http://www.doreensdoggiedelights.com/products_page.htm
I live in West Michigan with my husband and our two fur kids, Lucy and Wrigley. Since I’ve been unemployed, I have been looking for something to do in today’s economy.
I love to bake...but, I didn’t need to eat my goodies, and decided that I’d make a go of trying to bake something for my “kids.” Purposefully, not adding sugar, but leaving all the good stuff in place, I baked up a batch of pumpkin-peanut butter/banana cookies. The house smelled heavenly as the cookies baked.
After making several batches and passing them among my friends, and getting great reviews, I felt inspired to give a business a try.
We watch Food Network and have watched several inspiring stories of folks starting their businesses from their kitchen...one batch at a time. So...with God’s help, I too will succeed.
Recently, I started a social network: www.goingtothedogs.ning.com and www.goingtothecats.ning.com to help generate some contacts. What I didn't expect was the outpouring of love and support the network would have as we work together to save the lives of dogs and cats across the states as well as helping each other. Please, if you have a few minutes, come and see what we are doing.
Part of my dog cookie sales go towards rescue causes so please buy with that in mind.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
STANTON UPDATE #4
Stanton Mission
01/08/09
Hello everyone!!!!
Well today we have good news, bad news, and more good news=)
Today we pulled Rocko as he was an owner surrender Shepard mix who was available for pulling. He is going to be vetted and await his rescue/adoption if you know anyone interested in adopting him, please let Laurel know betterhave@sbcglobal.net
We also pulled a dog that was another owner surrender that was NOT on PF…Dolly was a tall Walker Coonhound that was pulled and vetted to be Heartworm Positive, so we will need to treat her. This will cost about $135 which obviously dips into our pulling funds. We need to also address another dog at Last Day Dog Rescue that has also come from Stanton as HW+ so we will be raising funds to help with those 2 dogs on top of our ongoing efforts to keep the dogs safe from R&R.
Now for the bad news: We did NOT pull Mack, Wilma, or Fred…BUT it was only because they were not released to rescue today they are not available until tomorrow, but we have a few adoption prospects on those dogs so if they are able to be adopted out, we will gladly accept that fate! We have been working with Montcalm on keeping an agreement to hold these dogs for us UNLESS they are adopted so we will be able to pull them unless they go to a forever home and not worry about them going to R&R. Hilda will not be able to go into rescue/home until Monday 01/12/09 so we can pull her then if we have enough funds.
What do we need? We need a Pitbull rescue to help us with Casper…he was listed as a lab mix, but is clearly apbt and we now need a rescue to step up for him. We have fully vetted him but may have some dog aggression. If interested please contact Laurel betterhave@sbcglobal.net to work with her on coordination.
There is also a German Shepard that is in need of a GSD rescue to step up for her…again if interested please contact Laurel betterhave@sbcglobal.net. She is at the shelter right now and awaiting an approved GSD rescue. We will try to get pics up tomorrow of her.
We have a ChipIn set up or email it to paypal address melissahenchen@yahoo.com
Please contact goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com if you can or know someone who can help us save these dogs!!! We can set up an application to foster as well.
http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=MI669
I will be working with the current rescues on the dogs they have to help them find forever homes for the dogs, but the other day I accidentally gave the wrong link to our sister site, lol…so it is really… http://goingtomynewhome.ning.com/
IF YOU WISH TO ADD OUR CHIPIN EMBEDDED TO YOUR SITES USE THIS CODE:
THANK YOU!!
ON BEHALF OF GOING TO THE DOGS & USAP (501-3c)
Goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com to be on the mailing list for future Stanton emails…or email to request removal at any time.
01/08/09
Hello everyone!!!!
Well today we have good news, bad news, and more good news=)
Today we pulled Rocko as he was an owner surrender Shepard mix who was available for pulling. He is going to be vetted and await his rescue/adoption if you know anyone interested in adopting him, please let Laurel know betterhave@sbcglobal.net
We also pulled a dog that was another owner surrender that was NOT on PF…Dolly was a tall Walker Coonhound that was pulled and vetted to be Heartworm Positive, so we will need to treat her. This will cost about $135 which obviously dips into our pulling funds. We need to also address another dog at Last Day Dog Rescue that has also come from Stanton as HW+ so we will be raising funds to help with those 2 dogs on top of our ongoing efforts to keep the dogs safe from R&R.
