One Life at a Time

I knew when I decided to start Taysia Blue Siberian Husky Rescue that there would be a lot of ups and down and I knew, without a doubt that there would be a lot I didn't know... I had no idea in a few short months how much of an education I would receive.

It seemed like it took forever getting all the ducks lined up - forming the corporation, drafting by-laws, and applying for 501(c)3 status took months and a thousand dollars, then came the insurance, the state license - everyone had their hand out, or so it seemed.

Mike and I started a Siberian husky play group - from there, we were able to meet and network with other people who love the breed and our volunteer base was established.  What fun this has been to have play dates and organized walks and hikes with our wonderful furry friends and we have truly met some wonderful and amazing people through this group.  Some volunteer with the rescue, some have become fosters and some we simply look forward to sharing the latest antics of the huskies that we love.

Once October hit, it seems like everything started to fall in to place.  My dogs were certainly enjoying the cooler weather, the 501(c)3 was official and we had finally raised enough money to pay for our insurance.  Without a day to spare, there it was, our first official request to take a dog, our first decision to say 'yes' and we were official!  We had our first dog in rescue - Maddie was up for adoption!  Another few weeks went by and another dog, Georgia, came our way.  Then Kaisha, then Abby, then Dakota and Nikita.

Now there are days when I dread looking at my e-mail because these days, I have to say 'no' more than I can say 'yes'.  Sometimes I have to say yes to the easy dogs when I really want to help the cases where there is a greater need.  We don't have enough foster families, no rescue group does, I'm sure.  I remember one day in particular, just a few weeks ago.  I received requests to help 7 dogs.  In a span of 5 short hours, I saw their pictures, read their stories and just went home and cried.  I could help one.  Only one.  One out of seven.  Friends will tell you that you can't save them all, but you can save one at a time.  And I KNOW that and tell myself that all the time, but still.... one out of seven.

Then, there are days when I go home to my sweet foster dog, Abby who is blind.  She literally smiles and wags her whole body when I say her name, she bumper cars her way to greet me and I say a silent promise to find her only the best home.  I have days when I'm greeted with soft kisses on my hand from shy Kaisha who makes progress everyday.  They are small baby steps of progress, but she's getting better one day at a time.  I smile as I realize that it will be months before she will even be ready to be adopted and I smile when I count my pack of 4 plus 2 fosters because I know they are safe, healthy and their lives more enriched than before.

And there are days when I jump for joy, when I receive adoption requests from great families with fabulous references and I know this is why I wanted to start a rescue.

My wishlist is long... money to continue giving shelter and care, maybe one day a facility to shelter when fosters can't be found, a wait list of foster volunteers.... not only is this list long, it's probably unrealistic, but it's my wish and dream nonetheless.

I suppose I won't feel like I've made an impact until the requests cease and we, as a nation, stop killing almost 14,000 pets each day just because they are homeless and unwanted.  I will keep doing what I'm doing until pet stores alter their business model to accommodate adoptions which in turn would put out of business the filthy, crowded, awful puppy mill operations who don't respect lives of their inventory.

For now, Maddie, Georgia, Abby, Kaisha, Dakota, Nikita and Serendipity are safe, happy and healthy.  One life at a time and right now, those lives mean the world to me!