rescue

The animals' voices are silent. But their cries can be heard if you care enough to listen. ~ Gerry Brehm

Rescued Hearts

Taking care of rescue dogs
Is something I do best.
I know because I've done it,
And I've surely passed the test.
The dogs I've bathed, the food I've fed,
The vacuuming I've done,
And all to watch a frightened soul
Sit dreaming in the sun.
My own dogs I've neglected,
But I tell them every day
That I love and cherish each of them
Though a new dog's come to stay.
I know they understand this,
For in their eyes I see
The love that I have given them
Come shining back at me.
Some people think I'm crazy,
Some others think I'm great.
But very few can understand
What really is at stake.
If I can love and help a dog
To find a better way,
My own life is much richer,
I look forward to each day.
So now you know my secret,
It's there for all to see,
The love I give, the life I save,
I do it all for me.

Intro (below) is from one half of a critter pick-up and transfer team. Seems like "Thelma and Louise" are always on the road and they have pulled a few snatches when Animal Control wouldn't act on tied to tree/no water/shade situations.

Working with several shelters and pounds, the latest long-distance delivery went to people calling from a PetFinder.com post linked back to T & L's site. At least half their calls come from PF, and other groups have credited more than 50 percent of adoptions: http://www.petfinder.com/

Be sure to tell anyone who works with animals about the recommendations. Listings are free for shelters and rescue organizations.

Fellow Foster-ers,

I just wanted you to know that your work and sacrifice to foster animals does NOT go unnoticed and is never taken for granted or unappreciated. Only through you is it possible to save the number of animals we save each year! Feel good (really good!) about yourself today, and know that you have done or are doing something that so many claim they can't. You are truly special people and, when the time comes, you will have many familiar doggie faces greet you at the Rainbow Bridge!

I found the following posted on a rescue list, and wanted to share it with you. I know we all have had this experience.

If I had said, "I already have four dogs and I know that I couldn't take in another - even on a temporary basis," I would never have met this dog.

Yes, it takes time to rescue and foster ... but who gave me time in the first place? And why or what was the reason I was given Time? To fill my own needs? Or was there another reason ever so small and seemingly insignificant, like rescuing this one dog that could make a difference in another's life? Perhaps to add joy, hope, help and companionship to another who is in need?

With great sadness, I sat down on a footstool in my kitchen this morning and watched as this foster dog bounced back into the house and skidded across the floor to sit ever so perfectly in front of me. He was the picture of health, finally. He was all smiles for me ... and I smiled back at his happy face. Deep in his eyes, the storm clouds of illness and generalized poor health had blown away, and the clear light of his perfection radiated out from his beautiful soul.

He holds no ill will toward man. He forgives us all. I thought to myself as I impressed this one last long look of him into my heart, what a very fine creation. Tears slowly pooled and spilled over my cheekbones as the deeper realization of how wonderful this dog is sunk into my internal file cabinet of Needful Things to Remember.

Lord, he's a dog - but he's a better being than I am. He has forgiven quickly. Would I do the same? He passionately enjoys the simple things in life, and I have often overlooked them. He accepts change and gets on with his life! I fuss and worry about change. He lives today and loves today. And I often dwell in the past or worry about the future. He loves no matter what. I am not that free.

This very lovely dog has gone to his new home today and already I miss him. Thank you for bringing this dog into my life. And thank you for the beautiful and tender lesson on how to be a better human. Author unknown

People skills: The ability to control the overwhelming urge to strangle every jerk with an intact pet.

Stray Cat

Oh, what unhappy twist of fate
Has brought you homeless to my gate?
The gate where once another stood
To beg for shelter, warmth and food
For from that day I ceased to be
The master of my destiny.

While he, with purr and velvet paw
Became within my house the law.
He scratched the furniture and shed
And claimed the middle of my bed.

He ruled in arrogance and pride
And broke my heart the day he died.
So if you really think, oh cat,
I'd willingly relive all that
Because you come forlorn and thin
Well ... don't just stand there ...
Come on in!

Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed,
All nicely tucked in my warm new bed,
I'd like to open my baggage,
Lest I forget,
There is so much to carry,
So much to regret.

Hmmm …Yes, there it is, right on the top,
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my bed hides Fear and Shame.

I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.
I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough – for they didn't want me.

Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things,
And take me right back?

Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage, to never repack?
I pray that you do – I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage,
Will you still want me?

You know the one I mean - the kitten you got your kids a few months ago. The one you said they could have if it stayed outside all the time (I guess you didn't want to have to change the litter box), and the kids said wouldn't cost much to feed because they'd give it table scraps?

That cat, a beautiful black and white shorthair, now about a year old, has been hanging around outside my house for several weeks now. He likes the real cat food he gets here, although he's still not completely convinced food will be waiting. He chows down an entire can, then comes to the door asking for more. I guess you didn't tell your kids animals need food on a regular basis, and water.

He's a very friendly cat, and I have to confess I'm not sure how that happened, because I get the impression nobody paid much attention to him before. He has a wonderful loud purr, and he loves to be petted. He puts his paws around my neck - does he do that with you?

I guess you never figured out what all the fighting and yowling was about, outside your window at 3 in the morning. He was arguing with every male cat in the neighborhood for the females - all the others nobody else bothered to have spayed or neutered.

You apparently didn't see the wounds to his ear and above his eye a week ago or maybe you saw the wounds and thought they somehow magically healed themselves. The big gash on his leg was oozing pus, and those dark marks were not an extension of his black spots - they were dried blood. And I guess you didn't notice he was limping and the leg was swollen. The vet had to put the kitty under anesthesia to clean two deep abscesses. I told the vet to neuter him while he was at it. Oh, and the vet thinks that runny eye is due to an untreated upper respiratory infection. Hopefully, the penicillin I'll give him twice a day will finish all the healing.

But, the one thing that none of us can fix is FIV (feline immunodeficiency). The test results were "equivocal" (not quite positive, not quite negative). Like human AIDS, it affects ability to deal with health problems in the future, and reduces life span considerably.

If I knew where to find you, I'd talk with you in person about your kitty. I'd tell you if you had just kept him inside, fed and cared for him properly, and had him neutered, he wouldn't have all his problems and I wouldn't have this loving kitty now.

Every rescuer has heard it, "If you really cared about finding good homes, you would give the dogs away." There are folks who will tell us they could go to a pet shop and purchase a dog for just a little more then the adoption fee. So what is the adoption fee paying for?

The assumption that rescue is a profitable business could not be further from the truth. While not all rescue groups are created equally, regardless of the size or breed of dog, most will ask for an adoption donation ranging from $100 to $300.

When healthy animals, costing a minimal amount to make ready for adoption are taken in, the "profit" from that animal is applied to the many others not so fortunate. Funds must be spent on neutering/spaying, vaccinations, (Rabies, DHLPP, Bordatella), screening for heartworm and a fecal. Vet expenses for a healthy animal can run as high as $175 and more with the larger breeds. The majority of found/stray/rescues do require additional vetting. Worming is almost always a necessity. Rescuers treat HW positive animals, illnesses and injuries (often broken bones).

Rescuers do whatever is necessary, and it can take several months to return an animal to good health. It is not unusual for this care to run from $450 - $1,000 per dog. Most rescuers do this without benefit of financial backing or resources, choosing to spend money saving lives, rather than on themselves. I do not know of any individual or group making a profit, or coming anywhere close to breaking even.

Rescuers foster animals in their homes, making them part of the family while providing training and screening for behavioral and health issues (sometimes "invisible" such as epilepsy). Those issues addressed, hours are spent on the computer each day seeking the perfect home, or transport from shelter to rescue or rescue to forever home. Setting up transports may take weeks to arrange, and require hundreds of e-mails. Phone bills are frequently outrageous. It is still necessary to call shelters and vets lacking e-mail capabilities, and to interview prospective adopters and check their references.

"I could go to a pet store and get a papered puppy."

Yes, for a little more or less than the donation a rescue group may request one could go to a pet store to purchase a papered pup - and be responsible for helping the puppy mill industry flourish. Perhaps the thought of that sweet puppy's mother living out her entire life confined to a cage, covered in mange, and barely able to stand does not trouble some folks. Questions? Enter puppy mills into any search engine, you'll find thousands of links to check (45,400 from www.google.com).

