Barbara Elfie Rodriguez - Elfie's Refuge
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.
What is the Biggest challenge in caring for the dogs?
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.
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.
