MY STORY
Let's go back to the beginning! In early 2020, after the loss of my first dog, I decided to get involved in the rescue world. It quickly led to me adopting my first rescue dog.
Louie was born in March in the bitter cold of Manitoba, Canada on a reserve. He made his trip to Ontario when he was one and a half years old. It was truly love at first sight.
Falling in love with him sparked a fire in me to dive deeper into the rescue world to help in whatever capacity I can. I jumped in during the midst of COVID, when everyone was getting a dog and rescues across the province and worldwide were busier than ever.
I started volunteering with Fetch + Releash. My first role was Supply Coordinator and quickly moved into the role of Storage/Supplies Manager.
It wasn't long until I started doing the long haul transports to Texas and Tennessee to bring deserving dogs into Canada for their second chance.
These transports happened during the COVID lockdowns when my business was shut down and I had free time.
As of now, I have done two trips to Texas, a 26+ hour drive each way, as well as seven round trips to Tennessee which amounts to about 28+ hours of driving per trip.
These trips allows me to spend time on our partner properties as well as getting to know the wonderful people who are dedicated in caring for the dogs.
These dogs receive all the care they need while they await their opportunity to find a home through partner rescues in Canada. Otherwise, they would be living in the streets or in shelters at risk of euthanasia.
When I wanted to add a second dog to my pack, I decided to foster until I found the perfect fit for my resident dog.
I ended up bringing home my first and second foster dogs on back to back transports from Tennessee.
The first one was Piglet, a 6 month old Feist mix full of energy. He was scooped up by adopters pretty quickly so I headed back to Tennessee.
Petey was my second foster dog, a tripod, meaning he only has three legs. He was unfortunately found caught in a large animal trap and his leg couldn't be saved.
To be honest, I had no idea what to do with a 3 legged dog and how he would adapt to my home and resident dog. Petey rode shotgun all the way back to Canada with us. He settled in quickly and I knew he was not just my foster but he was home.
Petey completed our little family!
Eager to get even more involved, I was offered the role of International Intake Lead, specifically with our partner in Tennessee.
I couldn't turn down the opportunity as I developed an everlasting connection with the farm and the incredible humans who cared for the dogs!
Tennessee and its need for help was far too great to turn my back on.
Unfortunately, RESCUES bleed money and resources in every way!
There is just never enough. Never enough volunteers, fosters, supplies, time and most of all money.
Bills add up fast, mainly with vet costs. When you look at the big picture, it feels like rescues just keep digging a deeper hole of debt that you can't get out of.
Dog rescues do not get any funding from the government so they solely rely on the generosity of people like you and me to donate funds, supplies and their time in order to keep going.
I've seen a lot, more than I ever imagined seeing in a short span of time. Much of which I will never be able to unsee. Some will even haunt me for the rest of my life!
This is why I had to do something, more than I was already doing. I have learned so much about myself and dog rescue through all my experiences. There will never be enough help, but if every step I take even makes a difference for one dog, I wouldn’t change it for the world.
That is how Saving South Paws was born!