In rescue, people tend to have their things. Some do transport, some raise money, some do adoptions, some foster and some do all of the above. I’ve been a money raiser/money raiser/transporter who doesn’t love doing adoptions and who certainly never fostered–my beloved Bella had a certain disdain for pretty much anything on four legs.
But now, with my boy Ranger being the congenial happy-go-lucky boy that he is, I realized that I could consider temporarily inviting a second dog in my home. (Fostering is really one of the most helpful things you can do for a rescue btw for anyone considering it.)
Marvin is for Adoption
At the same time, a long-time rescue friend, on whom I have foisted many a dog, found herself with 3 spirited young pups. She has been doing rescue for a long time and had been trying to wind down her pack to just lifers–older dogs who were basically unadoptable whether for behavioral or health reasons. But as a tender-hearted sucker, she couldn’t say no to the puppies; each with a story more terrible than the next. And while they were independently quite wonderful, together, the puppy energy was driving her nuts!
In a recent conversation I could hear the exasperation in her voice–remember god made puppies cute for a reason. Feeling like I wanted to pitch in and realizing I could actually try fostering at this point, I offered to foster one of the pups with a focus on finding him a home. She was ecstatic.
Within a few hours I was driving away from her house with Marvin..the absolutely cutest 22lb poodle mix you’ve ever seen. He’s steel gray with a bit of white on his chest and a light gray soul patch under his chin. It’s unclear what’s he’s mixed with, maybe a Lhasa Apso perhaps or a Tibetan Terrier? Whatever is in there, is incredibly affectionate and smart.
This dog just loves love. He wants to be next to you, in your lap or even better in your lap curled into your armpit. He is also quite playful with Ranger and with us; not annoying so, but he definitely makes things a bit more lively in the house. And the best part is that Ranger, who can be a little aloof is learning from Marvin how to be more affectionate.
There are people interested in him already and I hope we find him a perfect home–one where he will be cherished and loved and one where he can spend a good deal of time cuddled up like the baby he was born to be!
Humorist/Journalist/Author Bill Geist and his wife recently adopted a terrier mix and here is the report he filed for CBS Sunday Morning. For better or worse, it’s quite an accurate portrayal of what one goes through when bringing home a four legged friend…
I have been a dog person since I can remember. My parents had a rescued Sheltie Shepherd mix named Foxy when I was born- one of father’s fraternity brothers from PENN (who he incidentally had dinner with this week) had found the dog after the 1971 earthquake and somehow convinced my parents, neither of whom had ever had a dog, to adopt him.
Foxy was awesome- smart, playful and ever-patient as I am sure I was not exactly a gentle or delicate kid. He along with the Woody–the puppy we got when I was 3– were my constant companion as a child. From that point on I was just drawn to all things dog…particularly dog rescue.
Kids & Dogs
But for normal kids how do they find out about rescue… what happens at a shelter… how to treat and properly care for dogs?
Today the answer is most likely an amazing show on PBS called Martha Speaks. The series and the books follow a family dog who eats alphabet soup and gains the ability of human speech. In addition to its mission of vocabulary development–always a good thing– the series aims to educate children 4-to-7 about shelter animals, and inform families on pet ownership and responsibility.
I love this show, and I’m particularly excited about its new season premieres on September 14th. Over the course of the new episodes, viewers will see a two-part episode that further explores Martha, the title character’s days as a shelter dog and other new episodes that present strong anti-littering/pet safety messages in a way that is accessible to kids. Here is a preview of the episode airing today
A woman named Susan Medaugh created Martha Speaks. The idea behind came one day over lunch with her then-seven-year-old son when he asked what would happen if he fed their family dog his alphabet soup. From there Meddaugh has educated and inspired so many kids and families about dogs. She is truly a role model for me. I hope the work I do with my book (The Complete Single’s Guide To Being A Dog Owner, Adams Media 2009) and this blog might make even a fraction if the impact she has had on helping to protect and cherish the dogs of this world!
Be sure to tune to your local PBS affiliate (even if you don’t have kids) today, September 14th!
The internet is an amazing tool for so many things, not least among them is saving dogs!
Recently my friend Amy found a dog at noon on Friday in Griffith Park in LA, and by 5pm after posting him on Facebook we had a home for him in Sacramento. By 7 a ride had been arranged for him through Twitter. It’s a pretty amazing story as told in this article by Jennifer Fearing on the fabulous dog blog/ pet site PetConnection.com (click here for the article.)
