Tales of the Fur Angels

Almost Rescued

2008-10-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a Bulldog sprint? My friend was almost home from work when 2 English Bulldogs ran across the street in front of her, she had to slam on her brakes to avoid hitting them. She watched as they continued to race recklessly through the neighborhood and across streets. She circled around and caught up to them about 3 blocks away. She stopped the car and got out, they ran right up to her when she called to them. They were panting heavily. She lifted them into the air conditioned car and proceeded to drive around the area for about 30 minutes looking for any one who might know the dogs or appear to be looking for them. She then took them home to get a much needed drink of water. They both appeared to be young, one was a male who we called Buster; the other a small female,(about 1/2 the size of Buster), we called her Fiona. I was on my way home when I received the call about the dogs. I then drove though the neighborhood looking for any signs or anyone looking for these dogs to no avail. When I got home we loaded the dogs back into the car for a trip to the vets to find out if they were Micro chipped as neither dog had a collar on. Again to no avail. We left the vets and circled through the neighborhood one last time before it got dark, we found nothing. The dogs both smelled strongly of urine, neither were fixed and they had no social skills what-so-ever. They didn't seem to know how to walk on a leash or what to do with toys. They were both very hyper and desperately wanted to be near us. Neither were house trained and didn't seem to know what to do when we took them outside. A friend who has a Bulldog,( from Rescue), agreed to take the male as he was too large and out of control to be with our Gaggle of little guys. We kept the Fiona at our house. We spent the next few days teaching these sweet dogs how to walk on a leash, started potty training and getting them to play with toys. Everyday my friend and I would circle the neighborhood before and after work looking for any signs of someone looking for their dogs. We checked the local papers and craigslist. We were very upset that these wonderful dogs seemed to be badly neglected. They seemed to be well fed but that's about the only good thing I could say. To be honest I was hoping the owner would not come forward so we could re home these dogs to better homes. To people who would love them and care for them.
Finally after 72 hours signs were posted with a picture" Lost Puppies", it was definitely Buster and Fiona. We tried calling the dogs by their real names and they did not respond as well as they did to the names we had been using . I very reluctantly contacted the owner. It was a young woman who was planning on breeding the dogs. I interrogated her as to why the dogs did not have collars or microchips. Why they were not fixed. Why they were not housebroken. Why they smelled of urine and feces. Why they did not know how to walk on a leash. Why did they not know how to play with toys. Why these dogs were kept together since they are not fixed. Why did it take you 3 days to start looking for these dogs. I tried to educate her on the importance of all theses things. I tried to stress the danger in mating this small female with a male twice her size and tried to point out some of the imperfections these dogs had, such as droopy eye lids, corkscrew tail, hip clicking and a swaggering gait. She tried to impress me with her limited knowledge of breeding Bulldogs but showed no concern for their welfare. She tried to convince me that she had been frantically looking for these dogs for days, even trying to lie to about when she put the signs up. She told me she,"paid", for an Ad in the paper Tuesday but they couldn't run it until Saturday. Lost ads are free and they go in no longer than 48 hours of the request. She was very upset with me and I with her. Unfortunately I had no choice but to return them. We agreed I would bring them to her the next day. When I called to let her know I was bringing the dogs back she seemed annoyed. When we got to the house, 2 blocks away, she strolled down the driveway with an annoyed look on her face. She made no attempt to help me get the dogs out of my SUV other than to stand 4 feet away and said" come on". Both dogs jumped to the ground as I tried to keep them from hurting themselves from jumping from that height. I gave her some printed information on some of the concerns I had raised the day before. We awkwardly stood in the driveway waiting for her to lead us to the house as the dogs were secured with our collars and leashes. I finally ask where she wanted me to put the dogs, as I was still holding the leashes. We walked to the side door and let the dogs inside. My friend and I headed down the driveway back to our SUV when the young women stuck her head out the door and mumbled, "Oh, by the way, thanks."
As we drove away I wanted to cry, I wanted to get the dogs back, I wanted to shake that young woman who showed no love, no excitement, no gratitude, no nothing. I don't understand why people have animals if they don't want to take care of them, protect them and love them. She provided food shelter and water and that is all that is required from Animal Control so there was nothing more I could do. Maybe she'll think about what I said or look at the information I gave her, but I doubt it. I tried to help those poor neglected babies as best I could. I will definitely be on the lookout for Buster and Fiona just in case they break free again. If they do the outcome will be different.

