Jamie's Animal Rescue

I can’t put into words how much I needed this.

For more than half of my life , I rescued. I started bottle feeding kittens from cat colonies at 11 years old. I didn’t have a normal “twenties” era because I had 20+ animals at a time In my care, while going through college and starting my first teaching job. I sacrificed a lot- friendships , relationships , trips , memories , but most of all; my own well being.
Rescue is something that can fully absorb you. Even when you have other roles of wife and mother. You can’t get away from it , there is NEVER a break especially if you foster and care for a high number of animals In your own home. The phone calls, texts, facebook tags continously hound you.
There is so so so much that goes into running a rescue , it’s not just let’s save this cute , healthy puppy and magically find a home for it.
After years of burn out, at 37 years old I decided to step away. Don’t get me wrong, I still dont live a normal day to day life- I have more animals here than most folks but it’s manageable.
But when you step away from something that ran your life , that consumed your thoughts & soul. That was literally your identity - That little grey cloud of guilt that followed you everywhere , the “surely I can do more , there are too many suffering out there” doesn’t just disappear. But what does quickly fade is your rescue friendships , your reputation , all your hard work seems to be forgotten so quickly. Just a blip of something small. It’s a strange feeling to go about my day , knowing my little rescue isn’t known for making a difference anymore.

But then I get this in the mail. Children’s books written by two adopters who took their two J.A.R dogs across the world with them to Saudi Arabia. Instead of “moving and can’t take them with us”. They made it happen because they were their family.
Zach & Kona are living a life that I never in a million years would have imagined for any J.A.R dog. And NOW they are stars in a children’s book collection.
This note right here , brought tears to my eyes. Bittersweet tears that my self sacrifice was still recognized. Thank you to these two because I sure needed a reminder that It was all worth It.

Check out the collection on Amazon! Please support Honey & Poppy and their adventures ❤️

Zoey was originally rescued from fort bend animal shelter in Feb 2013. Her litter was my first encounter with parvo. We lost her brother , but she & her sister were able to survive.
Zoey is the only “normal” dog out of my entire career in rescue that I CHOSE to keep. The rest have all had to stay with me for one reason or another. She was my first personal dog as an adult out on my own. She is 13 years old next month , and we know 2026 will be her last year with how bad her arthritis is (and is being managed). She has always been the easiest and the most gentle natured dog. She has welcomed over a thousand animals in her home over the years.
We thought she was going downhill and a decision was going to have to be made , BUT by some miracle - she had found a second wind on life the last few months and has been a much happier & spunkier dog.e