Firstly, I’d just like to thank everyone for all their support and well-wishing; it means a great deal. Unfortunately, the concrete help I’ve gotten so far has been really minimal, and most of my queries have been ignored or refused. I’m not angry or upset with the rescues I’ve contacted, as they’re entirely overworked, under-funded, and most suffer from a lack of resources. However, I do wish that I’d had better luck in getting people to post links to Mitzi’s blogs and her new Facebook photo album. Please spread the word any way you can!
Thankfully, Mitzi is doing very well. She’s gotten herself a nearly-perfect bill of health after her last visit to the vet (she has some lingering roundworms that a second round of meds will hopefully knock out), and she was a real star with the staff that day. She had a little more trouble with the other dogs, but still hasn’t shown any signs of outright aggression. She’s just full of energy and constantly in the mood to play. I need to get her socialized, but this is one of the difficulties of my current position. I was really hoping to find a better foster for her that would be more qualified, have more experience with this kind of thing.
Even worse, I managed to throw my back out several days ago, and this is a pretty big problem. For the last several years I’ve had chronic lower back pain that flares up at random, and when it hits, it hits me hard. This makes it even more difficult to take care of Mitzi, though I’ve managed to still get her walks in every day and play with her. At this point, it’s really taking a much worse toll on me.
So I’m really in need of help. I love Mitzi to death, and I’ve invested a lot of time and money in trying to help her as much as I can, but I’m about at the end of what I can really do for her. My back is a major issue, and I can’t take her to adoption drives with local rescues unless I can get her to calm down around other animals, which at this point looks like it will take more money for training, money I can’t spare. I could put up a chip-in or other sort of donation pool, but given the success I’ve had in even getting people to help share Mitzi’s information, I don’t expect I’d get much out of it. So please, if you can help me share these blog posts and her Facebook photo album, that would be more than awesome.
Mitzi is a sweet girl, and while she has a bit of a willful streak, she’s very trainable. We’ve got sit, lie down, and off the bed covered, and she’s learning leave it and drop it when we take a walk. She’ll make a wonderful family pet for someone, and the only outstanding problem she seems to have is still the demodex, which the vet thinks is clearing up wonderfully. But at this point I really need to get her somewhere. I refuse to take her to a shelter that may just end up killing her, and the no-kills are all full everywhere I look, so I need someone who’d like to adopt this beautiful girl or he would be willing to foster her in my stead. If you have any interest at all or know anyone who might, please pass the word on or get in touch with me.
Thanks much, guys. Mitzi sends love and wags.
She looks like a sweetie. Sure hope someone steps up to take her.
Can you get on a waiting list at the no kill shelter?
I’m hoping and praying someone will come thru.
Hang in there Mike….
Sadly, none of the shelters have waiting lists. You basically just have to call or show up every single day and cross your fingers.
Hi, Mike! I read your story in a post on Take Me Home Pet Rescue’s Facebook wall and am so grateful that people like you still exist.
I know you’re probably already swamped with work (I was a freelance writer at one time and know the feeling!), but was wondering if you had thought about starting an actual Facebook page rather than an album. It will make it much easier for folks to read and share her story on their networks, and you can add videos, photos, etc. As a former fundraiser, I know that people are more likely to give if you can give them a compelling story. You certainly have that, but with most of your audience likely to be strangers to you [and since you're not a 501(c)(3)], they will need a little more of your story in order to persuade them to open their hearts and wallets.
My husband and I rescued our first stray almost 2 years ago, and he needed very expensive HW treatment as well as 2 months of boarding during recovery. (We had a 1-bedroom apartment, plus we had our own dog who needed surgery and 2 months of recovery himself at the time, and we knew it wouldn’t be good to bring in a strange dog while our own was trying to heal.) The total came to about $1200, and we were able to raise about $600 through our friends and family. I had launched a blog and Facebook page and heavily, heavily advertised our mission with regular FB posts and blog updates. It also helped that my birthday happened to fall around that time, so in lieu of birthday gifts I simply requested monetary donations to Dharma’s Fund.
Good luck! I live in Irving and will be happy to help spread the word!
Salut,
Marjorie
Also, I wouldn’t give up right away on the chip-in.
Thanks so much for your suggestions. I know there’s really a lot more that I should do, but it’s been a slow process with many other crazy things happening in life. The great news is I found a guy who lives just a block away and he and his wife have 2 pits, plus his wife runs a doggy daycare called Muttroplex that doesn’t breed-discriminate! This will hopefully make it easier on us while we work out some of the kinks in our current plans.
Hey there! For some reason, I didn’t get a notification that you responded to my comment, so please forgive the delay in MY next response.
That’s great to hear about your neighbor! Keep us posted. I appreciate your accepting my Friend request on FB, too. Always happy to get to know fellow writers!
Cheers,
Marjorie
The pleasure is all mine! And I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated. Hopefully some good things in the works, so will have another blog up before long if all goes as planned.