• Every Hero Needs a Villain

    Tonight, I am dealing with a mixed bag of emotions. I’m angry, sad, disappointed and flat out tired. There are days I love my job. In a way it defines who I am. I am a rescuer. I love animals and I am committed to fight for them – to save as many as I »more

  • This is What Adoption Looks Like

    January 28, 2014 was a normal day when it began that morning.  I kissed my husband goodbye and headed to work.  I had no idea that at 2:49 pm that day I would get a phone call that would change our world forever. Our story is a beautiful one.  Adopting our son was God’s plan. »more

  • Dear Critics,

    It’s been a long time since I’ve had a rant, so perhaps it’s time. I’m no stranger to criticism.  Sadly, working in non-profit animal rescue, I’ve been called everything from a liberal whore to a bitch.  My actions are constantly judged, my beliefs challenged and my sanity questioned.  Most people don’t last long in companion »more

  • You Damn Liberal Whores!!!

    REAL PHONE MESSAGE (word for word) FROM MY VOICE MAIL TODAY AT WORK: “I just counted 29 cats in my neighborhood. Twenty nine! You damn tree huggers are going to get us all killed with you damn rescue bullshit. These animals are varmints. They carry disease, they ruin our grass and their piss kills our »more

  • Saved by Scarlett

    It was Father’s Day weekend. I had recently graduated from high school and I was enjoying that freedom and bliss that comes from being a young, indestructible adult. I was working part-time, making my own money. My responsibilities were limited to going to class, paying car insurance and taking care of my cat and dog. »more

  • Forget the Zombie Apocalypse

    VOICEMAIL #1: (A rough, raspy, female voice speaking in a frantic manner) “I need help and I need it now. You must call me before they get inside!” VOICEMAIL #2: “You have to help me. If they get in, they will kill me.” (She then began to whisper something inaudible into the phone before hanging »more

  • Diapers, Maxi Pads and Shih Tzus

    Having started our rescue lives working with shih tzus from a puppy mill, we learned quickly that some of the babies that came our way would have special needs, and some would required special treatment. However, we still had no idea of some of the things we would find ourselves doing. If you’ve ever worked »more

  • Struggling with Burnout

    Today has been difficult.  I think that is putting it mildly.  I wanted to quit.  I wanted to run and leave the mess for someone else to clean.  But I didn’t.  Instead, I remembered Joey. I’d like to say that rescue is fun, its rewarding and it gives me a sense of purpose.  And I »more

  • I guess I don’t understand what you do

    Like many animal rescuers, I am guilty of assuming that the whole world knows what goes into animal rescue.  How could it not be common knowledge that this is an all consuming career that doesn’t provide for sick days, or holidays, or even weekends off?    It is demanding, challenging and fulfilling work.  Most rescuers are »more