Day Off? What is that?!
We don't get 'a day off'... our phones ring off the hook, generally people wanting us to take in their own dogs that they can't handle anymore; pick up strays (that usually aren't even pit bulls); other rescues needing to place dogs that they have no room for... it never ends. And we don't have '8-5' hours, either. Phones ring at 6am, 11pm, all hours of the day and night. Very few are calling to adopt, much less donate or volunteer.
I guess the thing that irritates me the most is when people get mad at us when we can't take on another dog. They have their reasons for wanting to 'dump' the dog - whatever they are - yet when we stick to our policy of not taking another dog in, they can't understand. We don't want to be on the next episode of Animal Hoarders.... There's a 'magic number' of dogs that we feel comfortable with - feeding, housing, working with them, exercising them, etc. It's not a matter of getting more funding or donations - it's a matter of time... We both work full-time jobs (7am-5pm); then are up all hours handling rescue work. Our weekends are spent out with the dogs (cleaning, working in kennel/play area; letting each dog out for 20-30 minutes each to play and evaluate (baths, nail trims, etc.)) Even with 30 dogs - that's 15 hours dedicated just for play time. And you can't not get some out - that's just not fair... And then, if we are at an event, or a craft show - that's even more time taken away from the dogs. It's vicious, trying to decide which is more important. Of course we need to get the dogs seen for adoption; and we need to make money to provide for them. Thankfully, Dana (and Allison, Kaitlyn and sometimes Curtis) are at the rescue, handling things on the Saturday's we are at events.
On the flip side - of the almost 30 dogs we do have - only 5 (FIVE) of them have been at Shaw PBR for less than a year (ONE WHOLE YEAR). All five of those were taken in in the past 3 months. When any of our long-timers do get adopted, in their eyes, they are taken from their home - or at least the one they've known for the last year or three. It's a big adjustment for them. Of course we want to see all of our adopt-a-bulls in loving homes - that's not it. And we are very happy when one gets adopted - and a little sad, too, because we will miss them. But the joy outweighs the sadness, especially when we see photos of them, happy as can be, in their new homes.
I'm not really complaining (this time, lol). Just something that has been on my mind lately.