Post by MacBeth on Jan 22, 2009 17:55:38 GMT -5
JANUARY 2009
Happy 2009 and Happy 10th Anniversary to DRNA!
WOW! What a decade this has been! When we first organized over Thanksgiving 1998, we thought we would have maybe 15 members and place 50 dogs per year. We struggled whenever a dog needed a back surgery. Should we? Could we do it and recover the funds in donations or would each one be the end of DRNA? The stress was agonizing! In nearly all cases, we went for it because our members believe in the good and generosity of people, the love of dachshunds and miracles. It is still the same today.
While the official figures won't be ready for release for a couple of weeks, I think we are rapidly approaching over 6,000 dogs placed during the past 10 years and more than 12 major surgeries done every year. Our members are ready to foster dogs recovering from back and leg surgeries, diabetics, Cushing's dogs, fragile puppies, birthing moms, heartworm treatment dogs, toothless wonders and whatever it takes to rise to the challenge. It is astounding to learn that you can figure out how to give dog subcutaneous fluids if that is what it takes to keep the dog alive, and you will do so because you must. When you are in that position, there is very little discussion about not being able to do that. DRNA is not going to let any dog down and so we become midwives, nurses, surgical attendants, nutritionists and of course, poo scoopers! This year our membership and our amazing support network stepped up to the challenge of a lifetime. DRNA participated in the largest puppy mill raid in the history of the United States spearheaded by four of the largest humane organizations in the country. The raid in Parkersburg, WV took in 927 dogs, primarily dachshunds. DRNA went above and beyond taking 160 dogs or nearly 20% of the dogs in need! They came in one large group and then a few smaller ones, but DRNA was there to give them the care they needed, knowing the needs of the primary breed in this mill. Our largest puppy mill group prior to this was 54 dogs back in 2000. Amazing what a little experience can train us for!
While we have met that challenge and lots of dogs celebrated their first holiday in a warm snuggly bed, we are now faced with a new and growing crisis. Economic times are taking its toll on rescue. We are receiving daily reports of dogs left in unheated, abandoned houses with no food or water. Beloved pets are surrendered to shelters when families are forced to downsize. DRNA is trying to meet this need but the numbers are overwhelming. Our need for foster homes for even one dog is reaching critical levels. If you can afford to feed one more doxie for a few months, your help is needed. Most of these dogs aren't bad or difficult dogs. They are just down on their luck. Many are seniors that require so very little. Please help us keep them out of the cold concrete walls of a shelter where depression and arthritis set in. While donations are important, we need more warm snuggly spots to house dogs until they can find a home. Please consider taking in a foster. It directly affects how many lives we can save. YOU can make the difference. Applications are slowing down while the number of dogs in need rises. We are making it our New Year's resolution to renew and recharge our commitment to rescue and reaffirm our belief that miracles happen. We believe but we will always need your help. Together we can make dreams come true for dogs in need and the people that are searching for that special dog. Neil and I adopted our first dog in 10 years...our first official DRNA dog. Thelma has her warm snuggly spot in the big bed. She was a WV momma that spoke to me in that warehouse full of nearly 1,000 needy dogs. Please help us make that happen for so many more dogs. We believe in miracles. You can help make one happen.
www.drna.org/
Dachsies waiting for a home can be seen here: www.drna.org/available.asp
Happy 2009 and Happy 10th Anniversary to DRNA!
WOW! What a decade this has been! When we first organized over Thanksgiving 1998, we thought we would have maybe 15 members and place 50 dogs per year. We struggled whenever a dog needed a back surgery. Should we? Could we do it and recover the funds in donations or would each one be the end of DRNA? The stress was agonizing! In nearly all cases, we went for it because our members believe in the good and generosity of people, the love of dachshunds and miracles. It is still the same today.
While the official figures won't be ready for release for a couple of weeks, I think we are rapidly approaching over 6,000 dogs placed during the past 10 years and more than 12 major surgeries done every year. Our members are ready to foster dogs recovering from back and leg surgeries, diabetics, Cushing's dogs, fragile puppies, birthing moms, heartworm treatment dogs, toothless wonders and whatever it takes to rise to the challenge. It is astounding to learn that you can figure out how to give dog subcutaneous fluids if that is what it takes to keep the dog alive, and you will do so because you must. When you are in that position, there is very little discussion about not being able to do that. DRNA is not going to let any dog down and so we become midwives, nurses, surgical attendants, nutritionists and of course, poo scoopers! This year our membership and our amazing support network stepped up to the challenge of a lifetime. DRNA participated in the largest puppy mill raid in the history of the United States spearheaded by four of the largest humane organizations in the country. The raid in Parkersburg, WV took in 927 dogs, primarily dachshunds. DRNA went above and beyond taking 160 dogs or nearly 20% of the dogs in need! They came in one large group and then a few smaller ones, but DRNA was there to give them the care they needed, knowing the needs of the primary breed in this mill. Our largest puppy mill group prior to this was 54 dogs back in 2000. Amazing what a little experience can train us for!
While we have met that challenge and lots of dogs celebrated their first holiday in a warm snuggly bed, we are now faced with a new and growing crisis. Economic times are taking its toll on rescue. We are receiving daily reports of dogs left in unheated, abandoned houses with no food or water. Beloved pets are surrendered to shelters when families are forced to downsize. DRNA is trying to meet this need but the numbers are overwhelming. Our need for foster homes for even one dog is reaching critical levels. If you can afford to feed one more doxie for a few months, your help is needed. Most of these dogs aren't bad or difficult dogs. They are just down on their luck. Many are seniors that require so very little. Please help us keep them out of the cold concrete walls of a shelter where depression and arthritis set in. While donations are important, we need more warm snuggly spots to house dogs until they can find a home. Please consider taking in a foster. It directly affects how many lives we can save. YOU can make the difference. Applications are slowing down while the number of dogs in need rises. We are making it our New Year's resolution to renew and recharge our commitment to rescue and reaffirm our belief that miracles happen. We believe but we will always need your help. Together we can make dreams come true for dogs in need and the people that are searching for that special dog. Neil and I adopted our first dog in 10 years...our first official DRNA dog. Thelma has her warm snuggly spot in the big bed. She was a WV momma that spoke to me in that warehouse full of nearly 1,000 needy dogs. Please help us make that happen for so many more dogs. We believe in miracles. You can help make one happen.
www.drna.org/
Dachsies waiting for a home can be seen here: www.drna.org/available.asp
