A Super Sunday Dog Event: The Bill Foundation's Rescue Bowl

The organization plans to live-stream an adoption event that pits Shelter Dogs vs. Street Dogs.

How many of you tuned into the Bill Foundation's live stream adoption event?

Always searching for new ways to help dogs in need, the rescue organization did something never done before: The Bill Foundation live-streamed its weekend adoption event in Los Angeles. Viewers were treated to streaming footage of wiggly, waggily dogs in need of forever homes as volunteers narrated their individual stories. Thanks to contributions from Ustream and Logitech, the event was a tremendous success, drawing more than 30,000 viewers as well as a deluge of adoption applications. Adoptions haven't been finalized yet (it's a long, thorough process), but it looks like 9 or 10 of the pups will be going to their forever homes.

Check out the recorded video below.

Now the foundation plans its first Rescue Bowl. Twenty to 25 adoptable dogs will get to play in a game of Shelter Dogs vs. Street Dogs. The dogs will be dressed in jerseys, and there will even be cheerleaders to rally their spirits. It's scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. If you're interested in watching the Super Bowl, you can still do that -- it starts at 3:30 p.m. Pacific, 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

You can watch the Rescue Bowl here for free, but you can also donate $5 to vote for you favorite team. All donations go to the Bill Foundation's continued rescue efforts.

The group plans to announce the starting lineup Saturday on its Facebook page; it'll also announce the "winning" team there Monday. There's even talk of a trophy and perhaps an exciting halftime show. 

Photo: Golden Retriever with star sunglasses on football by Shutterstock

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Lucy, the World's Smallest Working Dog, Is a Rescue Sucess

See cute photos of the Yorkie who holds the Guinness World Record as a therapy dog.

So after the bummer news on Thursday, we all kind of sat around in shock. Then the Dogster team decided, "Aw fluff it, let's go get lunch." So we did. After lunch, we had a group hug. And me, being the shortest of the group, got everyone's armpit in my face. Fortunately, everyone had remembered to wear deodorant. (Yours truly, however ... )

You might call me the "smallest employee of Dogster," and then Lucy the Yorkie and I would have something in common. Lucy is the Guinness World Record holder of Smallest Working Dog. The pint-size rescue is a certified therapy animal, AKC Good Canine Citizen, and certified caring hospice volunteer.

But Lucy's story almost didn't have such a happy ending! Lucy was one of a few dogs her former owner was trying desperately to rehome, going so far as taking the dogs door to door to see if anyone would adopt them. She walked into the shop in which the person who would become her new owner, Sally, was working; however, Lucy was hidden in a carrier. Sally asked to see Lucy, and the woman resisted -- Lucy was tiny and sickly with dirty, matted fur. But once Sally saw the pup, that was that. She took the dog, unsure of what would happen next except that she'd just made a promise. Fortunately, it all worked out well, and after some grooming and a trip to the vet, the little dog perked right up, and now gives back to her community.

Even though she is tiny, Lucy brings tremendous joy to the people and patients she works with, performing agility tricks that, at least for a little while, distract people from whatever might be ailing them. And for people like me, she's an inspiration, a reminder that even the smallest among us can do great, great things.

And anyway! There are benefits to being petite, such as:

Okay, sometimes the styles are a little childish, but hey! They're almost always cheaper!

And that includes plane seats!

It's cuddly warm in there!

Yay! Sunshine!

And when you lose just, like, a pound, you look great!

All photos via Lucy's Facebook page -- go check it out and tell her that Dogster sent you!

Check out these adorable stories on Dogster:

About Liz Acosta: Dogster's former Cuteness Correspondent, Liz still manages the site's daily "Awws," only now she also wrangles Dogster's social media. That's why she wants you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and -- her personal favorite -- Instagram. See ya there!

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Big Fluffy Dog Rescue Tells a Harsh Tale of a Hit and Run

Revlon escaped from her Nashville foster home and was found on the interstate. Surgery is next.

Big Fluffy Dog Rescue, a nonprofit from Nashville, Tennessee, posted an extremely intense and emotional account of their work with a single dog on their Facebook last night. While it's perhaps not an unusual story -- or at least not as unusual as most of us would like -- it does say a lot about the challenges of providing humane support for dogs in a society that's less and less willing to take care of its own.

The post is about Revlon, a dog that Big Fluffy had rescued, and who then escaped from her foster home. The people at Big Fluffy hit the streets and the social networks trying to find Revlon. They were met by a lot of helpful and compassionate people, with one exception: "To the one useless jackass who called and said he hoped she was squashed out flat on the highway, you can suck it and I sincerely wish you pain and suffering."

Despite the willingness of most people to help, there was no sign of Revlon until yesterday morning, when the author reports that dozens of people called in, flooding her with the same piece of bad news: Revlon had been struck by a hit-and-run driver on Interstate 40.

She had part of steel radial tire fragment embedded in her foot and she has possibly the worst blunt force trauma injury to her left hip and femur I've ever seen. Her right hip is dislocated and will have to be pinned and she will be in a wheelchair for several weeks while she heals. We will fix her and she is slated for surgery as soon as the plates that can repair her damaged hips arrive.

