When I adopted Tucker, I knew it meant I had to take a break from my usual rescue work. I could transport, but I’d have Tucker on all my long haul drives, so I could only do short transports that involved leaving Tucker at home. As for fostering, no more would I be the go-to person at the 11th hour that could take in any dog under any circumstance. First off, I needed time for Tucker and me to solidify our relationship so that he wouldn’t become jealous if we shared our living space with another for a short time. Secondly, once ready to foster, it was Tucker’s—and the foster’s—choice. They had to get along. I love Tucker with all my heart. His exuberance for life and unabashed joy is one of the many reasons I love him so, but this can be overwhelming to another dog. I respect that. Perky people annoy me. My kid might be the equivalent of an always cheerful person that you just want to slap the shit of out when you’re cranky.
I wouldn’t give up Tucker for anything and I certainly do not regret adopting him. But I do miss rescue.
In January, I turned my attention to BSL (breed specific legislation) as the neighboring town of Pasadena contemplated mandatory spay and neuter laws only for pit bull and pit bull type dogs. The witch hunt was led by one council member, but he was influential enough (or perhaps just annoying enough), that many people backed down to him.
The state of California has a law in place that no community can create legislation that is breed specific—unless it pertains to spay and neuter. I imagine this was a caveat that transpired during negotiations of this law, but it’s a giant loophole that certain towns and cities are using to their advantage.
Take for instance Riverside County: they already have a mandatory spay and neuter law across the board. But last year, they also added an ordinance requiring spay and neuter of pit bull and pit bull type dogs. Errr…. Are they not dogs?
I’m against any discrimination of people or animals, and now that I have my own little brindle boy that can’t get away with being a “boxer mix” or “lab mix”—which many pit bull owners categorize their dog to avoid breed discrimination—it hits even closer to home.
Contributing at council meetings and writing letters and spreading awareness is all valid rescue work. But I miss that one-on-one connection. I miss giving a helping hand to just one dog at a time.
I worked a lot this year, and I don’t foster when on the job due to my ridiculous hours, but I still felt useless. I need to help animals any way I can. So in our travels, since I couldn’t transport or foster, I donated money by taking part in activities Tucker and I could attend together.
While in Georgia, Tucker and I attended Bark For Life north of the city, where Tucker took second prize for happiest dog (he couldn’t beat an 8 month old German Shepherd puppy), and we won first prize for look-alike.
I wouldn’t give up Tucker for anything and I certainly do not regret adopting him. But I do miss rescue.
In January, I turned my attention to BSL (breed specific legislation) as the neighboring town of Pasadena contemplated mandatory spay and neuter laws only for pit bull and pit bull type dogs. The witch hunt was led by one council member, but he was influential enough (or perhaps just annoying enough), that many people backed down to him.
The state of California has a law in place that no community can create legislation that is breed specific—unless it pertains to spay and neuter. I imagine this was a caveat that transpired during negotiations of this law, but it’s a giant loophole that certain towns and cities are using to their advantage.
Take for instance Riverside County: they already have a mandatory spay and neuter law across the board. But last year, they also added an ordinance requiring spay and neuter of pit bull and pit bull type dogs. Errr…. Are they not dogs?
I’m against any discrimination of people or animals, and now that I have my own little brindle boy that can’t get away with being a “boxer mix” or “lab mix”—which many pit bull owners categorize their dog to avoid breed discrimination—it hits even closer to home.
Contributing at council meetings and writing letters and spreading awareness is all valid rescue work. But I miss that one-on-one connection. I miss giving a helping hand to just one dog at a time.
I worked a lot this year, and I don’t foster when on the job due to my ridiculous hours, but I still felt useless. I need to help animals any way I can. So in our travels, since I couldn’t transport or foster, I donated money by taking part in activities Tucker and I could attend together.
While in Georgia, Tucker and I attended Bark For Life north of the city, where Tucker took second prize for happiest dog (he couldn’t beat an 8 month old German Shepherd puppy), and we won first prize for look-alike.
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We also did the Atlanta Dog Jog, where instead of our daily three miles being spread out throughout our day, we did the full 5k all in one morning around Piedmont Park.
In Klamath Falls, Oregon, we attended another Bark for Life. No prizes were won, but Tucker finally met a cat up close, which he had been dying to do, only to be bitten on the muzzle by the anti-social feline. I guess his war wounds are his prize there.
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Back in Los Angeles, Tucker and I did Race for the Rescues, another 5k to raise money for various rescue groups.
Sans Tucker, I showed off Simon at the NKLA Super Adoption for TAPS in November.
While Tucker and I wait for that first foster opportunity, I’ll be filling these pages with other ways to help, networking the kids I can’t personally assist, and sharing the experiences Tucker and I have helping whoever, and however, we can.
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