Miss you Jerry!!

On August 25,2012 my dog Jerry died of kidney failure from Lyme Nephritis. I was devastated, I loved him more than anything! I started looking on Petfinder to rescue another dog after a week, thinking that would make me happy again. I knew I wasn't ready yet, so I was thinking about fostering again instead of adopting.

On September 25 I ended up on Facebook page of a high kill shelter in GA. I knew what I had to do. One month from the day I lost my baby I started a rescue in his memory. I named it "Jerry's Angels". I saved two dogs that day and another three a week later. Five dogs got a second chance because of my love for my dog.

Two have been adopted, one is in a foster home, and I have two in my house. I received some donations to help me but basically I funded everything out of my pocket. Each dog costs between $800-$900 before they are ready to be adopted. My bank account might be empty, but my heart is full again. :)

Now I recently adopted my own dog from Tennessee. She arrives in New Jersey on Sunday 11/11/12. She is a 15 week old puppy beautiful Great Dane, St. Bernard, Great Pyrenees mix. I can't wait for her to get here! I think Jerry would be proud that I rescued six dogs in the last month and a half in his memory, because he was a rescue himself.

I love you more than anything Jerry, and I will continue to rescue dogs in his memory and find them great homes. Maybe not six in a month, I can't keep that up financially, but I will save as many as I can. :)


Laurie Davis
Newfoundland, NJ

Two more wonderful stories with wonderful endings

I was trash!

I've been told, although I hardly remember, that I was thrown in a trash can at a local park. Someone saw the people who thought I wasn't worth keeping and made sure I found a home. That was nine years, or 3285 dinners ago. I now consider myself a princess and am happy to tell anyone who asks how special I am. I go boating, have many siblings, ride in cars, see my doctor on a regular basis and most often sleep with the people who took me home. My life isn't so bad!

Meredith
Bath, OH

 

My Special Boy!

 

About 5 years ago we found Manuso walking along the street as if he owned the world! When we got him home he was scared at first and hid. But after a little coaxing he came around and within 1 day he knew his new name and I found him to be very, very smart! Since then he's never once gone to the bathroom in the house. This little boy has become the most loyal, loving protector I've ever had. Manuso is now 5. I can walk him off lead (in the park) he'll never run away (except after squirrels) I whistle and he comes running. It's total love for me and him.

Kimberley Baerman
Dayton, OH

Regulate Online Puppy Mills

The Internet is proving to be a dangerous place for puppies. With the help of modern technology, it's easier than ever for puppy mill operators and uncertified breeders to abuse animals and participate in illegal commerce.

Due to the current lack of federal regulation for online breeders, puppies sold through the Internet are often bred for rapid sale and raised in atrocious conditions that are well below basic welfare standards. As of December 12th, 2012, IFAW reports that heinous businesses are still using online methods to shirk the Animal Welfare Act and avoid retribution for abuse.

No puppy deserves to be raised and sold in such horrendous conditions! Write to the Secretary of Agriculture and tell the USDA to crack down on online puppy mills immediately.

Sign the Petition and if you can, Donate Now!

Sugar - teacher of courage, love, hope and forgiveness

Sugar was brought to The Animal Orphanage of Voorhees NJ as a stray. When our shelter director saw her, she instantly fell in love with this emaciated Pit-bull with big brown eyes, who was full of love. True to her personality she was named Sugar.

It was a day before Christmas in 2011 when Sugar had a prolapsed rectum. When I saw Sugar for the first time, she was just out of surgery but she still managed to give me a tail wag and she looked straight into my eyes. Over the next few months Sugar recovered under the loving care of the shelter staff. At the shelter she spent time in the Directors office, on weekends she came home with me.

She put on weight, was selected to attend a training class and learned all her basic commands. In the class, she was always the teachers’ favorite and why not, she was the most obedient student! Sugar was very reactive to other dogs in the beginning but eventually she was introduced to play groups at the shelter.

Sheldon and Kane were her shelter buddies. When I saw Kane and Sugar together, I always thought they supported each other in ways we humans could never understand. Finally the day came when Sugar found her forever family and everyone at the shelter said their goodbye’s in the midst of tears of joy!

