I love this reescue.
[QUOTE=bugsynskeeter;7429400]
Susie’s Senior Dogs
Several cuties available on this page.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE= and beagle puppies are so dang cute! She is a good dog, and cuddles up with me on the couch all the time. The brown dog still has the pathetic look, but now he will put his head on your knee and give you the puppy eyes when you stop petting him.[/QUOTE]
This is my ‘new’ beagle, Haillee Bugg [I had not looked at this pic in so long, I can not believe how thin she was when we got her! She had Lyme and was so sick from the Doxy, poor girl! She’s a robust, happy girl now who wakes me every morning with the sound of her gleeful Gal-leaping through the kitchen to her breakfast bowl]…
[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/angfreda/100_5716.jpg)
This is the imfamous Joey, the same year I had to put him to sleep…
[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/angfreda/100_2298.jpg)
He always wanted a minion with opposable thumbs…
[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/angfreda/P1010036.jpg)
I stalked him
I’ve had dogs my whole life, all rescues/shelter mutts.
When my two black Labs died when my daughter was younger, we didn’t get another one for years as things were busy and hectic. About three years ago I started stalking the rescue page for the area we were moving to. This was in February, 2011. They had a story about a yellow Lab, 30 pounds underweight (weighed 45 pounds when they took from the euthanasia list at the shelter). There are “pound walkers” with our rescue who walk the pounds every day and grab the Labs. I dont think they are supposed to grab the ones that are nearly dead. This one could barely walk but the woman said that his face was too sweet to leave there…thank God…
They brought him to his amazing first foster family and labs showed that he had Valley Fever (coccidiomycosis). SEVERE, disseminated Valley Fever. He didn’t respond to fluconazole and needed to be treated with amphotericin IV. I don’t even want to share how much the rescue raised for and spent on this sweet dog.
I watched his story, checked it daily, and we moved in May. The following week there was an adoption day at Petsmart, and we went to meet him although he wasn’t up for adoption yet. He had moved in with a second foster mom after the Valley Fever diagnosis because he needed transportation back and forth to the vet for treatment. She adored this dog. He climbed into my lap and I KNEW. I just started crying (kind of like I am now…). They said he wasn’t available yet but they wanted me to fill out an application. I gave them my name but didn’t officially apply. Two weeks later we went to another adoption day, and the same thing happened. Curled up with us and just snuggled. There was a list of adopters and we filled out an application. We received a call stating that we were being considered but that he wouldn’t be available until the end of June due to his continued treatment. They also wanted to be sure that we understood and could handle his future treatments.
Sweet boy and his foster mom came for a house check and we had bought him several Kong toys along with tennis balls, and we played with him, but he really just wanted to snuggle with us, which we were happy to do.
We got a call the next day stating that he was ours if we wanted him. We took the night to think about it (yeah right) and decided to pick up him that Friday afternoon so he would have the weekend before we went back to work.
She dropped him off, crying, and it has been the absolute best thing ever for our family.
We were going to get a service dog for my daughter, and our Lab was to be our family dog. Quickly we realized that no amount of training could make a different dog any better for the kid than this Lab. So we went through some training, and he’s her service dog. He flies with us, is PERFECT on airplanes, in hotels, etc. He goes so many places with us and generally keeps her calm. He also diverts attention from her. He is no drama, no fuss, no anything. He’s perfect in the house (ok, maybe he gets into the garbage and maybe he likes expensive leather shoes but maybe I shouldn’t leave them out…) and he is the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. He sleeps in bed and makes happy “pig grunting” noises all the time when he’s being loved on.
He was chosen as “Mr. March” for the rescue’s 2013 calendar. He’s an absolute LOVE.
We go to many of the rescue’s adoption days, and his foster mom is one of the staple volunteers. Whenever he sees her, he throws his arms around her and hangs on. He remembers. He LOVES her. Everyone loves him. They say he’s their best story.
By the way, he weighs 75 lbs now and that’s a healthy weight. He will be on meds for the rest of his life but he’s doing very well!
