"I Want To Quit" - In Memory of Joan Fremo.

I have borrowed this from another rescuer, it rings true for all of us, be forewarned, you may need a tissue. - W

"I post this in memory of Joan, a tireless rescuer, and in honor of every rescue group and member out there who get up tired and go to bed tired. This also is in honor of every foster home, every adopter, every trainer and evaluator, every person who goes into horrible conditions of many shelters to find and pull dogs, every transporter, every person who makes a product for a rescue group to sell, every helper in any way to keep rescue groups and members going, day after day.

Every rescuer has felt exactly this way, our rescue has felt this way, but "And Then". So for all of you who keep us going, who give us hope, who help us, who send a word of appreciation, who stand with us and cry with us, who post for us, who buy things from us to put needed funds in our treasury, we thank you all.
Janet


This was written by the woman who founded PyrAngels, the Great Pyrenees rescue network, who died at home over the weekend. She was a huge resource, a source of inspiration for many, and a very tough act to follow. She will be sorely missed. Her fight goes on----and on------and on, in every rescuer's heart."

"I Want to Quit"




I Want to Quit (This Is What Animal Rescue Is Like) By Joan C. Fremo

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 3 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! Many of the "Breed People" don't seem to want to hear about these dogs. Breeders either don't realize, or just don't care, how many dogs of their breed are dying in shelters.

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 rescues NEUTER! 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! There ARE some unscrupulous rescues out there---hoarders, collectors, and folks who will short change the care of the animals to make a dollar. They save them all, regardless of temperament, putting fellow rescuer's and adopters at risk by not being truthful.

I want to quit! I have trusted the wrong people--- had faith and heart broken...

I want to quit! AND THEN... My dog, Magnus, 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 without 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, Joan, and he 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..."

I want to quit! 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 Pyr 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 Magnus's 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.

Joan

We Salute YOU!

Today the one of the pets at Pet Helpers (where we fostered and adopted Colbert from) that was adopted out was Truthiness.

Good luck to Truthiness and all the other pets that were adopted today in their new homes.

Happy Day!

Mr Oreo and the Low Country Pet Expo.

What?


Soon as I got out his new collar and bandana and had them on him he was bouncing around the house with bonafide zoomies. He is a very funny dog when it comes to getting to go outside all dressed up...maybe he will pose in a party collar with no problem.

Mr. Handsome made some friends at the expo, it was in a super little room and very crowded, not really conducive to that many big and tiny dogs with questionable training.

Anyone who recognized the Aussie in him was right up on me telling me bout the ACD or Shep they used to have, what great dogs they are, and how smart they are.

The old biddies loved his super soft bunny fur and his cow spots. He was super excited, so he was pulling more than usual, there were a few barks on his side. But over all it went really well.

I did however have one person ask me what I did to my Dalmation. haha.

Didn't get to hand out any fliers, no one was really that interested beyond figuring out what kind of dog he was. They usually disappeared after I mentioned he was for adoption through CACDR&R . And I didn't even tell anyone how old he was.

He had fun though, that is the most important part. And thanks go to Crystal and Jet for meeting me there and hanging out with us.

You don't have to foster to helps a pet in need.

Have you ever thought that you would REALLY like to help all those animals in rescues ans shelters, but do not think that you could foster for fear of keeping all the animals that cross your threshold? Here is a list of tasks that you can do in a relatively short amount of time that would be of great service to both the rescue you work with and most importantly the life of the dog (or cat ;] ).

Start with finding a rescue for one of your favorite breeds, as many of you know D and I help a few ACD rescues, as well as a local shelter with special cases. A quick google search (example: "Corgi NH Rescue" brings up quite a few) will aid you in finding rescues near you to assist, just call one up and ask if you can help, many will jump at the chance to let you do something for them.
_____________________________________
There are so many volunteer tasks that are important pieces in the rescue puzzle. Each piece, put together, help needy dogs find their forever homes. Below is a list of "other" tasks that are so very valuable to the "big picture" of rescue.

How Much Time Will You Have To Dedicate?
It's really up to you. You can spend as little or as much time as you are able. Since we are all volunteers, we have busy lives outside of rescue. Often just a few hours of "help" makes a big difference. We always welcome new additions to our rescue family!


What Will You Be Asked To Do?
There are many tasks associated with rescue. Some require a larger time commitment, others only a few hours per month (or less) Here are some examples:

Visit a dog in a shelter: Confirm the dog is of the breed the rescue specializes in, evaluate their temperament, interaction with you, general manners, knowledge of basic commands and how well they behave on lead.

Time commitment: Depending on the location of the shelter, this task can take under an hour.

Call a vet for a reference: Rescue's must have a veterinarian's reference for each applicant. They simply need to know if any current/past pets are current on vaccines and receive regular veterinary care. Determine if there are any glaring concerns.

Time commitment: These calls generally take 5 minutes.

Evaluate a new surrender: When we get a call from an owner who wishes to surrender their dog for adoption, rescues need volunteers to "visit" the family and evaluate the dog, take photos, etc.

Time commitment: Depending on location, this may take a few hours at the most.

Contact a potential adopter: When a rescue receives a new application from someone wishing to adopt a one of their pets, they review the application carefully. They speak with them to get a feel for their knowledge of the breed, their family dynamic, their experience with dog ownership, etc. We ask questions about fencing, other animals in residence and cover any "red flags" that appear in the application.

Time commitment: The length of each call will vary.