Her new parents love her to pieces! She has 2 big brothers who watch over her like hawks. From an emaciated stray, a shelter favorite and finally a loving family member Sugar came a long way. Sugar's passion is to please her human companion and she continues to spread her love! Sugar taught me about courage, love, hope and forgiveness. Sugar is an example that second chances save lives!

Bharati Manjeshwar
Voorhees, NJ

Miss Rhonda

After losing my 14 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever I waited almost 4 years to get another dog...all I knew was that I wanted a female and would name her Rhonda.

There she was on a lab rescue site and her name was already Rhonda. When I found her at the Humane Society, her belly hung to the ground...she had been a "puppy machine." She is the sweetest thing EVER! That was 8 years ago and each day she gratefully realizes she was rescued and more importantly that she rescued a human!

Suzi Campbell
Albuquerque, NM

I can't get enough of these rescue stories

Goofy friends

Fletcher was 6.5 years old, a big black dog at the shelter. He had been there for 5 weeks. I arrived to donate the remaining dog food as my dog had recently died. It was fate. Two years later we added Ruby, found on Petfinder and a full of energy 2 year old. What joy they bring.

Marcia Morgan




Molly Marie and Me!

After losing our 15 year old springer spaniel, Maggie, in early June this year to a ruptured abdominal tumor, my husband and I, along with our 10 year old beagle, Daisy, were devastated. Daisy didn't know life without Maggie. Just after Maggie's death, Daisy had to have ACL surgery, which made her even more dependent on us. Daisy got more depressed each day, so we decided she needed a buddy - another Maggie dog. We decided to adopt a rescue springer through MAESSR, which is an excellent organization.

We knew we had to wait until Daisy's rehab was finished, so started the adoption process the end of August. We were approved and found 6 year old Molly Marie on the list. She sounded very similar to Maggie and really touched our hearts because of her story. She had such a rough life, being abandoned by her owners because of mammary tumors. She was turned into a shelter with a HUGE tumor plus smaller ones, and bad ear infections. We don't know how long she was on her own.

The first shelter wanted to euthanize her because they assumed the tumors were cancerous. Someone there got Molly into a second shelter and someone there contacted MAESSR and they took her. She had two surgeries for tumors, had bad ear infections taken care of and was in a wonderful foster home. I can never thank Renee enough for the care and love she gave Molly before we became her forever family. It was love at first sight when we met Molly on adoption day, Oct. 14. She’s helped heal our hearts and given us more than we could ever give back to her. And Daisy – she’s back to her old self again due to her new best friend, Molly Marie.

Linda Shope
        Alexandria, PA

Lucky - The Miracle Mutt

Lucky truly lives up to his name. He was once a scared abandoned puppy who was shown no mercy, beaten and starved only to be thrown out in the middle of the woods right before a big Iowa winter, snow storm. However this little guy is a strong survivor, not only did he survive below freezing temperatures, but he ran for hours away from a family of coyotes, thinking he was going to meet his end when he was snagged in a snare (live trap). I was thirteen years old (now 22 going on 23) when my dad saved him. Each of the coyotes had also somehow been caught in snare as they tried to corner him in.

This little guy was scared of anything and everything; he most definitely wouldn’t have gone near a guy of any kind and would shake when you touched him. He spent much of his first few months hiding under my bed, except at night where he would come cuddle up on the pillow when he thought you were asleep. With the help of our lab/dalmatian mix he was able to look at a new leaf on life. He now is 10 years old and has new friends of his own living with me (the lab mix passed away when I was in high school and he was devastated going through a deep depression). He loves everybody, and everything including treats, playing with other dogs and lots of attention. I look back and see that scared little guy who only weighed a few pounds, who was so tiny and I’m so grateful my dad brought him home to me. He has become one of my greatest joys in life.

Shaylynn
Cedar Falls, IA

Ozzy's Tail

Today his name is Ozzy, but when he was first rescued his name was Colgan. His story begins in New York City in early 2012. Abandoned, locked in a crate, without food and water, laying in his own waste, Colgan was first rescued by Animal Control. Emaciated, covered with sores, this Cane Corso/Pit Mix was missing hair all over his body, but especially his tail which was completely bald.

