I have for the past twelve years taken in stray dogs in an attempt to socialize them and find them a home. The alternative in this county is euthanasia at the hands of our local animal "shelter". I have placed roughly 250 dogs in homes that would have otherwise been destined for the landfill. (This is where they are taken after they have been euthanized.)

On October 3rd, 2005 a woman who lives almost a half mile behind me had me charged with violating our local noise ordinance. Regardless of the fact that I have 12 years of testimony from adjacent neighbors to the contrary, this woman insists that my dogs bark excessively. I don't believe it has anything to do with the barking, however, as she has stated to a deputy "I just don't think anyone should have that many dogs." Be that as it may, I am now dealing with a legal issue. It has reached a point where I have been ordered to remove all but my pets from my property by February 9th, 2006. Any not removed by then face being taken and euthanized.

Fortunately, I have been in contact with an organization called the Ryan Newman Foundation that assists dog rescues. They are going to help me get as many sociable dogs as possible into no-kill shelters by my deadline. 

However, as I sit here tonight, I am weighing a decision that I feel only one being should have to make…..and that is certainly not me. In the morning I have to relinquish nine "unsociable" dogs.  All of them will allow me to pet them….to attend to them….and they are learning to relish the attention. They are, however, guilty of being shy towards other people…..shy…. timid…whatever your preference…they were discarded as if they were trash….and they have reservations about humans….what a surprise. But they can learn to trust again…and given time they most assuredly would…..alas, it's time they will never be granted. These animals will be picked up by 10:00 AM and be dead by 10:30 AM.

So in a few minutes I must go choose which shall live past tomorrow and which shall die tomorrow. It's the hardest thing I have ever done………I feel as though I am betraying them……as they have come to trust that I will shelter them from the treatment that they once endured. For those of you who have rescued dogs, you know the searching…the hopeful…the pleading look in their eyes when they are saying "I want to trust you." I can't bring myself to look into those eyes tonight……………

Since November 30, 2005 I have relinquished 20 dogs to Iredell County Animal Control that have been euthanized. They were considered "unsociable". It would have taken me several months of work to attempt to make them adoptable. Some of them may never have become social enough to leave my care.....That would have been ok with me. However, I chose to sacrifice those 20 in an effort to gain enough time to save the other 20 I have that are ready or are close to ready. It was not an easy decision....and not one that I made lightly. I deliberated for hours over which to include each time. I still agonize over those choices and try not to replay them in my mind. That brings us to the remaining dogs that still need a home to call their own. I have safe guarded them, as you will see below. They still need your help, however.

All of my dogs have current rabies vaccinations. All have received Parvo/Distemper shots, and have just been given boosters. All have been recently wormed. They have not been spay/neutered. All have been housed with other dogs and get along with the ones they have been with. I have tried to limit them to 3 per pen. Ages and weights are approximate. Breed mix is based on visual characteristics. Being strays, I can never be 100% sure of age or breed. I have noticed no signs of aggression other than the occasional play induced squabble. My children act the same.....usually worse. I tell them to sit also.

These dogs are currently boarded at Lake Norman Animal Hospital in Mooresville, NC. They are safe from being taken from there and my be viewed there. However, the job of placement is far from over. I am still looking for permanent and foster homes that will be suitable for each dog. While the placement process continues, I am also looking for another place to shelter them. The folks at lake Norman Animal Hospital are tremendous....but the bill for boarding there is approximately $225.00 a day. If there are any individual or corporate contributors that would be willing to assist in offsetting these charges while I continue to work to save their lives I would love to hear from them....or preferably, they may contact the animal hospital directly. Another solution would be a local landowner willing to allow me to construct a temporary shelter to house the dogs in while I work to place them. Or....well....I could come up with several other solutions....I pray that someone steps forward and offers a feasible one for the sake of these dogs. They deserve the second chance that I have tried to give them that is now being placed in jeopardy.