This morning, after only 3 hours of sleep (party last night) a construction worker who’s been working on the house next door dropped a tiny kitten into my hands. “dzai na li taduh mama?” I asked him. “Mayo Mama” he said. The cat isn’t ready to be weaned and requires feedings every few hours. I’ve done my research and tried to psych myself up for the task. What else could I do? Just drop the kitten on the beach and let her die? Then I found 3 puppies who had been recently abandoned in the parking lot next to my house. Three adorable rolly polly puppies. But I already have two of my own dogs and one rescue dog and my own cat and now of course the kitten, so I told myself I couldn’t take them in. I fed the pups a little but when I went back tonight to feed them again, one pup was dead (had been violently killed) one was missing and the last was absolutely terrified. They were so cute and happy this morning. This was my last 24 hours (rounded out nicely by my own dogs rolling all over dead fish so I had to wash them 3 times each (that’s 9 dog baths today)
I’m sure this has been said before and it’ll be said again, but do ya’ll ever feel like you’re drowning? I mean what’s the point, whatever I do it’s never enough and I see a bazillion animals that need help.
Okay I know I’m being a whiny little bitch and I need to go to sleep.
Here’s what I’m asking- what do you say to yourself to make you feel better when you can’t help an animal that needs help? How do you know when you’re trying to do too much? Where do you draw the line? And does anybody want a kitten or a now-terrified puppy or my foster dog Lore who had two legs broken when she was struck by a vehicle? They’re all very deserving of a good home :neutral:
That’s really horrible about the puppies. Thanks for trying and for doing what you can. Yes–Taiwan is drowning in strays. And they break your heart.
You’ve got a big heart and it’s always going to hurt. Always. There’s nothing to say to make you feel better when you have to leave an animal other than I couldn’t help you. I still remember animals I saw that needed help but I couldn’t offer them anything at the time because I had to get somewhere, or knew I didn’t have space for them, the time for them, the love to give them, or the patience to care for them while I looked for a permanent home. I don’t like myself when I think of this, but I don’t know what else I could do. I suppose we live with contradictions.
When an animal really seems to come into my life I help. Lucky was the last one I rescued because his face was rotting away from gangrene. That was not something I could walk away from. Or maybe him. I don’t know why. He attracted me in a way dozens of other needy dogs haven’t.
But the reality is you can’t take them all in. You’re not St Francis and you can’t devote yourself to the poor and needy. No one is asking you to. You help out when you can. That makes a massive difference as you aren’t alone and you good deeds inspire others.
I don’t know. It just occurred to me that maybe part of the reason we feel so bad is really a type of wounded pride. Oh I’m not as perfect and selfless a person as I thought I was or want to believe I am. Maybe if we can accept that then we can focus on helping when we can and feeling the sadness when we can’t. Maybe we can also be grateful that we aren’t in a country where these would be children we would be needing to protect and save.
Stray Dog and I were talking the other day and he said he’s had to come to start to look at a lot of strays as he would a wild animal. You wouldn’t interfere if a mama lion left her cubs behind but feel a horrible need to interfere if they are kittens. I think there is a difference (and I know he does too) but sometimes we have to let nature take her course.
Anyway, bless you for caring and take it easy on yourself.
Hang in there; sounds like you’re having a rough go of it. Your situation is a tough one; for my first two years in Taiwan, I turned a blind eye; it was the easiest way to cope with the sheer misery that is the life of a stray here. Then, a student gave me my first dog. I was able to give her a home while still turning a blind eye to other miserable animals (but had already started carrying food in my scooter to feed really hungry strays). All this after swearing NEVER to have an animal in Taiwan… At some point, it occurred to me that if I give my pets enough time, food, water, love and comfort, they will be happy anywhere life and me take them. Now I have six (three dogs and three cats) and they have given me so much; I can’t imagine life without them.
