Bobbi and the Strays

We get tons of inquiries a day. People found dogs and don’t want to bring them to the kill shelter, people can’t keep their dogs and don’t want to bring them to the kill shelter, people don’t want to keep their dogs and threaten us to take them to the kill shelter if we don’t take them.

But the reality is, we just don’ t have the space to take them all in at once. Right now we have a waiting list that is growing daily. I am grateful for the people who are holding the animals they found till we have space. Sometimes we are lucky to adopt them out right from the founders home and the dog never has to see the inside of a shelter. But these cases are far and few between.

Just recently a wonderful family found a sad pit mix wandering around their neighborhood. Though he looked healthy and taken care of, he wore no collar and no tags. He had no microchip. Not wanting to leave him out shivering in the cold they took him in. Unfortunately the dog and their dog didn’t get along when they introduced them so they seperated them.  The wife, Maria, emailed me a photo and description of the dog that she had started to call Rudy and asked if we could take him in. She described Rudy as being shy but very affectionate, housebroken and extremely well behaved. I explained the situation to her and told her I would put Rudy on a waiting list and in the meantime advertise him to see if we could find a foster.

A week went by and no one responded to my ads. Maria emailed me and said she was scheduled to go away on Sunday and couldn’t hold Rudy longer than that. It was now Monday. I immediately reposted Rudy’s ad making them as urgent as possible.

Amazingly that night we found a foster for Rudy. Andres responded to the ad and emailed an application. He was eager to meet Rudy and help him out. After checking his references, Maria set up a time for Andres to come to her house to meet Rudy. She called me that day sounding a little worried, asking me a lot of questions about the fostering process. I assured her that if she wasn’t comfortable with Andres that we wouldn’t give him the dog.  What we would do if we had no other foster was uncertain but it was clear Maria cared very much for Rudy and didn’t want anything to happen to him.

I waited by the phone that night to see how the meeting went. When she called, I held my breath but Maria was so happy and couldn’t believe how well everything went! She said Andres was a very nice man and he handled Rudy very well. Rudy was shy but Andres let Rudy come to him and they seemed to have a conncetion. By the end of the meeting, it was clear the two were already forming a bond. When I spoke to Andres he expressed simillar sentiments. He was very happy and couldn’t wait to take Rudy into foster.

We scheduled a vet appointment the very next day to have Rudy vaccinated and neutered. Maria generously offered to make a donation to cover the costs. We agreed that I would take Rudy to his foster home in NJ on Sunday. We perform a home visit for everyone who adopts or fosters. I would always bring a crate, bed, toys and leash for Rudy.  Maria and Andres set up a meeting on Satruday as well so Andres could spend some more time with Rudy to get to know him before he took him home.

Everything seemed to be perfect and I was so happy that we had a safe place for Rudy to go. I actually couldn’t have dreamed up a better outcome.

Maria and I spoke on the phone not too long ago clearing up last minute details. “I feel happy for the first time since I found Rudy,” she said,”because I know he is going to be okay now. I was so worried about what would happen to him.”  Maria asked if she could come on the home visit and I agreed that would be fine. She seemd to want to spend as much time with Rudy before he went and cared very much about his well being.  “This whole process has really opened up my eyes to how much is involved in rescue work,” she said. “You guys do such wonderful work and put so much into each and every animal.” Her comments really brightened my day and warmed my heart. Rescue work is not easy and is often heartbreaking as we are unable to help all the animals in need.  Many end up being euthanized in our city shelters everyday but when we are able to help just one animal like Rudy, it makes it all worth it and gives us strength to continue.

Within about ten minutes of hanging up the phone I checked my email and saw Maria had just emailed me.

“Andres called and received a job offer in Florida. He cannot foster Rudy. We are back to square one.”

I was so surprised. After everything seemed to fall into place, I didnt expect this at all. I really felt crushed. Heartbroken. I just stared at the screen. This has got to be a joke, I thought.  I couldn’t believe it. Just when you think everything is going to work out… that you managed to save one dog that otherwise didn’t have much of a chance… it all can fall apart in an instant.

But we have come this far and I refuse to give up. I immediately reposted Rudy’s material in as many places as possible. Sent out an email to all my contacts, pleading for a temporary home for Rudy.

Its Thursday night.  I have two and half more days at best. I know there has to be someone out there for Rudy.  Rescue work has enormous highs (when you are able to help an animal) and devastating lows (when you can’t help one that you are trying so desperately to help) and the rest of the time you are walking a thin line between them.

When its like this, the only thing I can do is keeping going, keep trying. There are no formulas, no magic words to say, no special skill. Its a game of persistance and luck but a game with a timer that always clicks loudly in your ear. Its as if the hour glass has been turned over again. The clock is ticking. 

Will a home for Rudy be found in time? Time will only tell. 

UPDATE!!!!

There is a happy ending for Rudy!!  Maria sent out an email plea that was sent out to her coworkers and forwarded from there. It reached a nice family who live in Long Island that came out to see Rudy that night and fell in love! Rudy seemed to bond especially with their ten year old grandaughter. They took Rudy home that night where he met their other dog and they became friends. They all slept in bed together =) They report Rudy is doing great!

Big thanks to Maria and her family for saving Rudy and fostering him and refusing to give up hope.  You guys inspire me! Its happy endings like these that give us strength to keep going. 

Below is Rudy and the grandaughter, Daisy.  The flash did a number on Rudy’s eyes but we know he is happy and safe  in his new home!

Tags: bobbi and the strays, dog, foster, help, Pit bull, rescue

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 10:16 am and is filed under Rescue Stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.