Now for the bad news: We did NOT pull Mack, Wilma, or Fred…BUT it was only because they were not released to rescue today they are not available until tomorrow, but we have a few adoption prospects on those dogs so if they are able to be adopted out, we will gladly accept that fate! We have been working with Montcalm on keeping an agreement to hold these dogs for us UNLESS they are adopted so we will be able to pull them unless they go to a forever home and not worry about them going to R&R. Hilda will not be able to go into rescue/home until Monday 01/12/09 so we can pull her then if we have enough funds.
What do we need? We need a Pitbull rescue to help us with Casper…he was listed as a lab mix, but is clearly apbt and we now need a rescue to step up for him. We have fully vetted him but may have some dog aggression. If interested please contact Laurel betterhave@sbcglobal.net to work with her on coordination.
There is also a German Shepard that is in need of a GSD rescue to step up for her…again if interested please contact Laurel betterhave@sbcglobal.net. She is at the shelter right now and awaiting an approved GSD rescue. We will try to get pics up tomorrow of her.
We have a ChipIn set up or email it to paypal address melissahenchen@yahoo.com
Please contact goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com if you can or know someone who can help us save these dogs!!! We can set up an application to foster as well.
http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=MI669
I will be working with the current rescues on the dogs they have to help them find forever homes for the dogs, but the other day I accidentally gave the wrong link to our sister site, lol…so it is really… http://goingtomynewhome.ning.com/
IF YOU WISH TO ADD OUR CHIPIN EMBEDDED TO YOUR SITES USE THIS CODE:
THANK YOU!!
ON BEHALF OF GOING TO THE DOGS & USAP (501-3c)
Goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com to be on the mailing list for future Stanton emails…or email to request removal at any time.
STANTON UPDATE #3
Stanton Mission
01/07/09
We have had 2 rescuers step up to take dogs for pulling tomorrow; however we do need to make arrangements for transport coordination and I am looking for some help with that if anyone is interested in putting legs together from MI to NY, MI to SD. I have already put a post online with PNP to find someone help, but if you can help just email me.
We have managed to raise the first amount needed to pull the 9 dogs and 3 cats on Monday, and I know how much that was to ask for, but I am going to make another plea. We have $230 right now in funds but we want to pull all 3 dogs available on Thursday, and Hilda on Monday plus we have to vet them to be able to transport to their rescues. We are asking to send $5 each if you can…if you can’t we understand, just do us the favor by forwarding this email on to a few others that may be able to help…any bit can save these animals and we have proven that! We are on a roll here, so lets not stop!
We have a ChipIn set up or email it to paypal address melissahenchen@yahoo.com
Please contact goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com if you can or know someone who can help us save these dogs!!! We can set up an application to foster as well.
http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=MI669
I will be working with the current rescues on the dogs they have to help them find forever homes for the dogs, but the other day I accidentally gave the wrong link to our sister site, lol…so it is really… http://goingtomynewhome.ning.com/
THANK YOU
ON BEHALF OF GOING TO THE DOGS & USAP
Goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com to be on the mailing list for future Stanton emails…or email to request removal at any time.
01/07/09
We have had 2 rescuers step up to take dogs for pulling tomorrow; however we do need to make arrangements for transport coordination and I am looking for some help with that if anyone is interested in putting legs together from MI to NY, MI to SD. I have already put a post online with PNP to find someone help, but if you can help just email me.
We have managed to raise the first amount needed to pull the 9 dogs and 3 cats on Monday, and I know how much that was to ask for, but I am going to make another plea. We have $230 right now in funds but we want to pull all 3 dogs available on Thursday, and Hilda on Monday plus we have to vet them to be able to transport to their rescues. We are asking to send $5 each if you can…if you can’t we understand, just do us the favor by forwarding this email on to a few others that may be able to help…any bit can save these animals and we have proven that! We are on a roll here, so lets not stop!
