Because you follow our website, you are already familiar with our mission to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome stray and abandoned dogs.  You can probably even puts faces and names of our rescue dogs to their stories of survival.  This brings us to our blog topic today - why we put so much effort into saving sick dogs. 

Let me back up to when we founded this little rescue group and our reason for doing so.  We became aware of stray dogs that were struggling for survival.  We became aware of the overpopulation problem and the lack of humane supports for the innocent canine victims of the cycle.  We decided to make a difference. 

Jumping in to make a difference to dogs when you love dogs is not an easy journey.  Coming to the realization that you cannot save them all is shattering.  This is the frustrating and draining part of dog rescue. 

Because you know of us, you are likely aware that we do not utilize the term "no kill" to describe our organization.  We have had to make the painful decision to euthanize dogs with no hope of recovery from illness or injury.  These decisions are always made in conjunction with medical advice from our veterinarians.  The key question in our decision making is "Will what we are doing improve the quality of life or prolong suffering?"  Quality of life is our priority.  If we can provide supports to save a life we will opt for that every time.  When there is a chance for a good quality of life, we can still make a difference. 

We certainly do not discriminate among our rescues and only bring in sick or injured dogs. We know that there are hundreds of homeless dogs that need help.  And we also know that when a dog as fragile as Symbol comes to our attention, if we do not bring her in from the cold she will not make it. 

It is true that a dog like Symbol requires more medical attention than some other, healthier dogs, but to us that doesn't change her value.  Every dog's life is of value to us.  Had we brought in a different, healthier dog the same night as Symbol, we still would not have enough foster space for all the dogs that need it.  Regardless of what dogs we rescue, our biggest constraint is foster space.  Unfortunately, we are not unique in that regard.   I don't think any rescue organization or shelter will ever have enough space for all the dogs in need. 

Symbol came to our attention as a result of an education campaign regarding parvo in our rescue community.  By educating the public on the signs, symptoms, treatment and need for parvo vaccination we feel we are making a difference for the Symbol's of the future. 

Dog rescue is never easy.  Our guiding philosophy is that every dog, healthy or sick, deserves a chance at life and a chance at love.