Revlon is alive because a woman stopped immediately when she saw the dog get struck and go flying. Despite the intense trauma, the dog dragged herself across three lanes of traffic, with a little help from humans on the scene:

To the man who found an orange cone to help keep traffic away, I say thank you. To the policeman who helped, thank you as well. This dog is alive because of all of you. To Shannon who put this dog in your car and drove her to the vet, you are my hero and I thank you. While it grieves me that the person who hit this dog did not bother to stop or even slow down to look, it comforts me that people cared enough to help one poor dog get out of harm's way.

As I say, the story itself is not that remarkable. After all, many dogs get struck by cars every day, and many don't make it to safety or have a human nearby who can help them to a veterinarian. But the directness and emotion of the account is a good reminder of what dog rescue workers go through on a regular basis. Just like the author, they're in the work because they care about and love these animals, and it can be a wrenching job whether you're a volunteer or paid staff.

And in the case of Revlon, it's an expensive one, too. The Big Fluffy staffer writes that the dog will need at least two or three surgeries, as well as a dog wheelchair to help her with mobility during recovery. That's probably going to come to $5,000 to $10,000:

She will have to endure two and probably three surgeries to repair the damage. If you look closely, you can see the lines where she got nailed by a bumper and you will understand just how lucky this dog is. The left hip is broken in four places and will be plated to provide pain relief and stability. Then we'll deal with the femur and knee. The right hip will be pinned. She won't be able to stand on her own so we'll be investing in a wheelchair while the breaks heal up.

For anyone who wants to help Big Fluffy Dog Rescue with Revlon's expenses, or with their work in general, donations can be made online.

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Sad News: Leaf the Rescue Greyhound Is Gone

The dog who spent her life breeding puppies at a dog-racing track crosses the Rainbow Bridge.

Today is a sad day for us at Dogster. A rescue Greyhound named Leaf, who bred puppies at an Oklahoma dog-racing track for years and whose dog mom, Teresa King, we talked with just last week, has crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Teresa lives in California, and she fell in love with Leaf,who had spent her entire life in the racetrack kennel. For Teresa it was love at first sight when she saw a picture of Leaf online. She spent the next three years adopting three of Leaf's puppies, but never forgot that mama dog whose picture she had fallen in love with. Finally just this summer Tereasa was able to bring Leaf home to California.

As Leaf was settling into her much deserved retirement, and for the first time had a home of her own complete with walks, squishy dog beds, and peanut butter, she was diagnosed with cancer. This morning Dogster got the sad news that Leaf had peacefully passed away. It seems impossibly cruel that this story of faith and love could end so soon. But maybe it hasn't. Although Leaf didn't live long after rescue to enjoy her newfound freedom, she made the most out of every moment she was given, and her story and legacy continues to live on.

All of us here at Dogster want to express our condolences to Leaf's mom, Teresa, the rest of her canine pack, and the dedicated folks of Golden State Greyhound Adoption, who worked tirelessly to save Leaf, her puppies and countless other Greyhounds.

About the author: Sassafras Lowrey is a dog-obsessed author based in Brooklyn. She is the winner of the 2013 Berzon Emerging Writer Award from the Lambda Literary Foundation, and the editor of two anthologies and one novel. Sassafras is a Certified Trick Dog Instructor, and she assists with dog agility classes. She lives with her partner, two dogs of dramatically different sizes, and two bossy cats. She is always on the lookout for adventures with her canine pack. Learn more at her website.

Read more by Sassafras Lowrey:

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Groby the Two-Legged Rescue Chihuahua Gets New Wheels

Groby Pedroni was among 40 dogs rescued from a hoarder in Southern California. You need to see these photos.

It was just another day in a quiet Los Angeles suburb when a horrifying discovery was made.

One of the neighbors had just lost her house. The interior was absolutely destroyed and smelled of filth and decay. Among the wreckage was 40 dogs. No one had even known the dogs were in the house. The neighbors had never seen any of the animals -- because the animals had never been allowed outside.

Nor had they ever received medical treatment, socialization, or any of the other things most dogs need to live happy, fulfilled lives. They were sick, unkempt, and fearful. Even worse, the dogs were not spayed or neutered, and there were not only puppies, but dogs pregnant with yet more litters. Because the dogs had lived unfixed in isolation, they had bred with one another, causing various birth defects among them.

One of those unfortunate puppies is Groby Pedroni. Groby was born without front legs.

I was surprised to get only a moderate response to my call for Monday Miracle nominations! But that's probably only because it needs to gain momentum. However, I did receive a couple nominations, and Groby was one of them. 

Groby is a pretty special dog -- he's even hung out with Rosie. Since being rescued, Groby has been outfitted with his own set of wheels. But he wasn't okay just yet. After finally receiving veterinary treatment, Groby still needed surgery for his remaining legs -- and the bill was not cheap. That's when the community stepped in, rallying around the little Chihuahua and raising money. He recently underwent surgery at UC Davis, so make sure to head over to his Facebook page and tell him Dogster sent you to wish him well.

We're asking for Monday Miracle nominations throughout the month of August, so if you know of dogs who have overcome incredible odds, go to our Facebook page or this page to nominate them.

Photos via Groby Pedroni's Facebook page

Check out our other Monday Miracles on Dogster:

About Liz Acosta: Dogster's former Cuteness Correspondent, Liz still manages the site's daily "Awws," only now she also wrangles Dogster's social media. That's why she wants you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and -- her personal favorite -- Instagram. See ya there!

