House Sitting

I have been away from home for almost 2 weeks while I house sit for my dear friend who has adopted Belle. I miss Clyde and Sashka and most of all my partner in life, Jim. One more sleep and then I am back where I belong.
It has been wonderful to spend time with Belle. And Sharon's is the perfect home for her. Things are calm, relaxed and it shows in Belle's manner. She is such a loving dog and is still playful and active enough to enjoy a good game of tug
Just when I thought the season of pet fairs was done I find I still have 2 more to go to. Thats ok, one of them is inside so I don't have to worry about the weather or a tent or any of the great stuff. It was a busy summer and I am more then a little burnt out.

Rescue for me is serious stuff. I take offence quickly when I think that people involved are passing the buck, doing it to make money, not caring for the animals properly, etc. And as anyone will tell you, I am quick to speak my mind. Once you have crossed the line with me, there is rarely ever a chance to go back again.
Last week I was involved in a conversation about a small middle aged dog that needed some care. I don't usually concern myself with these ones, there are lots of dog rescues that take the small ones and can provide great care for them. But................................ the rescue that was working for him posted that if no funds could be found or no one else would take him, he would be put to sleep. WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just because a dog is going to cost money isn't the reason we kill them. (I hate the term "put to sleep") We work harder, longer and with more dedication but we don't kill them cause they are going to cost a couple of hundred or even a couple o f grand. "WE" are the ones that save them from that. "WE" are the ones that help them recover and find them homes. "WE" never use that card. Thats just freaking wrong. Those are the things that shelters do. Those are just the things that we fight so hard against.
I guess I don't have to tell you that I had a meltdown. LOL Or that I let me opinion be known loud and clear.
Ive said it before and I guess it should be said again. Rescue is not for the faint of heart. It is hard work, it is expensive, its heartbreaking. Its not about saving the easy, the young the well adjusted. Its about saving the ones that no one wants.
As for the post on the forum, somehow it got deleted. Thats pretty convenient for the person. I don't know how much of it I saved but I do know that I have the most important parts. I will keep it cause somewhere down the road, people are going to need to know about the ethics around rescues.

Rhonda

Our hearts go out to Alison and Damon. Rhonda passed away in their arms last Sat. Thank you both for loving her.

Rhonda was only the 2nd dog that WCRR brought in. She came from a northern shelter that said she wasn't doing well and was becoming incontinent. Rhonda was overweight The shelter ran on reduced hours and I think that maybe Rhonda just had trouble getting up off her bed and would have small accidents. Regardless, we took her cause she needed someone.

Rhonda had been a farm dog. And when each new tenant moved onto the farm they got Rhonda. As you can imagine, some folks cared for her but many did not. From what I could find out, Rhonda spent lots of time either tied up or left to wander the area looking for food. When the last tenant passed away his kids took Rhonda to the local spca. Thank god they did.

Rhonda stayed a couple of months with us and we loved her. she was calm and kind and affectionate. She was good with the resident little dog. She didn't hate the neighbours cat. She was just a good girl.

As so often happens in the rescue world someone mentioned to someone else that there was this very nice older female rottie needing a home. We took Rhonda out to meet Alison and Damon and their pack. Rhonda growled at all the dogs. I think she was just asking for some space. And she wandered over to Damon and he fell for her right away. I was worried about the other animals as there were cats and horses on the property, but Rhonda seemed to do well everywhere she went. And this home was the kind of home you want for all your animals. These folks were kind and totally devoted to the companion animals in their care. Everyone was vetted whenever anything was needed and I never worried about Rhonda at all.

Several months ago, I found out that Rhonda had cancer and they were amputating a leg. I went out to see her shortly after that and thats when this picture was taken.

Rhonda, Alison and Damon fought tooth and nail trying to beat the cancer but as is so often the case, the disease won out in the end.

Rest easy my girl. We will meet again at the bridge