That all happened on Friday and I was feeling pretty good and energized about my rescue/dog networking. Unfortunately those feelings were pretty much dashed by Saturday morning upon receipt of a nasty, borderline threatening email. It was from a woman who I had talked about on a blog post about my disdain for the current trend of designer dogs.
I didn’t mention her name, nor did I know it until I received her email. And while my post wasn’t personal, she chose to make it so. Truth be told it freaked me out. I could pretend it didn’t but it did. I basically haven’t been much inclined to blog since then.
I just really prefer to avoid conflict and I was so taken aback when my blog, which I write as a way to give a voice to the plight of rescued dogs, turned so confrontational. It was a quite an eye opening experience. I mean not only was I upset about the interaction, but I had a new sense of the vulnerability of making my opinions and my experiences available for public consumption. It bothered me that this woman, who now hates me, and anyone else for that matter, could read extremely personal stories that I had written my blog.
This internal struggle, and the fact that I’ve been slammed with work, has made me shy away from the blog for the past couple of weeks.
But enough of that. Aside from starting this post a few times, I ended up getting the motivation I needed to blog when I received this thoughtful email:
I’m recently enrolled in a college speech class, I am currently doing a persuasive speech. I want to thank you for your site and your passion to stop puppy mills. I am doing my speech on stopping puppy mills to encourage people not to buy from private breeders, but rather adopt a doggy from a shelter. Thank you again for your website and your information. It was really helpful.
So if I have to make a choice to listen to one of these voices, it’s going to be the latter. Sorry for the lack of blog update! Hope you understand!
Yesterday I was out walking Ranger and we ran into a family who was “walking” a white floppy ball of puppy fur (when puppies are that little, it’s more like dragging than walking). It was very cute and Ranger was soo interested in saying hello and being a kindly neighbor sort, I said hello asked what kind of dog it was.
The mom piped up (as though I’d think it was cute or impressive) that it was a Peki-Chi- a Pekingese Chihuahua mix. Forgive me, but I kind of wanted to shake her silly. Really? A Peki-Chi? Dont you watch Oprah? Don’t you know where that dog came from?
Puppy Mill Photo
Without question, that dog came from a puppy mill or backyard breeder because no self-respecting breeder who breeds for the love of a breed would be cross breeding to create such a “designer dog.” The only people breeding these dogs are out for the money.
As all of this was running through my head I smiled, suggested getting a harness and wished them good luck, and walked away, blood boiling. I thought it might not be such good PR for the book if I smacked her, although you never know.
In writing the book I have come to understand why certain people are scared of rescue, and or just feel more comfortable finding a dog through a breeder. I don’t like it, but I get it. I don’t however tolerate people who either buy dogs at pet stores (humane ones like Orange Bone and WoofWorx not included) and or buy them online from breeders, site unseen.
With pet stores, I often hear… well I felt like I was rescuing it. Again, on a gut level I get that their life wasn’t ideal- since I was a little girl I would only enter the Beverly Center from one side in order to avoid the pet store — but really go to the pound where dogs are jammed in one with another, all facing an uncertain fate and you’ll understand what rescue actually is.
Similary, I’d like to throttle those people who buy dogs online and believe that the pups come from happy places? Hello they come from puppy mills and shady breeders who don’t give a crap about their dog, except in a bottom line sense. Sure you may want to tell yourself “it’s a really nice place, i saw pictures” but guess what chances are, it’s not. The internet is a haven for dishonest business and in this case, dog are simply the commodity.
Online shopping for dogs is a no no
So next time you ask how much is that doggie in the window, whether it be on your computer screen window or the shop window? The answer is that it costs another dog’s life; the one that you didn’t adopt at the shelter.
To see a gallery of adorable dogs I’ve either helped or rescued myself that have come from the streets, the pound or a neglectful situation see below!
Meet Rufus. He’s the kind of dog that the Obama’s should have adopted, but didn’t. But the good news is that you can still can do the right thing and adopt or foster Rufus!!
Rufus needs a home or foster ASAP
Rufus is losing his home in 10 days (April 25) because his owner have 5 dogs instead of 3 (don’t you think animal control should spend their time busting real animal offenders) When animal control comes back they will fine the owners and confiscate the dogs. But their loss could be your best friend!
Here is more on Rufus…
Rufus is a great doggy but due to L.A county rules my owner can not keep me. She loves me dearly, But I’m a dog that she knows would be okay and would be at my best with a new family that loves me. I’m awesome with kids, loves to play and play with other Dogs and I love to cuddle….
Help Rufus Stay out of the Pound
How good does that sound? And while it’s sad that his owners must give him up, it’s a great opportunity for a someone to adopt a well adjust dog who’s behavioral tendencies are known!
