After a life of hardship and facing the possibility of death row, gentle Brownie has found his angel of mercy.

A pastor north of Chicago adopted the Doberman-shepherd mix, whose days were numbered at the Vermilion County Animal Shelter.

She renamed him Francis, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals.

“He’s been great. I couldn’t ask for a better dog,” said the Rev. Claudia Nalven, assistant rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva.

“He’s just a dear — exactly the kind of dog I was looking for.”

The dog is an example of how hard the Vermilion County Animal Shelter Foundation has been working to find homes for dogs and cats. Volunteers contact rescue groups across the country, and will drive animals to potential homes in the Chicago area and elsewhere. The group has rescued more than 700 animals this year.

The Doberman, who is about 3 years old, came from a local home whose owner was well-intentioned, but there were too many other animals to contend with.

Nalven said he was skinny, blind in one eye, has a heart murmur and had been treated for heartworms. Under her care, he’s gaining weight — and confidence.

“He holds his head higher and has a spring in his step,” she said in a telephone interview.

When the dog came to the Vermilion County shelter in May, his chances of finding a new home were slim. But volunteer Nancy Gulick was determined to save him. She got in contact with Kim Brady of Geneva, who helps spread the word about animals in the Chicago area and puts Gulick in contact with rescue groups.

In the meantime, Nalven was ready to add a pet to her life. She had been at St. Mark’s three years and felt her life had settled down a bit. She mentioned to a parishioner, who has a Doberman, that she was looking for an older, low-energy, non-aggressive dog.

The parishioner saw Brownie’s picture on a Doberman rescue site, and then learned the dog would be in the area that weekend.

Nalven met Brownie, who was sweet and cowering a bit. “I could see he was gentle and been through a hard time,” she said.

It was Oct. 3 — the day before St. Francis feast day and the blessing of the animals. She decided to keep the dog overnight, and took him to be blessed the next day.

She kept thinking, “Am I ready for a dog?” She kept Brownie another week while she decided.

Finally, when Brady told her there was no pressure to keep the dog, Nalven decided it would work out — and the two bonded.

He goes to the church offices with her, and all the parishioners know Brownie — now known as Francis, who has become the church mascot. When he’s off leash, he heads straight for the church doors, said Nalven, who lives in the rectory.

Almost two months later, she’s happy with her decision.

“It’s very healing to have a dog,” she said. “He’s brought a lot of stability into my life. It’s just a joy — it feels good to walk an animal three times a day.”

Next summer, she plans to take him on vacation with her.

Nalven’s story shows: Not only is it good to rescue an animal, but it pays to be patient. Francis was frightened at first, but Nalven let him get used to the new life — and it’s paid off for both of them.

HOW TO HELP

To continue its work placing animals, the Vermilion County Animal Foundation wants people to know:

To look at animals that need homes, go to http://www.adopt-a-pet.com, http://www.pets911.com and http://www.petfinder.com, and search for the Vermilion County Animal Shelter. Paypal is now being accepted at those sites.

Click on “donate” to help the foundation. These donations pay for medical expenses for pets with treatable conditions.

The foundation has companion animals available for adoption at the Danville Village Mall from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every other Saturday.

The foundation offers low-cost spay/neuter assistance. Call the foundation at 431-0332 for more information and to set up an appointment.

Volunteers travel three or four times a week, taking animals to rescue sites. More volunteers are needed to help drive the van. Call Nancy Gulick at 474-9177 or Diana Bryant at 474-3076. A person can drive with Gulick on some transports until he or she feels comfortable with it. The foundation supplies the vehicle, gas money and toll money.

If you would like to have your pet featured, contact Mary Wicoff at 477-5161, send an e-mail to mwicoff@dancomnews.com or write to Commercial-News, 17 W. North, Danville, IL 61832.