Boarded up in a dog house with her puppies, starved and abandoned, used as a bait or fight dog, human aggressive, dog aggressive, emaciated, heartworm positive, neglected, unwanted....Looking down a list of dogs at RRR almost every one could have one of these labels attached next to their name.
Sometimes, even though a dog 'looks' fine and is healthy, it's the invisible scars that are the hardest to heal. We have dealt with our fair share of those too. I often compare these dogs to Soldiers who return with PTSD and TBI. On the outside, they 'look' fine. On the inside, they are anything but.
It is easy to forget the scars that don't adorn ones body but instead their mind. Many of the dogs we rehabilitate, even once they are back to health, are still fighting a long and hard road to recovery. We have had great success rehabbing dogs others have given up on, but it definitely is not easy and I know, there will be a dog we cannot save.
What is it that makes these dogs this way? How does a dog who was once a sweet puppy become a 'monster'? Usually, the answer is bad owners. Very rarely, it can be a genetic trait which is brought out by a bad owner. Sometimes, it's lack of training and sometimes it's just a set of circumstances the dog is living in that just don't fit. Those aren't the bad owners, they are just the owners who may not understand what that particular dog needs or how to be a strong enough leader to them.
When I look around every day, I see these faces with scars (visible and invisible) for whom we were their only hope. In every one of the dogs here, there is beauty. The sad part is, not everyone may see it.
For example, to many people 'Dee' is 'just another black pit bull needing a home' but to us, Dee is a survivor. Dee and her puppies were seized from a neglectful, awful owner who boarded her and her puppies INSIDE her dog house with no food or water, and still attached to the chain she led most of her life on. She landed in the local rabies control facility which is a VERY high kill shelter that euth's usually twice a week for space. Her puppies were saved by a rescue, but Dee was left behind with no interest from anyone wanting to save her. We stepped up. When we pulled Dee, she was vetted the next day and we discovered she had pyometra, a potentially life threatening infection of her uterus. Though severely underweight and high heartworm positive, Dee had to undergo emergency surgery to have any chance at life. We weren't sure she would make it through and I questioned our vet about his thoughts on if she would make it. I remember his answer to me too. He said, 'Look at this dog and all she's been through. A lot of other dogs would have been long gone already but she's a fighter. If she made it through that, she'll make it through this'. Sure enough, the next day Dee emerged from surgery no worse for the wear and came home to us the day after. She has learned to play, love and befriend other dogs. She is a survivor. I sometimes see in her eyes that she thinks about her past. I know that some people say dogs can't or don't, but I feel different. I know she does. However, that thoughtful sad look on her face lasts for only a moment and soon she is back to playing and having fun or cuddling up on the couch. Dee deserves her own family, though she is so much a part of ours. She deserves someone to pay attention to only her, to love only her, to spend all of their free hours with only her. However, we also know that the chances of Dee finding a home while still undergoing heartworm treatment, and being black and a pit bull, are not high. Still we hold out hope that one day, she will have a family that will be her own and treat her the way she deserves to be treated.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that some of the dogs at RRR may not be 'beautiful' or 'special' by others standards, but they are to us. Some have faces only a mother could love, and I do and I know someday, someone else will fall in love with some of them too. As many scars as they may have from their lives before or as 'scary' as they may look to some, to me, watching these forgotten ones happy and playing is a feeling I just cannot explain.
Then, I see dogs like Soldier, who is a beautiful, physically healthy young pit bull. He will be coming this week for his rehab to begin. Soldier appears to have never missed a meal. He is a happy, people loving, wonderful dog who is gorgeous in every physical way. To most people, he 'looks' fine. However, because of Soldier's behavior, it is believed he was raised and trained to be a fight dog and this prevents him from having a normal life and interacting normally with other dogs. Some people don't feel that Soldiers need is as 'urgent' because he looks okay. However, Soldier was almost put to sleep because of his invisible scars and has no chance at a normal life, in a normal family, until those scars are healed.
While we often pull or save dogs that look physically bad, no one should misunderstand that the need is just as urgent for the ones whose scars don't show. They stand just as small a chance at a happily ever after as the emaciated dog in a shelter that people fear to adopt because of the potential need for care and in the wrong hands, they can be deadly until trained, to not only others but to themselves as well. They need us just as much since there are not many rescues who can or will rehabilitate dogs with severe behavioral problems.
Every dog here deserves a chance. They deserve the best possible. They deserve having someone look at them and find the beauty beneath the surface. It is my hope, that someday, all of them will find their happily ever after. Maybe, for a dog here, that happily ever after could be you.
Until next time,
Nicole
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
What's So Wrong With Breeding?
I want to write today about a topic that is somewhat controversial in the rescue world, and that is breeding. Emotions run high among rescuers whenever this topic is raised. Many people don't understand why and unfortunately too few understand what breeding really is or should be.
The term 'breeder' has become an ugly word in the rescue world. To most people, it's just something you should not do ever, for any reason and for MOST people, that is true. But to me a TRUE breeder is totally different than the person pawning off dogs to the first person to arrive with cash.
A TRUE breeder is someone who should be BETTERING their breed and caring about the dogs they bring in to this world as if they are their own children. This person should be well versed in the appropriate breed standards, care, training, and genetic testing needed to produce a dog of outstanding quality, conformation, temperament and ability. A TRUE breeder doesn't produce litter after litter. They research, study, select the best of the best and create one litter a year, IF that. A TRUE breeder will have homes lined up for the pups WELL before they are ready to be weaned, and sometimes even before they are born. Most of the time a TRUE breeder will have those homes fill out a question and answer sheet to know exactly which puppies will be suited perfectly to that home and they will only choose homes from that pool of applicants. A TRUE breeder will have as rigorous a process involved in buying one of their dogs as an adoption agency would have in adopting out a rescue. A true breeder has parent dogs genetically tested and screened for any diseases that are prevalent in their breed and chooses lines where the incidences of these diseases or faults are not prevalent or have not existed. Finally, the most important part...a TRUE breeder rarely, if ever MAKES money producing a litter. That is not to say they give their dogs away for free, quite the opposite. However, when proper care, training, testing, etc is done, the money 'made' off of the litter rarely equals what was spent in producing it. A TRUE breeder does what they do as a labor of love, not just to make cute puppies.
I always hear the argument that no one should breed a dog while there are still so many dogs in shelters and that those dogs would get adopted more if there weren't breeders out there producing more dogs. Well, the fact is, as sad as it may be, that not EVERYONE wants to adopt a dog. Not EVERY shelter dog, or even most, can fit every purpose that a dog sought from a breeder might fit easily. Now, don't mistake what I'm saying here. I think shelter and rescue dogs are some of the most amazing dogs out there. I think there are quite a few who exceed their purebred counterparts on many levels. However, the sad fact is that not all can and not all do and to some people, when they are intending to invest time, money and training into a dog for a specific purpose they are not willing to take a chance on unknowns. Do I think that shelter dogs get passed over MORE because there are people breeding? No, I don't. Furthermore, the argument that many dogs from breeders end up in shelters is inaccurate as well. Dogs from BACKYARD breeders end up in shelters. Dogs from less than caring or reputable breeders end up in shelters. In all the time I have been doing this, do you know how many dogs that were from reputable, reliable, and caring breeders, or even dogs who were imported by those breeders, I have seen end up in a shelter (and this is talking about those who vet the families these dogs go to beforehand)? NONE. I have yet to see a tattooed, well bred, papered dog from a breeder who may charge thousands of dollars and has gone above and beyond to ensure their dog is well placed, end up in a shelter. MOST of the dogs that end up in shelters were impulse buys, dogs whose breeders would not take any of their dogs back at any point in their life or attempt to rehome them if the owners could not, 'gifts', dogs bred by someone wanting to make a quick dollar and dogs who were produced with little care. I'm not saying there are not purebreds in shelters, there most certainly are. BUT if these dogs were from a TRUE breeder, there would be a way to trace them back to that breeder be it through microchip or tattoo and that breeder would be taking responsibility for them long before the situation declined to the point the dog ended up in a shelter. This person would be checking in with the family and dog on a regular basis and be there to support them through their ownership process and to step in if a situation turned bad. And of course, I'm not talking about a dog who goes to a shelter as a stray, although the chances of that happening with a dog from a TRUE breeder are less likely too because the homes they have approved for their dogs would have the utmost safety and security of the dog in mind at all times and even if they did not, the dog would be able to be traced back to the breeder.
