Renegade first arrived in May of 2020, pulled from a municipal shelter in Tracy, California. A young and striking shepherd blend, he received his fair share of admiration. No one was surprised when he was adopted within weeks. Four returns and nearly six years later, Renegade’s story has taken on a different tone. He’s now a 7-year-old dog who’s spent most of his life in our shelter. When Sanctuary staff stop to visit with Renegade on their rounds, they smile a little wistfully at his eager face. The older he grows, the harder it is to imagine him being adopted. The truth stares out of his golden eyes: Renegade has become a forgotten rescue dog.
Hard times demand creative solutions
When Renegade first arrived at the Ranch, we had far fewer dogs in our care. Adoptions were frequent and dogs usually didn’t stay more than a few months. We were in the middle of a pandemic and families were stuck at home with nothing to do. For many, it was a good time to adopt a dog.
Six years later and the adoption scene has changed strikingly. Pet-friendly housing is more scarce and rising inflation is squeezing the family budget. The pet overpopulation crisis is worsening and unwanted dogs and puppies crowd animal shelters everywhere. Large mature dogs like Renegade don’t stand much chance of attracting interest.
But that might be about to change. Enter singer-songwriter Kevin Sweet. From struggling rivers to homeless dogs, Kevin has a big heart for hard luck cases. Kevin puts his storytelling talent to work through original music “to turn attention into action.” His musical range is impressive! From the wistful mood of “Dogs Don’t” to the passion of “Let The Water Find Its Way” to the reverence of “Prey-Go-Neesh,” Kevin’s songs speak straight to the heart. His own dogs–three of them rescues–all have amazing stories. They’ve inspired several songs, including “They Found Us,” “Onyx” and “You Are My Best Medicine.”
Kevin approached Rescue Ranch with a creative idea: he offered to tell the stories of our most overlooked dogs through original music. After all, music reaches people in ways that words and pictures don’t. With heartfelt songs sharing their stories, forgotten rescue dogs like Renegade finally have a chance of being seen and–we hope–adopted.
From forgotten rescue dog to country music fame
Renegade’s years-long sojourn provided the perfect inspiration for Kevin’s first Rescue Ranch song. He framed Renegade’s story with the concept of a 5-year jail sentence, contrasting his innocence with the human choices that lead to incarceration. The fiery tone highlights the injustice of his situation while the dynamic country western style suits Renegade’s outdoorsy personality.
Renegade wears his new stardom well. Never one to mope around, he’s cheerful and busy as ever, spending his days playing fetch and enjoying the sunshine at the Sanctuary. Like most dogs, he’s good at making the best of things. Renegade lives in the present and doesn’t brood over what he might be missing. Meanwhile, we all hope his song marks a turning point for a long-overlooked dog.
For now, Renegade is still waiting. At least he’s no longer forgotten.
You can listen to “Renegade (Five Years for Nothing)” and follow Kevin Sweet on Spotify.
To learn more about Renegade, view his profile page or call the Adoption Center (530)842-0829 to arrange a meet-and-greet.
