The Wake Up Call

May 27, 2009 -

I woke up at 5 a.m. this morning. You don't know me that well yet, but let's just say the only time I usually see this side of 5 a.m. is if I stayed up all night. I'm a night owl, through and through. But, unfortunately, I was roused out of bed this morning by the squawking of eight hungry, upset puppies. You see, I have Vizslas and have been crazy enough to breed them a few times. The puppies are five weeks old, and are starting to eat soggy puppy kibble laced with formula. Their little needle-like teeth have convinced mom to end nursing. I just started supplementing with formula the last several days, and I can see that Ruby (the momma dog) is relieved for the help. But yesterday it dawned on me that she did none of her usual caretaking duties. My signal that she is through. My turn. Time for 5 a.m. starving little ones, constant surveillance for the stench of poopified paper, and trying to fill a void left by a mom that's much more efficient than me.

Rosso, my beloved Vizsla and the daddy, spends the bulk of feeding time (or any puppy experience) firmly hidden under the kitchen table. He's a little (ok, very) nervous about the puppies.

It's also at this time that having all these puppies around fills me with worry. I adore them as if they were my own children and I love seeing them go on to great new homes. The puppies we've had in the past have been so fortunate in the families that have taken them. It has been such a rewarding experience. But, I start to worry they won't find good homes, or won't find homes at all. I've always planned a litter based on interest, and had a solid amount of interest in order to consider doing this, my last litter

To add to my sense of worry, my colleagues and I were discussing the recent news stories such as Arizona Republic's July 7 story about pets falling through the cracks of a broken economy. Pets left behind in shelters or worse because their families can no longer afford to keep their homes, much less a pet: the hard realities of dwindling budgets when everything from gas to the price of groceries is escalated.

I wanted to find out more, so I spoke to Kit Jenkins, our Agency Program Manager with PetSmart Charities, and she acknowledges there has been an impact on animal welfare agencies, just as there always is when a community's economy is hit hard. This time around, though, she says that there is a broader impact because it hits across multiple communities and regions. She says that while it's too soon to have any real hard data, it certainly is a concern. Time will reveal how much of an impact the weakened economy is having on the pet abandonment rate, which of course ultimately means more pets that don't have loving homes.

I've finally started waking up to the reality that times are getting hard. I've heard it, I've watched gas prices go up, but I've sort of insulated myself. I can no longer deny that things are getting very tough. They certainly are for me personally. And, as I think about these things and look at these sweet little ones - a breed I love so much - I find myself coming to a defining moment. I have loved the whole kit-and-caboodle of raising these puppies, and it has carried a lot of meaning for me, but I think things have changed. My outlook has changed.

By the way, Kit had some great ideas if you want to do something to help. For example, she suggests helping at your local animal welfare agencies that are burdened with taking on more pets with fewer resources. "Volunteer to be foster parents, walk dogs, work the phones. Donate money or supplies. It all helps," says Kit.

Lastly, if you are finding it difficult to afford the cost of keeping your pet adequately fed, my heart goes out to you and your furry loved one. Your local animal welfare groups may be able to refer you to community resources such as pet food banks. And, if you're faced with having to give up your pet, please look into resources such as family and friends, your breeder (if you got your pet from one), breed rescue groups  and agencies in your community that take in pets that lose their homes. I wish you the best.

~Shana