We have a ChipIn set up or email it to paypal address melissahenchen@yahoo.com
Please contact goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com if you can or know someone who can help us save these dogs!!! We can set up an application to foster as well.
http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=MI669
I will be working with the current rescues on the dogs they have to help them find forever homes for the dogs, but the other day I accidentally gave the wrong link to our sister site, lol…so it is really… http://goingtomynewhome.ning.com/
THANK YOU
ON BEHALF OF GOING TO THE DOGS & USAP
Goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com to be on the mailing list for future Stanton emails…or email to request removal at any time.
STANTON UPDATE #2
Stanton Mission
01/06/09
Just 1 day after we rescued 9 dogs and 3 cats and I just checked the petfinder for Montcalm to see an additional 3 dogs added.
We have Fred, Wilma, and Mack available on the 8th to be pulled or adopted, then Rocko is available IMMEDIATELY, and Hilda available after the 11th.
Please lets hope that some of these dogs get adopted, but in the meantime we need to try to find someone willing to take these dogs…
We need volunteers to step up for either Fostering, or rescues to take these dogs. We have a few possibilities of Out of state rescues, but we cannot pull the dogs unless we know transport is fully coordinated, or we have a temporary foster situation for them to go to while coordinating…
Can you help???
Please contact goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com if you can or know someone who can help us save these dogs!!! We can set up an application to foster
http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=MI669
Also, we have enough funds to pull 2 more dogs so any additional donations are much appreciated!
I will be working with the current rescues on the dogs they have to help them find forever homes for the dogs, but yesterday I accidentally gave the wrong link to our sister site, lol…so it is really… http://goingtomynewhome.ning.com/
THANK YOU
ON BEHALF OF GOING TO THE DOGS & USAP
Goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com to be on the mailing list for future Stanton emails…or email to request removal at any time.
01/06/09
Just 1 day after we rescued 9 dogs and 3 cats and I just checked the petfinder for Montcalm to see an additional 3 dogs added.
We have Fred, Wilma, and Mack available on the 8th to be pulled or adopted, then Rocko is available IMMEDIATELY, and Hilda available after the 11th.
Please lets hope that some of these dogs get adopted, but in the meantime we need to try to find someone willing to take these dogs…
We need volunteers to step up for either Fostering, or rescues to take these dogs. We have a few possibilities of Out of state rescues, but we cannot pull the dogs unless we know transport is fully coordinated, or we have a temporary foster situation for them to go to while coordinating…
Can you help???
Please contact goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com if you can or know someone who can help us save these dogs!!! We can set up an application to foster
http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=MI669
Also, we have enough funds to pull 2 more dogs so any additional donations are much appreciated!
I will be working with the current rescues on the dogs they have to help them find forever homes for the dogs, but yesterday I accidentally gave the wrong link to our sister site, lol…so it is really… http://goingtomynewhome.ning.com/
THANK YOU
ON BEHALF OF GOING TO THE DOGS & USAP
Goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com to be on the mailing list for future Stanton emails…or email to request removal at any time.
STANTON UPDATE #1
STANTON MISSION
Do you know what we did today???
We pulled 9 dogs and 3 Cats from the Montcalm shelter!!!!!
HURRRAYYYY!!!!
We want to thank each and every one of you for all of your help:
Donations from Valerie Hildebrand, Paula Anselmo, Stacy Reeves, Janice Melnyk, Adele Mirshak, Deborah s Beliveau, Cathy Gallagher, Claudia Ginter, Bonnie, and the list goes on…Some even offered to send additional help to Last Day Dog Rescue who is taking most of the dogs. Riley who was another dog in the shelter was being pulled by another rescue group=) Fred & Wilma were strays so they are not available until the 8th to pull so hopefully some potential adopters stop by or owner reclaims take place by then=)
http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=MI669
What We accomplished
Well at $70/dog to pull and $35/cat we spent $735 donation dollars to just get them out to safety! What is next for these animals?
Casper: is going to Kirby’s Friends Rescue after full vetting
Buster: is going to Lakeside
Killer Bee: is going to Heather’s rescue
Kitties, Milo, Bandit, Donni, Marie, Foxy, and Scrappy: are going to Last Day Dog Rescue
What else needs to be done?