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Help Us Find Our Next Monday Miracle Rescue Dog

For August, we ask you to help us by nominating dogs on Facebook who have special needs.

As Dogster's social media wrangler, I spend a lot of time thinking about social media's power to convey messages far and wide, and to connect people who would otherwise never have the opportunity to meet one another. You might be familiar with my weekly Monday Miracle column. I primarily use Facebook to find the subjects of my Monday Miracles, because I find it's the easiest way for people to connect with them -- because once folks are invested in a story, they want to keep following it.

Since the column's inception, I've been delighted to see it launch dogs with special needs into the spotlight, highlighting how even though these animals are not what most would consider "perfect," they're still beautiful and worthy of love. I think I see myself in them -- I'm really short, I'm not skinny, and my complexion is marred with acne scars, some might even call me "imperfect." But like the Monday Miracles, I've persevered and I know I'm worthy of affection. As a matter of fact, I think we all see ourselves in them.

For the month of August, I'd like to invite you to help me find my Monday Miracles. If you don't already follow us on Facebook, check us out, and look for a post with this image:

Nominate a dog with a Facebook page you think should be a Monday Miracle by leaving a comment. Try to pick dogs who haven't received any time in the Internet spotlight so we can give them the exposure they need. All dogs are amazing, but I'm looking for the ones who've had to overcome significant obstacles to get where they are.

What do you think? Is there a dog you think deserves to be a Monday Miracle?

The hero image is from an amazing story of chance and survival you can read here.

Check out our other Monday Miracles:

About Liz Acosta: Dogster's former Cuteness Correspondent, Liz still manages the site's daily "Awws," only now she also wrangles Dogster's social media. That's why she wants you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and -- her personal favorite -- Instagram. See ya there!

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Puppy-Mill Survivors Teddy and Harley Are on a Rescue Mission

The two Chihuahuas are spokesdogs for National Mill Dog Rescue.

Teddy and Harley are two Chihuahuas who were rescued from separate puppy mills, but their stories are all too familiar. Confined to wire cages with hardly enough food and water to survive, the two Chihuahuas endured lives of misery. They were used to breed litter after litter, without a single concern for their physical or emotional well-beings.

Finally, at the age of seven, Teddy was rescued by the National Mill Dog Rescue and transferred to Lily's Haven in Colorado, from which he was adopted into a loving home. Teddy's former puppy-mill days manifest themselves in the dog's missing teeth, uneven hips, and torn ears, but his spirit is intact.

Harley, however, fared worse. The older dog was given three months to live after being pulled from a puppy mill by Because of You Chihuahua Rescue. He is missing an eye and had to have most of his teeth removed as a result of them going bad from negligence, his tail is broken, and his heart is bad. His spirit, however, remains undaunted.

Not only have Teddy and Harley recovered, they are now leading a charge against puppy mills. Instead of wallowing in the injustices of their past lives, the two little survivors have become the spokesdogs for National Mill Dog Rescue, and they are heading a campaign called Harley to the Rescue to raise funds to send the organization on another puppy-mill rescue.

For many, the effort of survival consumes all their energy, but for Teddy and Harley, it was the beginning of a mission to help others just like them. It takes a very special spirit to be able to return to such horrors, but Teddy and Harley can't seem to be able to rest until puppy mills vanish. Now that's a Monday Miracle.

Click here to find out how you can donate to Harley to the Rescue, and make sure to pass this on -- news this good deserves to be shared with everyone!

Photos via Teddy's and Harley's respective Facebook pages, where you can also stay up to date on what the two dogs are doing.

Read about other miraculous dogs on Dogster:

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Muzzled Husky Uses Car Horn to Rescue Trapped Dogs

Three dogs and two cats were locked in van for a week. One of them learned to use the horn.

A Husky named Kiki, muzzled, was locked in the cab of a van. His friends -- two Husky-Rottweiler crosses named Buddy and Six-Toes, along with two cats -- were in the back of the van. The dogs were all muzzled, and the cats were in a cage. The doors of the van were locked.  

The animals had been in there a week, according to police. 

Everyone wanted out, obviously. Huskies are known for howling, but Kiki was muzzled. What did Kiki do? 

He figured out how to use the horn. Then he slammed on the horn. He laid on it hard until help arrived, in the form of the London Police, who quickly brought in the London Humane Society.

“The dogs were muzzled so they couldn’t make a sound, Judy Foster, the executive director of the London Humane Society, told the London Free Press. "I think he figured out how to use the horn. Dogs are very smart, they watch us all the time.”

“Whether it was a coincidence or whether he figured this out, we don’t know,” she said to thestar.com. “I have never heard of this happening before.” 

Police aren't sure whether the dogs were abandoned. It's likely that they were fed during the week, but there was no food or water in the van when they were rescued. 

What were they doing there? That's where the story, already tragic, gets worse. It started Dec. 3, when the Humane Society got a call from concerned neighbors about the unsanitary conditions inside Donna Herbert and Allan Folkins-Wyre's apartment in London. 

That night, rather than face the London Humane Society officers, the couple left, taking the three dogs and two cats with them. We now know they bundled the animals into a moving van and left them there. 

