When Rescue was just beginning, there was an auction that had Aussies. A call went out from Barb Curtis asking for donations. I remember getting the call from Sue Bachman asking for my contribution. Not knowing anything about rescue, I reached into my pocket and gave. It was shortly after that when Barb formed Rescue and Coordinators were assigned. I became a coordinator for the Western seaboard. It was only then that I discovered why an Aussie can come into rescue.
I have learned over the years that severe medical issues seem to cause people to abandon their Aussies. Marjorie was an older Aussie that only had a few months left when she was dropped at a shelter. Marjorie found a home that was only going to keep her over the weekend while a permanent home was found. She never left that family. Grammy, was an older Aussie with mammary tumors that was dropped at a shelter because the owners did not want to cope. Rescue stepped in and Grammy lived a full life. There was another wannabe Aussie (Yorkie on steroids) with mammary tumors and she was thrown out of a moving car in front of a shelter which Rescue placed upon notification.
Now with the recession and money a lot tighter, Rescue is seeing more and more Aussies thrown away due to cost of medical treatment. The sad thing is that these Aussies tend to be older dogs and it is really difficult to find people who want to adopt a dog that will only be with them for a short time. My heart goes out to these dogs. When the Aussie needs their humans most, the Aussie is discarded. The financial burden in this economic time is stressful and sometimes there just is not any money for the treatment. There are not enough people who are willing to foster or adopt these dogs.
On the other hand, I really have a hard time with someone calling that insists that we take their Aussie because his ex-wife gave their son the dog. The man and son knew that this Aussie came from a puppy mill and only his ex-wife would give their son an inferior dog. Therefore the Aussie must be gotten rid of immediately. Thanks to Jeanine Johnson stepping in, this 6 month old puppy found a loving home who did not care where he came from.
How about the Aussie that does not fit into the family anymore because redecorating takes priority and there is no room for the Aussie. The Aussie that does not get along with children and now there is a baby on the way. The Aussie that barks when left alone and the neighbors are complaining; the Aussie that jumps on you with muddy feet when you arrive home and ruins your clothes; the Aussie that chases the family cat or barks at the squirrels; and the Aussie that likes to dig and has made holes in the yard have all made their way into Rescue.
Now that I think I have heard them all, I am afraid of what other excuses will be stated for relinquishing their pet Aussie. When I hear these stories, I look at my Aussies and wonder how anyone could just dump one and not care where it is going.
Thank goodness we have so many people who are willing to help grab, relocate, foster, and adopt our wonderful Aussies. Hal Wilcox over the years that I have known him has adopted 2 rescues. Tommy was found wondering the streets of the LA area and was retrieved from a shelter. Hal always thought for the first year that Tommy was always looking for his previous owners but then Tommy decided to spend his time with Alice and became her constant companion. After Nedra Adams passed on, Tazer was in need of a home and since Hal knew Tazer from a puppy, offered to give him a home. Hal is just one of many members who have stepped in and helped Rescue numerous times. Without all of you, there would be rescue.
As always Rescue is in need of funds, but just as important, we need you. We need you to help grab an Aussie, foster an Aussie or assist in working with owners in your area on how to correct some behavior problems. Without all of you, ATCA members, pet owners, dog lovers, Rescue would not be able to accomplish it tasks of finding homes for these Aussies who only want food, warmth and love.
I want to thank each and every one of you for your support. Love your dogs and make arrangements for them in case you can no longer take care of them.
Darlene Evans, President
Australian Terrier Rescue