Madison's Big Adventure

2008-10-19T17:38:00.001-07:00

Reginald our little "Toad"

2008-10-19T17:34:00.000-07:00

Tammy our Tiny Trooper

2008-10-19T17:26:00.000-07:00

Dalton the naked chihuauha

2008-10-19T17:24:00.000-07:00

Rupert the Old Gentleman

2008-10-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

Sweet Sadie

2008-10-19T17:18:00.000-07:00

Ginger the"Most Wanted"

2008-10-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

Buddy the Bullyhuahua

2008-10-19T17:11:00.001-07:00

Our Sweet Granny

2007-12-27T19:00:00.001-08:00

Peanut

2007-12-27T18:57:00.000-08:00

Casper

2007-12-27T18:52:00.000-08:00

Tipsy aka Chili

2007-12-27T18:02:00.000-08:00

Tilt-a-whirl

Tipsy is a 1year old, 7 lbs chihuahua that was rescued from the kill shelter. He is one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen. He has warm hazel eyes that makes your heart melt. Everyone who saw him loved him. He has a sweet, curious puppy expression at all times due to a permanent head tilt. When he was rescued he was infested with fleas and his ears were full of ticks but he cleaned up very well. Several people had expressed interest in adopting him but we had to be sure he was going to the best home. We was adopted by a women who had been wanting a dog for several years and could finally get a dog of her own. She renamed him Chili and has sent many updates and pics. He has found a wonderful forever home where he sleeps in bed and lounges on the couch with his Moms.

Missy

2007-12-27T17:24:00.001-08:00

Missy the Mischievous

Missy is blond corgi/ chihuahua who is 2 years old and full of energy. She loved to run, play, wrestle and chase. She loved to play with anyone she could get to play with her. She loves the other dogs and was amused by our giant cats. She was feisty at the adoption event and barked at the other dogs and some of the men that got too close. An older gentleman stopped and immediately fell in love her. I was a little nervous since he was a man, but she loved him. He was amused with her energy and "big dog" attitude. He was looking for a companion to walk with sit with. He told his wife he was at the coffee shop with his friends. He was very excited but nervous as he bought all the supplies they needed. He later reported Missy was doing great and his wife, who was quite surprised, loved Missy too.

Tammy aka Ginger

2007-10-22T20:20:00.000-07:00

Our Beautiful Redhead

Tammy is a sweet and gentle little red chihuahua. She was 5 years old and weighed in at 12 lbs. when she was rescued from animal control. She loved to to be held and would snuggle for hours. She was only with us a few weeks but she is one of the special fur babies that touches your heart very quickly. If there wasn't a lap to sit in she was connect curling up with the gaggle.

At the adoption event she didn't get much attention as she was plain to look at. As we were getting ready to take her home a young women stopped to see her. She said she already had 3 chi babies and had the professional pics to prove it. She wasn't able to adopt her, but she immediately called her mother who was looking for a chi baby of her own. The next day we did a home visit and met the entire family, including the in-laws and 3 very spoiled chi babies. Mom loved Tammy and even commented on the beauty mark on her head. They renamed her Ginger and were planning a big shopping spree as soon as the adoption was finalized. At last report she had gotten professional christmas pictures done and was running the house. The perfect life for a chihuauha.

Jasper AKA Jazzy

2007-10-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

The Perfect Dog

Jasper was too perfect for his own good. He was handsome, healthy, had all his teeth and a great personality. Not at all what you expect from a rescue dog. Nope, not one pathetic trait or ailment. Nothing to get him the pity vote. Just plain perfect. The dogs with no teeth, ailments and skittish temperments seem to get adopted quickly, sometimes within a week; but not Jasper. He stayed with us for 6 weeks. Not that we minded; he was a great dog to have around . He was like the activity director; he could get everybody playing. At the adoption events he was a perfect gentleman and smiled and wagged at all the prospective adoptive families. Finally a family with 3 well behaved children looked at him and liked him but decided on another dog, a jack russell terrier. We were a little disappointed because Jasper seemed to love the kids. The next week they were back, (things didn't work out with the other dog,) to see if Jasper was still available. So at long last Jasper found his forever home with a nice family with a stay at home mom to hang out with all day while the kids were in school. They reported he was as "perfect" as we had described him.

