Nichole's journey as a rescuer

Today's blog entry is guest-written by a friend and fellow rescuer, Nichole. I am very excited that Nichole accepted the invitation to contribute to my blog as her story is unique and inspiring and her heart as big as they come!
 

Hello!  I’ll start by introducing myself, my name is Nichole.  Second, I’d like to say that I am truly honored and privileged to be able to contribute my thoughts to this blog.  Also, I’d like to add that I wish I was as excited and motivated to do my homework as I am to write this.

Rescue.  Take a minute and think what that word means to you.  I used to think it was just picking up a dog or cat on the side of the road that lost its way.  I’m not ashamed to admit this ignorance.  I’m proud that I now know it is so much more than that.  I’m not saying it’s no big deal to pick up a kitten on the side of the road because you feel bad.  I’m saying I lived in a bubble where I felt bad for strays and that’s all I thought rescue was.  Enter social networking.  I never thought I’d say this, but thank goodness for Farmville!  Who knew that having to visit a stranger’s farm would change my life?  One minute I’m planting carrots and the next I see my farmer neighbor’s Facebook feed about raising funds to fly stray dogs overseas back to the U.S. that are special friends to our military.  Exit Farmville.  Hello Rescue World!

The world of rescue is frustrating.  Especially if you entered as I did and you now have a newsfeed of horror.  Strays, abuse, neglect, irresponsible humans and euthanasia (I HATE the e-word).  I cried all the time because I felt like there was nothing I could do but donate, I’m not wealthy.  More ignorance.  Finally, after following group after group I saw it.  A request for transport.  Hours away from me and my rinky dink hometown in Western PA.  More frustration.  After a couple more months of frustration of trying to find transports that ran through my area, a transport was finally coming through my part of the state!  I never thought I could be more overcome with joy!  I signed up.  His name was Ruger.  A handsome, older male Rottweiler with some gray whiskers, traveling to safety.  After I handed him off to the next driver, my heart soared and tears fell.  I was so happy to be able to help, I was even more ecstatic for Ruger.  He was safe, at last. 

Two lives changed that day.  The moral to the first part of my story is, if you want to help, do it and don’t give up trying.  Part of transport is checking in with the coordinator after you hand the furkid off to the next driver.  I got to chatting with the coordinator and she hooked me up with other groups that transport more frequently.  The flood gates opened and I now have a small network of people I know in rescue.  But I needed to do more, of course!  While I am not affiliated with any rescue, I run a page to help network those in need.  A pup I posted on this page caught the eye of a woman who adopted him.  Then I started telling my family and friends.  I helped a co-worker adopt.  A wonderful “unofficial” group of women and I saved a pup in TN who now has a forever home in Rhode Island.

The second part of my story is this:  not only have I grown and changed for the better, a family member of mine who has purchased most of her dogs, just adopted two dogs instead of buying.  People will see what you are doing and I promise you, you will make a difference.  A difference in a dog’s or cat’s life, a difference in your life, and a difference in the lives of people around you.  You’ll also meet some of the most wonderful, supportive people that will become lifelong friends that would do anything for you, that you’ve never met.  The tears I still cry occasionally are tears that are necessary to make my life great and I wouldn’t change a thing.  “Until they all have a home.”