Rebound Hounds

Onyx The Hero Dog Embraces Life On Three Legs

2012-01-28T18:27:00.000-08:00

After unimaginable suffering, Onyx is on the rebound. The one year old lab was found by Kern County Animal Control last September, tied to a wooden post with a bloody severed hind leg.

"It literally looked like it had been chopped off with garden shears," recalls Dr. Daniel Slaton, a veterinarian at Los Angeles' Westlake Village Animal Hospital. "I remember it distinctly, the night he got here. I didn't think he was going to make it. I thought he was going to pass before I could even go to surgery. He was just so dehydrated, septic, his body was in shock because of the infection on his leg. I had never seen anything like it."

In fact, Onyx had endured a horrific home-amputation at the hands of his former owners after he was purportedly hit by a car. The couple was charged with felony animal cruelty and sentenced to jail time and three years of probation.

Thankfully, Onyx's harrowing story has a very happy ending. He made such a deep impression on Dr. Slaton that the vet adopted him. With lots of TLC, Onyx has made a full recovery and he is now a happy-g0-lucky tripod. His latest hobby is surfing in the pool at the Barkley Pet Hotel & Day Spa.

"He's a whole new dog. You couldn't even imagine that this dog went through what he went through," Dr. Slaton told reporters.

Since Onyx's tale of survival and perseverance is so inspiring, he is training to be a therapy dog for children and adults with disabilities. "We thought he would be a good story for kids who have lost limbs and are handicapped. There is a brighter side and you can actually live and have a good quality of life," said the tripod's proud dad, Dr. Slaton.

Video: Three-legged dog hangs ten: wwlp.com

New Year, New Resolutions: Ten Things You Can Do In 2012 To Help Animals

2012-01-25T21:02:00.000-08:00

Hello and Happy New Year everyone! I was feeling inspired to share the list of New Year's resolutions for animals that I made a while back. Feel free to add your own!

1) Adopt your next furry friend from a shelter or rescue group. With millions of homeless cats, dogs, and critters in our country, you are certain to find the perfect companion. Petfinder (www.petfinder.com is a great place to start; you can search by zip code and narrow the results by breed, age, gender, etc. There's even a feature that allows you to find special needs pets, which is an option we always encourage!

2) If you encounter a stray dog or cat, consider stopping to help if the circumstances are safe enough. You could very well save a life. The Humane Society of The U.S. has some good guidelines for rescuing strays: click here to check them out.

3) Please don't patronize pet stores that sell puppies! The overwhelming majority of these dogs originate in puppy mills, inhumane breeding kennels that sacrifice canine health and comfort for profit. Remember, reputable pet shops and supply stores don't sell puppies!

4) Turn your trash into treasure by donating items to your local animal shelter. Old towels and blankets, baby gates, bedding, and even cardboard paper towel tubes can all be put to good use helping homeless animals.

5) Make 2012 the year that you microchip your companion animals if you haven't already. Although microchips are not entirely foolproof, they significantly increase the odds that your pet will be reunited with you if he or she becomes lost.

6) Report cruelty. Because animal cannot speak for themselves, we must advocate for them. Trust your instincts - if you suspect that an animal in your community is being neglected or mistreated, speak up by contacting animal control.

7) Do your part to reduce pet overpopulation - spay and neuter your companion animals and encourage others to do the same.

8) Forgo fur. The Majority of fur sold in the U.S. comes from unregulated farms in China where animals like foxes and raccoon dogs are kept and killed in agony. If you don't want to support cannibalism, electrocution, and commercial cruelty, choose faux or forgo.

9) Be an advocate for a chained dog. In far too many circumstances, dogs are kept chained outdoors, ostensibly to guard the home in which they should live. Dogs are pack animals by nature, so depriving them of companionship, exercise, and interaction is especially inhumane. Furthermore, chained dogs often end up becoming anxious and aggressive. If there is a chained dog in your neighborhood, please consider sharing a letter from Dogs Deserve Better with the owner. You can also contact animal control to see if they can intervene. In some parts of the U.S. (such as California), it is actually illegal to keep a dog chained or tethered for prolonged periods of time.

10) Sign up to volunteer or foster with your local animal shelter. You can have fun, meet other animal lovers, and get lots of puppy love while helping orphaned pets find loving homes!

A Priceless Christmas Gift For Caspar

2011-12-28T20:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a heartwarming story from www.peoplepets.com that really exemplifies what the holiday spirit is all about...

For Caspar the dog it will be a merry Christmas, indeed.

Generous gifts from thousands of strangers has helped pay for life-changing cataract surgery that restored the dog's sight, according to the U.K.'s Express.

"We've been overwhelmed by the generosity of people," said the dog's new owner, Sally Baker, a volunteer with the charity Dogs Friends which initially rescued the puppy in April. "Caspar has touched everyone's hearts. I can't thank everyone enough."

Baker distributed fliers around town in Bristol, England, seeking donations to pay for the dog's $3,000 eye surgery and in a matter of weeks over $10,000 flowed in. The leftover cash has helped fund procedures for three other dogs.

Among the contributors were children who sent in pocket money and a 93-year-old man who shared a portion of his pension, the Express said.

If Caspar could, he'd probably thank each donor personally. "It's completely changed his life," said Baker. "It's gone from one of total darkness to one of light and happiness."

A Rebound Hounds Christmas!

2011-12-24T13:02:00.000-08:00

Season's Greetings from Dewey and Tulip! May your Christmas be merry and bright!

Pit Bull Myths Debunked

2011-12-15T23:05:00.000-08:00

From the beginning, we knew that having Tulip, our little Pit Bull/American Staffordshire Terrier mix, would mean having to confront negative stereotypes. Nonetheless, it has been surprising to realize just how much misinformation about Pit Bulls is out there. People's reactions to Tulip range from joy to fear, or worse, outright hostility.

There are times during our walks when she is decked out in her hot pink hoodie, tail in full-on wag mode, ready to greet anyone and everyone with a smile, and people will still cross the street to avoid passing her. Other dog owners will forbid playtime or socialization at the park (an elderly man went so far as to attempt to attack her with his cane when she tried to play with his dog). Colleagues in my field (social services) have expressed their concern about Tulip's ability to safely interact with kids, citing their inaccurate belief that Pit Bulls have "locking jaws" and "attack children." Someone from a different regional office actually told me point blank at a conference, "there are people here who would quit if Pit Bulls were allowed in our office."

My husband really hit the nail on the head recently when he came to the sad conclusion that Tulip will always be guilty until proven innocent in many public situations.

Even though it often feels like an uphill battle, I am personally determined to debunk as many myths about Pit Bulls and Bully Breeds as I can, not just for Tulip, but for all of the wonderful pitties that I have met through my animal welfare work. These dogs simply don't deserve the stigma!

BADRAP, a fantastic Pit Bull advocacy organization based here in the San Francisco Bay Area, addresses a list of the most common "monster myths" on their website. Here are some of the common ones that we have encountered, along with accurate and factual information to disprove them:

Aren't Pit Bulls MEAN and VICIOUS?
No more vicious than golden retrievers, beagles or other popular dogs! In yearly tests of over 240 dog breeds by the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS), pit bulls consistently achieve a passing rate that's as good or better than the other most popular breeds. How did your favorite breed do? Check here: www.atts.org

In the ATTS test, a dog is put through a series of confrontational situations. Any sign of panic or aggression leads to failure of the test. The achievement of pit bulls in this study disproves once and for all the old tired belief that pit bulls are inherently aggressive to people. Like any breed of dog, a healthy pit bull that is properly raised will reflect the good care his owners have invested in him.
Don't Pit Bulls eventually TURN ON THEIR OWNERS?
No. Healthy pit bulls with stable temperaments are succeeding in countless homes across the continent. Dogs that bite people are typically troubled individuals, set up to fail by irresponsible and/or reckless owners who've ignored or disregarded the classic warning signs that come with nearly any dog bite. In general, biting dogs have been set up to fail by improper handling, abuse and/or damaged genetics. Profiling dog breeds works against the goal of reducing dog bites. Bite prevention education resources such as these offered by the AVMA can help build safe, humane communities without resorting to the kind of ineffective paranoia that comes from targeting select breeds. For a well researched source of information on canine aggression, visit The National Canine Research Council by clicking here.
Don't Pit Bulls have LOCKING JAWS?
Don't be silly. A pit bull's ability to "lock on" with its jaws is one whopper of a myth that refuses to let go. There is no 'enzyme,' no special mechanism that would make a pitbull's jaws 'lock.' They're DOGS, not alligators. Need proof? After research, Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin, University of Georgia concluded, "We found that the American Pit Bull Terriers did not have any unique mechanism that would allow these dogs to lock their jaws. There were no mechanical or morphological differences..."

The same silliness shows up with myths about bite pressure. Don't buy into media hype... it'll steer you wrong every time. Find bite pressure fact checking, reported by The National Canine Research Council (NCRC) by clicking here.
Don't Pit Bulls have to be TRAINED TO FIGHT?
NO! Pit bulls are terriers, and terriers tend to be scrappy with other animals if unsocialized, poorly managed or otherwise left to their own devices. Just as farmers have used Jack Russell Terriers to do battle with badgers, foxes and other animals, unscrupulous people have exploited the terrier drive in pit bulls against other dogs for 'entertainment' purposes. Like any breed of dog, pit bulls can run the gamut from very dog aggressive to exceptionally dog friendly and each dog shares some potential to fight other dogs if mismanaged. Avoiding dog fights involves understanding terrier traits and basic canine behavior in general. More info:

• Dog-Tolerance Levels: Dog/Dog
• Living well with: Multitiple Dogs
• Socializing your pit bull: Socializing

A properly socialized, well managed pit bull should never find himself in a dogfight because he's accustomed to the presence of other dogs and - IMPORTANT! - he has a smart and responsible owner willing to keep him safe from situations that could invite the unhappy possibility of a scuffle.
Are pit bulls unpredictable around CHILDREN?
Pit bulls have enjoyed a long history as favorite children's companions and family pets. When well socialized and properly raised, they're the perfect breed to tolerate the rough and tumble play that kids can dish out. Pit bulls tend to be drawn to the joyful optimism of children and love to meet them with tails a'waggin! Some dogs may not be suitable with young children because they could knock them down in their exuberance. Common sense dictates that children should be taught how to properly interact with dogs (of EVERY breed) and should never be left alone with a dog unsupervised.

Tulip's Amazing Transformation

2011-12-12T22:30:00.000-08:00

When I first brought Tulip home at the beginning of April, she was suffering from a terrible case of advanced demodectic mange. Found as a stray, she didn't even have a name, just a number: 01527. The sad reality is that she was never going to make it out of the shelter in the shape she was in. Here is our first picture of Tulip, taken a week after we began fostering her...

She spent the first few weeks sleeping almost around the clock. The poor thing was so weak from the mange and the secondary infections that had invaded her body, that she hardly had any energy to play. It's easy to forget how lethargic she was back then, considering that we can barely keep up with her now!

Our first impulse was to name her Rosie since she was so pink. We even called her Rosie for a few days, but it didn't seem exactly right. I always think that Pit Bulls and Pit mixes benefit from soft names, so we tried out a few more floral monikers including Lily and Violet. At the time, we had just moved into our first house, and an unexpected cluster of tulips popped up in the front yard. Our mangy little friend paused to sniff them one day, and we suddenly had the perfect name...

The mange treatment involved medicated baths several times a week, and Tulip was an extremely good sport. She has always been very stoic, and this quality is something that I genuinely love about her.
By the end of May, Tulip began to noticeably improve. Her playful spirit started to shine through and we enjoyed getting to see her personality emerge. Her immune system improved enough so that we could start visiting dog parks and beaches and letting Tulip have a normal doggie social life.

After several months of providing foster care for Tulip, we needed to make a decision: would we adopt the spunky little pound puppy who had wiggled her way into our hearts, or would we let the shelter find her a loving home and continue to foster other dogs. It was difficult to choose, but ultimately we just couldn't imagine life without our Tulip.

We went back to the vet for one final mange check-up last Friday. After more than eight months of treatment (antibiotics for her secondary skin infections, Mitaban dips, medicated shampoo, and daily doses of Ivermectin), she was officially diagnosed as being mite-free!!!

To remind myself how far our girl has come, I took a look back at all the pictures from the spring and summer. It's really amazing to see how Tulip has transformed since we first met her as a scared, sickly pup. She is a true joy with a thirst for fun in all forms, from frolicking at the beach to chasing sticks at the park, and her infectious good-nature can't help but rub off on us.

