GoldWing World

Foster and Rescue Page

Please check out the "Friends of Farmers Branch" dog rescue page where we and our people volunteer!

ALSO check out the American Black and Tan coonhound site!

The following was inspired by a similar statement copyrighted by Jim Willis in 2001 and printed in the Dallas Morning News.
To see the original go to http://www.dfwlabrescue.org/howcouldyou.html

When you first brought me home you told me I was cute, loveable and fun. You introduced me to everyone as "your puppy" and "your baby" - when I entertained your friends by shredding pillows and towels you laughed and played with me. I was your best friend and you were my protector and provider. You were my reason to live and the focus of my love.

You never seemed to have enough time to help me understand the difference between the leather in your shoe and the leather toy you brought home. I was always confused about when and where to go potty because you were too busy to take me out at specific times. Despite this we still grew closer as we slept together, played with each other and learned how to work as a pack. Live was good, and you were almost always with me then.

Slowly the long waits for you to come home became even longer. The scolding and anger when I made a mistake harsher. I didn't mind and I slowly learned the lessons that had been neglected when I was a puppy. You were still my life, still my provider and I was proud to be your loyal companion. I knew that you and I were bonded for life and that regardless of my mistakes you would always be there for me as I would be for you.

You found a female who made you happy and I was so excited for you - everyone should have a mate and I would love this new person in your. After all, anyone who was worthy of your love was worthy of mine! Our relationship changed as the two of you grew closer, but I didn't mind sharing your time so long as it made you happy. Some time later the awesome experience of newborn life arrived as first one and then another human child came into our pack. At last I believed I could fully show my value as a protector and the perfect pet that I was born to be. When the cat was eyeing little Jimmy I barked and scared it away. When Sally tried to get into the medicine chest I pulled her away and managed to barely scratch her while doing so despite my untrimmed nails. For my efforts you gave me pain and temporary exile which I endured your anger because I knew you didn't understand any more then I had understood the difference between your shoes and my rawhide toys when I was younger.

Over time I became their friend as well as yours. They pulled my fur, poked fingers in my eyes and gave me kisses. I loved them and their touch - especially their touch, since I missed yours so much now. Then the day came when it seemed that I had become too much of an inconvenience for you. The daily feeding and weekly bath took way too much time, my feeding way too many dollars. I had grown too big, too bothersome. I required too much time and attention - I had to go. I remember the discussion, how your mate was unsure and tried to point out how much Jimmy and Sally loved me. I barked, trying to let you know I loved them too but this seemed to annoy her and she gave in to what you were suggesting. One final pat, one last smile and she was through with me at long last.

At first I was happy when you put me into the car, it had been a long time since we had gone for a ride together. I was even happier when we arrived at the animal shelter - until we went inside where the scent of frightened and lonely dogs and cats filled the air. The smells of fear and hopelessness simply seemed to echo my own scent caused by your neglect and my loneliness.

I had no idea how different being lonely versus being alone could be.

As you filled out the paperwork I began to have a feeling of panic, further enhanced by the sad looks the shelter workers kept giving me. I began to realize that something was wrong. I whined anxiously and held my tail between my legs to express my subservience. You didn't even notice, and only looked my way once as the nice ladies took me back into the bedlam that was my new home.

Time went by and I settled into a new daily routine. I would listen for your voice and for your steps; smell for your scent. Occasionally I would cry for you so you could find me wherever I was now. At times other humans would approach me I would back away or if I felt scared warn them off - I was taken. My owner would be here soon and I had to be here for him to find!

I become tired and despondent waiting for you to return for me. Every day I would endure the cries and scents of the other dogs and the well-meaning attentions of the shelter workers. They try to spend as much time as they can with us but they are even busier then you though. They don't know that I hate chicken-based food and loud noises. That I like my ears scratched only one way or that I can't sleep on hard surfaces. They give me plenty of food - more then I need since I lost my appetite. I quit eating much just about the same time that I began to realize that I might never see you, or Jimmy, or Sally ever again. That I might not get to go home ...

