Announcing the Birth of DogHouseAdoptions.org and PUPPIES!
Involved with every Blog the Change for Animals event since the start, I have always shared beautiful causes that are important to me while encouraging others to take up a cause of their own. That call to action doesn’t come lightly or without personal expectation, too. That said, I have an exciting announcement to make…
Having banded together with Dawn Niebuhr, Lori Harris, Audra Bentley, and my husband Tim Clune, it is with great pleasure that we introduce our new rescue child into this world… along with the first litter of gorgeous stray puppies who need us!
MEET DOG HOUSE ADOPTIONS OF RENSSELAER COUNTY, NY!
Dog House Adoptions provides a safe, loving place for unclaimed strays to go when their holding time is up. The way we see it, dogs are not throw away items. Their lives have value and, when the community comes together to support their needs, the dogs do something miraculous. No matter how weary, weathered or worn, they give back with their whole hearts.
Our plans are lofty (more on that later), but our priorities are simple:
- Care for the dogs who need us now
- Educate children to protect the dogs of the future
- Provide dogs a means to serve the community who serves them
- Accomplish each stage with a sense of humor
WORDS: REALITY’S BUILDING BLOCKS
While our Executive Director (Dawn) provides hands-on care and boarding of strays at Creekside Kennel, and the board (Tim, Lori and Audra) crafts policies that help both animals and people, my job is to build a presence with words and beautiful images, to tell a moving story that engages people to great ends, and to do so in a way that feels good – because the shadow of sadness hanging over rescue deters people from becoming a committed solution. And our approach is working!
COMMUNITY: OUR LIFEBLOOD
We want to offer our dogs ways to engage with the community, to create a symbiotic relationship of giving and getting back between people and animals, yet we are currently receiving so much more than we offer. Generous and knowledgeable people keep calling to help – without solicitation. Just a few examples:
- The Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce offered a ribbon cutting ceremony for us at their 112th Annual Dinner in front of more than 450 local businesses.
- Marlene Wagner, a certified dog trainer for whom I hold the highest regard, offered to speak about the differences between family dogs vs. rescue dog interactions at next week’s maiden volunteer orientation.
- My neighbor, Debbie Riganti, called to say that she read every word and checked every link on our website for accuracy and functionality.
As exciting as this all is, none of these moments were…
THE MOMENT IT BECAME REAL
Leave it to a dog to open my eyes. Bristol, a sweet and speedy young girl who we affectionately call a Nascar Lab blend, came to us with scars and scabs from a traumatic mating and with her own puppy pit crew on board. Lisa Drury, a reputable lab breeder, took Bristol in, delivered her pups, and is caring for them until they are properly weaned. When I asked to photograph the puppies without imposing on Lisa more than we already had, her response is what brought it all home:
Not an inconvenience at all! They are YOUR puppies!!
I HAVE PUPPIES
The weight of those words settled in around my shoulders like warm wrap. This was not a burdensome weight, but a commitment of love and determination to do my best for these innocent lives. I sat still with that thought, wholly embraced it as my version of motherhood, and then grabbed my photo gear with the excitement of a child off to a birthday party.
Meet the Puppy Pit Crew: Danica, Dale Jr., Tony and Kasey!
Did I mention that folks think they might be Nascar/Bull Mastiff blends? I guess that means I have PUPPIES (<- in big letters). These kiddos are already larger than a healthy lab pup at just 3 weeks. This video is from week 1, and there will be much, much more to come!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Many of you have heard our lofty ideas (to be announced soon) and encouraged this project. I am so grateful for the enthusiasm. To Mike Arms, the entire staff at the Helen Woodward Animal Center, and Kyla Duffy , we couldn’t have come this far so fast without your trail-blazing knowledge, experience, guidance and inspiration.
For those of you who wish to support us through our first growth spurt, please share our adoptable dogs, volunteer, and get our e-newletter through DogHouseAdoptions.org. You can also follow us on Facebook , Twitter, and Google+.
