My friend Page did, about two weeks ago.
I've known Page for years--he lived on the river with his four dogs.
When I'd visit him , the dogs were always happy to see me, and Page and I
would take them across the river for a run in the woods. It was always a joy to see them,
running, happy, free.

Page loved his dogs and cared for them faithfully, but I guess he didn't expect to die
so soon because he never made any provisions for the dogs.

I just learned that his son has taken the dogs to the pound where they'll eventually be
euthenized. I am heartsick. Those dogs are a living, breathing part of Page, and the thought
that they've been tossed away makes me sick. They're healthy, dogs! Just kill them?

I've been losing sleep over this trying to figure out what I can do to save them. I can't
take them. I don't have enough space and I have my own dog, but I feel like I'm their
only hope and I'm going to let them down.

I wish I knew someone with a farm or ranch where they could live out their lives in happiness,
but that's pretty unlikely, people have their own dogs and are usually not interested in taking on others.

I also look at the huge suffering that's going on in Haiti right now. My petty concerns are inconsequential
compared that.

But still, when I think of those dogs, there's a part of me that is still a kid that
cannot comprehend the injustice of it.

Dear Walt,

I'm so very sorry to hear about your friend Page and his dogs.

Have you tried doing a search on Petfinder for rescues in your area? Many times rescue organizations pull out shelter dogs--especially from the "high kill" facilities.

If you know Page's dogs well and they have a lot of positive attributes, that's a plus, and it might make them even more desirable for adoption...

So if you haven't yet, try contacting dog rescue organizations in your area and describe to them the situation. It's worth a try...

Hoping things work out for the best...

Sincerely,
hope2heal

Thank you. I'm looking.

Also, if you have a craigslist in your area you can post under the pets section about the situation. A lot of rescues are active there and there is also a chance someone with a farm or acerage would be able to help.

I wish you luck with your effort to help your friend's dogs. He and they both appreciate your caring.

Ginger

I would post about the situation--which is horrible--all over the area where you live, every bulletin board you can think of. I know this takes time, but could be worth it. I wouldn't be surprised if one or more private dog "rescuers" would come to your aid. Probably they'd have to be split up--but maybe not, or maybe in pairs. Remember, there are tons of dog lovers with hearts of mush, just like we who post here are!

The dogs are lucky to have you to advocate for them--I sure hope you manage to find a solution. Try posting. I don't know what kind of town or city you live in, but in my little town, I can guarantee that someone(s) would adopt them and save them from the awful shelter fate!

The very best of luck to you in your quest!!

My heart goes out to you for the loss of your friend as well as the dog plight now.

Margi and Ladywolf

Can you rescue the dogs from the pound and keep them until you find them a home? Where do you live? I live in Michigan and work with hundreds a rescue groups in the eastern part of the U.S. I hate to think of these poor animals being put down. I would also suggest you call the pound and see what you can do to save them, maybe they could go to the local humane society? Don't give up without a fight, think of your friend Page, this could be one last gift to him.

If I can be of any help, please let me know.

Rhapsedy

Walt,

If you post on Craig's list, please be very careful. People get dogs off of Craig's list and do horrible things, like sell them for animal testing. I'm sure there are a lot of rescue groups on Craig's list but you need to make sure they are ligit.

Also, if you have a craigslist in your area you can post under the pets section about the situation. A lot of rescues are active there and there is also a chance someone with a farm or acerage would be able to help.

I wish you luck with your effort to help your friend's dogs. He and they both appreciate your caring.

Ginger

Are the dogs any particular breeds, or are they hybrids? Because there are all kinds of rescues available for specific breeds...

Good luck in tyring some of these options!

Margi

Thanks for the support everybody.

I live in St Petersburg, Florida and Page lived in Ridge Manor, near Brooksville.

I've left a message with the Brooksville animal control center on Oliver Street (they were closed for the holiday) where
the dogs are, to let them know not to do anything until I can figure something out. I'll call again, tomorrow
to talk to someone about it.

I'll definitely be calling shelters and rescue groups in the area to see what my options are.

The dogs are just mutts. In fact, every one of them was rescued by Page, himself.

Walt--

MUTTS need saving too! And plenty of the rescue operations are for mutts, not purebreds.

Good for you for taking action--there must be SOMEONE who will help!!! I would honestly try posting signs too--you never know who will respond in a positive, helpful way. My heart aches over this situation, but you're doing the right things...

Margi and the Wolf

Thanks, Margi,

I'll give it a try.

Sure do wish there was something I could do. It just breaks my heart!!!

Please keep us informed.

Hope, hugs, and prayers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Walt,

As a ray of hope, I want to share a short story with you...

My sister lived alone for years after her divorce. She loved dogs, the bigger breeds especially, but she feared that her home was too small for one, and she had few places around her crowded neighborhood to walk and play with one.

One day, however, a beautiful male German Shepherd appeared in her yard out of nowhere. He liked to lay on her front steps and bask in the spring Texas sun. He kept returning several days right in a row. She couldn't understand why this dog chose her yard out of all the similar yards in the bug community, but he did. My sister began to have concern for the dog. He wore no tags. He looked tired and sad at times. She gave him water and bought him food, dog biscuits, and occasional treats. He was very friendly, intelligent, and mild mannered. He loved the care and attention she showed him. She named him "King". She inquired around town, and posted signs everywhere, but no one one knew anything about King's owner or origins.

