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.