By the time I heard the footsteps coming to take me away as they had so many others I was ready to go. At least the other dogs who had been led away didn't have to sleep on the cold floor. Didn't have to listen to the cries of hundreds of lonely and angry animals begging for another chance night after night. Wherever they went after walking down that bright corridor to the silver door at least they didn't have to be HERE anymore.

I got up and moved stiffly, I hadn't had much exercise and had not been sleeping well for a very long time after all. As we walked I became concerned for the lady leading me - I could tell she was sad, could smell that she was stressed. Wherever she was taking me weighed heavily on her and I hated that I was causing her grief too. It was bad enough I had failed you without causing anyone else pain too. Once we entered the room at the end of the hall I begin to become anxious. There was a lot of strange smells and some familiar but unpleasant ones too. Between the faint whiffs of other animals and decaying matter, singed fur and excrement was the unpleasant odor of bleach water. Many animals had been here, but none of them had left this room alive. I began to whimper, hoping that whatever was to come wouldn't hurt me or the kind lady who was beginning to cry.

A tear fell on my coat as she placed a tourniquet around my foreleg so I licked her hand to comfort her. I whimpered slightly as the needle slid into my vein. I felt the sting as the cold liquid entered my leg. I understood now what was happening but I don't care. I looked up at the sad lady. I can tell how upset she was and how hard a time she has doing this. I bark a little to try and let her know it is okay and she leans over and says "I'm so sorry" - then she hugs me and says that I am going to a better place. A place where I won't be ignored or abused or abandoned. Won't have to fend for myself.

The sting is gone, and slowly the room begins to get dark. Suddenly I think I think I hear your voice and I start to struggle, try to get free - you have come for me at last! I am still needed! I fight to wake up, to get up ... but the darkness is too strong and I am too sleepy. I wag my tail as I fall asleep. It doesn't matter now - I am happy. You have come back and when I wake up I know you will be there take me home. I drift off, confused by the tears that fall freely upon my coat. The whisper the lady directs at you is the last sound I hear: "How could you" ... I don't know what she means.

Why on earth would anyone want to adopt a rescue dog?" After all, aren't they like used cars? Who wants someone else's problems? If the dog is so wonderful, why would anyone give him away? If he was a stray,why didn't someone try to find him? I'd rather buy a puppy so I know what I'm getting, and besides they're so cute!"
Rescue groups often hear a variation of this conversation. Many prospective dog owners are just not convinced that owning an older (i.e, 6 mo.+)"pre-owned" dog is better than buying a puppy. But there are a number of reasons why adopting a pet from a rescue that carefully screens and evaluates its dogs can provide an even better alternative. Here are the

"Top 10 Reasons You Should Consider a Rescue Dog"

In a Word--Housebroken. With most family members gone during the work week for 8 hours or more, housetraining a puppy and its small bladder can take awhile. Puppies need a consistent schedule with frequent opportunities to eliminate where you want them to. They can't wait for the boss to finish his meeting or the kids to come home from after school activities. An older dog can "hold it" much more reliably for longer time periods, and usually the Rescue has him housebroken before he is adopted.

Intact Underwear. With a chewy puppy, you can count on at least 10 mismatched pairs of socks and a variety of unmentionables rendered to the "rag bag" before he cuts every tooth. and don't even think about shoes! also, you can expect holes in your carpet (along with the urine stains), pages missing from books, stuffing exposed from couches, and at least one dead remote control. no matter how well you watch them, it will happen--this is a puppy's job! an older dog can usually have the run of the house without destroying it.

A Good Night's Sleep. Forget the alarm clocks and hot water bottles, a puppy can be very demanding at 2am and 4am and 6am. He misses his littermates, and that stuffed animal will not make a puppy pile with him. If you have children, you've been there and done that. How about a little peace and quiet? How about an older rescue dog?

Finish the Newspaper. With a puppy running amok in your house, do you think you will be able to relax when you get home from work? Do you think your kids will really feed him, clean up the messes, take him for a walk in the pouring rain every hour to get him housetrained? With an adult dog, it will only be the kids running amok, because your dog will be sitting calmly next to you, while your workday stress flows away and your blood pressure lowers as you pet him.

