Three's a charm

When Gwennie, Sweet Pea, and Harley were surrendered to the Nantucket MSPCA Adoption Center because their owner had died, we knew it was going to be a challenging adoption. Three Aussie Shepherd crosses, Harley was a 7 year old boy, Gwennie was 5, and Sweet Pea was 15! And because Sweet Pea and Gwennie were so bonded, we wanted to keep the girls together.

Even though they were the most gracious, well-behaved dogs, the fact that Sweet Pea was 15 made many a potential adopter hesitate, understandably. Some people were afraid of getting attached to a dog who didn't have too many years left. Others were afraid of incurring the costs that go along with having an older pet.

After about five months, a couple spotted the girls on Petfinder. They had no trouble with Sweet Pea's age, but wanted to make sure they both got along with Rudy, their beloved 8 year old Mastiff. Soon after, they made the ferry trip to Nantucket to meet the girls.

Sweet Pea, almost totally deaf, was such a character that the couple fell for her first, and Rudy didn't seem to mind the girls either. We knew then that it was going to happen, the girls were finally going to find a home together.

What we didn't expect was what happened next. The woman mentioned that her dad was looking for a dog, so I showed her Harley. She couldn't believe it when she met him.  She said he was JUST what her dad was looking for. And when Harley met Rudy, they wore each other out playing!

You guessed it - all three dogs got on the ferry that afternoon and headed for their new homes. . . and this has gone down as one of our most successful adoption stories ever!

Stephanie Henke
Nantucket, MA

We need some help here!

We need your help! The ASPCA is delighted to have been accepted into the Pepsi Refresh Project, an exciting campaign launched in January whereby Pepsi awards up to $1.3 million per month in grants to people, businesses and non-profits for those ideas that will have a positive impact in communities around the United States. The ASPCA has applied for a $250,000 grant which, if secured, would afford us the opportunity to further support the incredible work of our Field Investigations and Response team in rescuing animals from disasters, cruelty and neglect.

The ASPCA would use our Refresh Grant to purchase, equip and operate a second Animal Rescue Transport Vehicle to facilitate the swift and safe removal and re-homing of animals in danger. By supporting this project, you will be a hero for suffering animals who need our help.
Refresh Grants will be awarded to the ideas that receive the greatest number of votes. Only two ideas will win within the $250,000 category, so the competition is tough. We need your help! Go to http://www.refresheverything.com/aspcarescue to sign in and vote today, and every day, through August 31. Help us spread the word by telling everyone you know by email, Facebook and Twitter so they can join the fight against animal cruelty by voting for us.

Meggie

My kids and I attended Bark in the Park, an annual doggy fair in Chesapeake, VA in 2007 and brought home a young German shepherd/hound mix. Chesapeake Humane Society volunteers had brought her from the city animal shelter. We named her Meg. She is sweet and happy and loves her home and family. In 2009 she was joined by an older spaniel, Murphy, from the Norfolk SPCA. Murphy is hard of hearing. Meg has become his ears, nudging him to wake him if he’s missing a significant event such as our coming home. She is a huge blessing to her humans and her little canine pal!

Linda Mendenhall
Chesapeake, VA

Abandoned So Young

Ramesses was found abandoned on a busy street. Taken to the local SPCA it was determined she was only about four weeks old. Fostered until she was old enough to be adopted I found her while visiting the facility. I wasn't there to adopt. I'd stopped by to make a donation. But I took one look at this adorable little puppy with the "reset" button on the top of her head and was smitten! Today she lives on the beach and is a healthy 40 lbs. She is one of the sweetest, most loveable and snuggly dogs I've ever had. She brings endless joy to our lives and I am sure she feels the same.

Kim
Pismo Beach, CA

Solo - A Dumped Dog Finds a Home

We found Solo walking down our street one day. People dump their dogs out where we live at the edge of town. We took him in and tried to find his home, but weren't able to. We decided to keep him, and he is now our pack's male alpha. He keeps the rescued puppies in line and plays with them to help them burn off energy. He is a very loving, playful, and happy dog; and we are fortunate to have him.

