Barney Hospitalized

Barney remains hospitalized. This is the third day. Test results are not yet in. His appetite continues to be good and he continues to drink well. He is still unable to get up. Please help us get Barney back on his feet by donating to his fundraiser at
http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-09-22.2516438209

Harland Arrives

Harland is 12-14 years old. Bless his heart. His backend is weak and he walks in circles. I felt so bad for him. The first night, he would not go inside his dogloo to sleep. He paced back and forth and drank a ton of water. The second night it was sprinkling and then came a light rain. I was worried about him and decided I better crate him if he wasn't going to take refuge in his dog house. When I went back to check on him, he was inside his house all snuggled up snoozing the night away. He seemed to be in the exact same position the next morning - he must have been exhausted from pacing most of the night before. My personal dog, Duke, relishes in making visitors jealous. He came over and put one paw on my leg and looked over at Harland....no response from Harland, so he put both paws in my lap and looked over his shoulder at Harland....still no response. Duke then repositioned himself, placed his paws on my chest and nuzzled his head on me....and cut his eyes at Harland....to his dismay still no response. What Duke failed to realized is that Harland probably doesn't see too far away nor did he care about Duke's shenanigan. Duke was completely let down by Harland's lack of interest.

Hudson

Hudson is a new arrival. He is a senior chow who was rescued just before euthanasia. He is a sweet boy who gets along well with other dogs and pays no attention to cats. Hudson has some medical needs including a broken tooth that has become infected and needs to be removed. We are having a fundraiser to help offset his medical cost. Hudson is in the market for a new home. This sweet fellow still has many good years to share. If you would like to adopt or foster Hudson, please complete and return the appropriate application which an be found at http://poundpals.cfsites.org/index.php If you can donate just $10 toward Hudson's medical needs please visit his fundraising link http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-09-19.6600368198

Sam Settles In

Sam is a senior lab who was rescued just before being euthanized. He is guessed to be 11 years old. He is friendly and laid back. His foster mom says he is the perfect house guest. Although Sam is still on his medical clearance hold, he has already generated a lot of interest.

Update: Babs

Many of you may remember Babs. She is a senior shelter chow who we rescued on the day she was to be euthanized. She arrived frail, underweight and seriously ill. She had an infection in her uterus which generated a heavy discharge and attracted flies. The flies got imbedded under her thick undercoat and went to work - almost killing poor Babs. She was hospitalized for 12 days. After several months of care, three rounds of antibiotics and gaining 8 pounds - Babs has finally been cleared for surgery. The tumor you see attached to her rear end is the size of a softball. You can help Babs by making a donation to her fundraiser http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-09-19.5077608315

Dexter Digs!

Dexter was believed to be a "wild" or "feral" dog. We were told that he had been living near a loading dock and the workers would throw him their leftovers. Dexter loves his life here. He doesn't have to fight for his food. He gets food everyday and has fresh water. He has his own dog house complete with a comfy blanket. He enjoys treats and enjoys watching the other dogs. Dexter watches intently. He studies them. When he first came, he would make a panther sound instead of barking. Now, he has a strong bark and isn't afraid to voice his opinion. Both Adam and Teresa love being sprayed with the water hose - they drink out of it in mid-spray. Dexter watched them for months. You could tell he was learning. Finally, he was given his chance. He made sure his footing was just right. He always approached the hose left to right and I must say - over the course of the summer his skills have greatly improved. He seems to look out for the senior dogs. I think Dexter's biggest accomplishment has been learning to dig a hole - a nice cool hole to lay in - and he has seen some of the best hole diggers around. He has spent a good part of his summer studing their craft. Finally, he got the paw action down and make a few swipes. Dexter lacks self-confidence. He has the skill down, he just doesn't realize it. He will make a few swipes and then lose confidence. It's as if he doesn't want the other dogs to know that he never learned to dig a hole. I think he is embarrassed! There is no shame in Dexter's game though - he is no quitter. After an entire summer of "digging", Dexter has a nice indention to lay in.

Alpha & Dessy Reunited

It has been raining here constantly for the last week. We had delayed reuniting these two in hopes of nice weather so we could get a descent video or a few good photos of the reunion. Between Dessy's continous howling and Alpha's repeated escape attemps - we decided it was time to get them back together and hope they would finally begin to settle in. Alpha & Dessy were reunited on Thursday, September 17, 2009. Dessy was so excited to see Alpha. She is definately dependent on him. She has stopped howling completely since being reunited with Alpha. Intially, Alpha was more interested in exploring his new surroundings. Alpha had been contantly trying to escape and refused to go inside his dog house - he would stand out in the rain night and day. However, once he was back by Dessy - he immediately stopped trying to get out. In fact, he settled into his dog house and enjoyed the first good night's sleep he has had in long while.

