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01-22-2014, 11:40 AM | #1 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | Some thoughts about Rescue Lately I have witnessed a growing trend in “rescue” that disturbs me; rescuers playing the blame game, pointing the bony finger of shame at the humans. January 27, 2014 | TheDogPress.com Elizabeth Brinkley, Paralegal/Legislative Liaison http://www.thedogpress.com/images/re...inkley-141.jpgThe use of the word “rescue” is part of it. "Rescue" is not a noun, it’s a verb, and unless you ran into a burning building to “save” the dog it wasn’t about rescue. It is a re-homing. Why do we need the drama? Re-homing dogs is something that has been going on for many years. Among the very best at finding new homes are the parent clubs for AKC breeds. They do truly commendable work with finding, caring for and placing dogs of their breeds. Many breeders have appreciated their work, donated when we can and helped anytime we could. Breed Clubs are the unsung heroes of purebred dogs and they see some horrible sights that most of us don’t want to see. Sometimes they see so much that is wrong, they can’t see beyond it. They lose track of the fact that the substandard breeders are a MINORITY. They burn out and become bitter and they start blaming. They become so intolerant of the alleged abusers that they can’t see that their intolerance is part of the problem. The blame game is a losing game for everyone involved. When you point a finger at the owner, several things happen. You look less in the eyes of others once they get past their initial reaction of righteous indignation. You attract the wrong kind of person who wants the dog for the wrong reasons. Obtaining a dog should be a time for rational decision making--not an excuse for moral preening. If 'adopting' a shelter dog makes you feel 'better about yourself', you don't need a dog. You need a therapist. You back people into a corner, shame them and they “lie” to avoid the blame. In so doing, you lessen the humanity of all involved. Screaming about the “horrible conditions” the dogs were found in is more likely to make people who would be great homes stop and wonder if they really want a dog from that kind of place. It is self-defeating. We need to find a way to place the dogs without blaming the owners. Unless you were present for everything that led up to the dog being in a bad place, you don’t know what happened in that person’s life. You don’t know how they got to the “mess” you found them in. You don’t know that the woman who brings a dog in because “it doesn’t match her furniture” didn’t have other issues. Maybe she is in an abusive relationship and the abuser is threatening the animal. Maybe “dumping” the dog is the safest route for her and the dog. You don’t know that the older woman who has too many dogs in bad conditions couldn’t get anyone – family or friends to help her and just didn’t know where to turn. The family that is moving and “dumped” the dog, you don’t know that the father has lost his job and the family is moving to the only housing they can afford and it won’t allow a dog. YOU DON’T KNOW. We need to extend a hand and stop pointing fingers. Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. Blaming those who give up a dog accomplishes exactly nothing except to diminish our humanity. There are PEOPLE involved in every seizure. Maybe they didn’t know any better. Maybe they just saw a quick way to make money. Or maybe they got overwhelmed and no one would help. Instead of blaming, maybe we could let it go and just help the dog. What does it accomplish to run around badmouthing the owner? Does it make the dog more valuable? Does it make the “rescuer” feel superior to this “obviously lousy person”? What is the point? To create drama that raises money? To me, the blame game just makes everyone look bad – those pointing fingers as well as those who are accused. And another interesting side effect – making a screaming fuss about how horribly these poor doggies were treated plays right into the hands of the animal rights extremists and gives them more ammunition to use against those of us who are trying to do it right. The more we scream about how horribly those people treated the dogs, the more the ARs say “See, we told you so.” How someone got a dog does not define him. The dog is not a "Rescue," he's a mix or a purebred, but more than that, he's *a dog.* If you stop defining the dog by the fact that someone owned him before and then didn't want him, then the possibilities open up for someone to decide he's their dog and they will train and care for and love him. Their mental attitude toward the dog will change and they will both be better for it. Words are important. He’s a dog that needs a new home with responsible owners. Related Article on Rescue & Re-Homing; It's All About Helping the Dogs
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
Welcome Guest! | |
01-22-2014, 11:49 AM | #2 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | As some of you are aware, I have been involved with a rescue situation in my home province. This was not the first time for me where I have helped re-home a dog, or pet sat for an owner who had the need for longer term help whilst they sorted out their situation. But the scale of this situation was the first time such a large "rescue" situation in our breed has happened. And the blame game is something that has been on-going. The questions of "how could this happen?" why did any-one not know what was going on? why did the breeder not ask for help?, how could this person of previous good name let these dogs come to this? To which in all honesty I respond I do not know. And I don't know. All I know is that it is heart-wrenching to be part of the solution and to try to find homes for these dogs in need. And I am reminded that in serves no purpose to place blame. It doesn't help the dogs, it doesn't help would be adopters. And I am reminded of the phrase; There but for the grace of God, go I.
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
01-22-2014, 11:53 AM | #3 |
Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeast Texas
Posts: 7,959
| Excellent article. I agree 100%.
