When I first began fostering dogs some 20+ years ago I found an unknown skill. The group had set up an “Adoption Day” outside a Pet Supermarket, the dogs were all lined up in crates and donation jars were set out. I began hand writing signs with the individual stories of how the dogs came to be in the position to need rescuing. The donation jars began to fill. I learned people do care. If they can’t necessarily commit to caring for that dog for the next 15 years they can help buy it some food, or pay the vet bill. Helping makes us all feel better. That’s why us rescuers rescue in the first place. It makes us feel good.
I feel worthwhile when I’m actually helping another creature. I rescued my magnificent horse for purely selfish reasons. I knew my heart was soon to be broken in a zillion pieces when my heart dog finally left this world. I knew I’d need something “really big” to take my mind off my despair. Pregnant PMU mare Cass came and the rest is history. She made me feel better. The fact she never again has to worry about being used as a baby machine, is a plus. The fact she has been an ambassador for others on the fence about adopting a horse with a not-so-great background, is a plus. The fact she’s been instrumental in saving the lives of several other horses, is a plus. I selfishly needed to help her – to help myself.
Cass brings me peace & joy fills my heart just to be near her.
Rosabelle, saved by Cass.
Scottie and I are about the animals 24/7. Be it our own family of critters, client pets or those out in the shelters we need to help. We do not go on vacation. We do not clothes shop until what we have is literally falling apart. We keep our house duct taped together. The important thing is and always has been providing for the animals. In the past, having it cost well over $1,000 to save a dog (such as Eeyore) was never in any debate. We just saved her and worried about the finances later. Her adopters couldn’t be expected to foot a bill like that and we could never ask that of them. Her having a family was what mattered. Bills always got paid from our own pockets, sometimes slowly but they got paid. We have had help over the years from those that care. “Gifts” would show up on our vet bill from a good Samaritan just when we needed help most. We were humbled and blessed by every one.
Eeyore/Elkie the blue Doberman.
I won’t go into detail about how things are different nowadays. Just know they are. We’ve hung on to our business by our fingernails. We’ve hung onto our family by those same fingernails. Bad economy, bad decisions, bad timing, all come into play. This past year our own potential bad health reared it’s ugly head. We stopped officially doing rescue over 6 years ago. It just was no longer possible. But it’s impossible to change who you are at your core. A handful of Hospice cases came to us. They needed a soft place to land in their final days and we lovingly gave them that. It’s not easy opening your heart to an animal you know you will loose in the not to distant future. But, it’s who we are.
They all stay w/the family.
We could use some help for our current Hospice girl, Grimm. She may surprise everyone. I don’t think she has any plans to leave us anytime soon. The fact she’s alive at all has some vets scratching their heads. We cannot change how she was built. We cannot change what may have happened to her in the past. We can only give her comfort and love now. You can be part of the miracle that is Grimm.
* Click on the link to go to Grimm’s fund-raising page. *
http://www.gofundme.com/The-Grimms-Medical-Fund
Our little Grimm
cassidyapril.com 