05/27/2026
I'm sad. I'm overwhelmed. Sometimes it is hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel in rescue. There is always another dog dying, and always a return around the corner. There's always someone telling you that you aren't doing enough, that you aren't doing it right.
I think the assumption is we have endless capacity. That we are paid. That the government funds us. That we aren't emotionally bothered by the stress and trauma of it all. That there is always somewhere for a dog to go. That we aren't personally exposed to the raw intake side of it.
But those assumptions would be wrong. I've been sent hundreds of photos of dead dogs, dogs with their limbs cut off, dogs left to die in garbage bags, videos of torture, and photos of my own dog, Wilbur, with his face burned. I am currently trying to help coordinate a rescue of a dog that was intentionally set on fire. I have had to say no, knowing a death would be inevitable because there was no room and no money.
This month we have had 4 requests for returns for various reasons - I don't want to pay for training, I think it is "best", my lifestyle has changed - but the reality is still the same: every return takes space from another dog we could have helped.
At the end of it all, I cry for those who go through the trauma with me- all of our admin team who donate the limited time they have to help save the lives that we can and absorb the trauma of when we cannot, to all our families, including my own, who lose time with us, to the adopters who love their dogs with all their hearts, to our Maryland fosters who make saving lives possible, to the Puerto Rican fosters who see it with their own eyes instead of through videos and photos. You are all heroes and thank you for giving me the strength to wipe my tears and curse really loud in my kitchen, and continue on.
Somehow, despite all of it, we keep going — because for every heartbreak there is also the dog who finally gets to sleep safely, the scared dog who learns to trust, the family who loves them forever.
Sometimes rescue is really hard and today is one of those days. ❤️🩹
If you'd like to help please donate, foster, adopt.
Tomorrow is another day.