Sadly, Colgan was scheduled to be euthanized. He was then saved for a second time by Cane Corso Rescue. He was transported to Southern New Jersey to recuperate in foster care, but Colgan was not about to go back to staying in a crate. On his first night Colgan tore up his face, but he made it through the metal bars of his crate.

Knowing that he could not stay in foster care, Cane Corso Rescue reached out to the Voorhees Animal Orphanage (AO). The call came to the shelter’s director late one February night...could the shelter accept this dog? The answer was yes, and Colgan was saved for a third time. But how would this dog that could not be crated handle a kennel? Sleeping in shifts, volunteers from Cane Corso Rescue and the AO waited to see if Colgan would finally relax. Fortunately, he did.

Colgan’s emotional wounds began to heal, but his tail remained raw.

Colgan was adopted by the shelter’s president and his wife and joined their pack of four other dogs. Renamed Ozzy, he started training to be a therapy dog. He was a natural.

Today, Ozzy does pet assisted therapy with disabled adults and he represents the AO at schools as part of its humane education program. And his tail is completely healed and never stops wagging, but his tale is far from over.

Bruce Compton
Voorhees, NJ

North Dakota: Protect Your Animals!

Urge North Dakota to adopt stricter animal protection legislation.

11/15/12: Voters in North Dakota have rejected Measure 5, a ballot initiative meant to enforce stricter punishments for animal abuse. In light of this fact, let the Governor know that animals deserve our protection, including the full support of the law.

We hear of animal abuse cases all too often: from pigs kept in tiny cages with no room to move around before ultimately being sent to the slaughterhouse to puppies mass-bred for profit and kept in sub-par conditions before they are sold in the puppy mill trade.

While most states in America have strong animal protection laws, North Dakota still stands as one of the few that regularly doesn't prosecute instances of animal abuse. North Dakota is a state in which livestock and agriculture play a huge part, so it's vital that the state strengthen its animal welfare laws to protect against farm animal and pet abuse.

Sign the petition to North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple.  Follow the link below...

Tell North Dakota to get with the times and start protecting its animals!

As of 5:30 PM EST on November 25, we have over 16,000 signatures.  Our goal is 25,000...

16,816 signatures - goal of 25,000

Become an ASPCA Guardian today.

Make a difference for animals every month of the year. ASPCA Guardians are a group of dedicated friends like you who make regular monthly gifts. This level of support makes it possible for the ASPCA to reach and rescue animals in need. When you decide to donate today, you will help us continue our life-saving programs.

As an ASPCA Guardian, you'll stay updated with ASPCA newsletters as well as gain access to a special Guardians-only website. There's no need to renew each year and you may call to change your monthly gift amount or cancel at any time.

Please donate now!

Paralyzed Rescue Weim Walks Again

When Weimaraner Rescue of the South (WRS) plucked Cole from an animal shelter in Alabama, he seemed like many other dogs. But his extraordinary character came to light soon after he arrived at his foster home.

One evening, Cole suddenly collapsed and couldn’t move anything other than his front paws and head. His foster mom rushed him to the vet, where he was diagnosed with a spinal embolism and given a 10% chance of survival. Despite his paralysis, Cole seemed so happy to be with people and determined to get back on his feet. So WRS decided to support Cole and give him all the care he needed to recover.

WRS gave him a cart, and right away he was zoom-zooming around! But Cole wanted so badly to walk again on his own. WRS took Cole for physical therapy and acupuncture and after four treatments, Cole regained use of his back legs.

WRS threw a party for Cole and for the first time in weeks, he stepped out of the cart and unsteadily took his first steps. There was not a dry eye in the house! Cole was adopted by the WRS volunteer who had been caring for him. Over the next months, Cole got stronger and more coordinated. Now he can run around with his canine siblings—an achievement that makes us so proud!

Cole’s family adores him and describes him as a spunky boy who knows what he wants. They quote from Talladega Nights on Cole’s philosophy: “If you ain’t first, you're last.” He is the first out the door, the first in the door, and the first to claim his spot on his couch! Cole’s perseverance and triumph has been an inspiration, and has renewed our commitment to every dog that comes into our care.


