Page 50 - SDWM Digital Version Mojo Cover

Women of Distinction

be seen repeatedly by the homeless without meaning to, and your dog they then graduate out into going events are as much part of their
community I responded and we set will be left out there not dead but into the world in controlled settings rehab so they can be rehomed. So
a trap thinking it was just a stray fending for itself.” with people they know and dogs that they can learn life experience
but I started doing homework to Since Babs is often called that they’re comfortable with, and in a safe environment.” Right now,
identify if there might be somebody upon when stray dogs are found, we do pack walks and adoption in addition, Babs now has 30 to
out there looking for the dog. This she will take them into her facility events so that they can start to 35 volunteers that come on-site to
particular dog had some anomalies and work on getting them adopted learn that life is okay.” This can be a cover seven daily rotations of 8 AM
to it, like where it was and its color. if not claimed through the shelter timely process, as most of the dogs to noon and 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM.
And it happened to be a neutered process. “These dogs become part stay with Babs for several months Babs is looking for more volunteers
male, but not microchipped, which of our rescue. We don’t get a lot to a year before they graduate and to help care for her rescues. “We
is a little odd.” of foster support because most of are ready to go into forever homes. always need more help than we
Babs called the owner, asking them need extra special handling. When Babs first started rescu- get, and we want to make sure that
questions but being very cautious We have a kennel license and run ing dogs and taking them into her these dogs are properly cared for
about how she did so because the a facility at our home. We’ve got 70 home rescue, she admits that it was and played with so they can get
last thing she wanted to do, three dogs. All of them are, for the most tough for her to let any of them go. over their trauma and just enjoy
and a half years later, was to put part, on-site. And we are complete- Babs shares, “I have had to grow al- their newfound lives.”
the owner on a rollercoaster ride, ly volunteer based. So, we have most as much as my dogs through One last point that I touched
making them think that their dog people that come to our kennel and this process. Another tidbit about upon with Babs was what we
might still be alive. “In the course help care for the animals. This is me personally is that I’m going on should do if we come upon a lost
of that discussion, some things kind of ground zero for everybody. sixteen and a half years clean and dog because, let’s face it, it could
came up, and I realized that it was It’s where they start their learning sober. Truthfully, these animals are be your dog, and you would hope
undeniably GRIM.” I can only curve that, first and foremost, my spiritual connection. I am con- that someone would do what they
imagine the joy of being reunited containment is not deadly. A lot vinced to this day that God has put could to keep it safe and bring it
with their pet after so much time of aggression you see in dogs has this path in my journey, not just to back to its family. “There are three
had passed. to do with taking away that flight keep me clean and sober, but more things to do if you come upon a
Often, after a few days, owners response. Whether it is a leash specifically because he knows my stray dog. You stop, you ignore,
will give up the hope that they will or a kennel, whether it is walls or people skills still need some work, and you report. Because if you stop
ever be reunited with their dogs, a fence. Every dog has different and while I have always been the ‘I and you ignore, and that dog is not
and they may fear that their dog parameters. When they get here, don’t give a damn what you think scared, it’s going to come running
has been stolen and will never they get to decompress and kind of kind of gal,’ the reality is when you right up to you. And then you can
be returned to them, but Babs start to experience a new normal are that way, you alienate people. find its mommy. But if it doesn’t,
adds, “The fact of the matter is with consistency and predictabil- If I do so, then I can’t help dogs. So the minute you go into, I have to
that this is rarely the case. But if ity. Then they start to experience ultimately, I am a work in progress, catch the dog mode. You have hit
you don’t keep your momentum strangers and humans on different and I get to watch these dogs grow, his go button, and that dog will
and you don’t trust the process levels depending on where they are, and I embrace educating people, dash off and could possibly do so
and you don’t get the guidance to what they’re prepared for, and what welcome help and get these dogs into oncoming traffic. The dog will
remain optimistic and hopeful, you their past is and so forth and so on. more by doing so.” no longer be watching for danger, it
will reasonably quit on your dog And then through that experience, Babs and her adorable dogs will view you as the danger and can
can be found every single Sun- often end up getting hit by a car in
day from 10-3 at Point Loma an effort to get away from you.”
High School where many of her We are so thankful to have
rescues are available for adoption. met such a wonderful woman with
“I park my van, and we can load such a huge heart who was kind
and unload the dogs, giving them enough to share what she does
a place to escape to if they are with our readers. She has dedicated
overwhelmed by either the people her life to helping dogs find their
or the weather. What I tell people way home and is not financially
when they come to our events, benefiting from her expertise. She
and we’re doing the orientation for truly has an amazing heart and is
handlers is that it’s not just about dedicated to saving our animals.
the rehoming. A lot of times, our Thank you, Babs, for all you do!

Should you have a dog go missing or find a stray dog, before doing
anything else please get in touch with Babs Fry at:
A Way Home for Dogs 619-249-2221
Visit her website at https://www.awayhomefordogs.com/
To Learn More and Help Support Her Rescue.

50