01/18/2024
I want to take a moment to share what happens AFTER rescue. I'm going to talk dog specific, as that is what my focus has been. I do have some incredible cat stories for a later date.
You arrive to wherever they are. You see their sweet face try to decided whether you are one if the good ones or not. You pull out the most comforting and reassuring voice you have. You get down to their level.you have snacks. You build trust. You put a lead on them. Some are willing go with you. Most panic and hit the ground and refuse to move. I would too. I'm sure they are thinking, "where the hell are you taking me now!" You sit with them a while, talking to them. Still no willingness to go with you. You open the vehicle door, you show them the snacks inside. They are curious, but still not willing. It's cold, their paws are frozen. You tell them you are going to pick them up. You say to yourself, "please don't bite me." You tell them again that they are safe. You scoop up that beautiful soul and load them into your vehicle. They are terrified, understandabley so. They shake, they cry. You talk to them in a loving voice, tell them this is their rescue day and that their world is going to change. They begin to settle, they sleep. They sleep like the dead, because for the first time in God knows how long they are safe, there is nothing trying to get them. You get home. You go to bring them inside. Fear sets in again. "Where are you taking me?" " you're dropping me off. I'm alone again" they freeze. They won't walk. You talk to them in the most reassuring voice you can possibly give. Still they are frozen. You pick them up. Kiss them, try so hard not to cry. There will be time for this later. You walk them inside your house. You let them investigate this new scary place all whilst telling them they are safe. You take a step, but you have moved to quickly, they hit the floor, cower. You get down to their level. You touch them, tell them it is OK again. You are now aware of your every single move, doing everything you can to make them feel safe. After they have had time to inspect the indoors you take them outside. This is the part that gets me every.single. time. They look like they are checking out the yard, getting used to their new surroundings. Wait, what are they doing? They have found a spot and are laying down. You watch their paws curl under their bodies. They wrap themselves tight as a ball and just stay there. You look around and realize that they have found the most sheltered part of your yard and are preparing to stay warm,to yet again survive. Your heart breaks. Tears are rolling down your cheeks. You talk to them, you try to coax them back in, but there they stay. You walk over with tears rolling down your cheeks promising them that life will never be like that again. You yet again pick them up and bring them inside. Once you approach the door with them in your arms they look at you with complete confusion. You set them inside? They look at you with a brand new look. This goes on, sometimes for days sometimes for months depending on their story. These precious babies have only ever been failed by humans, so you wanting to take care of them is brand new. Watching them learn to feel the love that they deserved to have felt from the moment they were born is the most amazing gift in the whole entire world. I could right a novel on the steps, the moments, the progess that I have witnessed in my years of rescuing, but for now I just want everyone to know that a rescued animal of ANY kind is the absolute best. They give you a gift that cannot be put into words. They are also the most resilient and loyal, as they have truly been through the worst. I hate when people say" I don't want a rescue dog, they are broken" my response is always, "it is sad that we live in a world that when man neglects and abuses ANYTHING, some punish them for what was done to them." I always encourage them to educate themselves on rescue animals and believe me, I have a list of stories just of my own to back this up. As you all know, I recently took in another foster and my poor sweet boys trauma and his responses to such traumas have triggered my need to write this. If anyone on here is throwing the idea of fostering around but isj ust unsure of
what it is like, please feel free to reach out. I love nothing more than talking about the success stories!
There is so much more I could have written, but day one of rescue is something that always hits home for me. And I didn't want to write a book!
A picture of my foster boy, Chevy wondering why this woman talks to me the way she does lol
