A Refuge for Unwanted Jack Russell Terriers

A lost Jack Russell was turned into the Refuge that was found wandering in Millbrook horse country on April 20th. If you think it may be your dog please email with description of dog. We will keep for at least one more week before putting up for adoption.

Dale

Dear Friends,

Long winter, lots of snow, very tough, recovering now. Wish I'd done this update (and more) earlier, but I can assure you winter did not put me on the chaise devouring bon bons! Your support has helped immensely. As always I am reminded daily of how much we depend on you to help these dogs. Thank you from my heart.

Will write again soon,

Dale

Rusty

Let me tell you about Rusty (Rusty 2), one of the too many emergency dogs that came to us this winter.

Got a call (all the stories start with "the call"). It was a man asking me to please take his dog Rusty because he had bitten his 5 yr old child. The circumstances were that two adults were restraining their 5 yr old challenged child who frequently has these episodes, when the dog rushed in and nipped him. The "bite" did not break the skin (which in my opinion showed great restraint on Rusty's part). Animal Control arrived, then the Board of Health, and finally Social Services. That part is a long story. Animal Control called in to see if Rusty was licensed,(which he was not) and a summons was issued. BOH thought the dog should die and so did Social Services. The town clerk said to Animal Control, "Oh you have to call this woman in Rhinebeck". Now this was quite a drive away across the river. I was surprised the clerk had my number. I've never known any town clerk to have my number. After hearing the circumstances I agreed to take Rusty even though we were already overcrowded. Figured I'd find someplace to squeeze him in. The family had no car and I made plans to pick him up the following day. Then another call... Social Services wanted the dog removed immediately or they would remove the children from the home (there was also a 2 week old infant in the home). So I drove to meet Rusty and changed his life forever.

The Eyes of a now Homeless Dog

Rusty turned out to be a friendly fellow and quite handsome, being tall with an interesting colored rough coat and prick ears. Most likely a bit of a mix. The papers were signed as I was told stories about Rusty while sitting in a chair in their living room petting the attentive terrier. This family was stuck between a rock and a hard place and very sad. They had no choice. As I was about to put the leash on Rusty, the Mom of the house was holding the 2 week old infant and called the dog to her saying, "Rusty come and kiss the baby good-bye" . Well I'll be darned, Rusty walked over and kissed the baby. At this point I was choking up but tried not to show it. There was enough sadness in the room. I put the leash on him and walked through the door that the Dad was holding open for us. When on the porch, Rusty hesitated. I didn't pull him. He knew something was going on and turned to look back at the tearful family standing in the doorway. He took a moment. I called him closer to me quietly and he came along slowly. We got into the car and the leash was secured around the passenger seat. I rarely do this as I believe dogs should be harnessed in the back seat or crated in a car, but he seemed quiet enough. No need to stress him out more than he was already and a mental note was made to drive easy. Leaving their driveway I looked back and felt a flood of emotion. These people had very little, yet they truly loved their dog. It was obvious he had been a good dog, happy with his meals of scraps and a family. If only it hadn't been for that one instinctual error.

Rusty Arrives at the Refuge

Rusty settled in the car and occasionally got up and looked out the window, wondering in his dog mind where he was going, or thinking about where he'd been for the last four of his six years. (He was obtained from a shelter at the age of two). He has since become accustomed to the routine here at the Refuge, gobbling down the good meals and enjoying being petted. He has not been aggressive but does not particularly care for the company of another dog. Rusty will be placed in an adult home only, without other pets, somewhere that he'll get lots of attention. And let's add a fenced yard so he'll never know being tied out again. I hope it comes for him soon. He's a good dog.

Please don't miss reading our Letters From Home.