One of the things I've been involved in the last few years is working with a local dog rescue group. The lady who runs the group usually handles blind, deaf, and/or abused dogs. My sig pic is the latest do that's being fostered at my ex's house. Her name is Kashi, and is (we think) a Jack Russel Terrier mix. She was abused and in bad shape when she entered the rescue, but she's fine right now, and will be a great dof for a family. I handle lots of tranports for the group myself (might end up with a Cleveland to Syracuse run) and do what I can to help out. Has anyone else done any rescue? It can be equal parts rewarding and heartbreaking...

the last word in your post is why more people do not do this.

Yes, that's the tough part, but taking a dog from a bad situation or out of a kill shelter and getting them into a loving home far outweighs the heartbreak.
Our first foster was a black lab mix, found as a 4 month old pup swimming in the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina. He had survived, his owners did not. He had some health problems from being in the disgusting water, and we had him for 7 months. He was adopted by a family about 50 miles from us. I dare say he's better off than I am now!

I have pic of my lil Peanut on my page. She was a rescue and was also in very very bad shape and had been badly abused. It took me two years to get her to trust anyone but me, in fact the first thing she did when she met me was bite me.
I met her when a friend adopted her. I never though in a million years he would ditch her, but 1 1/2 yrs later I went into Pet Smart and there she was locked in a cage in the back since they didn't think anyone would want her. I KNEW it was her!
I was hesitantly let in and she was furious with everyone. I put my hand to the cage and called her name. She licked my hand. She knew me! I knew I had to get her out of there.
I asked about her and the lady was less than helpful. I insisted that she let me in the room to see her. I told her I knew the dog. She didn't believe me until 3 days later when I called her and went to buy her from the shelter. (no kill)
I got to spend more time with her and then told the lady that I knew her former owner(who left her behind to move to Indiana, with the wifes dogs).
She saw how peanut acted around me and then I told her who owned her b4. She was suprised and glad that I knew.
I had her fixed, shots and microchipped later. She is now the sweetest most friendly dog you would ever want to meet, and loves to cuddle. She has done a 180 and I wouldn't part with her for the world!!!!!!
Time and patience and love love love....thats what they need and I wish I could do it again but it wouldn't be fair cuz I can't afford another pet. But if you can, and have the love and patience to work with these kinds of animals, DO IT!

I went and looked...Peanut is a cutie! Thanks for being her friend!

Ive rescued a few animals....mostly cats but a dog as well. Most of the cats would not be near any humans....it took a little while but they eventually trusted me and they were "mine" and I was "theirs". It doesnt take much.....animals "know", especially cats, who are good or bad.

I did some cat rescue on my own before hooking up with this group. The three cats at the ex's are all rescues, and we've placed about a dozen elsewhere. I'm much more a cat person, but they all have their charms.

Good 4 you gypsy. I have had cats b4 and they can be hard to win trust from, but once they figure out that you are thier friend, they can be so warm and sweet.

ya why do they always like to sleep with their big butt in my face????

The oldest cat here does that. He's 16 1/2, so he's given much leeway.