A Thanksgiving Rescue

2011-11-30T20:27:00.000-08:00

An Oakland police officer found this injured Shepherd mix on the side of the road late on Thanksgiving night. It appeared that he had been hit by a car and left to die. The OPD officer immediately rushed the pooch to an emergency animal hospital, where the veterinarians on duty determined that he had two badly broken legs. Friends of Oakland Animal Services (FOAS) was contacted, and agreed to help cover the pup's medical expenses, including his x-rays. When German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California stepped in and offered to provide foster care and find him an adoptive home, the lucky boy's fortune turned yet again. What a wonderful expample of human kindness at work, with folks willing to pitch in on Thanksgiving night in order to save a deserving dog's life!

Old Souls In Need Of Forever Families

2011-11-20T20:58:00.000-08:00

Fluffy

Cider

Precious

Meika

Casper

Between the tough economy and the pet overpopulation crisis, animal shelters across the country are overflowing with dogs, cats, and critters of all shapes and sizes. While all homeless animals are worthy of adoption, senior pets are often the ones at greatest risk in shelters. November is Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month, and I wanted to share some compelling reasons to open your heart and home to an old soul. The five dogs shown here - Fluffy, Cider, Precious, Meika, and Casper - are all available for adoption through Muttville Senior Dog Rescue. If their portraits aren't quite enough to convince you that you could benefit from having a senior canine in your life, here is OldDog Haven's list of ten reasons why adopting a mature pooch is a great idea:

Older dogs, especially those that come to us, settle in easily and are more than ready and willing to bond with you and your family.

What you see is what you get with older dogs. They’ve already grown into themselves in all ways.

An older dog probably won’t need a great deal of exercise, and will really appreciate quality time with you and a good nap. And of course, your socks and underwear will remain intact.

Older dogs generally like to watch the same programs on TV that you do, so you won’t have to learn to enjoy cartoons.

Many older dogs have already experienced rides in the car and walking on leash, so they’re instant companions and ready to continue those activities with you.

Older dogs have figured out what humans are all about and are willing and eager to add new information to their knowledge of human behavior. Old dogs can absolutely learn new tricks!

Older dogs are very grateful for the second chance they’ve been given and are very good at giving and receiving love.

There’s absolutely nothing like the smile you get from older dogs—especially dogs that haven’t felt like smiling in awhile, but now have reasons to smile because you love them.

Older dogs are looking for human companions who will value their wisdom and their slow pace. They have their very own special appeal.

When you adopt older dogs, you can erase any unpleasant past experiences that they’ve had by loving them and caring for them. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Sparky The Deaf Dachshund Finds A Home Among Deaf Students

2011-11-13T20:03:00.000-08:00

The students at the Missouri School for the Deaf know what it's like to be ostracised due to a hearing impairment. That's why Sparky, the resident Dachshund, fits in so well. He's deaf, too.

Before Sparky came to live at the school earlier this year, he was in danger of being euthanized because he was born without the ability to hear. Fortunately, Sparky made it into the Puppies for Parole program, an initiative of the Missouri Department of Corrections where inmates train rescue dogs in order to make them more adoptable. When the eight week prison training program was complete, the inmates decided they wanted Sparky to live with deaf youth.

The superintendent of the Missouri School for the Deaf, Barbara Garrison, jumped at the chance to introduce Sparky to her students. "He fits perfectly here," she told the Fulton Sun. "Because these kids hear all the time what they can't do. We try to tell them what they can do. He likes his new deaf family here."

Sparky responds to commands in American Sign Language, and knows "sit," "stay," "lie down" and other basics as well as any pooch. With help from the students, he is learning more all the time.

Sparky has made such a positive impact at the school that another deaf four-legged friend from Puppies for Parole may be joining him in the near future.

Helping Your Dog Rebound After An Amputation

2011-11-07T19:06:00.000-08:00

Keeping Your Three-Legged Dog Healthy
by Dana Standish
Originally appearing in The Bark, Issue #37, Jul/Aug 2006

Three legs to stand on
A really expensive car can go from zero to 60 in less than six seconds, but that car would have nothing on Harvey, a seven-month-old Mastiff/Husky mix, who went from being an $85 dog to a $2,000 dog in less than four hours. That’s how long it took Harvey to be adopted from the Tacoma Humane Society, perform a cursory inspection of his new home on the fourth floor of an apartment building in Seattle, race out onto the outside terrace to check out the dog house and vault over the surrounding hip wall. Harvey hit an awning, landed on the sidewalk and ended up in the emergency room with a badly broken right rear leg that later had to be amputated. “The vet said they usually try to pin the leg first,” says Lindsey Votava, who had fallen in love with Harvey on Petfinder.com, “but with the extent of Harvey’s injury it would have been like trying to put together a bag of potato chips.”

Votava and her husband, Leif Dalan, were clear that having Harvey’s leg amputated would give him the best chance of recovery. Trying to save the leg would have doubled their vet bill and meant they would have had to immobilize Harvey for up to eight weeks, which would have violated several of the laws of physics. “Harvey walked up the stairs after his surgery,” recalls Votava, and never missed a beat. He maintains a wicked Frisbee schedule at the dog park and does everything a four-legged dog does, except “he can’t scratch his ear.” They give him glucosamine for his joints and try to keep him from overexercising so that he doesn’t injure his remaining limbs. “We have to think for him,” Votava says. “That jumping off the roof was how he is. He’s a totally go, go, go kind of dog.”

It’s not unusual these days for a dog to lose a leg, generally for one of two reasons: they suffer some sort of accident or trauma, like Harvey’s, or they develop bone cancer or other bone disease. The latter is what happened to Bernie, an eight-year-old Rottweiler whose left front leg was amputated in January. Bernie was recovering nicely from surgery to her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) when her guardian, Tom Tilden, noticed she was limping and not bouncing back as quickly as he had expected. An X-ray showed bone cancer. “The first vet we consulted suggested giving her painkillers until the pain got to be too bad and then having her put down,” says Tilden. “We found another doctor.”

Bernie’s situation is completely different from Harvey’s. Harvey is lean and lost a rear leg while he was still a puppy; he was able to adjust immediately. Bernie is a stockier breed and lost a front leg relatively late in her life. “The front leg accounts for approximately 70 percent of the dog’s strength and balance,” says Sheila Wells, a hydrotherapist in Seattle who works with Bernie several times per week. “That is why front-leg amputees often have a more difficult time adjusting to their new state. The rear can follow but the front has to lead.”

Keeping the Tripod Dog Healthy
Wells, who has been operating her canine hydrotherapy studio, Wellsprings, since 1995, has a special fondness for three-legged dogs. When she was a child, her uncle had a Border Collie, Trixie, whose front leg had to be amputated after she got into a jam with a poisonous jellyfish in Sooke Harbour, British Columbia. “My uncle’s veterinarian told me, ‘Swim her,’” says Wells. Wells saw the benefits of this type of therapy, and a career was born. “Trixie lived another 10 years, during which she raced around like the wind.”

Wells says that in her experience, most three-legged dogs are “very highly functioning.” Some dogs do better than others, depending on their size (smaller dogs have an easier time), age and other physical problems. “The biggest challenge a dog faces when it loses a limb,” says Wells, “is that it has to relearn proprioception, which means it needs to get a new idea of where its body is in space and how to balance; it’s like the bubble in a level.” The most important challenge for tripod-dog owners, she says, is to protect the remaining limbs; often people will let the dog overdo it, and that ends up putting undue stress on the dog’s joints, which can lead to injuries and arthritis. She recommends that owners observe the following checklist to keep the three-legged dog healthy for as long as possible:

• Protect remaining limbs
• Put a sock/pad on the “elbow” of the remaining leg (to prevent calluses and pressure sores)
• Keep the dog’s weight down
• Take care of the dog’s skin and pads
• Exercise the dog regularly (walking is good; swimming is best)
• Assist or monitor the dog on stairs
• Monitor the dog’s activity level and don’t let him or her overdo it
• Give glucosamine, fish oils and other anti-inflammatory supplements
• Maintain a good diet and good overall health
• For front leg amputations, use a car seat harness with wide chest bands
• Invest in a “wheelchair,” if necessary, to help with mobility

How Many Tripods Are There?
It would be impossible to determine how many tripod dogs there are in the United States, says Sally Wortman, hospital administrator of Pets Unlimited, a major veterinary hospital and shelter in the San Francisco Bay area, though she estimates they do two to three amputations per month. Pets Unlimited treats approximately 50,000 animals per year. “We take in animals from other shelters, animals that don’t have many other opportunities,” says Wortman.

One of those animals was Wortman’s Clover, a one-and-a-half-year-old Pointer/Border Collie mix who arrived at the shelter with a badly broken right front leg that had to be amputated. “She was up and running the day after surgery,” says Wortman. “She’s a very athletic dog. She keeps up with the Greyhounds at the park. She’s inspiring to everyone who sees her.” Wortman says that she has noticed that people’s acceptance of three-legged dogs is growing. “Before, perhaps, people would have thought it was sad that she was missing a limb. But that has changed. I was recently at the dog park and met a couple whose baby had a paralyzed right arm. They said to me, ‘I wish we could get a three-legged dog so our child could grow up to think it was okay to be missing a limb.’”

“We always try to save the limb first,” says Thomas Mason, director of veterinary services at Pets Unlimited, “though sometimes this is much more expensive and requires more rehabilitation.” An amputation typically costs $1,200, while it may cost up to $3,000 to try to salvage the limb.

Before doing an amputation, a vet must decide if the dog is a good candidate. “We assess the animal’s overall physical condition. If the dog has arthritis in the other legs, for instance, he wouldn’t be such a good candidate. Amputation causes wear and tear on the other joints.” Many times, says Mason, a vet will end up taking off a dog’s entire leg, even if the trauma or the cancer is low down on the “ankle” joint. “Because of the way dogs walk, you end up with a lot of problems if you leave some of the limb. It would just get in the way. Most of the time, amputation is more cosmetically acceptable.”

Martin Kaufmann would like to see a change to this type of practice. Kaufmann, of www.OrthoPets.com, makes prosthetics and orthotics for both “two-legged and four-legged animals and any variation in the middle.” His goal is “to get the animal world up to speed with what we’re doing with humans.” He began his practice with animals four years ago, after a cousin’s Schnauzer suffered a stroke and lost the function in its right front leg. Kaufmann began studying animal anatomy books and learned that the muscle and bone terminology in dogs is almost exactly what it is in humans. Now, 30 percent of his practice is making artificial limbs and braces for animals, mostly dogs. “When three-legged dogs are brought to me, when they are amputated way up at the joint, there aren’t many options,” he says. Too often he sees animals who had cancer in the “wrist” joint.

“The vets tend to think of it as a useless limb and amputate way up at the top. That makes it almost impossible to build a prosthesis. We need at least one joint in order for the animal to be able to operate” with a prosthetic limb. Kaufmann explains that since this is a new field and he is one of only a few people doing this type of prosthetic work, not many vets know of this option. But he is trying to spread the word. “For limb preservation, it’s important to salvage as much of the limb as possible, or as many joints as possible.” If the limb has already been amputated at the top, he recommends having the dog use a cart to maintain the weight distribution on the leg that’s left. “Compounding forces on the remaining leg can cause arthritis from overuse. If the animal loses the remaining leg, what does it have left?”

Whether a dog loses a leg due to trauma or disease, most often he or she will bounce back and learn to adjust. As Sheila Wells points out, dogs don’t have the same stigma that we would have about losing a limb. “Some don’t ever notice their leg is missing,” she says. “Usually a leg that has been taken off has been painful for a long time and the dog is already used to not using that leg. When they get it removed, their whole demeanor changes because they can run around without being in pain. There’s no reason a three-legged dog has to be disabled.”

Pets With Disabilities Shine In Portrait Series By Photographer Carli Davidson

2011-11-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

From www.peoplepets.com

Photographer Carli Davidson was hanging out at an Oregon beach a few years ago when she saw a German shepherd playing fetch with his owner. The dog also happened to be in a wheelchair.

"The dog seemed perfectly happy, and they were happy hanging out with each other," Davidson says. "It gave me the idea that I could create something that showed people we should keep animals around."

So Davidson, whose work centers around animals, began the Pets with Disabilities Project, taking portraits of Portland-area pets that are blind or in wheelchairs, but are 100-percent happy.

"Aside from how I personally anthropomorphize these animals as being inspiring, they don't really act different than other animals," she says. "They're totally just cats and dogs. It's amazing to see how little they're affected by their disabilities." ___________________________________________________

To learn more about Carli Davidson's Pets with Disabilities photo project, visit her website: www.carlidavidson.com

Happy Halloween From Tulip & Dewey!

2011-10-31T16:53:00.001-07:00

What good is Halloween if you can't take the liberty of dressing up your pets?!? This evening Tulip and Dewey will be greeting trick-or-treaters as a banana split and Lord Dracula. Happy Halloween from your friends, the Rebound Hounds!

