He showed up out of thin air, cowering in the treeline next to the front gate.

The hunter’s orange collar showed he belonged to somebody, but the collar’s 10-sizes-too-big appearance around his thin neck showed whoever he belonged to cared little. His shaking, bony puppy body certainly had been without food for some time.

Upon showing him the back of the hand, he crept forward, then darted in retreat. Again and again he moved close only to scatter into the comfortable safety of the tree line.

Sean P. Murphy is web editor. He can be reached at smurphy@vicksburgpost.com

He devoured a bowl of food placed in front of him, lapped at water collecting in a small ditch and disappeared.

A thousand miles away on Tuesday, Sadie the Scottish terrier captured Best in Show at the 134th Westminster Dog Show in New York. Born into privilege, Sadie sashayed around the Madison Square Garden ring with six other finalists — all pure-bred and pampered.

Sadie will be feted with the finest cuisine, luxurious travel arrangements and the finest soaps and oils to keep her black coat shiny and perfect.

Few dogs will ever be treated the way Sadie will and has been her entire life. Sadly, so many more will be treated like “Clark,” the aforementioned starving puppy cowering in fear at the front gate.

On Thursday, there were 48 puppies and dogs at the Vicksburg-Warren County Humane Society’s facility on U.S. 61 South, and so many more wandering the streets helpless. PAWS Rescue has page after page on the Web of dogs seeking homes, some smiling, some sad-faced, each hoping each day will be the day when it is their turn to leave the cramped confines of a metal cage.

Dog-owners know the power their pets can have over them — unconditional love at its purest. The more unwanted, the more loyal and loving a dog can be. For every Sadie, there are thousands upon thousands of dogs born into hunger rather than privilege.

Ask anyone who has found value in a rescue dog and likely each will say how much it has changed their lives for the better. As a rescue dog “parent,” I know it has changed mine.

Clark has disappeared now, maybe back to the owner who wrapped a huge collar tightly around his neck. He’s probably still shivering and hungry, hoping to find what so many dogs are in search of — a loving home.

He is not alone.

Adopt. Then take care of your friend. It’s the right thing to do.