The Call That Went Unanswered (Almost)

I normally don't say no to seniors especially when a shelter manager asks me to take one. I know there is something special about the dog when a manager request comes in. This big gal is known as "T Girl". That is shortened for Tumor Girl. She is believed to be 10 years old. She came into the shelter with a big tumor on her neck. The shelter had it removed but they were told that it would grow back. T Girl was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The shelter manager was just looking for a place to let her live out her days. I told Lisa if she couldn't find another rescue we would answer the call and offer her a place to live out her days. Several weeks later Lisa called again with the same request. I kept thinking surely another rescue - a bigger rescue - with more sponsors, donors and resources will step up. They could promote her (which often goes by the way side here because we are too busy with intakes, transports, dirty lines, etc). A few weeks later, I received a third call from Lisa. She thanked me for considering T Girl and said they had decided to put her down because she was becoming depressed. I told Lisa, "if we are the best she is going to get, then so be it. I'll send a transport for her tomorrow." I said a prayer that we would be supplied with the means to keep her comfortable and meet any medical needs that she would have. The next day, T Girl boarded transport and every shelter worker in the place came outside to see her off. She was whisk away for a night's stay at Waggin Tails. Once T Girl arrived I could see right away why the plea had been brought to me three times - T Girl wasn't especially pretty, she was old, she was big and she was terminally ill - but the reason the plea had been repeated was because T Girl is all things good in a dog. A beautiful spirit. She serves as our meet and greet. Not a dog who has come through has ever disliked T Girl. She can settle the most jittery of canine nerves. T Girl's tumor has not grown back. When I talk to Lisa about other intakes I ask her "where is that terminally ill girl you were sending me?" or "are you sure the vet said she is sick?". Our vet has confirmed T Girl's test results but you know what - so far so good. T Girl has been here since early 2009, her energy is good, she is in no pain and she enjoys everyday of her life. She has out lived many of our seniors - Papa, Grace, Gordon and Opal. Every day that T Girl graces me with her kind and loving spirit is a gift.

Rema's Road To Rescue

REMA'S ROAD TO RESCUE When Rema's lifetime owner of 12 years fell in her home, Rema refused to leave her side. For three days Rema never left her fallen owner's side, going without food or fresh water until help finally arrived. Rema's owner was then whisk away in an ambulance and poor Rema waited at the door for her owner to return. For weeks Rema waited vigilantly at the door while an uncle came daily to offer her food and water. Rema's owner will never return home. Instead she will wait faithfully at the rainbow bridge to be reunited with Rema one day. The family considered putting Rema down but a neighbor stepped in and convinced them to allow her to try to find a home for Rema. Although Margret tied her best to find a loving family for Rema, nobody was willing to take in a senior lady with medical needs. When Pound Pals heard of Rema's plea, they welcomed her with open arms. Rema is on thyroid medication and had hip surgery a few back so she walks with an occassional limp. Rema needs a medical sponsor and a monthly sponsor.

Boomer Gets A Home

Boomer made it to his new home Saturday. Here he is cheesing and chilling with his new family. Looks like he is making himself right at home. Buster also made it to his new home Saturday. Boomer was an adoption return due to deployment. Buster had been in foster care for five months waiting to find his new home. Buster was surrendered to a high kill shelter after 5 years of faithful service by his former owners because they were expecting a baby. We are very happy that these two wonderful boys are now in loving homes.

Saying Goodbye

Trooper is now buried at Angel Paws. I've got to say, it was heartbreaking to lay him to rest. I have buried many old dogs and many sick dogs but Trooper was a young dog - in the prime of his life and he had weathered so much abuse and neglect. His "sickness" could have easily been cured with inexpensive medicine but his cuts and scrapes were let go too long. It wasn't his time. If only we could have gotten him stabalized so he could have lived to have known love. Vanessa told me that when he had his head on her arm rest, he looked up at her and she knew he was saying "thank you". Billy mentioned today that he knew Trooper was happy to be here - that he must have been hanging on just long enough to leave the shelter alive - he said he could tell that Trooper knew we were trying to help him and he was thankful for our efforts. The death of Trooper is heartbreaking and unsettling to me. He has left a lasting impression - his paw print will forever be on my heart. Pitbulls are among those most at risk for abuse and neglect. I hear all too often even from my fellow rescuers "only the pits were left". I have seen all to often a shelter withold a shot because "it was just a pitbull" and probably would not have made it out anyway. Every dog deserves the best we have to offer with no prejudgements. I have seen dogs I thought were doomed make it out. I have seen dogs Ii thought would adopt out with no problem be euthanized. Trooper deserved medical treatment at the time he entered the shelter as all dogs do - including pitbulls. Rest in Heaven sweet forgiving Trooper - Bless Your Pittie Heart.

