Heading Home

The SOHS Saving Train is headed home at last - arriving some time late this evening!

Being born a tan Chihuahua in the Central Valley


“It is unconscionable that people do not spay and neuter their pets. The overpopulation of Chihuahua mixes is actually beyond description. This is my third trip to Fresno and it is heartbreaking to know that hundreds of animals are euthanized every day when the crisis is totally preventable.”
Leisha – Southern Oregon Humane Society


And so we head home this morning… it will take more than two hours just to load all of the dogs. We will travel to two separate kennels to pick up all of them and Clovis Animal shelter will deliver the last five. It is a massive jigsaw puzzle to make all of the kennels fit for the long drive. Dogs will be grouped usually with those that will be their kennel-mates at SOHS.

Being stranded here in Fresno due to the closure of I-5 may have delayed our journey home but it gave 18 more dogs the gift of life. We will be bringing home a total of 100 dogs to Southern Oregon Humane Society. We will arrive some time late this evening depending upon the road conditions. Much needed sleep was not on the agenda as we spent a final full day evaluating dogs. In the end we were being asked by rescuers if we could take home more. There was a steady procession of dogs and photos of dogs. But, we have no more room at the Humane Society.

“Wagner” is a beautiful golden boy approximately one year-old with a spirit that matches his gorgeous coloring. He was tied to a tree in an orchard and left to die. Someone cut the rope that prevented him from moving in any direction. He was taken to ARF and now he will have the opportunity to have a family of his own. “Pencil” is a sweet nine-month old tan Chihuahua who was running along the road with her two siblings. A truck roared by and killed both siblings. “Pencil” was spared and someone immediately took her to ARF. Her new family has not found her yet. If you like a dog that fetches, this is your girl. She is a talented “Chug” (Chih-Pug mix) that loves to retrieve balls.


In total, we went to six shelters and also worked with many private rescuers. I will most remember our incredibly dedicated and tireless friends from ARF who made this entire rescue effort possible. There is so much coordination necessary to insure a successful outcome. How could anyone forget the endless kennels filled with no hope? In one shelter we were pulling dogs out as others were in the process of being “tagged.” Their fate had been determined because the 3 day stray-hold was up. They would not make it to the adoption center and their place would be taken the next day by another wave of homeless pets. I will tuck those haunting memories away and resolve to continue to try and make a difference in every way possible. We have been inspired by Linda, the Executive Director at ARF, and her dedicated volunteers. They keep the faith in spite of the massive number of homeless pets in the area. We will also keep the faith and make every effort to do more. The anatomy of this rescue will become the blueprint for the future for homeless dogs and cats at home and everywhere.