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A Day in
the Life of A Rescuer... She is awakened by the stirrings of dogs. It is barely light. She tries to roll over but the natives are persistent. She is bleary-eyed from a late night at the computer, emails, instant messages,......."how are we gonna save these pups???". The mad scramble to get volunteers to the shelters bailing and transporting. She checks the rescue account one more time....nope the figure is the same as last night......"damn" she thinks as she sheds her silent tears. Dogs are let out, feeding commences, "coffee, I need some coffee" she thinks, but the dogs need to go potty first. Then the quarantine pups fevered whines break into her brain. They want food, clean paper, human interaction......."coffee must wait". The pups lick her salty face and bring comfort and a smile. At some point after the 40+ dogs have been somewhat satiated in their needs, she gets her coffee and maybe a small bite to sustain her energy. She logs on to the PC and reads emails hoping someone has come through with the desperately needed money. The volunteers are poised and ready for their marching orders. The orchestration of saving dogs has commenced. It's just another day for her. Then to her dismay there are more requests from other breed rescuers. "There is a beautiful BC mix at xxxx shelter....PLEASE SAVE IT"S LIFE!!!". These requests come in daily. They take their toll on her as she is beyond capacity, all the foster homes are at or beyond their capacity. Her silent tears flow again. She reminds herself that she can only save one at a time and it is not her fault wonderful BCx's are dying in shelters every day. It doesn't help her pain though. Her heart is heavy and she curses the human race. Time for meds. The old and infirm "lifers" need her care. It will be a miracle that they ever leave foster care. They are not perfect, they are old, they have illnesses that require a lifetime of meds. She passes out hot dog pieces with their pills expertly hidden. She loves them all, old or not, sick or not. They each get as much of her attention as she can give. The boy that was bailed from death's door, almost so close to the bridge he could barely walk, gives her a nip. He is not aggressive, he is just a spastic distemper survivor. He can't help is tremors, and she lovingly caresses his head. As she does so, she knows in her heart he will be with her until the end. No one wants an old, nuerologically damaged dog. She sees past all of this to the soul inside. She goes outside to clean runs, freshen water buckets, feed, and interact with the dogs. Toys that just recently littered the ground are frantically presented to her........"throw, throw throw, PLEASE THROW!". She plays with the dogs all the while thinking how funds can be raised. For the pups and sire that need to be saved. For the vet bills that grow weekly. For the dog food she will need by the end of the week. For the surgeries needed. Especially for the boy who was thrown from a car (on the freeway) at about 55 mpg. His leg has been broken and healed incorrectly. He needs to be healed properly so he can go to his forever home. She wonders how on earth she can raise the funds that are always in short supply. This is a day in the life of Bobbie BCR-CA. IMNSHO, the most passionate and wonderful person I know. An angel sent here from God to walk amongst us. To make us better shepherds, as God wanted. I am honored to work with this woman in what seems to be an endless battle to save the many BC's that have been thrown away. This is for you Bobbie, and all the wonderful rescuers out there making a difference, one dog at a time. May others find it in their hearts to contribute in some small way to this battle. |