In 1998, a Breed specific rescue was founded for Rottweilers called Big Buddy's Rottweiler Rescue as a way for the founder to give something back as a breeder to his favorite breed. Having a complete understanding of the breed, the rescue was founded because one of the dogs he sold was returned for behavioral issues. The dog growled at strangers, chased cats, and one day killed a duck. Knowing that all of these behaviors were typical of the breed's characteristics and many other breeds as well. What would follow is a few years of extensive research into dog surrender and a a very tight bond between the founder and this dog named Budino "Buddy".In 2002 Buddy collapsed while playing in an open pasture where he got most of his exercize. He never recovered and passed away. The founder, a now grief stricken owner wanted to do something in his memory to represent all the dogs that were like Buddy,the misunderstood and discarded. So the rescue was expanded to cater to all breeds and the name was changed to a pluralized accronym: B.U.D.D.I.E.S. Inc. Once word got out the dogs came in floods and the rescue expanded to a capacity of 60+ dogs. In an effort to diversify, the founder launched a few out-reach programs designed to discourage surrenders and keep dogs in homes that had homes. They included in-home husbandry, basic obedience,social rehabilitation,medical assistance, food assistance,emergency first aide,alternative treatment for illness and injury, free shots and parasite removal, etc. He went on a one man crusade to combat this epidemic of homeless dogs and on his end done okay. Despite his efforts and the fact that he was rehoming over 1,000 dogs per year he wasn't even putting a dent in the problem.
In 2004, a series of problems began to arise. With the onset of early rainy seasons, a job in road construction (the major funding for the rescue) began to suffer. Mid 2004 southwest Fl. was hit with two hurricanes almost back to back. These would set the stage for a financial tailspin from which the rescue nor the founder would ever recover from. Personal retirement and savings accounts were depleted rebuilding and supplementing. Early in 2005 the founder was eventually laid off from his job,and the icing on the cake was when the leased property was sold to be developed. With no money or place to go, the founder packed his immediate belongings and 20 dogs and drove east. He ended up in a little patch of woods about 25 mi. out of town. This is where he and the dogs would live for over a year. Enduring harsh elements, hunger, and depression, despite numerous pleas to have the 20 dogs euthanized he declined and continued to do as best he could for the dogs and himself. Over the course of that year in between odd jobs he cultivated that little patch of woods into a beautiful habitat, saved money, and convinced the owner to lease it to him for the use of reopening the rescue.
Some would say that the 20 dogs he took with him on his homeless trek suffered by his hands. But from his and the dogs' point of view, he was right there with them in 20 degree weather, he also ate the fish and cooked rice for days at a time,and despite serious bouts of depression even suicidal thoughts, the dogs' welfare gave him purpose and the courage to press on, and this is why all of those dogs are still alive today. How many of us would do the same in the name of keeping a few dogs from being euthanized? By perservereing and relying on his love for those dogs there were 21 lives saved. He saved the dogs and in turn they saved him as well.
www.buddiesrescue.org email: [email protected] (941) 322-9592