Even if the plight of the pup's mother didn't concern them, if their motivation was to save a few dollars - they would be woefully misinformed. Pet store pups are notorious for "after costs" - not just the funds to cope with the many health problems, but emotionally - fighting a losing battle with bad genetics, compromised immune systems, and unstable temperaments. Check out 83,000 links for pet store puppies on Google.

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do." ~ Helen Keller (Page opener from http://www.shelterdog.org/, shelter dog rescue/coordination; featured in The Straight Poop, http://www.straight-poop.com/subscribe.html)

There was a time, there really was
When I was sweet and kind.
When there were days I never thought
Of washing a pup's behind.

I went to bed at half past ten;
Having spent my day just shopping.
Now I spend my days at home
Washing doggie beds and mopping.

It started quite some years ago,
When a friend suggested "Rescue,"
And so began my arduous journey
Taken on without a clue.

I used to dress with flair and style,
That was the life, don't knock it.
But now I dress in jeans and tees
With treats within my pocket.

I used to have a cute sports car
That I drove from store to store.
Now I drive a big ole van
With crate pads on the floor.

My house was always finely furnished
With oriental rugs of many loops.
But now I have only pleather and tile
Easier to clean up pees and poops.

Once I spoke of national issues
With much adeptness and proficiency
But now I speak of transports, vet checks
throw-ups and its consistency!

I was taught to be well-groomed
No matter the time of day.
Now by the time I feed and walk
At noon I'm still in PJs.

I used to long for exotic trips
Continental cuisine I would be fed.
Now the thing I yearn for most
Is to find room for my body in my bed.

I adored a man who charmed me so
With roses and fine jewels.
But now the words I live by most
Are but three - "Rescue Dals/Danes Rule!"

I rise at dawn and begin the day
Full of barks and kibble and fleas.
I'm lucky if by 3 p.m.
I've had the time to pee.

I really love this doggy life
I wouldn't care to change it.
But when there are no pups to place.
I plan to rearrange it;

When my time on earth is done
I hope it can be said
Merry was a real good rescuer
It's just too bad she's dead!

Merry Jo - she was a good ole gal!
Author Unknown

I don't know for sure what breed he is. His eyes are blank and hard. He won't let me pet him and growls when I reach for him. He has ragged scars and crusty sores on his skin. His nails are long and his teeth which he showed me are stained. I sigh. I drove two hours for this. I carefully maneuver him so I can stuff him in the crate. Then I heft the crate and put it in the car. I am going home with my new foster dog.

At home I leave him in the crate till all the other dogs are in the yard. I get him out of the crate and ask him if he wants "outside." As I lead him to the door he hikes his leg on the wall and shows me his stained teeth again. When we come in he goes to the crate because that's the only safe place he sees. I offer him food but he won't eat it if I look at him, so I turn my back. When I come back the food is gone. I ask again about outside. When we come back I pat him before I let him in the crate, he jerks away and runs into the crate to show me his teeth.

The next day I decide I can't stand the stink any longer. I lead him into the bath with cheese in my hand. His fear of me is not quite overcome by his wish for the cheese. And well he should fear me, for I will give him a bath. After an attempt or two to bail out he is defeated and stands there. I have bathed four-legged bath-squirters for more dog years than he has been alive. His only defense was a show of his stained teeth that did not hold up to a face full of water. As I wash him it is almost as if I wash not only the stink and dirt away but also some of his hardness. His eyes look full of sadness now. And he looks completely pitiful as only a soap-covered dog can. I tell him that he will feel better clean. After the soap, the towels are not too bad so he lets me rub him dry. I take him outside. He runs for joy. The joy of not being in the tub and the joy of being clean. I, the bath giver, am allowed to share the joy. He comes to me and lets me pet him.

One week later I have a vet bill. His skin is healing. He likes for me to pet him. I think I know what color he will be when his hair grows in. I have found out he is terrified of other dogs. So I carefully introduce him to my mildest four-legged brat. It doesn't go well.

Two weeks later a new vet bill for an infection that was missed on the first visit. He plays with the other dogs.

Three weeks later he asks to be petted. He chewed up part of the rug.

Eight weeks later his coat shines, he has gained weight. He shows his clean teeth when his tongue lolls out after he plays chase in the yard with the gang. His eyes are soft and filled with life. He loves hugs and likes to show off his tricks, if you have the cheese.

