Luke's Refuge

09/17/2024

Announcement: A New Chapter Begins with Luke’s Refuge

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We have an important update to share with you. Our page, which has been known as "Return Luke Home" will now be called "Luke's Refuge"

Many of you know the story of Luke, the dog who touched our hearts in ways we will never forget. After we rescued Luke and nurtured him back to health, he was cruelly stolen from us. Despite our efforts, Luke was never returned. His story has been one of heartbreak, but also one of hope.

In honor of Luke and the love we have for him, we’ve made the decision to continue his legacy by creating a safe haven for other neglected, abused, or abandoned dogs: Luke's Refuge will be dedicated to helping others dogs in need to also be cared for, loved, and provide the safety they deserve, just as we had provided for Luke.

We are also proud to share that Luke's Refuge is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation and registered as a charity with the state of South Carolina. Additionally, we have applied for 501(c)(3) status, and once approved, this will enable us to accept tax-deductible donations While our 501(c)(3) application is pending, please note that any donations made during this time will not be tax-deductible. Your contributions will still make an incredible difference in helping us care for dogs in need, and we sincerely appreciate your support!

This new chapter is deeply personal to us, and we are committed to making a difference in Luke’s name. Thank you for being part of this journey, and we hope you will join us in this mission to provide a safe haven for dogs in need.

With gratitude 🐾
Luke’s Refuge
A Safe Haven for Neglected, Abused, and Abandoned Dogs.

08/22/2022

We have both been struggling to create a update/post of the reality of what has been done to us. It has been really hard given the fact we both love Luke and miss him so much. To read through all the documents and see lie after lies, manipulation, and deception is honestly disheartening. This is a miscarriage of justice with allowing For the Love of a Paw and their board members to move our dog Luke out of state with no reprecussion or being held accountable. Attached is a link to Luke’s blog which has a update to the timeline of our filings with the court. We are very heartbroken there really are no other words to describe this pain.

We have been struggling to post this update. As you read through the court filings and the documentation to validate that in our opinion and have always maintained that Brandy Beach Hudson and the board members of For the Love of a Paw (FLOAP) in which she is a director are manipulative, deceptive,....

04/09/2022

What a true testament to helping not only the dog but the owner (true rescue) and not passing judgment on this teens situation. They seen the bigger picture and took the time to see the love and bond between the dog and it’s OWNER. They didn’t condemn the teen instead they put their ego aside and saw a need… this shelter could have created a post with derogatory, condemning, and judgmental remarks and statements about the backstory of this situation however they rose above and that’s what a true rescue and non profit organization does. It’s about helping the community and it’s animals. The human component cannot be ignored in rescue.

For the Love of a Paw did not do a home inspection, did not know our living situation or fact of the matter Luke’s living situation… Why? Because Luke belonged to Jerry he was in fact rescued and surrendered to Jerry. manipulated in order to deceptively steal Luke that never had a family before and Luke finally found love, trust, and safety. Food for thought: If had an actual legal ownership claim they would have had documentation proving their claim and that would then mean that they could have: #1 been able to remove Luke from our home or #2 filed a claim in court just as we did. They choose to be manipulative and deceptive. Their actions seen and unseen prove this and all will be revealed. I promise we are fighting for Luke everyday. We have so much to update through research and investigations. So much has happened and we are currently updating Luke’s blog and will publish and share all the facts of his case that has been uncovered when we get our day in court. That day is coming 🙏🏻 thank you everyone who is checks up on us and keeps us in their thoughts and prayers truly means so much to us both.



WIS-TV
Dawndy Mercer Plank WIS TV
Orangeburg County Animal Control and Shelter

A homeless teenager surrendered his dog to an animal shelter because he could no longer provide proper care to the animal, according to the shelter.

02/19/2022

Today marks the anniversary when manipulatively and deceptively stole Luke under the guise of a follow up veterinarian appointment.