Well, we got them out, but we still need to vet some of these guys to prevent any unnecessary outbreaks. Anyone wishing to donate to their medical care feel free to pledge to the paypal address melissahenchen@yahoo.com or to the rescue directly. We also have to focus on a few different things this week:
1. More dogs can come in at any time…so be ready for another effort to take place…we need fosters, we need rescues to step up and help coordinate with us.
2. There is a meeting 01/12 to discuss R&R renewing their contract to get dogs out of Montcalm in which we need MI representation
3. We have some medical needs dogs from previous pulls from Stanton that need our urgent attention and funding to help remove tumors and help with leg deformities, and heartworm. We cannot forget these animals that were pulled before…they are not safe until they have a clean bill of health and a forever home! We will be posting these dogs to our sister site www.goingtomynewhome.ning.com but until then we must make sure they are not forgotten.
4. Lastly, I want to make sure everyone knows how grateful I am for all of your patience with me returning calls, emails, donations, late nights, etc. Without all of your help this would not have happened and I have to say to Tereasa our transporter~WAY TO GO!!! We know it must be a stressful situation to pull that many animals and be concerned about making all aspects of the transport run smoothly…
THANK YOU
ON BEHALF OF GOING TO THE DOGS & USAP
Goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com to be on the mailing list for future Stanton emails…or email to request removal at any time.
Do you know what we did today???
We pulled 9 dogs and 3 Cats from the Montcalm shelter!!!!!
HURRRAYYYY!!!!
We want to thank each and every one of you for all of your help:
Donations from Valerie Hildebrand, Paula Anselmo, Stacy Reeves, Janice Melnyk, Adele Mirshak, Deborah s Beliveau, Cathy Gallagher, Claudia Ginter, Bonnie, and the list goes on…Some even offered to send additional help to Last Day Dog Rescue who is taking most of the dogs. Riley who was another dog in the shelter was being pulled by another rescue group=) Fred & Wilma were strays so they are not available until the 8th to pull so hopefully some potential adopters stop by or owner reclaims take place by then=)
http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=MI669
What We accomplished
Well at $70/dog to pull and $35/cat we spent $735 donation dollars to just get them out to safety! What is next for these animals?
Casper: is going to Kirby’s Friends Rescue after full vetting
Buster: is going to Lakeside
Killer Bee: is going to Heather’s rescue
Kitties, Milo, Bandit, Donni, Marie, Foxy, and Scrappy: are going to Last Day Dog Rescue
What else needs to be done?
Well, we got them out, but we still need to vet some of these guys to prevent any unnecessary outbreaks. Anyone wishing to donate to their medical care feel free to pledge to the paypal address melissahenchen@yahoo.com or to the rescue directly. We also have to focus on a few different things this week:
1. More dogs can come in at any time…so be ready for another effort to take place…we need fosters, we need rescues to step up and help coordinate with us.
2. There is a meeting 01/12 to discuss R&R renewing their contract to get dogs out of Montcalm in which we need MI representation
3. We have some medical needs dogs from previous pulls from Stanton that need our urgent attention and funding to help remove tumors and help with leg deformities, and heartworm. We cannot forget these animals that were pulled before…they are not safe until they have a clean bill of health and a forever home! We will be posting these dogs to our sister site www.goingtomynewhome.ning.com but until then we must make sure they are not forgotten.
4. Lastly, I want to make sure everyone knows how grateful I am for all of your patience with me returning calls, emails, donations, late nights, etc. Without all of your help this would not have happened and I have to say to Tereasa our transporter~WAY TO GO!!! We know it must be a stressful situation to pull that many animals and be concerned about making all aspects of the transport run smoothly…
THANK YOU
ON BEHALF OF GOING TO THE DOGS & USAP
Goingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com to be on the mailing list for future Stanton emails…or email to request removal at any time.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
THIS IS A PLEA THAT WILL SOUND DESPERATE BECAUSE IT IS!!!
PLEASE CROSSPOST
THIS IS A PLEA THAT WILL SOUND DESPERATE BECAUSE IT IS!!!
