This Sat me and the girl who runs the Russell Rescue here in Ohio did some pulls for various shelters and rescues from a kennel in our area. I swear the pull days are by far the hardest. Walking down the rows with so many faces looking at you knowing you can't save them all. The hardest part was there were 2 Beagles in a cage together and the foster home could only take one. We had to leave one behind. I haven't stopped crying. There were 7 that were going to be PTS today. We were able to pull 5 and transport them. We have sent an email asking the kennel to not E the one beagle as we will work this week on finding somewhere for him. Pray they listen and spare him.  The other rescue girl says you have to think about the ones you saved because you can't save them all, I find that so hard. I always think about the ones we couldn't. I feel so terrible and I can't shake it.

I think you guys that actually walk into those shelters and pull the dogs are amazing.  I don't think I could look at those eyes and walk away  - but you can't save them all.  We know that. Doesn't mean we like it.

It's so hard when there's ratties we can't save....very hard.  I just try harder with what I can do.  And read the Happy Tails that are posted on the RBR chat forum....those really help, too.

Visiting the Shelter.  It's the worst... Those little cards they put on some cages that say "my time is almost up" with a picture of a tear coming out of a puppy's eye. 

When we adopted our son in the Ukraine, my wife and I went through this same feeling.  The orphanage had so many kids.. wonderful kids... and we didn't have the forsight to request permission to adopt more than one child, so we couldn't change it once we were there.  I felt like we were abandoning these kids... like I was leaving them behind.

The one thing that gave me peace is that there were other familys there to adopt from the US and Europe, and so, with enough good people doing good things, it get's handled.  We were not the only ones there, we certainly were not alone.  And neither are you.  Others are also doing good work here.  All that can be expected of anyone is to make a difference when you can, but you are not alone.

I think what I stuggle with most is who gets to go and who stays. It was very different pulling various dogs other than JRT's. (there were no Ratties there though, I looked).  It's like they all just look at you like "me?".  It takes so long to recover from shelter days. Those beagles are tearing me up. The shelter said rescue has saved 69 dogs this year and that the only ones PTS were biters or sick. Then I think that is just one shelter and there are so many. Some days my heart can't take it. I just go home and hug my two and pray this country starts treating their animals better.

The people that do the pulls and have to decide who lives and who dies, are the ones to me, that are truly amazing.  I just couldn't do it You have the most difficult job of any that work in rescue. I  have a huge admiration for you guys that have to make those gut wrenching decisions. Just remember, if those dogs that you do save didn't have you to pick them, they too would die. I really feel for you...(((((BIG HUGS)))))

Thanks for the replies. Nothing really helps the hurt. I guess it is just a cruelness in this world that is a reality and it sucks.

I have to say you foster homes amaze me. I guess each piece of resuce in intricate but each carries some pain too.

Hugs, Val!! I know how overwhelming it can be.... I try to look at it this way when there are dogs I know I can't save... I cry for them... and say to myself... I cannot save them all... we cannot save them all.... it's a sad truth in rescue. I try to concentrate on the ones we can save and pray for the ones we can't... and remember, it's not our fault that the poor babies were put in this position - it's the irresponsible breeder... owner... pet store... so many factors... that lead these babies to their demise when we cannot help them... say a prayer... hope they have a quick, painless death and hope the people who put them there get what they deserve one day....