[BowWowMeow]

I am putting this here instead of in the thread for the Stark County puppy where people seem to feel it necessary to bash rescues.

I am sick and tired of people bashing rescues and blaming them for "forcing" them to go through a breeder. Recently someone even accused rescues of being in it for the money! Huh? Please, people, get a life! I'm sorry you had a bad experience with a rescue! Just check this board for all the people who have bad experiences with breeders or bought dogs with major health or behavioral issues. Some breeders are very irresponsible and care nothing about a dog's welfare once money has exchanged hands. Does that mean all breeders are like that? If you had that experience would that stop you from ever buying a dog again? I I know that the responsible breeders on this board would take great offense if you lumped all breeders in the irresponsible category.

Why do people find it necessary to bash rescue? Denied a dog by a rescue? So, sorry folks. Guess what? It's happened to me too. In 20 years I have rescued all of my dogs and fostered for a german shepherd rescue and an all breed rescue. Many people say when they die they want to come back as my dog--that's how well I treat my animals. But some of the things I do for health care don't sit well with certain rescues so they don't want to adopt dogs to me. And I have also lived places without a fence and that can be a problem. Have I ever thrown up my hands and gone and bought a dog from a breeder? Nope, I just look until I find a rescue or shelter willing to adopt to me.

If you really want to rescue you will. And you'll do it because you LOVE DOGS, not because you feel sorry for them. And you won't reject rescue because you have one bad experience or a rescue decides that your home is not the ideal placement for a particular dog or it's taking too long and you'd just rather go pick one up on Friday. Rescue dogs are not charity cases. They are worth every bit as much as the dog you buy from a breeder.

Rescues are staffed by volunteers. It is very difficult and emotional work. It is full of people with strong personalities, very much like the breeding world. There is a high degree of burnout, especially in areas where there is a never ending stream of dogs coming into high kill shelters.

Some rescues try to save as many dogs as possible while others focus on dogs that are easy to place. Some have rigorous application procedures while others will give a dog to just about anyone. This is a lot like the breeding world.

In my opinion, the idea behind rescue is always to find the best home for a particular animal. It is not to get dogs adopted as fast as possible.

 

[Mary Jane]

Originally Posted By: BowWowMeow the idea behind rescue is always to find the best home for a particular animal. It is not to get dogs adopted as fast as possible.

I literally (silently) thank BrightStar German Shepherd Rescue everyday for our dear Wolf. I believe the adoption process took three months.

He is one of the best things in my life and worth the (short) wait.

Mary Jane

 

[BowWowMeow]

Here are four reasons why I rescue:

Massie with Baby Chama

Rafi with a BALL (Look how much Rafi's coat resembles Massie's! I'm just noticing that!)

Kai with 4 other rescue dogs:

 

[skyizzy]

Ruth

 

[shilohsmom]

Very well said Ruth, I couldn't agree with you more. Also on that thread was a comment that I had 'attacked' a new poster when I brought up the fact that she had posted over a short period of time (4 days) interest in several dogs, one she even asked if board members could pull and hold for her until Monday. According to this person I failed to acknowledge her excitement for getting a new dog and had no right whatsoever to comment as I had.
As someone who has worked the Urgent boards for years, we know to look out for new people that suddenly want to save this dog or that dog and then another dog, flags go up. To begin with when someone shows interest in a dog it is not uncommon for rescues to back off and work on more urgent dogs- this persons fleeing interest could then put the dogs life in jeapordy. More flags go up as they post and when we are able to compare posts we find condictions (I don't want a puppy-I want a puppy). As a member of this board, my concern remains with the dogs. It is our duty and obligation to question these types of posts. If all is well then nobody (including the dog) is hurt. If all is not well, hopefully it can be stopped before harm is done.
It seems to me that some are more concerned, and this retates to your post Ruth, about their FEELINGS over that of the best interest of the dog. This is not about someones feelings. Theres a Chat board here for 'feelings', the Urgent board is about dogs and saving dogs.

For further information please refer to the post about labelled 'where are they going...'

 

[shilohsmom]

Very well said Ruth, I couldn't agree with you more. Also on that thread was a comment that I had 'attacked' a new poster when I brought up the fact that she had posted over a short period of time (4 days) interest in several dogs, one she even asked if board members could pull and hold for her until Monday. According to this person I failed to acknowledge her excitement for getting a new dog and had no right whatsoever to comment as I had.
As someone who has worked the Urgent boards for years, we know to look out for new people that suddenly want to save this dog or that dog and then another dog, flags go up. To begin with when someone shows interest in a dog it is not uncommon for rescues to back off and work on more urgent dogs- this persons fleeing interest could then put the dogs life in jeapordy. More flags go up as they post and when we are able to compare posts we find condictions (I don't want a puppy-I want a puppy). As a member of this board, my concern remains with the dogs. It is our duty and obligation to question these types of posts. If all is well then nobody (including the dog) is hurt. If all is not well, hopefully it can be stopped before harm is done.
It seems to me that some are more concerned, and this retates to your post Ruth, about their FEELINGS over that of the best interest of the dog. This is not about someones feelings. Theres a Chat board here for 'feelings', the Urgent board is about dogs and saving dogs.

