Bodhi's Blog: Life on the Dog Ranch
How many dogs is too many?
Hello fellow lab lovers! Sorry for the break in the blog. The ranch has been busting at the seems for several weeks now and it is a lot for an 18 month old to keep up with!
 |
| Of course I was a dog for Halloween! |
The word of the month seems to be hoarding. Not a great word in any circumstance and even worse when it is used to describe an animal owner. In the past month, we have taken in two groups of dogs that came from two different hoarding situations and had a third request to take 8 dogs that ended up having to be euthanized due to the extreme health and behavior issues they all had. Where this sounds like the worst option, sometimes euthanasia is the most kind thing we can do for the broken souls.
 |
| Nike, 2 year old female, from the first hoarding case |
It is easy to get angry at the people that house dozens, if not hundreds, of animals. To look in from the outside and see the mess and destruction a large number of animals creates, you could never imagine living that way. Yet, it happens all the time. The police or humane society go to a house, collect proof of the living conditions and health issues of the animals and remove them from the home. These animals are then taken to the local animal shelter, which is already busting at the seems, and leaves them there until a judge has ruled the owner cannot regain custody of his/her animals. This is a long process, which often involves appeals. During this time the animals sit at a shelter in a kennel/run that is desperately needed for another animal.
 |
| Meeting Aspen, from the second hoarding case |
Once the judge decides to remove all rights of the owner to the animals the shelter is allowed to move the animals to rescues or the adoption floor. Often, though, it is to rescue groups as the animals are often very under socialized and with multiple health issues. For an average person to walk into a shelter and adopt one of these animals is very unlikely as the animals need so much extra time and attention.
 |
| Clover, 3 year old female, from the second hoarding case |
This is where HOTLR steps in, and actually why HOTLR was created in the first place. For those who don't know, HOTLR was created nearly 20 years ago when a hoarder had his labs removed from him and there was not a place for the dogs to go. Looking back, saving those dogs was the first step to saving thousands of labs in the Central Texas area!
 |
| Hermes, Nike's brother, from the first hoarding case |
So, now comes to the area of how can you help? What can you do? First, consider fostering. This helps us save even more dogs. We are actually boarding several dogs right now as we don't have room for them all at the ranch. Also, if you are going to adopt a dog, consider adopting one of the shyer ones. These dogs often blossom into amazing pets that are loyal to you and love you with every inch of their beings. They may not run up to you and give you kisses the first week you bring them into your home, but when they finally do you will know it is because you have helped them overcome a lifetime of hurt and they are thanking you for it. There is truly no better feeling!
 |
| Hera, with her foster sister, from the first hoarding case. |
It is also important to remember that people don't start off to hoard animals, it is a slow processes that builds over time. It starts with a person agreeing to take a friend's dog they no longer want or finds a pregnant cat on the street and takes it in. The animals often reproduce within their own home and the owner doesn't rehome the babies, nor fix the adults. This is a viscous cycle that is most often done out of a love for animals and a lack of knowledge about how to maintain a true rescue and, most likely, there are some mental health issues, too.
 |
| Chief, 8 year old male from the second hoarding case |
So, now is not the time to say, "How could he do this to the dogs?" As the hoarder wasn't trying to do harm. Most likely just the opposite. Now is the time to say, "I am up for trying this fostering thing and HOTLR has some awesome dogs that need to see kindness and comfort can heal the soul."
If I can do it, you can do it!
 |
| With love, Bodhi! |
