In all our years rescuing, fostering and being advocates for dogs, we’ve never had anyone tell us that we are doing the “wrong thing.” We don’t claim to have all the answers nor are we perfect, but the well-being of the dogs in our care has always been paramount. Lately, however, in regard to Frankie, we’re receiving quite a few messages questioning our decision not to adopt him ourselves, and we feel it’s important that everyone understand our intentions.
When we developed “Harley’s House of Dreams,“ as the rescue program of Harley’s Dream, it was with the firm understanding that we will save senior dogs one at a time in Harley’s honor, nurse them to health, and then find them the perfect loving forever home based on each one’s unique personality and individual needs.
If we were to keep Frankie, our program would not work. “Harley’s House of Dreams“ is a stepping-stone for senior dogs who might otherwise have been euthanized. We simply could never rescue all those we would like to if we were to adopt each one ourselves.
Many of you think that Frankie will fill the void of losing Fernando, and it warms our hearts to know how much you care. Please understand, we are not ready emotionally to fill that void at this time. That’s a nice thought, but as so many of you know, it’s just not the way it works. If only it were that easy!
Frankie is a special-needs dog, requiring more attention and time then we can provide long-term. We are committed to, and more than up to the challenge of, providing all that he needs until the right home is found for him – that has been our goal from the beginning. But in addition to our work for Harley’s Dream, we also have full-time jobs, not to mention that we currently have 5 dogs of our own who all require and deserve our attention.
We have fostered many dogs over the years and we truly believe that a dog instinctively knows when it is on a “stopover” to its forever home. At this time Frankie has not bonded with us. Yes, he clearly enjoys our company and all that we do for him, but truthfully, he is still concerned about the life he left behind (regardless of how horrible and sad it may have been, that was the only life he knew).
We love and adore Frankie and we would never turn him over to a total stranger. We are committed to carefully screening potential adopters to find the perfect home for him based on his needs and the adopter’s ability to always provide for him in every way – physically, emotionally and medically. While it’s true that in time he would probably adapt and fit into our “pack”, we believe he deserves a home where he won’t have to compete with 5 other dogs for attention, but rather will receive all the attention that he desires – and deserves.
We are grateful for all the love and concern everyone is showing not only for Frankie, but for Dan and me as well. There will never be another Fernando, just as there will never be another Harley, and in time we know another little dog will come into our lives who is meant to be a part of our family. But we are still grieving Fernando and, as so many of you know, grieving is a very unique and individual process; there’s no right or wrong way to go through it. We each have to do so in our own time and in our own way. We ask for your understanding on that.
In closing, we respectfully ask everyone to trust our decisions and understand that we will always do what we feel is in Frankie’s best interest. Please be assured, Frankie will only know love, kindness and comfort for the rest of his life. We know the perfect home is out there for him, and he’ll stay with us until we find it. We are honored to be a part of Frankie’s journey – the first of many dogs who we hope will include “Harley’s House of Dreams” on their path to their forever homes – and we appreciate your love and support as we embark upon this new aspect of our mission. We couldn’t do it without you!
Rudi & Dan
Timeline: Frankie’s Journey