“We don’t know how long the animals were in the van alone, we don’t know the last time the owners came out to feed them,” Foster said. "But you can’t have cats and dogs living in a U-Haul."

What's worse, the animals were in "deplorable conditions" in the van. Fortunately, that allowed officers to load up on charges for the couple. According to thestar.com, "Donna Hebert and Allan Folkins-Wyre have been charged with five counts of cruelty to animals: three for causing an animal to be in distress, one of failing to provide necessary care, and another for failing to provide adequate and appropriate sanitary conditions."

As for the dogs, Foster is confident. She said they're “in poor body condition, but we can bring them back to health.”

Via the London Free Press and thestar.com. 

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Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson Rescue Another Shelter Dog

"I'm just sort of obsessed with rescuing the pooches," Kristen says. Bravo!

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are two young actors who love to go on talk shows and not talk about their relationship, and that leaves ... what? Often, seething anger and resentment toward the host. But at other times -- dogs! These are the times we're concerned about. These are the good times. 

The two often speak of their love for their adopted dog Bear, who Pattinson rescued from a high-kill Louisiana shelter "on his sixth of his seven days." Kristen considers the dog her child and usually spends all the time in interviews talking about him and not about Pattinson. Sometimes the hosts, with a wistful sigh, imagine that she is really talking about Pattinson when she is talking about Bear. 

Yesterday, Kristen dropped a bombshell on Live With Kelly and Michael. They got a new dog! Not only is Bernie another rescue, but he's an older dog, not a puppy, which adds more fuel to our theory that Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are the best dog owners in A-list Hollywood. 

When Kristen talks about saving dogs from high-kill shelters, people listen. When she pulls her hair, stares at the floor, and says into her fist (she's a bit awkward during these things, no?) that she considers her dog her child, people take note. 

"I'm just sort of obsessed with rescuing the pooches," she said to Kelly. 

"They're really very different," she said, explaining the two dogs. "I feel like I've raised Bear, whereas Bernie, we got her when she was like four, five -- we're not positive -- but she feels like my roommate. She's just like living in my house."

Referring to the decision to adopt the dog, she said of Bernie, "She was very emotionally manipulative. She really milked it. Then I got her home and she was like 'I have arrived. I am fine.'"

Bernie took over the household right away, Kristen said: "You know, she was very comfortable instantly, like taking Bear's stuff. It was like 'You need to slow your roll, girl. You need to watch it.'"

Via Examiner.com 

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Battered by Sandy, NY's Rescue Ink Shelter Seeks Donations

The rescue group run by tattooed bikers sets up an Indiegogo page to raise money and rebuild.

There are many ways to donate to Sandy relief, but if you're looking for animal-centric concern, look no further than Rescue Ink, the rescue shelter run by large, tattooed bikers who use "their intimidating presence to shame and report animal abusers and rehabilitate distressed animals," according to its Facebook page. The Long Beach, NY, shelter was nearly destroyed in the storm and was flooded, but because it's run by badass bikers, the staff members have their recovery efforts well under way.

Oh, and their dogs? You think these guys would let any harm come to their dogs? The dogs are fine, sitting happily in foster homes until the the shelter can be rebuilt. That's where you come in. The group has set up an Indiegogo page seeking $10,000 in donations.

Here's part of the group's statement on the site:

We've lost towels, litter, dry food, electric systems, bedding, Rescue Ink t-shirts, heat, computers, washer and dryer, everything. ... We even had a car donated earlier this year to help us go on cases. It was also destroyed.

The building is sturdy, it still stands. But the cleaning and restoration will be a hard process.

The sooner we start on the process of rebuilding, the sooner we can get the animals back into the shelter, as well as being able to take in more in the coming days. 

If you'd like to donate computer equipment, washer, dryer, or other items, please write to tracy@rescueink.org.

Thus far, the group has received $5,000, and the quick response left the team humbled. Posted yesterday on its Facebook:

Thank you to everyone who has given. We are humbled by this experience and the outpouring of support. We are determined to make the transition back into the shelter easy for the animals, and quick. We're trying to clean in the dark ... there's no power, no water. We're just doing what we know, trying to make it right for the animals. Please keep sharing, this isn't going away anytime soon for anyone in our area, it's bad for everyone. ... We have so much to do.

In addition to donating, you can vote for the group in the The Animal Rescue Site $300,000 Shelter Challenge of 2012, which is run with Petfinder. The grand prize is $5,000, which would go a long way toward fixing up Resuce Ink.

"We have much to rebuild," Rescue Ink posted on its Facebook page. "So many of you have said you want to help and we are grateful. Let's start here ... if Rescue Ink could win this grant, it would make such a difference."

Photos via Rescue Ink's Facebook.

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Rocket Dog Rescue Saves Nine Chihuahuas from Hoarders

Volunteers from San Francisco nonprofit Rocket Dog Rescue are preparing for a second trip to Bakersfield after traveling there last weekend to rescue nine Chihuahuas from a dog-hoarding situation.

Rocket Dog founder Pali Boucher says that two of the dogs have already found new homes, two are in foster homes that might become permanent, and the others are being fostered.

About 50 dogs were in the home, which she described as “awful living conditions.”

“They are all around a year old, and extremely sweet and loving despite what they have been through,” Boucher wrote on Rocket Dog Rescue’s Facebook page.

