Rescue – The Mutt & The Dood

An Open Letter To My Rescue Dog

Posted on August 21, 2019 by The Millennial Mom Diaries

“Whoever said diamonds are a girls best friend never owned a dog.” -Unknown

Last week I had no class, no work, and no internship. It sounds great, until you realize that you are an adult and everyone you know still has to work eight hours each day. So, needless to say, I spent a lot of time with my dog, Jackson.

During our tremendous amount of downtime together, I truly started to grasp how thankful I am for my 38-pound mutt. With that said, I decided it would be great to write an open letter to my rescue dog.

I had been searching for a furry companion for weeks. After days of searching for a dog, I had found a cute Chihuahua at a local PetSmart, and I made plans to scrap together enough money to adopt him. Although that dog was adorable, something about the idea of adopting him just didn’t sit well in my heart. Later that day, I figured out why.

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_25e My mother tagged me in a Facebook post. The moment I clicked on the post and saw your adorable, sad face, I knew that you were the one. Without hesitation, I messaged the woman who was fostering you and asked if you were still available. As I spoke with her, my heart pounded in my chest from the thrill. And after a short conversation, I discovered that you would become my dog.

I will never know the entirety of your story. I will never know where you came from, who harmed you, who left you out in the cold all by yourself… but I do know this: you needed me and I needed you. Upon hearing the story about how you had been abandoned on a coal mine, was freezing, and how someone could easily count your ribs simply by looking at you, my heart shattered.

The day that I adopted you was pure bliss. Honestly, I was nervous. Sure, I’d owned a dog before but I had always shared ownership with my family. You would actually be my dog. I had complete responsibility for you. And honestly, those nerves turned to pure fear when I met you.

You were scared. Oh, you were so scared. You seemed as if you had been traded off by humans a thousand times before and I could see that you were not going to trust easily. I could see that you were just as scared as I was.

And with that, the weight of what I had agreed to finally sunk in. I hadn’t agreed to just adopt a dog; I had agreed to help rehabilitate a dog. No, you weren’t physically injured, but your emotional scars ran deep. But after a moment of holding onto you on the drive home, feeling you shake from fear, and then watching as you grew in excitement once you realized that you were home, I knew that everything would be just fine.

I may not know much about your past, but here is what I do know. I know that you are a Jackson_2 38-pound mutt, who has suffered a lot of pain at the hands of humans. I know that you are fearful of other dogs, unless they are smaller than you. I know that it takes you a while to warm up to other humans. I know that people cannot simply pet you. I know that I have to be more careful than other pet parents when I take you out in the public eye. I know that your favorite toys are the kind that squeak, but you cannot have any toy with cotton because it will ultimately become a massacre. I know that you love to cuddle. I know that you have so much energy bursting inside of you. I know that you have so much love to give. And I know that you and I were meant to find each other.

You do not understand what I say, but I wish I could tell that you are safe now. I wish I could tell you that I will never leave you, nor will I ever let another human harm you again. I also wish I could tell you why I never let you share any chocolate with me.

Jackson, you have found your forever home.

An Open Letter To Owners Of Rescue Dogs

Posted on May 17, 2019May 17, 2019 by The Millennial Mom Diaries

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When I adopted Jackson, I had the desire bubbling in my heart to take my new dog on trips, to hike, and to the park. As a person with an adventurous spirit, and as someone who loves the outdoors, I couldn’t contain my excitement about having a four-legged friend to tag along with me on all of my endeavors.

But…

Jackson is a rescue. He was found abandoned, freezing, and malnourished at a coal mine in Eastern Kentucky. Also, he has an immediate fear of men, which has led me to believe that he may have been abused by a man in the past. If you consider all of his past trauma, it makes perfect sense that Jackson struggled when I first got him, and all of those adventures I had dreamed about did not go as planned.

Have you rescued a dog? Have you felt the same frustration?

When you rescue a dog, you know you’re doing a good thing. And honestly, you are very excited about it. But no one tells you how difficult it is going to be. Of course, if you do your research you probably understand these difficulties, but no amount of research can prepare you for the heartbreak of realizing how hurt your new pet has been.

