The end of 2011 is quickly approaching and every year at this point, I like to take a moment to reflect on the past year and all that has happened. This past year was filled with many memories good and bad, but more of the former than the latter.
The idea for RRR started with the arrival of Etta in July we have rescued and rehabbed over 50 dogs and pups. Many of these have gone on to new homes, others are still with us waiting for their happily ever after, some will live out the rest of their lives here.
I have learned so much, not only about dogs but also about myself in the time since this started. The journey has at times been hard, frustrating, exhausting and emotionally draining, but every moment has been worth it.
With the new year, we will be changing direction a bit. Heading more toward our original goal of training dogs to be service dogs for those who need them, but we will still take in a limited number of rescues once those here find their happily ever after.Mainly I want to say thank you to all of our wonderful fans and supporters.
First, I want to say thank you to those at PRM and Sasha's Legacy (Anna, Michelle, Jeannean and Rosine) who made it possible for Etta and Wiggles to be a part of our life and who entrusted me with the rehab of Whiskers. Those three dogs inspired us to create RRR and make it what it has become.
Secondly, a very special thank you to Denise and Stacey for all of their help, ideas, input and work to make RRR a success and help us share our stories.
Third, thank you to those in my life who have believed in this crazy journey and who have put up with the countless hours on the road, thousands of dollars spent and the time I have had to take away from my personal life for the dogs.
As we move forward into the new year, I want to assure everyone that in some way, shape or form, we will continue changing lives for the better, one paw at a time.
Thank you!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Saying 'Goodbye' To Rescue Work
Tonight, I came to a very important decision about the future of RRR. I posted to our FB page and Twitter so I will copy the message here and then further explain.
"I've come to a decision about the future of RRR tonight. I would like every one of you to read this and please be respectful of my decision. A while back I had posted that we weren't going to be accepting new dogs into the Ranch and that we'd close when we finished with training for the last dog here. Then, I started getting requests to take other dogs who desperately needed our help and I felt bad and kept going. Lately, I have been thinking all of this through amidst hours of caring for dogs, training, doing paperwork to register everything in our new location and to submit our 501c3 paperwork and I feel like my decision to 'close up shop' so to speak, was most likely the right one. In our area, I feel like there is not enough demand for what we are doing and by helping so many problem dogs (of which I love every one, please don't misunderstand) I no longer have time for the original purpose of RRR which was to train service dogs and companion animals for Soldiers with TBI and PTSD. However, because I cannot simply just say 'I'm done' and walk away since many dogs rely on me for their well being I will continue what we are currently doing as an individual. RRR will still exist as the name of our ranch but not as a business, organization, non-profit, or otherwise. From here on out I will be an individual who rehabs and rescues dogs and they will be placed up for adoption as their training or rehab is finished. There will be NO more dogs accepted into the program, so please do not ask. I would be happy to direct you to other groups who may be able to assist you. For the dogs that cannot simply be adopted out, like Hope, I will not abandon them and they will remain with me as long as they need even if it is for the rest of their life, because that is the commitment I made to them. Things will continue to run as they are now until every last dog is finished with the things they needed us to do for them but we will no longer be an 'organization'. It's Rob and I doing this work as individuals. I have seen the great side of rescue work and I've seen a lot of bad including the big ego's, the drama, etc and I no longer want to be a part of that. There are other canine avenues I am hoping to explore and I cannot do both. I hope that you all understand, there was no particular incident that caused this, it has been coming for a while but the past few weeks have cemented my decision, for personal reasons. Thank you for your understanding. -N"
That all being said, I feel as if I at least need to get some other things off my chest. I always try to be a pretty positive person when it comes to my 'work' and rescue but often times I feel as if we're hiding our heads in the sand. The reality is, as sad as it may be, we cannot save them all. Not until people understand to spay and neuter their pets, that breeding is best left to those who care about BETTERING THEIR BREED and not making money (when done right there's not a lot of money to be made in breeding), and people start taking responsibility for their animals instead of dumping them in a shelter when things get too hard. Every day, we struggle to save thousands upon thousands of animals lives, and there has been more and more success with venues like Facebook and Twitter, but though the dogs are going to rescue, many rescues are finding themselves having a hard time adopting out these dogs, especially breeds like pit bulls, GSD's, rotties, etc. Some of you may not agree but it is what I see in our area and what I hear from friends in rescue work around the country. A lot of people tell me that they fear there are simply not enough GOOD homes for the dogs they take in, so, these dogs live in rescues, fosters, boarding, etc, sometimes for years because no one will step up to call them their own that is responsible enough to take on all that comes with these dogs. These are the unspoken truths, as I and many others see them, of rescue work. It's the stuff no one wants to say and even less want to hear and it hurts to know that reality every day.