__________________ "Lord grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." |
01-22-2014, 11:54 AM | #4 | |
YT 1000 Club Member | Quote:
Yes!!!!! Exactly how I feel! | |
01-22-2014, 01:38 PM | #5 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: houston
Posts: 1,519
| Really, Wonder how the dog across the street from my business feels. On a 8 ft. chain, full of fleas, mange and hungry. Never see his human family give him attention at all. The Humane Society has been called and they are being watched. Just sayin. And for the lady that wrote the article that doesn't want to be recognized???? Oh yes..it's about saving the dogs. I'm not a confrontational person by nature but there are humans that should not have animals at all. I try not to judge but some things are just common sense. Of course it's not the family's across the streets fault that their dog is miserable.
__________________ Hannah's Mom |
01-22-2014, 01:49 PM | #6 |
I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 37,147
| There are rescuers that become zealots but there are also alot of rescuers that keep things in perspective and just want to help the animals
__________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427 |
01-22-2014, 01:50 PM | #7 | |
♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 25,041
| Maybe I am misreading this article, but there is a lot I don't agree with. Quote:
Relative to blame, when a rescue is called about a Yorkie who was mauled by Doberman and allowed to sit and suffer for a week -- I can't find fault with the rescue person for expressing anger and disgust -- she didn't do it in front of the person responsible for allowing this suffering, as far as I know. There is no glossing over things like this or putting a smiley face on it. Blame and anger are not always a part of rescue. Like when an older woman with limited resources surrendered her very ill puppy so that the rescuer could try to get her medical attention. When it comes time to adopt these pups out, I have not noted any anger or blame in the advertisements.
__________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy | |
01-22-2014, 01:58 PM | #8 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: houston
Posts: 1,519
| True.
__________________ Hannah's Mom |
01-22-2014, 02:12 PM | #9 | |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | Quote:
But I reflect on all the conversations here, the Sick n Emergency threads and even the rescue threads. Surely the point is not how bad of a condition the dog came in when placed in the shelter, but this is a dog that needs a for-ever home? Just thinking out loud.
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 | |
01-22-2014, 02:17 PM | #10 | |
YT 1000 Club Member | Quote:
I've never "rescued" an animal so I'm not sure on how rescue workers treat perspective adopters. I have been audience to a classmate of mine surrendering a dog that she had for 5 years though. Into her fourth year of owning her chow chow she found out she was pregnant A few months after her daughter was born, the baby had hives all the time, runny nose, red puffy eyes, etc. Took the baby to the doctor for testing and found out she was allergic to dander. Her husband didn't want to keep his little girl on allergy meds until the dog passed so they came to the decision to give the chow to a breed specific rescue. The rescue workers were beyond rude when I went with my friend to turn her dog over. She tried to give it to family but they aren't "dog" people, her friends liked smaller dogs, and she didn't trust animal shelters or putting ads up. The only decision she thought was best was the BSR. Who asked why wouldn't she give her months old daughter shots/pills/etc, why didn't she keep it in a room the baby wasn't allowed in, she was irresponsible, they had too many dogs as it was..as Chachi said there are zealots who I try to stay the h$#! away from whataver the case and those that just want to help. Criticism that isn't constructive isn't helping anyone. Blaming this or that group of ppl to make yourself (not you just generally speaking) feel better is going to make ppl ignore you and your cause. JMHO | |
01-22-2014, 02:18 PM | #11 | |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | Quote:
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 | |
01-22-2014, 02:27 PM | #12 | |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | Quote:
But their treatment of her and her situation ,well was less than ideal, of course in my opinion.
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 | |
01-22-2014, 02:43 PM | #13 |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| I disagree there are more bad breeders and puppy mills then good breeders all you have to do is be a person searching for a dog and you can see that. I think making excuses for people who abuse and keep dogs in terrible conditions is wrong and just like burying your head in sand. If you don't call these people out for what they have done then it will just keep happening. Some one should feel better about themselves if they get a dog that came from a bad situation because most of the time you inherit the problems that dog has and you send lots of money and lots of time fixing what others wrongly did. These people do rescue these dogs. Maybe some do it for drama I don't know. What I do know is Linda is one who doesn't and she is one of my heros for all she does for these dogs.
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! |
01-22-2014, 02:46 PM | #14 | |
Yorkie mom of 4 Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LaPlata, Md
Posts: 23,247
| Quote:
__________________ Taylor My babies Joey, Penny ,Ollie & Dixie Callie Mae, you will forever be in my heart! | |
01-22-2014, 02:48 PM | #15 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | You know TAylor it is Not about making excuses for owners, it is simply not commenting on what a bloody well bad owner they were for allowing their dog to be in this condition or that. And quite frankly you don't know just exactly how they qualified as a bad owner. By whose standards, are there not any exceptions? The article is food for thought, even if that thought is uncomfortable and portrays a view point different to the main.
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
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