trjn - "...Of courageous determination or energy.  One who shows the pluck, endurance,

     determined energy, or the like, attributed to the defenders of Troy."

Many Rottweilers are abandoned each year, dogs who are wonderful examples of the breed and whose only fault is being owned by people who no longer want or care for them. Like many abandoned dogs, these animals may suffer from physical or behavioral problems that stem from lack of training, unrealistic expectations, or a genetic predisposition. When housed with committed owners, many of these dogs turn out to be fantastic pets. Breed rescue volunteers make sure the animals receive veterinary care (shots, spay/neuter, etc), house them (with some basic obedience training and just plain manners), and take on the task of finding a new, permanent home for the dog.

If a person decides to adopt a homeless purebred Rottweiler, they can contact either Rottweiler rescue or their local animal shelter. Rottweiler rescue volunteers are breed experts. This breed-specific knowledge helps find a dog-owner match that is likely to work long-term . Breed experts can reach a realistic assessment of the dog's qualities, good and bad. Rottweiler rescue volunteers work with animal shelter volunteers, don't hesitate to contact both.

Anyone who is considering breeding their purebred dog should spend several months working in breed rescue. Such work will help them better understand the complexities of permanently placing the puppies they breed. 

Below is a list of Rottiweiler Rescues.  If you are interested in giving a loving home to one of the many homeless Rottweilers, please take a moment to go to one of the following sites.  Also, please take a look at our Dogs Needing Homes Page, before it is too late, and they end up at the Rainbow Bridge.

Rottweiler Rescue Links:

Canada

Alberta:

Southern Alberta Rottweiler Rescue

Central Alberta Rottweiler Rescue

2nd Chances Rottweiler Rescue

British Columbia:

Trojan Rottweilers

Vancouver Rottweiler Rescue - WillChris Kennels

Fraser Valley Humane Society

West Coast Rottweiler Rescue

Nova Scotia:

Meadow Brook Animal Rescue

Ontario:

Adopt-a-Rott Ontario

USA:

USA Nation Wide:

USRC Rottweiler Rescue

Alaska:

Anchorage Rottweiler Rescue

Arizona:

Arizona Rottweiler Rescue

California:

Bay Area Rottweiler Rescue 

Northern California Rottweiler Rescue

Rott Rescue of Los Angeles

Florida:

Gulfstream Rottweiler Club Rescue 

NE Florida RottNRotts

We Care Rottweiler Rescue

Illinois:

Recycled Rotts Inc. 

Champaign County Rott Rescue

Indiana:

Recycled Rotts Inc. 

Rottweiler Rescue of Mid-Michigan

Michigan:

Mid-Michigan Rottweiler Rescue

Minnesota:

Gemini Rottweiler Rescue & K-9 Sanctuary

North Carolina:

North Carolina Rottweiler Rescue

Northeast USA:

Northeast Rescue & Referral

Northwest USA:

Northwest Rottweiler Fanciers Rescue 

Ohio:

Western Reserve Rott Rescue

Pennsylvania:

Southeastern Pennsylvania

Pennslyvania: HRCP

Tennessee:

Tennessee Valley Rottweiler Rescue

Washington:

Seattle Purebred Rescue

Wisconsin:

Recycled Rotts, Inc. 

Wisconsin Rottweiler Rescue

HOW COULD YOU?

By Jim Willis 2001


  When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and made you laugh. You called me your child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became your best friend. Whenever I was "bad,"
you'd shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?" - but then you'd relent, and roll me over for a bellyrub.


  My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream is bad for dogs," you said), and I took long naps in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.


  Gradually, you began spending more time at work and on your career, and more time searching for a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through heartbreaks and disappointments, never chided you about bad decisions, and romped with glee at your home comings, and when you fell in love. She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" -still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show her affection, and obeyed her. 

  I was happy because you were happy. Then the human babies came along and I shared your excitement. I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I spent most of my time banished to another room, or to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but I became a "prisoner of love."


  As they began to grow, I became their friend. They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on my nose. I loved everything about them and their touch - because your touch was now so infrequent - and I would have defended them with my life if need be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to their worries and secret dreams, and together we waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.


  There had been a time, when others asked you if you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me from your wallet and told them stories about me. These past few years, you just answered "yes" and changed the subject. I had gone from being "your dog" to "just a dog," and you resented every expenditure on my behalf.


  Now, you have a new career opportunity in another city, and you and they will be moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. You've made the right decision for your "family," but there was a time when I was your only family.


  I was excited about the car ride until we arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out the paperwork and said "I know you will find a good home for her." They shrugged and gave you a pained look. They understand the realities facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."


  You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, and what lessons you had just taught him about friendship and loyalty, about love and responsibility, and about respect for all life. You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take my collar and leash with you.


  You had a deadline to meet and now I have one, too. After you left, the two nice ladies said you probably knew about your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt to find me another good home. They shook their heads and asked.... "How could you?"


  They are as attentive to us here in the shelter as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first, whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the front, hoping it was you - that you had changed your mind - that this was all a bad dream... or I hoped it would at least be someone who cared..... anyone who might save me.


  When I realized I could not compete with the frolicking for attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited. I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room. She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears, and told me not to worry.


  My heart pounded in anticipation of what was to come, but there was also a sense of relief. The "prisoner of love" had run out of days. As is my nature, I was more concerned about her. The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her, and I know that, the same way I knew your every mood.


  She gently placed a tourniquet around my foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked her hand in the same way I used to comfort you so many years ago. She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily, looked into her kind eyes and murmured "How could you?"


  Perhaps because she understood my dogspeak, she said "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and hurriedly explained it was her job to make sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to fend for myself - a place of love and light so very different from this earthly place. With my last bit of energy, I tried to convey to her with a thump of my tail that my "How could you?" was not directed at her. It was you, My Beloved Master, I was thinking of. I will think of you and wait for you forever. May everyone in your life continue to show you so much loyalty.


The End - Jim Wllis


  ** A note from the author:
  If "How Could You?" brought tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the composite story of the millions of formerly owned pets who die each year in American and Canadian animal shelters. Anyone is welcome to distribute the essay for a noncommercial purpose, as long as it is properly attributed with the copyright notice.