Bark All About It! October Is National Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month

2011-10-25T21:15:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you visited your local animal shelter? Chances are that you may be pleasantly surprised! One of the concerns that I commonly hear when I people find out that I'm a shelter volunteer is that it would be "too depressing" to see all of the cats, dogs, and critters waiting for homes (yes, Mom, I'm referring to you!). On the contrary, I want to spread the word that a trip to an animal shelter can actually be incredibly heartwarming. Not only do you get to encounter passionate volunteers and staff who are dedicated to rescuing animals, you also have the opportunity to find a new adoring friend! Adoption fees are often reduced for senior pets and animals that may be typically overlooked, so the cost of adopting from a shelter is usually very reasonable and much more affordable than purchasing an animal from a breeder. Also, it's unlikely that you need to worry about the fate of the pets you don't adopt. In most shelters, once an animal is cleared for adoption, it will almost always be held until it is adopted into a new home. Adopting from a shelter is really a win-win situation: you can help make room for more homeless pets to be housed safely, and you can add a huge dose of four (or three) legged love into your life. Your new best friend may just be waiting at the local SPCA, Humane Society, or animal control facility in your town! Check out www.petfinder.com to browse the profiles of adoptable dogs like Lovey, Gloria, Ragoo, Romeo, Katy Perry, Franklin, and Tanya.

LOVEY

GLORIA

RAGOO

ROMEO (AKA "MIGHTY MITE")

KATY PERRY
FRANKLIN

TANYA

WINNIE

Healing Harper

2011-10-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

Taking A Stand Against The Dalmatian Club Of America's Position On Dalmatian Deafness

2011-10-02T22:30:00.000-07:00

Deafness affects a significant number of Dalmatians. In a Louisiana State University study that tested the hearing of 5,638 Dalmatians, 21.7% (1,226 dogs) were found to be unilaterally deaf, and 7.8% (441 dogs) were found to be bilaterally deaf. The study also tested other dog breeds including Bull Terriers, Australian Cattle Dogs, and Cocker Spaniels, among others, but deafness was found to be most prevalent among Dalmatians.

Tragically, the Dalmatian Club of America's response to this wide-spread phenomenon is unequivocal: The club is adamant that all deaf Dalmatian puppies should be "destroyed." In their position statement, the DCA's board of governors encourages owners of deaf Dalmatians to have their animals euthanized: "Consider starting over with a healthy, hearing pup. (And DO have the deaf dog put down)."

The Dalmatian Club of America has the same message for animal rescue organizations: "If you are affiliated with an animal shelter, humane society, or dog rescue service, please do not attempt to place the deaf Dalmatian puppies and adults that come in, and do not advertise for a 'special home' for the 'poor little deaf Dalmatian. The HUMANE approach is to put down the deaf Dals and concentrate on finding good homes for the healthy hearing dogs."

The club's rationale is that "Deaf Dalmatians are hard to raise, difficult to control (they are often hit by cars when they 'escape'), and often become snappish or overly aggressive, especially when startled."

Statements like these are far more reflective of fears as opposed to facts. Myths about deaf dogs abound, and people who have had little or no experience with hearing impaired pooches may mistakenly believe, as the Dalmatian Club of America does, that they are prone to aggression, hard to train, and difficult to care for.

In reality, deaf dogs are very much like other dogs. They cope with their limitations by learning to use other abilities. Hearing is but one of five senses, and a dog's primary sense is smell.

Furthermore, the Ontario SPCA reminds us humans that "dogs communicate primarily through body language and are very adept at nonverbal communication." Because we place so much emphasis on verbal communication, we tend to forget that our canine companions are incredibly skilled at interpreting visual cues. This film clip is a perfect example:

Deaf dogs like Olivia enjoy playing games:

And here's Holly, a deaf Dalmatian who is an agility competitor:

These three Dalmatians are living proof that deaf dogs can in fact be trained to learn tricks and follow commands. Their deafness is not nearly as debilitating as the Dalmatian Club of America suggests. On the contrary, these dogs appear to be thriving!

Here is what people who know and love hearing impaired dogs will tell you: these pooches are not inherently more aggressive than other dogs; they can live in harmony with children and other pets; raising and training them is not especially difficult, it just requires a different vocabulary; a lack of hearing does not drastically diminish their quality of live; and above all, deaf dogs make wonderful companions and family members!

The reality is that the Dalmatian Club of America has dramatically overestimated the drawbacks of canine hearing impairment. It is grossly irresponsible for the organization to promote such negative misinformation related to deaf Dalmatian puppies and adults, and to advocate for the killing of otherwise healthy, adoptable dogs.

Please join me in taking a stand against the Dalmatian Club of America and their policy on Dalmatian deafness. Contact the club's officers and board of governors to let them know that their position is outrageously inaccurate, inhumane, and unnecessary: www.thedca.org/Board.html

Amazing Gracie: A Deaf Senior Dog Touches Lives

2011-09-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

It's always heartwarming to learn how pets, particularly those with physical limitations, enrich the lives of their human companions. This touching "happy tail" from www.petfinder.com is a beautiful demonstration of animal sensitivity, and it's perfectly timed since Deaf Animal Awareness Week is celebrated at the end of September each year.

Happy Tail: A Deaf Senior Helps Three Grieving Girls
by Joan, Happy Tails editor

Special-needs pets often have trouble finding homes, and the challenge is even greater for pets with special needs who are no longer young. So when Sheltie Shack Rescue in Riley, KS, took in Gracie, an 11-year-old Sheltie, they knew her chances of being adopted were slim: A retired breeder, Gracie was not only old, she was also totally deaf.

She had been in another home for a year and was then relinquished because the family said she didn't fit into their lifestyle. Sheltie Shack's volunteers knew they needed to cast a wide net to find a special person for this special dog, so they listed her on Petfinder.

That special person was Beth Arnold of Gurnee, IL. When she saw the pooch on Petfinder, it was love at first sight. "My husband and I hesitated to bring another dog into our home, as we already had three, but there was something telling us to do it," Beth says.

Their gut feeling wasn't wrong. Gracie has fit into the Arnolds' household without a hitch, and her deafness has not been an impediment. What has been amazing for the Arnolds to discover is Gracie's sensitivity to people's emotional needs. A case in point: A few weeks ago, Beth's niece passed away at age 31, leaving three young girls motherless. Beth went to Michigan for a week to be with the family, taking Gracie along.

Usually Gracie sticks to Beth like glue, but in Michigan, "Gracie never left those little girls' sides," Beth says. "Carina especially needed her." It's not an isolated case. "I don't know how Gracie senses it, but she always gravitates to the ones who need her most," Beth says. "She always goes to the people who are hurting."

Though the Arnolds rescued Gracie, to Beth, Gracie herself is the rescuer. She's the family's amazing Gracie.

Healing HEART Sanctuary: A Place Where Special Animals Are Welcome

2011-09-21T22:30:00.000-07:00

At a recent pet adoption fair that Michael, Dewey, Tulip and I attended, we discovered an amazing animal rescue group that is devoted exclusively to disabled animals - talk about an organization after my own heart!

Healing HEART Sanctuary is currently based in Kanab, Utah (although they hope to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area at some point in the future), and is home to a colorful cast of permanent residents. They include Dorie, a cheerful white goat with two amputated back legs, Precious, a Rottweiler mix who sustained a broken back as a puppy, and Eaton, a three-footed African Sulcata Tortoise.

Additionally, Healing HEART strives to re-home special needs animals such as Scooter-Boots, an affectionate tuxedo cat with hind leg paralysis. Scooter-Boots likes to chase dogs around in her wheelchair, and is particularly fond of extended ear scratching sessions. Click here to get adoption information about this special kitty and learn why one of her nicknames is "Miss Manners."

A key component of Healing HEART's approach is to match children and teens who are physically, mentally, or emotionally challenged with the sanctuary's disabled animals. The idea is that the youth who are involved with the animals' recovery/rehabilitation process can learn "that happiness need not be dependent upon circumstances" and get to experience joy, gratitude, and love.

After meeting Executive Director Laura Bradshaw in person, and reading more about her incredible vision, it's clear to me that Healing HEART is a labor of love in the truest sense. I encourage all of my fellow animal lovers to visit the Healing HEART website (http://www.healingheartsanctuary.org/) and get acquainted with this wonderful organization!

Friends Throughout The Decades: Vintage Pit Bull Pictures

2011-09-14T23:20:00.000-07:00

Save The Date! The Friends Of Oakland Animal Services Benefit Party Is This Saturday!

2011-09-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

If you will be in the San Francisco Bay Area this Saturday, September 10th please join Friends of Oakland Animal Services for their 4th annual fundraiser: Sweet! Pawsitivity for Oakland's Animals. Admission is only $10 and the event will feature live music, food and wine, a silent auction of animal-themed artwork, and many more delights for pet lovers! As an Oakland Animal Services volunteer, I can assure you that every single dollar Friends of OAS receives will help save and rehabilitate abused, neglected, injured, and homeless animals. Click here to learn more about some of the lives saved by Friends of OAS. For additional details about Sweet! Pawsitivity for Oakland's Animals, email me at reboundhounds@yahoo.com

Thinking Of Greta Seven Months After Her Passing

2011-09-05T21:55:00.000-07:00

Not a day goes by when I don't think of Greta. She was such an integral part of our lives for over five years, and memories of her spirited little personality are still fresh in my mind. The other night I spent a long time looking at old photos from our first year together, before she lost her vision and mobility. We always knew Greta as a lady of advanced years (she was estimated to be around 12 when we adopted her from Coast To Coast Dachshund Rescue), but she was definitely more spry during that first year and a half, and the three of us enjoyed many walks and excursions together. Here are some of my favorite pictures from those days, when we were first getting to know the special girl who would touch our heart in such immeasurable ways...

Tulip's First Swim!

2011-08-30T20:18:00.001-07:00

Based on Miss Tulip's enthusiasm for baths, puddles, streams, creeks, and her kiddie pool, I've been harboring a hunch that she is a water dog at heart. This was confirmed last weekend when she finally got the chance to take her first real swim at Pyramid Lake in Northern Nevada. With help from my niece, she took to the water like a fish, and we could hardly get her back on dry land. Stay tuned for photos from more swimming adventures, since they are sure to be frequent!

Celebrating Three Years With Our Tripod Dog Dewey!!!

2011-08-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

Three years ago this month, I met Dewey for the first time at the animal shelter where I used to work in Washington. I had just returned from vacation and was settling back into my office when a coworker asked if I had seen the little dog that looked “just like Greta.” At this point, we had no intention of adopting a second dog, but of course my curiosity was peaked. I asked another colleague in the admissions department if we had recently received a Dachshund and she replied “Oh…you mean the one with three legs?” Well, you can probably imagine the look of surprise and interest that crossed my face! After learning that Dewey was a tripod, I knew I had to meet him.

The picture above is from the day I first saw him. The poor little guy was in really rough shape. He wasn’t neutered and had a bad case of fleas, terribly overgrown toenails, bald patches on his ears, and a mouth full of rotten teeth. All that was known about him was that he was picked up as a stray in Spokane with a collar reading “Duke.” From the look of things, he had been fending for himself for quite a while.

Many people believe that animals choose us, and it was most definitely true in this case. As soon as I cracked open the kennel door, Dewey jumped right into my arms and clung on for all he was worth. All of my resolve melted and I was instantly smitten! Several days later he came home as our foster dog…

It didn’t take long for us to realize that the name Duke just didn’t fit our new pooch, and plus, I didn’t want to continue any associations with his sad past. So in the course of just a few days, Duke became Dewey, Greta gained a brother, and we discovered the amazing world of tripod dogs!

Can You Correctly Identify A Pit Bull?

2011-08-17T21:28:00.000-07:00

Pit Bulls have been making headlines after the terrible fatal dog mauling of Darla Napora in Pacifica, CA last week, and unfortunately, the press around this tragedy has fueled the misguided hysteria and hatred that plagues Pit Bulls. Although the un-neutered dog that killed Darla has been referred to a as Pit Bull from the start, he apparently weighed 125 pounds. As Pittie parents know, this is almost unfathomable. Tulip barely tops 40 pounds, and it's difficult to imagine even the most massive male Pit weighing three times that. My hunch is that Darla's dog is being misidentified as a Pit Bull, when it's much more likely that he was some sort of Pit mix or perhaps a different breed/mix altogether.

Dogs who are responsible for human attacks are commonly identified as Pit Bulls even when they are not. There are a variety of dog breeds that can be easily confused with Pits, including Boxers, Bulldogs, and Bullmastiffs. This is just one reason why breed specific legislation ("BSL") and breed bans are ineffective and unjust.

