Pit Bulls To The Rescue!

Since Pit Bulls get positive press so infrequently, we were thrilled to see this heartwarming story over at www.peoplepets.com about a pair of Colorado Pit Bulls who saved the life of a Chihuahua over the summer:

A regular morning romp through the yard turned into a nightmare for a young Chihuahua named Buster when he was suddenly attacked and taken by a wild coyote in the suburban town of Littleton, Colo. But thanks to two brave pit bull neighbors, the dog survived the frightening encounter and is on the road to a recovery.

Four-year-old Buster had just returned from his morning walk with mom Jodi Robinette on July 31, but wanted a little more play time outside. Having already checked the surroundings of her back yard, Robinette felt it safe to let Buster burn off some active energy while she kept an eye out from her living room couch. But not even 30 seconds later, Robinette was back on her feet.

"I heard him scream like I've never heard an animal scream before," Robinette tells PEOPLEPets.com. "I instantly knew that an animal got him."

After spotting a tail turn the corner of her house, Robinette sprinted to the front of the yard and saw the coyote running off with Buster in his mouth. While Robinette was in pursuit, a pair of pit bulls were on neighborhood watch and ran toward the coyote, on a mission to rescue the poor dog from the vicious abductor. Realizing he was outnumbered, the coyote released Buster and ran off.

"The pits followed my dog underneath a bush, guarding him," Robinette recalls. "[They] lay next to him, licked him and protected him."

Robinette, a neurosurgery coordinator, wrapped the gravely injured canine in a towel and rushed him to Columbine Animal Hospital. Immediately treated for pain and shock, Buster was scheduled for surgery on Aug. 2 to repair damage to his chest wall on both sides. Dr. Lee Bregitzer performed the operation, and is happy to report that Buster is well on the road to recovery — thanks to the quick thinking of the neighboring dogs.

They were "guardian angels for her dog," Dr. Bregitzer says, "disguised as pit bulls."

Robinette has nothing but praise and gratitude for the heroic canines, who stepped in quicker than she ever could have. "[They] were looking out for Buster's best interest against the coyote," Robinette says. "They were looking out for my dog." _____________________________________________________

P.S. Since we couldn't find a photo of the two heroic Pit Bulls who saved Buster, we featured the divine Miss Bristol as our poster Pittie. Bristol is currently available for adoption at Oakland Animal Services and she is such a love! She has clearly had many litters of puppies in her short life and she seems like a natural nurturer. Bristol is a lap dog at heart and she adores snuggling. Click here to learn more about this delightful dog and see a video of her in action!

Paralyzed Dachshund Resource: Dogerslist's Intervertebral Disc Disease DVD

Last month Frankie's mom told us about this useful DVD from Dogerslist that was created with Dachshund parents in mind. It has detailed information about caring for dogs like our Greta, who are affected by Intervertebral Disc Disease, and includes tips for crate rest and step by step instructions for bladder expression. Best of all, the DVD is just $3.00 (including shipping!). Click here to order.

Senior Pet Adoption Stories Part 3: Brownie

Here is the third installment in a series of senior pet adoption stories we are sharing in honor of Adopt-A-Senior-Pet month:

In 2006, Brownie was an 8 year old German short hair pointer and she was in trouble. She was sold right before her 8 th birthday,through a newspaper ad by her original owner. The woman who bought her thought she was a sweet dog, but dropped her off at a local kill shelter after 2 weeks because
Brownie was too nervous around her young kids.

Scared and alone, Brownie quickly lost weight, contracted kennel cough and was put on a TBE list (To Be Euthanized). After all she was 8, sick and virtually unadoptable to a family. Something about this quiet shy girl caught the shelter manager's attention and he moved Brownie to his office. She had peace and quiet for a few weeks, got her medication and he found her foster care. Brownie thrived outside of the shelter: she lived with a nice couple, their dogs and cats. Her foster parents had her for 3 weeks and were about to adopt her when Brownie won a spot on the CanINE Express, a monthly transport from Indiana to New England, giving animals from high kill areas a second chance at life.

Brownie made her way to the NHSPCA, in Stratham NH in August of 2006. Yet again in a shelter environment, Brownie was anxious, very whiny and pacing. Along with her card explaining that she could not live with young kids, she paced and cried, being overlooked by visitors.

My husband and I had been looking that summer for a dog. We researched, knew we wanted to rescue and came across the NHSPCA after going to 8 other shelters and spending numerous hours online. After 2 visits, both times seeing Brownie, we fell IN LOVE.

