“The important thing is this: to be able, at any moment, to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.”

I remember the conversation with Donna distinctively. We were so bright eyed and bushy tailed. We were about to take a big step, and it meant some huge sacrifices. We were prepared, or so we thought. Leasing The Barracks was a temporary thing, but until we had the training center and deployed a few dogs and Veterans, we were never going to grow.  It didn’t take long for with of us to come to an agreement; 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, one of us would be at the Barracks with the dogs.( We would not leave them alone). Once we got the Dogs and Veterans paired/deployed, then we could build awareness and support. “If you build it, they will come”. The “They” in this case would be the support and finances for our main goal; Stiggys Sanctuary. It was clear after our first group that we needed more and we needed it now! We were spending more money on hotels for the Veterans and the dogs. Part of the training period (without too much detail) is the training for both the dog and  Veterans to work together. They also need time alone, away from the Barracks, for this to properly take place (bonding time is much faster to). The dogs are used to this controlled environment; it is Donna and I all the time. When the Veterans come, there is a transition time of when the dogs realize Donna and I aren’t the leaders, and their new Veteran are. Bottom line, the Stiggys  Sanctuary will have a training center with  bunk houses for each Veteran and dog to stay together, alone.  (plus so much more- in another blog post)

I remember thinking. Wow, I am in my 40′s, mother, wife with those responsibilities. Joe and Cameron were (and are) very supportive.  So we signed a lease…and here we are. I told Donna that “I was fully committed if she was.” I then I added…“I can do this, for 6 months (2 class) at least….”

6 months later, Joe and I spent the summer looking for Stiggys property. (Longer story) but we are working on something now. However, until that happens (1-3 months) we need to scale this down. Because we moved so fast from Georgia back home after Ben death, we rented our home. So for the past 8 months we pay for 2 homes, 2 utilities, living a apart most nights, etc. Until we consolidate this, it is money wasted. The money we have, plus the donations coming in, needs to go directly to these dogs and Veterans we are currently training.  There wasn’t a second thought to my husband, or myself.  Within a week, we will leave our home temporarily until we can finalize the future….

“If you build it, they will come” Were almost there. So close …

Thank you for supporting us and following us. Stiggys Dogs, the family were building, and the foundation is strong. I can’t wait for the blog of how Extreme Make Over (fingers crossed)  helps us crate Stiggy’s Sanctuary…. stay tuned!