A "Don't" of Rescue

For all those volunteering their time in the feild of rescue, and even those that work with pet animals, I am sure you have heard of quite the stupidest things people do.

Here is one. You will learn more about this dog and the outcome of his adoption tomorrow.

This is part of an email sent to me by one of Doglando's Campus Coaches, Erin.

"The whole thing is really confusing to me in general. They said "it wasn't like he wasn't loved here, we took him on two walks a day" - Meanwhile, while we were fostering him, he would play HARD with Cort and I was biking him 2 miles per day (at a sprint) at least 5 days a week and he would still have some energy left to play laser/flashlight out in the yard. And from day one he's been really structured here - it was fairly obvious there that he wasn't. Not to mention, he'd been moved around so much, he was undoubtedly stressed. AND they sent him to the groomer within 2 days of getting him because he was skittish around running water- which to me seemed completely unnecessary to do to a dog who is that new to a family - not mention I bathed him here multiple times with no issue. None of those things are excuses for his behavior at all...just the facts that I've collected."

By the way, the above dog is a Weimeraner. I have yet to meet one who is content with just two short walks a day.

I am so appalled, and quite frankly... angry to hear that someone actually thought it was perfectly sensible (notice choice of word) to take a dog that has been from home to home, a stressed, utterly confused dog... to a groomer for a bath, after spending two days with strangers. Why should this dog not have the right to defend itself and life as it would out in the wild. It is a matter of survival in his mind.

To all rescue groups, please put this on your list of DO NOT DO, and give this list to every one of your prospective adoptees whether they choose to adopt a dog from you or somewhere else.

DO NOT BATHE A DOG or send it to a groomer, for at least 1 month of having him/her. This is not fair to the dog, not fair to the groomer handling the dog, and it will result in your ability to build a trusting relationship with the dog.

Dog Responsibly.