We have been struggling with all of this emotionally and psychologically. One of the hardest things we have ever had to do, is grieve the loss of a loved one who is still alive. In this case; Luke. We miss him so much and cannot wait to see him again.

We have been contacted by several people asking about an update about Luke’s case. Several developments have occurred in Luke’s case. We plan to share ALL the facts that has came to light through this ordeal. What we can share is that for the love of a Paw’s CFO and Treasurer at the time of Luke’s theft has stepped down and is no longer representing For the Love of a Paw as their attorney and is no longer listed as ’s CFO/treasurer with the Secretary of State. We are awaiting for our court date to be rescheduled and will share the facts that has been gathered once we do have our day in court. Thank you to all who check in with us, keeps us in your thoughts and prayers, and sees the injustice and pain this has caused to us.

Luke means luminous; bringer of light and truth. Our boy Luke is truly living up to his name and is continuing to shed light and truth into our world. 🙏🏻

📖 Luke 8:17 — For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

10/06/2021

Today marks the anniversary of when Jerry rescued Luke. Jerry stepped up and took the initiative to save Luke. When everyone else looked the other way Jerry did what no one else would do… to include For the Love of a Paw. Poor Luke was less then 1/4 mile from building and disturbingly he had been there for so long sadly Luke must have became part of the scenery. It took Jerry starting a new job in this area to spot Luke, and help him. A fresh set of eyes to spot this broken helpless soul. After spotting Luke, Jerry started to stop on his way to work, and share with Luke not only his breakfast but his lunch breaks. Then on October 6, 2020 a year ago today Jerry worked up the courage and took the INITIATIVE to ask Luke’s owner if he could have him? Jerry walked into Luke’s life as a stranger but became not only Luke’s hero, but his friend, and family. Jerry did what no one else would do - care enough to save him; advocate for him, be his voice, and Jerry PROVES it everyday by providing the care, love, concern and to fight for him. We might be quiet on social media the last few days, I assure you we have been behind the scenes advocating and fighting daily for Luke’s return. We will keep fighting for Luke that is our promise to him For the Love of a Paw manipulatively and deceptively stole Luke from the very person who took the initiative to remove him from his hopeless and helpless situation… Luke was stolen from his hero who did something about his situation! Otherwise can you imagine if Jerry had been like everyone else and just keep driving by…. and do NOTHING? It’s evident up until this point nothing obviously had been done.

theft by deception
If you haven’t already please sign Luke’s Petition: https://www.change.org/p/for-the-love-of-a-paw-needs-to-return-luke-home?source_location=topic_page

09/16/2021

Speak up… stop waiting for someone else to give a voice to the voiceless when you have been given the ability to do so!
Did you know? The Consumer Review Fairness Act (CRFA) “protects people’s ability to share their honest opinions about a business’s products, services, or conduct, in any forum, including social media.” -Federal Trade Commission (FTC) https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/consumer-review-fairness-act-what-businesses-need-know

Conduct your business ethically, honestly, and professionally, you won’t get bad reviews, social media posts, pages, blogs written about, or the news media sharing the experience, the trauma it caused, and pain inflicted by the organization. Non-profits, 501(c)(3)’s, and charities should be held to the highest of standards, transparency, and public scrutiny. If you cannot hold yourself and the members of your organization accountable it is within the rights of the consumers and public to bring awareness to any injustice.
For the Love of a Paw manipulatively, deceptively, and deceitfully stole Luke. Stayed tuned… more to be shared.
Speak out on behalf of the voiceless and for the rights of all who are vulnerable. Proverbs 31:8

09/12/2021

What does it mean to “rescue” an animal?
The verb sense of the word defined by dictionary.com: to free or deliver from confinement, danger, or difficulty.
Vocabulary.com defines it as: “when you rescue something, you save it from bad - you come to the rescue.”
As the above definition of rescue in the verb tense Jerry RESCUED Luke from the suffering he was enduring. That’s “rescue” in the verb tense (shows action or something that you do). Jerry nor I claim to be a “rescue organization” which is the noun tense (which is a person, place, thing) however Jerry did “rescue” in the “verb” tense of Luke. Jerry didn’t just “take” Luke because Luke had a owner that would be “stealing”. Jerry asked his owner if he could have Luke and the owner said yes… Jerry is Luke’s “legal owner”.