When I first started RRR, our purpose was very different from what we are doing now, while I love the direction we've gone in and the lives we've been able to save, we never set out to be a 'rescue' group. It just so happens I have a soft heart for dogs who need rescuing and we've had great success rehabbing dogs that needed some help they couldn't get elsewhere for one reason or another.
Along with this, I was introduced to the big, wide world of animal rescue, and I will honestly say, I don't always like what I see. Behind the scenes of the happy 'SAVED!!!' posts are rescues (not all but quite a few) struggling to make ends meet, overwhelmed and overworked because people forget most times that even after a dog is 'safe' someone is still investing a lot of time and money and love into that dogs care. Not only is there that worry but then there is the constant infighting, broken 'save' promises that leave people scrambling for solutions to a problem they didn't know they had and don't have time to fix, catty attitudes, big egos that do this work because they want people to talk about how great they are (and yes there are plenty out there), jealousy between groups because so and so raised more funds or adopted more dogs or gets more attention than they do, people wasting time squabbling over the tiniest details or worrying about telling the world what so and so is doing wrong just because THEY have nothing better to do, like actually saving more animals in one capacity or another. Then take all of that stress and add in the piles of paperwork, e-mails to answer, and posts about the dogs that all of you, despite your best efforts, 'failed'. AND add to that the HOURS upon HOURS of care and training and special needs required daily by the dogs, the thousands of dollars spent (often times from rescuers own pockets which are already half empty) in vet care, food, repairs, equipment, etc. Even for the strongest person, it is physically and mentally draining and sometimes when you sit down at the end of the day, though you know you shouldn't you sometimes wonder, what is it all for? Then you look around at the dogs and realize what it's for, it's to save these innocent souls who never asked to be brought into this world and abused or neglected or abandoned, fought, forgotten, and left to die. But sometimes, when all of the above has taken it's toll on your mind and body, you just have to say, 'No more'.
In giving so much of myself to rescue I have taken a lot of myself away from other areas of my life that need me just as much. I don't believe in doing anything 'half assed' (sorry if the expression offends) so when I started doing this I threw all of myself into it and gave it 150%, I just am not programmed to do less at my 'job'. However, with all of that focused in one place I have had less time for my son, who hasn't been to a real park with me in months (Thank God for his dad taking him lol) because the only park I have 'time' for is a dog park. I haven't gotten to sit and watch a movie with him in WAY too long because by the time I'm done with what I need to do enough to be able to sit down for the day, he's already been in bed for three hours. Rob gets 50% of my attention 100% of the time. I struggle to recall the last conversation we had for more than 15 minutes that wasn't rescue or dog related. I don't even know if we know what else to talk about anymore. I haven't gone out with my friends in months, I don't even know if I've talked to some of my friends in months, most days I don't even know what day it is. Time is slipping by and I haven't even noticed and it's time for me to say, 'No more'.
I love my 'work', I love every dog here, I love to see the transformation from what they were to what they become but myself and my family are paying a high price and I had to make a choice. The rescue work we do is not simple. It is not in and out cases. These are dogs that require either extensive health care or rehabilitation training, I don't assume any dog will be here for less than 6 months best case scenario. If things go otherwise that's great, but they rarely do. We've had fosters continually back out, adopters are scarce (why pay when you can get it free on craigslist!) and the only thing we have been blessed with are the dogs and the AMAZING people in our 'RRR family' who pull through to help us help these dogs whenever they can.
I have one last 'vent' if you will and I hope that by reading this, some will take a closer look at their actions. While I haven't been on the receiving end of much of this, I've seen some people that have been torn apart and it saddens me. There are so many 'caring' people out there who are the first to tear others down, criticize them, want to slander and hurt their rescues for no reason other than greed, jealousy or the need to feed their too large egos, and quite frankly sometimes just stir the pot and for lack of better words, start shit. There is in fact, so much drama in much of the rescue community, that I don't even bother turning on the cable because I see it so much all the time. Unless you are out there doing what the folks you're tearing down are doing then the nicest advice I have for you is to just close your mouth. There are people who give their whole lives to rescue and I watch them get threatened, slandered, talked to like crap and more, some even to the point of having their own dogs poisoned at the hands of people who don't like them or were jealous! Yes, I have SEEN it happen to people. It disgusts me. We are all supposed to be in this for the dogs, not to sit around and make someone elses life hell. If you see someone doing a good job, don't be jealous, aim to do what they are and model yourself after that. Don't go around seeking to start problems for those who have enough already. Just some words of wisdom.
