In 1991, I adopted Cody, a 1 year old abused Doberman that had been picked up as a stray, from the Animal Rescue League.  She was 20 pounds underweight and appeared to have been tied out on a choke chain that had rubbed the hair off of her neck.  Cody still loved people though and eventually became a therapy dog, visiting patients at Mercy Hospital.  She also earned titles in obedience and agility and lived to 15 years old.  The ARL wasn't under such good management back then, and the building was more like a prison for the animals there.  The years since then have brought a new building for the animals, satellite adoption sites, a horse barn, a separate cat building, and a dog park.  They give animals a second chance at life, including taking in injured animals, getting them well, and adopting them out.  ARL helps animals all over Iowa, when there are too many for local shelters, but they can't do this without donations.  I'm helping to raise donations for the ARL in honor of Cody, the best dog that I've ever known.