Animal rescuers NEVER take time off. Even if one is lucky enough to be able to find those willing, talented, dedicated people to cover for one of us - the act of actually traveling brings you into situations you would not necessarily encounter in a normal day.
Thankfully we have help that already know the hounds, the daily routines, are familiar with medical issues and emergency cases. Still, trying to coordinate 3 days away and plan for, have coverage for, and a back up plan for contingencies is difficult at best. Made harder by the individual needs of those willing to cover a rescuers shift. Few people have the type of life where they can dedicate 24 hours to running a rescue organization, email, phone calls, fundraising, supply shopping, medical needs, daily routines that start at 8 a.m. on personal hounds, 10 a.m. for rescue hounds and continue until 2 a.m. daily. Who would want that responsibility or stress?
It took 2 weeks to arrange. 11 volunteers, family - all friends stepped up to the plate! It was really happening, 3 WHOLE DAYS OFF! It's been two years since I last had a weekend off, and that had ended in catastrophe - very hard to rest when one's entire mental outlook is a constant mantra of: "Please keep the hounds safe!"
It is always astonishing to myself and fellow rescuers that the general population is so unaware of what the daily requirements of someone who does what we do daily involves. Part of that misperception is our own fault - we never find the time to truly explain what our days are like. So many people think that rescue is a paying job or only a few hours a day. Those of us who do this daily KNOW that is the perception, yet seem unable to explain fully how ridiculous that concept is. Fundraising constant needs for every hound requires funding that does not just magically appear, phone calls of people wanting to surrender animals, alert us to dogs we already are tracking in shelter systems, medical issues, new adoptive families needing support and assurance, old adoptive families giving us updates or asking for advice, emails with all the same content as well as some you cannot imagine. Volunteers wanting to help but not willing to spend time training, driving, or following directions on our protocol's, individual needs and requirements of those who do know how but have a family, career, companions and various hardships of their own. Not to mention those wonderful hounds that are ever changing and in our constant care requiring 2 meals a day, nutrients, exercise, cleaning, loving, walking, singing and treats. It all adds up. No ONE person can maintain a rescue organization by themselves, It's impossible.
For me, my away team would NOT have been possible without the following folks: Marin, Sandi, Bruce, Jim & Sherrie, Kim, Jim, Rita, Sam, Lisa, Julie, and our vet staff! Your dedication and love for the hounds has me grateful on a daily basis.
I traveled to a small community in Sequoia National Park - Camp Nelson. The road is pretty tricky, 16 miles of switchbacks that take you past boulders and streams, the flume, with steep canyons. My advice is to not try this road in the dark. Once up in those giant redwood tree's it is a slice of heaven right here on earth. Cabin rentals are managed by a wonderful gal named Margret - who runs Sequoia Mountain Cabin Rentals. (They also rent Mountain bikes) We were fortunate enough to stay at Roberts Retreat. Just amazing. Gorgeous view of slate mountain, covered with redwoods, oak - everything you can imagine. The babble of a river, the daily visiting of deer and fawns. Blue Jay's who were so demanding they made a ranch full of hounds seem like a walk in the park! Squirrel's frolicking. What an adventure!
We traveled to a nearby town of Porterville and took in a community play at The Barn Theater. A historic theater which was originally a barn. They indeed have a wonderful small town troupe, and it's so refreshing to see the community running such a presentation. We enjoyed "The importance of being Ernest" - and we laughed, clapped and enjoyed ourselves immensely. The theaters claim to fame is that Turkey Vultures return to Porterville in late September, and they celebrate it! I am also HIGHLY impressed that they run a live performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show throughout the year! If you ever get a chance to visit Porterville - make a plan of visiting The Barn Theater. Your ticket donation keeps it alive! Jeans and Tshirts are the normal attire!
Thoughts and plans for a return to this wonderful area are formulating - perhaps a basset event next year. Stay tuned, I suspect we'll be having some more topics on this one!
All of my rescue friends had wagered on what rescue situation I would return with. So here it is.
We spent 5 hours with a wonderful gal in Camp Nelson whom has a serious issue with a newly adopted pit bull. The rescue dog in question has a very high prey drive and has taken the life of her two kitties. This can and does happen - one of the reasons that rescues cannot just "flip" dogs. A rescue group needs to ensure that a potential adoptive dog can fit into an adoptive families lifestyle. This is why we screen applicants, do home checks, call vet offices and interview adoptive families. We came home knowing that a very wonderful gal in Camp Nelson, with a heart of gold is in horrible emotional distress. Her dog needs a different environment and she feels that she has failed. Anyone have the skill and knowledge to take on a High prey drive, formerly abused pit bull? That is asking a lot of anyone - major experience and ability to handle this human friendly canine is a MUST.
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