I can’t upload any pics from here but I will when I get home. Our boy is very, very special. :love-struck:
Oh! We later learned that he was picked up from the shelter on guess what day…my daughter’s birthday :). She loves that!
Jeepers, I just love all of these stories, especially the poodles. In addition to pitties, my family also had poodles - the smartest dogs ever. I think that once I move to Florida, my next dog will be a standard poodle, as long as Percy approves.
I was looking at a few rescue websites and online profiles. I had written a list of things I wanted in a dog…friendly, good with kids, good with other dogs, and calm. Basically, I wanted a low-maintenance dog since that’s what would fit into my lifestyle at the moment. I had applied to see a few dogs, but they’d all gotten adopted before I could meet them. I checked a website one day and there was a dog labelled as calm and friendly, so I called about him and set up a time to meet him.
And we connected right away! He brought me over his toy and his foster mom said he’d never done that (the concept of toys was new to him so he was a little possessive of them then). I loved him. He was perfect. The adoption went through and I picked him up the next day!
The weird thing is I have always loved retrievers. I grew up with two goldens and a border collie but figured border collies would be a little intense for me at that point, so I really wanted a retriever. BUT I was also living in a sketchy area so thought maybe a “scarier” looking dog would be more beneficial. People are a lot more wary of rottweilers, shepherds, huskies or mixed breeds that look like them. And the rescue typically picks up dogs off the reserves around here and that’s what they usually are.
My dog is a flat coat retriever…he looks like a black golden retriever. So he looks scary to people because he’s big and black but he’s got the retriever personality I love. Flat coat personalities are different than golden personalities, but close enough in the big ways. I’d say it’s pure fluke that it worked out like that, but he really was destined to be my dog.
I got to transport these for the spca from one county to another. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203005719965420&set=p.10203005719965420&type=1&relevant_count=1 It was thanksgiving weekend and the head never answered her phone that weekend. They are still with me from a puppy mill. Each of them is the very first dog I have ever had to live with me learned much from each of them. One is very shy and one is I will love you to death. I sort of like the shy one more cause I respect her space and she does that with me.
ML
In the sixties I remember seeing the ex-racing greyhounds from Harringay Race Track
in North London. They would be walking with their owners in the foggy night air, and were silhouetted under the yellow streetlights. I thought they were so elegant.
So many years later I had the opportunity to be sent an ex racer from Colorado by Royal Hounds. She turned out to be the loveliest dog, so sweet, devoted and kind.
The day I took Stella home I hadn’t really intended to get a new dog. I was in serious mourning over my old dog, and my mom, who was visiting, thought it might be nice to go pet the dogs out in front of the Petsmart. We hung around for quite awhile, and I was pretty smitten with a couple. Stella wasn’t really one of them. She was a little quiet and aloof (she still is aloof at times!), and she didn’t jump out at me. However, the volunteers, knowing what I liked (thanks mom), suggested I take her for a little walk away from the commotion.
So I did. I sat down on the curb with her, and she lit up, jumped up and put her front paws on my shoulders (now we know this as a Classic Stella move). She came to life, goofed around with me, and we were in love.
She’s been my constant companion ever since, almost nine years. I don’t know what I’ll do when she goes.
These stories are all so lovely! I wish I could get a dog… If only I weren’t going to be gone for 3 1/2 weeks in May/June
Thanks so much for all the wonderful stories though. Love hearing them.
[QUOTE=weixiao;7430096]
These stories are all so lovely! I wish I could get a dog… If only I weren’t going to be gone for 3 1/2 weeks in May/June
Thanks so much for all the wonderful stories though. Love hearing them.[/QUOTE]
There will always be one out there waiting for its forever home. Wait until the time is right for you 
DH found his dog on a breed rescue site in IA. He’s in CT. Adopted the dog after a few quick phone calls, and based almost entirely on a picture. Dog was described as ‘willful’. But he came off the airplane, took one look at DH – who didn’t even bring a leash. Told dog to heal, who did and has continued to follow his every whim for the next 10 yrs. He was a failed herding dog and settled into living in a house fine, with a few accidents.