Trooper's Tribute

This little guy was so withered up - you could not look at him and say he looks like a "Roy" or a "Jackson"........naming him hasn't been hard though if I never know anything else about this boy, I know he is a Trooper. He has weathered the failure of his owner, the failure of all those who saw him as a stray and refused him aid and the failure of the shelter to give him life saving medical attention. It's hard to say sometimes why we get there too late. In Trooper's case, we got to him but not in time to save him. Perhaps saving him wasn't the point at all. On his last day, he was probably more loved and cared for than any other day in his life. He met kind person after kind person (and nobody turned him away) - each one loading him gently in their vehicle and transporting him to the next relay drop. On his last night, he slept on several blankets and had clean fresh water and a bowl of food there for the taking. On his last night, he wasn't afraid, abused, neglected or unloved. On his last night he seemed to know that many people had stepped up to help him. Why did he reach me on his last night. I think it was to know love - to take at least an ounce of love with him across the rainbow bridge. I hope Trooper is there at the bridge with the rest of my pack. I hope to see him again someday - healthy, happy and loved. If Trooper's fundraiser reaches it's goal - it will be used to help another dog in need - that is what I think Trooper would have wanted to do. He is being buried today in the Angel Paws Cemetery. I have seen Billy bury many rescues over the years. This year alone he had to bury Opal, Gordon, Grace and Papa. He dearly loved Papa but I have never seen a dog get to him like Trooper did. Trooper will rest next to Gordon now - he will never be abused, neglected or confined to a shelter again.

Former "Bait" Pit

This poor pitiful fellow has never been shown one ounce of love. He is surprised when someone stops to talk to him. He is overjoyed when someone actually pets him and offers him a comfy blanket to rest his weary bones on. That's about all that is left of him - bones.....and scars on his face and body. He was obviously used as a bait dog. Even after all this, he still befriends everyone who makes a minute for him! In addition to the noticable starvation and skin issues - he is suffering from an absessed tooth! Even with all the pain he must be in, he remains friendly and happy to meet each new visitor that passes through the shelter. Won't you help us help him? Donations can be made at http://www.fundable.com/groupactions/groupaction.2009-09-04.1832351534

Update: This poor fellow arrived this evening. I have seen a lot of dogs in bad condition but my heart really goes out to this one. He was covered from head to broken toe with fleas. He has a large gaping hole in his face! His sheet was covered with green puss from the discharge. This guy has been through the ringer. Pound Pals would like to thank Nancy U. and her crew at Divine Dog Rescue for sponsoring his kennel. We would also like to thank Nancy J. and her gang at MidCities for helping us transport him in and running the first and second leg of his transport - had he been left without care until Tuesday, he would have died. Special thanks to Vanessa R. for running the third leg of transport on such short notice.

Sunday Morning Update: He made it through the night. If he can hang on long enough to get a few rounds of penicillian down, he may pull through. He is now flea free - at least he has some relief from that. Thanks to Nancy J, he enjoyed a peaceful night's sleep last night - probably the first one in a long time. I would like to meet the person responsible for this dog's condition. I would be glad to give him/her the opportunity to break my toe. I guarantee you I wouldn't have the sweet demeanor this fellow has - bless his sweet furry forgiving heart. If this fellow has a theme song it would have to be "I believe there are angels among us". GOD knows what has kept him alive - let alone blessed him with the courage to have faith in people!

Alpha Found!

Fate & Destiny have intervened for this duo. Alpha has been found. Apparently he couldn't stand the thought of being without Dessy. Alpha made his way back to the shelter. Alpha is heartworm positive. If you would like to sponsor Alpha's heartworm treatment, please let us know. Alpha is in boarding waiting to board a transport which will bring him to reunite with Dessy once again. Dessy has been sitting at the gate howling for his return. We hope Alpha will transport in over the weekend and their furry hearts will be once again joined. These two must adopt out together. If you can give them a loving forever home, please complete and return an adoption agreement. If you would like to foster this pair, complete a foster application. Forms are available at http://poundpals.cfsites.org/index.php