ADOPTED 05-03-13 – Estimated to be around 4 months old at the end of 2013 March, “SOPHIE” weighs in at a healthy 30 pounds of precious puppyhood and was given the GREEN LIGHT for transport by her altruistic vet and compassionate rescuer in Louisiana! “SOPHIE” will arrive in the Northeast the second weekend of April, retrieved by her loving Rescue Dog Village Guardian, Inc. foster family who will continue to tend to her needs, work on her socialization, assessment and fawn over her with all the love and nurture she should have had from birth! We’re blessed to work with other tirelessly committed rescuers down South so that we can save as many dogs as possible from the terrible demise that would have otherwise been their sad destiny. It’s that partnership and joint collaboration that matters. Even when our dogs are happily and responsibly adopted, we consider the journey not ending, just a happier new bends in the road where more members join our RESCUE DOG VILLAGE.
However unfortunate the reality and plight of these unwanted animals like SOPHIE may be, rescuers from all regions of our country join hands and hearts to help the dogs who need us most. Rescue stories like SOPHIE’S are undeniably sad and truly unavoidable. Yet they are a reality. While we hope to change policy and affect animal welfare on a legislative level that affords dogs more legal and societal protection to prevent some of the abuse and neglect by mandating registration, spay and neuter programs and responsible pet ownership, we can’t simply talk about the problem or focus only on what’s wrong without putting most of our energies toward improving the situation and DOING SOMETHING to HELP THE DOGS AND OTHER RESCUERS WHO ARE IN THE LITERAL AND FIGURATIVE DITCHES EVERY SINGLE DAY — lest more dogs would die — and through no fault of their own. We sort of threw our survival of the fittest for the canine population when we domesticated them, so the least humans can do is be responsible stewards of their care. That means we can’t avoid the dialogue that is necessary to help dogs on a greater scale nor can we turn our heads and close our eyes to the heart wrenching truth of how many perfectly viable and adoptable animals are euthanized daily in our country for no other reason than pet overpopulation caused by irresponsible pet ownership.
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CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE DOG
Questions, please email: rescuedogvillage@yahoo.com
When rescue groups collaborate it’s in the best interest of all involved whether it’s the countless volunteers, the generous adopters, the devoted veterinarians, or the compassionate fosters to understand that FULL & HONEST DISCLOSURE MUST guide every discussion and decision from the outset to the end of the process of saving animals’ lives. What that truly means is that open, direct and honest communication is mandatory if we hope to ensure successful adoptions highlighted by happy adoptions of healthy and rescue dogs. A frequently heard rescue phrase, “The dogs’ needs come first,” while an accurate statement does not negate the need to honor the potential adopters with truth, respect and a commitment to educate the unknowing with patient explanation. THAT IS WHAT BENEFITS THE DOGS MOST. RESCUE DOG VILLAGE strives to be direct, diligent, respectful, expeditious and utterly honest in our interactions with all involved in this process. We also appreciate that life is full of lessons, and that our volunteers, adopters and applicants alike each have unique learning curves and varying degrees of experience. Within our village we do the best we can to support one another to help the dogs that bring together in the first place.
Dog rescue doesn’t really end with the adoption. And it doesn’t really start when a potential applicant meets the dog they are considering having join their family. Rescue conversation should be constant as how we treat animals as a society reflects a moral compass of our society, as was so aptly noted by Mahatma Gandhi. Rescue Dog Village Guardian, Inc. strives to be consistently involved to the degree necessary, and after adoption to the degree allowed after securing a successful transition has been made. And yet, life is busy for many of us and we don’t DEMAND contact after the successful and happy transition, but I don’t know one rescuer who doesn’t relish knowing that the frightened little puppy they saved from a ditch near death or out of a shelter on euthanasia day is thriving, happy, healthy possibly chasing squirrels, celebrated as a loved four-legged family member instead of the sad alternative statistic that we are reminded of EVERY DAY. We’re incredibly grateful that there are like-minded folks that give of their time, energy, hearts and resources of finances, devotion and skills to make rescue possible. Without wonderful adopters and devoted volunteers involved in rescue, we just wouldn’t be able to save as many animals’ lives. It’s easy to appreciate that RESCUE TAKES A VILLAGE. If you’re reading this now, clearly you feel similarly. That too, is something to celebrate and offer thanks for caring.