Here's the deal, from my point of view. There are good and bad breeders, just like there is good and bad in every avenue of life. 90% of breeders are bad breeders and that 10% gets a bad name because of the 90%. What we need to spend time doing is not bashing the TRUE breeders but getting rid of and educating the other, or back yard breeders, so that they understand the damage they are doing by producing dogs they think should be bred because they are 'cute'.
TRUE breeders can be a GREAT resource to rescues and rescue workers as well as rescue dogs. These breeders are EXPERTS in their breed and have a deep love and appreciation for all that makes their breed what it is. Often times, they may hold the answer to a problem we are unsure about simply because we didn't know the traits of a breed. MOST true breeders also love their breed enough to agree that the majority of those who own their breed should be spayed/neutered and ensure that the same happens for their pups unless they are going to another TRUE breeder.
I think it's time we stop shunning TRUE breeders and having them help us to educate those who are not (and most real breeders are willing to do this) to spay and neuter their pets.
For almost all dog owners, you will have a more fulfilled, healthier and happier pet if they are spayed or neutered. On top of that, you'll know you never run the risk of contributing to the overpopulation of dogs in this country. Breeding, like so many other things, should be left to the experts! For those of you who truly LOVE your breed, want to improve it and watch that dog work and have a fulfilling life, I encourage you to be mentored by a TRUE breeder. STUDY bloodlines and breed characteristics. Go speak with judges of your chosen breed either in conformation or work and learn what they have to share about what makes the best of the best.
For those of you who wave this off and think that you'll breed any way, I want you to consider a few things....
1) Are you EXPERIENCED in medical care of dogs, pre and post whelp?
2) What would you do, and what could you afford to do, if there was a medical emergency with the bitch or one of the pups either pre or post whelp?
3) Do you know what the word whelp means?
4) Is your dog registered with a REPUTABLE registry such as the AKC and have you researched their pedigree until you are familiar with every name, and the offspring of those dogs, in the pedigree as well as whatever faults or defects they may have passed on? Have you studied other crosses of the lines you intend to mix?
5) WHY are you breeding your dogs? What purpose will the puppies serve? Who will be the main people attracted to buying one of your puppies? Do you feel they will give it a great home? Why or why not?
6) Are you willing and able to take one of the puppies you produced back at any time during it's life, or help to find another suitable home, if the person who bought the dog was no longer able to care for it or passed away?
7) How do you keep track of your puppies and where they go? What do you do to ensure that if one of your pups is lost or stolen not only the new owner, but you, will be contacted about the dog?
8) Can you name at least one genetic disease or fault that is prevalent in your chosen breed and the test used to diagnose that particular disease or fault? Has your dog been tested either genetically or physically to make sure they do not carry that trait and the likelihood of them passing it on is little to none?
9) Are you prepared to support new puppy owners by answering any and all questions they may have about their new pup and as time goes on? Are you able to assist in training with or for that pup to ensure it is a safe, healthy, happy dog?
10) Do you have a purchase contract? Do you frequently follow up on the pups you have produced? Do you require non-professional owners to spay or neuter their pup/dog?
11) Is your dog trained or do they specialize in some kind of 'work' or 'skill'? Are they, or dogs within 3 generations, titled? Have you carefully assessed and do you understand the temperament of your dog?
12) Has your dog been fully vetted? Vaccinated? Dewormed? Tested? Approved by an expert of the breed? Swabbed and free of diseases?
13) Are you aware that separating pups from their dam before 8 - 12 weeks can have a significant effect on the dogs behavior for the rest of their life and that having a mentally unstable dog raise a litter will often result in the pups having similar behavior problems?
If you answered NO to ANY of these questions...you should not breed a dog. If and when you do, it is likely if not guaranteed, one of your puppies will end up on an 'urgent' list, facing euthanasia at some point in it's probably all too short life.
It is proven that dogs who are spayed/neutered are healthier, calmer, happier dogs than those handled by the average person who breeds a dog. Litters that are not planned or researched are often loaded with health problems, sometimes occurring before they are even born. While genetic defects CAN occur in even the most carefully planned litter, it is far less likely. The same goes for behavior and temperament issues as well as home incompatibility.
Now, ask yourself, do you want to set up any puppies you bring into this world for success or failure? Do you want to be looked down upon by others for producing sub standard dogs that will serve no function or purpose to better their breed or enrich the lives of those who care for them? Is money, or the betterment of your breed or dogs, more important to you?
While everyone may not agree, and they are entitled to this opinion, these are my core beliefs about what makes breeding 'right' or 'wrong' and each breeder should be judged on a case by case basis.
I do NOT believe in breeding a rescue dog, an unstable dog, an unpapered/unproven dog and simply because a dog DOES have a paper saying 'purebred' does not mean they should reproduce. It is often MUCH easier, time and cost effective, to select a dog that fits what you are looking for than to try to produce one.
That being said, unless you are a PROFESSIONAL or are working to become one, your next amazing dog can come from the shelter down the street and should be spayed or neutered. For 99% of people, I agree that they should not shop, but adopt.
Thank you!
The term 'breeder' has become an ugly word in the rescue world. To most people, it's just something you should not do ever, for any reason and for MOST people, that is true. But to me a TRUE breeder is totally different than the person pawning off dogs to the first person to arrive with cash.
A TRUE breeder is someone who should be BETTERING their breed and caring about the dogs they bring in to this world as if they are their own children. This person should be well versed in the appropriate breed standards, care, training, and genetic testing needed to produce a dog of outstanding quality, conformation, temperament and ability. A TRUE breeder doesn't produce litter after litter. They research, study, select the best of the best and create one litter a year, IF that. A TRUE breeder will have homes lined up for the pups WELL before they are ready to be weaned, and sometimes even before they are born. Most of the time a TRUE breeder will have those homes fill out a question and answer sheet to know exactly which puppies will be suited perfectly to that home and they will only choose homes from that pool of applicants. A TRUE breeder will have as rigorous a process involved in buying one of their dogs as an adoption agency would have in adopting out a rescue. A true breeder has parent dogs genetically tested and screened for any diseases that are prevalent in their breed and chooses lines where the incidences of these diseases or faults are not prevalent or have not existed. Finally, the most important part...a TRUE breeder rarely, if ever MAKES money producing a litter. That is not to say they give their dogs away for free, quite the opposite. However, when proper care, training, testing, etc is done, the money 'made' off of the litter rarely equals what was spent in producing it. A TRUE breeder does what they do as a labor of love, not just to make cute puppies.
