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Barbara Elfie Rodriguez - Elfie's Refuge

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In this interview with Barbara Rodriguez, owner of Elfie's Refuge, we set out to find out why and how Barbara does what she does. This interview is a personal one for me, I adopted two dogs from Elfie's Refuge, after my 23 year old chihuahua passed.  I've since followed Barbara on Facebook, and it never ceases to amaze me, how she does what she does. She truly is an Angel. If you are looking for a new addition to your family, I ask that you ADOPT DON'T SHOP! There are so many senior and special needs dogs that have so much love to give if you just give them a chance.  If after reading about Barbara's amazing story, you can donate, even just a little bit, please do.

What is Elfie’s Refuge?
The primary mission of Elfie's Refuge is to serve as a hospice and home for physically and mentally challenged small dogs.  We work with local rescue groups and local shelters to provide a life-long home for dogs that might otherwise be in danger.  Elfie's Refuge is a home where medical attention is provided; where care and love is provided; where small dogs become part of a family and are treated as the special creatures that they really are.  The work of Elfie's Refuge is a blessing for all involved.  Elfie's Refuge is a life-long sanctuary and hospice where care, love and attention are the focus of how we treat all our "doggies".

Why did you start Elfie’s Refuge?
I started out as a foster home for other rescues. It was not long before I realized that there are many fine rescues that take adoptable dogs and find them homes, but that there are far fewer rescues that take dogs with a very limited chance for adoption. The old, the blind, the crippled or disfigured in any way, and of course those with terminal conditions such as advanced heart disease, dementia, diabetes and cancer.   And yet these dogs are equally precious and deserving of love and a chance for happy time.  These dear dogs needed and deserved a life-long home where care and love were the daily aspect of life. 

Thus, Elfie's Refuge was started to help the senior dogs that are so often abandoned in their late years.  The goal of our refuge is quite simple - bring these dear dogs into a "home" like atmosphere; provide them with medical care; provide them with care and love; and provide them with the comforts of a home-like environment.  Elfie's Refuge has no crates; no cages - nothing but nice, clean soft beds; acres of fenced land to roam, to smell, and to enjoy.  Every rescue brings a smile and helps keep a dog from harm's way.  We cannot save the world, but we can make our mission a small effort to make the world a better place.

Elfie's Refuge is almost a selfish mission - the happiness we see, every day, in the small dogs we help is a reward that feeds our soul and could never be found doing anything else.  It is almost unbelievable how a little medical help, a ton of love and affection, can bring about a transformation from a sad dog to a happy doggie.  The before and after is thrilling beyond words!  Could there possibly be anything more enriching than seeing the improvement from one day to the next; could there be anything happier than seeing a dog wag their tail and show their appreciation?  I think not.

How many dogs do you save every year?
We rescue and bring into our home about 30 to 40 dogs a year.  Many receive medical care and lots of love and then eventually find their way to a new and wonderful new home where the adopting parents continue to bring new life and joy to them.  We maintain a rigorous and thorough vetting program to ensure that people wishing to adopt our dogs are the right match and will provide a grand home with love, peace and care.
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What is the Biggest challenge in caring for the dogs?
  • Money and time.  It is a challenge to be significantly self-funded and to make sure all our doggies are provided with quality medical care, quality food and nourishment, and plenty of individual and group love.
  • Emotions.  Remember, many of the dogs we rescue are crippled, blind, have heart disease, may be injured and never adequately cared for.  Each time we bring a new guest into our home, it tugs at your heart, at your emotions and you cannot but wish we all lived in a better world.  How can these defenseless dogs be left to suffer needlessly?  Each time we rescue, there are two strong emotions - sadness and joy.  Sadness that we found a creature that needs help so badly, and joy that we found a creature that we can help with medical care, love and an inviting home.​

Our beautiful transformation

BEFORE
AFTER
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AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
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AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
​What is the biggest challenge in running the refuge?
There are many challenges - having adequate funds is always an issue and requires work and marketing of our mission.  Having the time to devote attention to each and every dog is also a challenge, but a delightful challenge that we welcome each and every day! The challenge is real - provide a life-long sanctuary and hospice care for small dogs that are ill or injured and that might otherwise not be adoptable and could well be in danger of being euthanized.  Our challenge is to find the funds, the time, and the care to make sure we maintain a welcome home for these small dogs.  We make sure to never say no - our goal, always, is to shed a tear and find that next little dog that needs us…and to know that what we do is repaid so much more by the look of joy in the eyes of each of our family members.

