Tag Archives: rescue

Life in the Fast Lane

It’s been crazy the last few months here.  We’ve been spending a lot of time on our Facebook page and neglecting the mess out of the blog.  It wasn’t a purposeful lapse but life got pretty crazy and it was just simpler to focus on that since my jumbled brain couldn’t seem to put two fiona-may2015-5414sentences together for more than a nanosecond before that thought process was lost into the great abyss of blog fog.  It was, to put it mildly, very frustrating. What to do when you keep getting locked out of your car? The professional from  Motor Verso, Website can help you with this.

Along with life getting in the way, we managed to acquire two new temporary additions to the pack.  They both came from unpleasant situations that wouldn’t have ended pleasantly for either if left to their own devices. With Oregon’s stunning and diverse locations, there’s a ton of things to do! Which is one reason why Oregon is a great state for homeschooler, you can get more info in this website.

Fiona the Labrador was owner give up because she was too drivey and overwhelming for a large family that had more on their plate than dealing with an adolescent, high drive Labrador with a keen sense on how to get into the most trouble in the shortest span of time possible. It’s really an incredible feat but she more than makes up for it with her intense focus when her attention is cornered on doing something that intrigues her and makes her think!

river-may2015-5390River the Shih Tzu was a foundling at a local park.  He was obscenely matted and emaciated.  When we found him, he was unable to move because of a mat that ran from the base of his tail to the base of his sheath – essentially connecting both back legs.  It was obvious he was in pain and initially lashed out until we secured him and took him to a vet to check and see if, hopefully, he had a microchip that would allow us to reunite him with his owner.  Sadly, he didn’t.  We were left with the task of fixing him up – which started with removing the mat on his bottom.  Once that was removed it revealed raw and oozy testicles and a naked backside.  He wasn’t too happy about it while it occurred but he felt far better once it was done and the area was cleaned up.

We searched in vain for his previous owners – posting Craigslist found ads, posts on local Lost & Found groups on Facebook and posters at local pet businesses near where we found him.  That was in April and he still hasn’t been reunited with an owner so we’ve scheduled a neuter, microchip and other vet work that is needed before he is able to go to a permanent home that won’t let him down again.

Needless to say, our two new additions have a few issues to work through that will be easily puppies-march2015-5210solved with persistence and patience.  A good project to keep us busy and not with our typical breed either!  There is no doubt that Fiona, who is a tiny 42 pounds(!!!), will make an amazing sport prospect with her insane food, toy and a moderate prey drive but River will likely be a good companion for an dedicated couple or a family with dog knowledge – especially breed knowledge as a cherished companion to that family.

Now that all that has happened, expect many more entries as the days, weeks and months pass because I am almost positive that the blog fog has passed as summer hits and fills up my head with entries due to time and weather that is favorable to training and competing once more is upon us.

Shelter Dog Saturday: Tiara

tiara-shelterdogsaturdayName: Tiara

Breed(s): Weim/APBT Mix

Age: 18-24 months old

Gender: Female (Spayed)

If you’re looking for a plucky young dog with a passion for toys, this is your girl.  Tiara would make an excellent dog sport prospect due to her absolute adoration for toys.  Tiara is around 48 pounds and is pretty standard as far as pittie girls are concerned in stature. If you get more customer for your business we recommend you follow this effective seo techniques that will increase organic traffic in 2021.

Tiara is currently very dog social and plays well with other dogs and puppies but has not been tested with kitties.  She is also incredibly kid friendly but may not be suited for families with young children due to her high level of energy and typical teenage puppy behaviors where she may tiara1-shelterdogsaturdayaccidentally knock over small children in her quest to play.  This could work in the right home with a bully breed savvy family that knows how to properly work around a boisterous young bully breed mix. One of the biggest benefits of bathroom renovations is that it will increase the resale value of your home.

Tiara is crate and house trained.  Her rescuers have been working on her manners including sit, down, stay, come when called and general leash manners.  She responds well to corrections on a leash and loves to learn for either food or toys.

If you are looking for a darling, standard-sized gal to add to your family, we at Work-A-Bull would highly suggest you contact Sheri’s Dog Grooming by phone (734) 457-0755. Sheri’s Dog Grooming is located in Monroe, Michigan.

 

Two Weeks Too Long

gus-goodbye-july2014-4606-1

It’s hard to believe that just two weeks, three days and four hours ago, I said goodbye to a dog I had barely begun to get to know.  It seems like only yesterday an old, crotchety pit bull mix known at the shelter as Pugsley weaseled his hobbling mannerisms and dislike of any dog he couldn’t domineer and push around stole our hearts.