Rufus is 1.5 years old and a mix between a Wheaten Terrier and a Shi Tzu… maybe. But he’s darned cute whatever he is!
Yesterday I wrote about Bo Obama- the girls named him Bo– and referred to him as a rescue dog. I actually struggled with whether I should add the words “sort of” at the end of that statement. Ultimately I left it off and now I regret it.
While Bo was given back to the breeder, something that happens a lot with puppies (FYI a sign of a good breeder is whether or not they will take a dog back, so I am at least grateful that they found a decent ethical breeder) I realize that I don’t think their bringing Bo into the White House is in sync with what was promised– that they would rescue a dog. Sorry, but no matter how much I have been behind Obama, I can’t quite buy that a dog from The Kennedy’s chosen breeder should be consider a rescued dog.
Reports indicate that The Obamas will donate to the Humane Society, but to me actions speak louder than words, and in this case money. The donation is a consolation prize and while a nice sentiment, it will be but a blip on the Obama dog radar. Rather Bo will be around for a long time, and people will think in order to get a good, worthy dog they must get a breeder dog.
And lest anyone claim it was an issue of allergies, there are hundreds of dog dying in shelters around the country every day who are just as hypo-allergenic as Bo Obama.
I am sad and extremely disappointed in the example The Obamas are setting.
In writing The Complete Single’s Guide to Being a Dog Owner, one of my goals is to take at least a tiny step in bridging the gap between rescuers and potential adopters. There are tons of dogs for adoption, tons of rescuers and tons of people wanting dogs, yet the adoption process can be challenging to say the least, and I hear about it from both sides…a lot.
Available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Border's
Potential adopters complain of difficult rescuers, and frustrating, dead-end, even sometimes demoralizing adoption processes and yet I also know the plight of rescuers. So along with the book, I am starting a series in my blog of DOG RESCUE FAQs; common questions about rescue answered to help both rescuers and adopters communicate more effectively. Because remember, it’s the rescue dogs who suffer when communications break down.
1. Why do rescues require applications?
Applications serve many functions including creating a record of where the dog goes and to whom. But an equally important function the application process is to weed out less than serious potential adopters. If you’re not willing to put the effort into filling out an application, then what other somewhat-inconvenient things are they not willing to do? Having a dog is wonderful, but it is also a series of responsibilities; the first of which is filling out that application! Now that said, I know applications can be annoying. So if you’re filling out many applications, keep an electronic copy of your previously filled out answers; in case questions are the same from one app to the other, you can cut and paste your responses.
2. Why do they home checks?
Rescuers do home checks not because they are nosy, but rather to make sure your home is dog ready. Many of the dogs we end up with have been runaways in the first place. Rescuers look for potential escape routes regular people probably wouldn’t notice, and they also look for other hazards- poisonous plants and or the precarious placement of precious items a new dog might knock over- dogs are often given back for destroying things. And finally, one big reason they do home checks is because sadly, people lie on their applications… a lot. They say their yard is fenced, it’s not. They say they live in a house; it’s a studio apartment. They say live alone; they live with their parents who are actually allergic and hate dogs. So it’s nothing personal against you; it’s usually a blanket protection policy.
3. How come they ask how old I am?
Rescue applications often ask for your date of birth because, while age is not always a perfect indicator of where you personally are at in life, certain life stages are more condusive to raising a dog than others. Hello I just finished a book dedicated to helping younger, single people care for their dogs. So, if anyone does, I know young single people can be great dog owners. But it’s not always easy. Rescuers get so many younger people turning in dogs because they can’t handle or afford it. However, by communicating what it is about you that would make you better suited to care for a dog for the long term– you are in a stable job, or have the support of your family, or own your house, or will get pet insurance, and or you would live in your car rather than give up your dog– you will have a better shot transcending the age bias of some rescuers.
On the other end of the spectrum, rescuers are also a bit reticent to adopt a very young dog to older owners because while older owners can make the commitment and spend lots of a time with a dog now, dogs live 10-15 years and rescuers want to make sure that dog is taken care of for the rest of its life. To deal with this problem, I always encourage older owners to demonstrate what they would do with a dog in case they encounter an unexpected health problem. This can be a simple as providing contact information for who would take the dog in case of emergency or some dog owners even write out wills!
So that’s the first of my DOG RESCUE FAQs! I hope you find these helpful. I’d love to hear from you if you have a burning dog rescue question!