Larissa Thomas
Lilburn, GA

Help Pets Affected by Superstorm Sandy

Help shelters rescue and care for animals affected by Superstorm Sandy

Superstorm Sandy was one of the worst weather events in recent U.S. history. Millions lost power, and homes and infrastructure alike were damaged or destroyed by high winds, storm surge, and intense flooding. Several states have declared an official emergency.

Pets are especially vulnerable during huge weather events like this one. So, our charitable partners are providing emergency shelter, first aid, and rescue where needed to make sure pets stay as safe as their owners during the storm and its aftermath. You can help! Your donation will support rescue groups and shelters along the East Coast as they provide food, clean water, shelter, and emergency aid to pets and comfort to their families in the aftermath of the Superstorm.

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.

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.


Please donate now at the Greater Good Donation Site

Never Too Much Trouble

In February 2012, I saw an eight week old puppy on the Lapeer County Animal Shelter website. We decided to get him as a gift for our older dog, Uh-Oh, who had just survived a life threatening surgery. I met the puppy before he was up for adoption. I fell in love with him the minute he gave me his paw through the cage door. I knew I never wanted to let him go. I brought Trouble home a few days later. I never imagined the emotional journey we would begin that day.

A day later, the volunteers at the shelter left me a message saying Trouble may have been exposed to Parvo in the shelter and listed the symptoms to look for. Within three days Trouble was in ICU receiving 24 hour treatment for Parvo, for four days. Three days after coming home he was rushed back to ICU with a fever of 106.3 due to a secondary infection.

That stay lasted three days. After recovering at home for a few days he began acting like the carefree silly puppy I remembered. He spent months making us laugh until we cried, running through the house with his butt down, flipping the rugs along the way. Until one day we noticed he was limping. At ten months old, Trouble has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia in both hips.

We dont know what his future will be but Trouble has fought hard to stay alive while jumping, panting and running circles around his challenges. As long as he is happy we will fight every obstacle we face while holding his paw.

We would like to thank the person that didn't want him, because he was meant for us.

We can't imagine our lives without those deep brown eyes watching us.

Shannon Bradshaw

Lapeer, MI

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL LESSON IN LIFE AND LONGEVITY

Be nice to others, because. . .
Time WILL make a difference!

Thanks Sharon

Please consider being a hero!

Angel's Gate Needs You

Angel’s Gate in New York is closing, and all of the animals need someplace to go by October 30th.

Angels of Animals rescue group in NJ is working hard to help get the animals off the property and into homes, but 120 cats and 20 dogs remain.

These are special-needs pets so you can really save the day by adopting even just one. Rescue groups who can take larger numbers would be a blessing.

Please take a look at a few of the dogs and cats you could pick:

Friendly Daisy has bad eyes that may need to be removed. But this mature girl is huggable and kind. And ready to come home with you!

Friendly Daisy

Mimi is a feline leukemia-positive cat who needs special food for her esophagus. She’s beyond friendly – she’s super-friendly! And the love of everyone who meets her.
Diesel & Lill are an inseparable brother and sister who were both born with deformities in their front legs. They’re extremely personable.

There are so many more. There are cats with FIV, and cats with feline leukemia. There are dogs who are blind and/or deaf and a few with paralyzed back legs. There are cats too frightened to be petted, as well as cats who will come right up to you, begging for love.


Mimi


If you can turn the whole world around for even one of these special pets, please contact Amy at (973) 464-5314 or amy@angelsofanimals.org. She will be thrilled to hear from you!

Thank you for anything you can do for these precious pets. Your kindness is helping us all achieve a time of No More Homeless Pets.


Lill and Diesel

Contact:  Amy at (973) 464-5314 or  amy@angelsofanimals.org
Learn More:  Connect in your community. Get active. Save Lives!

How Best Friends is helping people provide a loving, forever home for their pets

Take action:  Receive alerts about legislation

Additional Resources:  Best Friends Outreach

If you would like to know more about Best Friends Animal Society, please go to www.bestfriends.org

Lyssa has a new heart and a new home

Little Lyssa’s heart was close to breaking, in more ways than one. Being given up by your family hurts bad enough, without having a serious heart condition too. This nine-month-old terrier mix, born with a congenital heart problem, was surrendered to our Boston Adoption Center in the hope that she might find a home in which to live out her last days.

