Regina, Chai, and Roo, Together Again – Survivor Stories
January 12th, 2024
By Savannah Verdon, Development and Engagement Coordinator II
Before Regina* was able to take her two children and flee, her two pitties, blue merle Chai* and blue-nose Roo*, were her shoulders to cry on and friends to lean on as she endured abuse. They were hardly one year old themselves but the love and comfort they gave felt to her like those of a lifelong connection. After another domestic dispute, Regina left with her children and her two pittie boys. Already she could breathe more easily and the knots in her stomach began to unwind. Now her only problem was not knowing where her family of five would go next.
What made sense to her at the moment, a decision that took plenty of courage in the face of uncertainty, was to take both of her sweet boys to the local humane society. Either they would be adopted, together she hoped, or by some miracle, she would reclaim them. She felt consoled knowing that, if she couldn’t reclaim them, they’d have no trouble finding a new family with their cute pittie faces and endless love to give. She had to believe in that.
As she and her children settled into the domestic violence shelter, the absence of two family members was felt in ways big and small. No tip-tap sounds trailing them from room to room, no eager presence at their feet during meals, no conversations mimicking their funny little noises. Most importantly, no healing. Regina couldn’t stop herself from thinking about Chai and Roo, wondering if they were asleep side-by-side on a soft couch in a warm, peaceful house somewhere in the suburbs. But when the humane society called the shelter, she no longer had to wonder: they were miserable, withdrawn, wouldn’t eat or drink, and they were going to be euthanized if Regina couldn’t pick them up immediately.
She gathered her things and the children theirs as they prepared to reclaim the dogs – despite the circumstances, their family was whole again. She hoped the dogs and the kids would be warm and fast asleep on her soft couch in a peaceful home someday soon. But that was weeks, even months away, and tonight her family once again needed somewhere safe. They wouldn’t be returning to the domestic violence shelter, for now. Regina, the kids, and both dogs would stay in a hotel until she and her advocate at the shelter could figure out some way to keep this family together for their next chapter. For now, they were happier than ever to be in each other’s company after only a glimpse of being apart.
When her shelter advocate told her about the RedRover Relief Safe Escape grant program, Regina felt for the second time in as many days that this family of five was simply meant to stay together. Once her application for a Safe Escape grant had been approved, Regina took Chai and Roo to be boarded at a facility not even two miles away from the shelter, so they could at least be close if they couldn’t be together. And when she or the kids missed them, they were just a pleasant stroll away.
Reflecting on what a grant meant for her and her family, Regina stated simply:
“It was very important because the pets are like part of the family. It meant a lot to get help and support during the hard times we were going through.”
When domestic violence survivors receive help and support from compassionate people like you through the RedRover Relief program, their bond with their pets emerges from hard times stronger and more resilient, knowing they can face anything together. We are grateful for you, for the new year, and for the hundreds of families like Regina, Chai, and Roo whose bonds will be protected, strengthened, and cherished in 2024!
*Names have been changed to protect privacy