It has been 4 years of BLISS, and Brownie is happy, healthy and can be around small children. We supervise her and it turns out she just needs a quiet introduction and a bit more time to check out new situations. She has changed our lives So much, it is almost indescribable. I get choked up just thinking how wonderful this dog is. She touches everyone who meets her, as she is so gentle and kind and gives these super soft kisses that melts even the hardest of hearts. She will be our inspiration, even when she crosses over the Rainbow Bridge, to rescue more seniors in the future.

Senior Pet Adoption Stories Part 2: Granny Annie The Tripod

In the second installment of our series of senior pet adoption stories, we present May Lattanzio's touching account of rescuing a three-legged Boston Terrier mix she christened Granny Annie:

Off and on throughout my life, I have worked as a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator and placement volunteer for the local humane society.

I saw the nameless Boston with three legs who was supposedly five years old (approximately) online. Her owner was incarcerated, and she was given to someone else who neglected or mistreated her so much, she was confiscated.

And there she was. Much older than five. Maybe 500. She was scarred on her flanks. Her forehead looks like it was cleaved at one time. She trailed a long cyst sack that swung when she walked. It was heavy. She is missing a front leg. She hobbles; has lumps, bumps and warts all over. She is gray-faced.

Maybe someone would want a special needs dog. I took her home to foster. Granny Annie is no beauty. All dogs are beautiful physically, but poor Annie isn't. But inside that scarred interior lives a shining, golden heart and endless sweetness of character. I was planning to foster her so that she would not be euthanized. Who would want her?

It turned out that I did. To a house full of dogs and cats, she fit right in. If your heart is set on a dog, please adopt one, and don't forget the older ones who aren't pretty anymore; or the black ones who are seldom adopted because of their color. If they have special needs, they have lessons to teach you; like courage, inner strength, patience, gratitude and above all, love.

The Story Of Blind Fred In Honor Of Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month

Since November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month, we will be sharing a series of inspiring stories about people who opened their hearts and homes to extra special "mature" pooches of all shapes and sizes! Here's the heartwarming story of Fred, a blind and deaf Chinese Crested mix who was rescued not just once, but twice:

Eight years ago, a man rescued a tiny dog about six years old who was found wandering the streets of New York City. Most of his hair was gone, his leg had been broken and caused him to limp. He had a terrible scar across his nose. He was going blind and deaf and all of his teeth needed to be removed. This man took him in, named him Fred and nursed him back to health.

Fred was well-loved and cared for. His hair grew back in and I can only imagine he lived a very good life for eight years. Then, just before Thanksgiving 2009, his owner was admitted to hospice care. As a fourteen year old blind, deaf and toothless dog Fred's situation was grim.
Again, he was rescued by someone at a shelter in New York. He was transported to New Jersey by Cares4Pets of Pennsylvania and put in a foster home. His story was posted on www.petfinder.com.

Meanwhile, I was searching petfinder to see if there were still records of my parents' adopted dogs and their happy stories. I accidentally found myself reading about Fred and I started crying. It was just so unfair that he was homeless again after all he'd been through. I was not looking to adopt a dog but I couldn't get Fred out of my mind. A few weeks later, he became my baby.

Fred, who we believe is a Chinese Crested, has a new wardrobe, complete with winter coat. He loves eating, having his hair brushed, exploring his back yard and taking long naps in his new bed. He sometimes goes on short walks or out shopping. When he does, he wears his harness which has a tiny New York license plate with his name on it. This is all Fred has left from his eight years with his daddy - a man who I will never know but who I am forever grateful to for saving Fred's life.

PBS Has Gone To The Dogs!

Tune in tonight for "Dogs Decoded" on PBS to learn all about the science behind the bond between humans and dogs, and new genetic discoveries that illuminate the origin of our best friends. We'll be watching for sure! Click here for the program's website.

Mr. B The Three-Legged Wonder Dog

Mr. B is a tripod Beagle who recently proved his worth as a three-legged hero. When a fire started in his family's Illinois home last week, it was Mr. B who sounded the alarm. Click here to read the full story about this three-legged wonder dog!

Meet Diamond - An Extra Special Girl

There's a new love in my life and her name is Diamond! This beautiful gray brindle Pit Bull mix is one of the sweetest dogs I have met as a volunteer at our local city shelter. Diamond's nurturing instincts are irrepressible and she is happiest when she can act as a surrogate mother for homeless puppies like the little guy show above. It's absolutely adorable to watch them snuggled up together!

Diamond is exceptionally loving and she is also special for another reason: she appears to have been born with a club foot. Her left front paw is severely deformed and turns inward, making it very difficult for her to walk.

Fortunately, Friends of Oakland Animal Services has arranged for Diamond to receive the corrective surgery she desperately needs this week! Stay tuned for updates...