I always hear the argument that no one should breed a dog while there are still so many dogs in shelters and that those dogs would get adopted more if there weren't breeders out there producing more dogs. Well, the fact is, as sad as it may be, that not EVERYONE wants to adopt a dog. Not EVERY shelter dog, or even most, can fit every purpose that a dog sought from a breeder might fit easily. Now, don't mistake what I'm saying here. I think shelter and rescue dogs are some of the most amazing dogs out there. I think there are quite a few who exceed their purebred counterparts on many levels. However, the sad fact is that not all can and not all do and to some people, when they are intending to invest time, money and training into a dog for a specific purpose they are not willing to take a chance on unknowns. Do I think that shelter dogs get passed over MORE because there are people breeding? No, I don't. Furthermore, the argument that many dogs from breeders end up in shelters is inaccurate as well. Dogs from BACKYARD breeders end up in shelters. Dogs from less than caring or reputable breeders end up in shelters. In all the time I have been doing this, do you know how many dogs that were from reputable, reliable, and caring breeders, or even dogs who were imported by those breeders, I have seen end up in a shelter (and this is talking about those who vet the families these dogs go to beforehand)? NONE. I have yet to see a tattooed, well bred, papered dog from a breeder who may charge thousands of dollars and has gone above and beyond to ensure their dog is well placed, end up in a shelter. MOST of the dogs that end up in shelters were impulse buys, dogs whose breeders would not take any of their dogs back at any point in their life or attempt to rehome them if the owners could not, 'gifts', dogs bred by someone wanting to make a quick dollar and dogs who were produced with little care. I'm not saying there are not purebreds in shelters, there most certainly are. BUT if these dogs were from a TRUE breeder, there would be a way to trace them back to that breeder be it through microchip or tattoo and that breeder would be taking responsibility for them long before the situation declined to the point the dog ended up in a shelter. This person would be checking in with the family and dog on a regular basis and be there to support them through their ownership process and to step in if a situation turned bad. And of course, I'm not talking about a dog who goes to a shelter as a stray, although the chances of that happening with a dog from a TRUE breeder are less likely too because the homes they have approved for their dogs would have the utmost safety and security of the dog in mind at all times and even if they did not, the dog would be able to be traced back to the breeder.
Here's the deal, from my point of view. There are good and bad breeders, just like there is good and bad in every avenue of life. 90% of breeders are bad breeders and that 10% gets a bad name because of the 90%. What we need to spend time doing is not bashing the TRUE breeders but getting rid of and educating the other, or back yard breeders, so that they understand the damage they are doing by producing dogs they think should be bred because they are 'cute'.
TRUE breeders can be a GREAT resource to rescues and rescue workers as well as rescue dogs. These breeders are EXPERTS in their breed and have a deep love and appreciation for all that makes their breed what it is. Often times, they may hold the answer to a problem we are unsure about simply because we didn't know the traits of a breed. MOST true breeders also love their breed enough to agree that the majority of those who own their breed should be spayed/neutered and ensure that the same happens for their pups unless they are going to another TRUE breeder.
I think it's time we stop shunning TRUE breeders and having them help us to educate those who are not (and most real breeders are willing to do this) to spay and neuter their pets.
For almost all dog owners, you will have a more fulfilled, healthier and happier pet if they are spayed or neutered. On top of that, you'll know you never run the risk of contributing to the overpopulation of dogs in this country. Breeding, like so many other things, should be left to the experts! For those of you who truly LOVE your breed, want to improve it and watch that dog work and have a fulfilling life, I encourage you to be mentored by a TRUE breeder. STUDY bloodlines and breed characteristics. Go speak with judges of your chosen breed either in conformation or work and learn what they have to share about what makes the best of the best.
For those of you who wave this off and think that you'll breed any way, I want you to consider a few things....
1) Are you EXPERIENCED in medical care of dogs, pre and post whelp?
2) What would you do, and what could you afford to do, if there was a medical emergency with the bitch or one of the pups either pre or post whelp?
3) Do you know what the word whelp means?
4) Is your dog registered with a REPUTABLE registry such as the AKC and have you researched their pedigree until you are familiar with every name, and the offspring of those dogs, in the pedigree as well as whatever faults or defects they may have passed on? Have you studied other crosses of the lines you intend to mix?
5) WHY are you breeding your dogs? What purpose will the puppies serve? Who will be the main people attracted to buying one of your puppies? Do you feel they will give it a great home? Why or why not?
6) Are you willing and able to take one of the puppies you produced back at any time during it's life, or help to find another suitable home, if the person who bought the dog was no longer able to care for it or passed away?
7) How do you keep track of your puppies and where they go? What do you do to ensure that if one of your pups is lost or stolen not only the new owner, but you, will be contacted about the dog?
8) Can you name at least one genetic disease or fault that is prevalent in your chosen breed and the test used to diagnose that particular disease or fault? Has your dog been tested either genetically or physically to make sure they do not carry that trait and the likelihood of them passing it on is little to none?
9) Are you prepared to support new puppy owners by answering any and all questions they may have about their new pup and as time goes on? Are you able to assist in training with or for that pup to ensure it is a safe, healthy, happy dog?
10) Do you have a purchase contract? Do you frequently follow up on the pups you have produced? Do you require non-professional owners to spay or neuter their pup/dog?
11) Is your dog trained or do they specialize in some kind of 'work' or 'skill'? Are they, or dogs within 3 generations, titled? Have you carefully assessed and do you understand the temperament of your dog?
12) Has your dog been fully vetted? Vaccinated? Dewormed? Tested? Approved by an expert of the breed? Swabbed and free of diseases?
13) Are you aware that separating pups from their dam before 8 - 12 weeks can have a significant effect on the dogs behavior for the rest of their life and that having a mentally unstable dog raise a litter will often result in the pups having similar behavior problems?
If you answered NO to ANY of these questions...you should not breed a dog. If and when you do, it is likely if not guaranteed, one of your puppies will end up on an 'urgent' list, facing euthanasia at some point in it's probably all too short life.
It is proven that dogs who are spayed/neutered are healthier, calmer, happier dogs than those handled by the average person who breeds a dog. Litters that are not planned or researched are often loaded with health problems, sometimes occurring before they are even born. While genetic defects CAN occur in even the most carefully planned litter, it is far less likely. The same goes for behavior and temperament issues as well as home incompatibility.
Now, ask yourself, do you want to set up any puppies you bring into this world for success or failure? Do you want to be looked down upon by others for producing sub standard dogs that will serve no function or purpose to better their breed or enrich the lives of those who care for them? Is money, or the betterment of your breed or dogs, more important to you?
While everyone may not agree, and they are entitled to this opinion, these are my core beliefs about what makes breeding 'right' or 'wrong' and each breeder should be judged on a case by case basis.
I do NOT believe in breeding a rescue dog, an unstable dog, an unpapered/unproven dog and simply because a dog DOES have a paper saying 'purebred' does not mean they should reproduce. It is often MUCH easier, time and cost effective, to select a dog that fits what you are looking for than to try to produce one.
That being said, unless you are a PROFESSIONAL or are working to become one, your next amazing dog can come from the shelter down the street and should be spayed or neutered. For 99% of people, I agree that they should not shop, but adopt.
