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Act, act in the living present! So wrote Longfellow in one of his best-known poems. The past is dead; the future is unborn; only the present is living. That comment is, of course, a considerable over-simplification. The past, present and future are strongly linked and interwoven; and it serves to focus attention on the fact that we cannot act in the past, cannot be sure of acting in the future, so, it is best to act now. "Something attempted, something done" is a line in another poem from the same pen: completing a task brings a sense of achievement, but putting it off brings a sense of loss, of failure, of regret. Of all people, rescue has a need to act, and go on acting in the living present as it unfolds into the future. We face a tremendous task, one that certainly cannot be accomplished without the helping hands of many. It is comforting to know that "rescue" through its many acts of kindness is acting and that the setters we love are being helped and saved, fostered, adopted, and finding forever loving homes. Our mission in rescue is to "act." We are committed to helping the less fortunate in our breed(s) that lose their way, fall into shelters, are given up, and for something more than that, -- for mercy. Rescue is not just a thing-in-itself, but it is a part of the drive toward a better and kinder world. Rescue provides assistance to, and care for the less fortunate English, Gordon, Irish, and Irish Red & White Setters in need. In addition, the dogs rescued need to be evaluated and provided with routine or more needed medical help in order to re-home, rehabilitate, and successfully place them. The ultimate goal is to place them in homes where rescued dogs can have safe surroundings and live out their days comfortably. Every effort will be made to keep from turning any rescue away. Where the circumstances would impose an unacceptable liability upon All Setter Rescue and those who serve it, common sense and prudence will be necessary. We "act" to try and save as many as possible. Devoted and dedicated, we strive to be useful to the community in which we live by helping the dogs that might otherwise be put to sleep. No setter should have to die in a shelter. The dictionary defines rescue as freeing from confinement, danger, and evil (saving). There is another definition. Helping those that will fall into rescue because their owners die, they may become frail or ill, fall on hard times, get divorced, or relocate out of state. The reasons dogs fall into rescue vary and they are many. If we are to be helpful, it means we consider all setters and turn no setter away because of age, health, or baggage. Always knowing what to expect when we commit to rescuing a dog is impossible. There isn't a crystal ball. We try to gain as much information as possible but information is not always available. How does one know and predict medical needs or other expenses that might follow? Finding ways to raise funds, solicit contributions, and work to fulfill our mission will be an ongoing task and not always easy. Sometimes we will tire but we will never quit. We look forward to brighter days ahead ever knowing that the future is unpredictable. In the simplest of terms, to "act" in the name of All Setter Rescue, is our MISSION! |