She says she is not sure how many dogs she and other volunteers will bring back from Bakersfield when they return.

Despite the horrific environment the dogs were found in, Boucher says, the woman who was keeping the dogs is working with Rocket and other rescue groups. “That’s the way I like to help,” Boucher says, “before animal control steps in, as long as we have a system in place and the person is willing to work with us.”

Asked to describe the Bakersfield site, she says, “Whenever you have 50 animals in one given place, you’re going to have a very cluttered and very dirty environment -- it’s going to look pretty harsh.”

The woman holding the dogs called Rocket Dog Rescue directly; Boucher says she believes the woman was trying to help the dogs, but somehow the situation got out of hand. Unfortunately, this is all too common in dog-hoarding situations.

The health problems in this group of Chihuahuas include cases of demodectic mange and some pneumonia. “We’re pretty good at trouble-shooting some pretty serious illnesses,” Boucher says, adding that just getting a large group of rescue animals spayed and neutered can cost thousands of dollars.

The first group of dogs taken by Rocket Dog were mostly in good health -- and that was intentional. Boucher says when there are a lot of animals to be rescued, she’ll take the ones in better condition first because they can find foster and permanent homes more readily. Volunteers will return to get dogs with more serious medical needs and behavioral problems who could take longer to rehabilitate. Older dogs, which are also harder to place, are also included in the later rounds of rescue.

Late last week Rocket received the call and coordinated with other rescue groups in California, including Nuts’n Bolts Animal Advocates in the city of Madera. 

“We really believe in working together as a team,” Boucher says. “We’re not territorial.” The first phone call indicated that about 25 animals were at the site, whereas 50 were discovered.

Small dogs such as Chihuahuas used to be relatively rare in shelters, Boucher says, but now they are among the most common. A recent case involved 16 Chihuahuas in a small apartment in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District. The animals' owner moved to the Philippines, simply leaving the animals behind.

The situation in Bakersfield and surrounding Kern County is indeed dire, Boucher says. Statistics from the Kern County Animal Control website reflect this. In 2011, slightly more than 1,800 dogs were adopted from the shelter, whereas around 10,000 were euthanized. The numbers for cats are lower but the adoption-to-death ration is worse. About 500 cats were adopted from the shelter, while more than 7,800 were put to death.

Asked the reason for this, Boucher cites overpopulation. “There’s just no place to put these guys,” she says.

To adopt one of the rescued Chihuahuas, donate toward the cost of the dogs' care, or offer volunteer services, visit the Rocket Dog Rescue website.

View the original article here

Stranger Than Fiction: South Carolina Firefighters Rescue a Dog Stuck Up a Tree

Since when do dogs climb trees? One catlike Dachshund was stuck for hours, and he's not talking about how he got there!

As the old bit of journalism wisdom goes: If a dog bites a man, it's not news, but if a man bites a dog, it is. In a similar vein, if a cat gets stuck in a tree, we're not going to write about it, but if a dog gets stuck in a tree, it's hard to resist.

Especially a cute little long-haired Dachshund.

Especially one who gets stuck in a tree in a cemetery at night.

Cappy and crew shortly after his rescue (Photo: Beaufort Gazette) Little Cappy's owner was frantic most of the night after she realized at 6 p.m. that Cappy was nowhere to be found. She searched everywhere, got friends involved, put out a call for help on Facebook. One of her friends saw her plea on Facebook around midnight, and felt terrible for Cappy's owner, Mimi Austin.

"I have four dogs of my own, and I wouldn't have been able to sleep if that was me," Kim Bonturi said in an article in the Beaufort Gazette. She grabbed her friend, a flashlight, and her golden retriever, and they eventually ended up at the Beaufort National Cemetery, near Austin's and Cappy's house.

As they explored, they started hearing barking. Austin, who was on the porch of her house, heard the familiar woofs and came running to join them. They checked and checked the brush and just couldn't find the little fella. I love this next line from the Beaufort Gazette article.

"The women started getting frustrated with searching in the dark, when two Beaufort police officers stopped by to see what three women, a dog and a car were doing in the rear of the cemetery."

That would be a little odd to see at around 1 a.m. The officers shined their powerful flashlights all about and finally located Cappy, who was sitting on a limb of a big oak, about 12 feet off the ground.

Their 8-foot ladder was no help, even with an officer's outstretched arms, so they called in the firefighters, who got their ladder right beside the dog. Before a firefighter plucked him out of the tree, Cappy covered his face with kisses. He must have been very grateful for the rescue.

How Cappy got up there is anyone's guess. One comment in the Gazette said that the only way he could get up there on his own would be to sit on an acorn and wait for it to grow. LOL! Chances are that didn't happen. What do you think? Could he have run up a big oak on his own if he got a really good running start? Could it have been some weird Twilight-Zone-like cemetery situation, where he kind of got beamed into the tree by a ghost? (What was the name of that episode with the cemetery? Night Call, right? Gives me shivers!) Or do you just think some creep put him up there?