Jerry and I have taken many pictures of Luke and of our other dogs however… how does posting pictures as they are taken on Facebook/Social Media of our pets = love or demonstrate our love for them? The fact that Luke is loved and part of a family. Obviously many pictures and videos were taken by us and were not used on our social media for our own personal need for “attention” or for “praise” for our good deeds done for Luke. They were done from our heart… through these genuine good deeds we developed a bond and love for Luke and he became part of our family!

The pictures we have taken are for us, they are our memories and this page showcases these memories. Why would we feel the need to share the good deed we did for Luke when it was done? Doing the good deed of rescuing Luke was joy in of itself and we didn’t need to post it on social media to get “praise” to have done that would be “attention seeking” and then the point of the good deed is honestly ruined. Bragging about your good deed(s) on social media makes it about a need for your own “attention seeking” and NOT the “intention” of RESCUING or what Luke really needed which was HELP. There was much more important things Luke needed like for the first time in his life being cared for, accepted, and loved. Jerry and I stepped up for Luke when everyone else looked the other way. To include For the Love of a Paw.

Instead of posting about Luke we cared for Luke and kept him safe… we did what others to include wouldn’t do: we loved him. There was much more important things that Luke needed like a bath he never had before that we provided that shows we love Luke like our own dog because he is OUR dog.

“If rescue is all about some badge of honor WE wear, then it’s not really about helping animals at all, is it? “ -paddlingthroughlife.com

What does it mean to “rescue” an animal? https://www.google.com/amp/s/dogpaddlingthroughlife.com/2014/03/19/what-does-it-mean-to-rescue-an-animal/amp/

Rescue? Oh it means what I want it to: https://dogpaddlingthroughlife.com/2014/03/20/rescue-oh-it-means-what-i-want-it-to/

09/05/2021

We can’t go back and change the beginning… but we can start where we are and change the ending.
We think a lot about you Luke… and we miss you so much. We are so thankful to have been the ones who taught you what unconditional love feels like and truly being apart of that blessed us… and Luke we will keep fighting for you. You deserve that. In a world where too often people think pets are disposable, you are not Luke, no pet is. Luke this is what that commitment looks like. We are fighting buddy. We miss you everyday. 💔🐾

After rescuing Luke and nurturing him back to health he was cruelly and manipulatively stolen from us under the guise of a veterinarian appointment by For the Love of a Paw. Luke is truly not just a dog but like our child he is our family. We miss him so much. Please help us by signing and sharing Luke’s petition to Return Luke Home every signature counts and appreciated:
https://www.change.org/ReturnLukeHome

08/31/2021

Luke means luminous; bringer of light and truth. Our boy Luke is truly living up to his name and is continuing to shed light and truth into our world. 🙏🏻

📖 Luke 8:17 — For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.

After rescuing Luke and nurturing him back to health he was cruelly and manipulatively stolen from us under the guise of a veterinarian appointment by For the Love of a Paw. Luke is truly not just a dog but like our child he is our family. We miss him so much. Please help us by signing and sharing Luke’s petition to Return Luke Home every signature counts and appreciated:
https://www.change.org/ReturnLukeHome

08/26/2021

Pay attention... God is going to show you exactly what you need to know. Your questions will be answered, for the Lord will shine His Light in dark places! The Lord has a way of clearly exposing truth and giving wisdom...

📖 Luke 8:17 — For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke is living up to his name in so many ways. 🙏🏻🐾

Luke was manipulatively and deceptively stolen by For the Love of a Paw. Stay tuned.