To illustrate just how hard it can be to correctly pinpoint a Pittie, check out this line-up of 25 dogs and see if you can correctly determine which one is actually an American Pit Bull Terrier. I'll admit that it took me several guesses before I picked the right one!

Find The Pit Bull

"Strong In Spirit" Motorcycle Ride Raises Awareness & Funds For Special Needs Animals

2011-08-14T16:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday David DiNicola embarked on a ten day, 4,000 mile motorcycle journey from Massachusetts to California in order to raise awareness and funds for special needs animals. David's inspiration for the ride came from his late rescued German Shepherd, KaDee, who used a custom wheelchair from Eddie's Wheels during the last few years of her life.

David hopes to raise $100,000 for two animal welfare organizations: The Berkshire Humane Society, where he first adopted KaDee as a puppy, and the Catskill Animal Sanctuary, which provides a safe haven for abused and abandoned farm animals, including a blind calf named Helen and Atlas the goat, who also uses an set of Eddie's Wheels to get around.

You can follow David's cross-country ride here: http://casanctuary.org/events/strong-in-spirit

Tripod Needs A Home!

2011-08-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

Tripod has three legs, but he doesn't seem to know it. He is a spirited little Chihuahua mix who is currently available for adoption at Oakland Animal Services, where I volunteer. He came to the shelter as a stray with an injured hind leg, and the damage was extensive enough that it needed to be amputated. Life on three legs has not slowed Tripod down a bit, though: he is an eight pound bundle of energy! He hops around quite contentedly and is remarkably fast. We were playing together yesterday and he chased after a tennis ball at a speed that would put his fellow four-legged friends to shame. Tripod is estimated to around five years old - a great age for a small dog! Feel free to email me at reboundhounds@yahoo.com for adoption information.

A New Leg For Motala The Elephant

2011-08-06T11:44:00.000-07:00

And The Answer To Suzie's Breed Mystery Is...

2011-08-03T19:45:00.000-07:00

Most people assume that Suzie is a Pit Bull. However, when she was tested, her breed was determined to be Boxer, Dalmation, and Border Collie. It just goes to show that you can’t judge a book, a person or a dog by their cover.

We get all types of dogs at the shelter who have a long heritage of different breeds. Often, these dogs get the best behavior traits of many different types of breeds and end up looking nothing like what you might expect. This is why breed specific legislation that bans a specific breed can be so devastating because these bans not only unfairly ban a specific breed but they also lump all dogs that look like that breed together. We always say that the best thing is to get to know a dog by it’s behavior rather than what he/she looks like.

Can You Guess This Girl's Breed???

2011-07-27T21:25:00.000-07:00

Sweet Suzie is a senior mixed-breed pooch who was adopted from Oakland Animal Services, where I volunteer. Can you correctly guess her breed(s)???? Stay tuned for the answer at the end of the week...

Ocean Beach Adventure

2011-07-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

The sun finally came out today after an unseasonable five day cold spell and we enjoyed an afternoon at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. It was Tulip's second time visiting the ocean and she loved it. She doesn't know how to swim yet, but she definitely seems interested in learning! Dewey, on the other hand, tried to stay as far away from the water as possible, and pillage people's picnics...

Dewey's Siesta Sombrero

2011-07-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

Back in May, I flew through Phoenix on the way to visit my Grandma on the East Coast. I got to while away some time in the gift shops at the airport, and once I laid eyes on this little souvenir sombrero I knew that it was a very necessary addition to three-legged Dewey's wardrobe. He was a remarkably good sport about modeling it back home in California, but it did seem to make him very sleepy...

Summer Reading Recommendation: The BARK Magazine Jun/Aug Issue!

2011-07-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already, I highly recommend getting your paws on the summer 2011 issue of The BARK magazine. It's loaded with great stories, including a thought provoking piece by Steve Smith from Rolling Dog Ranch about the difficulties involved with providing humanely sourced pet food (check it out by clicking HERE), a guest editorial that addresses misguided Pit Bull breed bans in some Canadian provinces, and a fantastic article by Dana Standish - Living With A Deaf Dog (This particular piece is not available online, but it's definitely worth buying a copy of The BARK just to read this excellent and informative story).

Happy Independence Day From Tulip & Dewey!

2011-07-04T17:49:00.001-07:00

The Rebound Hounds wish you and your furry friends a safe and happy 4th of July!

Prosthetics Give Naki'o The Dog A New Leash On Life

2011-06-29T15:25:00.001-07:00

It's Official: Tulip Is Here To Stay!!!

2011-06-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

When Tulip joined the fold as our foster puppy at the beginning of April, we had no idea that we would be permanently adopting her several months later. This sprightly little Pit Bull mix worked a special kind of magic, though, and we soon found ourselves completely smitten with her.

Having Tulip in the house has been a joy; she is the quintessential puppy through and through. She has a very happy spirit and makes friends with everyone that she meets - human and canine. She loves to chase after tennis balls and sticks, and she is especially fond of squeaky toys which she gleefully pursues all around the house and backyard during her frequent ecstatic bursts of energy.

It's great to see Tulip's lively side since she was extremely sick and dispirited when we first met her. She was suffering from an advanced case of Demodectic mange, and the poor girl barely had any fur at all. She also had a body-wide secondary infection, and her skin was bright pink and covered with scabs.
Although her health has improved tremendously, her immune system is still weak and she needs daily antibiotics and regular medicated baths. Most of her fur has grown in now, but she still has a ways to go...

No dog will ever replace our Greta (or little Franny, who touched us greatly even though we had her for such a short time), but Tulip has introduced a wonderful component of joyfulness into our lives.

Three-legged Dewey seems pleased with her company, too, and they have struck up quite a partnership! They can often be found cuddled up together (using each other as pillows), and they share a mutual love of food.

As someone who has primarily had small dogs, it is a new and interesting experience to be a Pit Bull guardian. Unfortunately, the negative myths about Pit Bulls abound, and we have had some nasty comments about Tulip. What we have come to realize is that snide remarks and uniformed reactions are inevitable, even in a place like the San Francisco Bay Area, and so Michael and I are eager for Tulip to be a sterling example of all the wonderful qualities that a Pit Bull can possess. In all honesty, she is far better behaved that little 12 pound Dewey!

Our Pack Pit Bull Rescue has put together a good fact sheet that debunks many of the common misconceptions about our pittie friends:

The Truth About Pit Bulls

Pit Bulls Don’t Feel Head or Neck Pain: This is not true. Pit Bulls feel pain like other breeds do. Being tenacious, they will carry on a task until it's completed and push through the pain but they still experience pain just like other breeds of dogs.

Pit Bulls Are Human Attack Dogs: A Pit Bull with a correct temperament is very human friendly and seeks human affection. Pit Bulls love to be touched and handled by humans. As Pit Bulls are terriers they can be dog intolerant. This can vary as much within the breed as it does among all breeds and is very manageable. Note: Dog intolerance is a very different behavior from human aggression. They are not interchangeable.

Pit Bulls Have Locking Jaws: The jaws of a Pit Bull work in the same way as other canines. A Pit Bull is tenacious and willful and he may hold on as a result of his willfulness and tenacity but not because his jaws are physically “designed” to lock. Other breeds may also be very likely to bite and hold on but there is no evidence that any breed has locking jaws.

Pit Bulls Are Not Safe Around Children: The only thing to be concerned about with a temperamentally correct, well-socialized Pit Bull is that he may become very excited around children and knock them over trying to lick them! This is also very easily resolved through training. Pit Bulls generally love attention from children. Even poking, ear pulling type attention will make most Pit Bulls very happy. Of course, one should never leave their child unattended with any dog of any breed, ever. Also, children should be taught how to properly treat pets in the home. Any dog of any breed should be continually socialized to children, adults, and animals throughout his life, including the Pit Bull.

Pit Bulls Are Taught To Be Dog Aggressive: All canines can become defensive if they feel threatened. This is how dogs have survived for eons. They can also lack confidence in social skills with other dogs when not well-socialized and become defensive and fight. Therefore, they don't need training to fight. They can just be set up to fight in certain environments and then reinforced for it. Additionally, Pit Bulls are Terrier dogs. All Terrier dogs tend be less willing to tolerate another dog's rude gestures. This is a very easily managed trait. We have found that our fight bust dogs are our best dogs ever! All dogs of all breeds must be well-socialized with other dogs from an early age, including Pit Bulls.

Pit Bulls that have scars on the head or leg area have been fought: Not necessarily. Maybe he got into it with a coyote or got caught in a chain link fence. There are many reasons why a Pit Bull or any breed of dog could have scars.

Pit Bulls Make Good Guard Dogs: False! Better get a guard dog for your Pit Bull!

A Happy Outcome In San Francisco For Two Blind Sea Lions

2011-06-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

I first read about the saga of Silent Knight, a sea lion who was shot and blinded, back in December. Without a permanent home in captivity, he was facing possible euthanasia. My heart hurt at that prospect, but I held out hope that he would find a safe haven somewhere in the Bay Area, and thankfully, he did! Today Silent Knight lives with another blind sea lion named Henry at the San Francisco Zoo. Here's a story from the SF Chronicle about the happy outcome for this special pair...

Silent Knight and buddy find home at S.F. Zoo
By Carolyn Jones, San Francisco Chronicle

After 10 years, sea lions have returned to the San Francisco Zoo - in this case, two special-needs pinnipeds, one of whom made headlines in December when he was found struggling on a Sausalito beach, blinded by a gunshot wound to the head.

The 400-pound California sea lion, named Silent Knight for his quiet, dignified demeanor, is now a permanent resident of the zoo after he underwent treatment at the Marine Mammal Center and, because of his disability, was deemed unfit to be released into the wild.

The Marine Mammal Center does not have space to keep him permanently, and Silent Knight was in danger of euthanasia until the San Francisco Zoo stepped in. Zoo staff had read about Silent Knight's plight and arranged with the Marine Mammal Center to adopt the regal sea lion.

Accompanying Silent Knight was Henry, a young, rambunctious and blind sea lion recently brought from Humboldt County. Henry and Silent Knight shared an enclosure at the Marine Mammal Center and had become pals.

"We knew from the get-go this would be a huge undertaking, financially and because of their medical needs," said Debbie Marrin, sea lion keeper at the zoo. "But we wanted to help out. How could you not help out? These guys would have been euthanized."

Silent Knight and Henry made their public debut Friday, doing what sea lions do best: lounging on rocks, gulping herring and taking the occasional dip.

A sign alongside their enclosure explains their story, encouraging the public to respect sea lions, not shoot them.

"I love that these two now have a purpose in life," said Shelbi Stoudt, stranding manager at the Marine Mammal Center. "And I'm happy Silent Knight is staying local. This way we can visit him."

Silent Knight was spotted listless and emaciated on Swede's Beach in Sausalito on Dec. 8 and rescued by Marine Mammal Center staff. His right eye was blown out, and X-rays showed five fragments of buckshot in his brain, mouth and eyes. After a few days it was apparent he was blind in both eyes but was otherwise healthy.

No one knows who shot Silent Knight, but in the past few years the center has seen a rash of fishermen-related sea lion shootings. Sea lions like to eat salmon, and several years of limited salmon runs have left fishermen and sea lions competing for fish.

In 2010, the Marine Mammal Center saw 19 sea lions with gunshot wounds. One of those was Sgt. Nevis, a 650-pound sea lion rescued from the Sacramento River with his nose shot off. Veterinarians at the Marine Mammal Center and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo performed what's thought to be the world's first reconstructive surgery on a sea lion, fixing Sgt. Nevis' nose so he could swim underwater again.

At the zoo, Silent Knight and Henry live in a 3,200-square-foot enclosure with a pool, rocky island and narrow shore. The zoo spent $125,000 to renovate the enclosure, which was last used for some visiting harbor seals in 2005.

Silent Knight and Henry are slowly acclimating to their new accommodations. They've bumped their heads a few times on the edge of the pool, but otherwise are learning to navigate the enclosure with few mishaps.

Because the pair cannot catch fish in the water, zookeepers hand-feed them.

The two are very affectionate with each other, often cuddling or lounging together. That is, until Silent Knight gets sick of Henry.

"Henry can be a little clingy," said Marrin. "But they clearly get some comfort being close to each other. They've been through a lot."

A Portrait Of Our Greta

2011-06-09T20:56:00.000-07:00

For Mother's Day, my always thoughtful husband, Michael, commissioned this beautiful rendering of our beloved Greta from our friend Amy Jo Karn, who is a pet portraitist extraordinaire. We always fancied Greta to be a "scholarly" dog with deep thoughts, hence her perch on the book. The pink camellia flowers represent the blooms on the tree that we buried her under, and the hummingbird is how we envision her spirit - flying freely and joyfully through the world...