Someone called today and asked about him, they saw the picture I took the first week. They asked about his personality, his history, his breed. They asked if he was pretty. I asked them lots of questions. I checked up on them. I prayed. I said yes. When they saw him the first time they said he was the most beautiful dog they had ever seen.

Six months later I got a call from his new family. He is wonderful, smart, well-behaved and very loving. How could someone not want him?

I told them I didn't know. He is beautiful. They all are.
by Martha O'Connor

I will never bring about world peace. I won't single-handedly save the rain forest.

I am not a brain surgeon, and I will never transplant an organ to save a life. I don't have the ear of a powerful politician or world power.

I can't end world hunger. I am not a celebrity, and God knows I am not glamorous! I am not looked up to by millions around the world. Very few people even recognize my name.

I will never win a Nobel prize, or end global warming. There are a lot of things I will never do or become ...

But today I placed a dog!

It was a small, scared bundle of flesh and bones dropped off in a shelter by people who didn't care what happened to it, yet were responsible for its very existence in the first place.

I found him a home, a forever home! Now he has an abundance of love, a warm place to sleep and plenty to eat.

Two little boys have a warm and fuzzy new friend who will love them without questioning, and teach them about responsibility and love.

A wife and a mother has a new spirit to nurture. A husband and father has a companion to sit at his feet at the end of a hard day of work and help him relax and enjoy life.

No, I am not a rocket scientist ... but today, I made a difference.
Author Unknown

Many thanks to Lisa for filling my special request ~ right click to save to your own files, great message to pass along in your e-mails.
rescue their lives.jpg (17819 bytes)

http://www.therealmartha.com/RescueHotlines/index.htm
St. Louis area network directory of animal welfare volunteers able to act independently in emergencies; includes links to great stories (like the below) reminding us why we do what we do when the going gets rough

Sammie's Ordeal
by Sherry Holman, Saint Charles Humane Society volunteer

Sammie was purchased from a so-called breeder at 5 weeks old by a family that just wasn't able to care for her. She had been tethered or in a garage for a great deal of her 10 month-old life but still had a love for life and energy level that was astounding.

Her people surrendered her and she went immediately into foster care and did exceptionally well. After several weeks she was placed with another family who seemed like a great fit but called after approximately a month saying they too wished to surrender her due to her incredible energy level.

The foster family was unable to take her back at that time due to caring for another high-powered foster dog plus their own animals. Another four months passed before they could get to Sam. She had forgotten her manners and training learned in foster and was so scattered she couldn't stay still. She was on the move continuously and had a very tough time even sleeping.

Even through all this she was still the most loving girl and tried her very hardest at everything. Her intellect and desire to please was such that she picked up her manners and training again almost immediately but was still unable to relax. Sam was later taken to an adoption event where her fabulous looks attracted a great deal of attention and numerous adoption applications were submitted.

She was finally placed with a gentleman she interacted well with, but he called four days later stating his other dog was attacking Sammie and it had reached a danger level. Foster picked her up within an hour of that call. Sam had now been in and out of three homes plus was back in foster care for the third time at only 14-15 months old.

She was on an Internet site with continuous interest throughout all this, but the foster declined to place her again. After a period of time a call came in from a gentleman in Iowa. He had a lifetime knowledge of German shepherds plus a two-year old high energy shepherd he had declined to restrain in any way when she was younger even though she was eating his house. The foster parent spoke at length with this gentleman and was extremely impressed with his kind and caring manner; however, reluctantly declined to place Sammie out of town.

A few days later another call came in from Iowa. The woman had a long-term knowledge of shepherds and seemed to be kind and caring. It turned out these folks were married to each other and just couldn't get Sammie out of their minds. A decision was made to drive Sammie to Iowa and see how she did with this couple and their shepherd.

The dogs took to each other immediately and haven't stopped playing since! Sammie's new parents have been kind enough to provide frequent updates - it's a match made in heaven. At last report Sammie, new sister Hella and parents visited the Drake Hotel in Chicago (living large!) and were having the time of their lives riding in elevators and receiving attention from hotel guests and staff. Sam's parents happily report she is settling in well, finally relaxing, playing from morning until bedtime with Hella and appears to realize this is her forever home.

http://www.baytownhumanesociety.org/ann_wadeupdate.htm - This is my sister's group in Texas. Found the dog dumped in a ditch full of with water and garbage. A badly injured leg had to be amputated but he's making great progress. Link below has a warning about pics being too graphic for kids - they're really not that horrible. I expected gruesome as in mangled. I've seen worse so unless you're really squeamish, the whole story is worth getting past the original pics. On the link above you'll only see incision and stitches.

