Pomeranian Rescue Chapter 2

We were expecting another transport of the remaining 14 dogs in just two short days.  My wonderful staff was ready and willing to sacrifice their personal time on a Sunday to help these dogs in need arrive to a place of safety.

On Saturday night, the night before the transport was planned to take place, I received a phone call...

I did not recognize the number.  I considered not answering it.  I was going through a drive-thru window at the time it was ringing.  Good timing and cell phones rarely go hand in hand.  But I hit that green button anyway.  "Hello?"  I did not recognize the voice at first, the loud tones and verbage were bounding out of the phone.  I soon figured out who it was.   In panicked tones, the voice shouted, "That f*******   b****  sold the dogs out from under us!  She knew we were coming for them tomorrow!  She knew we were going to take them!  I'm so angry!"  And the cursewords continued.  I don't think I had ever heard her swear!  While she continued to be panicked and pissed, I became the voice of reason.  That is not always the case... just ask my employees.  I have my own moments of panic.

While I was disappointed, I was not surprised at all.  Of course the breeder would take money for the dogs rather than give them away.  It makes sense financially to do so.  This is a business to them.  A transaction that brings in money, regardless of the amount, is going to take priority over any other verbal non-profitable agreement.  I understand the idea of business.  I just have a hard time knowing that the inventory that is being bartared for, the item that is referred to as "breeding stock", are the same animals many of us keep in our homes and consider an important part of our family.  As far as a person "giving their word" or honoring verbal agreements, it takes more than a handshake now-a-days.

But we didn't lose them all.  There were five more dogs that she agreed to send.  Again, the bad news comes with the good news: some dogs were lost to another breeding operation, BUT we still had 5 dogs heading our way... in theory anyway.  That was enough good news for me to be content.  There will always be a ping of regret about not getting there sooner to transport the others, but we do what we can with what little we have.

The transport for the remaining five was rescheduled for Monday, and we would wait with baited breath until they were officially on the transport route, and in our "extended arms".  Only then would we breathe a sigh of relief.  This freed up my employees' Sunday, and only required one car to make the trip.  Time to sit and wait. 

Then I realized, we had to tell the Southern California Pomeranian Rescue that there would only be 11 dogs.

The rescue was devastated.  They were so concerned,  "Is this person still breeding Pomeranians? Is there any way we could get them back."  I explained to them that my understanding was that the dogs were sold to another breeder.  They were not being kept by this breeder.  However, I have no knowledge as to whether this person is continuing with breeding Pomeranians, or is telling us the truth.  It is being claimed that the breeder is retiring and cleaning house, but I have no proof of that.  I wish I could find out for certain, but they do not exactly invite me or anyone else into their establishments. 

The sad part was that the Pom Rescue had already paid for 21 dogs to be transported to California.  I don't know if a refund was granted for the additional 10 dogs.  I sure hope so.  I checked all the local shelters for Poms that might be able to make the trip, but did not succeed in finding any. 

The new group of dogs arrived on Monday.  All of the dogs were in the same condition as the previous.  Friendly but filthy.  We did the same to them: toenail trims, rabies vaccines, grooms, and baths when time allowed. 

We got kisses.  We scooped poop.  Did I mention we take the good with the bad?

The transport to California was still a mystery.  We had been notified that the transport was scheduled for Wednesday.  We had no idea whether it was plane, train, or automobile. 

We sometimes send dogs on planes to their new families. This requires a transport volunteer to cover a 60 mile drive from Jewell to Des Moines to the airport, an airline approved kennel, paperwork, food, ice in a dish (we are told to freeze water in the kennels dish so the dogs can drink it as it melts), and a backup plan if the flight is delayed or cancelled.

We often participate in ground transports, some of which go all the way to the east coast.  Each transport consists of volunteers transporting the precious cargo in increments of 50-100 miles or more until the dogs are safe in their new home or rescue. Our responsibility is to provide collar, leash, kennel if needed, paperwork, and a tranport volunteer for the first leg of the journey (this is often the most difficult part). 
 
How much are we going to need to provide for a transport of 11 dogs?  We don't have enough kennels on hand if they are needed.  It would be a tight fit, even for my van, to tranport 11 dogs in separate kennels to the airport!  I was a little nervous.  Time was getting really tight!

Then, we discovered the means of transport...


To be Continued...



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