That all being said, I have loved every moment of this journey and I will continue to work with all of the dogs here until they are adopted. If they cannot be adopted because of severe behavioral issues then they will stay with us until they are either better or can move on to another sanctuary or rescue that can provide similar handling and training without a 'kennel living' type of environment.
I hope all of you understand my decision and why I have made it but if you don't, that is okay too. I'm not trying to ask for approval, I'm doing what's best for my family even if it may seem selfish on the outside.
*Nicole
"I've come to a decision about the future of RRR tonight. I would like every one of you to read this and please be respectful of my decision. A while back I had posted that we weren't going to be accepting new dogs into the Ranch and that we'd close when we finished with training for the last dog here. Then, I started getting requests to take other dogs who desperately needed our help and I felt bad and kept going. Lately, I have been thinking all of this through amidst hours of caring for dogs, training, doing paperwork to register everything in our new location and to submit our 501c3 paperwork and I feel like my decision to 'close up shop' so to speak, was most likely the right one. In our area, I feel like there is not enough demand for what we are doing and by helping so many problem dogs (of which I love every one, please don't misunderstand) I no longer have time for the original purpose of RRR which was to train service dogs and companion animals for Soldiers with TBI and PTSD. However, because I cannot simply just say 'I'm done' and walk away since many dogs rely on me for their well being I will continue what we are currently doing as an individual. RRR will still exist as the name of our ranch but not as a business, organization, non-profit, or otherwise. From here on out I will be an individual who rehabs and rescues dogs and they will be placed up for adoption as their training or rehab is finished. There will be NO more dogs accepted into the program, so please do not ask. I would be happy to direct you to other groups who may be able to assist you. For the dogs that cannot simply be adopted out, like Hope, I will not abandon them and they will remain with me as long as they need even if it is for the rest of their life, because that is the commitment I made to them. Things will continue to run as they are now until every last dog is finished with the things they needed us to do for them but we will no longer be an 'organization'. It's Rob and I doing this work as individuals. I have seen the great side of rescue work and I've seen a lot of bad including the big ego's, the drama, etc and I no longer want to be a part of that. There are other canine avenues I am hoping to explore and I cannot do both. I hope that you all understand, there was no particular incident that caused this, it has been coming for a while but the past few weeks have cemented my decision, for personal reasons. Thank you for your understanding. -N"
That all being said, I feel as if I at least need to get some other things off my chest. I always try to be a pretty positive person when it comes to my 'work' and rescue but often times I feel as if we're hiding our heads in the sand. The reality is, as sad as it may be, we cannot save them all. Not until people understand to spay and neuter their pets, that breeding is best left to those who care about BETTERING THEIR BREED and not making money (when done right there's not a lot of money to be made in breeding), and people start taking responsibility for their animals instead of dumping them in a shelter when things get too hard. Every day, we struggle to save thousands upon thousands of animals lives, and there has been more and more success with venues like Facebook and Twitter, but though the dogs are going to rescue, many rescues are finding themselves having a hard time adopting out these dogs, especially breeds like pit bulls, GSD's, rotties, etc. Some of you may not agree but it is what I see in our area and what I hear from friends in rescue work around the country. A lot of people tell me that they fear there are simply not enough GOOD homes for the dogs they take in, so, these dogs live in rescues, fosters, boarding, etc, sometimes for years because no one will step up to call them their own that is responsible enough to take on all that comes with these dogs. These are the unspoken truths, as I and many others see them, of rescue work. It's the stuff no one wants to say and even less want to hear and it hurts to know that reality every day.
When I first started RRR, our purpose was very different from what we are doing now, while I love the direction we've gone in and the lives we've been able to save, we never set out to be a 'rescue' group. It just so happens I have a soft heart for dogs who need rescuing and we've had great success rehabbing dogs that needed some help they couldn't get elsewhere for one reason or another.
