I have followed Rescue Ink. and Eric Bellows of what is now Pack Ethic for some time. I applaud the dedication that Eric has shown in his effort to rescue dogs from intolerable living conditions. He has through his private home based organization opened his abode to dogs that would not have otherwise been given a chance to live any sort of life. Today I found this post on my Facebook page: "Quick update for those of you who have been following my health issues. I suffered a fall a couple of weeks back and gave myself another concussion, 13 total throughout my life… and am now diagnosed with Post Concussion Syndrome and since I have so many medical issues going on they also have diagnosed me with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and I am up to 11 specialist and lots of meds. I have to wait for any back and neck surgeries until my heart stents are well in place so no fast fixes for me. The dogs continue to keep me going and the Dr’s have all agreed that they are a big part in keeping me going and keeping my mind off of myself. Without them I do not think I could have faith since every other week it is a new Dr and a new diagnoses of another problem. I have lived a very reckless life style and it is all catching up to me at once. I guess the saying good guys always finish last is very true lol.. We will do what we can for as long as we can. The toughest thing for us right now is getting by without me being able to work and train so we have lost a lot, but have fought to keep this sanctuary we have built for the animals and we will continue to do so for as long as we can. Pack Ethic Rescue Inc. will continue to do what we can and we have gotten so much help from our human pack and all of you supporters. Without this help we would have had to close our door awhile ago. Thank you all for the support and prayers" It seems that Eric has a full plate with his health issues. I wonder if he is up to the task of continuing to care for all of the animals in his charge. I have no doubt that he has the desire to continue to be a steward to his cause. I'm just concerned for him and the dogs in his charge. What if the unmentionable happens? What will become of his rescues? Given his dire financial situation, where on the list of what is important in life are his dogs? I am disturbed by this development.
I wish him well to good health as well as wishing him well in his continuing efforts of saving, working with dogs in the future.
Gee wiz... You make it sound like Eric is single handedly caring for the dogs and that if anything happened to him that the dogs would be abandoned. It's not like he's the sole keeper of the dogs and it's not like he doesn't have a network of people who are currently helping or willing to step up. It's not a gloom and doom situation from what I can tell. Think positive thoughts for Eric and his rescue.
Ingrid, I'm a realist. I'm not reading anything more into Eric's post than what he has printed. When he posts to his Facebook page: The toughest thing for us right now is getting by without me being able to work and train so we have lost a lot, but have fought to keep this sanctuary we have built for the animals and we will continue to do so for as long as we can. Pack Ethic Rescue Inc. will continue to do what we can and we have gotten so much help from our human pack and all of you supporters. This does not read like an optimistic position. Sure he has a following on Facebook and I'm sure he gets a fair amount of donations and well wishes from his fans but that is not the same as physical, hands on help with the day to day care of the animals in his charge. Nothing he says in the post leads me to think that he has reliable daily caregivers that either volunteer or are paid. In fact his website states that it is only him and his girlfriend caring for all the animals. Two people - One Home - Twenty Four hours of care...Pack Ethic Rescue is a dream - realized. I guess he could find volunteers to help occasionally with the physical needs of the dogs but volunteers have their own lives to live and are not likely to be available 24-7 if need be. Eric is in trouble. His post makes that clear. He has health issues that may prevent him from continuing to provide quality of life for his animals. I read his message as a warning about his situation and a cry for help. I do wish Eric the best. I hope that his situation improves. Nothing he has posted on his page gives me any indication that is the direction his life is taking.
So why the split from Rescue Inc? He better watch out posts like that on facebook will only serve to peak the HSUS's interest.
Rescue Ink Foundation was dissolved on June 13, 2011. Eric was given permanent custody of several dogs he was caring for that were wards of Rescue Ink. Vesper was one of the dogs he acquired and the most storied of all of them. Even before the dissolution of Rescue Ink, Eric was running his own rescue operation, Pack Ethic. Eric benefited from the physical and monetary support that Rescue Ink. provided. He does not have that anymore.
Was there not some scuttlebutt as well that Rescue Ink was a little shady about what the Rescue donation money was being spent on? I think there was a parting of ways with Eric and Rescue Ink because he didn't agree with how they were running things and where the money was going.
There was a lot of speculation and whispering, but who really knows what was going on? I read that there was also a power play for control of the foundation. Rescue Ink was really becoming popular with all of the on camera appearances the group was making along with the benefits and awareness programs they were involved in.
Here's a past thread on this NY: Rescue Ink Foundation Officially Closes | Canine Chat Forum • The Dog Lover's Community
Eric may indeed be in trouble, but what makes you think that he would let the dogs suffer? You are putting the other care-givers down with that attitude. I'm a realist too and reeling from some bad news of my own. My man was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this week and for the first three days of knowing the truth I couldn't stop crying, but hey, there's always a chance he'll beat it! My tears have dried and I'm looking for hope and action for a cure. The quotes above make Eric sound like he's wallowing in self pity.
More from Eric: Eric Bellows Thank you all for the support. As for a show, I wish... the only people that get shows are the ones who lie, steal and bully others. I guess that is better TV than giving every waking moment of your life for the animals. For over 7 years straight, Keri and I have had no days off, any vacations and have not been able to get married. We were actually thinking of a Pack Ethic wedding lol, of course we wouldn’t have rings but we would have our vows. We chose this lifestyle because this is who we are, we love what we do but we do not love the people who have bounced in and out of our life’s, these people have used and abused us, cheated us out of money for our services and told horrible lies behind our back. The animals always give back and there is nothing like the affection you get back from an animal that you have helped feel safe and secure. There is nothing like the look of trust and great fullness from an animal that you have helped get over fears or insecurities. That is why we push on, for the animals. We just pray that we will be able to keep doing what we are doing, but it takes money, time we have plenty of. This year has been the toughest by far, between losing Marley, Vesper, Esther and Kitsu we have had my health to deal with. I used to be able to compensate our rescue by doing trainings for others; since I haven’t been able to work we are slowly losing the battle.
Being ill like that has got to be very scary and very stressful, not to mention everything he has on his plate...and the people and animals that count on him. He really shouldn't have so much stress...not good for one in his medical position. I sincerely hope his situation turns around.
