It Takes A Village to Rescue Dogs

First let me say - to the people who think it is acceptable or humane to dump dogs in the county - you are so wrong. The dog you drop off is not always lucky and because in part to you, people who rescue dogs find themselves in difficult situations.


Two weeks ago, I ended up in a Facebook conversation about a pack of dogs out on the Mississippi River levee.  The conversation centered around a handmade sign, asking people to not run over the pups.

The creator of this sign is a middle age male, who loves dogs. He and his family live on a small piece of property at the edge of the Mississippi River, where people drop off dogs, dogs that are not spayed or neutered.  



When we arrived at the home to assess the dog situation- we were met with 30 puppies and a very grateful family.  The family had been doing the best the could do to feed 48 dogs.  Keeping them safe had become an issue.   The puppies had become to much to handle in the house and the family did not have a fenced yard. So, this pack of 8-10 week old puppies and their moms, aunts, and uncles were all running up and down the road.

When we arrived the family eagerly surrendered the puppies. Now here I stood on the edge of the mighty Mississippi frantically trying to figure out what to do with 30 puppies.

I am blessed to have a supportive family and a fantastic group of rescues friends.  A call to our local Mission, who has gentleman that will do odd jobs, quickly got us help setting up emergency kennels.  My son who always rolls his eyes at my animal rescue mess, quickly hooked up a trailer and made a run to our local Tractor Supply to purchase kennels.   While me and the Big Man (aka husband
Rick) headed back to the house to pick up a flat bed trailer with kennels, and extra help to round up puppies.

I also called my very best rescue buddy - Suzie who immediately got to work on Facebook. We needed funds for shots, wormer, flea meds, health certificates, and most of all rescues.  We need rescues willing to transport puppies to areas where they had a chance to be adopted.

It did not take long before we were easing down the local roads with 30 puppies.  People passing us, laughing and pointing at the trailer and puppies.  I can only imagine what people passing us thought. Later the same weekend I had someone tell me -they saw us on the highway and thought we were backyard breeders taking dogs to sell, she was furious, until she heard about the rescue and realized it was us with a flatbed trailer full of pups.

By 7 PM Saturday night, we had erected pens, vaccinated, wormed, and treated 30 puppies for fleas. We had filled feed bowels and water bowels multiple times. We had had puppy kisses and snuggles by the dozen.  Most importantly, we had community support in the form of funds and rescues.  Just four days  later the puppies and three adult dogs (we went back later to get) were picked up by rescue groups, headed to adoption facilities.

The following weekend we went back to vaccinate the adult dogs. We also picked up a sweeet little girl who had given birth puppies two days before. This sweet girl looked to be about 1. When we asked her name, the family said she didn't have a name...I can't imagine going through life without a name. Once again, the blessing flowed, we had a rescue for her and an awesome family volunteer to drive her and babies to their safe new home.  

It took a village to rescue these dogs, but we learned that it is possible. We can make a difference. We can change the world for people and animals...

~ ConnieKayA ~
A Southern Girl sharing her passion for living an abundantly blessed life.

Being A Foster Dog Mom

I am a doggie mom and I am a foster doggie mom. Fostering a dog - taking a dog into your home and providing it with shelter and care for a predetermined amount of time or until a forever home is found - is one of the most rewarding things a dog person can do.  I admit I am a little biased: I have never met a dog I did not like.

April Ash 

Which Shelter Dogs Go To Foster Homes
Shelters typically foster out dogs who are too stressed out by the shelter environment or need more individual attention than the shelter can provide (including puppies who are too young to be adopted).

The most common reasons foster homes are needed are:

The shelter is overcrowded, and placing dogs in foster care frees up space to save more dogs.

Shorty Dog 

• The rescue group wants to learn more about a dog’s personality and behavior in a home setting.
• A young, energetic dog needs to learn some basic manners before being made available for adoption.
• A shy or timid dog needs a safe place to come out of her shell.
• A dog is recovering from illness or injury.
• A senior or sick dog needs loving hospice care.