Finally, my sister decided to take the dog in. But the day she had made this decision, King stopped appearing in her yard. She hoped and looked and worried for days, to no avail. She hoped he had found his way back home, or that his owner's drove by and found him. But her heart sank to realize how much she really cared for the dog and that she had lost him so swiftly.

Long story short -- well maybe not -- as my sister wept by the kitchen window, accepting this finality, King pranced up onto her front porch once more! His tail wagging and his eyes fixed on her front door. Cheryl took him in, and took wonderful care of him for the rest of his long life. They became absolute best friends and companions for nearly a decade.

I think many people might say they don't want a dog, or could think of a hundred reasons not to take Page's dogs, but at the same time, there are many people out there with soft hearts and lots of love to give, so never give up. Maybe you could write a short story about the dogs for your local newspaper and explain the situation. Supply photos of the dogs, provide their names and describe their personalities. Ask people to get the word out uising their email lists and social network sites. Work travels fast! My sister believes that a family must have abandoned King when they lost thier home to forclosure and couldn;t afford him anymore, or moved to a place that didn't accept dogs. Sadly, many people do this a lot.

Good luck, and thanks so much for caring for these animals. I'll be praying for all of you

Gees, I hate stories like this and I feel exactly the same way as you do, those poor dogs. It will be really difficult to place all four together, not many people will take on all four. I have three, all unwanted at the time I got them and I couldn't bear for them to go to a pound. Your concerns are not petty, they are admirable. It's a lot for you to take on and I hope you succeed somehow in finding someone who will take them. All you can do is try, it's not your fault if you can't. Good luck xx


madi xx

Hi Walt

Thank goodness that there are caring people like you in this world. My heart goes out to you as you try and find the answer to this terrible situation for your dear friend and his dogs.
Everyone on here has given you some very good advice. I am in UK so I'm not sure about what Animal rescue measures are taken in the USA.
All I know is the more publicity you can get the wider range of people will get to know about these dear dogs.
Our vets over here post up details of dogs needing to be 'rescued'. Also our local papers, radio stations, even TV. They would certainly want to print or broadcast your story I'm sure. The crucial thing though is to make sure they are safe until they find their new home/homes. Hope you can get to speak to the people at the Centre today.
Please keep us posted and keep doing whatever you can, wish I was nearer and could do more to help you.

Love Jan and My Angels

This situation is already becoming more depressing than it was.

Joann at the animal control center said that the dogs were due to be euthenized tomorrow, but that she would
try to put it off for a few days for me.

I've called several rescue groups and shelters around the state this morning and I'm beginning to see what a really tough job
this is going to be. All these places are full. Because of the economy, most have had to cut back on services, even
as more and more people fiind they can't afford to keep the pets they have and are having to give them up.

I'm beginning to feel the edge of panic.

I'm thinking, now, that this is a pretty big country. There must be some state that could be a good home to these guys.
I think I'd be willing to rent a van and drive them there if I could find one.

It might be possible to find a reasonably priced (?) piece of property with, say, a mobile home and I could move them in there.

This is all wishful thinking. I'm going to have to come up with something pretty quick.

Oh Walt I do wish I could help. We are very lucky here as we have so many shelters where they keep the dogs and rely on donations and fundraising events to keep them going. They don't destroy any 'healthy' animals or animals that can be brought back to health. Many are rescued but some live in the shelters for the rest of their lives where they receive lots of care. Not as good as their own home of course. We got our Noushka from one of these shelters.

I know you said that Page's son had taken the dogs to the pound. Are you in touch with him? Has he taken over Pages property by the river? Just wondered if you would be able to look after the dogs there until they can be re-homed. Does your own dog get on with them or would that cause problems for you. I don't know all the circumstances of course but was just a thought. The son obviously is not going to be too sympathetic if he could do that to his Fathers beloved dogs. Or maybe he was just desperate and didn't know what to do or that you would help to sort something out.
The going to a different state might help, or even a different district in Florida maybe.
Sending prayers that you can get help Walt. You are a very caring person, and you are doing your best.
Jan and my Angels

Hi, Jan,

Thanks for your concern.

My dog is a Brindle Pit (which I inherited from my step-son). Do NOT say anything bad about pits--at least mine.
He's wonderful, just the perfect dog for me. He's extremely sociable but does get excited around other dogs,
and sometimes the excitement develops into a fight, but only if the dog is his size or bigger. So, not wanting to
encourage that tendency in him (primarily to protect him, and other dogs), I strictly control his association with other dogs. Dumping four dogs on him here at my house would, I think, be pushing the envelope.

Page's house has reverted to his wife's family, so that is pretty much out.

I'll let you know if anything turns up.

Walt

Dear Walt
I just found a posting that our friend Dottie(AngelCareOne) posted on here earlier in the year. She worked in Animal Care and rehabilitation for many years . She lists a few good animal shelter websites where you could probably get some help. I replied and the topic is now on this forum , heading 'not too far away' (or similar) its at the top of the topic board at the moment. Maybe it could be a help. I do hope so. And thanks to Dottie for listing them for us.
Jan x

So far, nothing yet.

My next strategy will be to adopt them from the Brooksville shelter, and turn them in to the
Pinellas County shelter, here. They'll be put up for adoption. If any of them are adopted, great.
If not, it'll at least give me some more time to come up with something.

If their time runs out there, I can adopt them again and go to another shelter.

The negative part of this is, if the shelter deems one or more of the dogs un-adoptable--sickness or whatever,
then I won't be able to get them back. They'll be put to sleep.

At least I will have had some time with them, and they'll know that I was fighting for them.