Rescue to the Rescue: From City Pound to Rural Shelter

There it was, sitting in my "in-box." An email from another rescue friend, can you help? I was the only one she knew even remotely close to this particular city. Stuck in the city pound was a beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog, scheduled to be euthanized the following day. Someone had to get this beauty out!

"No" was not what I could say this time. You see, this breed is not very common and I knew about this breed. I knew this breed to be great dogs. Finding a good home would be easy. I just couldn't let this dog be put down simply because she ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

So I madly started emailing. YES, we would take this dog. Do whatever was necessary to pull this dog from that pound. I would drop everything and make the 2 hour drive to get her.

Turns out, I wasn't the only one! Many people heard of her plight and many people desperately emailed YES. She went to a breed rescue that very morning. But, through all of this, I met Mary. And that's what changed my world.

The woman who I desperately emailed, called me that Monday morning. She didn't know of our little rural rescue. Not unusual. But she was anxious to learn more. So we talked and talked. While we have a small center with about 20 dogs, she has a very large one with over 300. She is near the city, we are out in the country. She places only small dogs, we place only large dogs.

And with that last statement from me, Mary nearly fell out of her chair.

Large dogs are never adopted from her shelter. Large dogs are regularly euthanized at this city pound, because no one wants them. As a matter of fact, right then, many large dogs were awaiting their fate.

Mary sent me immediately to the pound's website. While still on the phone, we went through their current list of dogs. And I picked 5 possibles that I thought we could take.

Now, you ask, why did I do that? Where was I going to put them in our over-crowded little center? Was I completely nuts? I answer you: I don't know; I have no idea; and YES.

Mary and I ended our phone conversation. She needed to call the pound immediately to "tag" those dogs so they wouldn't be euthanized. I needed to figure out what in the world I was going to do.

Sitting at my computer, still holding the phone, I tried to work out what had just happened. What I finally realized was that I had gotten caught up in Mary's excitement. She had seen so many large dogs that had never come out of that pound. I knew how horrible that must be for her. I knew the heartbreak she regularly went through, not being able to save them all. And here was a chance to save at least some. Yes, I had gotten caught up in that excitement.

OK, so I had some real work in front of me. Numerous options flew into my head. Numerous options flew right out. It was a trusted, generous volunteer who came up with the answer. A little juggling and some temporary arrangements, but it would work. We had our plan of action. And it had to be done that very day.

Mary called me back to let me know all was set. All 5 dogs were tagged and all needed to be picked up the next day. I couldn't take 5 dogs all at once, so I would have to make two trips. Two 4-hour round trips!

That wild Monday ended with all things in order. The juggling was finished, new temporary arrangements were set, and I spent a horribly fitfull, sleepness night.

Early Tuesday morning, I set off for the first group of dogs. While on the road, Mary called. Sad news, but change of plans. One of the dogs I was to take was found dead that morning. I couldn't believe it! Fine one day, dead the next? What was this? Plus, one of the other ones was sick. She would not be released. Sick dogs were automatically put down.

My heart broke completely in two. Both of those beautiful dogs I thought I was saving were gone.

I had to refocus. I was on the road, on the way to saving three others. And I could do it in one trip. Mary and I redid the plans. She would be there to meet me. I let our wonderful volunteer know of the change of plans. And drove on.

I'll spare you all the details of finding the pound, all the wrong turns, the missed directions, the backtracking. Surfice it to say, I did finally arrive at the pound. Mary was waiting for me. She loaned me another crate allowing me to take all three dogs with me. She helped me get the crates secured in the back of my pickup. Then we went through the massive amounts of paperwork to claim these dogs.

Finally, it was time to meet them. One by one, each was brought to me. One by one, I met and talked to each of them. One by one, I realized how very lucky I was to know each of these darlings.

First, came Taylor. Mostly yellow in fur color, with a great "saddle" of flecked grey, white and black. A pair of adoring eyes looked quizzically from me to Mary and back again. His tail wagged slowly, a little unsure, but hopeful. Mary and I both agreed, he was a mix of yellow lab and Australian Shepherd, with the soft face and gentle nature of both breeds.

Next came Sawyer. A big, beautiful, solid black Lab, with a huge smile on his face and a strong happy wag to his tail. Sawyer was definitely ready for this great new adventure, what ever it was. Plus, it involved two humans. What could be better?

Finally came Ramsey. Ah, here was a beauty. A tri-color face of black, tan and white grinned happily at me. He had been surrendered by his previous human. Clearly, Ramsey was ready for a new home. What breed of dog he was, a really good question. The pound had listed him as Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (the short-hair version of the sweet dog that started this whole adventure). But, he wasn't that, at least not completely. Ramsey was a sleeker, smaller dog.

When all were loaded, off we went. A smooth, completely uneventful trip back. Whew.

This wild adventure that started with a Monday morning email is turning out beautifully. Temporary arrangements were replaced with new facilities for our new rescues. Many thanks go to many volunteers for their help. We have actually expanded.

Three wonderful dogs won our hearts. And three wonderful dogs await adoption - a home of their own.

UPDATE: All three of our new darlings have gone to their own homes. Sawyer became 'Roo, because he was so excited the first day in his new home that he bounded around like a kangaroo. Happy updates continue from his adoptive parents.

Taylor and Ramsey, who became great friends while staying with us, were adopted together! Their names stayed the same and the follow up from their new parents is marvelous.

Many thanks to those who provided photos for this page. Here they are in order from Top to Bottom:

Freerangestock.com
AKA Official Breed Club - Bernese Mountain Dogs
Me
DigiScraps.com
Freerangestock.com
Me, again
Barbara Cockrell
And finally, me.