But we didn’t like that idea one bit! Our adoption center veterinarian identified Lyssa’s problem and consulted with Dr. Nancy Laste at our Angell Animal Medical Center. “Animals that have the proper cardiac surgery can be cured and go on to live very long and healthy lives,” she said. Untreated, Lyssa’s condition would have a very sad outcome.

So we used funds from our Pet Care Assistance program to get young Lyssa the surgery she needed. The operation, which lasted close to two hours, was made challenging by Lyssa’s small size (she weighs less than seven pounds), but Lyssa came through it well. Once she was fully recovered, she was put up for adoption, and met her perfect family. Look at her new picture -- she's got a wonderful new home now!

Pet Care Assistance helps abandoned animals who require veterinary care, and also defrays the cost of treating cruelly abused animals rescued by our Law Enforcement department.

And Pet Care Assistance offers financial aid to families whose animal companions need emergency, intermediate, and critical care. Last year 191 families received $219,456 in financial aid at the MSPCA's Angell Animal Medical Center.

Can you imagine looking into Lyssa's young eyes and saying "We can't help you"? I know you can't. That's why I'm asking for your help. Won't you please send your gift today and help us continue our healing work?

Please give generously. We want to give all animals every chance to heal. Thank you so much for opening your heart, once more, for the animals. Wouldn't you like to help other animals like Lyssa?

There's a way you can. You can contribute to Pet Care Assistance.

Please give generously
Sincerely,
Carter Luke
President, MSPCA-Angell

An update on John and Schoep

Update on an update for blog post on John and Schoep  - http://butdogsrpeople2.blogspot.com/2012/08/update-remember-schoep-arthritic-dog.html

Viral photo helps 19-year-old arthritic dog recover

By Dylan Stableford, Yahoo! News


John Unger with Schoep in Lake Superior (Hannah Stonehouse Hudson/StonehousePhoto.com/Facebook)

A photograph of a man wading in Lake Superior with his 19-year-old arthritic dog captured the hearts of millions when it was posted online last month--an outpouring that inspired the dog's owner to launch a foundation to help low-income families care for their aging canines.  John Unger says Schoep's Legacy Foundation has raised more than $25,000 since Unger and his dog, Schoep, were photographed by a friend, who posted the image to Facebook.  Before the photo was taken, Unger and his veterinarian had been considering putting Schoep down.

"Without treatment, John and I were talking about euthanasia at the end of July," Erik Haukass, the vet, told the Daily Mail. But through the unsolicited donations from people who saw the photo, Unger was able to treat Schoep and extend his life.

"Schoep is doing incredible right now," Unger said. 'The therapies that the people have donated--it's like turning back the clock a year and a half."

The foundation was created, Haukass added, when the pair "realized we had received more money than we would reasonably spend on Schoep's care."

"It could help another 30 or 40 Schoeps," Haukass said.

The "Official Fan Page of Schoep and John" has more than 20,000 "likes," and Hudson has been selling prints of the photos to benefit the cause.

"This 19-year-old [Schoep is] being cradled in his father's arms last night in Lake Superior," Hannah Stonehouse Hudson, the photographer, wrote in the Facebook post that sparked the outpouring. "Schoep falls asleep every night when he is carried into the lake. The buoyancy of the water soothes his arthritic bones. Lake Superior is very warm right now, so the temperature of the water is perfect. I was so happy I got to capture this moment for John. By the way, John rescued Schoep as an 8-month-old puppy, and he's been by his side through many adventures."

Hudson, a professional photographer, told the Pioneer Press that business is booming since the photo of Unger and Schoep was published--so much so that she recently hired her first employee plus an intern.

"I would say a 30 percent increase in shoots," Hudson said. "Who knew a favor to a friend would turn into this? It's completely surreal."

Because of the public's generosity, Schoep has been getting expensive joint laser treatments to reduce pain and swelling related to arthritis.

"He's walking so much faster," the 49-year-old Unger said. "It's unbelievable."