Join us on this amazing journey.
The dogs would love to have you.
So, You Want to Rescue Dogs?
Have you ever wanted to start a dog rescue? Or, have you thought, “How can I best help the organization I devote my time to?” In either case…
ROAD TO RESCUE IS AN INDISPENSABLE RESOURCE!
Inside, you’ll find invaluable and comprehensive advice from more than 20 successful private rescue organizations and animal welfare societies around the United States.
This unique collaboration project, a treasure trove for rescue founders, volunteers, and adopters alike, was spearheaded by Kyla Duffy of Up for Pups, and it explains the history of rescue, shares fundraising ideas, provides application tools, offers tips on socializing fearful dogs and explains how to file for 501(c)3 non-profit status.
The Road to Rescue purpose is threefold:
Universe Aligns for BAD RAP and Pit Bull Education
THE UNIVERSE INVITES US TO DINNER…
While working on two separate pet projects, Be the Change for Animals (BTC) and Bark Out Loud Weekly (BOLW), I got an email from The Honest Kitchen (THK), makers of dehydrated, human-grade whole foods for dogs and cats, saying they’ll donate a percentage of this month’s online proceeds to BAD RAP, the organization responsible for evaluating, rescuing and rehabilitating the dogs from the Michael Vick case. And, THK will double their donation if they reach 40K Facebook followers by the end of March. Like The Honest Kitchen’s Facebook Page to support BAD RAP. Seriously. It’s that easy!
Both Dogs: Lost … and Found
As the dogs bask quietly in the sun, it’s difficult to imagine how we survived the past two days. That we are together again is testament to a happy ending, but its fruition wasn’t always expected…
THE SNOW STAIR
The trouble started with several brutal storms while we vacationed in Mexico last week. Our house sitter called to say that, after 20 inches of snow, sleet and freezing rain, Shamus, our Newf, leveraged this new mantel to jump the fence. Thankfully, true to Newf form, Shamus appreciates companionship more than freedom. He came back immediately. We were lucky.
When our sitter shoveled snow from the point of exit, the problem appeared to be solved – until it wasn’t. Shamus found another weight-bearing point. The only solution, until we came home, was sentencing Shamus to doggy jail at the maximum security kennel – along with Emmett who would surely learn this new trick too.
Disabled Dogs Love without Impairment, Part 2
In Part 1 of Disabled Dogs Love without Impairment, we learn about the interesting challenges that Waldo, the blind dalmatian, and Joan Michaels, Waldo’s service human, face from day to day. Determined to live life to the fullest, Joan and Waldo have developed creative solutions to these daily challenges and nothing can stop them now. Read on for Joan’s account of how she and Waldo have made their way…
How has Waldo overcome?
Waldo is my hero. Against all odds, he passed the Therapy Dog test a few days ago after many months of training and first earning his Canine Good Citizenship certificate last February. I believe his “disability” has made him a better dog and especially able to sympathize with children and older people with special needs of their own. Now we can begin our new journey, bringing joy to people who really need relief, even if just for a short time.
I never coddled Waldo after I learned that he was blind. I knew that if I did, he would become more fearful and possibly depressed and afraid of the world around him. Instead, I take him with me often for walks through Home Depot, where he is fast becoming the store’s mascot; I enroll him in classes; and we hike through the woods in Schodack whenever we can.
Disabled Dogs Love without Impairment, Part 1
MEET WALDO
Waldo is a bright, curious Dalmatian with a propensity for adventure – even without the gift of sight. Thanks to his adopter, Joan Michaels, Waldo has never had a dull moment. And while his life is filled with excitement, Joan’s is filled with laughter, admiration and a deep, deep friendship thanks to this disabled dog who loves without impairment.
After watching Waldo perform task after task in socialization class, I was moved by his bravery and the trust he has in Joan. I often watched the two working with alternate forms of commands and interesting leash work but, until I asked Joan to share what life with Waldo is like, I never imagined the thought process that goes into training a blind dog.
