Diana's Grove Dog Rescue - Why do we do it?

Why do we do it?
Why do we rescue dogs?
by Cynthia Jones,
co-founder and co-owner of Diana's Grove

Scooter We are one of many grassroots animal rescue groups. Grassroots – we have no funding, no city contracts, no building or facility. We care for forty to fifty dogs in our home. Diana’s Grove is a retreat center offering a personal growth program that focuses on professionalism and understanding group dynamics, or pack dynamics – that is what the dogs would call it. Members of our community expressed concern when they learned that the cost of caring for each rescued dog is about $60 a month.

I agree with their concern. Caring for abandoned and unwanted dogs consumes our time, energy and financial resources. You might wonder why we do it. Here is why:

Grove and her dogs I believe that each one of us is called to do what stands before us to be done. You might be called to stand up for your political beliefs or devote your resources to your church or your spiritual work. You might be a volunteer and provide necessary community services. Some of you, like me, care for abandoned dogs, cats and other animals...just not at home or not so many at home. Like you, I do what I can. Our land and our staff enable us to do what stands before us to do; we take in abandoned dogs.

We live in a rural area with limited resources. There are very few services for people and none for unwanted dogs and cats. There are no local vets, animal care facilities or doctors. When we get a call or see a dog wandering on the roadside, we decide what to do. Should we say yes or should we acknowledge our limitations and be realistic? Here in Bunker, I can’t kid myself. The next solution isn’t coming down the road behind me. If we don’t do it, no one will. The dog that we don’t take may well die a slow, lonely death in the woods. If at all possible, we take the dog. We provide medical care, food, shelter and lots of love. In order to continue our work, we must find homes for the dogs in our care. Yes, we are a no-kill shelter, but the dogs that we can’t take don’t live in a no-kill world. Every dog that we place means another dog can live.

Jackie We don’t look for the dogs that we save. In most cases, they weren’t looking for us either. They simply stand before us, creatures of circumstances whose fate is placed in our hands. Why do we do it? A frightened puppy cowers in my arms and believes that he will be safe. The last person who held him placed him on the side of the road on a December day and drove off. And yet, I am forgiven for that sin. I am seen as a solution by a creature whose birth was the result of neglect and whose life has been an extension of that neglect. I am compelled to live up to the hope that lives in an abandoned dog’s eyes. That is why I do it. That is why we do it.

We do it because it is before us to do. In exchange for our time and care, we get to share our lives with creatures that are committed to personal healing. The dogs that we rescue recover. They forgive. They love and they trust even when their personal experience tells them it is foolish to do either.

Rocky How does it happen? Alienation. Alienation is the root and heart of abandonment and neglect. Alienation. We are alienated when we think the fear and misery of an abandoned animal is someone else’s responsibility. It is easy to blame the owner; to blame the ones who can’t find or afford a better answer. It is easy to be alienated from a world where there is no acceptable solution, but there will only be an acceptable solution when we are all willing to create one. I am not separate from the person who put that dog on the road. I am not separate from the family who didn’t spay or neuter. Blame is easy but it doesn’t lead to a solution. “Not my problem. Not my fault.” Should we simply decide whose fault it is and be done with it? Blame is alienation’s pup. Alienation – tell me, how do we fix that dog?

Here is what we can do. We can share the burden of kindness. You don’t have to give your life, just give an hour and join the solution. That is the only way we will solve the problem...no matter what problem we are addressing. The number of abandoned and euthanized pets has decreased in the last ten years.

Big Al Here is my request: rather than lose yourself in the abyss of hopelessness, look into the eyes of the need that stands before you. Respond. Give your time. Give a little bit of your heart. Be it dog rescue work, volunteer work, social action or speaking for a political cause, connect with the world around you. Be an advocate for that which you love. Do what is yours to do.

If you want to help us rescue dogs but you don’t have a place or time, then work with us. Join our work. You can refer potential dog owners to us. You can give us an hour of your month. Give one hour’s wage once each month and change the world for a lost or abandoned dog. Help us help the dogs.

If you would like to donate to the Diana’s Grove Dog rescue or you are considering an adoption, please visit our Petfinder website at http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/MO271.html or call Constance at 573-689-2029. We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting online donations at Diana's Grove Dog Rescue Donations!