For years, dogs in desperate need have found their way to me. Some were dumped nearby. Some arrived injured, neglected, or already in critical condition. Others were left beside the road and survived long enough for me to find them. I have taken in as many as I could, nursed them through injuries and illness, and found loving homes when I could… but the day we found an emaciated black dog lying on a steep slope above the water, I came frighteningly close to having more need in front of me than I had the resources to meet.

We named her Jordan River, after the water below where we found her.

Her thick black coat hid almost everything. The moment I touched her shoulder, I felt bone beneath my hand. Her gums were nearly white, sores covered her feet from dragging them, and she was so weak she could barely hold up her own head.

By then, I was already caring for Rosie, Amber, Pixel, a litter of orphaned puppies, and the other dogs and fosters depending on me. Jordan arrived when my available space, supplies, and emergency resources were already stretched thin.

I knew Jordan needed immediate veterinary care. What I did not know was whether I had enough room, money, and supplies to take responsibility for everything that would follow. As I stood there with her, I had to face how close I was to reaching the limit of what I could do alone.

Jordan was not the first dog to reach me in desperate need. Five years ago, Violet was barely five months old when her owner decided she was a “bad dog” and shot her through the chest. Somehow, she made it to our property. We rushed her for emergency veterinary care, saved her life, and she is still with us today.

Around Christmas, Sadie was dumped on our property. She was elderly, emaciated, and suffering from serious health problems. She was microchipped, but her owners refused to take her back. She had not wandered away and become lost. She had been left for someone else to care for.

There was also a five-week-old brown puppy abandoned in a box beside the road with his siblings. His siblings were struck by vehicles and did not survive. I brought him home, nursed him back to health, and found him a loving family.

Then there were three four-week-old puppies from a backyard breeder whose bodies were covered in chemical burns. Healing them took a long time, and for a while I believed they might carry those scars forever. I nursed them through it, watched their skin heal, and watched three injured puppies become healthy, happy dogs. Two have found homes, and the third is still waiting for the right family.

Each one reached me differently, but every time, the emergency arrived before the space and supplies did.

For years, I have found a way to make room after the dog was already in front of me. Now I want to create that room before the next one arrives.

I have the land to create something meaningful. I have years of hands-on experience caring for dogs, nursing them through injuries and illness, training them, learning their individual personalities, and finding homes that fit them. I also have a volunteer ready to help with the rescue, and I am fortunate to have an amazing veterinarian I have trusted for years, one who has helped me with every animal I have brought in… even a tiny gecko.

What I do not yet have is the dedicated rescue space, supplies, and emergency resources that would allow me to say yes safely and responsibly as often as I would like.

That is why I am creating a rescue, and I am ready to turn that dream into something real… a dedicated place where dogs can arrive safely, recover, learn, and prepare for the homes they deserve.

I can already picture it finished and ready, with secure kennels, clean cots and bedding, food stored where it belongs, collars and leashes within reach, medical supplies already stocked, and a place where a frightened, injured, or starving dog can finally rest while we figure out what comes next.

The first funds raised will go toward preparing a safe, climate-controlled rescue space with electricity, lighting, washable surfaces, ventilation, secure locks, and proper sanitation.

From there, I will create the first intake and recovery areas with secure kennels, crates, cots, bowls, food storage, bedding, cleaning equipment, collars, leashes, toys, and medical supplies.

As support grows, the next stage will establish an emergency veterinary reserve and add secure outdoor runs, fencing, shade, drainage, training equipment, and additional spaces for the dogs who need us.

Dogs who are comfortable around others will be able to recover within a stable pack environment, learn basic obedience and household routines, rebuild their confidence, and be matched carefully with families who understand their individual needs.

I do not want to move dogs from one uncertain place to another. I want to help them heal, learn who they are, and enter homes with a better chance of staying there for life.

Every stage of this project will create something real. Every kennel completed becomes one more dog I may not have to turn away.

I can do the daily work. What I cannot create alone is the dedicated facility, supplies, and emergency support behind it.

I have never lacked the willingness to say yes.

I am asking for help building the capacity to say it safely… and I cannot wait to show everyone what we can create together.

Please donate if you are able, share this fundraiser, and follow along as this rescue becomes a safe place for dogs who desperately need somewhere to go.

The next dog could find their way to me at any moment.

This time, I want to be ready.