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Boonie Tails

By Grace Keilbach

Sharing the good and the bad

Please know that this article may be tough for some to read as it discusses the reality of euthanasia on Saipan. However, we believe that the stories of these dogs deserve to be heard. If you’re new here, we typically highlight far more positive stories so don’t unsubscribe yet! Plus, there’s a ‘Boonie of The Week’ at the end of this article that is sure to put a smile on your face!

We would also like to give a special thank you to all of our paid subscribers! Boonie Babies would not be possible without the generosity of people like you. To learn more about becoming a paid subscriber, click HERE. No matter if you donate or not, you are still helping us save the Boonies and we are so thankful to anyone who takes the time to read these newsletters. Happy Labor Day and thanks for reading!

The only thing worse than having to euthanize animals is not being able to

This week, Aria received a call about an injured puppy. As you can imagine, this is something we are called about a lot. The scenes are often brutal (think exploding exterior tumors, organs not where they’re supposed to be, and eyes popped out), but we are always grateful to be notified and help end the animal’s suffering. With adoption rates on island already almost nonexistent, no access to veterinary care, and little funding, animals that are sick or injured are rescued by us only to be put down. This is the reality of rescue on Saipan and although brutal, the brutality has taught us that there are far worse things that can happen to these animals than a peaceful death.

One of our very first rescues was an extremely injured puppy. We were feeding a pack of stray dogs when our mom heard cries coming from the jungle. She quickly emerged with a puppy who had been hit by a car. He was completely paralyzed and had one eye popped out of its socket. We all stood in a circle looking at him, frozen, as tears started to slide down our cheeks. We told him everything would be okay but knew there was nothing we could do for him. Luckily, there was a vet on island and the next day we drove him to the clinic to be euthanized. We may all still all traumatized from that day and night (Aria and I stayed up with him the entire night and held him while he cried from the pain), but we are forever thankful we found him and so many others like him so that they didn’t die a slow, painful death alone.

Before Saipan Humane Society, there was no consistent access to euthanasia. Dogs were left to rot in the hot shelter cells for months, injured dogs were left to die, and we were left with dozens of feral, unadoptable dogs to care for. In the early days of Boonie Babies, half our space was taken up by dogs we had somehow accumulated that even after months of having, we couldn’t get close enough to touch. Euthanizing them after coming to love them from a distance was one of the worst days I’ve experienced with rescue. I’ll never forget touching them for the first time to help hold them down while they were being sedated.

The only thing worse than having to euthanize dogs is not being able to. Thank you to co- founders of Saipan Humane Society Lauren and Ruby for providing access to this critical yet heartbreaking part of rescue. To follow and support their work, please follow them on Instagram HERE.

Pupdate

Remember last week’s ‘Boonie of the Week’, “Sweet Boy”, who needed a name? We are now pleased to introduce him as Henry! Thank you Lily for the love you have shown this dog and for helping us save the Boonies. Although we still don’t have much of an update, we are hopeful that Henry will be able to be seen by an upcoming visiting vet. If his diagnosis is treatable, he will soon be on his way to Colorado.

Buy for Boonies

Support your favorite rescue by shopping for what you already need on our Amazon Storefront! We have everything listed from dog and cat food to our favorite sunscreen and facial bronzing drops. All items listed are used by us and Boonie approved. The best part? Shopping from our storefront comes at no extra cost to you, we just earn commission for recommending it. Click HERE to buy for Boonies!

Already have what you need for you and your pet? Share the love and select something from our wishlist to ship directly to our front door (A.K.A. PO Box. On Saipan, no mail is directly delivered). Click HERE to see what items our rescues currently need.

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Boonie of the Week: Meet Kylo

Story Submitted By Kristen

Kylo’s early life was marked by instability and uncertainty. He spent time in no fewer than five homes before finding his forever home with me and my husband. His story is sadly a common one that reflects all the ways a dog can be let down by the humans in his life—but also, the incredible difference rescues and fosters can make in the life of a dog in need. As a puppy, he was nearly the victim of one of the worst fates a careless human can inflict on a pet—a slow death trapped inside a hot car. Thankfully, a passerby saved him. I will never know this angel, but I am forever grateful to them. He ended up in a DC-area rescue devoted to Pit Bull-type dogs, where he was fostered and eventually adopted. What should have been his happy ending fell apart when his adopters decided after several years together that he wasn’t a good fit with their children. Back to the rescue he went.

I’d like to say this is the part where I found him and chose him out of all the dogs in the world, but really, it was more like he was hand-picked for me. I only knew I had to have a pittie in my life. The rescue had received my application to adopt, knew my requirements (must be able to co-exist with our kitty cat, and must be able to live in a city apartment), and set about playing matchmaker. The first time I met him, he was an absolute tornado. (Apartment dog? Really?) But his wonderful fosters knew his true personality and convinced me to trust them and give him a chance, and I’m so glad I did. Kylo doesn’t need much to be happy and at peace—just to be with his people and to have a cozy place to rest, a few squeaky toys, and the occasional outdoor adventure. By making friends everywhere he goes, he has been an amazing ambassador for his breed.

Fosters truly save lives. In a crowded shelter environment, our anxious, dog-reactive boy would have quickly deteriorated and been labeled “unadoptable.” But in a loving foster home, he was able to thrive and find the place he was always meant to be. I imagine that by the time he got to us, it was hard for him to believe he was truly home. Now that he’s been with us longer than anywhere else, I hope he feels safe and secure. I hope we’ve convinced him that he’s not going anywhere and that we will always, always come home to him.

Fun facts about Kylo: He is 13 years old, but no one believes it. His vet has called him a “forever puppy.” He loves exploring U.S. National Parks and has collected six B.A.R.K. Ranger tags.

‘Boonie of the Week’ has become one of my favorite things to put together. It is always so special to hear about the connection people share with their pets and learn about the unique story every rescue has. I tear up every time reading about the love that these owners and pets share. Rescuing an animal is truly one of the most special and impactful things you can ever do. If you haven’t yet, give it a try! Special thank you to all who haven taken the time to submit a story.

Have a rescued animal? Submit their story to [email protected] to see them featured as ‘Boonie of The Week’! Please don’t be shy, we actually really need stories to share.

Boonie Tails is free to read. But if you liked this post, support Boonie Babies and this newsletter by pledging a monthly or annual donation. Thank you for reading and we’ll see you next week!