Are They Being Sent To Me?

[Guest bigorangedog]

If you've read my recent H&M threads....Whitey, Apollo, now Eyore....You know that osteo dogs seem to end up in my family somehow. In the "Seriously?" thread that's up right now, many have said that these guys are finding their way to me for a reason.

 

Maybe it's true. I've thought it myself many times. When Whitey came to us, and was diagnosed 2 weeks later, I was GRATEFUL that he was in our family. I was sad as hell for him, but nothing but purely grateful that he had come to us and ended up a part of our lives. What would have happened to him if he had still been getting bounced between foster homes? Or with someone who worked long hours, and may not have been able to care for him while he was sick? I told Whitey all the time how happy I was that he came to us.

 

We lost my heart boy, Crisco, nearly a year ago now. And when that happened, I was drowning. It was a week after losing our boy Sly (unexpectedly and traumatically) and within the 6-month period when we also lost Tanner, Annie and Abby. Crisco was the "last straw" and I literally sat on the couch for a week and did nothing but eat popcorn and watch movies of the "Bill and Ted" variety to keep myself from thinking. Left DH Lloyd to pick up the pieces of real life.

 

Then came Whitey. 11 years old. But the perkiest, strongest little dude that I've ever known. His osteo Dx made me get off the couch, because he needed me. I was lucky enough to care for him, lucky enough to know him. In his last days, he had metastasis in the radius and ulna of his remaining front leg, metastasis that had basically destroyed his spine, and mets in his lungs too. But Whitey had a will to be happy. So he still ran in the yard (short ways, but he ran), and he dug his one-armed holes, and he slept next to me with that one front paw resting on my face every night. He fought like hell until the very end. He was amazing. And he taught me that I don't get to drown in my sadness, because others need me.

 

Y'know, for some reason, I can do this. I can essentially run a "doggie hospice" and still manage to get up out of bed each morning. (Well, there may be some prescription meds involved.... ) Yes, it breaks my heart each time. My heart is in pieces on the floor each time. But the next one somehow puts it back together, just never exactly the same way.

 

So. Maybe they're being sent to me. I guess in the end I have the personality for this. I'm a fighter, and a researcher, and I'm not afraid to tell vets what they will and will not do with my dog. I can give them my heart, knowing that it'll be broken again, maybe in just a few short months.

 

What I can't do, unfortunately, is keep on paying for this. Sad, but true.

 

I dream of having a "rescue" where I take in just the old boys, or the guys with special needs. Find them a permanent home, or a permanent foster home, if I can. And otherwise give them a home for life with our family. Other adoption groups who get senior boy bounces, or bounces with serious medical issues that render them unadoptable, could send them to us and we would love them. It would need to be small, in order for me to give each of them enough care, maybe 8 dogs or so at a time. In my head, I call it The Old Boys' Club.

 

If there were any justice in the world, I would be independently wealthy and could just pay for this. Unfortunately, I'm the director of an adoption group, my husband works for the public school system, and we've paid for 2 international adoptions from China (and one more in the works). So this would have to be a non-profit that I would fundraise like crazy for.

 

Anyway. I guess my point (and I think I do have one, maybe) is... Do you think there is a need for a "rescue" like this? Are there groups who would want to send us their old guys? Are there people who would want to donate to a group like this? Is it even a slightly viable idea?

 

If the universe, or god, or karma, or whatever, really is sending me these guys, I just wish I could figure out a way to do more for them. Thoughts?

[Guest BorzoiMom]

There are old horse homes, where an otherwise put down horse lives out the rest of their lives with all the care they need. I think they are non profit too. I can't think of the name of one right now, but perhaps they could give you some guidance.

[GreytHurleyDawg]

It definitely sounds reasonable to me, if that's what your heart desires!! I am certain I have heard of similar rescue groups, but you may be excluding a senior broodie if you stay with the old boys. What I am trying to say is, keep your perspective in the forefront and if that means going for this, then do it! You can always stop after a few years and know you did a fantastic thing while you could. I cannot imagine myself doing it so these are my first impressions of this venture, but I would support you whole-heartedly, just like I know the rest of the greyhound community will!!

 

Best of luck with Eyore's vet appt tomorrow. I hope your luck changes for the better!!!!

 

Hugs from Wisconsin!

[Guest bigorangedog]

Our hearts are really with the boys. Of our 13 greys, 12 have been boys (and one girl schnauzer). Of course we have tons of temporary girl fosters, but it's the boys we keep longterm. Don't know why. Seems, though, like broodies often find homes more easily than the old boys. I think a lot of groups have special "broodie programs." I always see the boys sitting on adoptables lists forever and ever though. A few of the boy dogs we considered last March (2009) when we adopted Sly are still available.

[robinw]

I can see where there might be a need for such a group and I'l certainly be willing to donate $$ to help make it happen.

