A Dog as a Gift: Naughty or Nice?

The holiday season is upon us and there is one thing that should not make it on the Santa's list. You guessed it, a dog.

Now, we're not talking about a sweet pup going home for Christmas after a decision to adopt has been made by everyone involved. Holidays can be a great and special time to rescue and there are plenty of doggies waiting for their forever homes.

No, we're talking about a "you really shouldn't have" and "what a surprise" reaction from someone who didn't expect or want or need a dog.

Finding the right pet that fits your personality, lifestyle, home, schedule, and size preference is difficult enough. Having someone else get it right is almost impossible. So no matter how cute a puppy with a red bow might look, leave him for pet store commercials and greeting cards.

Adopting is a big decision and should not be done on someone else's behalf. Now, if you want to visit a rescue together and pick up the adoption fee, now that's a gift worth celebrating.

Dogs and dollars

Sharing your home with a dog (or any other pet) is priceless. And sometimes priceless can be expensive. Before you adopt your furry bundle of joy, make sure you understand the full extent of the financial commitment you're taking on.

Starting with the adoption fee, which can range from $0 on special adoption days to $400+ depending on the breed and rescue organization you're working with.

Food and vet care costs are ongoing and the latter can be surprisingly and unfortunately pricey. Be ready not only for the relatively cheap annual check-ups but also the unpredictable emergency expenses, which can be hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Look into insurance - it works for some, not for others so make sure and do your own research.

Also, don't forget the treats, leashes, and toys you might splurge on throughout the year. Training and grooming are some of the other recurrent costs that sneak up on owners. If your schedule calls for it, then you might need pet sitting, dog walking, or boarding services which can cost you between $20-$100 per day.

There are other expenses, of course, and here's a great chart that provides a detailed breakdown of first-year and consequent pet care costs.

Remember that your new doggie will rely on you, not only for your love, attention, and time, but also your wallet. So make sure you're ready!

13 Dogs and Counting

Thank you to Lisl and her husband, Enrique, for sharing their story. 

And for being fantastic human beings.

C.A.R.E.: So let's start at the beginning, did you have pets growing up?
Lisl: Ha, did I ever! Lots and lots of them - rabbits, chickens, rats, hamsters, dogs, cats. And I was famous for rescuing baby gophers, mice, baby birds, you name it. And also bringing home strays.

C.A.R.E.: Wow, that is quite the list... I'm sure your parents were just thrilled!
Lisl: Actually, my mom was an animal lover too and so always went along with my schemes. Even after I moved out she continued to bring home the strays who were dumped on our rural property.

C.A.R.E.: Sounds like it runs in the family! And how about your husband, Enrique, same pet-filled childhood as you?
Lisl: Nope, not even close! My husband didn't have a single pet growing up. Can you believe that? And was deathly afraid of dogs - especially after being chased by a big dog when he was little. He wasn't very happy when we (as a couple) got our first dog, a Jack Russell. But he fell in love quickly and now is a huge and dedicated dog lover.

C.A.R.E.: Dedicated dog lover, what a great title!
Lisl: He really is! He is an amazing part of our support and rescue efforts with C.A.R.E. and other rescue organizations. And he's every bit involved in this as I am. He does just as much if not more of the physical work and he loves the doggies very much.

C.A.R.E.: So how did you first become involved with helping animals? Or shall we say, how did you guys become dedicated animal lovers?
Lisl: Well, after our Jack Russell, Jacky, died of cancer I knew I couldn't live without another dog. I just knew it. My husband however, was so heartbroken and shattered that he said no. He couldn't go through that ever again.

C.A.R.E.: That's understandable. It's hard to move on after a loss.
Lisl: It is. However, I was determined to adopt again.

C.A.R.E.: Haha, not a big surprise. So what did you do?
Lisl: I started the search, very sneakily I might add, for the "perfect" dog. After days on petfinder.com I did find a wonderful little guy, Gus, at PAWS in Fowler, CA.

C.A.R.E.: Did that work, did you convince your husband? Was it love at first sight?
Lisl: Pretty much. To make a long story short, we had such an amazing experience with Gus that we then looked for a little girl and found Daisy at C.A.R.E. One thing led to another and we found ourselves adopting more and more dogs - our next two after Daisy were from C.A.R.E., Poppy and Lily. Then...

C.A.R.E.: Of course there is a "then"!
Lisl: Haha, yes, there is. We've always supported shelters with donations, and then one day started to put together "care packages" - bags and baskets of treats, toys, blankets, towels, leashes, collars, harnesses, food! We'd visit the shelters where we had adopted our pets, which grew to about ten, and drop off the packages.

C.A.R.E.: That is just amazing.
Lisl: And things just kind of built on each other. We'd visit the shelters, hear about another need, meet another dog who needed a home. We'd try and help.

C.A.R.E.: We're assuming there's a another "then"...
Lisl: Yes, of course. Then, before we knew it, we were getting involved with more and more shelters, fostering, transporting animals, donating food. We've also contributed to one particular shelter that was growing - trees and building materials, kennels, plastic pools - that sort of thing. We've helped cover veterinary bills and stolen dog rewards. And then there are the occasional fundraisers. I love doing those!

C.A.R.E.: Whew!
Lisl: Yep, we are pretty busy, but there is just so much need! And once we started, we couldn't stop. We just kept finding ways we could help.

