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dog rescue

I have been involved with some form of animal rescue for the past ten years.

However, I've never seen animal rescue look like this.




A pit bull seems the rescue boat and swims through the toxic waters to be saved. And he was. Photo courtesy Best Friends Animal Sanctuary


All of the photos, all of the stories about people having to leave their pets behind - whether it was they were forced to evacuate or were heading toward shelters that wouldn't accept pets - are more heartbreaking than I can even describe. I wrote last week that there are no words. There still aren't any.

But over and over, I'm seeing a familiar face.




Photo courtesy Best Friends Animal Sanctuary



You never know what you're going to do in any terrible situation until it hits. I'd like to think that I would have evacuated before it was too late. But the one thing I know is that I would never, ever be able to leave behind my dog. I'd rather die than leave Daisy behind.



Someone's been digging in the yard again!


I've always made provisions for my dogs. I've always had extra meds, plenty of water, extra leashes and bowls. I can locate their vet records within seconds. When I had both Daisy and Peanut, I had supplies for both dogs as well as two dog crates - one for my car and one for A.'s.

One of the few - very few - silver linings of the past two weeks is that people are beginning to take this under consideration for their own pets. People are making provisions so they won't have to make the same terrible decisions that a great many in New Orleans had to.

But most people don't have pit bulls. Most people don't have dogs that make you Public Enemy Number One. Most people don't have dogs that make people scream obscenities out their car windows as they drive by, or get cruised by a car full of gang members who instruct you on how if you cut your dog's ears that you can tough 'em up and then they'll be a real fighting dog. Most people don't have dogs that are euthanize upon admission at local Animal Shelters and Humane Societies. Most people that don't have dogs that are treated like human garbage, dogs who withstand the greatest cruelty that humanity has to offer and still have a grin and a lick to offer.

Most people don't have pit bulls.



Two pit bulls brought to safety. Photo courtesy Salt Lake Tribune.


I've been sitting here wondering what can I do? I've thought about going down there, but my guess is that I'd be more burden than benefit. Some of the dogs will be coming into California, and I've thought about potentially fostering one. But the one thing that I know that I can do is donate money and spread the word.

My guess is that Every Single One of You has already donated time, money, and possessions.

My guess is that Every Single One of You is sick of hearing about this is still sick and sad.

But my guess is that Every Single One of You still wants to Do Something.


The Pit Bull Rescue Central Fund for Pit Bull Victims of Hurricane Katrina.

DAWG's Fund for the Animals. The Dog Adoption and Welfare Group (DAWG) has raised over $2,000 for the International Fund for Animal Welfare. DAWG has also pledged to take as many of the displaced animals from New Orleans as they can possibly manage, giving them a second chance at life. DAWG is extremely pit bull friendly - in fact, it's the organization that I started volunteering with, and where I fell in love with pit bulls.

The Best Friends Animal Shelter Fund. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary has been on the front lines during this disaster, taking out boats and pulling out dogs. Also, pit bull friendly.

My birthday is coming up. I've already let everyone know that I'd rather they donate something to one of the above organizations. I have A. and Daisy and my family and friends. I am incredibly lucky and grateful to have everything I want and everything I need.



Thurber.



Peanut.



Daisy.


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