Chalupa

2007-10-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

Our Sweet Old Man

Chalupa was our sweet little old man he weighed a whopping 3.7 lbs and was at least 7 years old. He was a quiet, shy little guy who preferred to stay be himself in his crate. I think he was a little overwhelmed by the gaggle. He liked to to held and cuddled but he wasn't one to run around and play. He was quite thin and needed some good food and a lot of TLC. He had to have the remainder of his teeth pulled and his bottom jaw was atrophied so he required very soft food. Most people who saw him felt sorry for him but were afraid to adopt him because he was so frail. A young women who was going to be traveling for school and career was looking for a quiet older dog she could travel with as she did not want separate the chihuahuas she owned with her Fiance. Chalupa was the perfect fit and she was not intimidated of his need for a little extra care. He got a special travel crate and bed and at last report was doing well, had put on some weight and was getting along great with his new chi friends.

Madison and Macy, the Dynamic Duo

2007-09-09T18:32:00.000-07:00

Madison and Macy were from the breeder confiscation with Marty, Moe and Mackenzie. They were both pregnant and had to to spayed and lose their babies or lose their own lives. We brought them to our home shortly after they had been spayed, their bellies hung low as if they had just delivered puppies. They were very scared and huddled close to each other. I cried the first time I held them. I cried for the lost puppies and for the terrible life these little angels had endured. There was something very precious about these two girls who clung to each other for safety and comfort. It was apparent early on that these girls would have to placed together. They never let the other out of their site and would howl and cry if they were separated. They slowly became more trusting and playful and learned to tolerate a harness and leash. They were cautious of people but never showed any signs of aggression. We thought we might have the girls with us for a while as they both had some health issues that would need to be addressed. Along came their Guardian Angels, a loving women from California and her husband, a gentle giant. They had seen the girls, briefly, at our weekly adoption event and couldn't stop thinking about them. They adopted them the next weekend. We had the privilege of fur baby sitting the girls recently and they looked great. They remain close to one another and are still a little skittish but are loved and accepted as they are by their new forever Mom and Dad.

Zeus the Magnificent

2007-09-09T17:54:00.000-07:00

Zeus is a 2 y/o, 7 lbs. Chinese Crested Hairless that was rescued from a backyard breeder. He spent the first 2 years of his life living in a 4'x4' wooden box with a lid and carpet over the top on a back porch in hot, humid Florida. He was thin and his skin was in terrible condition; he was covered with blackheads and flea bites. Despite everything he had been through he was quite friendly with people and other dogs. My friend had always wanted to have a Chinese Crested dog and this was our opportunity to adopt one; there was 8 to choose from at animal control and we decided on Zeus, he was the smallest, cutest and most importantly the friendliest of the bunch. Not to fear; the others were adopted out to families by LAAR and Crested Rescue. It was very apparent that this dog was like no other we had experienced and we decided he was a mixture of Dog, Cat, Monkey and Alien. I immediately fell in love with this quirky, peculiar, naked little dog and he fell in love with me and is now my little Velcro baby. I have spent the last few months clearing up his skin, feeding him good quality food and even took him to basic obedience class. His confidence is growing every day, his skin is markedly improved and he's growing hair on his ears. He loves to chase balls and run around the house frantically squeaking his toys and occasionally tormenting the cats. We aspire to learn agility together and maybe even compete if we do well. He makes dog #8 in our home, but I can't imagine not having him with us.

Macenzie

2007-06-05T18:11:00.000-07:00

Macenzie Aka: Baby Mac is a sweet fur angel; the kind that breaks your heart then steals your heart as soon as you lay hands on her. She was part of a puppy mill confiscation. She is approximately 2 years old and weighs a slight 5 lbs. Her ribs, spine and sternum are visible through her fur. Despite the terrible conditions she lived in she is playful, gentle and trusting. She loves to be snuggled and kissed but can run and play with the best of them in the yard. She found her forever home with a very nice family who has 2 large cats and a shy chi/min pin brother who has also seen his share of tough times. She bonded immediately with her new Dad and was not afraid to introduce herself the very large cat. She seemed content and comfortable in her new home which makes it easier to give her up. I know she has found a family that will love and nurture her forever.