In the ten short months that Gus called our home his, we learned many valuable lessons – like the patience and unconditional love and trust of a dog who hadn’t always had the good life which showed through on the many scars and healed old wounds on his old body.  He allowed us to fall truly, madly and deeply in love with his aged soul with utter abandon and his passing three weeks after being diagnosed with lymphosarcoma knocked the wind out of our sails as if we had been blessed to hold him in our hearts for the thirteen odd years he had walked this earth.

Gus was a truly special dog.  He was dignified, stubborn, tenacious and all bulldog even when his body began to fail him.  He pressed on even on those days where he hurt so badly that even a heavy dose of pain medication couldn’t touch.  He always wanted to be the good dog in our house.  He strived to always be with us – as close as physically possible – at all times.  He was a good dog – even when he was being horridly naughty.

Gus was the heart and soul of what a ‘pit bull’ should be.  He loved children and adults of all walks of life.  He had never known a stranger and was as polite as a gentleman when he was asked to be – even if he encountered a rude, ill-mannered creature in our daily walks of life.  He will always be remembered for what he was and not what the cancer stole from us in those last three, short weeks as a member of our crew.  That hole will always be there where he took a piece of our hearts and the hearts of those who knew and loved him with him across the Rainbow Bridge to wait for us and teach those lessons to those who waited along with him until we are able to join him.

There is never ‘goodbye’ in Gus’s world only ‘see you later’ because tomorrow was a new adventure and a new journey on a path that will lead to something amazing.

Shelter Dog Saturday: Luna

luna-adoptapup-1896Name: Luna

Breed(s): Belgian Malinois

Age: 8 months old

Gender: Female

If you’re looking for a nice companion or even a sport dog prospect, little miss Luna might just be the dog for you.  She is a very sweet little Belgian Malinois girl who was left behind after her family was deported.  Her unforeseen tragedy turned out into a miracle thanks to a kind-hearted gentleman who reached out to to the wonderful folks at Adopt-A-Pup for help.

With good timing, good people and a Malinois-savvy home that came from the folks over at the American Belgian Malinois Club Rescue Facebook group this little peach has a good start to a bright future ahead of her as she settles into her foster home and the search forluna-adoptapup-1904 her forever home begins.

Luna is a pretty easy-going gal overall.  She rode well in the car and seems to have settled into her foster Mom’s house with no problems.  I personally would have loved to have adopted this little peach myself but we’re pretty full to the brim with our crew.  She will definitely make a wonderful addition for her forever home! I was blessed to actually get to meet and transport this little love and would definitely recommend a breed savvy home because I know how much go these guys can have and how much they enjoy having a job.

If you’re interested in adopting Luna or any of the available animals available through Adopt-A-Pup Rescue, please contact them through their website or their Facebook page.

Shelter Dog Saturday: Blue

bluepitbullhold-october2013-3358Name: Blue

Breed(s): Pit Bull mix

Age: 2-4 years old

Gender: Male

If you’re looking for a dog with go, this boy is your man.  He’s got energy in spades and loves to go, go, go.  He’d make a great running buddy or a dog who could go for hours playing tug or chasing a toy.

Blue has a few quirks, though.  He doesn’t particularly get along with all other dogs he meets.  It would be strongly suggested that he go with a previously introduced submissive female dog just so he isn’t set up for failure but the right boy may work as well provided the new owner is willing to work withbluepitbullhold-october2013-3359 him.  He also hasn’t been tested with kitties but with his level of prey drive, that may not be advisable.

Blue is in definite need of some obedience training and a patient owner.  With his go, go, go attitude, he also can be a bit intense for the average person handling him but he makes up for it in his amazingly sweet demeanor and adoration of the human-types who spoil him rotten at the shelter.

If you’re interested in adopting Blue, or any of his kennel mates, he is available for adoption through the Taylor Animal Shelter which is located at 25555 Northline Road, Taylor, Michigan. You can contact the shelter by phone at (734) 374-1354 or by clicking the link to the shelter above.

Update:  Pulled by rescue!

Shelter Dog Saturday: Princess

princess-october2013-5623Name: Princess

Breed(s): American Pit Bull Terrier

Age: 2-3 years old

Gender: Female

Princess is a very sweet girl who has been dealt a very crappy hand.  She was originally brought into the shelter as a court case dog when her owner went to jail.  Her house brother, Tank, was already adopted into a loving home which left her behind.  Princess, however, has a few issues that she’s come in with that can likely be linked to previous care and ownership practices because of lack of training, socialization and rules in the home.  princess-october2013-5624

Princess is dog selective and can be nasty toward other dogs if given the opportunity to be.  She also is incredibly agile and can get herself into a lot of trouble by being able to scale fencing with ease.  She has been labeled RESCUE ONLY by the shelter because of her behavior concerns but it would be worth an experienced home’s time to check her out if they are willing and able to work through her behaviors because she is a very sweet dog even if she’s not keen on other dogs and small animals.

