adoption. Many of you know of “the feeling” I am speaking of. It is one that is ever so hard to put into words. A sense of joy and happiness take over your emotions and body. It’s the feeling when your rescue dog has chosen you. You don’t know it at the time because you’re so engulfed in these wonderful feelings but soon after you make that dog your family, in hindsight, it is so clear and evident that “the feeling” was, in fact, your dog rescuing a human that day; rescuing you.
I finally stumbled across a photo of a beautiful chestnut puppy, 6 months old, who was born in a pile of dirt in Puerto Rico. Her name – Cocoa. Her photo depicted what looked like a small tear drop coming out of the inner corner of her eye. She was stunningly beautiful but carried a sense of lost hope, sadness and fear at the same time. So, why couldn’t I get this beautiful girl off my mind then!? She was certainly far from what I envisioned as the “perfect dog” back then and she had a history of disappointment and failure from humans that had already made her who she was at the time. She spent her life fighting from the very first second she was born in a woman’s back yard, covered in dirt, with no food or water. The finder put her and her litter mates in a box and dumped them outside the local kill shelter. An amazing woman, Edilia, of All Sato Rescue, rescued and cared for the pups until they were ready for transport to Cape Ann Animal Aid in Gloucester. One of the litter mates died shortly after rescue from a skin infection and this girl and the remaining litter mates made their way to MA.
I finally decided that I was going to schedule a meet and greet with her. She was being fostered by a woman named Laurie at the time because all her other litter mates had already been adopted months before Cocoa. But Cocoa, oh sweet Cocoa, was learning to trust, to feel love, to feel safe in the comfort of her foster’s home because the shelter was too detrimental to her well being hindering any progress she could make in coming out of her fears. I will never forget the day I met her. As I walked over to take the leash being handed to me, I watched her as she cowared behind her foster mom in fear; urinating in fear that someone was going to take her away from the one true place she finally felt safe and loved. My heart tore into so many pieces that moment. I couldn’t understand why she wasn’t interested in me… was I not the one for her like I thought? Finally after letting go of her grip she so tightly clenched to the ground with, I got her to get up and walk a few feet with her foster mom along side, cheering her on. I was convinced she would snap out of it… but she didn’t and I started to feel horrible as it was clear she was scared and uncomfortable. They meet and greet ended and I went home with a sense of sadness, disappointment, unworthiness I hadn’t had before arriving to meet her. What did she see in me, or not see, that I was missing?
In the coming days, I received calls from the shelter inquiring as to whether I was going to adopt. They reminded me she was the only litter mate left and had been with her foster for months. I put them off for a few days to gather my thoughts. Why would I adopt a dog that was afraid of me? Why would I adopt a dog that may never act like a “normal dog”? Why would I adopt a dog that wouldn’t even walk along side me? What would that adoption situation really look like once we got home and would I fail her? All these thoughts crossed my mind but for some reason, I just couldn’t let go of that image of her picture with the tear drop from my mind. I soon came to the realization that she was lost and needed to be found; as did I. My life was missing something and I was going to find out what that was, with her along side me throughout that journey. We would do everything together and I would show her how to feel love, trust, play, swim, bask in the sun, and enjoy the company of other humans and dogs that she was missing out on in fear. I would rescue her, and she was really rescuing me.
There is no such thing as “the perfect dog” and all those questions back then have been answered with the help of Cocoa, and my other two dogs, Bo and Sophie. Help from dogs I have helped rescue over the past 7 years has shown me that what lies beneath the surface holds and what we see on the outside are not something to judge a dog by. My dogs and those I have rescued have taught me so much. They have taught me that unconditional love and loyalty are truly gifts that not all humans will provide in our lives. Animals should be cherished for their innocence and it is our responsibility to treat them right; to love them; to protect them; to train them; to exercise them; to socialize them; to save them; but most importantly, to BE THEIR VOICE. Being a voice for those that do not have one is the least I can do for all the love and faith they have restored in my heart.
The day I rescued Cocoa, she restored a piece of me that was lost somewhere in my busy social life, while working two jobs, trying to establish my career and be a successful contributing member of society. I was lost just like Cocoa and I didn’t know how much of a difference my voice and my actions could really make until her. While I taught her to live and trust and “be a dog”, she taught me so many more valuable life lessons that I could never have known otherwise. She ignited a passion for advocating and saving animals in me that I didn’t know was missing. And Pegson, his absence was the prime factor that started this journey in search of adopting my first pup in the beginning. Everything in life is full circle but when you see how one animal can change the life of another, whether by inspiring someone to do something or opening their eyes to a side of life they turned a blind eye to, is uplifting and more than a sense of hope; it becomes part of your inherent being.
If I didn’t adopt Cocoa that day, despite all signs pointing me to move on and find another dog, I don’t know that I would have been able to save the lives of so many animals I have since that day.
One of my favorite quotes is “Saving one dog won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that one dog.”
There is a sense of truth to that but more importantly, it’s up to us to take that first step in saving that one dog, because the doors that will open to save another, then another, then another, will be never ending thereafter. It’s up to us to say something when we see something. To speak when everyone else is silent. And to stand tall for our voices to be heard for those that can’t speak (in words anyway).
Rescuing my dogs and all the dogs since Cocoa has made me a better person; filled my heart with compassion; and showed me a beautiful side of this life that I couldn’t imagine being without.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Rescue is never a smooth road. You will hear “rescue is so full of drama” and “those people are crazy” and the time WILL come when there is a dog you can not save. I remember that first dog for me… his name was Maverick and his owners euthanized him the day before we were supposed to pick it up to go to a board and train. It WILL happen and when it does, never give up, just know that you gave it your all while thinking about all the other dogs that need you. Do it for that dog in his or her name; fight harder; be louder; stand stronger…but never give up, never lose hope. Sometimes we are all they have.
As for the “drama” and “crazy” remarks, yes, there is some tension when people disagree or have the right heart in it but not the same game plan… BUT THAT’S OKAY! Anything worth being passionate about doesn’t come easy and these are living creatures we are talking about here. I would hope that there would be some upsets along the way because if there wasn’t, is it really getting 100% of our time and passion? We aren’t crazy, we are dedicated, loyal and unconditional advocacy volunteers that have been gifted with the strength to fight the uphill battle of animal abuse, neglect, backyard breeding, and Breed Specific Legislation “BSL”. While times are progressing the problems and animals in need of our care never go away, so we have to keep fighting another day. Sometimes, we’ll want to give up, but we won’t. And someone will be there to remind us why we can’t because they have been there too.
Never be too strong to think you are weak if you need a break. I’ve had to take one myself, but learned the hard way, this is an emotional roller coaster full of happy times, painful moments, scary moments, gruesome images that will never leave your mind; but these are the things that keep us going and remind us why we do what we do. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t care for them. Listen to yourself and always trust your gut instinct.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Saving one life at a time.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”
– Marie Curie
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @andacherrycoke
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