Moe the Stud

2007-06-02T20:17:00.000-07:00

Moe was a stud from the puppy mill confiscation. He was bright, alert and knew what a stud he was. He had a wonderful confidence about him, unlike most of the dogs from that group. He was skittish around people but was adjusting quickly. He found his forever home with a young lady who had confidence and energy to match his. She spent most of the day contemplating and planning for her new best friend. Even though she was young she was ready to make a life time commitment to Moe. At last report he was doing well. He was getting along great with his new pal a Yorkie. He got to go shopping for a new collar and leash that he was learning to use and a new bed. He is a lucky boy who will have a lifetime companion to spend lots of time and energy with him.

Marty

2007-06-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

Marty was part of a large puppy mill confiscation. There were over 130 dogs kept in crates on a porch with only tarps for shade. Marty did not not have a single tooth in his head, but he was one of the few dogs who did not have heart worm. He was an old gentleman who was used for breeding. He was very frightened to be around people but tolerated being held for short periods. We only had him one night before he found his forever home with a spunky older women who had plenty of time to spend with Marty. He finally has a home where he will be loved and pampered for the first time in his life.

Chi the Italian Greyhound

2007-06-02T19:30:00.000-07:00

Chi was not a chi he was an Italian Greyhound. He towered over to Gaggle. He was a 5 years old, shy but very sweet boy. He was dumped at Animal Control, probably because he was positive for heart worm. He was underweight and flea bitten. He took a liking to Agatha our 4lb chihuahua and often shared her bed when she allowed it. He was very playful and walked very well on a leash. He found his new home in Gainesville with, a new pal, a whippet named Diamond. He was very bashful when his new father came to meet him but slept peacefully on his long ride home. His new Dad reported that he was doing great and was the King of the dog park. He loves to run and play with any dog that is willing.

Sparky aka Napoleon

2007-06-02T18:39:00.000-07:00

Sparky is a Papillon. He was only 2 years old with no health problems. He was taken to animal control and left there. His prior owners claimed their child was allergic to the dog. When we rescued Sparky he was totally flea infested. The poor little guy had nests of nats buried in his fur. So the child probably wasn't allergic to the dog it was probably being bitten by the fleas. When we brought him home he got a nice warm bath and then met the Gaggle. He fit right in. He is a high energy little guy who loves to jump. He was a little shy at first but warmed up very quickly. We only had him a few days before he made his way to our weekly adoption event. As soon as we got him there several people were anxious to see him. He found himself a good home with a young lady who had great plans of spoiling him rotten. She reported that in his first week at his new home he went to the groomers for a bath, went shopping for treats and toy, met several new playmates and even went to the dog park a few times. I think he finally has the life he deserves. They renamed him Napoleon to reflect his french heritage. But to me he will always be my beautiful butterfly boy.

The Poodles

2007-04-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

What can I say; poodles are crazy. Gabby and Isabella are 4 year old litter mates that were an owner surrender due to illness. Gabby weighed in at a whopping 3 1/2 lbs. while Isabelle was a tall and lanky 5 1/2 lbs. They were sweet lovable bundles of energy that never quit. They had separation anxiety and would bounce and squeal wildly for 1/2 hour every time we returned home. When we got them they were overgrown balls of curls, but after having them groomed they looked like different dogs; they actually looked like poodles. We only had them a few days when we got an inquiry from the "poodle people." They had formerly worked with a poodle rescue and had 2 older males from their rescue days. They were so excited when they found the girls on petfinder. We met them a few days later and knew instantly that this was a perfect match. I've never seen a grown adult so excited about getting a new dog(or two). Their new Mom sprang off the bench to see them the moment we arrived at the adoption center. At last report the girls have taken over the place and continue to bounce and squeal when they get excited. I guess it's a poodle thing. Let's hear it for the "poodle people" !