New Insight Into Dog Behavior

2011-06-04T17:28:00.000-07:00

I recently heard animal behaviorist John Bradshaw on Fresh Air, and it was super interesting. Bradshaw's new book on dog behavior - Dog Sense: How The New Science of Dog Behavior Can Make You a Better Friend to Your Pet - debunks much of the conventional wisdom that has prevailed among dog trainers for decades, a la Cesar Milan and his punitive physical corrections. (This is probably the right time for me to confess that watching The Dog Whisperer almost always makes me cringe). For a much more informative view on dog behavior (and better suggestions for dealing with naughty canine antics!), listen to Bradshaw's interview with Terry Gross by clicking here. After hearing the interview, I will definitely be reading Dog Sense!

Dewey & Tulip's Country Adventure

2011-05-29T18:57:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those picture perfect California days, so we decided to explore a new park with the dogs - the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness. It was in this bucolic setting that Dewey and Tulip came face to face with cows for the first time! They didn't seem quite to know what to make of them, but they were sure worn out by the time we made it back home!

Playtime For Blind Dogs!

2011-05-22T21:28:00.000-07:00

People who live with blind and visually impaired dogs know that they love playtime just as much as the next pooch and benefit greatly from enriching games, even fetch! Here are some ideas, suggestions, and resources to help you engage your blind dog in play:

Games For Blind Dogs and Toys For Blind/Visually Impaired Dogs from Owners Of Blind Dogs (www.blinddogs.com)

Teaching A Blind Dog "Fetch" from Kooper's World

Games For Blind Dogs from The Daily Puppy

Toys For Blind Dogs from The Happy Dog Spot

Wiggly Giggly Giggling dog toys

Three Special Amigos

2011-05-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a great story from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah about a pack of special friends:

Not long ago, it looked like Guardian Angel dog Schwartz might have a hard time finding the right match for a roommate. The first dog he met at Best Friends picked on him – never mind that Schwartz was on his best behavior and tried to play nicely. Sometimes dogs single out another dog who walks differently. And Schwartz’s swagger is certainly different. He just needed to find somebody who could accept him for who he is.

Well, his lonely days are over, and in a big way. Schwartz just met up with two brand-new Guardian Angel dogs, both of whom also have mobility struggles of their own. These three became inseparable almost on sight. The best part is nobody gets singled out for walking a little funny. They formed the perfect support group for each other.

Darena the puppy was a hit-and-run victim. A woman named Josie, Darena’s rescuer and foster mom before Darena came to Best Friends, remembers watching in horror as a car ran over this darling puppy and then kept right on driving. Josie rushed Darena to the vet. She’s a foster mom for a rescue group named Homes for Pets, who immediately offered to help Darena.

The vets had to amputate one of Darena’s back legs, and there were still complications with her remaining injured back leg. Darena will need ongoing care to give her as much use as possible of that limb. (You’ll can follow Darena’s progress in her Guardian Angel updates.) In the meantime, she knows how to make the most of life while still on the mend. She’s not one to sit back and watch others have all the fun!

Rhubarb, another puppy, was born into a hoarding situation. He was seized from the property as part of an animal cruelty case. His troubles, however, were nowhere near over. Vets soon found that Rhubarb had a hole in his heart. He wouldn’t live long without help. Poor Rhubarb needed heart surgery at only three months old. After that, right when it seemed he might be out of the woods for good, he began showing signs of possible neurological problems.

Rhubarb went from a bit wobbly in his walk to not being able to even stand up. A visit to the neurologist didn’t reveal what the exact problem might be. Rhubarb came to Best Friends, where he will receive the best possible care from top to bottom. If there’s a way to help this loveable goofball find his feet again, rest assured his caregivers, trainers and medical team will find out how.

The training regime has already begun. “We do a lot of repetitive, short sessions,” explains Best Friends’ dog water therapist Carey Belcher. These sessions focus on stretching and building his muscles.

Since he can’t walk on his own, Rhubarb needs all the help he can get to keep his muscles strong. His exercise sessions with caregivers and trainers will certainly help, as will hydrotherapy once he’s ready for it. But there’s also another mighty handy solution to keeping him active. Just put Rhubarb and Schwartz in the same room!

Rhubarb may not be able to get up and walk around quite yet, but, good grief, you should see how much enthusiasm he has for playtime when there’s a friend willing to meet him halfway. Schwartz has no problem accommodating. He flops right down next to Rhubarb, and the two wrestle away the afternoon. Darena often joins in the fun as well, either directly by joining the tangled heap, or from the sidelines as a cheerleader when she needs a bit of a break.

“They’re best friends,” says caregiver Maddie Haydon of the three dogs. “They’re very gentle with each other.”

As Schwartz is only a year and a half old or so, and Rhubarb and Darena are under a year, these three dogs are loaded with typical puppy energy and play drive. Their physical setbacks might make it tough to chase each other around the yard, as most puppies would, but, by golly, they know how to improvise. It’s adorable to watch.

For now, there’s also a fourth dog who recently moved in with them. Happy the puppy doesn’t have any physical problems, and she’s a gentle soul. Caregivers wanted to place her in an easygoing play area now that she’s too old to live at the puppy building. Well, while she’s certainly enjoying herself, it might take a bit of imagination to call her new play area “easygoing” …

Let the wrestling matches, err, strength-training exercises commence!
________________________________________________________
Become a Guardian Angel! Some of the Sanctuary's most delightful animals are featured on the Guardian Angel program website, your support allows us to give these special pets the care they need.

~Story by David Dickson; photographs by Gary Kalpakoff and Sarah Ause

Tulip's Progress

2011-05-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Our foster pup Tulip is improving slowly but surely. Her skin is less flaky and she even has a few patches of fur on her formerly hairless coat! The Demodectic mange has left her skin quite rosy, though, as you can see and we get a lot of questions about her because of her odd appearance. One person even asked us yesterday if we had dyed her pink!

The big news is that Tulip has lost every last one of her baby teeth and she has a whole new set of adult chompers. In light of this (and the fact that she has only grown from 18 pounds when we first got her six weeks ago to 25 pounds now), we actually think that Tulip is around seven months old. Even if she isn't done growing, it doesn't seem like she'll be a very big dog. This is making us wonder if she might be a Boston Terrier or Bulldog mix instead of a Pit Bull. Either way, she is a super sweet, happy-go-lucky girl. More progress reports to come...

Triumph Over Adversity: Maty, the Tri-Pawed Disc Dog

2011-05-05T12:53:00.000-07:00

Ay Chihuahua!

2011-05-02T20:26:00.000-07:00

Help spread the word - Animal shelters across California are bursting at the seams with Chihuahuas, Chihuahuas, and more Chihuahuas! In order to help connect these petite pooches with loving homes, a number of Bay Area animal shelters will be hosting low-cost "Chihuahua-palooza" adoption events this month. Here's more from Ken White, the President of the Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA:

Animal shelters throughout the San Francisco Bay Area are all struggling with the same very big little problem: an alarming increase in homeless Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes. As the result, many of us have gotten together to present the first ever Bay Area-wide Chihuahua-palooza, an event aimed at addressing the Chihuahua population explosion which has led to the tiny breed being the most common at shelters.

Bay Area shelters are reporting that Chihuahuas and mixes account for anywhere from 20 to 50% of all incoming dogs. In early May, many are offering reduced adoption fees and reduced or free spay/neuter surgeries as part of the first annual Chihuahua-palooza.

As for the shelter where I hang my hat, "Pound for pound, the most love you'll ever get!" is the tagline for the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA's adoption promotion during the entire month of May when adoption fees will be based on the weight of Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes. Yes, an eight-pound dog can be adopted for just $8! Of course, potential adopters will first meet with a staff counselor to determine whether a good match exists.

In addition to offering special weight-based adoption fees the entire month of May, PHS/SPCA is setting aside two days in the shelter's spay/neuter clinic -- Wednesday, May 11 and Thursday, May 12 -- for free spay/neuter surgeries. San Mateo County residents with Chihuahuas or Chihuahua mixes can get them fixed for free. For an appointment, call (650) 340-7025. Appointments are limited and will be granted on a first-come, first served basis.

We're also inviting the general public to observe a special training class for a group of the shelter's Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes awaiting adoption. The class, which focuses on providing mental stimulation and fun for dogs by working on scent-based games and tricks, is Tuesday, May 10, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm in the shelter's Auditorium. No appointment necessary.

PHS/SPCA currently has 34 Chihuahuas or Chihuahua mixes available for adoption. The breed now accounts for approximately 21% of all our incoming dogs. They are surrendered to shelters for different reasons -- like any breed -- but one common reason includes "does not play well with or tolerate children in the family."

Shelters throughout the Bay Area believe several factors have contributed to the Chihuahua increase besides the fact that they don't match expectations for families with young children. Hollywood can be partially to blame, given the Taco Bell commercials, Chihuahua Disney movies and number of starlets who parade the little pups in purses as fashion accessories. And, despite their little outer package, these small dogs can have big personalities. Apparently, the challenge is too great for many owners.

The Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is open for adoptions from 11AM to 7PM on weekdays and 11AM to 6PM on weekends. Potential adopters are asked to arrive at least an hour before closing to complete an adoption. Many of the shelter's available dogs can also be viewed online at www.PHS-SPCA.org. The regular adoption fee is $120 ($70 for dogs age 7+ and $135 for puppies under 6 months).
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Here's a list of additional Bay Area animal shelters that are offering discounted Chihuahua adoptions and small dog spaying/neutering services this May:

Hayward Animal Control

The East Bay SPCA

Humane Society Silicon Valley

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P.S. The fetching chap shown above is Angus, a 3-4 year old Chihuahua mix who is described as "a charming little snuggle bug with an excellent disposition." Angus has deformed feet and some arthritis, so he will need a special family. Click here for more details about Angus!

Our Newest Addition

2011-04-24T18:59:00.000-07:00

Tulip joined the fold a few weeks ago. She was going to be euthanized at our city shelter because she has Demodectic mange (the non-contagious kind) and there aren't a whole lot of folks out there who are willing to adopt a mangy pit bull puppy, even if it is treatable. Despite her odd looks, Tulip has proven to be a genuine sweetheart. She loves to snuggle and her personality is very mellow and easy-going. She gets along swimmingly with Dewey and they make quite a pair out on the town! We will be fostering her for the next few months, until she gets better and grows her fur back. Stay tuned for progress reports!

The Hounds Of Easter Revisted

2011-04-22T15:57:00.001-07:00

Although these Easter portraits of three-legged Dewey and our late, beloved Greta date back to 2009, I think they are cute enough to warrant a reprisal. Happy spring one and all!

Longfellow, The Three-Legged Champ

2011-04-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

Here's an uplifting story about a determined three-legged Dachshund who reminds me very much of our own tripod doxie mix, Dewey:

Longfellow, a dachshund, was 10 months old when he was adopted by Sheila Phillips of Tybee Island, Ga. She trained him as a therapy dog and he visited schools, hospitals and nursing homes. He loved to run and placed third in the local Wiener Dog race in 2005. Longfellow had one bad habit, though: He was an escape artist.

In July of 2006 he escaped from our beach house and went playing out in the street,” Phillips says. “Next thing we knew, he had been hit by a car. We did not think he would make it because he had a broken leg, a severed sciatic nerve, a crushed pelvis and many other injuries. We were devastated. He loved to run so much and now we thought he never would again.”

Longfellow survived, but his hind leg had to be amputated. Phillips took him swimming to help strengthen his other legs and he attempted to run with other dogs until he could get along pretty well on three legs. He also resumed his therapy dog visits.

“We started going to Memorial Health Rehab Center, where he visited patients who’d had their legs amputated. He was a big hit there,” Phillips says. “One gentleman at the rehab unit said, ‘If Longfellow can do it, I can too.’”

Advances in rehab techniques such as aquatic therapy for animals help pets like Longfellow recover as well as they do. Prosthetic limbs are rare, but pets with paralysis issues can get around with the help of carts that keep them rolling along.

~From Dealing With Devastating Pet Injuries: When Spared Euthanasia, Animals Can Overcome Adversity Surprisingly Well
By Kim Campbell Thornton
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Postscript: In 2007, Longfellow ran in Savannah's annual Oktoberfest Wiener Dawg Races and won, beating 178 other four-legged Dachshunds on his three legs!

Farewell Franny

2011-04-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a while and I have been reluctant to post since I have yet more sad news: Just two months after loosing Greta, we had to say goodbye to little Franny too. She passed away at home on Friday, April 1st. Although we only had a short time with her, we couldn't help falling in love. Franny's radiant spirit permeated our lives, and her quirks were completely endearing. She was a beautiful being and she was very loved. Farewell, sweet Francine.

