Rescue Hardship: When Is It Time?

Many years ago I was heavily involved in rescue – both small and large critters – and took a step back after the overwhelming need and my inability to be able to do something more got the better of me and I started to burn out.  It’s been a few years and I’ve started to reach out to a couple of rescues to help with man power and financial assistance because I’m not ready or able to foster a needy critter at the moment.

One of the rescues that I hold near and dear to my heart is Heroes for Homeless Animals.  They are an all breed rescue group that does a lot of work with bully breeds.  One of the key reasons I support them is they give 110% to every single creature that walks through their doors.  They are all given the full array of necessary veterinary care (speuter, vaccinations, HW treatment, etc.) and given the best possible chance to succeed.

Unfortunately, rescue isn’t all success stories.  It isn’t a field for glory whores who want to paint everything with rainbows and glitter.  There is a nitty gritty behind it that absolutely sucks – the decision to declare an animal unadoptable and the inevitable humane euthanization that breaks the hearts of those who have worked so hard to save this animal.  It’s not something any rescue should take lightly and Heroes definitely doesn’t.

Michelle, one of the heads of the organization, and I have had many agonizing conversations over street, shelter and owner-surrendered dogs they’ve taken in.  It breaks her heart each and every single time she’s had to make this decision and I, for one, do not envy the position she, Portia or any of the volunteers have to sit in when it comes to making this choice.  The heartache that follows, even if it wasn’t a personal pet, is still massive and tears a small piece of one’s heart each and every time.

This puppy season was especially hard on Heroes.  They were inundated with pregnant dogs, dogs that’d whelped and had young litters and ran the world with the list of problems they had – many that were heartworm positive!  One of these hard luck cases was Eenie.


Eenie before Heroes took her in.

Eenie, a GSD/something mix, came to Heroes on September 8, 2012.  She was left on a chain in Southwest Detroit after her owners left her behind when they moved with only a makeshift dog house for shelter from the elements.  Before Heroes took Eenie in, she had whelped nine puppies and of them, three were alive when Heroes arrived.

Eenie and her puppies (named Meeney, Miney and Mo by the rescue) were rushed to the vet where Eenie came back a strong positive for heartworm and had fluid buildup in her lungs from the infestation.  Poor Eenie had absolutely no idea what was going on and was utterly terrified.  Michelle and Portia knew she needed time to decompress to evaluate her temperament and begin to prepare for the treatment to rid her of those vile parasites.

Eenie, however, didn’t decompress like a normal dog.  She was afraid of the world.  Everything except Michelle made her cower.  Michelle made the decision that Eenie needed a quieter environment for both her mental healing and post-treatment healing.  A foster home was located but Eenie had other plans and took the entire Heroes team on a 10-hour search after she jumped the fence shortly after undergoing a heartworm treatment.  It was apparent that even a foster home was too much for her to handle and Michelle brought her back home.  They all worked with her for weeks with little progress.  Her fears became worse and Michelle knew, even if she didn’t want to admit it then, that Eenie’s quality of life was suffering because of her severe, fear-based anxiety.

The Heroes team was at a loss as to what to do.  They, as a group, had suffered this puppy season with many little mouths to feed, mountains of vet bills and had to euthanize two of the mothers due to severe temperament issues that made them unsafe for adoption already.  Already the rumors were flying and trying to call the group’s ethics into question and they had to face another heart wrenching choice on a dog that was clearly miserable and unhappy with life.  Finally, after a lot of time, deliberation and talking to many canine professionals they made the call to let her cross the Rainbow Bridge.

Eenie left for the Rainbow Bridge on October 18, 2012.  She left behind her fears, her anxiety and people who would have given absolutely anything to make her whole again.  The Heroes team had a hard choice to make for Eenie’s well-being.  The rumors will fly and loose lips will flap in the wind but the ultimate knowledge in what was right for Eenie lays with the Heroes team.

I personally believe that they made the right decision for her and every other creature they have euthanized.  We can all pass judgment on what could have been done but it doesn’t do any good to the animals that ultimately need the help that the Heroes for Homeless Animals team is willing and able to give.  We can all wish that the same compassion given to these dogs would be the same across the planet to all living creatures even when life and death hang in the balance.

Play hard at the bridge, sweet Eenie.  Know that your puppies will flourish and your memory will forever rest in the hearts of your rescuers.

2 thoughts on “Rescue Hardship: When Is It Time?

  1. Michelle

    Thank You!! You nailed.it. I sat with her until the end. I am heartbroken that I could not heal her broken heart. She is happy now running and playing with her deceased babies. You will not be forgotten the fight will continue for more like you.

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  2. Stephanie

    I know all to well about this hard decision an all the heart break and joy that comes along with rescuing. Before I was who I am now I worked for a rescue and fostered LOTS of dogs and puppies. Although I am unable to do it now I still hold a special place for all my foster pup in my heart. I am truly thankful for those that are able to help out four legged fiends in need. May Eenie rest in piece!!!

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