Rosier Days for Abandoned Dogs in Squamish

By Natalie Gates
Published: July 21, 2014

Tara Pawlenchuk is saving lives with her recently founded dog rescue, Rosier Days.

Pawlenchuk has always had a deep love for animals. Before moving to Squamish, Pawlenchuk was a dog foster home in Victoria for a rescue called Victoria Adoptables. Additionally, she fostered dogs from the BC SPCA. Because of this experience, she was very aware of the high kill shelters in the U.S.

These shelters hold over 200 dogs at once and euthanize about 80 per cent of them.

In March 2013, she made the move to Squamish but wanted to continue fostering dogs. When she went to L.A. on business, she visited one of the high kill shelters, determined to save two dogs from the reality she was aware of. One of them was named Rosie, which inspired the name for the rescue. The feeling she got from bringing these two dogs home made her say, “Why stop at two?”  In October, she decided to found Rosier Days.

She is now based out of her quaint-sized home in Dentville and still works at her other full time job. So far, Rosier Days has rescued 22 dogs.

Like Pawlenchuk, her neighbour/partner/fellow dog foster mom, Michele Groen, has had a lifelong dream of saving animals. Groen was quick to jump on board when she heard of Pawlenchuk’s success with the first few dogs.

Both Pawlenchuk and Groen said they are often questioned about why they rescue so many dogs from L.A., rather than locally.

“We don’t have the euthanasia problem here like they do [in L.A.],” Groen said.

Additonally, both Pawlenchuk and Groen speak highly of the Squamish SPCA, which does a good job of keeping their animals healthy and comfortable.

Still, Rosier Days has rescued four Squamish dogs, two of which have been adopted.   

Rosier Days has also been involved with Canine Valley Re-Education and Adventure Centre Society (CVRAC), a non-profit organization also based in Squamish.

Behaviour Consultant, Valley Calderoni and her fellow dog handlers from CVRAC have helped teach Pawlenchuk and Groen important lessons, such as how to be a pack leader and handle certain difficult dog issues. They also assist by fostering dogs rescued by Rosier Days.

Expenses are high for Rosie Days, given the long list of medical issues they encounter with the rescue dogs.

            But both Groen and Pawlenchuk are quick to say that it is definitely worth it. They say that knowing that these dogs would not have survived without their hard work and commitment is extremely fulfilling.

“If it wasn’t for Rosier Days, they wouldn’t have made it out,” Groen said.

When asked about where they want to go with Rosier Days, Pawlenchuk and Groens’ responses were similar.

They would like to find a couple more foster homes and expand just enough to remain maintainable. They also wish to further their exposure in order to promote more adoption and increase their funding.

They hope to one day be able to afford to care for the dogs suffering from the more severe medical problems.

While the job comes with many challenges, Pawlenchuk and Groen said that the opportunities they are given make it worthwhile. Groen says she is able to continuously learn things about herself, as well as practice dealing with a variety of dog behaviours; they are constantly learning.

“What’s the good stuff without the bad stuff?” Groen said.

Now, Pawlenchuk and Groen are working to find homes for two dogs, which can be viewed on their website: www.rosierdays.com. You can also make donations on the website, as well as at Garibaldi Veterinary Hospital and Bosley’s Pet Food and Supplies, both of which Pawlenchuk and Groen would like to thank for their help.