Sweet Mabel Gets A New Leash On Life

2011-03-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

Last fall I fell in love with a wonderful Pit mix at the animal shelter where I volunteer. Like humans, dogs can be born with birth defects, and this sweet-natured dog had a congenital club foot which made it extremely difficult for her to walk. I am delighted to report that Miss Mabel (formerly Diamond) is now getting around great after reconstructive surgery funded through Friends of Oakland Animal Services. Even better, she has been adopted and is thriving in a loving home! Here is an excerpt from Oakland Animal Services' original story about this super special girl:

Diamond won us over from the first moment she arrived at the shelter. She limped in and gave us her undivided attention with her warm brown eyes. Diamond has a club foot that makes it very difficult for her to walk.She quickly won a spot in the Director’s office and became an official dog tester – despite her disability, she tried to play with all of them. When a screaming, 4 week old Chihuahua/terrier puppy came in we decided to see if Diamond was up for the challenge of caring for this puppy and was she ever! She cuddled the pup and allowed it to take her toys, jump on her and never lost patience even when she eventually decided to set a few limits. When “her” puppy went out to foster, Diamond went into a deep depression and stopped eating and would barely lift her head when someone would walk by. At first we thought she was sick and she was, sick at heart, so we gave her a new Chihuahua puppy and watched her light up.

Diamond’s disability never stopped her and she even runs and jumps but she also tires quickly. We decided to ask the specialists at VSA to take a look at her x-rays to determine if there was a surgery that would let our very special girl lead a better quality of life. They examined her and proposed a reconstructive surgery that will realign the bones in her left front leg into a normal position. They were won over by her as well and gave us a great rate for this complex surgery. The nonprofit that helps OAS – Friends of Oakland Animal Services – agreed to finance her surgery and so Diamond will go next week for her operation. After her surgery, a partner organization “Our Pack” will take her into a foster home for her 8 weeks of recovery.

Heartwarming Story Of A Three-Legged Mini Horse Who Beat The Odds

2011-03-24T11:53:00.001-07:00

Here's a heartwarming story for a stormy day...

Spring Photos

2011-03-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

Thank you so very much, everyone, for the heartfelt condolences about Greta. Your kind words mean more than I can say, and Michael and I are very touched by the messages of support and sympathy. We are holding up okay, but of course we miss our girl terribly and the loss is still very fresh for us. Although Greta is irreplaceable in our home and hearts, having Franny and Dewey to keep us company is definitely comforting. Here are some recent pictures of Miss Francine and her three-legged brother...

Remembering Greta

2011-02-27T21:26:00.000-08:00

In the weeks since our beloved 17 year old Dachshund, Greta, passed away, we have been recalling many poignant memories from our five years with her.

When we adopted Greta from Coast To Coast Dachshund Rescue in the fall of 2005, we had very little background information about the small senior hound who was joining our family. She had been in foster care for nearly six months after being rescued from a municipal animal shelter in rural Ohio, and details about her past were scarce. What we did know came by way of Greta's foster mom: She had a fondness for green beans, liked to snuggle, placed a premium on nap time, and was known to sneak under the covers to the bottom of the bed in order to provide free foot baths.

Once we met Greta in person for the first time, we were immediately charmed. She made our young family complete and enlivened my life in Buffalo during a time when we were far from family, and I was often lonely. She helped make graduate school bearable for my husband, Michael, as a steadfast companion during the long days (and nights) of studying, and she introduced us both to an unparalleled, deeply-felt, unconditional love.

Over time, Greta lost the use of her hind legs due to a spinal injury and grew blind as a result of cataracts. Although these setbacks presented challenges, it was surprisingly easy to adapt to Greta’s changing needs as she aged. A doggie stroller and a sling allowed her to cruise with us on walks and errands. Whatever we did – taking trips, visiting the beach, shopping, socializing, watching movies at the drive-in, going to work – Greta did it with us.

She was a very well traveled dog who got to see both coasts, visit nearly 20 states, and live in several cities including Buffalo, Seattle, and Oakland. Throughout it all, Greta was resilient and very Buddhist as she confronted each new moment as it came, seemingly without concern for the past or future.

Greta's presence in our lives was so essential and so thorough that the void is tremendous. To borrow Michael's words, "Without having known her, I would be much less of a lot of things: less compassionate, less patient, less understanding, less intuitive, less loved. Which is to say she made me feel much more human." Her precious spirit has made an impact that is sure to grace our lives forever.

Goodbye Greta

2011-02-08T21:04:00.000-08:00

Our beloved Dachshund, Greta, passed away peacefully on Saturday. She was our constant companion for over five years, and we feel a tremendous void in our lives without her. For the story of how Greta joined our family, click here. For my husband's remembrance of her, click here.

Dog Pile!

2011-01-31T20:35:00.000-08:00

This is how I found all three dogs - Franny, Greta, and Dewey - napping the other day!

Welcome Franny!

2011-01-28T22:05:00.000-08:00

Miss Francine is our newest Rebound Hound. She is a 17 year old sweetheart with limited vision and very little hearing. She joined the fold last weekend and she definitely fits right in with Miss Greta, our blind and paralyzed Dachshund, and Dewey, our little tripod of uncertain pedigree.

Until last week, Franny didn't have a name. She was surrendered to our city shelter by a concerned neighbor of her former owner. Apparently, the woman was about about to be evicted and was not taking care of her dog.

We don't know much about her past, but judging by the pitiful condition we found her in, it seems pretty doubtful that Franny has ever been treated well. She was emaciated and filthy. For the first few days, she would flinch each time we went to pet her. She still seems unused to sleeping on soft beds and getting regular meals. All the evidence would suggest that this small Chihuahua has had a harsh, largely loveless life.

It's a heartbreaking story, one that I've seen over and over again at the animal shelters I've been involved with. When a dog becomes old and feeble, they become disposable.

I know I can't save every senior dog that needs saving, just as I know that the overnight anonymous "drop boxes" will be filled with more unwanted animals at our city shelter each morning, but I am so grateful that at least we can give Franny some time in a safe, loving home. She has a delightful spirit and we are enjoying each new day as we get to know her.

Lessons From Mac, A Deaf Pit Bull

2011-01-22T19:17:00.000-08:00

While I was curled up on the couch with the dogs surfing the web, I found this beautiful blog post about Mac, a deaf Pit Bull who spent years in isolation and misery before being adopted. Although Mac's story is heartbreaking, it has a very happy ending and it offers hope and insight for other guardians of deaf rescue dogs. I especially love the conclusion that Nikola, Mac's mom, offers: "At the end of the day it is always important to remember that deaf dogs don't know they are deaf; they are dogs first."

Give Your Mobility Impaired Dog A Helping Hand With An Assistive Harness

2011-01-19T21:04:00.000-08:00

As our beloved canine friends age, they often need an extra hand getting up and around. One of my fellow volunteers at the shelter recently wrote a testimonial on the volunteer message board about an assistive harness that helps her 12 year old dog get up the stairs and in and out of the car, despite his severe hip dysplasia.

It's called the Help Em Up Harness, and when I checked out the website (www.helpemup.com), I was touched by the mission of the product's designers -husband and wife team Cary and Lindsey Zimmerman - to address the "challenges of mature pets and pets with disabilities."

If you have a mobility impaired dog in your life, including a medium or larger sized tripod, I highly recommend looking into this helpful assistive harness!

Injured Turtle Overcomes Adversity With Wheels

2011-01-15T19:06:00.000-08:00

"Operation Small Dog" A Success!

2011-01-10T20:41:00.000-08:00

As many San Francisco Bay Area residents know, we are experiencing a serious small dog overpopulation crisis, along with much of the rest of California. Local animal shelters are literally overflowing with Chihuahuas, terrier mixes, and tiny mutts of all stripes.

To help alleviate some of the overcrowding at our local city shelter, Oakland Animal Services, we rented a van this past Saturday and transported a dozen small pooches to Reno, where they were able to get a fresh start at the Nevada Humane Society. It was a great experience and the dogs were excellent little passengers - only two out of twelve had accidents in their crates!

These are some photos documenting "Operation Small Dog." Hopefully, it was the first of many transports!

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P.S. Learn how you can help save lives as a transport volunteer! Click here for details from a previous post I wrote with a list of various transport groups across the country.

Pit Bull Mixes Need Our Help!

2011-01-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

Help spead the word that Pit Mixes can make great companions!

2010's Most Popular Names For Adoptable Pets

2011-01-04T19:19:00.000-08:00

Hello and Happy New Year everyone!!! We thought we'd kick things off by looking back at the most popular names for adoptable pets in 2010. Here are the top ten dog and cat names from the 300,000+ adoptable animals listed on www.petfinder.com last year:

2010's Top 10 Most Popular Adoptable-Dog Names

1) Buddy
2) Max
3) Daisy
4) Bella
5) Lucy
6) Jack
7) Molly
8) Charlie
9) Sadie
10) Rocky

2010's Top 10 Most Popular Adoptable-Cat Names

1) Lucy
2) Midnight
3) Bella
4) Molly
5) Smokey
6) Tiger
7) Oreo
8) Max
9) Princess
10) Charlie

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P.S. The dapper little fellow shown here has Petfinder's #1 canine name - Buddy - and he's available for adoption in Southern California! Buddy will celebrate his fifth birthday this April and is described as "sweet and loving" by his foster family. Unfortunately, like so many Dachshunds, Buddy suffered a spinal cord injury and was surrendered to a vet to be euthanized. He got a second chance from the vet's office, and has since recovered. Buddy is back on his paws, but he is considered special needs because of his past injury. Click here for more details about this adorable guy and help us spread the word: ADOPTION IS THE BEST OPTION!

Greta & Dewey's Year In Review

2010-12-30T11:18:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas From The Rebound Hounds!

2010-12-23T11:57:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from our pack to yours! Greta, Dewey, Michael and I wish all of our human and canine friends a wonderful holiday filled with love and good cheer. During this time of year, we also encourage you to take a moment to remember the countless shelter animals who are not fortunate enough to be with a loving family, as this poem illustrates:

'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
Every shelter is full. We are lost but not found.
Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
We hope every minute that someone will care.

They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
"Come here, Max and Sparkie ~ come fetch your new ball!"
But now we just sit here and think of the days.....
We were treated so fondly ~ we had baby ways.

Once we were little, then we grew and we grew ~
Now we're no longer young, and we're no longer new.
So out the back door we were thrown like trash,
They reacted so quickly ~ why were they so rash?

We "jump on the children," "don't come when they call",
We "bark when they leave us," "climb over the wall."
We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
Wow we suffer the consequence of the error they made.

If only they'd trained us, if only we knew...
We'd have done what they asked us and worshipped them, too.
We were left in back yard, or worse ~ left to roam...
Now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.

They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-by....
"Maybe someone else will give you a try."
So now here we are, all confused and alone....
In a shelter with others who long for a home.

The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
With so many to care for, they can't stay to chat.
They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer....
We know that they wonder how long we'll be here.

We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads....
Of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.
Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears ~
Our friends filled with emptiness, worry and fear.

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at your inn ~
Could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?
We count on your kindness each day of the year ~
Can you give more than hope to everyone here?

Help Rolling Dog Ranch Succeed In The Shelter Challenge Contest!

2010-12-16T21:36:00.000-08:00

Many of you may be familiar with Rolling Dog Ranch, Steve Smith and Alayne Marker's wonderful sanctuary in New Hampshire (previously Montana), that's devoted exclusively to disabled animals like blind Suzi and three-legged Ella, shown above.

In 2009, Rolling Dog Ranch won the well-deserved $20,000 grand prize in the Animal Rescue Site's annual shelter challenge. This year, the sanctuary has the chance to win again and they need your votes! There are just two days left since the contest ends on Sunday, December 19th, so submit your vote ASAP by clicking here (note: just type in "Rolling Dog Ranch" and select NH for the state, and the listing for the sanctuary will come up).

Hearing Impaired Students Connect With Angelyne, A Deaf Dog

2010-12-12T21:10:00.000-08:00

If these photos haven't already melted your heart, wait until you read the beautiful accompanying story about deaf Angelyne's visit with hearing impaired children...

Loveland Students, Deaf Dog Share Instant Connection
By Carl McCutchen, Loveland Connection

When fourth-grader Casey LaTulip walked into Marsha Dorr’s classroom for After School Group recently, she was not greeted by her usual classmates and mentors.

Instead, Casey was greeted Thursday at Monroe Elementary School by 5-year-old Angelyne, an Australian cattle dog, who shared a common trait with the young student.
Angelyne is deaf and Casey is hard of hearing, so the two made an instant connection.