They've had calls and donations from all over, most said use for another animal if Wade's expenses were already covered. Does make you think there might actually be a little hope left for the human race, some of it anyway. http://www.baytownhumanesociety.org/ann_wade.htm

Update: Wade has been adopted! But you already know that if you checked the link above.

Foster mom reads Wade's mail to him. Looks like he can't believe his good fortune, "All of this is for me??"

http://www.baytownhumanesociety.org/ann_wadefund.htm - Great pics of other rescues (no injuries), look around - the whole site is really well done.

Liberty is another three-legged wonder, rescued after being run over by car. Thanks to help from the HOPE fund she amazes people by how fast she can run and she's even learned to dig quite well with just one front paw. Check out her whole story: http://www.whitmanpets.org/libby/hospital.htm

Next is an absolute-must-see story. I don't often order people around - well OK, yes I do - however, this pig's ear to silk purse will give you goose bumps like you've never had before: http://gemsofmyheart.com/smdogrescue.htm or http://www.smalldoghumane.org/ - Lady: From unwanted pup to K-9 cop (graduating at the top of her class), all because a 10-year-old kid refused to believe she was bad.

One of the most common dumping excuses is a new baby. Has to top the ignorant list, and as always, it's human fault. If you even suspect the possibility of a problem, find two excellent preparation articles here: http://www.therealmartha.com/ChowBaby/index.htm - copy for expectant parents, better yet, send the whole page (great pics there too).

Of course the original baby of the family is going to be a little jealous if completely ignored when the intruder starts getting all the attention. Something as simple as sprinkling baby powder around gives the animal a chance to get used to changes. Bringing a blanket or article of clothing with baby's scent home from the hospital will take the edge off the big surprise. Making sure visitors make a big to-do over Fluffy or Fido before seeing the baby eases stress all around. Imagine how the animal feels and act accordingly - takes very little effort and pays off big time.

for the person who wants just that. He is about 10 years old, however, looks identical to the time that he had just entered the world. His owner had surrendered him for no other reason than that he was tired of looking at him. Now I've heard just about every reason for surrendering a dog. Anyway, Fluffy is non-shedding so there will not be any dog hair in the house. He never gets up on furniture unless someone actually puts him there. He never begs for food and never needs to go for a walk. Fluffy is totally non-demanding. He had never cost his former owner any money since his initial investment. He has never had any illnesses or injuries which necessitated visits to a veterinarian. Fluffy never barks, and he never dug any holes in the yard. He has never brought in any muddy foot prints, never vomited on the carpet and never made any mistakes in the house. Fluffy never left any doggy snot on the windows and he never chewed a single item. He never has a doggy odor and never needs grooming. Fluffy would never bite for any reason even in self defense, so he is the perfect pet for the person who is inclined to kick or beat an animal. We can guarantee that anyone who adopts Fluffy will have the same experience with him as his former owner. As said, Fluffy is the near perfect dog. However, he is near perfect, not perfect. His faults are that he never greets his owner at the door to say he thinks his owner is the best person to ever walk the earth. He never looks at you when you talk and cocks his head like he is really interested in what you are saying. Fluffy doesn't really have any sense of humor and has never done any cute things or doggy tricks. He doesn't give a sense of warmth, unconditional love and loyalty that we get from our other shelter dogs that we have come to know. Hate to say it, but Fluffy acts pretty much like he is in a coma with his eyes open. But, for some people, he is the perfect pet.

A friend sent the above with a note, Hey - should we bust this guy outta jail??

Had me going for a few seconds - the pic hadn't come through with copy. FYI (anyone not involved in rescue), in my not so humble opinion, it should be required reading for almost all potential adopters.

Unlike most of the sun-filled days at the Rainbow Bridge, this particular day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as any day could be imagined. The recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never ever experienced a day like this before. The animals who had been waiting for their beloved people, knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge ... to watch.

It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, his head hung low and his tail was dragging. The animals who had been there for a while knew what his story was right away - they had seen this happen far too often. He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness.

