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.