WE HAVE A RESCUE LINED UP TO TAKE 10 DOGS AND 2 KITTENS TOMORROW IF AND ONLY IF WE CAN PAY PULL FEES. WE ARE SHORT BY $100 SO WE ARE ASKING FOR LAST MINUTE DONATIONS TO COVER THE PULL FEES. THIS WOULD BE PULLING THE FOLLOWING:
MILO, BANDIT, CASPER, FRED, WILMA, KILLER BEE, DONNI, MARIE, FOXY, SCRAPPY, AND 2 KITTENS…THAT IS HUGE GUYS…WE CAN CLEAN THEM OUT TOMORROW ALL BUT BUSTER AND THE CALICO CAT…WHICH WE WILL NOT FORGET, WE CAN STILL TRY TO GET THEM OUT THIS WEEK OR NEXT.
http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=MI669
PLEASE IF YOU COULD CONSIDER EVEN $5 TO HELP, IT COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE OF LEAVING 1 DOG BEHIND…
MY DIRECT PAYPAL ADDRESS IS MELISSAHENCHEN@YAHOO.COM AND IS TRACKED THROUGH GOINGTOTHEDOGS AND USAP AS A JOINT FUNDRAISING EFFORT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN!!!!!
MELISSA HENCHEN ON BEHALF OF THE STANTON DOGS!!!
Melissa Henchen585-752-4916http://henchenscreations.blogspot.comhttp://www.goingtothedogs.ning.comgoingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com ~for all dog related posts please=)
THIS IS A PLEA THAT WILL SOUND DESPERATE BECAUSE IT IS!!!
WE HAVE A RESCUE LINED UP TO TAKE 10 DOGS AND 2 KITTENS TOMORROW IF AND ONLY IF WE CAN PAY PULL FEES. WE ARE SHORT BY $100 SO WE ARE ASKING FOR LAST MINUTE DONATIONS TO COVER THE PULL FEES. THIS WOULD BE PULLING THE FOLLOWING:
MILO, BANDIT, CASPER, FRED, WILMA, KILLER BEE, DONNI, MARIE, FOXY, SCRAPPY, AND 2 KITTENS…THAT IS HUGE GUYS…WE CAN CLEAN THEM OUT TOMORROW ALL BUT BUSTER AND THE CALICO CAT…WHICH WE WILL NOT FORGET, WE CAN STILL TRY TO GET THEM OUT THIS WEEK OR NEXT.
http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=MI669
PLEASE IF YOU COULD CONSIDER EVEN $5 TO HELP, IT COULD MEAN THE DIFFERENCE OF LEAVING 1 DOG BEHIND…
MY DIRECT PAYPAL ADDRESS IS MELISSAHENCHEN@YAHOO.COM AND IS TRACKED THROUGH GOINGTOTHEDOGS AND USAP AS A JOINT FUNDRAISING EFFORT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN!!!!!
MELISSA HENCHEN ON BEHALF OF THE STANTON DOGS!!!
Melissa Henchen585-752-4916http://henchenscreations.blogspot.comhttp://www.goingtothedogs.ning.comgoingtothedogsmail@yahoo.com ~for all dog related posts please=)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
I WANT TO QUIT!
*I want to quit!*
My health is bad. There are days I feel so terrible that I can barely move. My phone bills are outrageous, and I could have replaced my van with the funds I have spent these last 30 years---on animals that were not my own.
*I want to quit!*
I spend hours and hours emailing about dogs. There may be 500 messages when I start--and at 4 AM, when I finally shut down the computer, there are still 500 emails to be read.
*I want to quit!*
Gosh, I haven't the time left to email my friends. I can't remember the last book I read, and I gave up my subscription to my local newspaper---I used to enjoy reading it, cover to cover, but now it often ends up in the bottom of the squirrel's cage---unread.
*I want to quit!*
I've spent days emailing what seems like everyone---trying to find a foster home, help for a dog languishing in a shelter---but his time has run out, and the shelter has had to euthanize to make room for the next sad soul.