Unlike other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But it was not to be. As he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an angel who apologized, then told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass.

With no place else to turn, the elderly animal turned toward the fields before The Bridge and saw a group like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them and waited.

An animal who'd been there for a while explained to one of the newest arrivals, "You see, that poor animal over there, with the others, they are rescues. He was turned into rescue just as you see him now, with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. Sadly, he never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, suddenly, the clouds parted swiftly, and the gloom lifted with a mighty wind. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all once again, young and healthy, just as they were in the prime of their life.

"Watch, and see," said the second animal. A second group of animals came to the pathway and bowed their heads as the person came closer. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat or a scratch behind the ears.

One by one, the newly restored animals fell into line and followed him toward The Bridge. And then, they all crossed The Bridge together.

"What just happened?" asked the first animal.

"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing to the rescuer in respect were those who found new homes because of all their work. They will all cross over to The Bridge, when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue ... to escort all the animals who couldn't be placed."

Rescuers' Pet Peeves
Source: The Commercial Appeal
Publication date: 2002-12-08

It's hard to come up with a gift that shows my admiration and appreciation to the thousands of people around the world who open their wallets, hearts and homes to rescue animals. They take in animals and shuffle them from veterinarians to foster homes and to adoption days as volunteers. They do all this after work or on the weekends, sometimes neglecting their family and pets in the process.

They stay up all night trying to console a broken animal. The money they spend is typically their own, thousands of dollars each year.

They forgo vacations, nice furniture or cars to put their disposable income toward helping an animal. And the financial burden doesn't begin to match the emotional toll each animal brings. The sadness, fear and abandonment that permeate these animals are palpable and
unbearable to just about anyone they meet.

These people regularly walk through the shelters, looking into the eyes of these frightened, whining, mewing, shaking animals and try their best to make room in their house for one more. They are also willing to stare into those pleading faces and accept that these animals will die.

They have their share of happy endings, but they also tell stories that can break your heart.

They sometimes carry pictures of the ones they couldn't save: Gone but not forgotten.

So, my Christmas gift to these people who work long hours with little thanks, except from the animals, is a forum for their pet peeves.

They endure snipes, tempers, ignorance and people unwilling to fork over even a nominal adoption fee that doesn't begin to cover the expenses incurred with just one pet.

This is a collection from several rescuers who responded to my call for a list of the things that make them crazy.

Among the contributors are Phyl Simmons, with Memphis Area Golden Retriever Rescue; Lorie Frezza, adoption coordinator for Responsible Animal Owners of Tennessee (RAOT); Jeanne Chancellor, RAOT president; Catherine Powers, founder of Pet Matchmaker; and Suzanne Walls, founder of Lab Rescue of Memphis.

Chief among the peeves is people who call rescue groups and want to dump their pet "right now." The moving truck has backed in, the baby is due any moment, and the animal loses its home this instant.

"They don't want to discuss options, said Walls. "Why does having a child mean you have to get rid of the dog or the cat? There's no reason the animal has to go. They tell me they don't have time for both. They should have thought of that before they committed to a pet."

"When they tell me they are moving to another state and can't take their pets, I always ask them which state doesn't allow pets," said Powers.

"They want you to drop what you are doing and come take their animal as if we all just have cages and room and are just waiting for their calls," said Frezza.

Another peeve is the people who find strays on the street, and they want to make one phone call and be done with it.

"It would be better if they just didn't pick it up, as awful as that sounds," said Frezza. "They tell me they already have a dog and don't want to bother with this one. I explain that I am currently housing 20 foster dogs, not counting the ones I own, so I don't have much sympathy for them."

They also typically don't want to go to any effort to save the animal. They don't want to take it to a vet for treatment or assume any financial responsibility or ownership.

They don't want to foster the dog or cat until it can either be reunited with an owner or a new home is found.

"They just want to get it off the street and feel good that they did this little part, but there's a lot more to it then just keeping it for an hour while you call someone," said Frezza.

Here's are a couple of favorites from Walls:

"We have to get rid of this dog because he is climbing our fence. He used to not climb the fence, but we had the floors refinished and he had to go live outside. Now he climbs the fence, and I don't know why."

Or "We don't need a fence. We live on five acres."