It’s still easiest to turn a blind eye, but does that help anyone? Deal with the fact that you will NEVER EVER be able to save them all; there are too many. You absolutely will drown if you try. It will hurt you, often umbearably, when you have to say no. (Contrary to what others may say, it doesn’t get any easier.) You do what you can, when you can. Maybe you can help one. Or two. Or in your case, eight, if I’m counting correctly. You have made a difference in their lives. You have improved their lives, and they are clearly benefitting from your TLC. It sounds as if you’re now at the point where you can’t take any more, but DUH, you already know that. Get in touch with a rescue organization, so that you will have someone to go to if you find more animals. DON’T tell anyone except Forumosans (We don’t have faces, and therefore won’t ask you for help.) that your animals are rescues or that you’re fostering unless you think they may offer potential homes or be interested in fostering. (I’m sure others will disagree with me on this point, but I’m all about self-preservation.) Ask friends to help out; you probably know people who would take the kitten for a night or two, so you can get some rest.
Good luck and keep us updated.
NTLT, I SOOOO understand your need to vent on this. A lot of us have been in the same situation, and, frankly, some of the folks out there much more than most (I’m thinking of course Sean, Liza, Natasha, Ladybird, Chris, and so on and so on – you all know who you are).
We recently reached a point where we realized we needed to take a temporary break, and we encountered the same question you’ve raised: what do you say to yourself to make you feel better when you can’t help an animal that needs help? How do you know when you’re trying to do too much? Where do you draw the line?
These are very painful questions with no easy answers.
Fortunately, we’ve established, through our own animal rescue efforts, some good guanxi, so recently we’ve been able to call on that for help, but eventually it wears out – the truth is that you can’t save the world by yourself, and even those with whom you have links run out of resources.
You can devote your efforts to inspiring and organizing others to help in the process (those I’ve mentioned have been amazing at this, Sean foremost among them), and you can devote quiet efforts to cultivating behind-the-scenes contacts so that you can help when needed, and also so that you can ask others for help when needed, all in pursuit of the same greater goal.
Beyond that, there comes a point at which, like a triage nurse, you have to just accept that you can only do your best, prioritizing, helping with the energy and resources available, and after that, as my dear mother would say, it’s in God’s hands. The world is better for your efforts, and it’s important to find peace with that.
Word. 
Thanks for everything you wrote. I was feeling totally alone last night. Reading that tons of people have gone down this road before me, and you’re even discussing the same things— that means a lot. I really was just at a loss last night but woke up this morning feeling fine.
The kitten is doing pretty good, I think, happy to eat even though she doesn’t always understand the eye dropper I’m feeding her with (what I wouldn’t give for a kitty sized baby bottle- might get one when I go to the vet on Weds, along with some real kitty formula). It’s a bit of work but not nearly as bad as I imagined. If anyone has orphaned kitten advice I’d love to hear it.
The puppies MOM showed up in the parking lot!!! I couldn’t believe it, those puppies were alone for 2 full days. I noticed that the mom was limping. I wonder if she got hit by a car? And then returned to find two of her puppies gone =( or maybe whoever abandoned the puppies got annoyed when their dog was crying for her babies and abandoned her too. who knows. Anyways the pup freaks out when he sees me now, it’s cute.
I was thinking maybe we should start a success story thread. Is there one already? Something that was great last night was looking through some of the ads and seeing all the ones where it said “So-and-so found a home”.
Thanks again all. Best of luck with your own rescuing endeavors and thanks for your support.
Hey quick update- kitten’s doing fine, got her to the vet and got some good formula for her (along with neutering my male dog and vaccinations for my two females- what a chaotic trip THAT was).
I’ve got to ask you guys though- does anybody have any resources at all that could help me help this puppy? I will pay for food/medical care. My problem is I can’t physically take care of him. I’m just running at capacity in ye ol NonTocareLeTete zoo here. Running out of rooms to quarantine street animals.