Last week my best friend Nell– we went to high school together–was perusing Adopt-A-Pet dreaming about getting a dog (she has wanted a dog but timing hasn’t been right) when she realized oh, I could look for a dog for Betsy; like an anorexic girl baking for her fat friend she dove in looking for the perfect dog for me (in this scenario I’d be the fat friend and she the anorexic- get it?)
Knowing that I wanted another Labbie, Nell sent me the profiles of three dogs- Adopt-A-Pet has a very easy way to share a pet’s profile. She sent a profile for a yellow lab, and two black ones. For some reason- I say divine intervention- only one came through and that was for an Adult Yellow Lab Named Phoenix who was up for adoption through one my favorite rescue groups: Molly’s Mutts & Meows. Okay, so with a friend’s group, good with cats, kids, dogs and on and on. He was so perfect it just couldn’t be real. And yet it was.
While I am friends with Molly, I also know rescues have rules and bylaws. It’s what makes them function and I respect and admire that. Besides, having been the one reading applications for mastiff rescue, I hated people who would not take the time to fill out an application. Just sending in a note saying I’d like to adopt so and so, doesn’t really impress rescuers. If you won’t sit down and do it, what else are you not willing to put effort into. So I immediately– and I mean immediately filled out the application. I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of me getting this dog!
By the way though (good English, right?) being on the adoptee end of things for once in my dog life, I have a new perspective on how crappy it is to fill these things out and then never hear back from anyone, or worse be rejected. The apps ask all sorts of personal questions for good reason (so that the dogs don’t end up back in bad situations similar to the ones they came from) but for the potential adoptee putting some of that stuff on paper to be judged by a nameless faceless entity is kind of creepy and off putting. And to make everyone feel better I, who is arguably the craziest dog person ever, seem to have been rejected or at least passed up on by French Bulldog Rescue. Of course I’m glad that happened now, as I now have Ranger the Perfect one. But last week, I was a mess. I likened it to sending a Match.com prospect a picture of myself in a bathing suit and waiting for a call back. My mind went wild with rejection scenarios and I knew that it was probably a clerical thing, or that they weren’t interested in me because I rent. (Rescuers often prefer to adopt to homeowners because, well before toxic mortgages at least, homeowners were less likely to have to give up a dog due because they couldn’t find a place that took dogs) but it sucked nonetheless.
Anyway, I digress from Ranger (formerly Phoenix). Did I mention that he is perfect?
Thankfully I was able to be in touch with Molly’s group soon after submitting my application and we set up a meeting at the adoption Saturday. Andre (boyfriend) was out of town for the weekend so my mom and Dad came for support. My Dad is my number rescue supporter and fan and was eager for me to get Ranger. We arrived at least 30 minutes before we needed to, just to make sure no one else could stand in my way!
Thankfully we were the first ones there, even before Ranger arrived. There was another great dog there; a petit Aussie Mix with a gorgeous coat and a wonder demeanor who loves kitties, named Cheyenne. Seriously she is edible, and anyone looking for a great dog should check her out. But something in me said Ranger (then Phoenix) was my guy. Watch a Video of sweet Cheyenne below!
But back to Ranger… about 15 minutes after we arrive, he came barreling into the park with his foster mom
He’s shorter than Bella was, and he’s built like a fireplug. 62 lbs of muscle and kisses wearing a big cone on his head (to keep him away from his recent neuter and the stitches on a cut he has on his foot); the goofy guy just made me smile and my parents melt.
Ranger with Me, My Mom & Dad and his foster Kelly!
I filled out the paperwork and followed the appropriate rescue procedures and away we went.
I miss my Bella sooooo much that I still burst into tears at least once or twice a day, particularly when someone sees me with him instead of her for the first time, but having Ranger around makes things quite a bit better. It’s a weird transition though; full emotion ranging from sadness over the loss of my girl and then guilt that I shouldn’t be loving another creature. But I guess that’s the price you pay for loving your dogs as much as i do, and I’m willing to pay it.
Thank you Nell; I love that this dog came from you and to Kelly (Ranger’s Foster Mom), Molly (Molly’s Mutts and Meows) and Karen Perkins (Fetching Companions Lab Rescue) who has been my rock through this whole process of losing Bella and finding Ranger.
I took the plunge and I have adopted (from Molly’s Mutt’s And Meows!) the sweetest Labrador boy and his name is Ranger. He is 62 pounds of Lab Love!
Ranger, Me & JoAnn Worley, Loretta Switt, Jamie Farr, Henry Gibson
More details to follow, but I couldn’t not share the news. Here is a picture of us from yesterday’s Woofstock 90210. His is the squishiest sweetest munchkin ever!
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