If you are a media person looking to license the John & Schoep image or do an interview - please contact our PR coordinator Julie McGarvie Unger:

julie.mcgarvie@gmail.com or 612-644-9650

To contact John and Schoep - please email johnandschoep@gmail.com

Wonderful pictures of Schoep...

Can This Country Boy Come Live With You?

Fergus lived with a very loving family in Brooklyn, New York. But his heart yearns for more space and the family is now boarding him in Zionsville PA. He’s a four year-old Black Mouth Cur, a very smart, athletic, herding breed. Black Mouth Curs are also naturally very protective of their loved ones.

And living in a crowded, noisy city full of strangers has put poor Fergus in a state of perpetual high alert. The stress and frustration has led him to making some bad choices lately. He gets very uneasy around active children, and the family now has a three month old. They knew soon enough, toddlers would’ve been coming by their apartment, and Fergus would think he had to protect his family. He’s even gone as far as to nip an adult visitor.

Thank goodness, his family recognizes he needs more room to safely release energy and be the dog he was born to be. They’re desperately trying to find him a new home in a rural area – a home with a nice, fenced yard – before he does something that could cost him his life.

Fergus is such a smart boy. He knows hand signals for several commands – like sit, leave it, down, stay, touch, and go to a designated spot. He gets along well with dogs, as long as a proper introduction is made but would do best in a home without cats.

He’s also already neutered and current on his shots.

If you or someone you know can give Fergus the kind of home he needs, please call Jenny at (718)702-3658 or email her at nola73@hotmail.com. His current family will drive him anywhere, as long as he will have loving people and some open space to enjoy.

You can also help by posting his flyer or simply forwarding this email.

Thank you for helping Fergus. Your compassion and action are helping to bring about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets®.

Contact:
Jenny
(718)702-3658
or
nola73@hotmail.com


If you would like to know more about Best Friends Animal Society, please go to www.bestfriends.org 

Rex our little miracle

I found Rex thrown away with his dead mother and siblings in the bush near our farm, he was tiny, but had a big voice, and if I had not heard him crying as I walked to work that morning I would never have known such a wonderful companion.

At 6 Months old he got the worst case of Mange I had ever seen and my Vet said put him down, this is just impossible to cure, so I went onto the internet, and found a cure, bought it and healed my puppy with in 5 weeks. Today, he is a healthy very talkative and loving boy, and he can also talk in the human language, He can say Come if he wants something, or if he wants you to get up off the couch, so that he can jump up and be comfortable in the warm spot you just vacated. He is Bright, cleaver, and gentle, would not harm a flee and I love him very much.

Carolyn Dewrance
Cape Town, South Africa

Police Respond to "Vicious" Dog in Baltimore City

Story below was reprinted from http://modifiedk9.blogspot.ca.

Here at Mk9, we receive a lot of emails and messages about Pit Bull and Pit Bull type dogs. News reports and stories from all over. From both sides of the spectrum as well. The good, and the bad. When we find the ones we believe will do good to help further the education of the general public, we "Share" them with hopes that people will be influenced, and motivated to see Pit Bulls and their owners for what they are, and not what the Media would make them out to be.
Today, we received a rather interesting story from a gentleman in Baltimore. It was a story about a Vicious Dog call, and the Police Officer who answered it. The interesting part is, the gentleman who sent the story IS that Officer who answered the call. So here is the account, from the source;

Hey,

I'm a Police Officer in Baltimore City. I am originally from Wilkes-Barre, and I am a fan of your organization and Pit Bulls. Today I received a call while on duty about a vicious dog chasing kids. When I came on the scene, I noticed people yelling out their windows at the dog. I followed the dog into an ally to see how it was acting. Going on my own approach, being a dog lover, I got out of my car and called the "vicious dog" over to me. The dog came over with it's tail between it's legs and panting. I grabbed my water bottle and the dog sat down next to me and began licking my pants. I started giving the dog water. I brought the dog over and waited for the pound to show up. My partner was not a fan of dogs and was startled by my approach. I suggested to him that this dog cannot be put down, and should be taken to a shelter. We took it upon ourselves to take the dog to the shelter, and transported it in the back seat in the back of our patrol car. Then I decided that I wanted to keep the dog, and spoke to the shelter about the steps to take to adopt it. The dog was originally kept outside and was filthy, and now it just might have a new home. I know you like positive pictures so I have attached a few. Have a great day and keep up the good work!