Of course, there are also foster-based rescue groups that don’t work out of a facility, but instead rely on foster homes to shelter and care for dogs. For these groups, foster homes provide the necessary caregiving, training, and assessment to help dogs find forever homes, and are a vital aspect of their lifesaving work.

Suzie Q

What Will I Need To Do As A Foster Mom
The main function of a foster home is to provide a safe, loving home environment. For the most part, this entails caring for your foster as you would care for your own dog: offering food, affection, socialization, and exercise to keep the dog happy and healthy.

As a doggy foster parent, you may also be asked to:

• Transport the dog to and from adoption events.
• Participate in obedience training at home and/or in classes.
• Report back to the shelter/rescue workers with information about the dog’s personality and behavior.
• Speak with potential adopters to tell them about your foster dog and help determine if they are a good match.

Your time and commitment level can vary depending on your schedule and the rescue group’s needs, and when you start fostering, the rescue will help match you with a dog that suits your lifestyle and home. First-time fosters can get their feet wet with “easier” dogs; the more invested and experienced in fostering you become, the more willing and able you may be to take on challenges. No matter what kind of dogs you foster, all foster homes provide the valuable service of socializing a dog and getting to know its personality. Your relationship with the dog is key information in helping the dog find its ' forever home.

Why Do I Foster Dogs
Why is fostering a dog so great? For starters, fostering is one of the most direct things you can do to save lives. Fostering:

Bobby 

• Makes room for other dogs in the shelter, freeing up space to help more dogs in need;
• Builds on your canine expertise;
• Gives you those warm, fuzzy feelings only volunteering can provide;
• Brings the fun and companionship of a dog into your life. There’s nothing like seeing a shelter dog blossom into a loving companion, and sending her off to a happy family who found their forever buddy, thanks to you.

Of course, fostering comes with one big hazard that can also be one of its biggest rewards: you just might fall in love! “Foster failures” abound in the dog rescue world, and I know because I am one myself, just ask, Honey Bunny, Coco C, Peggy, Shasha Grace, Chrissy D, Itsy,  Precious, Hope, Shorty, Crystal, Suzie Q, Amy Jo, Bobby, April, Gidget, Clinnie Bell, and Clowie.

~ ConnieKayA ~
A Southern Girl sharing her passion for living an abundantly blessed life.

The Little Blue Heeler

Last week we celebrated National Dog Day.  For most family pets they were blessed with extra love, a new toy, a special snack, a Facebook post, a cute Instagram shot, but for thousands more dogs, it was just another day.  For some sadly it was there last day on this earth.

For the last two weeks I have driven a route looking for a small Blue Heeler that stole a part of my heart.  After a very long day of treating patients, two weeks ago, on a very chilly night, wind chill below freezing, on my way home, sitting at a stop sign just off I-55 was the cutest Little Blue Heeler. 


Of course I stopped even if it was near midnight.  I spent 45 minutes on the side of the road in the dead of night trying to catch this little one - every time I would get close, the little thing would wag it's tail and bounce at me, then run out of reach.  This went on till I couldn't feel my toes, my finders were numb.  I had to get out of the weather.  I vowed to go back the next day and I did - the Little Blue Heeler was nowhere to be found.   The next day - again no Blue Heeler, but there was a highway crew near the area and they took my business card and promised to call if they saw the Blue Heeler.

Sure enough - the sweet thing showed up, the crew called but I was busy seeing patients.  I called my kennel staff and they went to the site, food in hand.  But after an hour they to had to give up.  But the Little Blue Heeler had a grand meal of bacon and dog food.

Over the next two weeks morning and night I drove that route looking for the Little Blue Heeler.  Last weekend my husband helped me search an abandon building near the location hoping to find the Little Blue Heeler. 

Finally, on Thursday night, two weeks after the first sighting, the Little Blue Heeler was found.  Dead along side of I-55.   I am just heartbroken.  I can't imagine how scared that poor little thing was out there all alone, cold, and hurt.

To the person who dumped the Little Blue Heeler - I don't even know what to say to you.  The Little Blue Heeler was full of life and wanted so badly to trust...

Maybe next week will be a better week.

~ ConnieKayA ~
A Southern Girl being the voice for those who do not have a voice.