Sunday, March 14, 2010

trading lives

I have a sad story to share and I hate to do it since we've had a few recent tear jerker cases, but our supporters deserve to know: We traded lives last week, meaning, we put down one of our dogs on the heels of saving the life of another. That happens in rescue often enough to be commonplace, but it still feels like an earthquake when it happens.

Who was it? We're sorry to report that we said good-bye to the most beautiful Susie Q, who some may have met through her foster mom's wonderful blog. We first met Susie in Oakland Animal Services late 2009. She'd had a rough start in life, and fell apart fast in the loud and chaotic wards of the shelter. She was later put on the euthanasia list for behavior issues related to kennel stress - (kennel stress-related euths are another situation that happens often enough to be commonplace). But we hate giving up on dogs that suffer through no fault of their own, so when a spot opened up in our foster program the same week as her end-date, we weighed out our options and voted to give it to the oh-so sensitive but hope-filled Susie Q.

We puzzled over this large leggy girl's breed type - Pointer-Pit? American Bulldog-Hound? - but in the end, we decided that since the world would always see her as a pit bull, she would need a pit bull rescue's support.

Because she'd shown some behavior issues at the shelter, the foster family was prepped with some hardcore "What ifs" and Rep Linda went to work helping them smooth out her transition with a peaceful decompression time, training protocol and lots of happy play. We celebrated as she settled in and woke up to a new life of rowdy romp sessions with dog-sister Otter and - for the first time - a human leader who would teach her new manners and show her what a good girl she was. We all started falling in love with the tall, quirky pony girl who bounced into class on Saturday, sometimes full of happy fun. Altho truthfully, she sometimes had off days and was startled by random phantoms that robbed her of her confidence and sent her home early from class, away from the ghosts that set her alarm barking.

Somewhere around the time that Susie was getting her bearings and showing us who she was, a dog in Sacramento was nursing a litter for some young * cough * entrepreneuer. We don't know much about her early life, but she was left outside long enough for the sun to burn into the tops of her tiny white ears and split the soft velvety skin on her young muzzle. She was optimistic and social, but neglected. At one point in her youth, someone thought enough of her to teach her to 'Sit,' but when her work was done and her babies were sold off, she found herself among the many cast-offs at Sacramento City Shelter. The clock was ticking for this one; with sagging boobs and diamond in the rough manners, this used up mama was set to be destroyed as soon as her stray hold was up.

The same week that Maude was waiting for her death was a bad one for Susie Q. Behavior issues that had seemed to be fading re-emerged, and after one particularly bad day last week, we were faced with a fact that we'd been hoping to avoid: Susie's fear was deeply ingrained and would always be a part of who she was. Despite the enormous progress that's been made for dogs with special needs, the world is still not ready for a pit bull type dog that uses her voice to scare random 'scary' strangers and other phantoms away. Her foster family was understandably crushed by our collective decision to let her go.

So as you can probably guess, we pulled Maude (left) out of harm's way just hours before putting Susie Q to sleep. Trading one life for another and talking to each other again and again and again the way people do when they need to be reminded of the bigger picture. Commonplace practices in rescue might be responsible practices, but they still hurt.

We look forward to the day when pit bulls can be seen as dogs again, with quirks and pimples and foibles like all other dogs - and when worriers like Susie can earn the general public's sympathy rather than their outrage and disdain. But we're not there yet. Someday, Susie - maybe.

We're deeply indebted to Susie's foster family for loving that girl with all your hearts, for giving her hours and hours of fun and then, for doing the impossible and letting her go. You did what most people could never do, and you did it with compassion and grace. Thank you Carol and Larry and OTTER -- and bless your sweet, sensitive heart, Miss Susie Q.

23 comments:

Dog Foster Mom said...

I'm so sorry - it's horrible to have to make these tough decisions. Thank you for sharing this. Thank you for trying to save Susie Q, and to her foster family for loving her and opening their hearts and home to her. And thank you for letting her go when that was best.

the slackmistress said...

Thank you for writing about these realities. A few years back I had to make a similar decision about a dog that I had - and even though I knew it was the right thing, and that my dog would never feel safe - it was devastating.

Oddly enough, I ended up "trading lives" too - and it was also a used-up breeding dog who had many, MANY litters. She's still the light of my life. But letting go of my pri

My heart goes out to all of those who loved Miss Q.

Amanda said...

Oddly enough, Maude looks remarkably like a girl we recently had to say goodbye to, with great, great heartache and sorrow.

No, it's not easy, but you're right, pit bulls don't get the same second chances and reprieves from bad or scary behavior in this world.

Susie knew love. Some dogs never do. Bless her foster family and all her supporters for that small miracle.

steph said...

Thank you so much for sharing about Miss Susie Q- we were wondering how she was doing after not seeing a new blog post on her blog in awhile... Our heartfelt condolences to her foster family and those of you who knew and loved her. If we all continue to champion for the breed (including those that look like pits but might not exactly be full pits) Susie's life will not be in vain. kisses to miss Susie Q.

becky said...

Thank you for sharing the sad and the good, I'm happy Suzi got that family experience and kudos to foster family for showing her that chance at love.

Truly thank you for taking on a Sacramento pittie, they really need all the support they can get. Was she Sac City of Sac County? Look forward to seeing her all shined up soon!

Dianne said...

I am so, so sorry. There are so many we hold our breath on. Just keep saving them one at a time, there's an ocean of them out there. The league just took in around 70 animals from a shelter/hoarder bust by HSUS and they are a mess.