The poor dog was so thirsty when he got down that he guzzled a big bowl of water. From now on, we hope Cappy keeps all four paws firmly planted on the ground. Well, maybe three. He can do a little rear-leg tree salute next time he passes by the oak that held him captive for so long.

ad more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2012/04/10/3882671/sc-firefighters-rescue-dog-stuck.html#storylink=cp
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Rescue Dog Rescues Owner by Detecting Her Breast Cancer

Effie, rescued dog turned rescuer (Image: WXYZ)

A mammogram — the gold standard in breast cancer detection — failed to detect Lisa Hulber’s malignant tumor. But Effie, her rescued hound mix, did. The dog whose life Hulber saved helped save hers after she sniffed her to the point where she decided to get double-checked.

This time, doctors found Hulber’s tumor, and did an excisional biopsy. But Effie was ahead of them again. She started sniffing around and apparently detected the only lymph node that had the cancer. Hulber underwent a double mastectomy and 20 weeks of chemotherapy, and will soon start radiation.

“It’s hard to go through cancer and stuff like that,” the Michigan resident said. “I’m not a ‘woe is me’ kind of person and knowing what she did for me, that gift, that’s what makes me cry.”

Hulber thinks Effie got her “medical” training on the family’s kitten, who died of cancer. The dog may have associated the similar scent, and it’s easy to make the leap that Effie was trying to tell her rescuer that something was amiss.

As I wrote in yesterday’s article about the police dog, a dog’s nose can be better than any technology currently available, at least for detecting certain scents.

Way to go, Effie!

Now she has an equally important job: Being there for Hulber as she goes through the treatments, which can be so debilitating. Something tells me she’s already all over that assignment.

Readers, has your dog ever sniffed you in an unusual way and made you wonder if he/she is detecting something you should check out? Do you think rescue dogs sometimes feel an extra need to protect and even “rescue” their owners? Please share your experiences!

Source: WXYZ

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3 Beautiful Stray Dogs from Afghanistan in Different Stages of Rescue

Life as a stray dog anywhere is difficult, but in Afghanistan it’s particularly cruel. Strays there are often victims of not just neglect, but terrible cruelty. Hunger is only one enemy. Stoning, maiming, and shooting are some of the other horrors these dogs routinely face.

But thanks to several incredible rescue groups around the U.S., some lucky strays who bonded with soldiers there are being rescued from their nightmarish lives and brought here. Most will eventually be reunited with their soldiers and become their forever dogs.

Today we bring you a look at three strays from Afghanistan in different stages of rescue.

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The dog above is named Willie, and he is still in Afghanistan. His story is best told by a soldier who knows him. This is from the Facebook page of the excellent rescue organization, Puppy Rescue Mission.

“The locals here some how got ahold of him when he was still young, and took him. They didn’t treat him well, and even cut his ears off. The poor guy came running back to base looking for help ears bleeding. The entry control point called up on the radio saying that Willie had returned to base and was bleeding pretty bad. Me and the medics wrapped him up and nursed him back to health. I think he eats better then most of us, since we all tend to give him food when ever we eat. He mostly sleeps with me, however the whole base loves him, and he tends to sleep around with who ever calls his name first haha. To be continued …”

If you check in at Puppy Rescue Mission, you will soon see a page devoted to bringing Willie home. (The thought of this sweet dog running in a panic with the searing pain of his ears having been chopped off and coming to the American military base tears at the heart, doesn’t it?)

As I am writing this in the wee hours of Friday, Smokes is en route to the United States, with five hours to go before landing. Smokes will make his life in Massachusetts with his soldier, Evan Parker. Donors to the Puppy Rescue Mission (people like you and me) helped make this miracle change in this dog’s life come about.

Trigger, rescued by U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, enjoyed some affection when he arrived at JFK Airport yesterday.

“Breathe that air. That’s war-free air.”

These were some of the first words heard by a 70-pound former stray dog from Afghanistan when he landed on U.S. soil yesterday. Trigger may not have understood their meaning, but he probably figured out that he’d ended his long journey from Kabul in a very different place from where he started — one with lots of belly rubs and affection and calm people and no ammo or mortar blasts.

About seven months ago, Trigger was found by soldiers on patrol and quickly bonded with the unit. “He’d come no matter where you were on the base when you called,” said the soldier who helped rescue him and will soon become his official owner. (He needs to remain anonymous to keep the dog and his family safe.)

“You come home at the end of a horrendous day and you’re greeted by a big, loving face,” said someone close to the soldiers. “When you’re away from everything that is familiar to you, it meant a lot.”

A second dog also became part of the unit, but when she was found dead, the soldiers vowed to get Trigger back to the U.S. safely. Thanks to the efforts of the group Guardians for Rescue from Port Jefferson, NY, Trigger is now a U.S. “citizen.” He’ll learn some basic housetraining and obedience skills in New York before heading to Washington state to meet his soldier rescuer, who is based there.He is greatly looking forward to seeing his faithful friend again, and says it will be a little “surreal.”

Sources: Newsday, Puppy Rescue Mission

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Caught on Video: Dramatic Rescue of Dog Who Fell Through Ice in Colorado

Very unfortunate update below

A dog who bolted from his owner while on a walk near the Smith Reservoir in Lakewood, Colo., would probably be dead today if not for the heroic and dramatic rescue by local fire crew. A firefighter suited up in cold-water rescue gear crawled out and then semi-swam to the dog while hacking away at the ice so he could reach the dog. The dog, a Dogo Argentino named Max, was very glad to see his hero, and made a beeline for him.

