Rescue rant/vent/shoulder needed

[TrekJeni]

I use to be a regular here on TE but then other things needed more attention in my life. I've been lurking quite a bit and need to write some people back that have sent me private messages wondering where the heck I am (Mr. & Mrs. Silver - I will have my life story to you soon)

Today was one of those days I hate doing rescue.

I work with three Weimaraner Rescues living here in Ohio. I help ours, Michigan and Louisville.

I got a call last week asking a favor. A young (3-4 yo) male had been adopted out and returned due to biting their 12 year old daughter. The bite required stitches. The foster parents are dog trainers and have their own school and had hoped it was a fluke. They've helped Weim rescue for years and have successfully rehabbed plenty of dogs. Well, not so, as the dog then lunged after the wife one day. Everyone knew what had to be done but they couldn't do it.

That's where I came in.

Brutus, I'm sorry. Your foster mom met me in an ice cream parlor parking lot tonight at 7:30 and handed you off while crying. I tried not to look into your eyes and get attached as I was headed straight for the vets. You licked my ear and wondered what was going on. I brought some of Robin's favorite treats and you enjoyed a few. I thought it was the least I could do. We pulled up to the vets way too soon. How did I drive 20 miles in what seemed like 10 seconds? The staff had been notified and I quickly filled out the paperwork while you sat in my car like an angel. It too was completed much too soon. I went to the car and got you and let you take one final sniff at the "pee pole" outside the vet's office. We were ushered into the exam room and I sat with you on the floor while you licked my face. Too quickly it was all over. I loved you for an hour and I'm sorry it couldn't have been longer. No more suffering poor baby. Your scar riddled body, from learning what you could on the streets is over. You're playing with all the other boys and girls at the Bridge. You're happy and not wondering if and when you need to be Alpha versus one of the pack.

I really hate this part of the job!

Hug your four leggeds for me tonight.

....scrape, shuffle, pull, drag..... getting my soapbox out
(not accusing anyone here on this list)
Please people - if you breed, keep track of your babies for life. Be prepared for the owners to call you ten years later and tell you they need you to take the dog back for one reason or another and take it back. I hate putting down your dog that you bred just because your relationship ended with the puppy owners when the check cleared the bank. These are living, breathing, loving creatures.

:mad::(:mad::(:mad::(

[maillotpois]

What a godawful sad story. Thank you for being there for him. Big hug to you.

[colby]

Thanks for being there for him, Jeni. Not everyone can do that, and you made his passing that much more comfortable. I second the big hugs.

[arielmoon]

((((HUGS))))

I cry for you and Brutus. The humane thing is often the hardest and you are very strong to do the right thing!

[TsPoet]

You're right, it had to be done, but it didn't have to be you!
Bless you for doing the whole rescue thing.

[Mr. Bloom]

((((((((((((((((((((TJ)))))))))))))))))))))):(:(:(

YOU are a special special person!

[firenze11]

I'm sorry you had to be in that heartbreaking situation but thank you so much for doing what you do and for what you did for Brutus today. I will be thinking about him tonight as I hug my little puppy girl.

And thank you for encouraging breeders to keep track of their babies.

[OakLeaf]

(((((((Trek)))))))

thank you for being there for him, and for all the rescues

[smilingcat]

There are several people here who are involved with rescue.

I too am involved. Words can't really describe this. We try our best to rescue all the animals. And on rare occasion, it just doesn't work out. The animals we try to rescue have been harmed physically and emotionally beyond rehab. and they carry their scars with them. The nightmares... flashbacks... They suffer even with our loving hearts. As sad as it is and wrenching of our heart, the best thing to do is to free them from the nightmare they have to endure.

It sucks! but on rare occasion, this is the best thing for them. To free them from the scars.

He isn't suffering any more. And that is the most important thing.

Big hug and a good cry,

Thank you for your kind giving heart,
from another foster mom
Smilingcat

[LBTC]

TJ - I couldn't read your post....my heart is too sensitive tonight.... I'm sending lots of butterflies for you and for Brutus. Let them help your heart be light.

Big hugs,
~T~

[Blueberry]

Hugs to you. Thank you for caring. So very sad.