Thank you!
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Another Year Over
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!
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!
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
Sunday, November 6, 2011
New Beginnings!
I feel like it has been FOREVER since I've put out a blog. The last few have included mostly updates on how things are going with the dogs and I haven't had much of a 'theme' to them. However, tonight I want to touch on a few subjects.
First, we have a wonderful new facility to work out of. This is going to work SO much better for us and for the dogs. The reason for the move, at first, seemed like a bad thing. We were looking into renewing our lease very soon and were informed that if we resigned the rent was going to be higher and sadly, we couldn't afford much more than we were already paying. Our pay was dropping substantially due to redeployment and there were bills that had to be paid before Rob left the Army which would add to the financial burden. I started to worry where we would be able to go with, literally, a pack of dogs (most of which have a history of aggression or are deemed a 'dangerous' breed) and three horses. Not many landlords would be eager to take that load, or liability, on. I was worried, nervous and maybe even a little scared. What were we going to do? Then, the thought came to me....you can always go home. As much as I loathed that thought (as anyone over the age of 18 often does lol) the idea started to grow on me. It seemed perfect. Having my mother as our 'landlord' would be trying to say the least (love you mom lol) however, I had a whole facility that would be PERFECT for the dogs sitting empty and unused. The landlords agreed to let us out of our lease early and then I was faced with the one thing I forgot to consider in my plan....the cost, and logistics, of a move that size. I didn't know how we were going to afford it, nor did I know how we would find the time and make the transition easy on all of the dogs, but I forged ahead to take the opportunity before me. I won't pretend that this move has been easy, either emotionally or financially (almost $50 for each trip we have to make with a load of stuff and there have been many) but I felt like realistically, it was the best option. I'm still a bit worried and stressed out, but who isn't during a move or a time of change? However, instead of looking at the downside, we have to look at the positives. Had all of the 'bad' things not occurred we wouldn't have the opportunity that we do now which is to expand the horizons for RRR. I could have chosen to be sad, depressed or given up, but instead I tried to look at this in a positive light and then I started seeing it for exactly what it was...a blessing in disguise. After finally getting mostly everything organized today I couldn't ask for a better place to continue the work for RRR. Of course, a lot of work still lies ahead. We have to reregister all of our paperwork in Tennessee, continue working on our 501c paperwork, improving the facilities the best we can for the dogs, etc. However, I have faith that somehow, it will all come together.
That brings me to the next subject I want to talk about tonight and that is what we can learn from the dogs in the program. I have had so many wonderful compliments recently about the work I am trying to do with the dogs. I appreciate all of them and it humbles me to know that there are people who are inspired by and who appreciate my work. I am in no way special, I don't have any unique abilities, I am just one person doing the best I can do with the knowledge I've gained over years of working with animals with 'problems'. No dog, or person, here is perfect. We all fall down, we all make mistakes, we all have our faults and we all learn from each other on a daily basis. In that light, I want to share a story here that many might not think it's 'okay' to share and I've thought long and hard about sharing it and have decided I think I should. I'll let everyone decide the lesson they can gain from it on their own, as I have.
About a week ago now, we took in a brown and white pit bull from Jackson Rabies Control. She came in two days after Faith, the white, emaciated pit from the same location. Everyone's first thought had been that the brown and white pit, who is named Hope, had been a bait dog. I never really questioned that thought as her demeanor seemed to go along with that theory. Hope has been a big undertaking and has tested my skills a lot already and I know she will continue to do so as long as she is here (which may be for the rest of her life). She is withdrawn, fearful and has a look in her eyes I've seen many times in troubled horses, troubled people and troubled dogs, though I can only recall one time when I've seen it with such intensity as I do with Hope. It's a look of someone who has been through a lot, who is stuck in their bad memories, who doesn't know how to find a way out of the darkness that they are living in. I think there have also been a few times in my life that I've had that look as well, so to say the least, I know where she is coming from. I also understand that we're not supposed to 'humanize' dogs. That they 'live in the moment' and that what they do is simply a learned behavior, what is instinctual or what is a conditioned response. While on some level, I agree, on another I do not. I have seen too much working with troubled animals to believe that to be entirely true. I do think that dogs have emotion, I do believe they sense ours and I do believe, that for some, overcoming their past is a very hard thing to do. Anyhow, that all being said, brings me to this part of the story. In the time that Hope has been with us she has had a very slow road. Every step forward seems to be followed by three steps back. She will only come out of her shell momentarily and then retreat back in further than before. I also know that it will be this way for a while.
A day into our move, things seemed to be turning around. She'd been socializing well with the other dogs, even playing with some chew toys and seemed to be more happy to be around us all and enjoying our company. She had shown NO signs of dog aggression or human aggression. We were getting ready to move a load of furniture and there were three dogs that were staying in the house, Sasha (one of the German Shepherds in our personal 'pack'), AJ (a husky/whippet mix that is waiting for his forever family) and Hope. They had been together for 24 hours and not so much as one problem had come about between the three. Not wanting to leave them in their crates because we would be gone for at least three hours, we left the three of them loose. I realize now, that letting my guard down in this way was a mistake, but one I have learned from.
When we arrived home, the scene that greeted us was upsetting to say the least. In one corner sat a beat up looking AJ with Sasha guarding him and in the other was a very beat up looking Hope. We quickly rushed to make sure all wounds were merely superficial (which thankfully they were) and then started trying to piece together what had happened. Judging by the dogs reactions to each other, the marks and Sasha's behavior with AJ we could only come to one conclusion...Hope had started to attack AJ and Sasha intervened. We had seen Sasha 'break up' dogs who were getting a little too rough before but had never expected that she would do it when it counted most. Sasha, who is a very happy go lucky and slightly doofy (for lack of a better term) dog, we had always joked was too aloof to be much of anything but a companion and her lack of drive definitely didn't make her cut out for anything more. We couldn't have been more wrong. Sasha, in essence, had saved AJ's life. The best we can figure is that Sasha, being a taller dog, had come from behind Hope and pulled her off of AJ before any real damage could be done. Hope had gone at Sasha but wasn't able to do much damage. Now of course, we'll never know exactly how the scene played out but that is the best we can piece together. Sasha has always been a 'guardian' of the smaller dogs and definitely showed her ability to protect them, even if it meant risking her well being, that night. The true mark of a German Shepherd. That all being said, I don't blame Hope, or Sasha or AJ for what happened and thankfully no one was hurt.