And not only does your heart break, but you may even become frustrated. I become frustrated when I take Jackson to the park. If he sees another dog, he absolutely freaks out. When I first adopted him, he would become panicked when we would pass a man. Over time, we have worked through a lot of those problems, but I cannot tell you how many times I walked away from the park on the edge of tears.

So, if you own a rescue dog, give yourself a little grace.

You are facing challenges that are unique to you and your pet only. If you need to have a small cry when you notice your sweet dog flench around a human, do it. If you need to rant about how hard it is to have a dog that you cannot take somewhere because of the fear that has been instilled within them, do it!

One thing you should not do: Do not blame the dog.

When I adopted Jackson, I said the words once, “My dog is broken”. And he may have been a little broken at the time, but through words like that I found myself placing blame on him. The blame should never be placed on the dog. These animals are a product of their environment. Many rescue animals have been raised under harsh conditions and have potentially been abused.

We must give these rescued animals a little grace as well.

Sure, it’s hard, but we can do it! After all, if we don’t, then who will? These animals cannot heal themselves — they cannot speak up for themselves. We have to be their voice, their healer, and their protector. Rescue dogs have a lot to offer; they just have to be taught that not all humans are dangerous.

So, if you are frustrated with owning a rescue dog, please do not give up. It may be difficult, but you can do this. You are the only light this sweet animal has had in its short life — don’t throw it back into the dark. And when your dog behaves in a that (and I hate this term) isn’t “normal”, give them a little grace. This is how they have survived; it’s what they have been taught.

Take a deep breath, have a good cry in the shower, keep your head held high, and be the best dang rescue dog owner there is!

Adopt, Don’t Shop

Posted on January 15, 2019June 10, 2019 by The Millennial Mom Diaries

“You won’t change the world by saving an animal, but you will change that animal’s world.” – Unknown

My social media accounts have been flooded with adorable photos and videos of my dog, Jackson. If you have read about Jackson in my previous blog post, “Who Rescued Who?”, then you already know a bit about him. However, for those of you who do not know the story, I adopted Jackson in February of 2018. He had been abandoned in Eastern Kentucky and needed a home. Luckily, at that same time, I needed a four-legged best friend!

If you truly know me, you know that I can be a passionate person. I feel strongly about specific things. One of my passions has become centered around animals. Even as a child, I loved animals. Fun fact: I used to rescue worms off the hot sidewalks in the summer. However, my love for animals didn’t truly become a passion until I had spent a few months with Jackson.

For those of you who have never rescued a pet before, allow me to warn you that it isn’t always butterflies and rainbows. In fact, it is difficult. When I first adopted Jackson, he would barely let me touch him, he was afraid of people, he was aggressive to other animals, and he would go on hunger strikes. However, it is totally worth it once you begin to see the changes that you can make in an innocent animal. Six months later, Jackson is an entirely different dog than when he first came home with me. Of course, there are still some challenges that we are working through, but he has made so many positive changes. Honestly, it makes my heart feel overwhelmed with joy to consider where he has been and where has ended up.

I wanted to write this blog post to share with people the difference that saving an animal can do; not only for the animal, but for you as well!

You will watch them grow.

The day I adopted Jackson, I remember noticing how skinny he was. Since he had been abandoned, I had assumed that he could be malnourished, but it is completely different when you see it first-hand. As I held him on my lap on the drive home, I could feel his ribs. It was heartbreaking. However, six months later, Jackson has gained a good amount of weight and he is strong. He now has the pleasure of never being afraid that he will not eat anytime soon.

You will watch them begin to trust again.

In Jackson’s case, he was very wary around new people. He would barely let me touch him at first and now I cannot keep him away from me (a good problem). Also, he would not even let my best friend come in the same room as him. He would become aggressive. It did not take long to realize that he showed aggression towards men, so I assumed he may have been mistreated by a man. As time went on, Jackson has begun to trust people, even men, again. He still gets anxious if he is overcrowded by people, but he is doing much better now.

You will watch them get comfortable.

When you first adopt a pet, they may show signs of being uncomfortable. Jackson would not sleep on the bed, even though he was allowed. For weeks, he slept on the floor beside my bed. Eventually, he began to sleep on the edge of it. Now, he basically sleeps right on top of me. He has made my home his home. One of the best moments you will experience is when your pet finally sleeps next to you.

You will watch their personality explode.

