12/25/2025
Happy Holiday’s to all that have supported us over the years!!
Warning – Long Post! TL:DR – Hedd Mutt Foundation will reorganize and come back.
It’s been a while since we have been active on social media, and during this time there have been numerous conversations, debates, tears and difficult decisions to be made or not made as our hearts are torn in so many directions, but at the end of the day it is the dogs that matter, not the people. Yes, it takes people to make a rescue, sanctuary or any other program work and run, but not just any people, so what we do know is that we have to find our people, OUR TRIBE, to make Hedd Mutt what we sat out to do 9 years ago today.
We are extremely lucky to have a few people that have been here through it with us. Jennifer Dee Pollack has been with us since the beginning, cried and laughed with us, a 2-time adopter and an unwavering volunteer. We were ever so lucky to find Sabrina Ramos and Lou, they step in and stood by one of our toughest medical cases and loses, then jumped back in to give Dixie a home, which she needed so badly.
So how does a rescue survive with an unpaid staff of 3 (that work full time and welcomed a baby boy) and 3 invaluable volunteers? It has not been easy, we pivoted from rescue to sanctuary for the 6 pups that we have not been able to find homes for or have been returned for various reasons. Of those six, 2 have never found a home, 3 were returned (owner death, dog not bonding with wife, after almost 2 years I may add, and a change of circumstances that was no longer good for the dog) then we have 1 in permanent foster. We have not been very active since Covid, so guess how these dogs are taken care of financially, 30% donations, yes 30%, however, our choice we became inactive in the fundraising arena, due to various reasons, but mostly people. We did secure a grant from Gray Muzzle that provided dental care for 2 of our seniors, that was so helpful, and we are grateful for these opportunities, especially since all 6 sanctuary dogs are seniors now.
Here is the long and short, we love this, and while there were many, and I mean many individuals, organizations and other rescues that did their best to make us look as if we were not fit to be in the rescue world, based on our training methods of utilize the tools that worked the best for a dog and their situation (prong and e-collar, with positive reward and not rewarding negative behavior with “just give them a treat”), we have decided that the dogs are worth it. We are not 100% certain what the new year will look like for us, but what we do know is we are strong and resourceful.
With all of everything that has happened in the last 2-3 years, both in the rescue and personally, it is time to return to what we know is right and that is making it all about the dogs! If you have followed our story, you know that when we use to foster for other rescues we started a Christmas tradition and always got a new foster the week of, then when we started Hedd Mutt Foundation we did the same or something else special each holiday season, but not for the last several years, and it made us sad. We decided to change that this year and help a four legged guy in need!!
Please welcome Sully to Hedd Mutt Foundation! Thank you, Miranda Whitlock-Ell, for making us aware of this guy’s situation and his need for help as well as helping his family feel better that he was going to a place that would care for him. Sully comes to us through a medical situation for his human. Sully is a wonderful 6-year-old Victorian Bulldog, he has been to out vet and is in good health. He has some skin issues, but it is believed that it is all due to the flea infestation that he had, that was taken care of by the wonderful folks that were caring for Sully before he came to HMF. He is on an antibiotic for a short stint to see if it all clears up. There will be more to come about Sully as he begins his journey here at HMF. If you would like to support Sully in his care, donations are always welcome.
Happy Holidays to all and thank you to Sully for bringing us back to center!