My first rescue, Coco, was love at first sight from a pic on Petfinders, 2 trips to NJ with the typical tests… hold feet, give bone, take away, walk on leash, walk near other creatures. She ignored everything. Perfect. She was my heart dog and DHs dog’s girlfriend for the duration of her life. Dog never took a step out of line. You could literally drag her across the floor by her hind legs and she’d lift her head to lick your hands. She’d spent the first 2 yrs of her life on a chain in a backyard, a year in the rescue. She was a black chow and didn’t get much interest.
Next came Gertie. She was a pathetic mess, had lupus, entropian eyes, found as a stray by the highway, and I fell in love with her on Petfinders. Nobody else would dream of taking her so I did. She was what she was… attitude, aloof, food aggressive to DHs dog. But you could do ANYthing to this dog as well and she’d accept it. Again, a chow.
Now Mae. A puppy mill rescue whom I was supposed to only foster. A neurotic mess. Afraid of her own shadow, but so freaked out I didn’t have the heart to send her to another environment. Had to corner her to leash her. Still do. But now she takes hugs, goes on the couch/ bed on command, poops on command, loves DHs dog (tho he’s failing now – and is respectfully gentle). Took her over a year to warm up to us but she’d acclimated very well, and continues to do so. She’d better. DHs dog isnt’ long for this world so she’ll need to step up.
Interestingly enough I fostered another chow mix who was on death row. Kept him 2 weeks. NOT my choice of dog… too high energy. But at the end of 9 days I was trying to see how we could keep him. I cried hysterically when he left for his new home.
Point being… if you’re the least bit inclined to like a dog… any dog, the rescue will work out. Yes, expect medical bills. And yes, expect to have them slightly misrepresented to you by the placing organization. Give every rescue a chance. I’m convinced there’s no such thing as bad dogs. Just bad people and inappropriate circumstances.
And most of my rescue experiences have been with chows. You know what a bad rap they have. Haven’t met a rescued chow I didnt’ like. They know how close they came to the big sleep. So they act accordingly.
Sansena the prettiest dog I ever saw was one we had at the animal ER, it was a GSD/Chow mix… the coloring and conformation of a GSD with the coat and tongue of a Chow
[QUOTE=Sansena;7430626]
DH found his dog on a breed rescue site in IA. He’s in CT. Adopted the dog after a few quick phone calls, and based almost entirely on a picture. Dog was described as ‘willful’. But he came off the airplane, took one look at DH – who didn’t even bring a leash. Told dog to heal, who did and has continued to follow his every whim for the next 10 yrs. He was a failed herding dog and settled into living in a house fine, with a few accidents.
My first rescue, Coco, was love at first sight from a pic on Petfinders, 2 trips to NJ with the typical tests… hold feet, give bone, take away, walk on leash, walk near other creatures. She ignored everything. Perfect. She was my heart dog and DHs dog’s girlfriend for the duration of her life. Dog never took a step out of line. You could literally drag her across the floor by her hind legs and she’d lift her head to lick your hands. She’d spent the first 2 yrs of her life on a chain in a backyard, a year in the rescue. She was a black chow and didn’t get much interest.
Next came Gertie. She was a pathetic mess, had lupus, entropian eyes, found as a stray by the highway, and I fell in love with her on Petfinders. Nobody else would dream of taking her so I did. She was what she was… attitude, aloof, food aggressive to DHs dog. But you could do ANYthing to this dog as well and she’d accept it. Again, a chow.
Now Mae. A puppy mill rescue whom I was supposed to only foster. A neurotic mess. Afraid of her own shadow, but so freaked out I didn’t have the heart to send her to another environment. Had to corner her to leash her. Still do. But now she takes hugs, goes on the couch/ bed on command, poops on command, loves DHs dog (tho he’s failing now – and is respectfully gentle). Took her over a year to warm up to us but she’d acclimated very well, and continues to do so. She’d better. DHs dog isnt’ long for this world so she’ll need to step up.
