Continuation of Sherri's Rehome Discussion!

I have been up since 5:30 am thinking about Sherri’s discussion about all of the recent rehoming discussions. She is right in that we have to come up with some way to deal with these discussions. As worried as I am about the dogs in question, I am equally as worried about the way these discussions divide our DK community. We have had discussions on being nice that didn’t end up so nicely and plenty of arguments as to how a discussion was handled and how it could have been handled better. Sometimes I agree. Sometimes I don’t, but yesterday hit a nerve because I felt like I was nice. I said please and thank you and still we were not nice enough. Even some of the comments about what we should have done, we did do, and still the poster got upset and closed the discussion and everyone is in agreement that the real loser is going to be that dog. The bottom line is however I think we handled it or didn't handle it, we didn't get through to that poster and so I do agree, we need a better way.

I am not here to re-hash that discussion, because honestly I am mad about it and in the long run, no one should care about that as much as we do about helping the next dog that appears in the next rehome discussion, and we all know there will be another dog soon. There is absolutely no way to control a discussion like the one yesterday or the others before that because unless we send out a script to all of our members telling them to please not respond emotionally or negatively to anyone trying to rehome their dog for any old reason, someone is going to respond passionately and get someone else mad. At first, the thing that upset me yesterday is that people who had not read the comments or offered any assistance to the poster were critical of those of us who did, but since those people are some of the ones I respect the most here on DK, I also know they care as much about these dogs as I do and even if we don't agree, they have a right to their opinion. Trust me, when I say that is a hard one for me :) I also know there is a wide range of people on DK with varying opinions and sometimes we have to put aside our personal feelings to get something done for a dog that needs our help. I also know that behind every comment is the need to help a dog.

It seemed to me that the majority of the responders to Sherri’s post felt like we hardly ever talk anyone out of rehoming their dogs once they post and we should just respond with the facts and keep emotions out of responses. With that said, I think the discussions are right to be on the front page, but I think we need a link or something to refer the person to the DRC or IDog and after that, I hope the discussion gets closed so no further comments can be made.

P.S. Please note: if you disagree with me I will close the discussion :)

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Permalink Reply by Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey on August 25, 2012 at 2:09pm

What a handsome doodle. Hopefully, he will have his fur-ever home soon.

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Permalink Reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy on August 25, 2012 at 2:12pm

OMD, he is gorgeous! Again, unimaginable. I just hope he goes to a wonderful home where he will be loved and appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by Cheryl and Finnegan on August 25, 2012 at 3:24pm

How could you leave that face behind? I hope he finds a loving forever home soon.

Beautiful photos too. Camilla, why do you go to the shelter to take pictures?

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Permalink Reply by Camilla and Darwin on August 25, 2012 at 5:18pm

I am a volunteer. I offered to take pictures of the dogs for their online listings, because the cuter they look in a photo the more likely it is that they will get adopted.

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Permalink Reply by Cheryl and Finnegan on August 25, 2012 at 5:24pm

That's really great. I was just curious. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey on August 25, 2012 at 5:28pm

Camilla you have such a big heart to do this.

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Permalink Reply by Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty on August 25, 2012 at 5:55pm

I've been seriously thinking about doing the same thing. There's this shelter on a farm run by volunteers very close to me. I'm just afraid I'll end up bringing more pets home. I don't know how you resist!

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Permalink Reply by Camilla and Darwin on August 25, 2012 at 5:58pm

I resist because I would get evicted if I brought another dog home. Kind of makes it easy for me. :-) I do want to go more often so I think I will bathe dogs on one day and do photos on the other. It is really enjoyable for me to be around such adorable doggies... although it can be really sad too.

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Permalink Reply by Adrianne Matzkin on August 26, 2012 at 10:00pm

Rescuers at the Rainbow Bridge

This has been posted before, but I thought it deserved reposting...

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All the recent arrivals were confused and concerned. They had no idea what to think for they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had spent some time waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was happening and began to gather at the pathway leading to the Bridge to watch. They knew this was something special.

It wasn't too long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung heavy and low with tail dragging along the ground. The other animals on the pathway...the ones who had been at RainBow Bridge for a while...knew the story of this sad creature immediately. They had seen it happen far too many times.

Although it was obvious the animal's heart was leaden and he was totally overcome with emotional pain and hurt, there was no sign of injury or any illness. Unlike the pets waiting at the Bridge, this dog had not been restored to his prime. He was full of neither health nor vigor. He approached slowly and painfully, watching all the pets who were by now watching him. He knew he was out of place here.

This was no resting place for him. He felt instinctively that the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But alas, as he came closer to the Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who spoke softly to the old dog and apologized sorrowfully, telling him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their special people could pass over the RainBow Bridge. And he had no special beloved people...not here at the Bridge nor on Earth below.

With no place else to turn, the poor elderly dog looked toward the fields before the Bridge. There, in a separate area nearby, he spotted a group of other sad-eyed animals like himself...elderly and infirm. Unlike the pets waiting for their special people, these animals weren't playing, but simply lying on the green grass, forlornly and miserably staring out at the pathway leading to the Bridge. The recent arrival knew he had no choice but to join them. And so, he took his place among them, just watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at the Bridge, who was waiting for his special people, could not understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the pets who had been there for some time to explain it to him.

"That poor dog was a rescue, sent to the pound when his owner grew tired of him. The way you see him now, with graying fur and sad, cloudy eyes, was exactly the way he was when he was put into the kennels. He never, ever made it out and passed on only with the love and comfort that the kennel workers could give him as he left his miserable and unloved existence on Earth for good. Because he had no family or special person to give his love, he has nobody to escort him across the Bridge."

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?"

As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the all-invasive gloom lifted. Coming toward the Bridge could be seen a single figure...a person who, on Earth, had seemed quite ordinary...a person who, just like the elderly dog, had just left Earth forever. This figure turned toward a group of the sad animals and extended outstretched palms. The sweetest sounds they had ever heard echoed gently above them and all were bathed in a pure and golden light. Instantly, each was young and healthy again, just as they had been in the prime of life.

From within the gathering of pets waiting for their special people, a group of animals emerged and moved toward the pathway. As they came close to the passing figure, each bowed low and each received a tender pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. Their eyes grew even brighter as the figure softly murmured each name. Then, the newly-restored pets fell into line behind the figure and quietly followed this person to the Bridge, where they all crossed together.

The recent arrival who had been watching, was amazed. "What happened?"

"That was a rescuer," came the answer. "That person spent a lifetime trying to help pets of all kinds. The ones you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of such unselfish work. They will cross when their families arrive. Those you saw restored were ones who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are permitted to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor pets that couldn't place on Earth across the Rainbow Bridge. You see, all animals are special to them...just as they are special to all animals."

"I think I like rescuers," said the recent arrival.

"So does God," was the reply.

--Author Unknown--

This is for everyone who rescues - whether foster, drives, donates, gives support in any way to those who rescue and to those who just care!!!! Thank you!! Those in the trenches just couldn't continue without the support of everyone here in DK!!