Group,

I know this sounds like a joke, but I am needing advice.

Somehow I've gotten sucked into this rescue thing. I feel like a drug addict spending 12 hours a day thinking about how to rescue a dog, a dog I can't rescue, how to make some money to rescue more dogs, why more people with money aren't rescuing dogs.

Geez, they are JUST DOGS. Oh, but that high you get when that dog that would have been dead finds a perfect home. Then the adopters become a drug dealer & emails you & tells you how their life has changed because of the dog. They send you updates and pictures a year later, making you want that high again. Speaking of drug dealers, just got an email from my first rescue from several years ago, one that turned aggressive & has been rehabilitated. He destroyed several couches as well as car seats & a gearshifter. He sends me Valentine's & Christmas cards too. He's so loved now. What a high!

I'm out of money, dirty dishes piling up, don't want to think about how much the house needs a good vacuuming. I spend my time picking up poop, walking dogs, teaching sit & come, rubbing bellies, throwing tennis balls, searching shelters for dogs that aren't even my breed.

I thought I had a solution. Only rescue white shepherds, that will help. I fell off the wagon & took in a stray 7 week old rott-mix. Oops. The addiction takes over again.
How do you get off of it? Get your normal life back but still rescue? I've spent over an hour writing & reading emails this morning at work. I need to ease up on this rescue drug. So many dogs with sad eyes. Maybe I'm asking the wrong group. You guys seem as addicted as I am. Any advice is appreciated, even if you aren't completely over your addiction.
Thanks!
XXXXXXX

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My name is XXXXX & I am an addict too.

One thing that I have done is set time limits on how much time I spend on rescue or should say I allocate time to do the dishes, the laundry & personal stuff that doesn't involve the animals.

Sometimes you get rescue burnout & need to take some time off.

I know emergencies happen, but I usually do not work on rescue from 4pm to 7pm for making dinner/dining & tidying up a bit & set aside Sunday mornings/afternoons for spending time with family & friends. If people call between those times they can leave a message for me & I will call/email them back when I am available for rescue.

If you don't pace yourself, you will get burnout.
XXXXX

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What is wrong with our drug of choice? I can think of no greater feeling knowing that I had an impact on an innocent "dog's" life. Believe me, we are impacting more than that, we impact and influence people everyday. What is better than coming home to wagging tails and yips of joy? My boss never greets me that way. My friends are usually gald to see me, but they have bad days. My dogs never do.

OK, so your house looks like mine right now. My latest foster is taking up 3 times the amount I have had to put out in the last 2 together. But guess what, he is making GREAT PROGRESS! 2 weeks ago he wanted to eat my son, this weekend my son actually got to pet him. Worth the extra time? YOU BET!!! I have visions of recovering this dog and sending him on his way. What a great drug!!

How to balance "daily life" and "rescue life"? I haven't a clue. I work way too much for too little as it is. The dogs don't seem to mind our late night training sessions. There seems to be greater reward in the rescue work, but it doesn't pay the bills. Honestly, I hope for the day I win the lottery and don't have to worry about a "daily life" other that that of a "daily rescue life".

So many dogs... yes, but I can only do so much, but each of us does what we can, and sometime it seems thankless, I should refer you to the first paragraph.

I would like to say THANK YOU to all the other "addicts" that do this.

Really must get back to work now, (see we all do that too)

XXXXX

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I certainly know the feeling! You should see the dust and dishes in MY house. Back yard is filling up with poop again too and it's getting hot outside. P-uey, stink, stinky!

I scream that I'll never foster another dog again..... then I see another dog with sad eyes that will die if I don't help... especially if I see no one else is helping. I cry, I pull my hair out! I'm tripping over dogs... they all want my attention... they compete for it, they fight with each other...I have to try and keep them separated or they'll kill each other.... vet bills up the wazoo..... then the car insurance is due... how am I gonna pay it? Another dog is in trouble... you want to get it...there's no room, you make room... 50 lbs of dog food used to last a month with my 2 dogs.. now I go through one a week. Grocery bills soar...I spend more on dog food, toys, treats, shampoos....than I do on myself. Every week.

I'm hitting bottom......I want to scream and cry because I'm not getting any applications.....then.......

I just may be pulling off 3 adoptions in a row I have one adoption taking place this Sunday, 2 more adoptions pending... one is on a dog I don't even have yet...

I'm on a roll, I don't want to stop! Call it a weekend bender...it feels too good, I can't quit now.....

My poor, poor dogs used to go for walks every morning... swimming at the lake..I'm too tired, I have no time..I can't take everybody.....

More dogs need help...

Yes, it IS an addiction of it's own kind.... maybe like other 12 step programs we have to look at being sober, drug free, etc, One Day At A Time. I guess we can limit ourselves AND still help if we look at it as One Dog At A Time... instead of trying to help them all, just help one at a time. It will be hard, but worth it in the long run. Everything in moderation is not an addiction.... but ANYTHING, and I mean ANYTHING can be addictive if over done.

God help us all.
XXXXXX