After the initial adoption, a pet may feel uneasy and not show much personality. Jackson didn’t even play with toys the first couple of days. However, as time goes on, you will find that your pet has such a vibrant personality. If Jackson isn’t “talking” to me, he’s tossing his toys around the house. A bonus is that they can make hilarious faces, too!

They will become your best friend.

Jackson and I have been through a lot together over the past six months. He’s been on all of my hiking trips, he’s made me laugh when I wanted to cry, and he has always been there greet me when I come home. Choosing to adopt a pet will be the best decision of your life. If you find that you have the opportunity, the time, and the financial ability to adopt, I would urge you to do so!

Follow my Instagram to talk dogs or to see photos of Jackson!

#WhyAdoptWednesday

Posted on January 9, 2019June 10, 2019 by The Millennial Mom Diaries

My passion for animals began… well, there is not an exact date. Honestly, I have always had a passion for animals. My first dog, Poz (yes, that’s how my four-year old self spelled it), was the beginning of a never-ending line of pets. All of the dogs that I have owned have been adopted, and I have loved the beautiful stories and funny personalities that each of them has brought into my life.

If you follow my Instagram account, you know that I am obsessed with my dog, Jackson (read Jackson’s story by clicking here). If you don’t follow my Instagram, what are you waiting for? I make uplifting posts daily and you even get to see adorable animal photos!

My Instagram account is actually what has inspired me to write this blog post. Every Wednesday I do something called #WhyAdoptWednesday. While this began as me posting photos of Jackson and sharing my personal opinion about why you should adopt, I have begun to rethink this idea. Instead of posting my own thoughts and photos, I have been encouraging people to send me photos of their pets with stories attached.

Personally, I think it’s an awesome idea! Not only does this allow people to show off their pets (and we all know how much people love their pets – they’re family), but it also brings attention to the notion of #AdoptDontShop.

If you aren’t convinced yet, let me take this idea one step further. Yes, people know that adopting animals is important. However, I am not sure if everyone knows the prevalence of shelter animals that are euthanized each year. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure what the statistics were, but after some time researching, I was absolutely shocked!

Take a look!

U.S. Animal Shelter and Adoption Statistics

6.5 million animals enter animal shelters in the United States each year. 3.3 million are

dogs and 3.2 million are cats. Of those 6.5 million, 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized. To break that down a bit, 670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats are put down each year.

According to ASPCA, the number of euthanized animals has decreased from 2.6 million
since 2011. This decline has been influenced by the increased percentage of pet adoptions! 3.2 million shelter animals are adopted each year! Let’s break that down as well. 1.6 million dogs and 1.6 million cats are adopted each year.

That’s great, right? We have started to adopt more and more animals each year! Honestly, I cannot tell you how happy I was when I read that euthanizations have decreased by 2.6 million pets since 2011. The idea that humans kill innocent animals simply because we don’t have room for them and no one wants them is truly heartbreaking.

What Can YOU Do?

Adopt:If you have been searching for a “furrever” friend, visit your local PetSmart, Humane Society, and animal shelters. Find a sweet, innocent little animal who risks being put down simply because no one wants him or her.
Raise Awareness: Share information about pet adoption. For example, PetSmart does National Adoption Weekends multiple times throughout the year. During these weekends, thousands of pets are adopted. Share about these adoption weekends on social media. Actually, PetSmart is hosting a National Adoption Weekend this weekend (November 9-11, 2018).
Volunteer:If your schedule isn’t too busy, take some time volunteering at your local animal shelter! Or provide items to local animal shelters. Trust me, they can use all the help that they can get.

Share Your Story

If you want to share your pet adoption story and help raise even more awareness for adoption, contact me! I would absolutely love to feature you on my account. You can contact me on Facebook, Instagram, or email me at whatawonderfulllife606@gmail.com.

If you have a very heart-warming and lengthy story, I would even love for you to write a featured blog post on It’s a Wonder{FULL} Life. I have actually done this in a previous post, and I absolutely loved it! My goal for #WhyAdoptWednesday is to share my account, provide beautiful pet adoption stories with my followers and readers, and to continue to help raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption.

Resources

https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics

Rags to Riches

Posted on December 18, 2018June 10, 2019 by The Millennial Mom Diaries

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If you follow my Instagram account, you probably already know how much I love my 32-pound mutt. If you don’t follow me, then what are waiting for?!

