Red Oak Rescue

06/30/2023

This year has been busy; getting dogs adopted or transporting others from kill shelters to other rescues where they will find forever homes. It sure is a full-time task; I do it part-time and nobody realizes how hard so many of those I know work to give every dog or cat a chance at a new and better life. All I can say is SPAY and NEUTER PLEASE! I wish Alabama had a better program to help make that happen. Maybe that is my next project!

12/10/2022

05/15/2020

Too, too funny. From a fellow rescuer's post.

06/09/2019

What a day! Did a transport of a dog named Pinkel (still trying to guess at that one) to Chattanooga. Rain heavy; traffic on interstate backed up but was guided around most of it by some very good Samaritans who also transport. Then to another place to see about a stray dog that is very scared. No luck there. Then home to deal with cats that need to be spayed/neutered and a rehoming situation. Time now to get my furbabies settled and then to bed for me to relax. Just a normal day....

06/01/2019

I don't post much on my rescue page. Lately, the rescues have been staying awhile either due to illness, rehab or socialization training. F***y was so sick and malnourished when I picked her up. Right now, she lies next to me and is in so much better shape than before. Still HW+ but treatment is started. She is a real senior lady, might be as old as 10 years and a lab/hound mix but the sweetest, gentlest dog and appreciates the attention she receives. She belonged to someone and how she ended up abandoned is anybody's guess. Perhaps her owners could not afford vet bills and dumped her (yea, it happens unfortunately). My other long-term rescue is the opposite. Kaci is a Stafforshire, one of the bully breeds. She was a momma with barely 2 week old pups that had been neglected and most of the pups perished before I took her in. Her surviving pups were adopted. Kaci needed rehab and had to learn to be a dog. Most rescues do not come with a history. Quickly, I learned that Kaci needed a lot of love and training. She is now acting like a family pet. She loves to crash on the couch after devouring her Oinkie pig roll, playing with her rope or Kong toy and soon is in slumber land.

01/21/2019

Not a big poster on my rescue but wanted to share this info about my recent rescue. I certainly don't do 1/10th what others I know (Gwen, Jen, just to name a couple) do to give life and happiness to dogs but I do care and try to do what I can when I can and where I can. The photos of this dog whom I named Fannie (I do pick the weirdest names) says so much about rescues. Fannie was found by me (or rather Fannie found me) on Dec 27th. I pulled into a parking lot/boat launch ramp to meet my friend to walk. There was Fannie, so sad standing as if she was waiting for someone to help her. Skinny, droopy ears, eyes all infected, just pitiful, an older dog obviously. Her tail wagged a little when I approached but she did not run, growl or act scared - just sad. Well, seconds later, she was in my car in a crate. She apparently had been seen around the area for over a week up a country road. Who can imagine her history: lost, dumped? Vet visits later: Age range 8-10 years, clearly a senior; eye infection, worms, under nourished, and HW+, lungs/chest xrays showed shadow (fluid??), then a fever and infection. Advertised for owner with no result. It is now 1-1/2 months later and $$$ vet bills (no surprises there), Fannie's eyes are clear, temp is much better, started treatment with doxy for HW, her appetite is much improved, she loves short walks, rolling in the grass, did I mention she was housebroken and spayed (so yea she was someone's pet). She shows her appreciation for a warm house, soft bed, daily treats and hugs. Her future not certain until we finish all the antibiotics and can assess the HW situation but for sure Fannie is loved and in return she gives love back in spades. So, thanks to all of you out there who are dedicated to helping the lost ones that find their way to you. I am glad to be a small part of it.

