Archive for the ‘Dog rescue’ Category

Grey Muzzle Organization Announces Grants for Senior Dog Programs!

Saturday, March 10th, 2012

The Grey Muzzle Organization, whose mission is to improve the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding to shelters, rescue groups, and sanctuaries and other animal welfare organizations nationwide for programs such as hospice, medical needs, and senior dog adoption, has opened its 2012 grant application cycle. Organizations interested in applying for funds to help senior dogs must submit a Letter of Intent by April 1.

Grey Muzzle  works tirelessly on behalf of senior dogs. They are supported entirely by individual donations, which then fund grants to approved animal welfare organizations for programs benefiting senior dogs. Grants have funded basic medical and dental care to make a senior more comfortable and adoptable. Grants also fund hospice care to ensure that a senior dog has a safe and loving end of life instead of dying alone in a shelter. Grey Muzzle grants also assist with programs to encourage senior dog adoption.

Speaking from personal experience of adopting Dixie, an 8-year old springer about to be euthanized because her ill owner couldn’t keep her, senior dogs have much love and joy to give. Please join me in spreading the word about this wonderful organization and the opportunity to improve the lives of senior dogs!

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blog Hop hosted by Two Little Cavaliers and Life With Dogs. Please visit other participating pet bloggers!

Rainbow Bridge Bracelet Benefits Rescue Groups

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Rainbow Bridge bracelet

Earlier this week I discovered Three Scoops of Vanilla, a site offering beautiful handcrafted jewelry in dog, cat, and even horse themes. Each week a different rescue group benefits from a portion of sales and online auctions through Facebook. A custom bracelet that was offered to benefit English Springer Rescue was simply adorable and sold for over $250 in the auction. I love the multi-colored Rainbow Bridge bracelet which includes a charm personalized with your pet’s name. What a lovely way to  honor their memory and save another pet’s life! Check out the beautiful jewelry, all made in America and inspired by three beautiful yellow labs, the “Three Scoops of Vanilla.”

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blog Hop hosted by Two Little Cavaliers and Life with Dogs. Please visit the blog hop and discover lots of fun pet blogs!

The Any and All Dog Show

Saturday, October 15th, 2011

The Biggest Dog class

Last weekend on a perfect fall day, I attended the 78th annual “Any and All Dog Show,” sponsored by the Tryon, NC Riding and Hunt Club as a fundraiser for the Foothills Humane Society. We took folding chairs and sat ringside among an assortment of dogs and humans, all having a good time. The show began with a blessing of the animals, always a moving moment of gratitude for the love and devotion of our pets.

The first class was “dog with the best trick.” The kids proudly led their entry into the ring, one at a time, to perform a trick for the judges. The winner was an agile English Shepherd, who cleared a triple spread jump (the kind horses jump in competition) with ease.

Next was “dog with the best costume.” My favorite, Tucker the black cocker who had a jockey perched on his back, came in second behind a beautiful chocolate lab dressed as a gladiator.

The “so ugly it’s cute” class was won by Griswold, a brindled mastiff/basset hound mix. Imagine a mastiff body and head on short legs.

This was followed by “the dog with the most interesting tail,” which was a large class. I wished I had brought Baker to enter as I think his plume tail is quite something! The winner was a foxhound mix with a curly tail which was indeed interesting.

Pink Latte, a Borzoi and therapy dog, in the "most interesting tail" class

The “best adopted dog” class seemed to include nearly every dog present, and I wondered how the judges would ever decide. In the spirit of the day, every dog in the class received a blue ribbon!  Many of the dogs stayed in the ring for the next class, “Best tail wagger,” which after stiff competition was won by a terrier mix whose tail wagged the entire time.

Then, the “Dog who would rather be home” entries included a pair of sweet old golden retrievers, who played the part by flopping down on the grass. But the winner was a collie mix who tried to drag her owner out of the ring – perhaps she decided it was time for a hot dog at the concession stand.

The classes concluded with “Biggest and smallest,” “Best senior dog” (won by a 15 year old JRT mix), and “Family class” for dogs in the same household.

