This past week has certainly been interesting for me and the pups.

On the good side, I finally, after many years, had the opportunity to meet someone I've wanted to meet for some time. Someone who has supported my dream, both by offering moral support, as well as financially, without ever having met me. On Mothers Day, she finally had the opportunity to stop by my "Retirement Home For Senior Wieners" and introduce herself. Somehow, that just seemed incredibly appropriate to me, since I'm the closest thing my senior dachshunds have to a Mommy or Daddy. This month, of course, I was Mommy. Next month, for Fathers Day, I will be Daddy. The rest of the year, I'm "that guy with the food".

Needless to say, I was quite excited when I learned that she and her partner would be able to stop by and I would finally be able to put a face to my benefactor. While the time was far too short, it's a meeting that meant a great deal to me and will be something I will always remember. If she happens to read this, I hope she'll forgive me for any shortcomings - the retirement home is still a work in progress.

The bad part of the week is that, after 2 1/2 years, another of my placements has come back to me. I can't fault the home, based on the information I was given when the animal was returned. The specifics aren't important, but I'm afraid that if they're anything even remotely close to accurate, this little one will never be suitable for placement in a home with other pets. Still, she was my placement and I have always said that I will take back any animal, regardless of how long has passed, if they can't stay in the home they were placed in. This little one is no exception.

The ugly? Well, this camel has finally had one too many straws loaded on it. This was the second animal returned to me in the last two weeks and the fourth in the last year. I'm beginning to question my judgement in placements. These weren't short term returns - in most cases, the animals had been in their homes for a long time before I was asked to take them back. Granted, rescue is not (and never has been) an exact science, but I've never placed an animal into a home that I wasn't absolutely confident it would be in for the balance of it's life. A friend of mine keeps telling me that "things" happen for a reason and if she's right, I have to wonder if the reason in this case isn't to tell me to take a break from the emotional stress of trying to help them all. It's the only explanation that would make sense. If she's right.

And so, I've reluctantly decided that I need to take a break from placing animals. Those that are in my care will remain, regardless of whether they are seniors or not. I will continue to be a sanctuary for the older dogs who would otherwise be put down at our municipal shelter for the crime of getting old. All of the animals, young and old, will have sanctuary until either their time comes, or I regain confidence in my ability to place them into what is, in fact, going to be their "forever" home. I might make exceptions for people that I know personally, or recommended by people I know personally, but other than that, I'm afraid the pups that are here now, are stuck with me.

On the building front, I think I may have finally found a lender for construction of my sanctuary and home. I won't know if they'll actually provide financing until they have a chance to see the construction and architectural drawings, but it looks very promising. Of course, it may well be that one of the folks who have promised me help if they ever win the lottery, will actually win the lottery. But for now, it looks like I need to continue pursuing financing through more traditional channels.

Benny