Meet Lisa Parker | Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Saving one dog at a time and matching them to the correct forever home may not change the world, but for that one dog and one family, their world has been forever changed.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We all have our passions and mine is dogs and puppies.

I suppose no one in his or her good judgment would have thought to pick up a dog from a gas station in Cameron, AZ. I saw Granite on my way to Sedona in the fall of 2012. I said a little prayer for him. “Please stay safe for four days and don’t get hit by a car or die of despair. I will come back for you.”

I saw Granite on the return trip and made a quick turn into the gas station. I stopped just shy of him in order to not scare him. I casually got out with a leash and some food and started to follow him as he walked slowly away. I said out loud, “Hey buddy.” He stopped but didn’t turn right away. Maybe he was in disbelief that someone was actually speaking to him. I said it again and he turned. The kindest big brown eyes met mine. I would like to explain to those of you who do not know Granite; he is 65 pounds, black, and mostly pit bull. At the time he was in bad shape with scars all over him and parts of his ears were missing likely from fighting for food and with other intact males.

Most people would have grabbed their loved ones and gone the other way. After we had eye contact, I simply asked him “Are you nice?” Wag wag… So he is nice. I fed him the food that he was mildly interested in. (He was most likely used to gas station food.) I cautiously slipped the leash over his head and asked him to come with me while inside I was so elated I could have jumped for joy but didn’t want to scare him. He was amiable but seemed in disbelief.

We reached the truck and with my sunglasses off I offered him a bowl of water. This, I have learned, is far more precious than food at times. He drank gladly. I then prepared to load him in the covered back of the truck. I turned my head to protect my face in case he got scared and turned on me as I lifted him. However, he did no such thing! He went right to the blanket I had laid out for him and curled up in a tight ball. He seemed to be thinking that if this was the end of his life that it was ok. Someone cared and he was complete.

But for Granite it was the beginning. He is such an amazing dog and now best friend to my friend Christine. He has moved on from the terrible life he was living, forgiven, forgotten. He lives his days as happy as a creature could be with such joy in his heart that I cared enough to stop. Always remember: YOU CAN CHANGE A LIFE!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the desert. Then to the mountains.
Then down the river!
We have such a beautiful outdoor arena here in Southwest Colorado.

I would also eat at James Ranch. It embodies such a unique experience of sustainability.

A walk downtown through our shops and sidewalk set ups would also be a must!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My Board of Directors, the community who supports rescue and, of course, the animals who forgive and love no matter what has happened!

Website: Parkersanimalrescue.com

Instagram: Parkers animal rescue

Facebook: Parker’s Animal Rescue

Image Credits
Wyllow Hildner