Then, the winners of each class (except for the adopted dog class) paraded in for Best in Show. The English Shepherd showed off another trick, sitting up on her haunches, and took the prize.

Kids and dogs – what could be better on a sparkling day in the country?

Healing Hearts after a Firefighter Tragedy

Saturday, August 6th, 2011

The Asheville community was deeply saddened last week when an office building fire took the life of Captain Jeff Bowen, a 37-year old firefighter and injured 12 other brave firemen. Adding to the tragedy is this week’s finding that the fire was set by an arsonist. The building contained medical offices, including an oncology practice and other clinics that treat many elderly and frail patients. Fortunately, the occupants were evacuated to safety. Knowing the healing power of pets, staff at the Asheville Humane Society decided to waive adoption fees for city and county firefighters and their families, over the next two months. (more…)

Flower Power benefits Senior Dogs

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Looking for an Easter gift? Check out the Flower Power Fundraiser for the Grey Muzzle Organization. This fundraiser offers a wonderful variety of spring and summer flowers at great prices! Proceeds benefit the Grey Muzzle Organization, whose mission is to help senior dogs find a forever home. This fundraiser is available until the end of April. Help them meet their goal and help a senior dog have a Happy Easter!

Save a Spaniel wins national book award!

Saturday, February 19th, 2011

Congratulations to Cathy Mitchell, whose wonderful book Save a Spaniel was named  best fiction book of 2010 by the Dog Writers Association of America. An engaging tale of rescue written in the dog’s voice, this book is one that makes you stop and wonder, “Is that what my dog is really thinking?”Although fiction, the story is loosely based on the adventures of one of the author’s dogs, a rescued Boykin spaniel. “Star,” the canine narrator of the book, is a purebred Boykin spaniel with a white mark on her chest, an undesirable marking for the breed standard. Star is purchased by a couple as a pet and hunting companion for the husband. Her troubles begin when she proves to be gun-shy. (more…)

A New Job for Pearl – Recommended Book!

Thursday, January 20th, 2011

A New Job for Pearl is a delightful book created by a group of talented, second grade students in Alamo, California to tell the story of Pearl, a Black Labrador rescued from an animal shelter, who has a new job in search and rescue, thanks to the Search Dog Foundation. This organization works with shelters and rescue groups to identify search dog candidates, who are often the high energy, bounce off the walls type of dog that are hard to place. As the book explains, these dogs need a job! After eight months of training costing approximately $10,000, the dog is placed with a firefighter trained in disaster response, and is deployed to disaster sites worldwide.  For her work in rescuing 12 people trapped in the Haiti earthquake, Pearl was honored as the “Dog of the Year” by the ASPCA. Proceeds from book sales benefit the Search Dog Foundation. Copies can be purchased for $10 at A New Job for Pearl. Congratulations to this enterprising group of students, who not only created an uplifting book, but are helping to save lives of shelter dogs and the people they will eventually rescue.

The Best Gift Ever!

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

Alex (top) and Baker

Since Emily died in February 2009, Alex and I have been a pack of two, and we have become very close. Our daily routines have melded into a comfortable rhythm of walks and play time and quiet time. But for the last 20 years, I have always had at least two dogs, and when one passed away, I found a certain comfort in knowing that their life overlapped with the ones remaining. I got Alex as a puppy in the last year of Emily’s life, and I treasure the photos of them together. I think of all of them as a chain of hearts, each connected to the next. Thus, I have been thinking for some time of getting another dog as a companion for Alex. I thought I would get another English springer, and I checked out the dogs on the Springer Rescue site weekly, if not daily. Occasionally, I checked the Welsh Springer rescue site as well, but Welsh springer rescues are few, as it is one of the rarer breeds in the US, and breeders are extremely careful in placing their puppies with forever homes. But, in even the best of homes circumstances can change, and that is why Baker,  a lovely five year old Welsh springer, was up for adoption in early November. (more…)

Blind springer rescue becomes a therapy dog!