Chancellor said one of her big peeves is people who assume any animal in the shelter is there because it is a problem and/or will get sick.

She's also not keen on people who adopt pets without doing the appropriate research on the breed.

"I didn't know the dog would get this big," Chancellor said. "I didn't know the puppy would chew or the dog would jump. I don't like having a litter box in the house. The cat is clawing my furniture. You wouldn't believe the lame reasons people give when they surrender
their pets."

As for people who are looking to adopt pets, the rescue groups all said it's frustrating when someone balks at paying an adoption fee.

"We had the dogs from the Memphis Animal Shelter out recently at an adoption day, and a man came up and said they should be free," said Chancellor. "I explained that they are vaccinated, spayed or neutered. You get their license. They are heartworm negative and been wormed. Try to find that bargain at a vet clinic."

Walls said it angers her when people tell her for that kind of money they could get a "dog with papers."

Or people who don't want to do any sort of behavior modification to correct a problem they are having with their pet.

Example: "My dog is peeing in my house, and I am going to take him to the shelter if you can't take him."

"Have you tried crate training your dog?" Walls asks.

Answer: "No way! That is so cruel!"

Another peeve is people who expect a rescued animal to behave perfectly in their home.

"It takes a good two to three weeks to get a routine established," said Walls. "They don't seem willing to do any of the things we advise them such as crate training, obedience training. But they expect this animal with whatever history it has to come in and be perfect. Never mind it may have lived in a cage for six months to a year. They want it to be perfect now, and they aren't willing to give it a little time."

Frezza said dogs need to be crated until you can trust that they won't tear up your house or until you are certain they are housebroken.

"They feel sorry for it and want it to have the run of the house, but in three weeks, they want us to come get it because it's tearing things up. How is that better for the dog?"

Walls said nothing in the world irritates her more than people who say they've done a lot of research on the breed and then ask for a white, buff, red, or brown lab.

"They are either yellow, chocolate or black. Period," said Walls. Mostly the rescuers want people to understand that they are not garbage dumps for unwanted animals.

If you live with a pet, then it has a home. It's up to you to run an advertisement, ask your friends or family to help and screen for a new home. It is emotionally and financially draining on all of the animal rescuers.

So, before you pick up the phone to call them, ask yourself if you would be willing to put your daily routine into a tailspin and take on the financial and emotional burden of a new pet in your home that's being abandoned by someone else.

If the answer is no, then the least you can do is be cordial, grateful, open to their suggestions and willing to contribute some money to the group you are asking to assume your problem.

If you know an animal rescuer, you should buy that person a special gift this holiday season to convey how important rescuers are to all of us - four-legged or otherwise.

Reporter Cindy Wolff, owner of two spoiled dogs, can be reached at 529-5220 or E-mail wolff@gomemphis.com.

Send letters to The Commercial Appeal, 495 Union, Memphis, Tenn. 38103.

It is not only the older dogs and cats, or the sickly with little future dying every day. Perfectly healthy young animals are euthanized simply because the counties/cities don't budget to allow holding for more than a few days, money is not spent on advertising, and money is not spent on a suitable location where the public would feel comfortable looking for a companion animal.

Funding rarely allows for medical care - vaccinations, heartworm or feluke testing - associated with rehoming animals back into the community.

Until our elected officials get serious about passing laws regulating commercial breeders, pet stores and the multitude of amateur backyard breeders, the killing will continue.

It's a nation-wide dirty rotten disaster. A token "Spay/Neuter Your Pets" on Websites is not enough.

We as a society continue to allow newspapers to participate in the slaughter of thousands by accepting ads from every amateur BYB.

Asking citizens to spay/neuter their pets is about as effective as asking people to volunteer to pay their property taxes. We need laws that charge more to license an unaltered animal with the funding being used to provide low cost or free spay/neutering and to support efforts to rehome and rescue the homeless animals in the community.

We need laws passed requiring all those who choose to sell litters in the classifieds to register and pay fees to cover the cost these animals bring to the community.

We need laws that require pet stores to only sell altered animals as pets thereby eliminating a key source for BYBs to pick up their breeding stock and for those who accidentally* allow their pets to breed.