 

[romeosmom]

I thank God there are rescues (and shelter volunteer angels !) to help dogs!

I have adopted from 1 GSD rescue, and my other GSD from shelters. I will always choose to save a dog's life rather than to buy one!

It is harder and more time consuming to adopt or rescue, rather than buy, but knowing you saved a dog's life is priceless.

Mel

 

[BowWowMeow]

Too late to edit my reasons for rescuing. Here are two more:

Basu & Cleo

 

[shilohsmom]

priceless pics...sorry for the dup post

 

[ThreeDogs]

Originally Posted By: shilohsmomVery well said Ruth, I couldn't agree with you more. Also on that thread was a comment that I had 'attacked' a new poster when I brought up the fact that she had posted over a short period of time (4 days) interest in several dogs, one she even asked if board members could pull and hold for her until Monday. According to this person I failed to acknowledge her excitement for getting a new dog and had no right whatsoever to comment as I had.

Really nice Rosa, twist the words to suit yourself. Well done. Wish I had a clapping smilie for you.

My comments where not directed at you for asking questions, it was directed at your tone. We all want the best for the dogs but If there could possibly a great home for a dog we should be working with them not against them, If they can't answer the questions that are asked in a respectful manner than fine, move on to someone else.

If someone is looking for a specific dog it would not be all that uncommon to post for more than one dog, You want to be the rescue police good for you, but be respectful, you are not only talking to the OP but to all of us here and those who visit. It's not about feeling at all it about being respectful to everyone.

Yes there were flags, but other people who run rescues posted their concerns in a polite manner.

 

[daniella5574]

Ruth I agree about the bad experience with breeders- my Vita came from a breeder, temperment is not sound, had elbow dysplasia surgery at 7 months, and the breeder, albeit great people, did nothing. I had planned on buying another that my trainer can import - UNTIL I came accross GSD rescue online. I took the time to read about 3 different ones, adoption policies, costs, ect... and made a decision from there. I admitt, even when I first got into rescue, I had no idea the amount of dogs that would need help, the terrible abuse thats out there... my dogs are my children and they are treated as such. It is overwhelming at times, you do get tired (I have a foster right now who screams and cries in the crate half the night- close to 2 weeks with nothing but interupted sleep and its hard), and I have to laugh about "being in it for money" when I see the dogs getting HW treatment, spayed/neutered/chipped/ shots, etc... and when my dog food bill is 300.00 a MONTH because I am not only feeding 4 of my own (3rescued) and 3 fosters, I really take that comment to heart. It is not easy like I thought it would be, every time a foster leaves, even my more difficult one, I cry... they really take a peice of your heart with you. But I wouldnt change it for the world, as I learn something new from each and every one of them, and see how happy they are with their new families. It isnt about the cost, someone giving a 10.00 app. fee isnt "supporting" someone's pocket book- it is helping to save another LIFE.
To be fair and honest - I DO understand how sometimes someone can feel offended by some of the comments I have seen on here. I feel that emotions run high on this board and sometimes we dont think how something may come accross on the boards to others, and yes, its about the dogs, but remember, without the people who truly want to help, there would be no one to save them. It IS about saving the dogs- by people who care. I adopted 3 dogs from this board, one was a foster with HD and some behavioral issues... the other 2 all I knew about them was what they looked like and what their sex/age was. I just knew that there was something there that felt right to me, and that whatever needed to be done, medical, training wise I would committ to doing. When I adopted Gaige, there was another one I was interested in as well. But I went by my heart and chose. I have seen on this board before people trying to decide between a couple different puppies which one they wanted to buy. Sometimes there may be an interest to get a certain dog by someone new, and a rescue steps up for them... so their search continues.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

No need to turn on each other-displaced aggression-I don't have a clicker that we can use here on the Internets! Or an e-collar.

If every once in a while someone has had it-maybe they are not feeling well, their dog is sick, bills are big-whatever, and they slip up and aren't the Welcome Wagon, just redirect and be positive, and move on. When we point it out it just seems to snowball. It's that whole hostess idea-you know the types with the dresses without dog hair and the pearls and the person spills red wine on their rugs and they say something like...oh, we were replacing the carpet with Brazilian cherry next week...come along dear. Then they never invite the clutz to another party!

