The !SHIT! this needs to change moment

The beginning

On the first day of volunteering at a local rescue, I learned dogs in shelters do not get out of their cages much. The areas are semi-spacious, like a prison cel, enough room for you and your mate – but you better get along. The floors can be cold, hard. Some dogs get beds, some don't. Some of the dogs become anxious because of the loud barking all day. With no structure or space to release energy, they CHEW the beds. These fun-loving characters, anxious for a way out, have to sleep on a cold floor, or worse, a metal waffle cage bottom (so they can defecate and urine and not have to lay in it.)

I also noticed the people were filled with love for every animal, volunteers and staff. I had to remind myself these pups were given a safe place to lay their abused or abandoned head, they now had an easy food supply, and occasionally had the joy of volunteers taking them out to socialize on walks and hikes so they can have new experiences.

I met a big old dog there, Scamp, In the photo above. Too scared to walk on the slippery floor he lived on, and he was sick with Valley Fever. For his walks, two people would slide him across the floor to get him outside. Feeling 100% sorry for this old man, I decided to foster him. This guy needed medicine and a less stressful place to lay his head. I also had a 16-year-old at the time, so it seemed very fitting. Felt like a senior citizen home with all the meds I was giving out! His story was that he was returned because the children in his family didn't want to play with him anymore, nor did he want to play with his sore joints and lethargy. I also know he was an old reservation dog that often ran away from his home to get food from the reservation rescue. Perhaps both are true? You never truly know their stories but certain they'd be able to tell you over a beer if they could.

Fostering is one of the greatest things you can do for a dog living in a shelter. Rescues pay for everything, you just puppysit! And fall in love over and over again. But just as you would not keep a child you babysit, you know that they will go home someday. Yes, it's hard because the way they capture or hearts, but you'll fall in love with the next one too, and the next one, and the next one. Follow The Rescue Dog Project Facebook page and get support, ask questions or just see everyone else's experience. It is sad, but that's why we do the work. Not having enough people is what makes it so hard for rescues.

Rescues struggle for volunteers, adopters, and money to run it all, often having to make hard decisions. The dogs and the need for housing just keep coming in, thousands a day around the nation, puppies by the litters. They hope to adopt them all out, to make room for others. Then the frustrating part – when they are returned for various reasons. Now to find space for the return! An endless cycle.

The !SHIT! this needs to change moment

My neighbor found a German Shepherd tied to a tree. It was really scared, short leash, no food/water, fear aggressive. Neighbor tried to connect with him, giving him food, water, sitting nearby – but the dog was becoming more anxious. Long story short – we reached out to a local "rescue" that rehabilitated/trained aggressive dogs, often taking them from the euthanasia list. For almost 3-4 months I donated food, offered to adopt and work with the dog, as I communicated back and forth with the the owner.

Months later I learned this man was hoarding aggressive dogs and they were living in deplorable conditions, some starved with food just feet away from their kennels. (See the story.)

Why did this guy have so many dogs? Why is County just putting them down without trying to work with them? Or not trying to place them in less stressful rescues?

Because NO SPACE, NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES.

I still believe he was in over his head and wanted to save them all. But, I also like to see the good in people. Possibly a trait I get from hanging around dogs. That's when I realized the message needed to get out. I believe some rescuers are so desperate to save them all, they fall victim to hoarding situations, or they spend all of their money and go broke.

 I am still not sure what ever happened to the dog we found.

"I want to save them all!"

What dog lover hasn't said that? People want to rescue animals but it does come with a high emotional tax. It's why animal-loving people turn away, why people who want to rescue won't go into shelters, why they won't foster, why veterinarians have the highest suicide rate, and why some won't get a dog after the loss of another.

It's also why people will do anything for them, go to all lengths to protect them and treat dogs like family. Rescues need us. They need trainers, fosters, donations, more housing, more funding – STOP BREEDING, seems so simple!!??

What can I do to help???? Start brainstorming.... The Rescue Dog Project was born.