*I want to quit!*
I swear, I walk away from my computer to stretch my legs---let the dogs out---and come back to find another dog in desperate need. There are times I really dread checking my email. How will I find the funds, the help, to save yet another dog?
*I want to quit!*
I save one dog, and two more take its place. Now an owner who doesn't
want his dog---it won't stay in his unfenced yard. An intact male wanders... This bitch got pregnant by a stray... This 3-month-old pup killed baby chicks... The dog got too big... This person's moving and needs to give up his pet. I ask you, friends---what town, what city, what state doesn't allow you to own a pet?
*I want to quit!*
I just received another picture, another sad soul with tormented eyes that peer out of a malnourished body. I hear whimpering in my sleep, have nightmares for days...
*I want to quit!*
I just got off the phone. "Are you Pyr Rescue? We want to adopt a male to breed to our female." How many times do I have to explain? I have tried to explain about genetics, about health and pedigrees. I explain that rescue NEUTERS! I usually end up sobbing, as I explain about the vast numbers of animals dying in shelters across the country, as I describe the condition many of these animals are found in. I wonder if they really heard me...
*I want to quit!*
It is not like I don't have enough rescues of my own to worry about---but others have placed dogs improperly and aren't there to advise the new owners.
*I want to quit!*
I have trusted the wrong people--- had faith and heart broken...
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
My dog, lays his head in my lap, he comforts me with his gentle presence---and the thought of his cousins suffering stirs my heart.
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
One of those 500 emails is from an adopter. They are thanking me for the most wonderful dog on earth---they cannot imagine life with out their friend---their life is changed, and they are so grateful.
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
One of my adopted Rescues has visited a nursing home. A patient that has spent the last few years unable to communicate, not connecting---Lifts his hand to pat the huge head in his lap, softly speaks his first words in ages--- to this gentle furchild.
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
A Good Samaritan has found and vetted a lost baby, "I can't keep him, but I'll take care of him until you find his forever home."
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
"Jamie took his first steps holding on to our Pyr."
"Joan, you should see this dog nursing this hurt kitten!"
“I was so sick, and this dog never left my side..."
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
I get an email from a fellow rescuer, "Haven't heard from you in a while---you OK? You know I think of you..."
*AND THEN... *
A dozen rescuers step up to help, to transport, to pull, and to offer encouragement. I have friends I have never seen, but we share tears, joys, and everything in between. I am not alone. I am blessed with family of the heart, my fellow Rescuers.
Just days ago it was a friend who shared her wit and wisdom, whose late night email lifted my heart. Sometimes it is friends who only have time to forward you a smile. Often, it is my friends who forward me the notices of dogs in need.
There are Rescuers who see a flailing transport and do everything they can do find folks to pull it together for you. Rescuers who'll overnight or foster your dog while you seek transport. There are Rescuers not used to or comfortable with your breed, but who put aside their discomfort to help. There are Rescuers whose words play the music of our hearts. Foster homes that love your Rescue, and help to make them whole again---body and spirit. Foster homes that fit your baby in, though it may not be their breed. Rescuers whose talents and determination give us tools to help us. Rescuers we call on for help in a thousand ways, who answer us, who hear our pleas. Rescuers who are our family, our strength, our comrades in battle.
I know I cannot save every dog in need. I know my efforts are a mere drop in a sea. I know that if I take on just one more---those I have will suffer.
*I want to quit! But I won't. *
When I feel overwhelmed, I'll stroke my dogs head while reading my fellow Rescuers emails. I'll cry with them, I'll laugh with them---and they will help me find the strength to go on.
*I want to quit! But not today.*
There's another email, another dog needing Rescue.
This piece is dedicated, with love and gratitude, to all my fellow Rescuers.
The author is unknown
My health is bad. There are days I feel so terrible that I can barely move. My phone bills are outrageous, and I could have replaced my van with the funds I have spent these last 30 years---on animals that were not my own.
*I want to quit!*
I spend hours and hours emailing about dogs. There may be 500 messages when I start--and at 4 AM, when I finally shut down the computer, there are still 500 emails to be read.
