Rescue Dawgs Sue Faxton How a couple of local entrepreneurs passion for food dogs benefit local rescue groups

Sue Faxon - S. Charlestown, NH

As I start to write this story, a Texas rescue dog is pawing at me to rub her stomach. Her name is Rosie. Rosie and I first met when I watched her walking out of a Texas transport. Tears welled up in my eyes seeing every dog leave that transport! A new environment with the hope of chance. What can be more emotional? For years, I have followed groups online that saves dogs from high kill shelters and we are grateful to have found LabAdore Retriever Rescue Inc. which in return, found us Rosie! It’s so hard for me to understand how, in this country of ours, high kill shelters still remain and what I could do to help rescue more dogs and give them a happy, healthy and safe permanent home.

Rosie

We are a pretty busy household. Brendon, my partner for over 15 years, has a very desired concrete business. That alone keeps us busy as a local business. As a joke a year ago, someone sent us a food trailer for sale ad. We thought we’d just go look at it, out of curiosity, but once we saw the large smoker on the back, we immediately knew that this trailer was how we could make a difference and help our vision towards our fellow canines. We realized food service was more work but we were optimistic in believing we could pull it off. Most food trailers that serve hot dogs name their business something that corresponds and before we even went to look at the food trailer, I had already thought of a name. As we towed our new food trailer home, Rescue Dawgs was on its way to being born!

We started the legal process to get Rescue Dawgs cooking. There are many hoops to jump through but there was a clear vision in my mind to see those large letters on our food truck, driving down the road, spelling out RESCUE DAWGS. Words do plant “rescue seeds” in peoples minds and I thought if people read our truck name, they will immediately associate the name with rescuing dogs...or at least start the conversation of why the spelling was that way. My goal in having this food truck was to donate portions of our sales to help those southern rescues. I don’t know if Brendon’s thoughts were still on the smoker, but he was all in!

Well, the day finally came and we opened up Rescue Dawgs in the field below our house in South Charlestown. We served our pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw and pickled onions, homemade mac & cheese, hotdogs, hamburgers and hand cut fries. On Sundays, we served really great breakfast sandwiches, homemade donuts and cinnamon buns. People came. People ate. And they really seemed to enjoy our food. Then the lettering finally arrived and was applied to the side of the food truck by our window and it was beautiful! But the other side needed to be much larger to be seen while driving it on the road. We parked there for a few weeks, selling our food and as word started to make it’s way around the area, we started being invited to rescue events!

We’ve met some great people and beautiful rescue dogs in such a short Summer 2022

Not Rosie's Dinner

time with our food truck. We’ve heard wonderful stories and some sad stories that turned out happy! We’ve seen how special rescuers are and how lucky and deserving these new pets are. We acquired regular customers who became friends and saw lots of our family. Food really does bond us together. Our customers have made this possible and a huge thanks goes out to every one of them that have shown us support. You know who you are!

Once we started attending events with our food truck, we started reaching out to more rescues to donate part of our sales. There are some great rescues out there and the compassion of its members is heartwarming. Our first rescue event was at Wags and Wiggles in Newport, NH. We stayed so busy that night and loved that everyone was enjoying our food. We recently attended an event for Potters Angels without the trailer and again, met really great people and beautiful dogs. We of course stay in touch with LabAdore Retrievers Rescue Inc., another great bunch of rescuers. We have also been able to donate to struggling Texas rescues and other local rescues.

Though only a part-time food truck, we were able to donate quite generously. We also sponsored a Fall Mountain football dinner and held fundraisers for the volleyball and football programs there and donated to the Caring Paws fund at the Westminster Animal Hospital which helps pet owners who need assistance with their vet bills. We have been asked to be at a retirement party where the host has asked guests, in lieu of gifts to donate to rescue groups he had chosen. There are so many ways to help. I hope we can inspire folks of all ages.

We are ready to start the season with our food truck! We have events booked Summer 2022 through the summer. Occasionally, we want to open back up in our field. There are hours of prep and hours of actual time while we are open. Honestly, it can be exhausting. But to some degree this is a labor of love. We are always learning. Through this whole process, we found out how we could help. If you follow us on Facebook, you’ll be able to see where we are. Rescue Dawgs Smoke and Grill Food Truck. We hope to see you and your family - 2 legged or 4 and remember: You’re not just eating some great food, but you’re helping a rescue dog find it’s permanent home of love, like we did with Rosie!