Lithia Woman Puts Her Heart into Rescuing Dogs

Like many unwanted dogs, Heidi found herself dumped on a desolate country road along with two other German shepherds.

They had no food, no water and no hope of survival.

Lithia resident Lori Hoffman clearly recalls that Thursday morning in March 2001 when she was driving down the road and came upon the three starving dogs.

"It was evident that all three dogs had been used for back-yard breeding and were no longer needed," said Hoffman. "This could have been because each one was heartworm positive. All three were extremely thin, frightened and unsocialized."

Hoffman's heart went out to the frightened dogs. That night, she brought them food and then sent out dozens of emails pleading for someone to help her catch them.

"The only person that responded was Dennis McCullough from Hillsborough County Animal Services," Hoffman relays the story on her website. "He came out with others the following Monday and they were able to catch two of the girls, but missed one."

That evening, Hoffman drove by the site and saw a lone German shepherd by the side of the road.

"I was able to get her into my car and home. From that evening forward her name was Heidi and she was our girl," said Hoffman. "She was sensitive, gentle and seemed to know and understand whatever we wanted."

That July, Hoffman underwent a second surgery for lung cancer.

"Heidi was by my side 24-7 until my full recovery some five weeks later," said Hoffman. "She sensed what I needed and would get a member of the family to come to me if I needed something. It is hard to explain but it was
like she could read my mind."

Unfortunately, Hoffman didn't have her beloved Heidi for long.

On the evening of Sept. 10, 2001, Heidi died suddenly of an aneurysm.

"I truly believe and I have always felt, as does my family, that Heidi was an angel sent to me when I needed her the most," said Hoffman. "I was graced with having her in my life for 5 1/2 months. What an impression she made on me and, now, so many others."

In Heidi's honor and memory, on Jan. 30, 2002, Hoffman started Heidi's Legacy Dog Rescue, a nonprofit dedicated to saving dogs like Heidi that have been abandoned and abused.

In the 10 years since, the nonprofit has rescued and found homes for hundreds of dogs. 

Hoffman runs Heidi's Legacy from her property at 3102 Nichols Rd., Lithia, but she depends on dozens of foster parents to help her care for and house the many dogs needing homes.

"I'm always seeking good foster parents," she said. 

"Sometimes a dog or cat that comes to us may need orthopedic surgery and a quiet environment in which to recuperate," said Hoffman. "Or a litter of tiny kittens might have been abandoned and they desperately need round-the-clock care. Or a teenage dog needs to learn some house rules before he can be considered suitable for adoption."

The group's foster care program helps these animals by providing volunteer caregivers who are willing to open their homes to needy animals.

"Our foster caregivers are special people who put their own concerns aside and focus on the needs of the dogs and cats that come into their lives," said Hoffman. "It can be trying, to say the least, but the rewards are immeasurable."

The rescue group also depends on community donations to help them feed and provide medical care for the dogs it takes in from throughout Florida.

To aid the cause, Bloomingdale-Riverview Patch is teaming up with The Coffee House on FishHawk Boulevard to host a food collection drive for Heidi's Legacy.

On June 9, The Coffee House will extend its hours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. so it can collect dog and cat food for the nonprofit. In the end, said Hoffman, it's all about second chances.

"We have been blessed with people donating and with the adoptions over the years, plus a few small grants and corporate donations," said Hoffman.

But, as soon as one dog is adopted into a loving homes, another dog gets dumped, said Hoffman. "These precious creatures are being left in the woods, on streets in neighborhoods, to fend for themselves. Education is very important and getting to the youth so that they don't repeat many of the bad habits.

"Each animal's story is different and many are heart-breaking, but in every case there is a common thread: an animal that deserves a second chance at life and a permanent, loving home," said Hoffman.

Applications to become foster parents also are available on the website.

Heidi's Legacy's website also features dogs available for adoption through the rescue group.

For more information, call Hoffman at 813-737-1795 or email heidislegacy@aol.com.