Gentle Creatures

Who are these dogs? There are some dogs who have a run of bad luck and then somehow end up in rescue. These dogs don't fall into this category. These dogs have endured a very sad and stressful life over the past year or more, and has somehow emerged relatively unscathed and eager to find new homes. These dogs were among 149 seized in a raid of a rural rescue last summer. The case got a lot of media coverage at first. However, unlike dogs in many other hoarding cases, these dogs were not surrendered to animal control for placement. Instead, they spent 8 months at animal control until finally their legal limbo ended and they were surrendered to be placed. Unfortunately, during that 8 months almost everyone forgot about them. Now they don't have a lot of time and they need homes. Twenty five of them remain. We don't know everything about these dogs, but here's what we do know: Most of them came from one of two circumstances: 1. They were sent up north by rural Southern animal welfare groups who sent the best and nicest dogs so they'd have a chance. These groups vetted the dogs before they sent them up North. 2. They were owner giveups by people who cared about their dogs but couldn't keep them. They were companion animals who were given up for the standard reasons of convenience-- too big, too energetic, too much work, owner moving, chases cats, etc. This is the story of most of the older dogs. Finding out their exact backgrounds is, at this point, impossible. We know a little about each dog's history, but we can tell you a lot about what we have observed in the 8 months that we have visited these dogs and tried to give them encouragement and affection. We have handled these dogs and given them affection and walked them and watched them interact with other dogs. We know their basic energy level and we have seen how they respond to stress. We have seen so many of them give us a look that says, "Please. I don't belong here. I used to be special to someone." We know that they are all wonderful dogs and worthy of finding homes. What we are looking for is people who understand that sometimes you have to go with what you FEEL and SEE when it comes to a dog, rather than with a full background. Who feel a sense of responsibility to animals. Who have loved a hard-luck dog before and want to give another one a chance. Who are prepared to help these animals as they learn (or re-learn) how to become companion animals. Who understand that we're all doing the best we can to write a wrong that has been done. If you are that person, please give these animals a look. Then send us an email if you'd like an application. click here to read more background on this case