Home visits: Visit the home of a potential adopter. Meet the family members and any current pets in residence. Evaluate fencing, lifestyle, proximity to a busy street, confirm all family members are on board, etc. Essentially, you are simply trying to determine whether this is a home in which you would place your own dog.

Time commitment: Depending on location, this may take a few hours at the most.

Transport a dog from a shelter to foster home: If a dog is accepted into foster care from a shelter, they often need to be removed from the shelter and transported to their foster home.

Time commitment: Depending on location, this may take a few hours at the most.

__________________________

Of course, we are always in need of foster homes. Sometimes even just for a few nights to a week until transport can be arranged to another foster location. So, even if you are not able to commit to a longer-term foster situation, a short-term "spot" for a dog is often all that is needed in order to pull from a shelter (to save them from being euthanized), arrange vet care and transport to another location.


***Courtesy the German Short Hair Pointer Rescue via Facebook. www.gsprescue.org/contact.html

Up and Down

We thought that we had a home for Oreo, but unfortunately the prospect changed their mind. So we still have 5 dogs in the house.

On that note, I thought I would share this, it is one of those forward along to whomever things...I edited all the pass it on to 20 people junk and give you the essentials:

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me.. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Ruphus.

Ruphus is Colbert's litter brother. Donovan found his adoptive owner (mom) on facebook. She had photos of all five of the Corgi pups when they were first brought to the shelter.



Kenya, Sudan behind her, Colbert, Chad, and Ruphus.




Colbert and Ruphus.




Ruhphus and mom Kristyn.




Doing the Colbert crawl/stretch




Handsome little stud.

Many thanks go to Kristyn for posting these to facebook, and adopting Ruphus. We have had a few messages back and forth and they both have some of the same quirks, sleeping under blankets, fears of thunder storms, and initial dislike of car rides.

FAQ's and Updates

Who is Colbert?

Colbert is our first and failed foster. He was feral and abused. He is still afraid of many things, lights at nights, strangers, and sirens freak him out a little bit.

He sings to us, and we sing back.

He sleeps on his side and his leg falls asleep.

We tell him he has furry hobbit feet and that he is getting a lion cut this summer if he keeps (whatever it is he is doing) up. (he's not going to get one...we promise)

The first few months we had him he lived in his own room by himself holed up in a dogloo not wanting anything to do with us, regardless of what we had to offer, and we tried everything from rawhides to dog food and treats including chicken, beef, and bacon.

He still doesn't come up to us unless we are lying down on the couch or in bed, and even then you'd better not make any sudden movements.

He LOVES butt scratches, even better if you rub his whole body with your foot (feet cannot grab like hands can, or they smell better?).

He emits what I call the Colbert funk when you pick him up. What's up with that?

He prefers my husband over me.

And yes, he is named after Stephen T Colbert.

-------------

The Ruby trip over Memorial Weekend went smoothly, only spent 2 hours sitting in Baltimore. Spent the night at Lizzie's house, met her awesome kids and super laid back cattle dogs (they make Buela look like she's mainlining Red Bull) then off to Concord and a few day at home with the family for my mom's 65th birthday.

You can find the Ruby Trip thread at AuCaDo...
http://www.aucado.us/forums/showthread.php?t=18022

Her rescue thread is here:
http://www.aucado.us/forums/showthread.php?t=16884

You may need to sign up for a membership to view the threads, but if you are into rescue and the like there is a great setup for cattle dog rescue and they do do cross posting for other breeds if needed as well.

My view in the rear view mirror:


Finally passed out:


A happy little one eyed Ruby:

Ruby, Ruby: Ruby, Ruby SOHO!

Everything is ready, have my directions, road atlas (like I'll need it), suitcase, crate, dog bag, some trash bags and paper towels for the shelter, half of the phone numbers from people on aucado and the ever important cell charger and iPod.

Just have to check the air in my tires with hubby (never done it before, I had mechanic brothers to do this for me in NH), take a shower, and go to bed. (which will be within the hour)...

Just what am I doing? I am going to be picking up a tagalong in North Carolina on the way. Ruby is a blue heeler or Aussie Cattle Dog. She is going to foster home, and seeing as I was going I offered my services. I will pick her up bout 9 am tomorrow. Then off to meet her new foster mom in Concord round 10:30 am, Saturday.

Pictures to come!

Think good thoughts and enjoy your friday cuz I will!

That's the nicest thing that anyone's ever done for me!

So I have been announced the winner of the best on Blogspot's Animal/Pets category.

I was also randomly chosen to receive advertising on the parent site...which means I will be highlighting dogs in need.

If you have a dog you are having a rough time placing, leave a comment about your dog, or a link to their dogster/petfinder page.

Again thank you!

-Wendy

The Cat Saga.

I know it's definitely not dog related or foster related, but it is rescue and adoption related.

For about 2 months+ I had been emailing with Our Lady of Mercy's Catnip Cottage of Summerville about a FIV (Feline Aids) positive cat named Rocky. I was VERY interested. Sadly, because of the fact that I cannot screen in my porch because of HOA rules and he has been placed as a sanctuary cat due to cyclical side effects of his illness, Rockefeller (as I referred to him), is not meant to be at the Hixson house.

I have however, found an all black female at Doc Williams ASPCA, which is where we adopted Corona and where Max originally came from as a 10 week old puppy, she even came to the word come, now that is a cat I can deal with. Her name is Duchess, but I don't know how (Princess) Corona would deal with another royal in the house.

I have to drag D down to see her and see if he will begrudgingly give in. haha.