Maybe I'm not cut out for this...

Canine rescue is HARD.  It is particularly difficult for me because I get so very attached to the animals that I rescue.  I also hurt, horrendously, for the ones that I can't save.  Case in point:

Yesterday, I was notified of a group of dogs, desperately needing rescue ~ or facing euthanasia ~ in the Minneapolis area.  I contacted the shelter they were in and offered to rescue one of the dogs.  I was informed that I could not rescue any of the dogs that were scheduled to die because I was not on the shelter's "approved" list of rescues.  I offered to send my rescue policy and procedures as well as links to the Bluff Country Canine Rescue website, blogs and Facebook page, in addition to professional references.  I was informed that a rescue must fill out an application to be approved and the shelter wasn't even accepting applications at this time because it is their "busy season".  (meaning that lots of dogs are being killed)  I can't even submit an application until this Fall!  In the meantime, a young pup that I had hoped to save, was euthanized yesterday.  I sobbed for hours...

 "Cricket" 

in the Rochester Animal Control Shelter

Today, Cricket (a black lab mix that I rescued in April), is leaving for her "Forever Home".  Now, that is the GOAL in rescue.  To rescue, rehabilitate and re-home companion animals.  My problem is, unlike most rescues, in my case the dogs that I save live in my house with me and my own dogs.  They become "members of my family".  I do this deliberately ~ even though I have plenty of room to put dogs in kennels.  I want the dogs to live in my house so that I can observe them closely and help them learn to be well behaved (in theory anyway!) house pets.  I want them to learn to trust the people that care for them and to learn that human companionship means love.  I will not place a dog in a home where it won't live and sleep in the house, so it is important that the dogs are comfortable and familiar with the 'rules' of being a house pet.

 
When I pulled Cricket from the Rochester shelter, she was extremely thin and very scared.  So scared, that while in her kennel in the shelter, she snarled and snapped at me.  By the time I got her home, we were friends.  I had intended to keep her in a kennel for a day or two until I was sure she would be OK with my dogs but as soon as we got 'home' Cricket was so happy that I proceeded with introductions and we all spent the night together in the house!

Over the next few weeks, Cricket blossomed.  Plenty of premium food put weight on her too thin frame and appropriate veterinary care brought her to peak health.  She learned to trust me and to share my attention with my dogs ~ especially Sable ~ whom she was not very fond of.  It didn't help that Sable kept growling at Cricket either.  A bit of 'sibling rivalry' there.

Cricket LOVES to play fetch and her favorite, outdoor toy is BIG sticks.  Branches, actually!  ;-)

The bigger, the better!

 As Cricket grew more confident and less insecure, she became a wonderful house dog.  She was happiest when she was close to me and became one of the sweetest, most eager to please dogs that I've ever had.

The time was right to find Cricket her own family.

It didn't take long to find someone who appreciated Cricket's good looks, athletic abilities and fun personality. We met several potential families for Cricket.  It is my job to select the one that will make the best match for a long term relationship.  I feel confident that I did that with Cricket.

But THIS is the hard part for me. 

 Saying Good-bye.

I have grown very attached to this beautiful dog.

She sleeps at the foot of my bed every night and runs to the office to lay at my feet under the desk when I pour my morning cappuccino. 

It is such a joy to see this healthy, confident dog run and play with abandon and not a care in the world!  She has even learned to ignore perceived 'threats' made by other dogs and not over-react defensively.  In other words:  she gets along well with all of my dogs.  

;-)

I'm gonna miss my beautiful Cricket!

It's scary, letting her go out into the world without me.

I don't ever want her to hurt or be frightened or lonely again.

It's hard, letting go.

Be Happy Cricket!

I will always Love you!

Gotta go cry now...