June/July 2010 Dane Doings

Spend 10 Minutes with Joy Soby, RMGDRI Foster Mom Extraordinaire & Newest Board Member!

Omaha-based Joy Soby, who has been involved with RMGRI since 2008, discusses her role with the Rescue, the organization's main challenges, and her multitude of projects!

Q: How did you first become acquainted with the RMGDRI?
Joy: In 2006, when my husband and I got married, we were looking for a dog and we met at the Humane Society here in Omaha. There were two Great Danes there - Mike and Jerry lee. We got two for the price of one!

Q: When did you first begin volunteering for the Rescue, and in what capacity?
Joy: As soon as we moved in 2008 we began fostering and have until this day. We are a foster family who helps work through issues that dogs that come to the Rescue have. Many just want to be loved and to know they are not going to be harmed.

Q: How many hours a week would you say you put into volunteering?
Joy: You could say as long as you have a foster in your home, you volunteer 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Q: Why do you volunteer?
Joy: I volunteer because of my love for animals. I used to be a vet tech. I know that animals have a heart of gold and will be there for you no matter what. These dogs are surrendered for various reasons, and I - if only for a few days or weeks - get to show them that they are special.

Q: What is most challenging about your work with the Rescue?
Joy: The dogs that have had difficult lives have often picked up bad habits as a defense mechanism to survive. Working with those issues to regain trust is a challenge. Some dogs catch on quickly and others take a bit longer. But when the day is done, I know that I have given my best to help rebuild that trust.

Q: Are there any specific anecdotes or dogs that you would like to mention?
Joy: We have had several dogs and they all have a place here, but I would say a couple come to mind ... in particular a Dane/Lab mix named Tyson who had so much energy and took us on a few late-night runs looking for him. It is very hard to find a fast black dog in the dark!

Q: What is most satisfying about your work with the Rescue?
Joy: When I have a dog that has had issues, we work through them and they go to their forever home, and they never have those issues again.

Q: In your view, what is next for the Rescue - any significant milestones?
Joy: As the economy changes, more dogs are coming in, and some have either medical or aggression issues. It takes a lot of effort and money to help these dogs, they did not ask to have a hard life, and it takes patience. If you show them love and rules they will again be a best friend to another family. Fostering is work, and it takes patience and you do not always get an easy perfect dog to foster, but it is our job to show the dog stability and love. Financially, I think we have to be bolder in asking for more support.

Q: What do you see as the Rescue's most significant challenges and what does the RMGDRI do absolutely right, in your view?
Joy: Money to help support these dogs for food and vet fees, as well as understanding from fosters and forever families that the dogs will they need time to feel comfortable in their new home. I feel the rescue has done an excellent job with the way things are done, as we are all volunteering time and have our own personal lives, and I know we all give more to the Rescue than we really have time for. It is all for the dogs.

Q: Tell me about your life outside of the volunteer work ...
Joy: I have four children on my own, two grandchildren and two step sons, so I stay rather busy with family! I have a son now that is serving in Afghanistan so that keeps me thinking about him every day. I have a wonderful husband, John, who has his own construction company. And I work full-time for Window World doing accounts payable. In my spear time my family and I have a full-time ministry assisting children of abuse and kids whose parents are in prison. We provide a safe haven for retreats and family building. We also have counselors who use the animals including the Great Danes for therapy: www.sobyranch.com