Officer Dan Waskiewicz
Baltimore City Police
When we heard this story we could not help but SMILE, and maybe do a tail shake or two! :)
Then we got to thinking more about it. How awesome is this story! Not only does it have a happy ending to it, but there are also some major applause points:

Instead of assuming the dog to be vicious and shoot it dead, (as we see so many times before) he analyzes the situation, and sees a nervous dog that needs help.

Instead of letting animal control pick up the dog, and let it disappear, or be put down, he personally takes it to a shelter, IN HIS CRUISER!!!

Finally, he offers the pup a new forever home!

So we at Mk9 would like to say Thank You! Officer Dan, for taking the time to be patient and give a dog a chance. And step outside the stereo types and see this for what is was. A loose dog who was nervous, and needed someone to help. Not someone to yell at him and assume him to be dangerous.



Here is "Bo" with his new family. A perfect picture of a perfect ending or an amazing new beginning. 

And here’s an update to the story.  Seems Officer Dan received a well deserved certificate of appreciation from the Baltimore Humane Society!



PO Dan Waskiewicz and "Bo" posed with the Baltimore Humane Society staffs, after receving the Certificate of Appreciation.

Heartwarming update on Curious George

An uplifting update was sent to me by an anonymous poster on the story about Curious George - see blog post Curious George. 

Curious George, our survivor dog, is doing well!

Curious George adoption update: After many wonderful applications, we found the perfect home for Curious George! George’s adoption was processed on Saturday, December 3rd when he was then transferred to Perfect Pooch in King of Prussia for 10 days of boarding and training. His new furever family picked him up from Perfect Pooch on Dec. 13.

Here’s a photo of George very comfy in his furever home.

If you need a smile that may last you the entire day, if not week, I recommend you click on the link below to see and read about George's amazing progress and the wonderful, caring people that made it all happen.  

To see a video of his long road to recovery, click here

UPDATE - Remember Schoep the arthritic dog and his owner, John?

Great news: Schoep has received laser treatment for arthritis and will spend his golden year pain-free, thanks to the donation of strangers. John has also revealed how Schoep saved him from rough times and thoughts of suicide.

John rescued Schoep from a shelter.  Shoep was an abused puppy.  At age 17 Schoep is experiencing the common arthritic pain older dogs are prone to.  John began the practice of floating with Schoep on the river for up to an hour each day.  Seems the bouyancy is just what Schoep needed to feel some relief from his pained joints.

With the publicity obtained after the story and wonderful photos of John and Schoep went viral, apparently some kind person has provided Schoep with treatments that will free him from his pain for the rest of his natural life. 

A mother's love is fierce regardless of her species

No one proved that better than Amanda, a dog caught in a house fire in Chile yesterday with her litter of 10-day-old pups. According to the news publication Soy Chile, as firefighters battled the blaze, a photographer spotted the protective mother canine going back and forth from the house, dragging her puppies one by one and placing them in a firetruck compartment.

The pups were taken to a nearby veterinary clinic, and all but one puppy survived. The photos from the scene have gone viral, drawing more than 1,000 comments on Reddit and inspiring countless others by her act of maternal love.

National Dog Day is Coming Soon!

A Great Excuse to Help a Rescue!

If you ask us, we'll tell you that every day is dog day (of course!), but we're wagging our tails that since 2004, dogs and dog rescues have had a designated day to be honored! So, what's National Dog Day all about? It's about raising awareness about adoption and dog rescue and thanking those who have spent countless hours for the cause.

What can you do? First and foremost, on August 26th, give your furry friends big hugs and special treats (maybe an especially long walk to a favorite spot?). When you're done, go help a rescue or shelter! Walk some less fortunate dogs, help with an adoption event, or just go to a rescue event and say "thank you" to the volunteers. Kind words go a long way to reinvigorating that rescue fire!

Educate Yourself

The best weapon against cruelty is knowledge, especially when we share our knowledge with others to help them make good choices about pet acquisition and care. The following links contain materials to help you be a champion in the fight:

Fetching Fido...a booklet about how to locate a rescue or breeder and avoid puppy mill pitfalls.

