What Does it Take to Do Rescue?


A heart of gold to accept those creatures
that don’t measure up as “perfect” in the
eyes of the rest of the world.

The people skills of a salesperson …
to convince those that are looking for perfection
that they will find it in a rescue dog
if they are willing to look at little deeper.

A heart of steel to be able to say no
when there just isn’t any more room
for just one dog.

Strong arms and cases of tissues for holding
those that must die because there just isn’t any other way.

The knowledge that you cannot save them all
and that the choice to euthanize is ending the suffering
and not the end of the world.

The ability to smile and speak rationally when
the 10th person for the day says “I don’t want this
stupid dog anymore … take him or I am gonna shoot him.”

Some medical knowledge … or your rescue vet bill
will be bigger than the national debt.

The fine art of fund raising … so your vet bill can
be reduced to just under the size of the national debt.

Patience for: breeders who don’t care, won’t help,
turn their backs and say it’s not their problem.

Patience for: dogs that were incorrectly placed
and come to rescue with so much excess baggage
that you think they will never be adoptable.

Patience for: owners who want a quick fix.

Patience for: a world that no longer looks at life
as a gift and the lives that we create as breeders
as nothing short of miracles.

A sense of humor … because sometimes a smile on your face
is the only way to hide the agony and turmoil in your heart.

A husband with housekeeping skills that are so outstanding
that they could be highlighted in Good Housekeeping Magazine …
so you can devote your time to all the rescues and be secure
in the knowledge that the local Board of Health will not condemn your house.

Personal dogs that will tolerate the never ending stream
of four legged orphans, waifs and street urchins that will
start arriving the moment you say … “I have room.”

Children that like being the “token” child to socialize every dog
that comes thru the door … being able to say “good with kids”
is a real selling point.

Magician skills so you can change anything that comes thru the door,
from black tri male to long tail and brown eyes,
into blue merle female, good with kids, housebroken,
crate trained and obedience trained.

The ability to face the paperwork head-on and deal with it …
or someone you can send it to and say … “Here, do something with this mess!”

Grooming skills for those ugly ducklings waiting for their chance
to be a swan … with a little help from you.

Author Unknown

Published inPaws4RescueUSA magazine, Issue 001, page18