“It let me know that humans weren’t the only ones with hearing problems,” Casey said. “Animals do, too.”

Angelyne was visiting the after-school program, which meets twice a month at Monroe for hard-of-hearing and deaf students, as part of a program where her owner, Greeley resident Eric Melvin, travels around Colorado relaying the story of her life and her hearing loss.

Melvin, who adopted Angelyne a few years ago, tells the story of how he didn’t know Angelyne was deaf when he adopted her, and after finding out, he taught her more than 40 hand signals and nonverbal cues, many of which he displays during his presentation.

“I think when you have something special, you have to get it out there,” Melvin said. “That’s what I’m doing.”

Thursday’s presentation at Monroe was more unique than usual for Melvin because the majority of his audience was deaf or hard of hearing, but that didn’t stop the students, most of which attend Monroe, from enjoying what Angelyne and Melvin had to offer.

In fact, Melvin said it may have helped the students appreciate Angelyne’s situation a bit more knowing that much like them, she has had to adapt to life without hearing.

“A lot of those kids already understand that they might have a challenge they are facing and they might not know how to get past that challenge,” Melvin said. “If they can see somebody else that has had challenges in their life or has overcome that, I think that gives them a leg up. It gives them a little more inspiration; a little more hope to get through that.”

For the students, having Angelyne visit was a treat.

While some students, like Casey, admired Angelyne for her life situation, others, like Monroe kindergartener Harry Reckase, admired the dog’s athletic ability, gloating about how Angelyne could jump through hoops and dance around.

Fellow kindergartener Brandon Wheeler liked how the dog could jump, but was more amused by the fact she chased the light emitted from a flashlight around.

“Angelyne was trying to catch the lights,” Wheeler said, smiling. “The dog jumped on the light and tried to eat the light.”

Monroe kindergartener Jordy Homack couldn’t decide on a favorite part of the presentation with Angelyne, noting that she liked the entire presentation and the dog.

“It was cool,” Jordy said, signing through an interpreter.

Bringing Angelyne into the school was originally Dorr’s idea. She, along with her staff of five interpreters, thought it would be a good experience for the students to see Angelyne and learn her story.

“I thought it would be just great to have this dog come in and his owner can do a demonstration for our kids who are deaf or hard of hearing,” Dorr said. “He made a lot of connections to what our families and our students here go through.”

Dorr said the presentation would not only be a good experience for the students, but would also provide them an educational opportunity.

She was right.

The students not only got a chance to interact with Angelyne, but some of them even picked up on some of the signs Melvin used to direct his dogs.

Seeing the students learn made Dorr feel pretty good about her decision to bring the performing duo in.

“He had interaction with the kids. The kids got to come up and interact with Angelyne during the tricks and learn some of the hand signals,” she said. “The kids loved that.”

Another Amazing Story Of Animal Friendship

2010-12-04T11:21:00.000-08:00

Here's another amazing story of inter-species animal friendship...

A Touching Tale Of True Friendship Between A Three-Legged Dog, A Goat & A Great Dane!

2010-12-02T20:30:00.000-08:00

Pit Bulls To The Rescue!

2010-11-27T11:37:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-23T21:30:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-18T19:54:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-15T21:45:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-12T20:31:00.000-08:00

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!

2010-11-09T10:19:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

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

2010-11-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

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...

Celebrating 5 Years With Greta!

2010-10-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

Five years ago this week, our beautiful Dachshund Greta joined our family in the fall of 2005. Here are some pictures of her over the past five years, including some from her pre-paralysis days. Even though Greta has lost her sight and mobility since we first adopted her, we will never give up on her. She is a cherished member of our pack and her precious spirit has made an impact that will grace our lives forever. Click here to read Greta's full story!

Billie Valentine Is A Spokesdog Extraordinaire For Chihuahuas Everywhere!

2010-10-23T21:26:00.000-07:00

Billie Valentine is a Chihuahua on a mission. As a rescue dog himself, Billie works tirelessly with his human, Debbie, to raise awareness about dog adoption. Billie knows what it's like to be an underdog. He wound up in a Texas animal shelter after hurricane Katrina, and faced an uncertain future until he was adopted by Debbie.

Once he was comfortably settled into his new family, it became apparent that Billie was exceptionally photogenic. Debbie was inspired to use her pup's special knack for modeling to create a spectacular calendar in order to support rescue groups and promote pet adoption.

We discovered Billie's calendar as volunteers for Oakland Animal Services, and now it has become a monthly ritual for us to gather together to unveil the new page. It's always exciting to see what Billie has in store since his modeling knows no bounds: he has posed as a cowboy, an elf, a diva, and even a plate of salad!

The 2011 calendar is available now and proceeds will benefit Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego and Furbaby Rescue in Washington state. I know that we will be ordering Billie's 2011 calendar and I hope you will too!

P.S.

Don't forget that October is ADOPT A DOG MONTH and there are thousands upon thousands of wonderful pooches waiting for families in shelters across the U.S. In the San Francisco Bay Area there are a truly astonishing number of homeless Chihuahuas and small breed dogs in particular. During my recent volunteer shifts at Oakland Animal Services, I have come across a Dachshund, a Yorkie, several Mini Poodles and Rat Terriers, and dozens of adorable Chihuahuas just like Billie Valentine. Visit www.petfinder.com for a nationwide listing of adoptable dogs and help spread the word about our deserving shelter friends!

The Odds Are Improving For Disabled Pets

2010-10-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

This article has great news for those of us who love special needs pets since it affirms that disabilities among our furry friends are becoming increasingly accepted by US society at large.

Show Off Your Love For Tripod Dogs!

2010-10-14T21:14:00.000-07:00

When Sonia Zjawinski's beloved dog, Lulu, was diagnosed with cancer and needed an expensive amputation, she developed a creative way to raise the necessary funds. Sonia and her friends created a line of "I Heart Tripods" t-shirts and tote bags and used the proceeds to help pay her vet bills. Although Lulu has since passed away, Sonia still sells the tripods line on Etsy as a way to help others with "vet debt."

Paralyzed Lucy Rolls To The Top

2010-10-11T21:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a happy tail that is sure to warm your heart: Back in August, a four year old rescue pooch named Lucy became the very first paralyzed dog in New Hampshire history to ascend Mt. Washington. It took six hours, but Lucy had plenty of support and encouragement along the way - her humans, Courtney and Justin, and her best canine pal, Topper, were on hand to help her complete the journey. Lucy was outfitted in a Walkin' Wheels doggie wheelchair from Handicapped Pets with her own custom licence plate. Have a look at the inspiring video of Lucy's climb:

Dogs With Disabilities

2010-10-06T22:43:00.000-07:00

The dog lovers behind www.dogswithdisabilities.com have unique insights to share about disabled pooches; they have cared for several dogs with neurological disorders and can attest that special needs pups are able to enjoy a top-notch quality of life. Here's an excerpt from the homepage:

Dogs with disabilities:

Don't feel sorry for themselves
Don't know they're disabled
Are accepting of what life has to offer
Accept as much help as their pride can take
Take each day as it comes
Don't worry if we love them, they know we do
Enjoy life just like other dogs (just not as rambunctiously)
Don't fear the future or worry about the past
Make every effort to do what they can to their maximum potential
Are not a burden, but a joy and a reason to slow down our own hectic lives

Check out www.dogswithdisabilities.com for more encouragement and resources!

Caring For A Paralyzed Dog

2010-10-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

Since my own family includes a special needs Dachshund, Greta, I know firsthand that paralyzed dogs can enjoy fantastic, fulfilling lives, so don't let anyone try to tell you otherwise! Dogs with impaired mobility do require some extra care, however. Here are some tips to help keep your paralyzed dog happy, healthy, and comfortable:

Hydrotherapy

Warm baths can be wonderfully therapeutic for paralyzed dogs. If your pooch is small (like our paralyzed Dachshund, Greta), you can easily do hydrotherapy at home in the bathtub. Greta takes baths several times a week for about 30 minutes at a time. These soaking sessions help to stimulate her circulation and diminish joint strain by making her back legs buoyant. For large dogs, there are an increasing number of hydrotherapy centers around the country. Click here for a list of providers who are registered with the Association of Canine Water Therapy.

Skin Care

When a dog's back legs are immobilized and they sit/lay in the same position for long periods of time, they become susceptible to sores and skin ulcers. Therefore, it's essential to provide plenty of padding for your pooch. Our paralyzed Dachshund Greta has a number of different beds in order to keep her comfortably cushioned throughout the day and night. Click here for more information about preventing bed sores and skin ulcers.

Bladder Expression

Paralyzed dogs typically don't have bladder control, so it's necessary to manually empty their bladders by expressing them. The thought of doing this several times a day can be incredibly daunting to those with newly paralyzed pets, but I can assure you that it becomes very easy over time and it's really no big deal! Handicapped Pets has step-by-step instructions for expressing a dog's bladder and you can also click here for a previous post that details my own method for Greta.

Assisted Mobility

Many paralyzed dogs are great candidates for wheelchairs and there are a number of excellent companies that specialize in creating carts for dogs with disabilities. Since no one knows your pooch better than you do, you can also build a custom set of wheels for your best friend. Check out Handicapped Pets' DIY dog wheels page for instructions and templates.

Tripod Talent!

2010-09-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

Prince is a very talented tripod! In February the handsome brindle Pit Bull won the ASPCA's 5th annual shelter dog talent competition for his amazing catching skills (check out Prince in action below).

Prince's talent as a catcher helped him capture the best prize of all: a forever home. Baseball fan Michael Garcia of Manhattan saw the video of Prince and was "inspired by his enthusiasm in the face of adversity." When Michael met Prince in person, it was love at first sight. Now, the two are inseparable.

"Prince means the world to me," Michael recently told the ASPCA. "He has a heart of gold. Each day I wake up and look at him - always smiling, tail wagging, and ready to start the day. Missing one leg doesn't dampen his mood, and as a result, I will never allow anything to dampen mine."

Farewell To The Crusty Puppies...

2010-09-24T10:04:00.000-07:00

Our foster puppies, Amadeus and Kirby, have almost recovered from their Demodectic mange and they will find new homes in San Francisco! They were transferred to the SF SPCA last week and they will be available for adoption soon. Although we are all enjoying a quieter house (especially Miss Greta and Mr. Dewey who patiently endured a month of puppy antics), I am sure that another foster dog or two will find their way to our family sooner than later.

Photographer Melissa McDaniel Spotlights Deaf Dogs In New Book!

2010-09-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

Melissa McDaniel is a professional photographer with a passion for spotlighting underdogs. For more than a year, she has been hard at work creating two books: Rescued In America and Deaf Dogs, which feature beautiful pictures and profiles of 183 dogs. Her goal is to sell enough copies to raise $300,000 or more for animal rescue organizations.

Melissa's personal experience with her own deaf rescue dog, Sadie, inspired her to create the books to educate people about shelter dogs. Rescued In America and Deaf Dogs will be published at the end of this month. To pre-order copies, click here and help spread the word about these wonderful books!

Special Needs Dogs In Need Of Forever Families

2010-09-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

This summer I began volunteering at our local city shelter, Oakland Animal Services. As the municipal shelter for the city of Oakland, California, OAS has the monumental task of taking in all of the city's abandoned, stray, sick, injured, and surrendered animals. This includes not just cats and dogs, but rabbits, roosters, goats, chickens, parrots, and even the occasional alligator.

Each week when I show up for my shift, I am amazed by the number of new animals; the steady stream of homeless kittens, skinny strays, and unwanted senior dogs of all shapes and sizes never seems to diminish.

What is even more amazing, however, and what gives me enough hope to continue volunteering is that, without fail, these rejected animals are adopted and given second chances by people from all walks of life and all over the Bay Area.

Currently, OAS has some very special shelter guests who are waiting patiently for their forever families:

At just 4 pounds, Mr. Mickey (shown top) is a tiny sweetheart with limitless love to give. He craves human company and gets along well with other small dogs. According to his foster mom, "Mickey is such a sweet and happy little guy! Just full of joy at the smallest things, and has that little twinkle in his eye." Considering that this little Chihuahua is missing his lower jaw (we don't know how or why - he showed up in the night drop box that way), his sweet disposition is truly remarkable.

The first time I met Zuki (pictured bottom), I instantly fell in love. Zuki is the true definition of a cuddle bug - he will gladly snuggle on your lap and bat his eyelashes at you for as long as you'll let him. Zuki radiates pure, unconditional adoration, and I must admit that each time I see him I am tempted to take him home! Zuki has an odd way of walking and the shelter vets believe he may have sustained some type of injury when he was younger that was not properly treated. Despite his funny gait, Zuki's gentle spirit shines through and he would make a wonderful, low-maintenance lap dog.