“We’re blessed to have him here tonight,” Max’s owner, Michael Robinson, told 7NEWS. Max warmed up in the ambulance and is apparently back to his bouncy, energetic self.

His dramatic rescue was captured by a news helicopter.

Can you say “hero”?

(I was sorry to learn that Max ended up in the water because he was chasing a coyote. The coyote also fell into the reservoir, but very sadly, did not last against the elements. I wish that weren’t part of this story, but it is. Still the real story is that of the lengths these rescuers went to to save Max. RIP, coyote …)

Update 2:30 pm 2-8-12: I am really dismayed to have to bring you more bad news about this story. It started out as such a feel-good story, then I learned about the coyote drowning, and now it turns out that this morning Max bit the face of Denver TV anchor Kyle Dyer as she “tried to kiss/snuggle with the dog,” stated the animal control report, according to the Denver Post. Dyer is in fair condition at a local hospital.

The 85-pound dog is in custody of Denver Animal Care and Control, where he’s being detained pending investigation of the incident, and quarantined for 10 days to observe for signs of rabies and other illnesses. The dog reportedly was not up to date on rabies inoculations.

The firefighter who went into the frigid water to rescue Max was in the 9News studio with Max and his owner when the attack occurred. He once again went into rescue mode, this time helping Dyer. “It was definitely shocking, it was not how I envisioned my morning going,” Tyler Sugaski told the Denver Post. “It’s one thing getting called to a scene, but to be there right as it is happening, it’s different.”

I’ll provide another update when I get more news. Thank you to Chesney, who left a comment below so we had a heads up about this situation.

Here is a supershort clip of the bite. The main interview and clip are no longer available.

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Thai Navy Heroes Rescue 800 Dogs Being Smuggled to Vietnam for the Dinner Table

Image from a video taken in August of a similar smuggling from Thailand to Vietnam. If you want to see the video - and only do so if you can handle disturbing material - you can click on the second Huffington Post link below. But I don't advise it unless you are pretty steeled to this kind of thing, which is why I am not inserting the link in a more traditional way.

The Thai Navy rescued some 800 dogs from ending up on dinner tables in Vietnam when it aborted a smuggling operation this morning on the shores of the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province.

The dogs were on a truck, crammed into small, rusty cages that were about to be loaded onto a boat that would ferry them across the river to Laos. From there, they were destined for Vietnam, to be sold in the dog-meat market.

The dogs will be sent to a shelter, where their fate could at least not be worse than it would have been. There is no word of what will become of them in the shelter – whether people will flock to adopt them or if they are just going to be put down humanely (as opposed to the horrendous ways they would be slaughtered for food; I will not go into it here.) or something in between.

Thai authorities last year stopped the transport of more than 2,000 dogs bound for Vietnam in similarly horrendous conditions. These dogs are often rounded up as strays, or bartered for in rural areas. In last year’s raid, dozens of dogs had died of suffocation in their cramped cages when Thai police found them. Two Thai men were charged with the illegal transportation and trafficking of animals. They could face a year in jail and a fine of about $600.

Sadly, the Navy rescuers found only 40 cages with dogs today, and have been able to detain only one man. They also found 100 empty cages, meaning some 2,000 dogs may already have been smuggled in this most recent operation.

It is encouraging to see the Thai government going after traffickers like this. Maybe with stiffer penalties these smugglers would find something else to do that doesn’t involve dogs. And perhaps the government will step it up when they see the positive international reaction to their efforts.

Sources: Sky News, MSN News, Huffington Post, Washington Post, Huffington Post (2)

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Mr Chewy to the rescue

The last two weeks have been utter chaos at my home. Preparing for thanksgiving, school stuff for my son and dealing with Zeus with his multitude of medical issues has pretty much kept me buried up to my elbows in alligators. My mind has been racing and I feel stretched to the limit. The last thing I’ve wanted to do is head to the pet store to pick up dog food. The bags are heavy and cumbersome to lug into the shopping cart, through the check out and load in my SUV. Not to mention dragging them in from the SUV once I get home. Luckily I found an absolute lifesaver this week.

Mr Chewy delivers dog and cat food/treats, flea and tick products and kitty litter straight to your doorstep. I was pleased by the incredible selection of high quality food and treats they offer at very competitive prices. The website is easy to navigate and best of all they have free delivery for orders over $49 and $4.99 flat rate shipping for orders under $49. They carry my brand of food, Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream, and treats (I dont always bake for them and I do buy treats) Wellness Wellbars, for less than what I pay at the store and with out the hassle – SCORE! I thought I would give it a try and hope for the best. I purchased 4 bags and set up an automatic monthly delivery schedule. They offer a 15% discount on your first order if you set up auto delivery and there are no hidden charges or fees. How awesome is it that I will never have to worry about running out of dog food at the most inconvenient time ever again!

Fast forward a couple of days… I am super impressed by how quickly my order arrived. I ordered on a Monday afternoon and by noon on Wednesday the FedEx truck was pulling up with two giant boxes being delivered right to my doorstep. I was very pleased that the bags were packed in cardboard boxes, two bags per box, and in perfect condition upon arrival. What a time saver! With the couple of weeks I have had, not having to make the extra trip(s) to the petstore to buy food (and basically not having to think about it) has been absolutely invaluable! Thank you Mr. Chewy! You are a life saver!