Interestingly enough I fostered another chow mix who was on death row. Kept him 2 weeks. NOT my choice of dog… too high energy. But at the end of 9 days I was trying to see how we could keep him. I cried hysterically when he left for his new home.
Point being… if you’re the least bit inclined to like a dog… any dog, the rescue will work out. Yes, expect medical bills. And yes, expect to have them slightly misrepresented to you by the placing organization. Give every rescue a chance. I’m convinced there’s no such thing as bad dogs. Just bad people and inappropriate circumstances.
And most of my rescue experiences have been with chows. You know what a bad rap they have. Haven’t met a rescued chow I didnt’ like. They know how close they came to the big sleep. So they act accordingly.[/QUOTE]
You’re a good egg.
My Sheba, who I got from the local Humane Society in 2002, chose me. I had gone there to see a different dog. When I walked past her kennel, she put her head between her paws, looked up at me with the most timid, sweet eyes and just barely wagged her tail. She had been there about 3 months. She was such a gentle soul that I gave her a chance, even though I prefer more outgoing dogs. She’s still my princess.
Other two? Our Aussie mix we got as a wee pup from the Humane Society too. I already knew I loved Aussies and their smarts and temperament, and there was a litter of 10 of them. Picked him because he was male (Sheba does not get along with females), was outgoing without being overbearing, and just had an overall sweet demeanor. You could tell he had personality plus.
Latest, a staffie/boston/something/whatever mix - we looked at a bunch of them. He was outgoing, curious, and very playful. But when we picked him up, he turned into a melted sack of potatoes and just sat perfectly still and relaxed - my favorite kind of dog! One who is playful, but a complete cuddle love bug. As a grown-up dog, he has proved to be just that. He would like to merge with my bone marrow.
I’ve got 5 at home, and they all found me somehow. I’ll look at rescue sites and see dogs that I think are neat, but the ones I’ve ended up with have just sort of appeared in my life at times when I can take them. A friend/enabler sent me a video of my new guy (a cattle dog/hound-y thing) - he looked really cool, but I wasn’t looking for another dog. A couple of months later, he still hadn’t been adopted, and the shelter was going to start treating him for heartworms in the kennel if they couldn’t find a foster. I figured that I could foster him, and then maybe shop him around with my agility friends… yeah, right. In 12 days, it’ll have been a year since I saw that video… and about 8 months since I signed his adoption papers.
Hadn’t had a dog since my teens, living in cities, young kids and an ex who didn’t want a dog. Once we split up and knew I was living on my in country, kids moving out soon etc, it was the right time. I’m more of a cat person than a dog person - it has to be the RIGHT dog not just any dog… Like dobermans but impractical for cold canadian winters lol… some very high strung. Friend had a rottie cross that I really liked a few years ago, still fit my bill for fairly short haired, large dog that had protective instincts and mischief deterring value. Read up on them seemed perfect breed - loyal, quiet not too high energy.
Started casually looking at local ads, breeders, and rescues. I wasn’t ready to get one yet but I suddenly saw an adult female on city pound site for adoption - she’d been found chained to a dumpster in a back alley (but in good condition) and unclaimed 2-3 weeks later. Video showed her very friendly and laid back. I filled in my paperwork and trotted down there to meet her specifically, not any of the other dogs there. Needless to say they were thrilled that someone which “fit” that dog came forward (country, work from home, indoor/out, want that size and breed).
