Saving the Giants
When we pulled up at the gate for our first stop in Alabama, enormous dogs loped towards us. "What are those?" I asked Nancy, incredulous. I'd never seen dogs like this up close.We waited while Rhonda, the director of Brindlee Mountain Rescue put the giant creatures in their kennels and opened the automatic gate for us.Once inside the tidy property, we met Rhonda, a smart, kind, sensible woman who had a gentle air about her, not unlike the giants we would soon meet. Rhonda created this rescue so that she could save animals her way—which we would learn is not only dog-centered but creates excellent, adoptable pets who probably don’t know they're living in a shelter.
Around these parts, Rhonda is known as the ‘Dane Lady’ because not only does she love them, but she knows how to manage them and train them. Danes find their way to Rhonda from all the surrounding county shelters and she places them via Petfinder when they are ready to be adopted.But Rhonda saves all kinds of dogs, not just Danes. She has about ten to twelve dogs at a time when she is full. She says that’s all she can manage well-- it's not just saving the dog, but the quality of care while in the process of saving them, that is important to her. She keeps each dog an average of two to three months, working with it, assessing its needs, and setting the dog up to be successful once adopted. “There’s a fine line between rescuing and hoarding,” she told us. She keeps herself from crossing that line by only taking as many dogs as she can handle, and making sure every step she takes is an improvement.The dogs rotate between living in her home and living in her kennel. The kennel is comprised of five huge runs that could each hold several dogs, on a paved pad under a shelter in a shady spot in her yard. There was a swamp fan blowing on them and each run had raised beds and plenty of toys.
Around these parts, Rhonda is known as the ‘Dane Lady’ because not only does she love them, but she knows how to manage them and train them. Danes find their way to Rhonda from all the surrounding county shelters and she places them via Petfinder when they are ready to be adopted.But Rhonda saves all kinds of dogs, not just Danes. She has about ten to twelve dogs at a time when she is full. She says that’s all she can manage well-- it's not just saving the dog, but the quality of care while in the process of saving them, that is important to her. She keeps each dog an average of two to three months, working with it, assessing its needs, and setting the dog up to be successful once adopted. “There’s a fine line between rescuing and hoarding,” she told us. She keeps herself from crossing that line by only taking as many dogs as she can handle, and making sure every step she takes is an improvement.The dogs rotate between living in her home and living in her kennel. The kennel is comprised of five huge runs that could each hold several dogs, on a paved pad under a shelter in a shady spot in her yard. There was a swamp fan blowing on them and each run had raised beds and plenty of toys.
I’ve never been so close to so many Great Danes. I knew nothing of the breed, but fell in love with their gentleness. They were sweet and goofy and affectionate. Right now I can’t imagine life with such a large dog, but someday I might. I promised Rhonda that if I ever did, I would come to her for my Dane.
Anyone looking to rescue a Dane should certainly look her up. All of the Danes we met and handled were sweet and gentle and had incredible manners. Some of that may be the breed, but a lot of it is from life with Rhonda at Brindlee Mountain Rescue.After we left, I thought about the life Rhonda has built for herself, surrounded by dogs on a quiet, shady spot in Alabama. I wondered if it was a life I might have someday. I’m sure it is not an easy life, but I also can’t imagine living out my days on a beach chair. I think I’d much rather spend them with dogs. They are good for the soul. Rhonda confessed that she doesn’t think this problem of too many unwanted and mistreated dogs will be solved in her lifetime. I don’t want to believe that.In a message yesterday, someone mentioned that what I’m seeing is hard to see. Sometimes it is, but I think the problem is that not enough people are seeing it. Yes, it can be hard, as it was in Franklin County, but then I meet people like Heather at Franklin, and Rhonda today, and I realize that they need us and more than that, they inspire us. We can do better. We can save these dogs, and we can solve this problem.It is time to let ALL the dogs out. Please help us spread the word. Share wherever you can, especially if you know people in the areas where these shelters and rescues are located. Please consider subscribing to this blog, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Even after we are home, we will share more stories, updates, and how you can help.#TogetherWeRescueBlessings,Cara
Anyone looking to rescue a Dane should certainly look her up. All of the Danes we met and handled were sweet and gentle and had incredible manners. Some of that may be the breed, but a lot of it is from life with Rhonda at Brindlee Mountain Rescue.After we left, I thought about the life Rhonda has built for herself, surrounded by dogs on a quiet, shady spot in Alabama. I wondered if it was a life I might have someday. I’m sure it is not an easy life, but I also can’t imagine living out my days on a beach chair. I think I’d much rather spend them with dogs. They are good for the soul. Rhonda confessed that she doesn’t think this problem of too many unwanted and mistreated dogs will be solved in her lifetime. I don’t want to believe that.In a message yesterday, someone mentioned that what I’m seeing is hard to see. Sometimes it is, but I think the problem is that not enough people are seeing it. Yes, it can be hard, as it was in Franklin County, but then I meet people like Heather at Franklin, and Rhonda today, and I realize that they need us and more than that, they inspire us. We can do better. We can save these dogs, and we can solve this problem.It is time to let ALL the dogs out. Please help us spread the word. Share wherever you can, especially if you know people in the areas where these shelters and rescues are located. Please consider subscribing to this blog, follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Even after we are home, we will share more stories, updates, and how you can help.#TogetherWeRescueBlessings,Cara