[silverfish]

We have one here in England called Tailends. They take mostly old/sick greyhounds and do a great job with them. Sadly, the owner died last year, but it's still being carried on by her family and loyal volunteers, and they do have charity status which enables them to ask for donations and fund-raise. I sponsor a couple of their dogs because it's just such a great thing that they do! I used to send them left-over meds etc (they got a box load when we lost both Renie and Jack) but since Angela died, no-one has the confidence to accept them, I don't know why. Maybe they prefer to have the vet tell them exactly what to use and when to use it, and maybe they'll learn.

 

Just like you, it broke Angela's heart each time she lost a beloved dog, but like you, she picked herself up for the sake of the others. I do believe there is a 'temperament' that means a certain person is suited to this kind of work - it's a vocation just like any other.

 

I'm so sorry that you've had so much sadness with the 'osteo' dogs, but good for you for thinking of turning your talent to such good use. I admire you so much. And I'm sure that with GT behind you, the fundraising would be just that little bit easier. I hope so!

[silverfish]

Now there's a sad thing ... our Tailends is winding up.

 

It seems that George cannot continue without Angela and needs to stop running Tailends and live a more normal life with his family. The current residents are not in danger, they'll live out their days there as pets, but the charity itself is closing. I only found out because of linking here and then going back to look for the 'donate' button, and there isn't one. So sad. They did a heck of a job.

 

There's another similar place here called the Cinnamon Trust, but it doesn't specialise in greyhounds, they'll take any animal, and it's more a 'people and their pets' organisation which takes elderly people's pets when they can't care for them anymore.

 

My point is, I suppose, that these places do exist and if you feel you can, and want to do this, then go for it!

[Guest IrskasMom]

Now ,I have to Comment you for wanting to do this.Just reading this makes me cry and every Day ,when I go on GT and read H&M and the Rememberance Story's I sit here and cry. Or for that matter, by every Friend who looses a Dog/Cat I get all choked up and cry .

[FiveRoooooers]

Jen, I hear every word you speak. Along with the love and joy, and sadness and broken hearts, the strength just comes. It is my dream, too, to have a rescue for the old/abandoned/unwanted/sick/discarded seniors so that, in the words of GreyMuzzle, "No old dog dies alone and afraid." Check them out, greymuzzle.org. I'm a single mom with one income and a house full of seniors, and still want so badly to put a mechanism in place to help these dogs; I just don't know how to do it.

 

I wish you the very best and if anyone is meant to move forward with this idea, I believe it is you.

[CaliforniaGreys]

I honestly don't know how you handle the heartbreak, although I do know that when we have others to care for, we must go on for them.

 

I would stand in line to support what you would like to do, in any possible way I can.

 

Just a thought, you may want to contact Rita Reynolds, she runs a hospice for everything from a dog to a duck. She's amazing.

She also is the author of Blessing The Bridge. She is always available to help anyone and everyone with her experience.

 

You are in my prayers

[Guest vahoundlover]

Yes, I see a need, it's exactly what my DH and I would love to do. We'd like to do boys and girls tho. I hope someday it's a dream that can be fulfilled.

[Guest Paige12]

I remember reading a story in Bark magazine a few years ago and it profiled a woman who would go into regular animal shelters and the humane society that was local and she would adopt the dogs that were terminally ill. She talked about how some dogs lasted weeks, some lasted days. I remember being in total awe of this woman and her ability to open up her heart and love these dogs even if it was only for a very, very short time. I say go for it. There will always be people who have similar experiences, we fostered a senior who only made it 10 days, and they will want to be a part of your program. I would also not rule out any Grants that you possibly could get.

[teri_d]

i am beyond words -- for surely you will be met at heaven's gate with a hug and "thank you" and MANY tails wagging to see you. i do believe you are "in the plan" for these os dogs - for isn't that what a miracle is -- just way over the top to be coincidence??? i have always thought when i was "spoken to" that it begins as a whisper, when i don't get it - it becomes spoken, when i still don't get it it is shouted, and sometimes i still don't get it and i am whacked over the head -- then i know that it is truly "THE PLAN"!! (and, shame on me, i still sometimes ignore the voice - i admit it). the doggie hospice is a wonderful plan - are there any grants out there from big pet food industry that would help finance? or would one of them consider helping with funding? i would think this would be far better use of stimulus money than i have seen it being spent on!!! oh, if only i were a rich man!

[Guest KennelMom]

I don't know how you do it You have a very special heart, for sure, and the hounds that have found their way to you have been very lucky to find you.

[Guest Energy11]

There is a group in Florida, (*I was with them), called GPA Senior Sanctaury of Florida. They take only seniors, and have been known to take the oldest and most frail, as well. I adopted a 13 yr old who had "doggie Alzheimers," and was going to be put down by his owner. He lived eight happy months with us (Dasher). We also adopted Max, 11, who was being pulled behind a golf cart at a flea market ... owner was old, lost his wife, and was trying to give him away. He died of Osteo, and was with us about a year.

