Tales & Tails of New York

It is distressing to receive in my emails each day, a "list" (including pictures) of all the cats and dogs to be euthanized the next day at the shelter unless rescue is found for them.

It is called the "New Hope Alert."   Most of the animals on it are fairly young, former pets, usually abandoned for things like "moving, allergies, new baby or owner 'can't care for' anymore."

But, if it is distressing to get the general alert each day, it is even more so, when we get a personal email from one of the New Hope Coordinators asking if we can take a specific animal.

One such message came earlier in the week, regarding an older, female Chow mix named "Shaggy" on the New Hope list for the following day.

Because I have "pulled" so many Chows from AC&C, I am now one of the first contacts any time a Chow or Chow mix needs rescue.

After receiving the personal message on Shaggy, I did call the New Hope number to get her pulled off, but now have to face the reality of whether or not I can actually take this dog at all. 

The cold, hard fact is, I have no place to put her.

Yesterday, I went to AC&C to personally see Shaggy.  As described to me, she is a very sweet and mellow dog.  She, in fact seems like she might have a little Collie in her.

However, Shaggy is about eight-years-old and is 61 pounds.

These two things alone make Shaggy a very hard adoption, no matter how gentle and "nice."

Can I simply send a dog to boarding for a long period of time with little hope of adoption?  Where do I get the funds to pay for that?   And is that really the best thing for the dog?

After pondering these dilemmas in my mind yesterday, I left AC&C without Shaggy.

But, now am riddled with guilt for having seemingly "turned my back" on this older, sweet dog who deserves to be saved.

I am thus "damned if I take the dog and damned if I don't."

Last night, I tried all kind of things to push this "guilt" and dilemma from my mind. 

I went swimming.  I listened to music. I took my own dog, Tina for a long walk.

After returning home, I listened to one phone message.  I desperately hoped it would be call to adopt a dog, but, it was instead a message seeking to give up a dog. I talked to the woman a long time, trying to offer advice and suggestions on how to deal with"separation anxiety" in a young dog.

I then, sat down, made out and mailed a whole bunch of Christmas cards.

But, none of it, removed from my consciousness, the face (pictured above) and plight of Shaggy.

This morning, when I opened the New Hope Alert, I fully expected to see Shaggy on it again.

But, for some reason she is not there.  (Sigh of relief!)

I sent an email to the New Hope Coordinators asking about Shaggy and asking if I could possibly have a little more time to try and find a foster for her.  I realize the shelter is totally packed and asking for "more time" is neither practical, nor fair to newer dogs coming in.

I haven't heard back yet.  And don't know what to do or say when I do hear back.

In order to save Shaggy, we truly need a "Christmas miracle."

Some kind, caring person offering foster to a needy, older dog.

Such "offers" are rarer than "blue moons."

Yes, they come along, but only a couple of times a year.

Meanwhile, we have good animals being destroyed every day of the year.

What is animal rescue to do?

Damned if we do, and damned if we don't.

But, mostly, we pray for miracles -- and "angels."

We really, really need one now.

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