I spent about 10 mins working with her, checking out obedience and reactions, getting her to pay attention and listen to me despite environment and she clicked on to me gave a sigh of relief and said “oh good someone I can listen to… I’m yours now right? let’s get outta here!” I had a week trial just in case there was an issue with the cats or horses or aggression. Made sure I put her through her paces thoroughly within that week, out for walk, meet kids and new people, other dogs, car rides, cats and horses etc and didn’t see anything I couldn’t live with or work through. (Obedience really needed work though)
Year and a half later she’s just an awesome dog… obedience is great she sits for 5 mins drooling before she gets her food, heels pretty well even in strange places etc. Loves car rides and visiting with me. Good with other dogs. Once my old cat stood up to her she’s fine with cats now… unless they run then they’re squirrels - can’t really blame her lol. OK with the horses. Has protective instinct but no aggression, loves up anyone who comes that I seem OK with instantly with the bellyrub routine. Very careful with my old mom and aunties or kids. Nurtured sick cat and horse. Sleeps 22 hrs a day happily, and seems to get enough exercise playing fetch for 10-15 mins a day and spending some time out on her zipline, so perfect for my lifestyle, very low maintenance.
She’s my loyal buddy… even when other people around she’s always got attention on me if I call her or look like I’m going somewhere she’s right there. Must say it worked out REALLY well for adopting a rottweiler on 10 mins acquaintance!!
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/557556_10151176834037495_266602872_n.jpg
[QUOTE=TB_lover;7431291]
https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/557556_10151176834037495_266602872_n.jpg[/QUOTE]
What a sweet face!
Rescue #1 - Mischief
Adopted him from the local humane society on December 30, 1998. He was my Christmas present that year. He was the first dog that we saw (was a “Christmas” present to someone who promptly turned him over to the HS). One other dog there caught my eye, but it was love at first sight with Mischief. They told us he was a blue heeler/beagle cross and should get to around 40 lbs. 80 lbs later, we are pretty sure he was a blue tick coon hound mix. He became more my parents’ dog after I left for college, but he was always my buddy when I came home from college. He left us after a long battle with degenerative nerve disease in January 2011.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=646087423979&l=85bf2ca272
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=644951061259&l=80ba441b1a (with the whole crew)
Rescue #2 - Tie
Tie was adopted from a JRT rescue that was part of an adoption day at an Orschelyn’s in my college town. She was a JRT/Blue Heeler cross and I was smitten from the moment I saw her. I didn’t really need a dog, but I just couldn’t walk away from her. There wasn’t a person in this world who met Tie who didn’t love her - she was just that kind of a dog. She was as true to me in the end as she was in the beginning. I said “until we meet again” to her on December 31st after her GME and liver disease proved to be too much for her. She was a fighter and a lesser dog would have succumbed long before she did. I still get chocked up thinking about her and miss her terribly every day. There will never be another one like her.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=509063091839&l=bac517a924
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=509063086849&l=b2ec0ddc5f
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=509062148729&l=fd9d5d85de
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100415973852379&l=ebcb600b9f
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100417983490049&l=3b2f45a6d7
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100143160467589&l=3cc3de3575
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100395520890279&l=18f959f1a7
Rescue #3 - Lane
Lane was more of a horse show reject than a rescue. I got him while at an IHSA show in Murfreesboro, TN. He was an accident - his Rat terrier mom was bred by a corgi. He was the last of the puppies available, because he had the lease amount of while on him. He was the cutest damn puppy ever and I couldn’t help myself. Named after Lane Frost, he quickly became best friends with his older sister Tie. They were a pair for 7 years and saying “Lane & Tie” rolled off of my tongue easier that anything else did. He is still with me and still a great dog. In fact - he is my running buddy now on my shorter distances.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100364942823969&l=ef1a8cc609
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100111726606299&l=9c7d7d51e0
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=892392446739&l=32e1f1165a
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=699195420129&l=7a59de08db
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=509063131759&l=73f3bd8726 (practicing at the Rolex water jump)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100424594616299&l=97acc0993b
Rescue #4 - Beezie
Beezie is the newest addition to the family. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to add a new member to the family, but was browsing local dog adoption group websites. She immediately caught my eye because of her face and because she was listed as a corgi/blue heeler mix (and I love those 2 breeds). After debating with myself and going back to her page several times, I decided to put in an adoption application for her. I was approved, but wanted to meet her in person and see how she got along with Lane. First time I saw her in person, I was honestly a bit disappointed because she was a corgi/Aussie shepherd mix and I kind of had my heart set on a heeler mix (like Tie was). But after getting to meet her and let her play with Lane, I decided that she was going to fit in well. And boy has she. She is such a smart dog and a great cuddler. I’m getting used to having a puppy around (Lane was my last puppy…but that was 7 years ago!) and we are having a blast with obedience school. She’s helped heal a part of the hole in my heart, but I know she’s her own dog…not Tie. I’m glad I made the leap and went for her.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100438842957509&l=6095305154
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100441101092189&l=9a8004ef14
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100445456593729&l=102edc1f70
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100451416834359&l=9e13e99366
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100452677922129&l=b93ce4c38f
I busted Lane and Beezie cuddling this morning…I guess they like each other
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100460877704699&l=e3a078650c
Love these stories, please keep sharing!