 

I definitely think there ARE needs for groups like this, and what you are talking about. You might want to contact Senior Sanctuary, as well.

 

You are a wonderful person and have a wonderful family, by the way!

 

Hoping for happier times for you all of you as well!

[DevilDog]

Wow.. I have no advice except I wanted to tell you that you seem to have a gift.. I say do it. You are an amazing person for doing this.

[Guest ChasesMum]

oue of the rescue groups for horses here is Rescue 100 horses they took in 100 horses that were removed from a property, and they got so many donations that they decided to continue the fight. they might be able to offer some suggestions if you contacted them?

 

I think if you got in touch with your vet or more vets in your area and see what they could offer free or at cost or donated time by vets, to your organization, and dogfood companies/reps for feed, petstores for toys and beds, etc you may be pleasantly surprised!

 

I am in awe of your vision!!

[Guest Smiley]

I know that you are the perfect person to do this. Such strength, compassion and kindness you have! And I would love to donate to help this get going. That's a big part of why I started BWD-and I love to have small groups to sponsor .

 

On another fund-raising note, I know Cleveland has a grant foundation where you can go and research/apply for available grants. Does your area have anything similiar? All it takes is one obscure (or not so obscure) foundation looking to donate money and you've got some funding. If I can find the name of the Cleveland org., I'll pass it on as they may be able to refer you to such an org. in MN.

 

Edit: Found it: Grant Foundation Link

Edited August 12, 2010 by Smiley

[Guest Lovey_Hounds]

I am so sorry you have had to have so much heartbreak and so much loss in such a short time. I do think you are one amazing person to be able to give these wonderful dogs such love and care in the end and the fact that you want to help so many more hounds makes you one great person. if you do manage to get a Grey hopsice set i will donate for sure, I wish i had the strength you do to be able to help these hounds to the bridge time and time again lease keep doing what you are doing.

[Guest dwolfe711]

Jen - I can identify with what you are feeling - I too do not know why Dave and I have been selected by so many senior returns but it is what we feel we are here to do. We get the "are you crazy?" question all too often from people who cannot understand why we are constantly taking seniors and setting ourselves up for heartbreak when we lose them way to soon - my only response is that "it's what we're supposed to do." I don't know why but I know that we have gotten so much from these senior greys in return and we have dealt with definitely diagnosed cancer in 5 out of 7 we've lost and it is so heartbreaking to keep going through the diagnosis and then the loss - but we keep on doing it. The rewards far outweigh the negatives. There are many adopters for the young pups off the track - but not so many for the senior returns - so "it's what we're supposed to do" - I so wish we could do more - but as you say the financial constraints are a consideration. None of ours have been candidates for amp so we have not had to go through that - but that's not to say we never would - each case has to be considered individually. I have so much respect for you to be able to make that decision for your babies if it is a possible treatment. But I know that it is a demanding and draining decision for the pups and for you and family. I too wish I could "take them all" - but still working fulltime and space constraints make that impossible right now. One of these days I will win the lottery and then we will buy a property with some land and a house that we can retrofit or add to and I will contact you for detailed info on your renovations for your pups!! Anyway, I can feel your compassion and your frustration and your hope for a solution that will be a win/win for you and all the greys waiting - hang in there - you are a wonderful, caring person and the greyhound adoption world is extremely lucky to have you!

[VinnieAndRexsMom]

Yes, I believe they are being sent to you.

[Remolacha]

I think you have to be a special kind of person to do hospice work, whether with people or animals, and you clearly have that spark. There is surely a need, and I would be happy to help support such a place

[DesiRayMom]

Me too. I also am drawn to the old grey-faced guys. Dont' know why, don't care, just that it is so. Something about that grey face just begs to be loved

and KEPT (not shuffled around) Finances are such a problem. I'm only allowed (by my bank account) to have 2 at a time. If you pursue your dream, I wish you only the best. There must be a special place in heaven for such as you.

[JohnF]

When you discover you're doing something really altruistic like this, a certain shiver will run down your spine, but do bear in mind that it will also be slowly draining your energy and with it your ability to cope like this longer term. You are so important to your hounds that you must not burn out by over-extending at a time when the natural healing process grieving is not yet played out.

Some people do the most wonderful things:

Please spare a few moments visiting this website from my corner of the world.

http://www.tailends.co.uk/index.htm

[Guest FastDogsOwnMe]

They're special dogs for sure.

 

Could you better afford it if you did not amputate and instead treated with medication, etc? Is that even an option? I read recently that amps are $3000... I was blown away. I don't know how you do it!

 

Emotionally, it's hard too. I love seniors and have lost quite a few. I think they are the best, easiest, and most enjoyable pets.