I need to win the lottery.
I think right now I am at my limit, but really dont want to say that out loud. I dont have much, no let me rephrase that, I have NO, me time. I get up before 5 every morning and let big dogs out- come in and feed- go to the puppy room,clean up after them, feed them and give them water, take shower. Get out of shower and sit on floor and hold babies. Rush to get dressed. Then take time to sit down with each dog seperatley and give hugs and kisses. Off to work. Once home the routine starts again. I have some dogs that stay out during the day, if they want to, its up to them. Others have special needs or are trouble makers, they stay in until I get home. I then change clothes, clean puppy room, feed puppies, sit in floor and love on puppies then get up and do the rounds with the big dogs. Sometimes we all go out and play, sometimes I just sit on the porch and scratch tummies and ears and sometimes it is too cold and we light the fire and curl up in the living room...wall to wall dog.Tonight the babies were able to go out side and play with the big dogs this was great for all of us.
I am fortunate. I am not going to take on more than I can afford. I have someone here at the house most days even if I am at work and I have the support of the family members. Everyone has one or two dogs that are "thiers", these dogs get the special attention from that person.
Some of the dogs are content with less attention than the other dogs. Sometimes Tugs insists on hold me time and I hold that 100 plus pound pyr baby in the recliner.
I have no less than 2 dogs that sleep in my bed, right next to me. I have others who either sleep right beside the bed or under the nite table or in the reclinder in the bedroom. Jake occasionally will also crawl in bed with me and gets extra love me time.
One added bonus is that some of the dogs are also "paired" up and they have "dog" time. All of the Pyrenees are true guardians and take care of each other and the property.
The Pyrs have basically accepted most every Pyrenees brought into the house unconditionall y and usually the Pyrs take over in the welcoming department and help the new Pyr adjust.
I am not rich. I have a seperate bank acct called the dog account, it is anemic and in bad need of an infusion. I have an excellent vet who is not into trying to put me into the poor house.
I have my hands full- but its all about love and compassion. I love those Pyr babies with all of my heart and they have all become terroists in white fluffy clothing.
I buy about 200 pounds of dog food a week, and probably 25-50 pounds of dog cookies. I dont go to the movies or the mall. All of my dogs are vaccinated, spayed/neutered and get regular worming medication. I pay for this out of my pocket but hope that once my 501 c 3 is finalized I may be able to get some corporate donations, worst case scenario I am going to have one heck of a tax write off at the end of the year.
My last 2 groups that I took in would have been put to sleep if I had not taken them. They are all wonderful dogs and didnt deserve to die. So they are living with me for now- in the future I hope that they all find some one who will recognize how wonderful they are and will want to adopt them.
So to answer the question how do you do it? Sometimes not so well - sometimes I feel that I am failing miserably, but that is usually short lived. You just do what you have to do and know your limits, support from your family is a must wether it is one dog or ten. I have that- it makes it happen.