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Evolution of the St Bernard Rescue Dog (cartoon)

Hahaha!  Gotta love it!  Found this one at My Dogface dot com by the great cartoonist Raeside Make sure you check out his other works, he’s great!

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Rescue of the Week

I’ve done a lot of thinking about my “dog roots” lately.  Where I’ve been and where I’m going.  I’be seen my journey transform from that of rescue to someplace I never thought I’d go, preparing for showing and AKC events.  This is not necessarily a bad thing, but I feel I have betrayed my passion for helping dogs, Saint Bernards specifically, down on their luck and in need.

With the down turn in the economy and housing crisis firmly entrenched in our country there is no shortage of Saint Bernards and Labradors in need of a helping hand.  While I am not able to provide a temporary “physical” foster home for a dog in need at this time (as I have done countless times in the past), I can provide a “virtual” home for one looking for its forever home.  This Sunday I will be launching the first ever Sunday Saint Showcase section on my blog.  Each Sunday I will feature a different Saint Bernard or Labrador currently in a rescue waiting for the start of a it’s new, forever life.

If you are considering adding a Saint Bernard or Labrador to your family, please consider adoption.  Petfinder.com has many listings for available dogs in your geographical area.

If you are a Saint Bernard or Labrador Rescue and would like to participate, please feel free to contact me for details.

*Its the Dogs Life is not a rescue, nor it is it affiliated with any of the rescues that are featured on this blog.  I do not have any influence in who is considered for adoption.  Each rescues guidelines are different and all inquiries should be made directly to the rescue group that is hosting the dog you are considering.  We are not responsible for any actions of the groups or the dogs being featured on this site.

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Why You’re NOT Doing a Good Deed When You “Rescue” that Poor, Pleading Pet Store Puppy

“If you think that puppy mills are so horrible, why aren’t you buying these dogs and rescuing them from the awful situations they’re in? Why aren’t you encouraging your clients to buy them so they don’t end up in shelters or rescues?” This is a summary of a comment left on one of my previous Dogster blog posts about the behavioral effects of puppy mills.

It’s rare for me to respond to comments on the Dogster blogs I’ve written (time is a precious thing when you’re an entrepreneur like me!), but I felt as though this particular comment needed addressing since it taps into what I find to be a very pervasive myth – that you are doing a “good deed” when you purchase a dog from a pet store or “rescuing” this dog from the puppy milling cycle.

Buying a puppy from a pet store is NOT “rescuing” the puppy from the mill cycle; it is making a cash contribution to the perpetuation of a cycle of greed which sees puppies as commodities. Puppies are big business to all millers, and like all businesses, puppy milling operates on the “supply and demand” principle. No business stays open without client support. Each pet store puppy purchased positively reinforces the pet store and miller for inappropriate breeding practices.

Of course, I hate seeing a single dog suffer for any reason. I really hate seeing millions of dogs suffer for a single reason – lining the wallets of individuals who prey on the pain of sentient beings.

It’s hard to see a six month old puppy, too big for his crate, with his large, sad, brown eyes begging you to “please take me home. Get me out of here.” But essentially, taking that dog home only opens up that crate for the next six-month-old dog who has missed the opportunity to spend his critical stages of development with a family who will treat him well. Eventually, another well-intentioned dog lover will feel pity for him and take him home. The cycle continues, ad infinitum.

I hate the puppy mill industry on two levels. I hate it for the dogs – I hate that mill breeding dogs are made to live in squalor their entire lives, never seeing a moment of compassion, never knowing what it’s like to feel grass on their feet, the fun of learning a new trick, the pleasure of a deep sigh on a warm bed after a great hiking adventure.

I hate that these dogs are given inadequate medical care, inappropriate nutrition, and have substandard living conditions. I hate that puppies are taken from their litters too early, transported during critical fear periods, and are placed in environments which are dangerous to their physical and behavioral development. I hate that my new client’s Chihuahua mix, recently purchased from a local pet shop at five months old, is terrified of children and most adults, and has already learned that biting hard is a very effective strategy for creating space, already drawing blood daily, nearly every time someone tries to touch him.

I hate the industry for what it does to pet owners too. The mill industry is a scam, and its employees are con artists – selling dog owners and their dogs a lifetime of frustration for exorbitant prices. My new client wanted a cute and wonderful puppy. She loves dogs. Her heart melted when she saw this puppy cowering and trembling in his crate, and she took him home. Now she’s afraid of her puppy, and her puppy is terrified of life. She didn’t get a pet, she got a behavior modification project; likely the result of a combination of poor genetics and extremely poor experiences during critical socialization periods. She wanted to take her new doggy to new places, new experiences, to give him all the opportunities he’d been denied in his early puppyhood. She won’t be able to do that for some time, and is likely looking at an extensive training investment (financially and in terms of her time), plus a lifetime of careful management.

People who buy puppies from pet stores are not bad people. I would venture to say that virtually every person who purchases a puppy from a pet store a) doesn’t know about the mill industry or b) does know, falls in love, and honestly wants to help this one dog experience a fantastic life with a loving family. But how we as pet owners invest our money is bigger than us, bigger than this one dog on this one day in this one pet shop.

Will the investment you make the next time you bring a dog into your home break or perpetuate the cycle?

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