12/30/2018

In reviewing Year 2018, I have the following thoughts and things to share. Before I moved to Alabama, I had done dog rescue but it was finding a dog who usually had a collar and reuniting that dog with its owner. I felt fulfilled. After moving to Alabama, I again had opportunities to rescue dogs (and Cats). However, it became quickly apparent this was a whole new ballgame. If these dogs (or some of them) were lost, their owners certainly did nothing to try to find them and mostly they were throw aways. I can say that there were a couple of times I was able to reunite, one in particular was beagles and their owner had burned up several tanks of gas searching for them before I found them (and yes, they had collars and ID). Many of my rescues were HW+ (just rescued one this week, a senior dog who tested +) and even potential adopters sometimes tell me they do not believe in giving a dog medication (well, that takes them off the list very fast and the ones that way they do are verified!). I have met so many dedicated dog rescuers who spend $$$ and time to bring these dogs back to health and give them a chance at a new, better life or even give them a loving home for the short time they may have left. I am proud to be a small part of that "adventure" and pleased to have relations with others like me who care for neglected furbabies. Then, I so enjoy being part of a group of transporters who move these dogs to states where adopters await them. I try not to dwell on the negatives of attitudes towards animals and focus on what we have in common - the love of these creatures. If you ever wish you could do something but cannot take in rescues or have the money to pay the vet bills, consider becoming a transporter. A few hours out of a day makes all the difference and the joy of being a volunteer driver is so worthwhile. So, Happy New Year from Me to You.

08/18/2018

Today, Saturday, just taking a short breather...walking my puppies on leashes so relaxing. Amazing at 11 soon to be 12 weeks how great these two act. Murphy walks right beside me always checking to see where I am; Milly more casual, oh, Mommy, can we stop so I can chew grass or play with that leaf, please? Forget the dishes, the vacuum, just chilling with my babies.

08/11/2018

Latest photos of Kaci's two pups: Murphy the tricolor male is so loving and wants to snuggle. Milly the female is a little bit more active but also friendly. They are 11 weeks old now, getting booster shots and need loving homes. They love the back yard grass. Trying to housebreak them. Sometimes it works.

07/30/2018

What a great week! Almost back to back momma & pups rescues these past few months. I nervously said "Yes" to taking in two different sets of mommas and pups that had been neglected/abandoned. The help of so many with more know-how has been such a tremendous boon in aiding me on this new adventure. I now have two pups about 10 weeks old, weaned, healthy and ready for adoption; getting lots of responses. They are so cute. Don't even mind (well, not too much) getting up at 5 am for p**p patrol. Momma still needs more training; it hurts me to see how these beautiful dogs get so neglected, she (Kaci) is an American Staffordshire and so friendly but needs so much attention and love. A great day Saturday on a dog run with a p**pcident, take it all in stride, knowing that these beauties will be going to a place where they will find a furever home. I try to arise each morning with a prayer for a good attitude and for peace of mind and courage to face the day's challenges.

Here are my current adoptions:

05/14/2018

Awhile back I posted a photo of a puppy as a cutie with an Alabama hat. That pup was one of ten puppies and their Momma who had faced a high kill shelter until a wonderful lady I know and met through a national volunteer rescue transport group, Kindred Hearts Transport Connection, contacted me. We partnered to save this puppy pile and momma. They arrived at my home when they were just about two weeks old, their eyes starting to open. A fantastic rescue shelter in Colorado had agreed to take them and this past weekend, Mother's Day, the journey to Colorado began. Volunteers signed up to run double legs for the pup's safety and momma's well-being, supplies were assembled (lots of puppy pads) and Saturday morning, the run began. My partner and I took the first two legs from AL to KY and others met at different locations in different states. There was an overnight in KC, MO, and the next day, Mother's Day, the final legs were run arriving early evening in Colorado to be met by the shelter's director. Her mission is to save the nursing mothers because many shelters want the pups but not the mommas. Thanks to Moms and Mutts Colorado Rescue for Pregnant and Nursing Dogs. And thanks to all for coordinating the run including some new drivers who did a fantastic job. There are a lot of selfless people out there who do so much to rescue dogs and get them to places where they will find loving homes. To all you who devote the time, money and love, it was a blessing to be part of what happened this Mother's Day - 1,322 miles through 7 states over two days! If you ever thought what you could do to help animals who are abused, abandoned or neglected think about spending a few hours out of a day to volunteer to drive dogs to a shelter or even an adopter or foster so they can know caring and love. Two great groups are Kindred Hearts Transport Connection and Alabama Transport. They have guidelines and protocols set up for these runs that make safety and caring a priority.

05/07/2018

Sometimes, God sends you people who send you dogs that nobody wants. This is the blessing I received this month. With help of wonderful people, Lynn, Gwen and others, I am raising a litter of ten puppies and a wonderful momma, Maisie. Here is only one of the ten and his name is Mork. He has a sister Mindy, guess where that came from.