Easier Vet Trips. Those puppies need their series of puppy shots and fecals, then their rabies shot, then a trip to be altered, maybe an emergency trip or two if they've chewed something dangerous. Those puppy visits can add up (on top of what you paid for the dog!). Your donation to the rescue when adopting an older pup should get you a dog with all shots current, already altered, heartworm negative and on preventative at the minimum.

What You See Is What You Get. How big will that puppy be? What kind of temperament will he have? Will he be easily trained? Will his personality be what you were hoping for? How active will he be? When adopting an older dog from a rescue, all of those questions are easily answered. You can pick large or small; active or couch potato; goofy or brilliant; sweet or sassy. The rescue and its foster homes can guide you to pick the right match (Rescues are full of puppies who became the wrong match as they got older!)

Unscarred Children (and Adults). When the puppy isn't teething on your possessions, he will be teething on your children and yourself. Rescues routinely get calls from panicked parents who are sure their dog is biting the children. Since biting implies hostile intent and would be a consideration whether to accept a "give-up", Rescue Groups ask questions and usually find out the dog is being nippy. Parents are often too emotional to see the difference; but a growing puppy is going to put everything from food to clothes to hands in their mouths, and as they get older and bigger it definitely hurts (and will get worse, if they aren't being corrected properly.) Most older dogs have "been there, done that, moved on."

Matchmaker Make Me a Match. Puppy love is often no more than an attachment to a look or a color. It is not much of a basis on which to make a decision that will hopefully last 15+ years. While that puppy may have been the cutest of the litter; he may grow up to be super active (when what you wanted was a couch buddy); she may be a couch princess (when what you wanted was a tireless hiking companion); he may want to spend every waking moment in the water (while you're a landlubber); or she may want to be an only child (while you are intending to have kids or more animals). Pet mismatches are one of the top reasons Rescues get "give-up" phone calls. Good rescues do extensive evaluating of both their dogs and their applicants to be sure that both dog and family will be happy with each other until death do them part.

Instant Companion. With an older dog, you automatically have a buddy that can go everywhere and do everything with you NOW. There's no waiting for a puppy to grow up (and then hope he will like to do what you enjoy.) You will have been able to select the most compatible dog: one that travels well; one that loves to play with your friends' dogs; one with excellent house manners that you can take to your parents' new home with the new carpet and the new couch. You can come come home after a long day's work and spend your time on a relaxing walk, ride or swim with your new best friend (rather than cleaning up after a small puppy.)

Bond--Rescue Dog Bond. Dogs who have been uprooted from their happy homes or have not had the best start in life are more likely to bond very completely and deeply with their new people. Those who have lost their families through death, divorce or lifestyle change go through a terrible mourning process. But, once attached to a new loving family, they seem to want to please as much as possible to make sure they are never homeless again. Those dogs that are just learning about the good life and good people seem to bond even deeper. They know what life on the streets, life on the end of a chain, or worse is all about, and they revel and blossom in a nurturing, loving environment. Most rescues make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions. Unfortunately, many folks think dogs that end up in rescue are all genetically and behaviorally inferior. But, it is not uncommon for Rescue to get $500 dogs that have either outlived their usefulness or their novelty with impulsive owners who considered their dog a possession rather than a friend or member of the family; or simply did not really consider the time, effort and expense needed to be a dog owner. Not all breeders will accept "returns", so choices for giving up dogs can be limited to animal welfare organizations, such as Rescues, or the owners trying to place their own dogs. Good Rescues will evaluate the dog before accepting him/her (medically, behaviorally, and for breed confirmation), rehabilitate if necessary, and adopt the animal only when he/she is ready and to a home that matches and is realistic about the commitment necessary to provide the dog with the best home possible. Choosing a rescue dog over a purchased pup will not solve the pet overpopulation problem (only responsible pet owners and breeders can do that), but it does give many of them a chance they otherwise would not have. But, beyond doing a "good deed", adopting a rescue dog can be the best decision and addition to the family you ever made. Rescue a dog and get a devoted friend for life

Written by Mary Clark at LABRADOR RETRIEVER RESCUE, INC. Permission has been granted to freely reprint and distribute this document as long as LRR, Inc at http://www.lrr.org/ is credited.