On Tuesday, June 6, Bristow Bark Park caught the attention of several locals as it welcomed more than one hundred dogs for a playtime travel break. Unbeknownst to the onlookers, the happy, playfully energetic dogs running and jumping within the park were well on their way to a second chance at a blissful life with a loving family as they traveled with the humans in temporary charge of their care.
About every six weeks, two Texas rescues travel together to Canada, transporting dozens to more than one-hundred dogs to their new forever homes. Connie Weant, owner, and Julie Smith, volunteer, of one of those rescues, the nonprofit CMC2 Dog Rescue out of Robert Lee, Texas, explained that they have transported dogs from Texas to Canada for several years. When asked why they transport to Canada, they noted that Canada has a much lower euthanasia rate and that Canadians tell them that lines form for pets in shelters and pounds as more people wish to adopt than pets are available. Therefore, they load up their rescues for the roughly 2800-mile, seventyfive hour drive to their new homes.
In accomplishing their goal of relocating the dogs, they leave on a Monday morning with the dogs safely loaded into their crates and secured aboard the bus(es) for transport. The group arrives to deliver the pets on the following Friday. Throughout the trip, volunteers traveling with the dogs never leave them alone, even sleeping on the bus. Volunteers also pack all of their own meals and eat aboard the bus or when breaking at rest stops with the dogs. Throughout the trip, they stop for breaks, taking as many as four hours, to walk each dog and allow it to play out in the grass and sun. Julie noted that while searching for parks in the Bristow area, they found Bristow Bark Park. She said, “[After our first stop at the park] we were very happy with the location and have made it a frequent stop.”
When locals spotted the blissfully playful dogs and buses at the park on June 6, Julie stated that 112 dogs, many of them puppies, were traveling to their new homes in Canada. Each of the dogs enjoyed the freedom to romp in the park. She also explained that the dogs
See Bark Park, Page Three are pre-adopted by Canadians prior to transport from Texas; however, the rescue also works with Canadian fosters in finding safe, appropriate homes for the dogs. Additionally, Julie stated that all dogs are fully vetted, wormed, spayed or neutered, microchipped, 4DX tested over a period of six months for heartworms and tick diseases, treated with flea and tick preventatives, and have received all immunizations and necessary dental and surgical care prior to transport to their new homes. She noted that it is of utmost importance to CMC2 volunteers that all dogs be healthy prior to arriving at their new homes, ensuring the dogs may live out their best years with their new families.
As for their stop in Bristow, Julie said, “Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity when we stop in Bristow to walk our dogs. We love your park and the surroundings. The community is beautiful with historic buildings, activities, arts, and so much more. One day, we hope we can visit as tourists instead of passing through to walk our fur babies. The people there are extremely nice and have shown us great kindness and are truly interested in our rescue when they see us. It is always good to have people who love to talk and talk about our mission.”
Connie and Julie warmly invite everyone to follow their “CMC2 Rescue and Transport” Facebook page for updates on their rescued animals and other news. They fill their page with the images and stories of their rescued pets, and remain eager to find them safe, lovingly appropriate homes. They also enjoy communicating with anyone interested in learning more and invite interested parties to message them via the page.