Sunday, October 30, 2011

Winston

While volunteering at my local shelter, 14 year old Winston was brought in by the police, taken from his owner, due to cruelty and neglect. His fur was matted with feces, urine, and mud. Neurological problems, due to being kicked, caused him to lean to the left. He was depressed and had to sit in his cage for three months while they prepared for trial. I visited him everyday and told him no one would ever hurt him again.

At the last minute, the cruel owner defiantly relinguished custody of Winston because, if he lost the case, as his lawyer suspected he would, he would lose his security clearance at work. I thought the shelter would then put Winston to sleep because he suffered from arthritis and neurological damage, but instead, they put him up for adoption. Although I already had three rescue dogs, I adopted Winston for what I thought would be his final days. I had his teeth cleaned, gently brushed his fur everyday, gave him a comfortable, snuggly bed, got pain medicine to help with his arthritis, gave him clean, fresh water and nutritious food, modified the house so he could move around with ease, and gave him lots of love.

Winston spends his days surrounded by love and happiness.  He also contributes very much love and happiness to our home in return.  Adopting is the best thing anyone can do!  You are paid back hundred fold.

Donna Courain
Herndon, VA

Monday, October 24, 2011

Fleeter Finds His Final Home

Our adopted greyhound Chance died suddenly just after I had a total knee replacement surgery. I was there when it happened and it broke my heart that I couldn't help him in any way. My husband called the Colorado Greyhound Adoption agency to let them know he was gone and so they could warn the people who adopted his brother about the anyeurism that might be lurking waiting to strike. I was in no way ready for a new dog but my husband talked me into it with the age old argument of not being selfish since we had a good home to offer.

When my husband talked to the adoption representative it was mentioned that he had a dog named Fleeter that had been previously adopted and had been relinquished with accusations that he was agressive. Naturally he would be harder to place with that black mark on his record. We spoke to his foster Mom and she said he was very thin when he was returned and he was more than a little skittish when he came to visit us.

He met our other dogs and seemed to settle right in though he was and remains a bit clingy. He had never been aggressive, is a sweet sweet boy and he has become a much loved member of our household. He sleeps on his back, legs in the air and snores-couldn't get much more comfortable that that!

Sheri Sazpansky
Denver, CO

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Best Buddies

I'm sure you have probably seen these pics since they been making the rounds on the Web for quite some time, but I happen to get such a good feeling and cannot stop smiling when I look at them.  Maybe you will too.
After losing his parents, this 3-year-old orangutan was so depressed he wouldn't eat and didn't respond to any medical treatments. The veterinarians thought he would surely die from sadness.

The zoo keepers found an old sick dog on the grounds in the park at the zoo where the orangutan lived and took the dog to the animal treatment center. The dog arrived at the same time the orangutan was there being treated. The 2 lost souls met and have been inseparable ever since.

The orangutan found a new reason to live and each always tries his best to be a good companion to his new found friend.

They are together 24 hours a day in all their activities. They live in Northern California where swimming is their favorite past time, although Roscoe (the orangutan) is a little afraid of the water and needs his friend's help to swim.  Together they have discovered the joy and laughter in life and the value of friendship.
They have found more than a friendly shoulder to lean on.

Long Live Friendship!!!!!!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Help Paws With a Cause® Train a Shelter Dog

Help give a shelter dog a new and rewarding life as a trained assistance dog!

Approximately 97% of all people with disabilities are not blind; they are physically challenged in some other way. Paws With a Cause® trains dogs to help with many everyday tasks that can pose significant challenges to those with disabilities.

With their constant attentiveness and loyalty, dogs are the ideal service animal. An assistance dog can alert a deaf parent to the crying of a baby in the next room, or to help with daily independence by opening doors using a special pulling device invented by Paws With a Cause®. Dogs can be trained to pull wheelchairs, transfer a wallet to a cashier and back, and even call 911 when needed.

Paws With a Cause® facilitates the fostering of 1- to 3-year-old dogs from shelters with loving families who provide a safe and loving foundation. The dogs undergo careful training and evaluation so they can be matched with the best possible owner.

The Animal Rescue Site is excited to support Paws With a Cause® in its noble work. $20.00 through this Gift That Gives More™ helps transform a shelter dog into a trained Assistant Dog.

In 1979, Paws With A Cause®, first named Ears for the Deaf, was born. Only a few small organizations existed to train dogs for the majority of the disabled population, which includes those individuals with the most severely limiting disabilities. Approximately 97% of all people with disabilities are not blind; they are physically challenged in some other way, and very few dogs were being trained to work with them. Paws With a Cause® trains Assistance Dogs for people with disabilities, provides lifetime team support that encourages independence, and promotes awareness through education..

Your donation is 100% tax-deductible in the U.S.A.

You will receive a receipt from GreaterGood.org for your taxes. GreaterGood.org has ultimate authority and discretion with regard to the distribution of its funds. All expenditures made are consistent with the exempt purposes of GreaterGood.org.

Check with your employer: your company may match your donation.  Visit the link below and make a difference...

Help Paws With a Cause® Train a Shelter Dog

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Help Shelter Dogs Get Adopted

The key to adoption for a shelter dog is to make a connection with potential adopters. But forging that connection is not as easy as it sounds. Now you can help shelter dogs across the country in their quest to find forever homes!

Shelters are often big, crowded, noisy places, where dogs are confined yet constantly exposed to the smells, sights, and sounds of many animals in one space. The stress of these conditions can result in abnormal behavior — the kind of behavior that can limit a dog's chances of ever being adopted. Excessive barking, incessant pacing or spinning, rebounding off kennel walls, and manic licking can make a potential adopter retreat instead of reach out.

One way to end this distressing cycle is to train dogs in behavior that will help them attract potential adopters. Simple, positive training methods can gently reinforce calm behavior and teach basic skills such as sitting on command.

During 2011, four trainers from four shelters in the United States will be practicing the Train-To-Adopt method in a new pilot program to help shelter dogs. These four trainers will also train shelter staff and volunteers in this simple method, which uses physical objects, food, and mental stimulation to both calm a dog and teach desirable behavior. Click the link below to make your tax-deductible donation today:

Help Shelter Dogs Get Adopted

Why a Gift That Gives More™ is a smart, effective donation.

100% of your donation will go to the program described above as a grant through GreaterGood.org. GreaterGood Network stores do not receive any profit from donations through this Gift That Gives More™; we bring it to you in the spirit of the greater good. We even pay the credit card transaction fee, so every cent of your donation goes to charity.

You will receive a receipt from GreaterGood.org for your taxes. GreaterGood.org has ultimate authority and discretion with regard to the distribution of its funds. All expenditures made are consistent with the exempt purposes of GreaterGood.org.

Check with your employer: your company may match your donation.