Donna said...

Sac City, Becky.

The Foster Lady said...

A too-sad reality; but when a dog is ruined by people, sometimes, even with the best foster families, the dog cannot be adopted out. Then what? Let many more die while your foster uses a space that might be taken by another dog with more resilience? Not in this current world. I know this too well. I have two fosters at my home right now, that I will never adopt out...and I have yet to make that fateful decision, but I know the one you made is the right one for your rescue.

It still makes you cry though...every time...and when you don't cry anymore, you should get out of rescue.

Arlene Lambert said...

Unfortunatley, those are choices that must be made when saving a breed...not just one dog. When faced with a decision like you have had to make, I always remind myself that I would not want to live a life where I am fearful of things around me. That is not a quality of life I would wish upon anyone....let alone a family pet. Hugs to the foster home.....

dolphyngyrl said...

I am so sorry to hear about Suzie Q. I'd been following her blog and was totally enamored with that leggy girl. It's such a shame that there are people out there who are so willing to spoil something so beautiful.

Thank you for giving her what was probably the brightest time of her life, and loving her while you could.

And Oh! Maude looks like she could be our Gomi's sister! We also saved Gomi from Sac City Shelter two years back. Good luck, Maude!

Anonymous said...

Yet another bittersweet story. My heart just aches when I hear these stories, but I completely understand that despite all of your dedicated efforts can't save all dogs. I do take comfort in knowing that Suzie Q was able to experience love and friendship with her foster family and foster siblings before she had to leave this earth.

Hugs to you all.

Diana

Lucy said...

Goodness knows how hard these sorts of decisions are to make, especially for such a vilified breed. I imagine that if my very noise-sensitive, spooks-at-shadows, dog selective rescue had been a bull-terrier mix instead of a heeler mix, that things would have been so much tougher for us. All those whose lives are harder because of breed discrimination, and the tough decisions you have to face, are in my thoughts.

Anonymous said...

What a decision to have to make. My heart goes out to all. I always admired Susie Q - what a great beauty - and she and Otter looked just gorgeous together in the pictures.

I wonder if you have any literature or references that would help a lay person understand how to distinguish between behavior problems that we work with versus ones that are unworkable. My dog has a short fuse with unfamiliar dogs -- we often keep it together but sometimes she loses it and is quite vocal. I have been approached a couple of times by people who have said I should put her down. I'm not thinking of doing it but I have to admit their words and stories like these plant a seed of doubt in my mind. I am just wondering if there is some material that would help me sort it out in my own mind. Thanks!

Donna said...

We all appreciate your understanding comments so much.

Anon - We wouldn't see leash reactivity as a reason to euth a dog - unless - the dog was absolutely miserable inside its own skin, the handler was completely overwhelmed and the dog was just not responsive to training. All three of these ingredients.

Even so, we've only seen a couple of dogs that fit that situation in all the years of working the pit bulls.

I'm guessing your biggest challenge right now is finding a trainer who can help you in a balanced, way -- Am I right?

Laura Anne said...

I'm sorry to hear that, I totally bawled. We had to make this same tough decision about a year ago. It was for the best, but our remaining bully and all humans involved were pretty sad. Amazingly a few months later we found and adopted another pittie pup that my husband swears is Vincent's incarnate (minus the spooks and short fuse).
Much love and support from OK. Chin up and thank you all for all you do.

Pam said...

For something (working to help pit bulls become more accepted in society) that takes so much heart, it is ironic that it also takes a good amount of sound judgment and rational (often difficult) decision-making in order to make that work really pay off. Strong hearts; strong minds. Searing pain, nonetheless.

Anonymous said...

Amen to the idea that pits may someday lose the stigma which leaves rescues/adopters with no other choice than to have to take this road. It is admirable that you love the dogs and the breed so much that you can put yourselves through this. I believe it takes a very selfless person to make these choices when your heart and soul is crying for another outcome. I am reminded of Badrap's mission everytime I catch up with the news on the site. You are truly saving and restoring this breed even when it hurts, and for that, I commend everyone involved.

~Chrissy, VT

Donna said...

Laura, Pam, anons ... Your notes mean a lot to the broken hearts around here. Thank you.

ingrid said...

Hey - you gave her a chance and that's a hell of a lot more than 99% of the people on this planet would hav done. Plus you gave her a nice ending. She was able to feel love before she left her time here on earth.

And now- now she's probably with my Indiana somewhere barking at nothing and scaring the crap out of all the other little pit bulls and dogs who are just trying to enjoy heaven!

God bless you for giving peace and love to these dogs.

tresjolie said...

Wow. I'm in shock...

Anonymous said...

I volunteer at my local shelter and we have a dog that might not make it. She's a pit and something dog that has bad behavior when she gets too excited and she has come a long way. Unfortunately there aren't many people who can or will work with a dog like her. This rescue stuff is hard. I don't know how you all do it when so often there are so many more in need than there is room.

Best Trading Strategy said...

I have been approached a couple of times by people who have said I should put her down. I believe it takes a very selfless person to make these choices when your heart and soul is crying for another outcome.

sit-stay-play.com said...

My heart broke after reading about Ms. Q...she was a special girl and her foster family was great. Many dogs coming from her type of situation never get the chance to have a loving home like she had at the end of her life, but praise God, they stepped up to help her. Despite the saddness of the decision, you made the best decision you could.

Keep on loving and helping the bully babies!