I haven’t been writing as much as I’d like to recently. I’ve started and stopped – and restarted – this particular post a few times over the past several weeks.
Most of you already know that my passion in life is the welfare of companion animals – dogs in particular. Second only to my family, my rescue and public education goals are what drive me. Most of my personal goals are wrapped up in my desire to better the lives of as many dogs as possible, in the present and the future.
Lately I feel like everything is moving backwards.
- Rescue: Even though I do the books and talk to the current pres almost every day, I lost touch with the day-to-day operations of NYCSR after I moved away. Now that I’m back, my new job keeps me so overwhelmed that I haven’t been able to get back into it the way I would like. Meanwhile, the number of dogs needing help seems to be increasing and everyone’s available volunteer time and donation money is decreasing. Long time volunteers are keeping it going by sheer force of will, but I can see the rescue chewing them up and preparing to spit them out. It really scares me.
- Humane Education: Since moving back, I haven’t found a humane education program nearby for me and Mr. Snick to get involved in. A lot of my personal "positive reinforcement" has come from this in the past and the void is unavoidable. (I may have something lined up for the fall though. Fingers crossed.)
- Public Education especially re: acquiring a pet: This is the one that REALLY frustrates me. After three years of trying to make a difference, I see more and MORE and MORE people buying Shiba puppies from the wrong sources. The Shiba puppy cam seems to have caused a spike in popularity and the "only in it for the money" breeders are working overtime to fill the demand.
Sometimes I feel like I’m slamming my head against a brick wall and losing ground every day. I wonder why I bother. It would be SO much more fun to just play with Snick. Of course, I’ll never let myself give up.
Unfortunately these are all things that have gone on for a long time. Rescue people DO burn out, it’s pretty common really. You can only do what you are physically and mentally able to do and then you have to sometimes step back and let someone else come in and take over for a bit.
re: Puppy buyers … equally unfortunate is the fact that responsible breeders simply do NOT keep up with the demand for puppies (I’m not saying they should, I’m just stating a fact). The only way to redemption here is the education of the public, educate them to want puppies ONLY from responsible breeders and/or rescues. Heck, education that older dogs bond just as easily, if not more so, as puppies. I don’t know why everyone wants a puppy … they’re a lot more work than a nice 2+ year old! But you’re doing your part with your shiba blog, but I know somedays you just want to slap people … I remember getting correspondence from someone who bought a puppy at a pet store even though they had been reading my website for a long time. I was thinking “So where on my website did you miss the part about NOT buying from a pet store?” You got it, it was an impulse buy… sigh
I agree with Lynda, the Burn Out rate is high, and with the economy being what it is today, and the increase in dogs being surrendered due to owners unable to keep them, shelter and rescue needs are overwhelming. What I find frustrating is an inability to compromise. In order to make this right for the animals we truly care about, I don’t see anything changing without everyone working together. It may mean making sacrifices, or agreeing on some issues now in order to insure better in years to come, but that should be the main goal. When I read the varying alerts regarding a bill or proposed law, and how much ‘people’ will suffer if it’s passed, how their rights will be violated, I very seldom see much said about how our furry friends are suffering now, or how continuing to not do anything helps them at all. Like Lynda said, you can only do what you can do, then step back and let someone else do what they can do. It’s sad, and I don’t see it getting any better soon.
Play with Snicks as often as you can, don’t let your frustration get in the way of your time together. They leave us way too soon, and there’s nothing we can do to make up for time lost. I’ve been pleasantly surprised talking to young children lately just how much education is making a difference with them. They listen, they are learning, and hopefully will be the voices that will make the future right.
Jenna, don’t ever give up. You are entitled to these feelings. It is all part of the “rescue world” that you are involved in. Many people in rescue or education can get burned out. It happens, and then we pick right up where we left off. You have had a lot of changes in the past year (some similar to me, moving, changes in the rescue, and in the Meetup groups). You changed things in your life that were a huge part of who you were/are. You are just finding yourself again, and knowing you, you will be a better person for it, and continue all the wonderful things you do to help dogs in need. The Shibas need you!!! You are not alone, many dog owners feel exactly the same way as you do. The difference is that you will do something about it
– Bonnie & Sushi
.-= Bonnie & Sushi´s last blog ..Shiba Inu Children’s Book =-.
Lynda – wanting to slap people is exactly how I feel sometimes. I could talk till I’m blue in the face about how to find a good breeder and the poor quality pups just keep pouring in anyway. I feel like I should be able to make more of a difference, with the meetup group (350 members) especially, but sometimes I don’t think I’m making a dent!