Monday, November 15th, 2010

Abbey (on left), Sam, and Tracy

Congratulations to Abbey, who recently became registered as a therapy dog with Paws with a Purpose! Abbey and her brother Sam were adopted from English Springer Rescue. Here is their inspiring story from proud mom Tracy:

My last day with Maxwell was May 10, 2007. He was my first Springer rescue. A family with three children didn’t have time for him and placed an ad in the paper FREE to good home. We had 13 wonderful years together, and letting Maxwell go was by far the hardest thing I’ve ever faced in my life. It took me quit awhile to even think of getting another animal. I still had Gizmo and Ditch, two rescue cats so I didn’t feel completely alone. But I knew I couldn’t go long without another dog. (more…)

Ten Ways to Make a Difference for Shelter Pets

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

This week, on Saturday October 23, is the annual “Make a Difference” day in communities nationwide. It’s a day to volunteer your time, talent, or treasure in some way, knowing that even the smallest gifts add up and make a difference. Here are some ways to make a difference for the shelters and rescue groups in your community, any day of the week! (more…)

Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Molly

The folks at Petfinder.com have designated this week (September 19-26) as “Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet” week. Surely they could have come up with a better event name, but I am all for the cause of advocating for those pets who languish in shelters, or are euthanized, because they are old, or have special needs, or aren’t the right breed, or happen to be black. Anyone who is involved in sheltering or rescue will tell you that black dogs (and black cats) are the hardest to place. There’s even a name for it: black dog syndrome. It’s interesting to me that year after year, Black Labs are the most popular breed, according to the AKC, yet if a black dog ends up in a shelter, it is at high risk of not finding a home. Theories about this abound. (more…)

Compassion program eases senior dogs last days

Sunday, September 5th, 2010

I’m especially grateful for organizations that help homeless senior pets. All rescue work is difficult and heart-wrenching, but those who go the extra mile for senior, disabled, or otherwise difficult to place animals deserve extra support and acknowledgment. Thus I was pleased to learn about the charity of the month at The Honest Kitchen, a company that makes nutritious, “human-grade” dehydrated dog food. The Honest Kitchen has a “Pawlanthropy” program in which they select a charity  to benefit from a percentage of online sales that month. September’s charity is the Compassion program of Just A Dog, a pit bull rescue in San Diego, CA. The Compassion program takes elderly or ill pit bulls who would otherwise be euthanized in shelters, and ensures that their final days are spent in a loving and caring home environment. I’m sure it is difficult work, but what a wonderful way to make a difference in an animal’s life, even if only briefly.

“I Rescued a Human Today”

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

I love stories written in the dog’s voice, so when I came across this gem, I had to share it! Have a kleenex handy…

I Rescued A Human Today

by Janine Allen

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life. (more…)

Sophie the Springer Needs Help!

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Sophie

Okay folks, here is another springer damsel in distress. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the plight of older dogs who end up in shelters through no fault of their own – often due to changing family circumstances. Their lifelong guardian dies, or becomes ill, or moves into a nursing home, or can no longer afford to care for them. They are likely to be passed over for adoption in favor of the younger dogs. A lucky few, like 8 year old Sophie, are saved by rescue groups. As part of Be the Change For Animals, a group of pet bloggers are posting on causes important to them, and I am choosing to spread the word about the plight of older dogs like Sophie.  (more…)

Pets Surrendered to Shelter due to BP Oil Spill Hardship

Monday, June 14th, 2010

One of the ripple effects of the Gulf oil spill is not only endangering wildlife, but family pets. According to this story, out of work fishermen are surrendering family pets to local shelters, including the Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), because they cannot afford to feed and care for them. PAWS is completely full and has a growing waiting list of pets needing a safe haven. How can you help? Make a donation or offer to sponsor a pet in need. PAWS is also providing free pet food on a first come, first serve basis, in an effort to keep pets and their families together. Please help get the word out of the plight of these pets, especially to pet food companies who might donate pet food to help with this crisis.