Rettungs-Haus Shepherds, Inc.
A German Shepherd Rescue
Lack of training and under-socialization are two of the top reasons dogs are surrendered to Rettungs-Haus Shepherds. If you are thinking about surrendering your dog, we urge you to please consider rehabilitation through training and our support network.
Rettungs-Haus Shepherds, Inc. was inspired by, and exists today, because of Jonah.
Jonah was listed on Craig's List under a free add. He was listed as a guard dog. The last sentence of the add read, "He is an outside or shop dog."
He was purchased as a puppy and his home was a pole barn. He had never been socialized, loved, or knew the soft touch of a human hand his entire life... until I met him.
I never feared Jonah. I unwrapped the chain from his neck and brought him home. His body abused, neglected, and frail; I cared for his wounds and loved him with all of my heart. My only regret is finding him too late. I wish I had found him sooner, so I could have loved him longer.
Jonah passed away in my arms due to the severity of abuse and neglect he suffered at the hands of his people his entire life.
- Founder, Rettungs-Haus Shepherds, Inc.
"The neglect changes you. The abuse hardens you. The suffering breaks you. The ignorance angers you. The indifference disturbs you. The injustice destroys you.
On a daily basis your faith will be tested, your heart will be wounded, and your soul will be altered.
On a weekly basis you’ll question yourself, you'll question your strength, and you'll question the world.
On a monthly basis you’ll fall down, you'll get up, and you’ll go on.
On a yearly basis you’ll look back, you’ll see faces you couldn’t save, you will mourn, you will grieve, and you will weep.
You’ll learn to trust a little less, to do a little more, and to fight a little harder.
You’ll learn to try, to hope, and to pray.
You’ll learn to fail, to succeed, and to accept.
You’ll learn when to hold on, and when to let go.
You’ll learn who you are, what you stand for, and why that matters.
Then at times… you’ll forget why you matter.
You’ll question what you’re doing. You’ll wonder if it’s even worth it.
Here's the good news:
When you forget, when you question, when you wonder, all you have to do is take a look around… And you’ll see them. You’ll see their faces, you'll see their smiles, and you'll feel their love. In their eyes, you’ll see their journeys.
You’ll remember their beginnings, you’ll know how far they’ve come, and you’ll remember when they didn’t know you. When they didn’t trust you; when they had given up.
You’ll remember how you healed them, how you loved them... and how they loved you, too.
And as you look back, you’ll want to move forward for them, and because of them.
In your darkest hours, you’ll look around to find the differences made, the hope given, and the lives saved because you existed.
In those moments when you look into their eyes, every doubt will be erased, every question will be answered, every worry will subside, because in that instant in each of your hearts, you both share the very same thought:
'Every bit of pain was worth it… for this moment here with you.'
And honestly, no matter what else happens, those moments hold all the strength you need to keep going.
Rescue is pain. Rescue is joy. Rescue is worth it; because they are worth it; and that’s the honest truth."
~ Author unknown ~