Anyways, I wanted to take a moment to share Jackson’s full story with you. Many of you have heard bits and pieces, but his incredible story is one that needs to be told. So, get ready to cry… no, I’m totally kidding. But his story is super cute.

Abandoned

In late January of 2017, this pup was dropped off in the cold weather. We are no confident in how long he survived on his own, but by the time he was found, you could see his ribs.

A woman found him abandoned on top of a coal mine. If you know about weather in Eastern Kentucky, you know that the months of January and February are absolutely frigid. Honestly, I am not sure how he lasted in the cold for as long as he did.

One thing I do know for certain is that he had a difficult life before he was rescued. Jackson presents of issues that could be associated with previous abuse.

Adopted

When this photo was taken, Jackson had been living with me for nearly a week. He was taken care of, he had a warm bed to sleep in, he received a lot of love, and he never had to worry about when he would get his next meal. However, you can tell by the look on his face that he was still completely terrified.

I would love to write this and tell you that Jackson warmed up to me immediately, but that would be a lie. Actually, it took a couple of weeks before he began to feel more comfortable with me.

As I mentioned, his behavior has indicated signs of abuse. When I first adopted him, he would growl at any man that came near him. Thus, causing me to believe that he was abused by a man at some point.

Even today, if there are too many people surrounding him, he becomes defensive and growls. It has been a long process, but he’s getting better at trusting the people I bring around him.

My whole point from this portion of the story is that although the adoption process was easy – I adopted him within less than one week – the adjustment process was anything but easy. Those first couple of weeks were full of nervous shaking, hunger strikes, and growling at the people in my life. But oh my, was it worth it!

Companionship

By the time Jackson and I took this photo, all of his fear regarding my friends and I had disappeared. He and I were truly discovering companionship.

We spent morning runs at a trail on campus, we went on hiking trips (as pictured here), we learned new tricks, and of course, we played with plenty of toys at home. Jackson’s personality had truly become more vibrant and he was beginning to reach his full potential as a loveable, adventurous dog.

While Jackson was experiencing a positive change, I was too. I had adopted Jackson because I was seeking companionship. Why not adopt a dog? After all, they do say that dogs are man’s best friend. It seemed like the perfect idea! And I was right.

Jackson had already begun to help me feel better on days that were tough, he made me smile even if I wanted to cry, and he always sits next to me if he knows that I’m feeling down. When this companionship began to form, I truly had to ask the question: Who rescued who?

Registration

This photo was taken on the day that Jackson and I moved into a new apartment. This was also taken just weeks before I registered him as my Emotional Support Animal (ESA).

As I mentioned, Jackson had already helped me cope with my problems tremendously. When I moved into my new apartment complex, I discovered that you could only have a pet if they were an ESA. Due to this, I thought that it would be worth it to pay my doctor a visit. After doing this, Jackson was officially approved as my ESA and was allowed to live in my apartment.

At the time, registering him as an ESA seemed superficial at best. Sure, he’d helped me, but I didn’t consider how much at that point.

Only recently have I truly considered just how helpful this small dog has been to me. I have endured a lot over the months that Jackson has been with me, and I know in my heart and in my mind that he has helped me handle it all. While I hadn’t given registering him as an ESA much thought, it is apparent to me now that he truly does help me emotionally. He helps me battle anxious moments, sad moments, and everything in between.

If you battle anxiety, depression, or anything else, I would highly recommend finding an ESA. They are very, very helpful! However, make sure that you do not get them confused with a Service Animal. ESA’s do not technically provide a service as they have not received training. ESA’s are allowed to live with you, even in a non-pet-friendly location, according to the Fair Housing Act.

Present Day

Today, Jackson and I are still going adventures and living our best lives. Actually, he will be traveling to Niagara Falls with my family and I this weekend.

This dog has added so much to my life, and I want to make sure that he lives the best possible life. He’ll only be in my life for a small portion of it, but I am his entire life.

Although he started literally from the bottom – freezing and alone at a coal mine – I will make sure that the remainder of his life is nothing short of wonder{full}.

As always, message me the adorable story about your pet! I would love to share your story on #WhyAdoptWednesday.