This incident spurred me to consult with a friend of mine who is accustomed to working with Pit Bulls who have been fought or used as bait dogs and to get his opinion on Hope. From what he can tell (her teeth, scars, that she has obviously been bred before, the fact that she is scared to eat from a bowl but is fine with eating from someones hand) his estimation is that Hope was not in fact a bait dog, but a fight dog who was probably trained to attack smaller, and weaker dogs but was not 'built right' to be a really efficient fight dog (hence why she was probably let go and picked up as a stray). Now, many people would be ready to give up hope for Hope and say that she can't be fixed, or saved. I don't believe that but I do believe that it will be a very long and rocky road ahead, and I do realize that she may very well have to live out the rest of her life at Raja Renata. I am willing to deal with those facts. And, I believe more than anything, she needs someone to show her a better way. I cannot hold her liable for what people have taught her or turned her into, she wasn't responsible for that, nor did she ask for it. The amazing part of it all, is that somewhere inside of her, I can see glimpses (even if only for a moment) of a very happy, playful and carefree soul who wants to come out. I see a dog who is wanting a leader and a friend (human and canine) and who has a chance, even if it's a small one, to live a life different than the one she has known til now. I also want to point out the benefits of having dogs in our program like Sasha who isn't a 'RRR' dog but part of our family as a whole. A good dog, who has never been trained to do a job but works off instinct that is balanced with a mentally stable attitude, is a blessing beyond measure. There are many dogs like this at RRR. They learn from each other, they each each other, they protect each other. Do I believe that Sasha wanted to hurt Hope? Of course not. As a matter of fact, they spent some time together today (the first reintroduction since the incident) and Sasha approached Hope in a calm manner, happily wagging her tail with all bad blood, so to speak, forgotten, just happy to try to make a friend. I wanted to add a photo of Sasha with AJ the night of the incident. She guarded him like this the entire night though Hope was crated. And no worries, he isn't covered up because he was hurt, we'd given him a bath to help us spot any injuries we could have missed because they would've been covered up by his fur, and he was keeping warm and 'hiding' under the moving blanket. I think this picture says a lot that I can't find the words to say about a dog who has a 'job', who is balanced, who knows the balance of the pack and her role in it and a dog who was simply doing what her breed has been bred to do for generations...be a gentle and fair protector of those she loves.
I share this story with the knowledge that some may think less of me for my mistake in assuming things would be fine but I share it because I believe we can learn from it, grow from it and to show that not everything is perfect here. We are dog owners struggling with things that others may also be dealing with though through our work in the past have a bit of an upper hand and some extra knowledge. I also want people to see that a situation like this is not the end for a dog, but a reason for me to work harder to fix a problem that until then, I didn't know existed. I also share this so that in time, with Hopes progress, we can see that even when we are in a situation where our past starts dictating the actions in our present, when we simply cannot let go of the only way we have ever know, that there is hope for something better, that our past only owns us if we choose to let it and that there are better things in store for our future.
I don't know if I have ever spoken about why I chose the name 'Raja Renata' for the ranch. Essentially, it means 'Hope Reborn' and that I felt was a perfect statement for what we were trying to do for both canines and humans. But, there was also another reason. On December 26, 2009 I was in a car accident that almost took my life. I was on leave with my ex-husband who had just returned from a deployment and we were visiting his family in Pennsylvania. We were on our way to their hunting cabin when he overcorrected the car and the car slammed into a concrete jersey barrier at 65 MPH, spun and hit the barrier on the other side of the road. I was life flighted from the scene and underwent emergency surgery at Hershey Med Center where I then spent a week fighting to recover. I had lacerated my liver, 3 feet of small intestine had to be removed, I had a list that spanned a page of bones in my face that had been broken or fractured, bruised ribs, TBI and two days after surgery a collapsed lobe in my left lung. The whole time I was there, all I wanted was to go home but I also wanted something else and it all started with a man who was a patient on the same floor as me while I was in recovery. I was up walking 18 hours after surgery and I walked multiple times a day because until my intestines could function on their own, I wouldn't be allowed to leave and being mobile would help that. So I pushed through the pain and walked the floors as much as I could. One day, while I was lying in my bed taking a rest, an elderly gentleman knocked on my door. I was surprised to see another patient up and walking around because the nurse had informed me that the people in this ward usually did not leave. I greeted him and he greeted me and then he said something, that to this day, still brings tears to my eyes. He told me that he wanted to thank me. I asked him why because as far as I knew, I had done nothing special. He said he wanted to thank me because every day he watched me walk around the ward over and over again and I obviously was in a lot of pain but I kept going. He told me that it made him think, if she is out there doing it, then why can't I? And so, because of that, for the first time in a very long time, he had gotten up out of his bed to start walking and it had made him feel better. I can't remember my response to him but I still very clearly remember his face and the words that he said, and I think of him often. I wish I had even known his name. I wish that I could tell him thank you, because knowing that I helped someone feel even a little better in such a miserable place, inspires me in the strangest of moments.
After I returned home, against Doctors orders that I not travel, I sunk into a deep depression. I had scars in a million places so I hated the way I looked, I couldn't pick up or hold my son because of the pain I still had in so many parts of my body and because of the incision that was still healing, I couldn't even cook myself a meal. I'd had to quit my job, I couldn't spend much time with friends and leaving the house was too hard either emotionally or physically most days. I felt helpless and hopeless and I spent my days trying to sleep it all away. My ex, Mac, would ask me what it would take to get me off the couch and I honestly didn't have an answer for him. Until Buck. One day, one of my friends insisted that we go out and do something, anything and I finally agreed. We took a ride around Ft Campbell and I passed by the riding stables. I'd toyed with the idea of getting a new horse for a while and I decided to stop in to put my name on the wait list for boarding. As I was about to leave, a sign on the door caught my attention. It was a 'For Sale' ad for a little Appaloosa gelding for $150 and the ad warned he needed to go to an experienced owner only. I knew, to say the least, I fit that bill so I asked about the horse. 30 minutes later, I purchased him. That was the day that changed my life.
Buck was a tough horse. He'd been used as a trail horse by the post, had bucked off a man and broken his neck, had bucked off a lot of other people, and was overall the terror of the farm that everyone had become afraid of dealing with. However, Buck and I seemed to get along just fine. I called my Doctor the next morning and asked him if I could go riding (mind you, I still had staples in my stomach from surgery). He said, "I'm telling you no but I know you will anyway (can you tell he's known me for a while lol) so please just be careful and don't do anything stupid". I cleaned off my old saddle, lugged it to the car, convinced Mac and another friend to go with me and off I went. I refused help to saddle Buck or to climb on him and a few minutes later we were riding around the arena at a walk and a jog much to the amazement of the other riders, who asked if I'd drugged him. Buck never took a wrong step (the better I got, the more he tested lol) he never pulled on the bit or took off or bucked, just calmly carried me. He was the reason I started getting up in the morning, eager to go to the barn to spend time with my new friend. He reminded me how much a horse (or any animal for that matter) can do when it comes to helping heal a person. He inspired me to start training horses again and helping the ones that no one else wanted to fix. The first horse I rescued after Buck was a scraggly looking little Arabian who was underweight, not cared for and well on her way down a path that wasn't a good one. I named her 'Raja Renata'. By fixing not only Buck, but her, and the many after, my hope was reborn. When it came time to name the Ranch, I couldn't think of a better name than that. Every time I see a horse I helped to rehab (especially Raja Renata who is now the trail mount of a little girl who needed a horse to boost her confidence) or a dog I have helped, or even when I look in the mirror or at my scars, I am reminded that out of the darkness, hope can be reborn.