*I want to quit!*
Gosh, I haven't the time left to email my friends. I can't remember the last book I read, and I gave up my subscription to my local newspaper---I used to enjoy reading it, cover to cover, but now it often ends up in the bottom of the squirrel's cage---unread.
*I want to quit!*
I've spent days emailing what seems like everyone---trying to find a foster home, help for a dog languishing in a shelter---but his time has run out, and the shelter has had to euthanize to make room for the next sad soul.
*I want to quit!*
I swear, I walk away from my computer to stretch my legs---let the dogs out---and come back to find another dog in desperate need. There are times I really dread checking my email. How will I find the funds, the help, to save yet another dog?
*I want to quit!*
I save one dog, and two more take its place. Now an owner who doesn't
want his dog---it won't stay in his unfenced yard. An intact male wanders... This bitch got pregnant by a stray... This 3-month-old pup killed baby chicks... The dog got too big... This person's moving and needs to give up his pet. I ask you, friends---what town, what city, what state doesn't allow you to own a pet?
*I want to quit!*
I just received another picture, another sad soul with tormented eyes that peer out of a malnourished body. I hear whimpering in my sleep, have nightmares for days...
*I want to quit!*
I just got off the phone. "Are you Pyr Rescue? We want to adopt a male to breed to our female." How many times do I have to explain? I have tried to explain about genetics, about health and pedigrees. I explain that rescue NEUTERS! I usually end up sobbing, as I explain about the vast numbers of animals dying in shelters across the country, as I describe the condition many of these animals are found in. I wonder if they really heard me...
*I want to quit!*
It is not like I don't have enough rescues of my own to worry about---but others have placed dogs improperly and aren't there to advise the new owners.
*I want to quit!*
I have trusted the wrong people--- had faith and heart broken...
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
My dog, lays his head in my lap, he comforts me with his gentle presence---and the thought of his cousins suffering stirs my heart.
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
One of those 500 emails is from an adopter. They are thanking me for the most wonderful dog on earth---they cannot imagine life with out their friend---their life is changed, and they are so grateful.
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
One of my adopted Rescues has visited a nursing home. A patient that has spent the last few years unable to communicate, not connecting---Lifts his hand to pat the huge head in his lap, softly speaks his first words in ages--- to this gentle furchild.
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
A Good Samaritan has found and vetted a lost baby, "I can't keep him, but I'll take care of him until you find his forever home."
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
"Jamie took his first steps holding on to our Pyr."
"Joan, you should see this dog nursing this hurt kitten!"
“I was so sick, and this dog never left my side..."
*I want to quit! AND THEN...*
I get an email from a fellow rescuer, "Haven't heard from you in a while---you OK? You know I think of you..."
*AND THEN... *
A dozen rescuers step up to help, to transport, to pull, and to offer encouragement. I have friends I have never seen, but we share tears, joys, and everything in between. I am not alone. I am blessed with family of the heart, my fellow Rescuers.
Just days ago it was a friend who shared her wit and wisdom, whose late night email lifted my heart. Sometimes it is friends who only have time to forward you a smile. Often, it is my friends who forward me the notices of dogs in need.
There are Rescuers who see a flailing transport and do everything they can do find folks to pull it together for you. Rescuers who'll overnight or foster your dog while you seek transport. There are Rescuers not used to or comfortable with your breed, but who put aside their discomfort to help. There are Rescuers whose words play the music of our hearts. Foster homes that love your Rescue, and help to make them whole again---body and spirit. Foster homes that fit your baby in, though it may not be their breed. Rescuers whose talents and determination give us tools to help us. Rescuers we call on for help in a thousand ways, who answer us, who hear our pleas. Rescuers who are our family, our strength, our comrades in battle.
I know I cannot save every dog in need. I know my efforts are a mere drop in a sea. I know that if I take on just one more---those I have will suffer.
*I want to quit! But I won't. *
When I feel overwhelmed, I'll stroke my dogs head while reading my fellow Rescuers emails. I'll cry with them, I'll laugh with them---and they will help me find the strength to go on.
*I want to quit! But not today.*
There's another email, another dog needing Rescue.
This piece is dedicated, with love and gratitude, to all my fellow Rescuers.
The author is unknown
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
