Bay Area Poodle Rescue

At the Marin Fair, we found many wonderful rescue groups. We started to ask about fostering. This was we could help a rescue dog with a short term commitment. Then, Bernie found the Bay Area Poodle Rescue group's table and spoke with the co-founder, Chris Keller. We agreed to be in touch so we could begin fostering, soon.

Loss of Cleo

Our dog Cleo died in 2008. Since we wanted to make Aliyah soon, we didn't want to get another dog. However, after a few months, the house was just too empty and quiet. Bernie heard of an Animal Fair in Marin County and wanted to go. At first, I didn't want to go with him. I knew I would see many animals that I would want to bring home. But, he talked me into joining him.

First Visit to Israel

In 2003, we traveled to Israel for the first time. We spent one week in Jerusalem volunteering at a soup kitchen. We volunteered through the Livnot program.
This was my introduction to the feral cat population of Israel.
My main job at the soup kitchen was to schlep the trash out to the dumpster. The dumpster was a main feeding point for about twenty feral cats.
I wasn't able to make eye contact with them. I knew I would want to bring them all home and I knew I couldn't do that.
On this trip, I did decide that I wanted to make Aliyah. Little did I know at that time that pets would be an important part of that step.