I saw the "Other side" of Rescue Today

[cubbysan]

Today I saw the "other side" of rescue. I went to my local Petco where the rescues have adoption days. There was one cage with this beautiful big black dog with white bib. Probably a lab mix with longer hair. His fur was trimmed up like he had recently been professionally groomed.

There was no sign on him, which I thought was odd. Later I noticed a man about 30, kneeling against the cageand the dog leaning against the man, patting him. I thought he was adopting him, because I saw one of the volunteers filling out paperwork. I then noticed this man crying. He was there for another half hour when we left, not being able to pull away from his dog. I realized he was surrendering him, and he did not want to. I had to leave real quickly because I started crying.

This made me remember that not all previous owners are monsters. I noticed the man had a wedding ring and wondered if maybe his wife made him get rid of the dog, if maybe his child was allergic, or of the dog was a victim of this awful economy. It was one of the saddest things I have witnessed.

Fortunately, the dog was beautiful and seemed like he had a good temperment. I am sure it would have a home in no time, if I was looking for a dog, he would be the one I would have taken.

[mudEpawz]

i started to get tears just reading this. thank you for posting. i think its good that we keep an open mind and consider that not every surrendering their dog is a 'bad' owner and a dog maybe surrended as a last resort. i couldnt imagine giving up chloe.

[goldensrbest]

That is very sad, i wonder what a dog thinks,when their family,just is gone.

[Megora]

Our collie was a surrender like that... I know he was the husband's dog and the husband was really hit the hardest by the surrender. We've lost touch with the foster, but prior to that I know the husband did check time and again for updates.

It did turn out for the best for Arth.

[kwhit]

I am totally in tears. That must have been devastating to watch. That image will stay with me for a long time...

[Mayve]

I think we would do well to remind ourselves that "life" does happen and while we may never surrender a pet under any circumstances, or so we say...I think it is because we haven't yet faced a circumstance where we have felt we had no other option.

I personally have come close, when DH was diagnosed with cancer it was touch and go. I did everything I could to NOT have to, but if his health had continued to deteriorate and the bills became more than they were, I may have been faced with that same scenario...I"m thankful and blessed that I didn't.

[ShadowGolden]

We ran into one of these cases while walking Shadow today - thankfully we only heard the story and didn't witness it. We met a beautiful 5-year old golden and his owner. She told us that he was a rescue and that his family's house was foreclosed on. They had no choice but to turn him over to the rescue. She said the woman arranged for her children not to be home when the rescue came to pick him up. Then she said the woman was hysterically crying when she handed him over. I felt awful.

[vcm5]

Wow, so heartbreaking. I can't imagine if anyone or any situation ever made me separate from Riley, it would be impossible. You would never be able to tear me away. Oh, here we go, now I'm going to cry just thinking about it!

[Chaos]

I am also in tears! I would never be able to let my doggies go. So far, they are the only ones who have been there laying at my feet everyday, regardless of the circumstance. Through thick or thin, when I'm sick or they're sick... I count on their company so much each day. They only way I'd be able to do it was if I knew it would be better for them in the long run. Prayers for a quick adoption so that this will only be a minor hiccup in that dogs life! I feel for both parties.

[mylissyk]

There are some owners who love them like children and are forced by circumstance to give them up. Or like some we've taken, are military being deployed to war zones and have no family to take care of their dog. Those are very hard on me personally, and I know the owners are destroyed over having to give them up.