Beth Otto
Albuquerque, NM

Frankenstein the sweetheart

Around Valentine's Day one of my boyfriend's customers at work told us about a Siberian Husky that was dropped off for grooming, he was never picked up and the original owners had gave the wrong information to the groomers. He went and took a look at him and said he had to come to our house at least until we can find him a good home.

He got along with our first husky Rocco (on the left) so we decided he will have a permanent home with us, my Valentine's Day gift. My boyfriend decided to name him Frankenstein or we like to call him Franky (on the right). He was afraid of loud noises and for everything he would drop to the floor with his tail between his legs and ears slicked back. All we did was show him love, regular walks and food. He turned out to be a great dog for us and a great buddy for Rocco. Who would leave such a sweetheart? He doesn't have to worry about being left anywhere now that he has a forever home with us.

Miko
El Paso, TX

Our little Jane

Jane's owner was very sick and could not take care of her so she turned Jane over to the Virginia German Shepherd Rescue. They helped socialize Jane and found her a new home, with us. My husband and I have had Jane for 2 years now and we love her so much. I call her princess Jane and let her lay on the couch and bed.

I think that because of her size and intimidating looks people wanted to use her for protection. But now Jane can relax and we protect her. She is coming out of her shell and is growing more and more cuddly and wiggly everyday.

Adopting an adult dog was great for us because we both work full time and we didn't want to house train a puppy. The rescue group we adopted Jane from is very supportive and is like a family, we know they are always there if we need them.

Lucinda
Reston, VA

Molly's Adventure

Molly's adventure began in Kosovo. She showed up on our flight line one day scared to death. Being the animal lover that me and my best friend are we decided to try to lure her in with yogurt, it worked. We built up Molly's trust enough to get close to her. She was scared to death and very hungry. We weren't allowed to keep her in our room (deployed soldiers are not allowed to have pets). So, we convinced the veterinarian here on post to help us. He spayed and microchipped Molly, and said he would help find her a home.

They found a home for Molly in a town about 20 minutes from where our base is, keep in mind this was in December. We accepted that Molly had found a good home and was safe. In April, one of the guys in our unit knocked on our door and said there was a dog outside. We were amazed that it was Molly. She had traveled over 20 miles to get back to us! It was then I knew that I was going to try to take her home. We found a temporary home for her at a United States Contractors house and then booked her a commercial ticket to the United States.

When she arrived in New York, an amazing organization called Pilots N Paws picked her up and ensured that she was taken care of. Through a series of stops the pilots flew Molly all the way to Kentucky. She is now with my parents waiting for me to get home from Kosovo, which will be this month.

Donietta
Frankfort, KY

A Noble Tale

"Shocking! Who would let this happen to a dog!" These were our founding member Lois's first words to our volunteers after seeing first hand the heartbreaking condition of a large mixed breed dog brought into our local pound. Horribly gaunt and weak, suffering from terrible skin & ear infections, missing much of his fur he had been found wandering the frigid winter countryside of January 2009.

Never-the-less, he was amazingly friendly and as pitiful as he appeared still seemed to possess a regal air of dignity. Lois named him Noble and so his story with us began, inspiring our volunteers and also the community, to assist with the plight of this neglected and forgotten sweet soul. From the pound to our vet clinic for much needed care, but then who would foster this special needs, special boy?

"I want to make a difference in this dog's life, I want to care for Noble! I can provide constant attention and love in a warm home", came the unexpected offer from a kind wonderful lady named Birg. "Thank you for saving him and allowing me to be a part of his life" were her words and within a few short weeks, under her devoted care and love Noble flourished and began his almost magical transformation into a healthy, happy, tail wagging, grinning fellow where he would live, love and be loved forever with Birg & Marc and their family of rescue kittys never to be hungry and cold again.

Noble's plight and then heartwarming recovery truly touched us all, here at All Breed Canine Rescue, with so many gracious and wonderful offers of assistance, both big and small, and raising much needed awareness in our Southwestern Ontario home communities of St. Thomas, London and beyond for the many abandoned and neglected shelter dogs.

Jo-Anne Ellis, All Breed Canine Rescue
St. Thomas, ON, Canada