A shelter should be there to care for animals, to relieve suffering - not amplify or prolong it. An animal may have already suffered greatly prior to ending up at a shelter, and the unfamiliarity, confinement, and noise of the shelter environment is extremely stressful in and of itself. Therefore, we have an obligation to ensure that needless suffering is not that animal's tragic end to life.

Last year, more than 90,000 dogs and cats were killed in Atlanta area shelters. That's more dogs and cats killed than in the entire country of Great Britain, in New York City or the states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Oregon or Washington. In more graphic terms, area animal shelters destroy 20 tons of household pets per week.

In all the years I've been doing this work, the last sentence really hit me hard. 20 TONS!!!! (poster's last comment) http://barrow.atlantapets.org/

See http://lapatlanta.org/44.html, Lifeline Animal Project - LAP is proud to announce the Barrow County Animal Control is the first participating shelter with Project Pawprint. The purpose is to establish a communication network of regional county animal organizations.

None left to rescue, none left to buy,
None left to suffer, none left to die.
None to be beaten, none to be kicked ~
All must be loved and all must be fixed!
author unknown

From Kate: http://www.kateconnick.com/mydogs/grandma.html ~ "It might be a little sad, but it's about the hospice care I provided to a very old, terminally ill boxer I found in a shelter." Beautifully told with pics and wonderful joy spots.

From Rose: Pam fosters for Col. Potter Cairn Rescue in Wisconsin. She is a wonderful, wonderful person who has helped many a rescued dog adjust and learn how to be loved on their journey to their forever homes.

There is an Indian legend which says when a human dies there is a bridge they must cross to enter into heaven. At the head of that bridge waits every animal that human encountered during their lifetime. The animals, based upon what they know of this person, decide which humans may cross the bridge ... and which are turned away.
Be a voice for the animals! http://imom.org/voices/

Rescue me, rescue my loving heart.
Each of us has so much to impart.
Seek, within yourself, what you might give.
Care enough to help, that I might live.
Unless you can, there might not be a way.
Everyone needs somewhere they can stay.

Me, I'm just a tenant, biding time.
Each day, I hope you'll come ... and make you, mine.

Shop for your favorite critters and help the homeless ~ sales benefit several rescue organizations and shelters

Always happy to add fund-raising product links to the list. And, I can add your group or organization to the Chewapalooza sales referral percentage beneficiary list - requires only a link back.

http://www.therealmartha.com/brightspots/index.htm ~ Wit and wisdom gathered from every day goings on, special events, occasions, critters, friends ... real people what-have-yous - includes something for everyone, with special attention paid to the sneakin'-up-on-50 crowd

If you don't receive a reply in a day or two, please try again. Clearly defined subject lines will prevent deletions due to unknown name/address.

Urgent need: Buffalo Companion Animal Network (Buffalo CAN, of Buffalo, NY): http://www.buffalocan.org

From the president, "We came together and organized when our mayor announced in early May that he was eliminating the adoption program at our local animal shelter, moving to all-kill w/ 3-day holds. We managed to stave off the cuts for one year, and now we're trying to scurry to have an alternative adoption-based shelter available when the program is eliminated July 2005."

Send your rescue/shelter links - if no Website, send location and contact person's phone along with general info: MarthaJones1@aol.com

http://www.bfpa.org/ - Best Friends Pet Adoption, rescue/foster organization in Cary, NC - great success stories

http://www.baytownhumanesociety.org/ - Baytown Animals' Concerned Citizen Responders, in Baytown, TX (close to Houston) - Baytown Humane Society is a non-profit organization composed of concerned Baytown citizens working separately from - but in cooperation with - the Baytown area shelters and individuals

http://www.spaciousskiesinc.com/ - Sanctuary in Smithville, Texas providing permanent shelter for birds, dogs, cats and small animals deemed unadoptable due to severe behavior problems caused by abuse, neglect and abandonment

www.BuffaloHumane.org - No-kill animal rescue organization operating in the western New York region. Activities include: rescue, adoptions, sanctuary, rehoming, behavioral consults, humane education, community outreach, spay/neuter, and promotion of rational animal care and control policies. Homepage serves as a portal page to various animal welfare organizations in the region.

Copy and paste the URL (http://www.therealmartha.com/rescue/index.htm) into e-mail(s); aolers drag the heart thingy. I don't use auto-senders because I don't appreciate the junk mail they generate and neither does anyone else.