It is said that it takes a village…and in rescue it is no different. Today I am asking for The Sato Project ‘village’ to rally and help us. In 2014 we took in more dogs than in any previous year. Many were dogs that had been on Dead Dog Beach for a long, long time. And we have been caring for and loving them every single day. Sometimes for years. Praying that each time when we went to feed them and give fresh water that they would be there. Our hearts racing when sometimes they were not…We did not give up on them and in turn the dogs did not give up either. We made a promise and we stuck by it. We celebrated when they finally took their freedom rides to the vet’s office. Some were with us longer than others because of medical reasons but very sadly we have some dogs that are not leaving Puerto Rico…because there is nowhere for them to go. They are not candidates for one of our shelter partners. So they stay in our vet’s office where they are loved every day but it is not a life. A life is a family and a home. A comfy bed of their own and walks every day. A snuggle whilst watching TV and perhaps a stocking under the tree. Today I am asking for YOUR help with these dogs. We desperately need foster families – who are committed to helping these dogs transition and learn. To help them become adoptable. We do not know where these dogs came from - I wish we did. We essentially operate The Sato Project out of a vet’s office. It is not a sanctuary or shelter. So I cannot tell you if they are housetrained or good with kids or cats. What I can tell you is that these dogs the smartest I have ever met. They ‘get’ that they were rescued. They are grateful. Give them a chance and they are not going to screw it up. That is all they want – a chance. Case in point Freckles. She lived alone under a motorway bridge on the way to Dead Dog Beach. Freckles took us two years to rescue. Then she stayed in the vet’s office for another year. Freckles waited patiently for her family to come but sadly they did not. We would post about her and people would love her story and pictures but no one ever applied to adopt her. Freckles wasn’t a puppy or particularly ‘cute’. Half of her hair was missing. Freckles was not going to win Miss Puerto Rico anytime soon. But we loved her. And we prayed that someone else would…Finally just before Christmas one incredible family said that they would foster her. They had adopted a sato from us two years previously and successfully fostered many others. We did not know how Freckles would react to New York City, to being in a home, walking on a leash, living with other dogs; living with a family. But her fosters were undeterred. “Send her!” they said and so with much trepidation we did. It was Freckles’ time. Within hours of arriving in NY Freckles had settled on a comfy dog bed and showed all of us that she was in fact Miss Universe. Freckles has exceeded all of our expectations. Freckles loves her Puerto Rican Foster brother Disco and living in NYC. She pretty much does everything that I said she would not - snuggles, loves going for walks in NYC, and plays with toys and her foster siblings. Freckles proved me wrong and I love her more for it. Freckles has brought so much joy to her foster family. They are watching their very own rare Puerto Rican flower blossom every single day. We have a number of other dogs like Freckles in our program. Dana lived on Dead Dog Beach for 11 years. Yes you read it correctly. ELEVEN years. She gave birth to her daughter Danya 9 years ago. They have never known anything but the beach and now a vet’s office. They deserve more. They deserve a home. Vanity was dumped on Dead Dog Beach when she was in labor. Vanity gave birth to 5 puppies that she hid. It took us almost a day of following her to find them. Even though Vanity and her family were rescued tragically all of her puppies died. Vanity became depressed. It was heartbreaking to see her looking for her babies. Vanity is still in our vet’s office. Vanity loves to go for walks and is wonderful on her harness. She lifts her nose into the air smelling the fresh air. It breaks my heart to look at her in her cage at the vet clinic. Waiting and waiting….. Dana, Danya and Vanity are desperately in need of foster care or a forever home. We will support you and give you all the tools you need. We just need you to open your heart and home to one of these special dogs. These dogs have been in our vet’s office for a year and every day they stay with us sadly means we do not have space or funds for three other dogs….there are dogs waiting patiently for their turn but they have to stay on Dead Dog Beach. We are not giving up on Freckles, Dana, Danya and Vanity. I hope the same can be said for all of our fans and followers. Please share. If you are SERIOUS about fostering or adopting Dana, Danya or Vanity then please email adoption@thesatoproject.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 18:00:04 +0000