The accomodations at Elfie's Rufuge

Backyard where the doggies can play
Backyard
Backyard
Barbara's Fridge Full of Doggie Meds
View into indoor doggie room from my bedroom
Indoor dog room with indoor potty for the little ones too frail to go outside.
Doggie Playroom
Doggie Playroom
Doggie Relaxing in the doggie playroom
Newly Constructed Screenroom for the doggies
Front of House
Back of House

Extra special Doggies

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Willie

So frightened of people it took a week to be able to touch him. He would lunge at me teeth bared and he meant business. Christmas morning I came out determined to make friends but he had jumped out of his enclosure. I sat on the floor and he quietly came over and got in my lap. Best present ever.
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Jessie

​This is Jessie. Her leg was dislocated and twisted to the side. Took about six months and several operations to straighten it out.
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AFTER

More Lil ones

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aNYA

Anya was set for immediate euthanasia the by shelter due to her heart. I’ve had her a year. She’s had two major surgeries to remove tumors and spay and she’s doing great.
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cELINE

Celine, a hurricane Katrina survivor, adopted and came to Florida and her owner was arrested (not sure why) and she ended up back in the shelter. So scared no one could go near her.

Rexy

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Rexy's physical therapy after neurosurgery to get him walking
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​What is the most rewarding part of caring for the dogs?
Those of us that truly love our pets cannot imagine them ever being anything but cherished in their old age.  Sadly, that is not what so often happens in real life.  We see wonderful old dogs that have been loyal companions for their whole life, being dumped and abandoned simply because they are old & the owners don't want to deal with them anymore.  So, what happens to these dogs?  To be honest, most of them die horrible deaths at kill shelters or are dumped on the streets, scared and alone when they need help the most.   Imagine a tiny blind senior Chihuahua, alone and frightened, and about to die without love or human touch.  It's unthinkable, and yet it happens every day - and, of course, should never happen!

A lucky few of these dogs - dogs that no one else wants - have a chance to live out their lives with love, dignity and respect at Elfie's Refuge run by Barbara Elfie Rodriguez.  Most residents are forever provided care, love, and the dignity that they so deserve.  The reward is so rich; so full; so heart-warming that it easy to begin each day with tears of joy.  The licks, the tail-wagging and the sheer unbounded affection from our dogs - their way of saving thank you for having saved them and providing them with a much better life - could there possibly be a more profound and soulful blessing in life?
​

Do you accept donations? How can people donate to Elfie’s Refuge?
Yes, we accept, welcome and hope for donations.  Donations can be made directly to Elfie's Refuge by cash, check mailed, through Paypal, and by donations of food, clothing, toys and so on.  Each time we receive a donation, no matter the size or type, we feel that our mission has been blessed and that we can continue to do our small role in the world.

PLEASE ADOPT DON'T SHOP! 
If you are thinking about getting a new dog, please consider adopting a Senior or Special needs dog!​

You can follow Barbara on Facebook to keep up with all the happenings at Elfie's Refuge.
Please visit Barbara's website: Elfie's Refuge​ 


Elfie's Refuge | (561) 755-3118
21321 Lake Lindsey Rd
Brooksville, Florida 34601
www.elfiesrefuge.net
elfierodriguez@yahoo.com​
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  • It's About You!
    • About YOU!
    • Contact
  • Business Directory
  • Claim Your FREE Listing
  • Spotlight Interviews
    • Elfie's Refuge - Spotlight Interview
    • Donna Suchocki - Spotlight Interview
    • Southern Sippin' Cups - Spotlight Interview
    • Cabinet Design by Rudolf Roi - Spotlight Interview
    • Yoakum Air Conditioning Inc. - Spotlight Interview
    • Two hunks & a Hose - Spotlight Interview
    • Novel Pediatric Center - Spotlight Interview
  • Community News