Carolyn – Very good advice! I spent the day with Snickers today and he’s napping right beside me now. I sure hope you’re right about education and the next generation. I’d love to live to see the day when dogs aren’t dying in shelters.
Bonnie – Thanks. Luckily, I think moving helped me not burn out on the rescue, as I was going non-stop 24/7 for the two years before I moved. NYCSR is really suffering right now because of the economy. I’ve taken the meetup group back though and I hope to use it to recruit “new blood” to help keep the rescue afloat.
Tomorrow morning I’m driving a transport leg for five Lab puppies, so I’ll make sure to get some “thanks for helping rescue me” kisses (complete with puppy breath) before I pass them along to the next driver. Seeing the individual dogs always helps… like that starfish on the beach story!
Wow, Jenna. I understand exactly how you are feeling. You have major changes in your life soon after having already made lots of changes just before that.
Caring so much about dogs in an often insensitive world can be very sad. I know from personal experience that I cannot work on the front lines like you and others like you do and have. I become way too angry and emotional. I so admire those strong enough to do so, but certainly understand the frustration involved. Change is slow and there are set backs. Yet there are the many individual dogs that you know you have helped. Sigh. I don’t know what to say.
Thanks Mon. I appreciate the empathy.
Jenna, I just want you to know you do make a difference. I did a home check for a couple in Lewisville, TX the other day. They knew about adopting a rescue and had help from you. They were very grateful for you and all you did to help them. I’m not sure what the status on their adoption is (the shiba is in Florida) but I know they have you to thank.
I know it’s hard. People don’t listen, people chew you out (I had one lady told me if she wanted her dog to be a puppy mill then thank god she lives in a country where she has that freedom)and inevitably there’s always someone in the shelters who pulls on your heartstrings. Do you have a picture of all the dogs you have helped. I put together a college and add to it every time a new one passes through. It helps a lot.
Nicole, your comment made my day. The idea that I had that kind of influence on someone is really encouraging! (And FYI, it seems someone in Florida is going to adopt that Shiba, so the TX couple is still looking for the right rescue for them.)
The rescue stuff isn’t what frustrates me the most (except for worrying about my friends in NYCSR). It’s really the education piece that makes me feel like I’m not getting anywhere. In particular, there is a "breeder" in my area who is churning out Shiba puppies at a MADDENING pace since the Shiba puppy cam. For every potential owner I talk to, it seems like there are 5 or 6 more out there making decisions – and buying from her – without enough/correct information.
So many people really don’t listen. It’s wonderful to know that some do!!!
Hi – I just came across Snickers on FB (and of course became an instant fan) — love your blog! And THANK YOU for all you do for the animals. I know it’s been said, but you DO make a difference and the TX couple is Proof! All you can do for your NY group is be there as a moral support to them personally to help them not get “chewed up and spit out” so quickly and to allow them the space and understanding if and when it does happen. It does happen often apparently the 5 year mark is some sort of milestone as I look at those around me. People beyond that have gotten into a groove that allows them another 5 or 10 years it seems and I am looking for that groove myself honestly. I’ve run the only Akita rescue in Arizona – AARTA – http://www.AkitaAdvocates.com We began in 2004 and started basically by accident. We’re responsible for saving and re-homing close over 450 dogs at this point. In 2008 we re-homed 90 dogs, mostly Akitas but started with some others too last year, I have no idea how many we’ve done this year but a bit less I believe since we no longer are boarding dogs commercially until I get the bills all paid off
THEN, my plans are BIG — Like YOURS!! Hang tough & remember your “why”. =) Cheers, Deb
Deb, thank you so much for your comment (and, of course, for being a fan of Snickers)!!! It’s really great to virtually meet you.
NYCSR started by accident also. Then Snickers just kept pushing everyone around and the rest is history. We’ve only been at it for 2 1/2 years now. My 7 month break in Indiana helped me a lot as far as not flaming out. I’m trying hard now to recruit “new blood” so everyone can take sanity breaks as needed.
Jenna,
I wanted you to know the TX couple found a shiba for them. A member of the Hill Country Meetup realized they no longer had time to take care of their shiba properly. Sad I know but the TX couple is a wonderful match for him. He just arrived yesterday (Monday, August 16th) but he seems to be settling in nicely.
Thanks for all your help!
Ooh! Thank you for letting me know! I knew something might be in the works, but didn’t know for sure or that it had happened. That is great! I think they will be a wonderful rescue home.