Lesson Learned

This summer I had the experience of rescueing a sweet little pup from an abusive situation. When I arrived on the property the little guy was cowering under a porch. He wanted to meet me but was too afraid. Inside the home, I witnessed the breeder/owner whipping another pup with a broom because the puppy was sniffing me - that's all, sniffing me!

She said she had thrown the one yr old Blue Heeler out of her home months prior and had to get rid of him. When I asked what she fed him she said "I throw food out - if he eats, he eats." I took him! The whole way home, he hid under the seat. Soon after, however, he became very comfortable with me and in my home.

What I didn't know what this was a year old herding dog. A city lot and an unreliable work schedule were not working. It was a tumultuous time for us all!

Lesson learned: Know the breed you are rescueing or adopting. Batman is now with a young man with an outdoor business and the 2 have bonded well. All's well....

Summer Breeze

Hope your summer is going well. Let's remember that our furry friends wish to enjoy the season as well.
Simple, common sense rules apply - same as you apply for your "people" children and older adults. Plenty of fresh air, plenty of water, easy on the exercise in hot midday sun, and protect from sunburn. Some things you may not think about include hot asphalt on sensitive paws, insecticides and harmful lawn chemicals (harmful to birds as well), and not enough shade. Don't drag Fido to that picnic or day at the beach and DO NOT take them jogging - just because we subject ourselves to that rigor, most dogs are not built for sustained running.
Keep them away from chemically treated water (no drinks from the backyard pool) and away from hot grills or fire starters.
Help your babies enjoy the summer just as you do.

There are some great tips at http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_hotweathertips.

Meet BATMAN

Hi FOlks,

Sorry I've been away for awhile. Wanted you to meet Batman, our latest rescue.

He is a one-yr old blue heeler. What a darling. I'm not used to puppies and he needs lots of training. But, he had been abused and is warming up nicely. He brought life to 8-yr old Leroy too.

More to come.

We are thinking taxes! As April 15th nears, many of us wish we had made more charitable donations that we could deduct.
This year, 2008, consider a regular donation to your local pet charity. Look for non-profit, 501C3 orgs that need your help. Also consider donating your time - REMEMBER, the mileage is deductible, too!
As no-kill shelters proliferate -and we love them - remember that unless people are adopting their pets, their intakes are limited. Make room in your world for an abandoned pet. THEY will make the room in your heart.

So What is Going On?

According to the US Humane Society, www.hsus.org, only about 1/2 of sheltered cats and dogs are being rescued:

Number of cats and dogs entering shelters each year:6-8 million (HSUS estimate)
Number of cats and dogs euthanized by shelters each year:3-4 million (HSUS estimate)
Number of cats and dogs adopted from shelters each year:3-4 million (HSUS estimate)

That leaves us a huge responsibility to care for these abandoned babies. Your neighborhood likely has a shelter - maybe several. The internet is full of pics of those needing a home. So, what is your next step?

Welcome to the Rescued Pets Blog

I am a business woman who creates special pet photo gift items for you and your friends at http://allthisstuff.ws/. My experience with rescued pets has been rich and rewarding, starting with Cug, the family cat.

Read on to learn more about the rescues I have known and loved, and how each one has changed my life. Meet Gracie who was the reason I got out of bed at a low time in my life.

Share with us your love stories. Make us laugh; make us cry.