Here’s the full story on the pup. I had been feeding him and made him a bed, saw a dog who I thought was his mom (must not be, or if it is, a sorry excuse for a mom) hoped she would snuggle him up during this cold snap, but she’s rarely there. A couple of days ago I went out to feed him and found the dog laying in little tupperware bed basically comatose. Wouldn’t open his eyes or lift his head and seemed unconscious. Whatever got him in that state happened really fast. I figured he was on his way out and brought a warm water bottle so he could go in comfort. Changed out the water bottle every couple of hours (not through the night though) really expecting to find him dead one morning. Hoping it would go fast, but always surprised to still see him breathing.
Shockingly, he went from completely unresponsive to somehow, tonight (days after going comatose) he’s lifting his head and his eyes are somewhat open (but a little glazed, welded shut by eye-goo). I fed him kitten’s formula tonight through a syringe and he was actually licking and looking for more! Still not walking or moving much.
Does anybody have anybody who could house this little guy? I’ll bring him to TAipei. I"m losing it over him though. He’s just such a little trooper. Anyone? I’m pretty close to taking him which would probably be a very bad decision… I just have no resources here (Yilan) we’re all full to capacity on the rescue animal front.
You have no idea how much I wish I could…
Last time we had a foster pup, it almost got eaten alive by the other dogs…
I’ll ask around; wish me luck.
[quote=“nemesis”]You have no idea how much I wish I could…
Last time we had a foster pup, it almost got eaten alive by the other dogs…
I’ll ask around; wish me luck.[/quote]
Thanks 
He’s still hanging in there.
[quote=“NonTocareLeTete”][quote=“nemesis”]You have no idea how much I wish I could…
Last time we had a foster pup, it almost got eaten alive by the other dogs…
I’ll ask around; wish me luck.[/quote]
Thanks He’s still hanging in there.[/quote]
Hey, I can so relate to what you’re going through.
Posting here to others in the same boat, as you did, is probably the best thing to make me feel better when it gets really tough. (Other times I have sent rather negative messages to others, asking, pleading, begging for advice.)
This month I have a calendar featuring an animal (Smokey)I rescued, and that is so uplifting. I might need to keep it up for next time when it gets dark again , and I need that bit of encouragement. I also got an email from the second rescue I ever did. She is healthy and happy.
I am feeling we, as a loose network, are currently going through a phase of burnout, as several long time rescuers are taking time out, or retiring. Either people will find ways to do it while still taking care of themselves, or we’ll go through a lull, or we’ll be replaced by fresh people.
I am about to go through a transition, as a dog that required a lot of special care is about to graduate from Kage’s Foster Home for Unwanted Creatures. I am pretty excited about this one, and grateful for the opportunity to participate in Lucky’s recovery, however exhausting it may have been. He’s fully recovered and healthy! And it only took a few dozen people to make it happen.
We have a strong network. I am SO grateful for it.
[quote=“NonTocareLeTete”][quote=“nemesis”]You have no idea how much I wish I could…
Last time we had a foster pup, it almost got eaten alive by the other dogs…
I’ll ask around; wish me luck.[/quote]
Thanks He’s still hanging in there.[/quote]
I had no luck on this end; it just seems to be a regular love vacuum; sucking it up, but not willing to dish it out or give it back. Any good news for us? I could use some; it’s feeling like an uphill struggle…
Sometimes I get exhausted. Usually when my financial resources just won’t quite stretch far enough to support the numbers of dependents I’m trying to care for. (I have a few non-canine rescues as well as the dogs, and they eat and cost a substantial amount more). Something always turn up though, and we keep going. But the stress I’m under during those times keeps me aware that I have to draw a limit. Which is sometimes sad and difficult. And sometimes impossible, and another needy being joins the menagerie. 