Okay-enough from me!

However, I will be savage if I find out anyone isn't doing right by the dogs.

We used to invite in parents who were having problems with the school-have them hang out in the halls with us, go to a class, the cafeteria, a gym class. At the end of the day, they were SO supportive of the things we were trying to do, wanted an Advil (or 3) and we made a lot of headway with their kids. I recommend that anyone who wants to bash rescue to spend a day-or preferably more-in a shelter or with a rescue.

 

[shilohsmom]

California

Online
Chris I've noticed your interest in several dogs over the past few days and that is wonderful but I'm thinking your best bet might be to work with your local GSD rescue. Since you already have two GSDs I think it would be helpful to you to have someone work with you that will find the best match for your family. In one of your posts you mentioned you didn't want a baby but several of the dogs you've inquired about are just babies. This is where a rescue facility can help you in deciding what is best for your individual needs. This is just my opinion and I wish you the best in your seach for a new family member.

Edited by shilohsmom (04/29/08 11:02 AM)
_________________________
Rosa

nominate your favorate rescue!!
http://animal.discovery.com/sweepstakes/hero/2008/rules.html
Mom to;
Shiloh, 5 year old LCGSD
Shoshona, 4 year old LCGSD
Eli, 1 year old LCGSD

Here is the post Threedogs is so upset about. Lets see I commented that it 'was wonderful that she is considering rescue..;" That based on her prior posts a rescue might 'help her decide what would be the best match for your family'. That this was just 'my opinion and wished her the best for her and her family'.
NOW and for two days I have received pms accusing me of attacking this person...for not acknowledging her 'excitement' and threatening me and implying that I should be asking about someone who had been kicked off the boards before and 'warning' me as if that was my fate.
So lets have an open forum. Now I've been accused of 'twisting my words to suit me'...lets let others decide.

 

[BowWowMeow]

Hmmm...not what I intended with this thread!

Stop arguing you two! This was supposed to for people that bash rescues not for rescue people to bash one another!

How about everyone takes their rescue dogs for a nice long walk and we try this again later?

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Please notifiy mods/admins if you receive any type of threatening posts.

Let's keep the focus on the thread, play nice, and don't make me use my big 10,000 to lock this!

 

[Jazy's mom]

Originally Posted By: JeanKBBMMMAAN I recommend that anyone who wants to bash rescue to spend a day-or preferably more-in a shelter or with a rescue.

This would solve a lot of the problem and I know most rescues could use the help.

 

[ThreeDogs]

You know darn well that was not the post I had a problem with, It was this one, that prompted my post.:


This discussion is better moved to another section...If you want to discuss application fees, procedures, etc. of a rescue place there are other boards here that can be used. This is about this dog...one of the many dogs you have shown interest in without knowing a thing about them other than their color!!
_________________________


As well Rosa, if you would like me to publish the pm's, you know the one you started?? With all the caps and exclamation marks.....I would be happy to do so. Two days of accusations seriously what are you smoking?

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I have to go get scared by 80 teenagers now (OH MY GOSH!) so I hope when I get back we will all be singing that song I can't spell...kumbaya? Jumbalaya? Whatever! Have a good night!

 

[MatsiRed]

I'm too wound up to think any more right now, but I do feel there needs to be a healthier balance between welcoming new people into the world of rescue, and being careful about who you are dealing with. My own philosophy is that it's 50% about the dogs and 50% about the people, which I realize some will not agree with.

I also feel, in general, that we need to be careful about pointing fingers and making accusations, especially with new people who are trying hard to learn, may want to help, may want to rescue a dog, etc. It can be hurtful and perplexing, and just as much a turn-off as rescue bashing can feel for us.

It might help to have newbies posting on this thread, (maybe even Chris if she'd be willing at this point), to be able to walk in their shoes for a second. But it would only work if done in a completely non-judgemental and sensitive way, without attacks of any sorts. To just share feelings, thoughts, and ideas about the inside look and the outside look of rescue.

 

[onyx'girl]

I am not an "approved" person for rescue, I am going for training at the local spca this Sun. I feel that we all need to start somewhere, and how can we build a reputation, when there are so many ready to tear us down. I totally understand that everyone, thing needs to be questioned, and I am happy to answer any questions. But sometimes it is soooo intimidating and frustrating to help the dogs which in my opinion is the most important thing...So I will for now just stick to cross-posting on petfinder and getting the animals in need better exposure. I will do the best I can in my lay of the land.