Trailwoods Woodchuck Crisis Fund

The Trailwoods Woodchuck Crisis Fund has been established to assist breeders in times of need. It is designed to specifically help breeders when they can no longer care for their dogs either temporarily or permanently due to illness or situations beyond their control. It will house and provide care for their dogs until they can either be placed in homes or returned to their owners. As a long time breeder I found myself in this situation. I can only describe it as the most heartbreaking situation I have ever encountered. I made a very bad choice in a move and found myself with a life threatening disease. I spent two weeks in the hospital and another six months recovering. Unfortunately opportunists and people who I once considered as friends used this against me personally. This is not a story about abuse, neglect, or actions where I chose to get rid of my dogs. Disaster can strike anyone at any time. I did the very best for my dogs given the situation I was forced into. I worked with Diane at Heavens Gate in the short time we had to screen applicants for adoption, and my terriers were housed at my home until the adoptions process was completed.  Many of my dogs were placed in appropriate homes prior to my entering the hospital. The adoption fees for my dogs was given to Heaven's Gate to help further their fund for their organization. Unfortunately Diane was not informed I had to go into the hospital and was told I just dropped out of contact abandoning my dogs and the adoption process.I still keep in contact with the people who adopted my dogs to make sure all is well with them. True friends are rare with the compassion to consider others rather than only self.  My only concern at the time was placing my dogs in a situation where they would be cared for and not be subjected to death or neglect. I will never get over the experience but I know in my heart I did the very best I could. I have always had a great love for animals and I could have never lived with myself knowing my beloved terriers were put to death or neglected. My only mistake was placing some of my terriers in the care of a friend. They were only left with this friend for two weeks until I got out of the hospital. I have found in this life you may think you know someone, but not always in the way you perceive them. That is another very disappointing part of life.

The initiation of the Crisis Fund will kick off at our Spring Terrier Trial in May. I have personally donated an antique oil painting of four Russell Terrier puppies appraised ten years ago at $400.00 with proceeds to be donated to the fund. The oil painting will be be auctioned off on an on line auction conducted by our Vice President and Web Master Kelli Van Liew.  We will build on that donation with future fund raisers to build up resources that will benefit people in need. Bad things do happen to people. I have always strived to maintain a positive attitude and turn bad things into good that will be of benefit to others. I feel like those are the important lessons in life. Jenny Bruso will be in charge of all donations for the Crisis Fund. We have a committee who will assist her in the dispersal of assistance to those in a crisis.

JoAnn Stoll

President, Founder AJRTC