“SOPHIE’S VILLAGE” has been thus far filled with many kind-hearted souls that spared her from further suffering from the painful sarcoptic mange, starvation and incredulous neglect that consumed the first few months of her life. Why do people abandon dogs dumping them in ditches, others’ backyards or at the end of an alley or any such random place believing that they can survive in a world they didn’t choose if they aren’t adequate food or the necessary shelter and protection? Why aren’t people fined for not altering their companion animals so our society isn’t constantly contending with the horrifying overflow of countless dogs languishing in shelters throughout our country, most especially down South? A large part of rescue truly DOES involve EDUCATION — or SHOULD — and at all and every level. There’s not any one person in this world immune to not needing to learn something more than they think they do, or even being re-educated on the important matters at hand that cause concern for our society. Not intended to be an insult or negative comment, just a statement of truth. Again, though, should we focus solely on the undeniable problems, we lose precious time that these dogs DO NOT HAVE . . . and we miss our opportunity to help when we could have made a difference in the lives of deserving animals in need.
Dumped shortly after birth and abandoned to die, this sweet blonde little golden female puppy who was scooped into our care along with 8 other pups of varying ages and degrees of veterinarian desperation (hers being one of the least concerning, fortunately) was NO SOPHIE’S CHOICE. It was unbearable to see any of these dogs remain in that deplorable physical and unacceptable situation, hence ALL DOGS WERE RESCUED. And that’s the starting point from which we began to write our first chapters of SOPHIE’S rescue story. We wrap the hope of each of our charge’s future days in the trust that a secure and loving future results by involving the good and responsible efforts of those involved.
Most of the time good can triumph evil, and that’s especially helpful in providing the strength rescuers require to help propel the dogs through their recovery and allow our “village people” to “keep on keeping’ on,” even when the situation seems dire. Frankly, it’s not always EASY, but its ALWAYS THE RIGHT THING TO DO . . . ALWAYS!
The sarcoptic mange that SOPHIE struggled with early on in her rescue is not an uncommon for dogs in this neglectful situation. That’s sad indeed, and the extreme itchiness the dogs undoubtedly feel and endure until they are treated looks so very unpleasant due to the incredible hair loss the dog may experience. SOPHIE’S infection with the sacrcoptes scabei mite was much less severe than some of the other survivors found with her at the time of rescue, however each one of these dogs felt the immediate relief of our veterinarian’s treatment. And the healing began quickly for SOPHIE as her pictures reveal. To be clear, these mites are NOT insects. Instead are more closely related to spiders that are not visible with the naked eye. The condition–classically detected by a simple skin scraping at the site of hair loss viewed under a microscope–disease. Besides hair loss, the presence of the female mite causes inflammation similar to an allergic response from food or airborne allergies. This inflammation is relieved upon start of treatment that started immediately upon SOPHIE’S as well that is also relieved upon treatment.
This 4 month old female angel, with her hair now growing in beautifully now that the mange has been successfully treated, is ALSO fully up-to-date on all of her vaccinations including her mandated Rabies inoculation. Spayed and getting the socialization and care she needs every day, we are all eager to welcome SOPHIE into our Northern care where she will undoubtedly thrive in a loving home enjoying the shelter and food that every person and animal benefits from, really. Thankfully SOPHIE had the security of other dogs to offer her some comfort after she was abandoned, and like most dogs (pack animals), she enjoys the comfort of other dogs. Given her young age its thought that she could certainly be adopted into a home as an only dog, but that’s the benefit of our fostering program where our seasoned volunteers spend time assessing and evaluating the dogs so they can be properly matched into the most ideal homes. We will learn more about SOPHIE’S needs as she spends time in our foster’s home and her house-training, leash-training and behaviors are learned. Of course, we hope that all adopters understand that patience is a requirement for all things worth it in life, most especially the dogs we rescue. On monthly HW, flea and tick prevention, SOPHIE was deemed in strong and good health by her veterinarian.
An exchange of the dogs’ needs and direct communication with SOPHIE’S foster family and a gleaned understanding of potential adopters’ needs, abilities and home environment allow us to have the most successful experience for all involved. Trust comes with time, and we look forward to working with you to establish that trust. . . after all, it’s what is needed for any adopted dog or even one that didn’t need rescue. So, we’ll practice what we know our dogs need and take the lead in starting the dialogue when we receive an application from you or your family to be considered for this gorgeous little creature of hope, SOPHIE! Help us secure the best future possible for this sweet pup, and thanks for considering RESCUE DOG VILLAGE!
Donations for the pups can also be accepted on our fundraiser website: ClickHERE
WITH MEDICAL EXPENSES FOR THE PUPS – the medical expenses for these sweet loving pups are more than our adoption fee and we need donations. Any gift is not too small, these pups will also have many other needs if that is something that appeals to you, they will need flea & tick medication, HW pills, toys, beds and coats. They only weigh between 10-15 lbs and will need their 3rd puppy shots so your donation can go towards that if you want. If you would like to help with their medical needs once they arrive, that would be a great way to help a dog directly.
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Application instructions: click the link below to apply for adoption of this dog.
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