Year of the Dogs

This year Tanya and I decided to become foster parents with 'A Home 4 Spot', a non-profit rescue organization for canines here in Las Vegas.  We learned of the dire situation of dogs being discarded and destroyed in Vegas and we had to help.  This is our second foray into the dog rescuing business, as we were foster parents in Ottawa for a year with BARK.  It is just something we have to do.

There are approximately 70 animals a day that are put down by the Lied Animal Foundation, and we get most of our dogs off their Kill List.  The source of this problem runs deep and Lieds is only the tip of the needle for a deeply flawed system that allows the market to be flooded with blood money.  Lieds is the federally funded city pound, so they receive thousands and thousands of discarded animals.  I know they can't save them all, but it seems no one is even trying to stop the bleeding and this is where the government is failing society by allowing this to happen.  There are countless illegitimate breeders flooding the markets, pet stores selling highly overpriced animals and creating a smoke screen for the dire situation of adoptable pets, and of course there is the cultural problem of ignorant pet owners who don't believe in getting their animals fixed.  But at the heart of it all, governments are not paying attention.  Funding the kill agencies while allowing the blood money to flow is deeply disturbing.  Pets have become a valuable, disposable commodity, a true mark of our society's disconnect with the natural world and how we are failing ourselves as a species.

We believe the policies of Lied's Animal Foundation to be highly unethical.  In 2013 they killed 56% of the animals they received... that's 22,634 animals... and they strive to make money off of these unfortunate lives, right down to the very last drop.  Even non-profit organizations like ours must pay to save the life of a dog off their kill list.  Their policy is to make money.  And killing dogs is big business, federally funded and worth millions... not to mention the millions they receive in donations every year.  We know Lieds has the money and we know they have the space to do a much better job, and while ignoring pleas from the community they are choosing to kill while putting a happy face on their foundation.  The more we learn, the uglier it gets.  This needs to change.  (Visit No Kill Las Vegas for the dirty facts).

So we had to get involved.  It is such an amazing feeling to rehabilitate a broken animal and help place them in their Forever Families.  When we get pictures and emails of the dogs we've fostered who are now living a happy dog's life with their new families, that's why we do it.

Troy & Otis, the Chee'Chee's

We are now on our 10th rescue dog, having placed 8 so far.  Well... placed 7.  Otis, the newest member of our family is what is called a  'Foster-FAIL!'.  We fostered him and his brother when they were 4 weeks old, the Chee'Chee's (chihuahuas).  What a pair!  What an awesome experience to have those two hyperactive chihuahua puppies in our house disrupting the balance of everything!  Troy, Otis' brother, got adopted to a young couple just down the street and Otis... well, we just couldn't see him going to a better family than us, so we adopted him.  He is a 4lb ball of energy, the cheerleader in our pack and quite a happy little guy.  He is very special, and a great addition to our pack.

Otis, realising the value of the High Ground

Most of our dogs have been rescued directly from the Lied's kill list, and every one of them have been such sweet, loving animals.  All they really want is someone to love.

On thursday we got Risa, a 4 month old puppy.  She was going to be put down because she was scared, deemed un-adoptable by Lied's standards.  She had been surrendered as a 3 month old and had been in the system for 3 weeks and had shut down.  She no longer trusted humans.  She had just been fixed when we picked her up so she was drowsy, but indeed, she was terrified of us.  We left her in a caged area when we brought her home just so the other dogs (4 other dogs) could have their say and not get too involved.  She seemed OK with the dogs, but terrified of us.  Sometimes the dogs we get are psychologically damaged, some physically, and they need to be rehabilitated in order to be adoptable.  We have a good, stable pack here, so our dogs help socialize them and bring them around.

Risa, the first day of her new life

Friday morning I set about breaking her in and getting her out of her shell, which took about 30 minutes.  I fished her out of the back of her crate and carried her outside while she dribbled on me.  I put her on the ground with all the other dogs and sat down to watch and wait.  My pack follows me around and if I sit, they settle.  Everyone was curious about the newcomer, but calm and pretty much left her to her exploring of the backyard.  She smelled the entire yard and eventually made her way back under my chair... and then beside me looking up... and then put her paws on me to get my attention, which I gave her.  That was all it took, fixed!  Her whole demeanor switched and her chubby puppy body jiggled with happiness as she wagged her thick tail.  That moment, when you see the happy dog emerge, you know you've done a good deed.  And once I am recognized as the food-guy, I become almighty in the pack.  I am the Lighthouse.  Her new life... her second life, begins today.

On saturday we went our to Tivoli Village to an adoption event, where all the foster parents bring their dogs to be out in public, seeking out that special person with whom the dog will connect.  Its only a matter of time before it happens, and its always a quick and decisive moment.  The people know right away.  In Risa's case, it was her first time out in public and she was overwhelmed with everything.  She stuck to me and pretty much stayed on my lap the entire day.  And just as we were getting ready to leave, two ladies came by and were stricken by her.  She hadn't intended on adopting a dog that day, they had walked by by chance and seen her on my lap.  Risa reminded her of the dog they had just lost after 17 years and wanted to hold her.  Risa is a chubby ball of loving puppy, and she fell asleep in her arms.  She held the dog for half an hour and texted her husband to get over there right away to see this dog.  He came, and it was soon obvious that Risa had found her new family.  We went back to their place to do the paperwork and that was it!  Risa, now became Brighton and our 9th rescued canine.  Thank you to the Sheridans for adopting with us and saving her life!  This opens up our house to save another.

Saving the lives of these discarded dogs and finding them homes is something we have to do.  Its a cruel world, but WE don't have to be.  World change begins within.

To quote Ghandi, "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated."  We have to be better.

Thanks for reading.

TRJ