CA

[lilred]

I had a similar incident with my dal. His name was Chief, he bit a friend of mine (2nd person he bit). Both were bad bites. He was a wonderful member of our family. He was loyal and trusted only family members (both extended and immediate).
Unfortunately, I saw no option. I held him until the very end. The vet was fabulous, they let me stay as long as I needed.
It's been 7 yrs. and I still hate it. I miss him & wish he were with me. This was the hardest decision I've ever had to make.
I understand how you must feel.

[SadieKate]

That is so sad for everyone involved.

TrekJeni, you are one special person.

[maillotpois]

I have to add - on a lighter note - your new avatar ROCKS!!!!

[Trek420]

((((Trek, Brutus))) Trek you are a very special person. My mutt thanks you and all the other rescuers, and I thank you for her.

Everyone, spay your pets. There aren't enough Treks, Zen and others to rescue them all.

[KnottedYet]

(((((Jeni))))))

I'm sorry you had to do this, but very grateful that you were there.
And, it's very good to see you again, under any circumstance!

(((((more hugs)))))

[beccaB]

We had this really Large dog come into our neighborhood and beg to be let into people's homes around last Thanksgiving.When I say Large, she could stand on her hind legs and look me in the eye, and I'm 5'7". She was so sweet. It was evident that she had been abandoned. She was 18 months old according to the vet, and it looked like she had recently had puppies. I posted notes everywhere and ads in the paper. We named her Honey because of her coloring. What a sweet girl she was. I could go on and on about this dog. My husband only let me take care of her on the condition that I find her a larger home to live in. She was so huge she kept knocking down my old arthritic dog with her youthful exuberance. She was absolutely devoted to humans, any humans! I eventually found a new owner for her, who has a lot of property. I mis her, even though she ate 4 spatulas, 2 kitchen towels and 1 oven mitt!(not to mention, my friends leather jacket)!

[Trek420]

Becca, Thanks for finding a forever-home for that gentle giant :) You did a wonderful thing.

[rij73]

Wow... You are very strong, and I'm so sorry that people like you have to pick up the pieces of others' transgressions.

I'm stroking my sweet rescued dog right now and mourning for Brutus. Animals are so much better than people... (in general).

[TrekJeni]

I have to add - on a lighter note - your new avatar ROCKS!!!!

He He I know. I like that picture a lot. That's a picture of my old boy Joey who went to the Bridge the day after Halloween last year due to spinal degeneration.

Thanks everyone for the words of comfort. I know I did the right thing and he's no longer confused about life. Thank you ALL that play a part in rescue too. Whether you foster, transport, buy a bag of food every now and then, adopt or just tell others about rescue - I LOVE YOU ALL.

KnottedYet - Life is good. Still with Geoff, got the job of my dreams and bought a house with a little creek in April. I'm winnng the local mtb series and cross season is right around the corner.... Life is WAY good! Now, if I could just lose that 20 extra pounds I've been lugging around on the trails (and I ain't talking about the bike)
:D

[Geonz]

Welp, if you lose 20 pounds, somebody else will find it :o:rolleyes:

If it stopped hurting... you'd be less human. Thank you for being there.

[singletrackmind]

I'll echo that thank you!

It should have been his familiars, they should have been strong enough and selflessly caring enough to give him something familiar in an unfamiliar place. I'm sorry you were given such huge shoes to walk in but know you made the trip admirably.

I'd like to add to your end message....
Potential buyers of purebred pets:
First, know what you are getting into. Study, learn, meet the breed in which you are interested. Keep the rose colored glasses at home.
Second, know what a good breeder is. Know your breeder. Know how often and why they breed animals. Know their policies and their practices when it comes to screening both animals and the people interested in their animals and what happens to your former pet if something doesn't work out. Don't support an unethical breeder.
Third, just because it has papers doesn't mean it should be bred. Fluffy and Muffy Everyday aren't responsible for making a buck, giving your kids an experience or any of the other things we hear from people trying to place their puppies. Or 'oops' puppies. A little neutering/spaying goes a long long way.

If this seems like a lot of work reconsider your options, pets are even more work.


(Belgian Mal rescue, ID, transport, was fostering)

[TrekJeni]

One of my breeder mentors tells people when they call looking for puppies....

I don't sell puppies, I sell future dogs in little packages!

:D:D:D

[beancounterbeth]

(((((((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))

Dogs are so much better than humans. Even when they act up they are only doing what comes natural. I have one furbaby and she means everything to me. I'll go home and give her an extra big hug tonight.