Mill Dog Manifesto...a first-hand account of dog rescue and puppy mills.

Animal Welfare Handouts (PDFs)...to print and distribute.

Road to Rescue: Dog Rescue Best Practices Manual ...to help you be the best rescuer you can be!


Reprinted from Up For Pups Web Site.

Love, compassion and kindness can right even the most egregious wrong

Hope rewarded: Tortured Texas dog adopted
By Dylan Stableford, Yahoo! News - The Lookout

Hope, the dog found brutally tortured in Texas last week, has a new home. According to the Parker County Sheriff's Office, the pug mix has been adopted by the family whose ranch she was first spotted wandering on. 
 
Charlie and Kit Moncrief have agreed to adopt Hope, who continues to recover from what the Dallas Morning News described as "one of the worst cases of animal cruelty ever reported in the county." Hope was found dehydrated, her mouth sealed shut with electrical tape and her tongue protruding. She had five large cuts that took more than 100 stitches to close.

"I have known the Moncrief family for many, many years," Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said in an emailed statement to Yahoo News. "I can't think of a better family for Hope to belong to. She will think she is in heaven at her new home with her new family."

Veterinarians at Bowie Drive Animal Hospital say that Hope, who is estimated to be between 3 and 4 years old, will make a full recovery, though she may need part of her tongue removed.

Fowler said they have investigated several leads but are still seeking the suspect or suspects involved.

"This is the bottom line," Fowler added. "If they will torture a defenseless creature, what else are they capable of? We need to find the person(s) responsible for this."

Rescues - no matter where they come from - are the best

My best friend

I found Chula at the Humane Society of Indianapolis while going through a tough time in my life. Choosing her has been one of the best decision I have made in my life!

Chula is sweet, playful, loving, loyal, grateful and above all, my best friend! Rescued dogs rock!!!

Ana
Rockville, MD

 
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Our Walgreens Yorkies!

My husband and I rescued these two little Yorkie girls from a homeless woman we met at Walgreens! She kept these darling little girls in a little Sherpa bag. They were dirty and matted, needed a really good bath and grooming. We gave the woman the money she wanted and took them home. There was no way we could leave them.

The littlest one, Tina Marie, could barely walk because of being in the back of the bag. Lacey Louise was outgoing and definitely looked for affection. It took Tina Marie time - but now she is running the house and Lacey Louise is just a happy little girl.

We brought them home on Feburary 18th of this year and today, they are running and playing with our Italian Greyhounds, happy and healthy. We are so thrilled they came into our lives.

Cheryl and Herman

Port Charlotte, FL

From Deep in a Well to a Mile High

The very day that we had to euthanize our first dog, a racing greyhound named Pronto, thousands of miles away five galgos (Spanish greyhounds) were pulled from a 100 foot well in the Spanish countryside. It was the end of the rabbit hunting season and the galgos had been thrown down the well to kill them. This is one of the terrible ways that the galgueros (hunters) dispose of their dogs. Miraculously, a passerby who had stopped his car in the countryside heard their barking and alerted a local shelter, Scooby Refuge.

I followed the story of their dramatic rescue and recovery and, incredibly, a little black and white girl rescued from the well joined our family in Denver, Colorado, a year and a half later. We adopted Prisa through Galgo Rescue International Rescue. It took time for Prisa to acclimate to life as a treasured family member from her near-feral state. But now, after six years with us, she is content and secure, loves to hike with us, has a great sense of humor and enjoys the comforts and love we shower upon her!


Judy Greenfield
Denver, CO

Father's Day is Sunday, June 17th

Who's your Daddy?

Most of the animals in our adoption centers would have no idea how to answer that question. They are the unwanted offspring of un-spayed mothers and un-neutered fathers, contributing to the huge pet overpopulation problem that we struggle to address year after year.

This Father’s Day, won’t you make a contribution to our Shalit-Glazer spay/neuter .

We’ll send him a special Father’s Day eCard to announce your gift. You'll be showing him you care and making a difference for something you believe in- and isn't that just what your dad taught you to do?