Couldn't find the other thread, so starting a new one.
We got a call from one of the adopting families of 1 of 3 dogs we fostered recently. They are in Rhode Island and have adopted "Pinky Princess" as our granddaughter had named her. All three of our recent fosters were sent to New England with 2 landing in R.I. and the other in Vermont. There is a HUGE shortage of rescue dogs in New England. Ours were 3 of 50 dogs shipped to the northeast this past month and there were 1,600 applications from families looking to adopt. There is a multi-state clearing house up there that vets families and handles the adoptions, paperwork and fees.
The family, the Hiltons, called yesterday and have sent some pics of "Pinky Princess" and how she is doing. They live on a farm, with horses and lots of land, near the ocean too. Based on the pics...they are doing very well financially. They even have a nice 25-foot cabin cruiser boat to go out on the ocean. Hmmm.... I think Pinky has landed in a good home and will be well-cared for and happy there. Hell! I could be happy there!
The Natchitoches Humane Society, of which we are volunteer members, is part of a national network of such private, non-profit agencies working in unison to rescue animals...we've had some horses and other animals, not just dogs and cats...and place them in "furever" homes. I had often wondered why so many of our Natchitoches animals end up, up north. Speaking with Ms. Hilton I learned there are simply no such thing as rescued animals in the northeast. Thus the 1,600 applications and all 50 dogs finding homes. The demand for rescues is enormous. The same thing is true for Minnesota, another state where some Natchitoches animals end up.
I admit, letting Pinky Princess go was tough. Our granddaughter, who is 4, was very attached and cried for days. I stood with Pinky in my arms when the transport van showed up. And it was hard to hand her over to the folks who were to take her, and two other dogs, up to Tennessee where they were transferred to another transport van. They run a relay across the country. Seeing Pinky in all her glory safe and sound, and speaking with Ms. Hilton has eased the pain. She's in good hands. And now, we are ready to foster another wayward dog or two.
Get involved! There are such organizations in every southern state. Our local chapter works closely with the Texas agencies, and of course Arkansas and Mississippi too. Most of our adoptions are regional. For instance, there is a cocker spaniel "club" in Houston and they are always ready to adopt any cocker the NHS has. We fostered "Buddy" a couple of years ago. He was a 12 yr old spaniel, blind in one eye, suffering from arthritis, and had been abandoned by his "family." We had him for a week until arrangements could be made. As of last report the now 14 yr old Buddy is hanging in there.
It's a small thing, but brings some satisfaction we can help. The real heroes are folks like Ms. Juanita and Ms. Debbie who ramrod the local agencies. They are tireless champions of desperate animals who have been kicked to the curb by their former human masters. Some are abandoned, and some have been abused. I won't post any of it for shock value. Suffice it to say there are some evil people out there....but to see the before and after pics of some of those wretched animals, the transformation is remarkable. Oh, and kudos to the vets who often reduce their fees and/or provide services for free to save these animals.
Get involved!
You'll love it.