For example, one of our dogs was rescued from an animal sanctuary, that was anything but. More than 70 animals were seized from Crystal Kisicki's St. Francis All Creature Rescue and Sanctuary, including our Emma - dogs, cats, birds, even a pig. It's still hard to think about how the poor animals were found. The squalor, the diseases, the starvation, the sheer neglect...

C.A.R.E.: That's terrible.
Lisl: It was. It really was. And I had to do something. So now, I'm actively working with the DA to put her in prison. Before I knew about the abominable conditions, I was supporting her rescue just like everyone else! She really fooled everyone.

C.A.R.E.: Good for you! So how about your other dogs, how did they come into your life?
Lisl: Oh my, from all over, really! Some were fosters and we just couldn't give them up. Four were from petfinder.com. And then from petfinder.com, relationships were established and five more came from those relationships. One was from a Petsmart adoption, and three from Facebook connections.

C.A.R.E.: We're doing the math here... 
Lisl: Haha, yes, that is a lot of dogs. Right now we have 13 precious babies. Some even accompany us on transport trips.

C.A.R.E.: Accompany you? We have to hear this!
Lisl: Emma is such a mother and is the little "nurse" of the family. She's made the newbies feel more at home, the scared ones feel safe, and is just the friendliest, sweetest doggie. And one day we just started to bring her on transports. It's been great! One of our other dogs, Daisy, has also gone on one long trip. The last drive before we flew to Los Angeles to pick up a dog named Ruby.

C.A.R.E.: And what's Ruby's story?
Lisl: We saw a dog on a euthanasia list down in L.A., and just couldn't let that happen. The poor baby was only two pounds, pregnant, had 20 foxtails, kennel cough and was malnourished. How could I turn my back? We went down there for a fundraising event, and then flew Ruby back with us.

C.A.R.E.: Flew her back?
Lisl: That's right. We bought her a ticket and she flew back on my lap. None of the flight attendants said anything because one, I did buy a ticket, but two, I gave them all Godiva chocolates so they would overlook me breaking the rules.

C.A.R.E.: What a great life lesson: chocolate does solve most life problems.
Lisl: It sure does!

C.A.R.E.: So what happened with the doggie?
Lisl:  She is now lucky 13 - Miss Ruby Roo - two days from euthanasia but now part of our pack.

C.A.R.E.: Gosh. What a wonderful story. So 13 dogs, is that the most number of dogs you've had in your home at one time?
Lisl: It is. We have two boys and the rest are girls. All Chihuahuas and Chihuahuas/Terriers.

C.A.R.E.: So here's a tricky question, do you remember the first dog you've ever rescued?
Lisl: Oh my, yes. I can never forget him. Ever. He was the most special boy in my life. Pepe. I dream of the day I am reunited with him at Rainbow Bridge.

C.A.R.E.: I'm sure you will be! Any idea of how many dogs, so far, you've helped find homes for?
Lisl: Aside from my own, I would say about 12-15. That's dogs I have transported, fostered, including a dog with her pups.

C.A.R.E.: And you mentioned that a few of your doggies are from C.A.R.E.?
Lisl: They sure are!  Daisy, Poppy, and Lily.

C.A.R.E.: Wow! And how did you choose those guys?
Lisl: I didn't. They all just stole my heart. Haha. Daisy was the first. She was so cute we couldn't resist. She was Gus' companion and perfect. Poppy was chosen when Chihuahuas were so overcrowding the shelters they had no kennels for them. She had leg issues and we wanted her to feel special. Lily had physical issues and we thought we could fit her in with our little pack. She is amazing.

C.A.R.E.: To say you're busy is an understatement. And you work too! Dare we ask what your normal day looks like?
Lisl: Wow! Well, we are up before 5am so we can carry most of our babies downstairs as some have issues with legs or backs; some are just tiny and have trouble with the stairs. Then they all need to go out to do business and then it's feeding time. It's about an hour at least to organize everyone before our work day.

C.A.R.E.: It's like a small zoo!
Lisl: It sometimes feels like it. But our home is very clean and we are hugely organized. We have a housekeeper come by once a week and a dog-sitter three times per week. Some of the dogs with issues have large kennels, as do the teeny ones. Everyone is pretty good with potty training and they all get along pretty well, too. Gus is the alpha and keeps the others in line. It all just kind of works.

We get home late and it all starts over again the next morning.

C.A.R.E.: We probably know the answer to this, but we'll ask anyway - do you ever get overwhelmed?
Lisl: Yes, of course. There's a lot to do between the vetting, the Petsmart trips, the shelter visits, the day-to-day at home, everyone has special diet needs, everyone wants attention. But we can't imagine our lives any other way.

C.A.R.E.: Not that you're not busy enough, but what's next for you and your husband?
Lisl: Our big next is the Daisy Hill Puppy Foundation, all you Snoopy fans out there know the reference. This is something we're hoping to start very soon. Through the foundation we'll continue to help animals who need the help most, ones who have no one. And there are many. We thought it would be this year but we both work full time and keep putting it off. We're hopelessly busy, with our dogs and our lives. But it's going to happen and I can't wait.

C.A.R.E.: Your story is amazing. You guys are amazing.
Lisl: The dogs are the amazing ones. We're just grateful to have them in our lives.

C.A.R.E.: So finally, what words of encouragement do you have for those who want to help with this cause?
Lisl: If you want to do this, remember that saving one dog means everything. You can't save them all. But each one you save makes a difference. It's so rewarding and changes you for the better. Our life is so fulfilled for doing this. And we have met some of the best people because of it. No one should wait if they want to volunteer, adopt, foster, or just write a check. It will really, really change your life. I promise.