Until next time,
Nicole
First, we have a wonderful new facility to work out of. This is going to work SO much better for us and for the dogs. The reason for the move, at first, seemed like a bad thing. We were looking into renewing our lease very soon and were informed that if we resigned the rent was going to be higher and sadly, we couldn't afford much more than we were already paying. Our pay was dropping substantially due to redeployment and there were bills that had to be paid before Rob left the Army which would add to the financial burden. I started to worry where we would be able to go with, literally, a pack of dogs (most of which have a history of aggression or are deemed a 'dangerous' breed) and three horses. Not many landlords would be eager to take that load, or liability, on. I was worried, nervous and maybe even a little scared. What were we going to do? Then, the thought came to me....you can always go home. As much as I loathed that thought (as anyone over the age of 18 often does lol) the idea started to grow on me. It seemed perfect. Having my mother as our 'landlord' would be trying to say the least (love you mom lol) however, I had a whole facility that would be PERFECT for the dogs sitting empty and unused. The landlords agreed to let us out of our lease early and then I was faced with the one thing I forgot to consider in my plan....the cost, and logistics, of a move that size. I didn't know how we were going to afford it, nor did I know how we would find the time and make the transition easy on all of the dogs, but I forged ahead to take the opportunity before me. I won't pretend that this move has been easy, either emotionally or financially (almost $50 for each trip we have to make with a load of stuff and there have been many) but I felt like realistically, it was the best option. I'm still a bit worried and stressed out, but who isn't during a move or a time of change? However, instead of looking at the downside, we have to look at the positives. Had all of the 'bad' things not occurred we wouldn't have the opportunity that we do now which is to expand the horizons for RRR. I could have chosen to be sad, depressed or given up, but instead I tried to look at this in a positive light and then I started seeing it for exactly what it was...a blessing in disguise. After finally getting mostly everything organized today I couldn't ask for a better place to continue the work for RRR. Of course, a lot of work still lies ahead. We have to reregister all of our paperwork in Tennessee, continue working on our 501c paperwork, improving the facilities the best we can for the dogs, etc. However, I have faith that somehow, it will all come together.
That brings me to the next subject I want to talk about tonight and that is what we can learn from the dogs in the program. I have had so many wonderful compliments recently about the work I am trying to do with the dogs. I appreciate all of them and it humbles me to know that there are people who are inspired by and who appreciate my work. I am in no way special, I don't have any unique abilities, I am just one person doing the best I can do with the knowledge I've gained over years of working with animals with 'problems'. No dog, or person, here is perfect. We all fall down, we all make mistakes, we all have our faults and we all learn from each other on a daily basis. In that light, I want to share a story here that many might not think it's 'okay' to share and I've thought long and hard about sharing it and have decided I think I should. I'll let everyone decide the lesson they can gain from it on their own, as I have.
About a week ago now, we took in a brown and white pit bull from Jackson Rabies Control. She came in two days after Faith, the white, emaciated pit from the same location. Everyone's first thought had been that the brown and white pit, who is named Hope, had been a bait dog. I never really questioned that thought as her demeanor seemed to go along with that theory. Hope has been a big undertaking and has tested my skills a lot already and I know she will continue to do so as long as she is here (which may be for the rest of her life). She is withdrawn, fearful and has a look in her eyes I've seen many times in troubled horses, troubled people and troubled dogs, though I can only recall one time when I've seen it with such intensity as I do with Hope. It's a look of someone who has been through a lot, who is stuck in their bad memories, who doesn't know how to find a way out of the darkness that they are living in. I think there have also been a few times in my life that I've had that look as well, so to say the least, I know where she is coming from. I also understand that we're not supposed to 'humanize' dogs. That they 'live in the moment' and that what they do is simply a learned behavior, what is instinctual or what is a conditioned response. While on some level, I agree, on another I do not. I have seen too much working with troubled animals to believe that to be entirely true. I do think that dogs have emotion, I do believe they sense ours and I do believe, that for some, overcoming their past is a very hard thing to do. Anyhow, that all being said, brings me to this part of the story. In the time that Hope has been with us she has had a very slow road. Every step forward seems to be followed by three steps back. She will only come out of her shell momentarily and then retreat back in further than before. I also know that it will be this way for a while.
A day into our move, things seemed to be turning around. She'd been socializing well with the other dogs, even playing with some chew toys and seemed to be more happy to be around us all and enjoying our company. She had shown NO signs of dog aggression or human aggression. We were getting ready to move a load of furniture and there were three dogs that were staying in the house, Sasha (one of the German Shepherds in our personal 'pack'), AJ (a husky/whippet mix that is waiting for his forever family) and Hope. They had been together for 24 hours and not so much as one problem had come about between the three. Not wanting to leave them in their crates because we would be gone for at least three hours, we left the three of them loose. I realize now, that letting my guard down in this way was a mistake, but one I have learned from.
When we arrived home, the scene that greeted us was upsetting to say the least. In one corner sat a beat up looking AJ with Sasha guarding him and in the other was a very beat up looking Hope. We quickly rushed to make sure all wounds were merely superficial (which thankfully they were) and then started trying to piece together what had happened. Judging by the dogs reactions to each other, the marks and Sasha's behavior with AJ we could only come to one conclusion...Hope had started to attack AJ and Sasha intervened. We had seen Sasha 'break up' dogs who were getting a little too rough before but had never expected that she would do it when it counted most. Sasha, who is a very happy go lucky and slightly doofy (for lack of a better term) dog, we had always joked was too aloof to be much of anything but a companion and her lack of drive definitely didn't make her cut out for anything more. We couldn't have been more wrong. Sasha, in essence, had saved AJ's life. The best we can figure is that Sasha, being a taller dog, had come from behind Hope and pulled her off of AJ before any real damage could be done. Hope had gone at Sasha but wasn't able to do much damage. Now of course, we'll never know exactly how the scene played out but that is the best we can piece together. Sasha has always been a 'guardian' of the smaller dogs and definitely showed her ability to protect them, even if it meant risking her well being, that night. The true mark of a German Shepherd. That all being said, I don't blame Hope, or Sasha or AJ for what happened and thankfully no one was hurt.
This incident spurred me to consult with a friend of mine who is accustomed to working with Pit Bulls who have been fought or used as bait dogs and to get his opinion on Hope. From what he can tell (her teeth, scars, that she has obviously been bred before, the fact that she is scared to eat from a bowl but is fine with eating from someones hand) his estimation is that Hope was not in fact a bait dog, but a fight dog who was probably trained to attack smaller, and weaker dogs but was not 'built right' to be a really efficient fight dog (hence why she was probably let go and picked up as a stray). Now, many people would be ready to give up hope for Hope and say that she can't be fixed, or saved. I don't believe that but I do believe that it will be a very long and rocky road ahead, and I do realize that she may very well have to live out the rest of her life at Raja Renata. I am willing to deal with those facts. And, I believe more than anything, she needs someone to show her a better way. I cannot hold her liable for what people have taught her or turned her into, she wasn't responsible for that, nor did she ask for it. The amazing part of it all, is that somewhere inside of her, I can see glimpses (even if only for a moment) of a very happy, playful and carefree soul who wants to come out. I see a dog who is wanting a leader and a friend (human and canine) and who has a chance, even if it's a small one, to live a life different than the one she has known til now. I also want to point out the benefits of having dogs in our program like Sasha who isn't a 'RRR' dog but part of our family as a whole. A good dog, who has never been trained to do a job but works off instinct that is balanced with a mentally stable attitude, is a blessing beyond measure. There are many dogs like this at RRR. They learn from each other, they each each other, they protect each other. Do I believe that Sasha wanted to hurt Hope? Of course not. As a matter of fact, they spent some time together today (the first reintroduction since the incident) and Sasha approached Hope in a calm manner, happily wagging her tail with all bad blood, so to speak, forgotten, just happy to try to make a friend. I wanted to add a photo of Sasha with AJ the night of the incident. She guarded him like this the entire night though Hope was crated. And no worries, he isn't covered up because he was hurt, we'd given him a bath to help us spot any injuries we could have missed because they would've been covered up by his fur, and he was keeping warm and 'hiding' under the moving blanket. I think this picture says a lot that I can't find the words to say about a dog who has a 'job', who is balanced, who knows the balance of the pack and her role in it and a dog who was simply doing what her breed has been bred to do for generations...be a gentle and fair protector of those she loves.
