One thing I have definitely learned over many years of rescuing animals is that rescuing is not relaxing, but it is rewarding.

Recently while helping out at a local charity event that helps rescue animals, my PAWS N CLAWS – Eufaula group had the privilege of showcasing two older foster dogs that needed homes. It was a super-hot day so we had to move our table (which ended up on the ground with all our supplies and information) and then the dog crates because the dogs were getting too hot. As we kept rotating the pups in and out of their crates so they could stay cool and they could socialize with the crowd, by the end of the day we were beat but both pups had found homes.

Of course we were all excited because these were older dogs ranging 7-8 years old, and we knew little about them except they had been together the whole time. Unfortunately, one of them was reactive once it met the other family’s pet so Daisy had to be brought back and is now in a kennel again – all day long – waiting for her forever home.

Though this is heartbreaking, this simply the reality of neglected or abandoned animals everywhere. What I want to remind people is that this is not Daisy’s fault nor is it the couple that tried to give her a good home. She was returned with a new bed and lots of toys that she loves donated by the couple. However, she just was not a good fit with their dog.

I liken it to going into a department store and seeing a nice pair of shoes, but not getting to try them on and then trying to walk around in them if they were too small or if they were too big. Either way they would be uncomfortable or impractical and not be the right fit. However, someone else could come in and those shoes might fit just right and they could take them home and be just fine. Sometimes that’s just the way these rescues work out. But we’ve got to be willing to give them a second chance. Or maybe even a third.

Animals are a lot like our children, and even though we may not have them for our entire life, hopefully we have them for their entire life which could be up to 10-15 years or more. So they aren’t a forever commitment but they definitely are a full time commitment for a while.

These fur babies will depend on you for their shelter, food, water, love and attention. They will need to be a part of the whole family unit, not just something to play with for a little while, then be left to fend for themselves.

Yes, I know how hectic and how hard rescuing is. I’m the “grouchy Grinch” as I get up every morning to the loud meowing of 13-15 or more semi feral cats at my front door and in my windows. (This doesn’t include my personal pets that I keep inside.) Over the past six years living here in Muskogee I have rescued and fixed over 30 cats. So neighbors can definitely call me the crazy cat lady.

Believe me, every day is chaotic when you tend to 24 animals all up in your personal space. (No, the bathroom is not off limits either.) So yes, I pray every day for my place to be more peaceful like Noah’s Ark, than the circus that it is on a daily basis. I think God must have helped to keep all those animals calm on the Ark because oh my goodness I know there are times I want to pull my hair out. (It is sad when you have to hide in the closet to eat your own snack but it’s true.)

So I just wanted to say that no, it’s never been easy when it comes to rescuing. Besides having to tend to every one every day and then tending to the pound pups and finding them homes, it can get downright depressing. Seeing how people toss these fur babies out on the street is also hard on the heart. Then you get attached to your foster babies but you know you must keep finding them new homes so you can keep fostering more babies that will need you in the future. So you pray they find the right fit and they aren’t tossed around from home to home or even worse, back out on the street.

Some may think I’m cruel, but I’d rather see an animal put down than to see them suffer and be abused. Believe me; it’s more humane than starving them to death or mistreating them.

So I will continue to do my very best and give 110 percent to find these fur babies their forever homes and love all the creatures God created.

Then one day I hope to have a huge Rhodes Rescue Ranch. If not down here then maybe in the far left corner of heaven. (Yes, left is for us lefties.) And I hope my front porch is covered with all my rescue babies that were never relaxing, but they sure were rewarding.