If you’re interested in adopting Princess, she is available for adoption through the River Rouge Animal Shelter which is located at 100 W. Pleasant Street, River Rouge, Michigan.  You can contact the shelter by email at pkelly306@aol.com or by phone at 313-205-1732.

Update: Headed to Rescue!

Shelter Dog Saturday: Puck

blueboy-october2013-5429Name: Puck

Breed(s): American Pit Bull Terrier

Age: 1-2 years old

Gender: Male

What can I say about Puck except that he is absolutely amazing.  He is the kind of dog that I would be proud to have as part of the Work-A-Bull pack.  (Yes, folks, he’s one of those few that if I had the resources to work with another adult dog, I’d be bringing home!)

Puck is a younger dog about 1-2 years old.  He has drive in spades for toys and never let my attention getting toys out of his sight without staring for more.  He likes treats but it’s a moderate drive there since the B-A-L-L was far more important in his life.  With these two drives, he would make an exceptional sport, search and rescue orblueboy-october2013-5435 detection prospect.  He is more than willing to please the other end of the leash if you could please just share that reward!

Puck has not been tested with other dogs or cats so appropriate introductions or an experienced home would be best suited for him who would do slow and proper introductions.  He handled being poked, prodded, pinched and pulled very easily but with his youthful exuberance may be too much for a younger child to handle without dedicated, slow introductions.

Overall, Puck is one of those once in a lifetime dogs out there that an avid dog sport person or active family really shouldn’t miss and he’s available right now at the shelter where no owner came to collect this beautiful boy!

If you’re interested in adopting Puck, he is available for adoption through the River Rouge Animal Shelter which is located at 100 W. Pleasant Street, River Rouge, Michigan.  You can contact the shelter by email at pkelly306@aol.com or by phone at 313-205-1732.

Be a Shelter Dog’s Super Star

pitbullmix-october2013-5325If you’ve been following my blog recently, you’ll have noticed the addition of ‘Shelter Dog Saturday’ (which I sadly missed this weekend due to unforeseen circumstances) where I feature a different dog each week and write up a small bio and the contact information on one lucky shelter dog from one of the shelters locally to me – well, I’ve been lucky enough to meet and get to know each of these dogs on my visits and I felt that they needed a little spotlight on the Internet to give them that boost they may not ordinarily get – an opportunity at going home to their forever home.

Visiting the local shelter isn’t always easy – especially if you’re not looking to adopt a new friend.  There are rows of kennels and dogs barking and leaping at their kennel doors.  They often look ferocious because they are cooped up for hours on end with no release to their energy.  This, sadly, means that many of these dogs will be passed up because of their frustrated behavior and their desire to be with people and not be stuck in a kennel.  These dogs, sadly, get the cruddy end of the stick if they start acting ‘kennel crazy’ from spending so much time there – especially if they are in a high kill shelter.  Thankfully, there are many, many ways to help these dogs and showcase them in their true nature and help them express some of that energy out so they are more appealing to a potential home.

If you have a spare bit of time in life’s busy schedule and aren’t looking to adopt, here are some things you can do to help adoptable dogs (and other animals!) at your local shelter:

– Go up and walk a dog.  Dog walkers are always in demand.  This allows dogs to be able to expend some of that pent up energy and allows them riverouge-september2013-2787to mellow out a bit in their kennels.  Some of the larger, more drivey dogs need longer walks or even runs so you’ll get your exercise in while building some good karma!

– If you’ve got a particular talent for capturing the best look of an adoptable critter, consider donating your photography skills to a shelter.  Often shelters rely on volunteers and cell phone photos and low end cameras (which don’t always work as fast as an animal!) and this means many, many photos behind kennel and cage doors with forlorn faces or blurry streaks – neither of which shows an accurate picture of how lovely and wonderful this adoptable animal actually is!

– Spend time with the cats or other small animals that may be at the shelter.  Bring up toys and entertain them or just spend time petting and talking quietly to them.  Shelters are stressful areas for many small animals – sometimes even more so than for the dogs.  A frightened and stressed animal is more likely to get sick and a sick animal is never a good thing in a shelter environment of any type.

– If time isn’t on the menu, consider a monetary donation or a donation of food, durable toys and/or easily sanitized beds (if your shelter allows them).  Shelters are often run on donations for veterinary care, food and other environment enrichment items.  These items help the animals even if you can only spare a few moments or a cowboyadopted-october2013-3389few dollars and are always in high demand.

– If none of these are feasible and you’re unable to make it out, support your local shelter via social media and speaking to locals who may be looking for a new family member.  Sharing these animals and letting people know that they are available and looking for new homes is the biggest help of all.  This gets these adoptable furries their forever homes and creates more space for those animals that need a temporary space to crash.

If you can do even the smallest thing or donate a small bit of time, your local shelter and its animals will thank you – especially when they are heading out the door into their forever home!  Happy Adopt-A-Pet Month!