I don't know if I have ever spoken about why I chose the name 'Raja Renata' for the ranch. Essentially, it means 'Hope Reborn' and that I felt was a perfect statement for what we were trying to do for both canines and humans. But, there was also another reason. On December 26, 2009 I was in a car accident that almost took my life. I was on leave with my ex-husband who had just returned from a deployment and we were visiting his family in Pennsylvania. We were on our way to their hunting cabin when he overcorrected the car and the car slammed into a concrete jersey barrier at 65 MPH, spun and hit the barrier on the other side of the road. I was life flighted from the scene and underwent emergency surgery at Hershey Med Center where I then spent a week fighting to recover. I had lacerated my liver, 3 feet of small intestine had to be removed, I had a list that spanned a page of bones in my face that had been broken or fractured, bruised ribs, TBI and two days after surgery a collapsed lobe in my left lung. The whole time I was there, all I wanted was to go home but I also wanted something else and it all started with a man who was a patient on the same floor as me while I was in recovery. I was up walking 18 hours after surgery and I walked multiple times a day because until my intestines could function on their own, I wouldn't be allowed to leave and being mobile would help that. So I pushed through the pain and walked the floors as much as I could. One day, while I was lying in my bed taking a rest, an elderly gentleman knocked on my door. I was surprised to see another patient up and walking around because the nurse had informed me that the people in this ward usually did not leave. I greeted him and he greeted me and then he said something, that to this day, still brings tears to my eyes. He told me that he wanted to thank me. I asked him why because as far as I knew, I had done nothing special. He said he wanted to thank me because every day he watched me walk around the ward over and over again and I obviously was in a lot of pain but I kept going. He told me that it made him think, if she is out there doing it, then why can't I? And so, because of that, for the first time in a very long time, he had gotten up out of his bed to start walking and it had made him feel better. I can't remember my response to him but I still very clearly remember his face and the words that he said, and I think of him often. I wish I had even known his name. I wish that I could tell him thank you, because knowing that I helped someone feel even a little better in such a miserable place, inspires me in the strangest of moments.
After I returned home, against Doctors orders that I not travel, I sunk into a deep depression. I had scars in a million places so I hated the way I looked, I couldn't pick up or hold my son because of the pain I still had in so many parts of my body and because of the incision that was still healing, I couldn't even cook myself a meal. I'd had to quit my job, I couldn't spend much time with friends and leaving the house was too hard either emotionally or physically most days. I felt helpless and hopeless and I spent my days trying to sleep it all away. My ex, Mac, would ask me what it would take to get me off the couch and I honestly didn't have an answer for him. Until Buck. One day, one of my friends insisted that we go out and do something, anything and I finally agreed. We took a ride around Ft Campbell and I passed by the riding stables. I'd toyed with the idea of getting a new horse for a while and I decided to stop in to put my name on the wait list for boarding. As I was about to leave, a sign on the door caught my attention. It was a 'For Sale' ad for a little Appaloosa gelding for $150 and the ad warned he needed to go to an experienced owner only. I knew, to say the least, I fit that bill so I asked about the horse. 30 minutes later, I purchased him. That was the day that changed my life.
Buck was a tough horse. He'd been used as a trail horse by the post, had bucked off a man and broken his neck, had bucked off a lot of other people, and was overall the terror of the farm that everyone had become afraid of dealing with. However, Buck and I seemed to get along just fine. I called my Doctor the next morning and asked him if I could go riding (mind you, I still had staples in my stomach from surgery). He said, "I'm telling you no but I know you will anyway (can you tell he's known me for a while lol) so please just be careful and don't do anything stupid". I cleaned off my old saddle, lugged it to the car, convinced Mac and another friend to go with me and off I went. I refused help to saddle Buck or to climb on him and a few minutes later we were riding around the arena at a walk and a jog much to the amazement of the other riders, who asked if I'd drugged him. Buck never took a wrong step (the better I got, the more he tested lol) he never pulled on the bit or took off or bucked, just calmly carried me. He was the reason I started getting up in the morning, eager to go to the barn to spend time with my new friend. He reminded me how much a horse (or any animal for that matter) can do when it comes to helping heal a person. He inspired me to start training horses again and helping the ones that no one else wanted to fix. The first horse I rescued after Buck was a scraggly looking little Arabian who was underweight, not cared for and well on her way down a path that wasn't a good one. I named her 'Raja Renata'. By fixing not only Buck, but her, and the many after, my hope was reborn. When it came time to name the Ranch, I couldn't think of a better name than that. Every time I see a horse I helped to rehab (especially Raja Renata who is now the trail mount of a little girl who needed a horse to boost her confidence) or a dog I have helped, or even when I look in the mirror or at my scars, I am reminded that out of the darkness, hope can be reborn.
Until next time,
Nicole
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Quick Update Before Bed
With all that has been going on here at the Ranch I just wanted to post a quick update before I went to sleep for the night. Noah arrived today (I'm sure most of you have been following his story on our page). After all we went through to get him here, it is nice to see him relaxing, settling in and learning how nice life can be, especially with other dogs. His first vet appt with us will be tomorrow when his tongue and his other sores will be examined, we will discuss what is causing his hot spots and the reddened areas on his skin (my thought is food allergies) and how to best proceed with his care from here.
He has been put on a bland diet and started on probiotics to help his stomach adjust to the change in food. If it is found he has food allergies he'll be put on Diamond Naturals formula for large breed dogs that has no grains, etc. Hopefully, this and a new environment with friends and exercise will resolve both stress related and/or allergy related skin allergies.
Tomorrow we go to pull a female pitt from a shelter fairly local to us who was set to be put to sleep at 1 PM. We have named her DeeVee (Dee for short) in honor of our friend Elizabeth's mom who passed away last year and had always dreamed of starting an animal rescue. I cannot think of a better name. We hope that Dee (the person) will now be Dee (the dogs) guardian angel and aid in her recovery. ;)
Etta, Wiggles and Whiskers our 'Afghan Sleeper Cell' as they have been dubbed since they all enjoy very long naps, are doing well and have done so well in dealing with our new residents and helping to acclimate them to life here at the Ranch. They have become the BEST dogs in helping dogs who may have aggression issues learn to play and interact correctly. I think this is because they have a very strong instinct about when they need to be 'in charge' and when they can sit back and let another dog take the lead. This is a great asset and we are so blessed to be able to have them helping dogs who really need that when first learning to interact and play. This has been an especially HUGE step for Whiskers who was having some dog aggression issues when he came to us because he was used to having to be dominant and running the show having only been with more submissive dogs and without a strong human leader to guide and teach him. I am thinking Whiskers may become Noah's training buddy. If they can both successfully do this, it will be a huge step for both.
The rest of the dogs are doing well. Niko has been putting on weight, the pups (Bo and Moe) are growing stronger and bigger every day, AJ is working through his separation anxiety and usually has play time with Sarge, the Siberian Husky. AJ's crate buddy (a dog crated next to him that is calm and that helps him know he's not alone) has been Whiskers since he has adjusted so well to his crate when it's necessary for him to be in it (and he very much enjoys it as 'his' space where he can get away if he gets overwhelmed).
