By MJ Hanley-Goff
When Rob Thomas and his wife, Marisol Maldonado, first saw Tyler, the bundle of white fur at the Middletown, NY, no-kill shelter, Pets Alive, they were hooked. They adopted Tyler, and thus began a love affair between Rob and Marisol and their new family member. But the magic didn’t stop there. Fans got to see Tyler at concerts and the dog became a mini celebrity himself. Thomas, lead singer for Matchbox Twenty, has won three Grammy Awards and has written for many other singers, including Willie Nelson, Mick Jagger, Marc Anthony, and Daughtry. His fan following is huge and those fans, inspired by their idol, began volunteering and supporting the Pets Alive Shelter. In November last year, Tyler passed away, and the couple’s loss was almost inconsolable with Thomas even cancelling a show.
At the time of Tyler’s death, Pets Alive Executive Co-Director Kerry Clair (above, left, with Rob and Marisol) wrote, “Tyler had been a badly abused dog when he found his way to Pets Alive. Marisol and Rob fell in love with him here and adopted him. Because of Tyler, Rob and Mari became fierce and staunch advocates of Pets Alive. They have given us money, support, volunteer time, and the love and support of their fans. Because of that one little life, Pets Alive still has its doors open today. Without their help last year, we would definitely have closed our doors. That means that last year 1,000 animals that we pulled from euthanasia lists, all would have been piles of bodies on the floor. Because of that little bundle of white fur, called Tyler those lives have been saved and have gone on to enrich the lives of the families that share their love now.”
On September 3, the Thomas’ were on hand at the Pets Alive shelter for the unveiling of “Camp Tyler,” the spruced up dog sanctuary and memorial gate named in Tyler’s honor, and to receive the first ever “Star Fish” award from the organization. Upon receiving the award, Rob quipped, “This is better than a Grammy.” Pets Alive co-director Matt DeAngelis, asked the appreciative crowd of volunteers, media, and special guests, “Do you know the starfish story? A man came upon a beach filled with starfish, and saw another tossing them, one by one, back into to sea. The man asked, ‘You’ll never get all these starfish back into the ocean, so why does it matter.’ To which the man replied, ‘It matters to this one’ as he tossed another back into the water.”
That’s the idea behind the truly “no kill” shelter known as Pets Alive, and the good works performed by Rob and Marisol on behalf of one life. Pets Alive not only takes in every dog, it makes a forever home for the ones that may never get adopted, but will still live a happy life in a loving atmosphere, with people to walk with, play with and love. Each dog’s life matters…each cat’s life matters…horses, goats, pigs, and the list goes on depending upon the situation.
DeAngelis had one more announcement. The medical office that the organization has had on its wish list will become a reality this spring. Over the past three years, fundraising efforts only went so far, until the Thomas’ agreed to kick in the balance. This medical office will offer low-cost spay and neutering, and also help other shelters with their spay and neutering projects.
As if this day wasn’t already filled with happy tears, Pets Alive volunteers proceeded to leash up some of the dogs and walk them through the newly unveiled gate, through the play area, to their runs. With a bandana around the neck, each dog ran excitedly through the crowds, panting and happy. Just like dogs should do. Occasionally, one would veer towards Rob or Marisol, sitting nearby, and they proceeded to pet and hug the dog, who reciprocated with its own kisses.
Almost as if they were thanking them, too.
Pets Alive can be reached at 845-386-9738, or online at www.petsalive.com. Volunteer, donate, come and visit. All are welcome.
