Island Adventure

Feeling burnt out from the pressures of dogs and family -- I decided to take a weekend off and go to our falling down shack on Vinalhaven. Of course, in order to get my "vacation" I have to take at leats three dogs with me, so that David does not have a melt down caring for all seven on his own.

On Saturday morning, I get up at 3:00 a.m. to make the 7:00 a.m. ferry leaving Rockland. As usual, I did not make reservations in time, so I am forced to show-up early and wait in the stand-by line. Gouda, Shasta, Jezabelle hop in the van and off we go.

David warned me that I should not make the trip as the forecast called for 60 mile/hour winds and rain storms - but being desperate for a break, I ignore his warnings and the weather report... Amazingly, the 7:00a ferry was full - so I had to wait for the 8:45a. By 8:00a the winds were blowing, the rain was pouring...but still - I refused to give up.

I gave everbody (including myself) a good dose of Dramamine. At 8:30a, I was waived onto the boat.

My van was in the very front position on the Bow - with nothing in front of us except for one chain across the entry way.

Needless to say - That the longest 1.5 hours of my life. 20 foot waves crashed over the top of van. The boat was flying up into the air and back down as it hit the waves. The dogs were panting and all trying to climb into my lap. I was green - the dramamine did not work for me - I spent the time reaching for the nearest bowl, as the seasoned ferry passengers sent looks of pity my way.

We made it - It was the last ferry of the day. The remaining ferries were canceled due to weather...LOL In fact, all of the returning Ferries on Sunday (mine included) were canceled as well - not that I was in any big rush to head back out into the open sea.

I stood out in the storm on a hill (the only place to find cell phone coverage on the island) and called David to let him know if my delayed return - who gave me the obligatory "I told you so." Very helpful...

Trapped on an island with three dogs during horendous storms. We lost electricity of course. But it was an exercise in forced relaxation - which was good for me. I could not clean, cook or work on the house....nor could I work in the yard...so we all just hung out and watched the storm and waited for the day that the ferries would start running again. It was nice curling up with the pups, by the wood stove, reading a book.

I needed the break - but now I am 3 days behind on my rescue emails. My inbox is full and rejecting new emails. Adopters inquiries have gone unanswered. Urgent pleas from shelters have been answered too late...

I can't wait to go back to the Island:)

CDL

Where have I been?

Recently my mother suffered from a massive stroke. She lives in the woods of CT by herself with her two very large dogs. I share this to uncover yet another challenge of being in the dog rescue "business." The call comes in and being the closest relative, I need to hop in the car and go to my mother's aid. However - what is to be done about the dogs?

With the number of dogs in my home and within our rescue as a whole, it is difficult to leave the house for a few hours...leaving the state for an extended amount of time is near impossible. When a family crisis occurs, it reveals the round-the-clock nature of this job.

The dogs need to be walked, fed, interacted with. Trips to the vet are ongoing. Communication with adopters, vet checks, home visits need to be done in a short timeline so that the prospective home does not find a dog elsewhere.

Rescuers themselves have a tendency to keep the behaviorally and physically dogs themselves - dogs that cannot be boarded or tended to by pet sitters or good-hearted volunteers.

So off I went - Three out of "my" dogs with me in tow - to bring the total at my mother's house up to five...meetings with doctors, social workers, physical therapists, home health aids, and pet sitters for my mother's dogs are non-stop.

I have no Internet access and no cell phone coverage in the woods of CT which makes me feel completely helpless should a dog-related emergency occur.

David, my "significant other" promises to try not to work his usual 14 hour shifts, so that our dogs are not left home alone with their legs crossed. During absence, two dogs escaped our fenced in yard, schedule medications were forgotten, prospective adopters became irrtated and opportunities for forever homes were missed.

My father calls to ask if I should perhaps reconsider my lifestyle - but those who are in rescue, know that it is not a profession of choice.

However - We made it through the first round - but my mother needs ongoing care and a live-in companion. Being a woman who will barely let the house keeper come into her home once a week - the challenge continues and more trips to CT are in my future.

Pleas for help from shelters and concerned dog lovers keep coming in -- the dogs keep coming in.

The thought enters my mind -- "Should I stop rescuing dogs and resume a 'normal' lifestyle?"

Then I receive a call concerning a German Shepherd that is currently living chained inside someone's basement that needs a place to go...

No - I am not going to stop...but I need to figure out a better plan...