Along with this, I was introduced to the big, wide world of animal rescue, and I will honestly say, I don't always like what I see. Behind the scenes of the happy 'SAVED!!!' posts are rescues (not all but quite a few) struggling to make ends meet, overwhelmed and overworked because people forget most times that even after a dog is 'safe' someone is still investing a lot of time and money and love into that dogs care. Not only is there that worry but then there is the constant infighting, broken 'save' promises that leave people scrambling for solutions to a problem they didn't know they had and don't have time to fix, catty attitudes, big egos that do this work because they want people to talk about how great they are (and yes there are plenty out there), jealousy between groups because so and so raised more funds or adopted more dogs or gets more attention than they do, people wasting time squabbling over the tiniest details or worrying about telling the world what so and so is doing wrong just because THEY have nothing better to do, like actually saving more animals in one capacity or another. Then take all of that stress and add in the piles of paperwork, e-mails to answer, and posts about the dogs that all of you, despite your best efforts, 'failed'. AND add to that the HOURS upon HOURS of care and training and special needs required daily by the dogs, the thousands of dollars spent (often times from rescuers own pockets which are already half empty) in vet care, food, repairs, equipment, etc. Even for the strongest person, it is physically and mentally draining and sometimes when you sit down at the end of the day, though you know you shouldn't you sometimes wonder, what is it all for? Then you look around at the dogs and realize what it's for, it's to save these innocent souls who never asked to be brought into this world and abused or neglected or abandoned, fought, forgotten, and left to die. But sometimes, when all of the above has taken it's toll on your mind and body, you just have to say, 'No more'.
In giving so much of myself to rescue I have taken a lot of myself away from other areas of my life that need me just as much. I don't believe in doing anything 'half assed' (sorry if the expression offends) so when I started doing this I threw all of myself into it and gave it 150%, I just am not programmed to do less at my 'job'. However, with all of that focused in one place I have had less time for my son, who hasn't been to a real park with me in months (Thank God for his dad taking him lol) because the only park I have 'time' for is a dog park. I haven't gotten to sit and watch a movie with him in WAY too long because by the time I'm done with what I need to do enough to be able to sit down for the day, he's already been in bed for three hours. Rob gets 50% of my attention 100% of the time. I struggle to recall the last conversation we had for more than 15 minutes that wasn't rescue or dog related. I don't even know if we know what else to talk about anymore. I haven't gone out with my friends in months, I don't even know if I've talked to some of my friends in months, most days I don't even know what day it is. Time is slipping by and I haven't even noticed and it's time for me to say, 'No more'.
I love my 'work', I love every dog here, I love to see the transformation from what they were to what they become but myself and my family are paying a high price and I had to make a choice. The rescue work we do is not simple. It is not in and out cases. These are dogs that require either extensive health care or rehabilitation training, I don't assume any dog will be here for less than 6 months best case scenario. If things go otherwise that's great, but they rarely do. We've had fosters continually back out, adopters are scarce (why pay when you can get it free on craigslist!) and the only thing we have been blessed with are the dogs and the AMAZING people in our 'RRR family' who pull through to help us help these dogs whenever they can.
I have one last 'vent' if you will and I hope that by reading this, some will take a closer look at their actions. While I haven't been on the receiving end of much of this, I've seen some people that have been torn apart and it saddens me. There are so many 'caring' people out there who are the first to tear others down, criticize them, want to slander and hurt their rescues for no reason other than greed, jealousy or the need to feed their too large egos, and quite frankly sometimes just stir the pot and for lack of better words, start shit. There is in fact, so much drama in much of the rescue community, that I don't even bother turning on the cable because I see it so much all the time. Unless you are out there doing what the folks you're tearing down are doing then the nicest advice I have for you is to just close your mouth. There are people who give their whole lives to rescue and I watch them get threatened, slandered, talked to like crap and more, some even to the point of having their own dogs poisoned at the hands of people who don't like them or were jealous! Yes, I have SEEN it happen to people. It disgusts me. We are all supposed to be in this for the dogs, not to sit around and make someone elses life hell. If you see someone doing a good job, don't be jealous, aim to do what they are and model yourself after that. Don't go around seeking to start problems for those who have enough already. Just some words of wisdom.
That all being said, I have loved every moment of this journey and I will continue to work with all of the dogs here until they are adopted. If they cannot be adopted because of severe behavioral issues then they will stay with us until they are either better or can move on to another sanctuary or rescue that can provide similar handling and training without a 'kennel living' type of environment.
I hope all of you understand my decision and why I have made it but if you don't, that is okay too. I'm not trying to ask for approval, I'm doing what's best for my family even if it may seem selfish on the outside.
*Nicole
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