Every so often someone asks me, “Are you still wasting your time doing that dog stuff?” I take a deep breath. “Yes, I am.” I don’t argue with them. I don’t try to explain. How can I? People who don’t do rescue work just can’t understand.
I have loved animals my entire life and I grew up with (at various times) rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, rats, hamsters, chickens, ducks, cats, dogs, doves, pigeons, peacocks, and fish. Apparently, word got out about our home being a haven for animals, and soon people just started dropping animals off at our front door, much to my mother’s chagrin.
I began volunteering with Southern California Dachshund Relief (SCDR) in 2009, after a coworker passed away and I temporarily took in Holly, her elderly black-and-tan dachshund. When Holly eventually found a permanent home, my life felt empty. So I went on Craigslist and found that the northern California branch of Southern California Dachshund Relief needed foster homes. I applied, was approved, and picked up Tuffy the next day.
Dena Delgado founded SCDR in 1998 with $200 and in 2009 converted it to a 501(c)(3) corporation. With volunteers in Northern, Central, and Southern California, SCDR has rescued over 3,000 Dachshunds.
The dogs I have fostered all have gripping stories. One was left without food or water, tied up in the backyard of a foreclosed house after his owners moved out. Thanks to some daring volunteers, Mickey was rescued, brought into our rescue, and adopted into a home where he is now the center of attention. Biscuit’s elderly owner nearly killed her with kindness by feeding her so much that Biscuit became morbidly obese. After her owner went into a nursing home, I went to pick Biscuit up and thought she would die of a heart attack walking to my car! Several months later, I drove a much slimmer Biscuit to Madera, where she was adopted by a wonderful family. According to them, she is now “living the life of Riley” but without the excess of treats. Biscuit’s Facebook pictures confirm that good fortune has smiled on her (especially the one where she is lounging in the sun by the pool.)
My favorite thing about rescuing Dachshunds is seeing the positive influence they have on people. There is something about Dachsunds that make you smile. It’s probably because they look somewhat silly, with their long bodies and short, stubby legs, yet often have big macho attitudes.
This week I took Max – a cute and cuddly breed ambassador – to visit the residents of a skilled nursing facility. As we walked down the hallway, Max instinctively knew who was most in need of his love. As he approached a woman with advanced Parkinson’s, her face lit up. When she petted him, Max started licking both of her hands. Tears of happiness streamed down her face as she said how much she loved, and missed, being touched.
Leaving her after a while, Max made the rest of his rounds, knowing instinctively what he could do to make all the other residents happy.
It’s a quality so many dogs seem to possess, bringing comfort and cheer to us humans. So when it comes to the matter of saving dogs, who really is being rescued? I have definitely enjoyed as many benefits from fostering these wonderful dogs as I have bestowed on them.
Please join me in being a dog fosterer, whatever breed strikes your fancy!
Althea T. Kippes volunteers with the Northern California division of Southern California Dachshund Relief. When she is not finding homes for dogs, she is finding homes for people as a Broker Associate and Realtor® with the San Jose Willow Glen office of Coldwell Banker.
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Main article photo by: Annette Jenab