Help me spread the word about these deserving shelter dogs! Visit www.oaklandanimalservices.org for adoption information or email me at reboundhounds@yahoo.com for more details.

Dagnabit The Disabled Dog Keeps On Rollin'

2010-09-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

Dagnabit came from humble origins, but these days he's well on well on his way to stardom. Earlier this year, he beat out 32,000 contestants to win the Humane Society of The United States' annual Spay Day pet photo contest.

In the entry accompanying Dagnabit's winning photo, his mom, Kim Dudek wrote "We've been thru it all together! Dag was stolen and made to fight and had his ears cut off. We survived Katrina and his disability. Dag's spirit inspires me to make the most out of every moment, every day."

This resilient Pit Bull also inspired Kim to create a canine rehab center in his name: Dag's House provides rehabilitation and boarding services for special needs dogs in New Orleans.

Click here to read more about Dagnabit's incredible story.

Living With Blind Dogs

2010-09-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

We have a reading recommendation for anyone with a blind dog in their life - Living With Blind Dogs: A Resource Book and Training Guide for the Owners of Blind and Low-Vision Dogs by Caroline D. Levin. Now in it's second edition, Living With Blind Dogs remains the only published book on the topic. Click here for an excerpt!

Crusty Puppies Update

2010-08-29T20:45:00.000-07:00

Kirby and Amadeus, our current foster puppies, are less crusty after a week of treatment for Demodectic mange. Despite their appearance, they are not contagious. Demodex mites are normally present in the hair follicles of dogs, humans, and other mammals, but Demodectic mange only develops in animals with weakened immune systems.

On the other hand, Sarcoptic mange (aka scabies) is contagious and can be spread from dogs to humans, cats, ferrets, and foxes. Veterinarians determine what type of mange a dog has by performing a skin scrape to identify the mites under a microscope.

Both Demodectic and Sarcoptic mange are usually treatable and easily controlled, however, it takes dogs a significant period of time to recover from bad cases. Kirby and Amadeus will likely need another month of treatment before they can return to the animal shelter for adoption. Because most animal shelters don't have the resources to house animals for weeks or months at a time, the sad reality is that mange is all too often a death sentence. Knowing this makes all the work of caring for two noisy, messy, smelly puppies worthwhile.

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P.S. We welcome any and all guesses about Kirby's breed (the little brown guy). At first we thought he was a Chihuahua mix, but now we are wondering if he might actually be a larger Shepherd mix. Feel free to weigh in!

Happy National Dog Day From Dewey & Greta!

2010-08-26T16:13:00.000-07:00

In honor of National Dog Day, I'm sharing some of my favorite pictures of our two Rebound Hounds, three-legged Dewey and blind and paralyzed Greta, indulging in some of their favorite pastimes: snoozing, snacking, wearing hats and costumes, snoozing, and more snoozing. Hooray for hounds!

Invasion Of The Crusty Puppies...

2010-08-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

These two little guys are the primary reason that I haven't been posting with much regularity this week. We began fostering Amadeus (the black terrier) and Kirby (the Chihuahua mix) on Thursday after our first shift as volunteers with our local city animal shelter. I was prepared to encounter some sad cases, but these guys were just way too pitiful to leave behind when it was time to head home at the end of the night.

Both pups arrived at the shelter with advanced cases of untreated Demodectic mange. This noncontagious skin disease occurs when Demodex mites proliferate and cause hair loss and skin lesions. Demodectic mites are normally present on dogs (and other mammals including humans!), but they can multiply exponentially and cause mange in puppies and dogs with suppressed immune systems. Puppies are especially susceptible to developing mange because their immune systems are not fully mature.

The good news is that Demodectic mange is treatable. As awful as Amadeus and Kirby look now, they will be as good as new in a few weeks. They get a daily dose of medication and regular baths with benzoyl peroxide to help their skin heal. The pups look better already after just a few days of treatment and are happily oblivious to their crusty, scabby appearance as they scamper around the house playing and making mischief just like any other pair of puppies. Stay tuned for updates on their progress!

Meet The Three-Legged Mayor Of Divide, Colorado!

2010-08-18T17:45:00.000-07:00

Training Deaf Dogs - It Can Be Done!

2010-08-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

I spent part of my afternoon with Alice, a gentle and curious deaf Pit Bull mix, during a volunteer training at Oakland Animal Services, our city shelter. Like many deaf dogs, Alice is learning how to understand obedience commands through hand signals. Training deaf dogs is really not much more challenging than training hearing dogs - it just requires different techniques. Check out these articles for more information:

Training The Deaf Dog: Just Because She Can't Hear Doesn't Mean She Can't Learn
By Stacy Braslau-Schneck, CPDT

Training The Hearing Impaired Dog Is Not Difficult
By Mardi Richmond, The Whole Dog Journal

Deaf Dog Training Tips
Deaf Dog Education Action Fund (DDEAF)

Training Deaf Dogs
By Dr. Jennifer Messer, Modern Dog Magazine
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One final thought:

"For perhaps, if the truth were known, we are all a little blind, a little deaf, a little handicapped, a little lonely, a little less than perfect. And if we can learn to appreciate and utilize the dog's full potential, we will, together, make it in this life on earth." -Charlotte Schwartz

Callie Mae: An "Inspurrational" Cat With No Legs

2010-08-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

Last month we learned about Oscar the English cat who's outfitted with two prosthetic feet. Today we discovered the story of Callie Mae - a tenacious calico who gets around incredibly well despite the fact that all four of her legs have been amputated. You've got to see it to believe it!

"Love Is Blind" - A Heartwarming Rescue Story

2010-08-07T21:19:00.001-07:00

After working in animal shelters for several years, I often feel like I've seen it all. When my pal Vicki sent me this story, however, I was truly astonished by what I read. First, by the awful cruelty and carelessness that led someone to abandon two helpless blind dogs, but more importantly, by the heartwarming heroism of author Todd Miller for intervening to save the lives of these deserving animals despite the assumption that "no one would want to adopt two old beat up blind dogs."

Marilyn (above left) and Elvis (right) are alive and thriving today because Todd and his wife welcomed them into their home - blindness, advanced age, heart murmurs, and all. Our world needs more people like Todd, people who will take a stand and recognize that disabled animals are still worthy of love, affection, care, and life.

"Love Is Blind" by Todd Miller

Three-Legged Dogs Get Around A-Okay

2010-08-05T15:45:00.000-07:00

When people first meet our three-legged dog, Dewey, their first question is usually "How did he lose his leg?" which is something I would love to answer. Since he's a rescue pooch who was found as a stray, we have no idea how he came to be a tripod. Because I'm curious myself, I can understand others' interest.

The second most common question about Dewey is a little more surprising, though. People often ask "Can he walk/run?" especially if I'm holding him or he's cruising in the doggie stroller with Greta. It always amazes me to remember that people sometimes mistakenly believe that three-legged dogs aren't mobile, but then again, they probably haven't had their lunch stolen from the top of the table by a tricky little tripod (that feat, by the way, entailed not just walking, but hopping, climbing, gobbling, and very fast thinking on Dewey's part!).

The truth is that three-legged dogs generally get around very well. Veterinary oncologist Dr. Greg Ogilvie puts it this way: "Dogs are born with three legs and a spare." If you're curious to learn more about the amazing abilities of tripods, check out these links:

Greta & Dewey Take To The High Seas!

2010-08-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

Being disabled doesn't keep Greta and Dewey from having a good time! On Sunday the four of us headed to Monterey for a whale watching adventure. Blind Greta sniffed the salt air and kept her cool on the open ocean in her doggie sling, proving to be quite the little seafarer! Three-legged Dewey was more nervous about the whole experience, but seemed to feel more confident as a sailor once he had his "small man" jacket on. Just another adventure for our rebound hounds!

Here In This House...

2010-08-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

Here in this house...

I will never know the loneliness I hear in the barks of the other dogs "out there."
I can sleep soundly, assured that when I wake, my world will not have changed.

I will never know hunger, or the fear of not knowing if I'll eat.

I will not shiver in the cold, or grow weary from the heat.

I will feel the sun's heat and the rain's coolness, and be allowed to smell all that can reach my nose.

My fur will shine and never be dirty or matted.

Here in this house...

There will be an effort to communicate with me on my level.

I will be talked to, and even if I don't understand, I can enjoy the warmth of the words.

I will be given a name so that I may know who I am among many.

My name will be used in joy and I will love the sound of it!

Here in this house...

I will never be used as a substitute for anything I am not.

I will never to used to improve peoples' images of themselves.

I will be loved because I am who I am, not someone's idea of who I should be.

I will never suffer for someone's anger, impatience, or stupidity.

I will be taught all the things I need to know to be loved by all.

If I do not learn my lessons well, they will look to my teacher for blame.

Here in this house...

I can trust arms that hold, hands that touch... knowing that no matter what they do, they do it for the good of me.

If I am ill, I will be doctored.

If I am scared, I will be calmed.

If I am sad, I will be cheered.

No matter what I look like, I will be considered beautiful and thought to be of value.

I will never be cast out because I am too old, too ill, too unruly, or not cute enough.

My life is a responsibility, not an afterthought.

I will learn that humans can almost, sometimes, be as kind as fair as dogs.

Here in this house...

I will belong.

I will be home.

~Laura Cathleen Patterson

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Photo note: The brown-eyed beauty pictured above is Elenor, one of the many wonderful dogs waiting patiently for her "house" at Oakland Animal Services in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have met Elenor in person, and she is as warm and friendly as they come! If this poem has moved you, please consider opening your heart and home to a deserving shelter dog like Elenor...

Special Needs Animals Are Welcome At Angel's Gate

2010-07-28T22:07:00.000-07:00

In a world where old, ill, injured, and disabled animals are all too often unwanted and abandoned, there are few safe havens. Angel's Gate Animal Hospice in upstate New York is one of them.

When Susan Marino founded Angel's Gate in 1993, she envisioned a place where animals with special needs would be welcomed with open arms. Today, Angel's Gate is home to nearly 400 animals including dogs, cats, chickens, parrots, ponies, swans, pigeons, geese and rabbits!

The animals have a range of abilities, and it's not unusual to see dogs rolling along on wheels or cats with diabetes-related blindness basking in the sun. The emphasis, says founder and director Susan Marino, is "on what they can do as opposed to what they can't." She notes that visitors to the sanctuary are "likely to be impressed with the vitality of our family members even though they are 'special needs' animals."

Samson (shown above middle) is a handsome brindle boxer who was born with a form of dwarfism. Like 90-95% of the dogs who arrive at Angel's Gate, he came from a puppy mill. Along with the other animals, Samson will be lovingly cared for for despite his disability. As Susan told Oprah, "What we do is make a commitment to the animal for a lifetime so that they know that they're never going to be abandoned. They're going to be loved the rest of their lives."

Susan gave up a lucrative job as a registered nurse 18 years ago, determined to care for "the misfits and the cast-offs of our society." With a new 100 acre location in upstate New York, world-wide acclaim, and the $50,000 grand prize from Rachael Ray's "Mutt Madness" contest, it seems safe to say that Susan has realized her goal with Angel's Gate. Best of all, her work has inspired countless others to open their hearts and homes to disabled animals. Click here to see a video clip of the Angel's gate animals in action (Samson included!).

Yasko The Three-Legged Crime Fighter

2010-07-25T20:41:00.000-07:00

Yasko the German Shepherd had the distinction of being only three-legged member of the Paso Robles, California police force. Although he was diagnosed with bone cancer last fall and had his left hind leg amputated, Yasko gamely returned to work on the canine unit within a month.

His human partner, Sgt. Tod Rehner, told the San Luis Obispo Tribune "He loves working. He doesn't know any different. To him, everything is the same as it always was."

Yasko was known for his stellar tracking abilities and regarded as a tireless detective. He knew approximately 20 police commands (all in German) and once tracked an armed suspect for 45 minutes until he successfully sniffed out his hiding place.

After his amputation, Yasko worked with Sgt. Rehner on narcotics detection. At the end of his shifts as a three-legged crime fighter, Yasko got to relax as a family dog at Rehner's home and play fetch with the kids.

Sadly, Yasko lost his brave battle with cancer in May, just two weeks before his eighth birthday and he is deeply missed by his colleagues on the Paso Robles police force. According to Sgt. Rehner, "Yasko was a great dog and a better partner."

Although this tripod's life was claimed by cancer, his legacy as a three-legged hero will endure. Yasko was living proof that pooches can and do adapt after loosing a limb, and can even carry on as professional working dogs.

Greta's Story

2010-07-22T22:19:00.000-07:00

Greta's story has been added to the www.blinddogs.net website! Click here to read more about our special senior girl, and don't forget that you can also submit the story of your own blind dog.