We are eager to find the perfect homes for AJ, Sarge and Moe. They have worked so hard and deserve loving homes with families of their own. AJ and Sarge have a potential adoptive family coming to meet them on the 22nd and we have a Soldier coming home who has put in a request for a very special dog and hopefully we will be able to pair him with one of ours.
That is all for tonight =) I need to get some rest. I will update more soon after Noah's vet visit and picking up Dee.
I just want to say, before I go, that none of this would have happened had it not been for Etta. Though I've always dabbled in rescuing dogs (with horses having been my main focus for many years), without realizing how much Etta helped me through a very hard time I wouldn't have thought that we should try to find these dogs whose stories people could identify with to try to heal them as well. Thank you Etta, you are one very special and loved little girl who makes my days brighter with your silly antics, loving personality and understanding soul. <3
*Nicole
He has been put on a bland diet and started on probiotics to help his stomach adjust to the change in food. If it is found he has food allergies he'll be put on Diamond Naturals formula for large breed dogs that has no grains, etc. Hopefully, this and a new environment with friends and exercise will resolve both stress related and/or allergy related skin allergies.
Tomorrow we go to pull a female pitt from a shelter fairly local to us who was set to be put to sleep at 1 PM. We have named her DeeVee (Dee for short) in honor of our friend Elizabeth's mom who passed away last year and had always dreamed of starting an animal rescue. I cannot think of a better name. We hope that Dee (the person) will now be Dee (the dogs) guardian angel and aid in her recovery. ;)
Etta, Wiggles and Whiskers our 'Afghan Sleeper Cell' as they have been dubbed since they all enjoy very long naps, are doing well and have done so well in dealing with our new residents and helping to acclimate them to life here at the Ranch. They have become the BEST dogs in helping dogs who may have aggression issues learn to play and interact correctly. I think this is because they have a very strong instinct about when they need to be 'in charge' and when they can sit back and let another dog take the lead. This is a great asset and we are so blessed to be able to have them helping dogs who really need that when first learning to interact and play. This has been an especially HUGE step for Whiskers who was having some dog aggression issues when he came to us because he was used to having to be dominant and running the show having only been with more submissive dogs and without a strong human leader to guide and teach him. I am thinking Whiskers may become Noah's training buddy. If they can both successfully do this, it will be a huge step for both.
The rest of the dogs are doing well. Niko has been putting on weight, the pups (Bo and Moe) are growing stronger and bigger every day, AJ is working through his separation anxiety and usually has play time with Sarge, the Siberian Husky. AJ's crate buddy (a dog crated next to him that is calm and that helps him know he's not alone) has been Whiskers since he has adjusted so well to his crate when it's necessary for him to be in it (and he very much enjoys it as 'his' space where he can get away if he gets overwhelmed).
We are eager to find the perfect homes for AJ, Sarge and Moe. They have worked so hard and deserve loving homes with families of their own. AJ and Sarge have a potential adoptive family coming to meet them on the 22nd and we have a Soldier coming home who has put in a request for a very special dog and hopefully we will be able to pair him with one of ours.
That is all for tonight =) I need to get some rest. I will update more soon after Noah's vet visit and picking up Dee.
I just want to say, before I go, that none of this would have happened had it not been for Etta. Though I've always dabbled in rescuing dogs (with horses having been my main focus for many years), without realizing how much Etta helped me through a very hard time I wouldn't have thought that we should try to find these dogs whose stories people could identify with to try to heal them as well. Thank you Etta, you are one very special and loved little girl who makes my days brighter with your silly antics, loving personality and understanding soul. <3
*Nicole
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A New Direction
I figured it was time for another blog with all that has been going on here at the Ranch.
As most of you know, Wiggles arrived last week and has been settling in wonderfully with Etta. The two are pretty much inseparable most of the day and are always into something. They even sleep together on the couch, or if one chooses somewhere else, the other is never far behind. It's great seeing them together again. I do believe that they remember each other and I do believe that they are happy to be together again. Something always seemed to be missing for Etta until Wiggles arrival. Wiggles overall has a very strong personality and absolutely loves to play with all the other dogs. She already has great 'recall' and can be trusted to go on walks without her leash which is all pretty amazing since she is so new here.
This week, I have done a lot of thinking about the direction which RRR is taking. I want to make a few changes. I do not want our focus to solely be on training dogs as service or companion animals for Soldiers. I also want this to be a place Soldiers with PTSD and TBI can come to 'get away' for a bit, enjoy the sanctuary setting and learn to train dogs or simply spend time with them. For those who want to interact and train the dogs, they can help to make the rescued dogs adoptable and ready for a new home. I have decided on this path because I realize that not every animal we can, or want, to rescue can be made into a service animal and I feel that we are limiting the number of dogs we can help by only going by those criteria. The dogs that still have potential to be a part of the original RRR program will still be put into training for it when the time is right for them to begin. However, in order to implement this part of the program we will need a better set up. We will need funds for vet care (as dogs pulled from shelters or bad situations will require more medical care), more runs, dog houses, crates, etc.
We have our lawyer preparing more of our 501c3 paperwork this week and hopefully before long we will no longer be in the process of filing for our 501 but have our 501c3 pending. This is going to be a key step in getting donations and the help we need for what we want to create here. We're hoping to have the initial paperwork filed within the next few weeks and are excited for this huge step forward.
In other news we have two dogs pending adoption and who have a meeting with their potential new mom on the 22nd.
That is all for tonight since it's late but I will update more soon.
Until next time!
*Nicole
As most of you know, Wiggles arrived last week and has been settling in wonderfully with Etta. The two are pretty much inseparable most of the day and are always into something. They even sleep together on the couch, or if one chooses somewhere else, the other is never far behind. It's great seeing them together again. I do believe that they remember each other and I do believe that they are happy to be together again. Something always seemed to be missing for Etta until Wiggles arrival. Wiggles overall has a very strong personality and absolutely loves to play with all the other dogs. She already has great 'recall' and can be trusted to go on walks without her leash which is all pretty amazing since she is so new here.
This week, I have done a lot of thinking about the direction which RRR is taking. I want to make a few changes. I do not want our focus to solely be on training dogs as service or companion animals for Soldiers. I also want this to be a place Soldiers with PTSD and TBI can come to 'get away' for a bit, enjoy the sanctuary setting and learn to train dogs or simply spend time with them. For those who want to interact and train the dogs, they can help to make the rescued dogs adoptable and ready for a new home. I have decided on this path because I realize that not every animal we can, or want, to rescue can be made into a service animal and I feel that we are limiting the number of dogs we can help by only going by those criteria. The dogs that still have potential to be a part of the original RRR program will still be put into training for it when the time is right for them to begin. However, in order to implement this part of the program we will need a better set up. We will need funds for vet care (as dogs pulled from shelters or bad situations will require more medical care), more runs, dog houses, crates, etc.
We have our lawyer preparing more of our 501c3 paperwork this week and hopefully before long we will no longer be in the process of filing for our 501 but have our 501c3 pending. This is going to be a key step in getting donations and the help we need for what we want to create here. We're hoping to have the initial paperwork filed within the next few weeks and are excited for this huge step forward.
In other news we have two dogs pending adoption and who have a meeting with their potential new mom on the 22nd.
That is all for tonight since it's late but I will update more soon.
Until next time!
*Nicole
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)