Read on to understand the interesting challenges these two have encountered living their day to day lives.
Georgia, Forever on Our Minds: Part 2
Welcome to part 2 of This One Wild Life’s series on adopting senior dogs. In Part 1, Georgia, a senior mixed-breed rescue, travels through the shelter system from Georgia to New York. After surviving the long, grueling treatment for Heartworm, she is now ready to find a forever home. And so her story continues…
GEORGIA’S TRIAL HOME
After making her debut at several adoption clinics, Georgia wrapped herself around the hearts of a couple who came to meet her. While the wife worked full time during the day, her husband worked from home. He had limited mobility requiring the use of a wheelchair and he was excited to have a new friend to share his time with. In an unofficial capacity, Georgia was going to have the honor of being his therapy dog.
According to Stacy Wolf, then president of AnimaLovers.org, Georgia was very shy and frightened in her new home at first. She could not be left alone, even briefly. Because limited mobility doesn’t mean no mobility, when the couple did leave their home, Georgia could not cope. As Stacy recalls:
She broke out of a locked crate, broke through a window screen, and bolted outdoors whenever she could. I personally witnessed one metal crate after she was done with it. It was virtually shredded, which I hadn’t imagined possible.
Georgia, Forever on Our Minds: Part 1
Welcome to This One Wild Life’s series on adopting senior dogs. In the coming days, you will learn specifically about Georgia, a senior mixed-breed rescue, and the dedicated team of handlers committed to supporting Georgia time and time again. It is our collective aim to celebrate and appreciate senior dogs. These beautiful souls need the comfort of a loving home in their final years and they have their whole hearts to offer in return.
FROM GEORGIA TO NEW YORK
As with many adoptable dogs, Georgia’s early history is unclear. According to her vet records, a spay scar suggests she may have been in a home at some point. All we know for certain is that she was living in a Georgia shelter, she was displaced by Hurricane Katrina pet evacuees, and she made her way through the rescue system to the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society in Menands, NY. There she was listed as a 50 pound Airedale Terrier mix and put up for adoption.
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
Georgia had been placed in a home at least once through the Menands shelter but was returned due to a severe case of separation anxiety. After all the jostling back and forth, this poor girl was deeply upset when people left her, even if for just a few minutes. All she wanted was to know was that she wouldn’t be alone. Continue reading
Newfoundland Dog Rescues New Owners, Tweet Edition
Looking back at the first week Shamus, our Newfoundland, adopted us one year ago, tell me you wouldn’t immediately have fallen in love too. He’s quite a character!
(In case you missed it, visit Newfoundland Dog Rescues New Owners, Part I.)
A SNAPSHOT OF SHAMUS’ HISTORY VIA TWITTER
We enjoyed revisiting our discovery process as we built a relationship with our new dog. I share some our comical ponderances via a collection of last year’s tweets. Consider this a journal of sorts, one that you are not only allowed, but encouraged to read.
Newfoundland Dog Rescues New Owners
March 7th, 2009: The Day Our Lives Changed for the Better
But prior to that…
TRAGEDY STRIKES
Just over a year ago, Tim and I were deeply grieving the loss of two beloved family members.
Bill, our adopted foster, had been with us for 5 years. On a Sunday morning like so many others, we had a game of tug-of-war in the living room and ate a glorious breakfast. That’s when an undetected abdominal mass ruptured and Bill went immediately into shock. We rushed him to the vet within 15 minutes but, during emergency surgery, a blood clot traveled to his main artery and he was gone.
On February 14th, we also said good-bye to Tim’s dog, Jack. Jack had sucessfully battled cancer, extending his life 13 good months until there was no more fight left in him. Jack had been with Tim (and Tim’s ex, Stacy, who managed his cancer care) for 14 years. It was an awful beginning to 2009.
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