My husband and I both grew up with dogs - he with labs and I with golden retrievers. We both liked big dogs, but due to his allergies and my hatred of vacuuming, a golden was out of the question. We wanted to adopt a dog from the moment we got married, but for many reasons, we waited. First, we lived in a 16th floor apartment in the middle of a city. Second, I was a medical resident who worked crazy hours and he had a 1.5hr each way commute. Third, I was competing several horses who lived at a barn that was a good hour drive each way.
Eventually, we moved out of the city, bought a house, fenced in the yard, I finished my training and got a “real job” with more regular hours, and I moved the horse closer to my house…so it was finally time for a dog. We live in a county with BSL 
so many of the pitt-mixes that pulled at my heartstrings on rescue sites were off-limits. We made several visits to local shelters and saw many lovely dogs…but none of them seemed to be “the one.”
Until we happened to see this photo on a local shelter’s site on a Thursday evening:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v692/tarheelmd07/Widget-headshot.jpg
Something about this beautiful girl’s photo spoke to us and I scooted over to the shelter over lunch on Friday. As I pulled into the parking lot, there she was, being walked (or more accurately dragging a poor volunteer) around the grassy area in front of the shelter. She was a bit skinny, super-high energy, and appeared to have no manners whatsoever…but she had just the cutest face. I played with her for a bit and told the shelter volunteers I would be back with my husband first thing Saturday morning, since we both had to be there to put in an application. I think my husband was a bit suspicious at first of this brindled blocky-headed ball of energy…but after she climbed into his lap at the shelter and curled up into a ball while wagging her little tail nub (someone did a horrible cropping job on her tail and she only has a tiny little nubbin), he was sold. We turned in our application, stayed as long as the shelter would let us, and made arrangements to pick her up after her spay surgery the following Tuesday.
The funny part is, when I went back to pick her up, my husband was out of town. The shelter’s vet determined she had already been spayed so her adoption fee was only the cost of her vaccines…a whopping $32 check made out to the county government. Weeks later, when the bank statement came, my husband asked me if I’d gotten a parking ticket…I was confused until I realized that he thought the check I’d written for the dog was a parking ticket I’d forgotten to mention, since it’s exactly the same cost
We’ve had Widget almost 2 years - hard to believe as the time has flown by! She has been our gateway into dog training and we’re now about to start showing her in rally and obedience - and she has settled down a bit and developed some nice doggy manners. She’s not the greatest barn dog…but she more than makes up for it by being a champion snuggler and couch buddy.
And she’s still pretty much the cutest thing…and terribly photogenic
![[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/angfreda/100_5716.jpg)](http://s12.photobucket.com/user/angfreda/media/100_5716.jpg.html){kind=link}
![[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/angfreda/100_2298.jpg)](http://s12.photobucket.com/user/angfreda/media/100_2298.jpg.html){kind=link}
![[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a230/angfreda/P1010036.jpg)](http://s12.photobucket.com/user/angfreda/media/P1010036.jpg.html){kind=link}