I try to focus on what I CAN do. And not look at what I can’t. I also have a belief that this awareness of the needs, rights, and psychology of animals is a growing movement. It can’t be stopped. And even if we only save ONE dog, but we keep it in great health, and treat it like a good friend, and everywhere we go, when people comment on that dog’s good looks, good temperament, good behaviour, we proudly tell them that this is a rescued dog, and people see the joy we bring each other, we will be a big part of that movement. Snowball effect will ensure that the good we did will be far greater than just the rescue of that one dog. ’
I know that sometimes, when you’re faced with yet another bundle of heartache on four legs, it doesn’t help much in the immediate moment to know that, but in the long term I find it does.
So jia you, everyone. Sometimes we have to say no.
And when it hurts so much, and we’re feeling the love vacuum, lets go and spend some times with our dogs, and feel the love being wooshed back the other way. SUCK it UP! 
I know that out of all the animals that have arrived at my place in a needy state and I’ve had to expend sweat, blood, tears, money, time and sleep over, very few of them have remained simply needy for long. The vast majority seem to give me back far more joy and love than I put in, and that’s what provides me my sustenance.
ugh. I know how you feel. I feed strays up here in Xindian mountain and there is always one running around with a trap on it’s foot. Most of them lose the foot before we can catch them to help. Right now I’m feeding a mom that has 11 pups. I found 3 of them half frozen…they rolled down the side of the mountain. I’ve been putting them back with her ever since…but now 11 of them are old enough to climb back by themselves. But the mom is sickly thin, although I feed her twice a day and give her puppy milk formula.
now I feel like my ‘help’ just hurt more…sigh. I have 6 dogs of my own but I think if I could have it my way I would put up a shack in the mountain and just become a dog lady!
You guys are all awesome.
Really, every time I meet an animal rescuer, I feel like my heart’s expanding- the world’s still a good place if people will reach out and help a creature that’s suffering.
Given time, I feel like my rescues always give back more than I put into them---- but those first few months are ROUGH! And if your house is a revolving door for rescues, it’s always the first few months, just with a different animal. Sometimes I have to take a break and just enjoy my wonderful dogs who seem to know exactly how to live with me and make me happy.
I’ve got one rescue now. Both the kitten and the puppy in the OP didn’t make it. I don’t know about taking in baby animals any more- they are SO tricky, I mean, I derailed my entire life and those two still didn’t make it =(
Anyways, sending energy and support out to you, fellow rescuers…
Any one wants 8 puppies? Up for taking-in at the end of the month … they are still out there with the mom, sheltered and fed … but I don’t know what will happen once they start running around … or the people that feed the mom think it’s about time to ‘get rid’ of them …
This guy is probably daddy … needs some snipping at the balls …
So, animal rescuers in the making … big job ahead
good luck with them! I’ll ask around with my contacts here to see if anyone can help.
I want to start some sort of community awareness program where we talk to neighborhoods about spaying and neutering their neighborhood pets (you know the good sort of neighborhoods where everyone feeds the animals a bit) I just spoke to one of my students about it (after I cut a collar off their neighborhood dog because it was gouging into his skin) and she said “we don’t want to spay or neuter them because it makes them really old really fast.” These ideas are still floating around out there, let’s make it a point to spread correct information.
(still working on them to fix those dogs, said I would donate a thou nt if they could raise the rest of the money. Should see her this weekend to make sure…)
darnit. Wish mine were that lucky. Someone threw a huge concrete slab down to where they are…and some chocolate.
luckily they didn’t get hurt.
I commend you for you effort with the animals. Just wanted to give you a little Chinese advice. “zai nali ta de mama.” Is bad sentence structure. It should be “ta de mama zai nali?”
(still working on them to fix those dogs, said I would donate a thou nt if they could raise the rest of the money. Should see her this weekend to make sure…)[/quote]
What about that vet in ShiJr the government pays to spay / neuter dogs? FREE
Dr Lin I think his name is. Maybe some of the people who have taken dogs there cold chime in with contact info… ?