Tag Archives: dogs

5 Things You Should Know About Rescuing a Dog

A couple of years ago, my fiance and I decided we were ready to have children; so we followed the Nevada SPCA on Facebook and started the hunt for a cute adoptable pup. Rescuing a dog was always on my to-do list, and it seemed like the perfect time. The process was smooth as butter: we couldn’t agree on a single dog, ever. Not once. I wanted to find the oldest, ugliest dog, the one no one wanted, and bring it home. He wanted a puppy who still had both eyes and no chronic diseases. Understandable.

One day, he spotted a little black ball of fur. “That’s him,” he said. “That’s the one. Let’s go get him.” He was cute, alright; but I didn’t feel the spark. Regardless, we drove down and met little Romeo. He couldn’t have cared less about us. He was more interested in sniffing the turds in the backyard of the NSPCA. Still, the fiance had a gut feeling; so that day, we adopted our first dog. He didn’t feel like a Romeo, so we named him Neo, from The Matrix, obvi.

It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made together. We enjoyed it so much, in fact, that we went back and rescued a little brother for Neo: Dood, AKA Dooder, AKA The Big Dooderino, AKA Doodie McDooderson.

Look at these ugly mugs.

my dogs
Dood + Neo, BFFs

While the process of adopting and raising two dogs who didn’t have the best beginnings (Neo was a stray, and Dood was either abused or severely neglected or both) was incredible, you should still be aware of what the experience is like, and consider whether it’s something you’re prepared for. Here are five important lessons I learned along the way.

Rescuing a Dog: 101

1. You Might Not Know the Specifics of Their History

While the shelter you adopt from will likely know at least a little bit about where this dog is coming from (and they should disclose every last detail to you), there are no promises or guarantees. When we adopted Dood, there truly were no signs of abuse. When we brought him home, however, he was so terrified of us, he hid and wouldn’t come out for days.

Even to this day, he’s scared of feet, loud noises, and sudden movements. Something happened to him with his previous owner, but we’ll probably never know what.

Don’t let this stop you from rescuing a dog. Just know they might be living with painful memories you’re not aware of. Patience is key.

toy terrier mix
“I woke up like this.” -Neo

2. They Might Not Be Socialized

Along similar lines, you might get a dog who is fine on his own but doesn’t know how to act around other dogs — or even other people, for that matter. And remember: when a dog gets scared, it can act out aggressively. This doesn’t mean they’re “bad” or “mean.” It means they’re scared. They’re protecting themselves. When I’m scared, I snarl at people too.

Again, patience is your best friend. Dogs take time to adjust to each other and to us. Dood wanted nothing to do with Neo at first. Now, they’re #squadgoals.

3. You Have to Move Fast

Dogs can be adopted in a matter of minutes. We learned pretty quickly that if the NSPCA posted a photo of a new dog, if you thought you even might be interested, you had to get down there ASAP and visit with the pooch before someone else grabbed him.

Once you’re there, it’s good to take your time with the dog and try to get a feel for its personality. Just don’t assume it’ll be there a week — or even a day — later. It’s a tough call, and yes, it’s risky; but this is how it is. Some shelters will allow you to place a hold on a dog; but even then, it’s typically not very long.

rescuing a dog from the NSPCA
Stop and smell the flowers.

4. Their Personalities Can Change Over Time — a Lot

This is so, so important. Don’t assume what you see at the shelter, or when you first bring a pup home, is what you’ll get in the long run. Dogs, like people, change over time.

I say this because in the beginning, a new dog might be scared, aggressive, or very poorly trained. But it’s only the beginning. Give ’em a chance. We were so troubled by Dood’s behavior at first, we were worried we might not be able to handle him. Now, he’s the cutest, most fun, silliest dog ever. The only solution was time. You have to give it time.

Neo was a lot easier. He just peed on the carpet a lot.

5. Rescuing a Dog is More Rewarding Than You’ll Ever Imagine

Rescuing a dog and giving it an amazing life is a feeling unlike any other. This isn’t to say you won’t experience happiness if you get a dog elsewhere. Here’s the thing, though: these pups were given up by their owners, deserted, or found roaming the streets, discarded like they didn’t matter. Maybe they’re not as self-aware as humans, but they still feel. Although they can’t talk to you, rest assured they’ll love you forever if you welcome them into your home.

When you rescue a dog and love him unconditionally, you do a really good deed.

Twitter’s “What Your Dog isThankful For” Hashtag Will Steal Your Heart

Does a certain furry, four-legged pal make your life a whole lot better? You’re not alone. As of this year, around 89.7 million dogs live in homes across America. The benefits of welcoming a canine into your home are endless. Dogs teach us things about people, they teach us to give more, and they’re good for your physical and mental health. It’s no wonder we want to welcome dogs into our homes and travel the country to visit the best doggie destinations in the nation. Even though it’s always a good time to celebrate the dogs in our lives, Twitter wanted to give them a special shout-out — with the hashtag #WhatYourDogIsThankfulFor.

As you can probably imagine, some of the tweets are pretty amazing. Some will make you laugh until your face hurts from smiling too much. Others might bring a tear to your eye. One thing is for certain, though: they’ll all remind you why you love your dog to the end of the world and back.


https://twitter.com/Sb_spark/status/931206677302358016

What is your dog thankful for?

whatyourdogisthankfulfor

US Destinations for the Ultimate Dog Lover

Woof, woof: it’s time to let the dogs out.  Besides providing you with endless companionship and entertainment, from nabbing your sandwiches to massacring your toilet paper rolls, your dog increases your oxytocin, a chemical in your brain that allows you to bond with others, says a 2012 study. Dog owners are also 50% more likely to squeeze in 30 minutes of exercise a day, five days per week. They lower your heart rate, stress level, and cholesterol, according to  The American Heart Association.  On top of all that, dogs take a bite out of your sick days and decrease your allergies. Yes, puppy love is power.  So, here are six locations that’ll help you fetch happiness.

 

1. The American Kennel Club (AKC) Museum of Dog, Saint Louis, Missouri

Art has gone to the dogs — literally. The Museum of Dog, the country’s only house of fine arts devoted exclusively to man’s best friend, boasts over 3,000 books and 4,000  photos, sculptures, and paintings, ranging from spiked dog collars to antique dog toys. Moving to its original digs in The Big Apple in mid-to-late 2018, the current Queeny Park location has a Hall of Fame honoring K-9 champions, K-9 warriors, and K-9 pop culture icons, such as Rin Tin Tin. From “Fitness with Fido” workout classes to breed specific dog clubs, it’s never been so easy to culture your canine. “Dogs are welcome to sniff out the artwork and each other,” says Stephen George, the museum’s executive director.

 

2. Bark in the Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

Decked out in a Reds’ jersey, this beagle burns off excess energy in the pre-game dog parade | Photo: Brendan Hader

Arf! Hot dogs, popcorn, cracker jacks: take your dog out to the ball game. Fido can’t actually play ball, but he can still watch it while woofing for your home team. As your dog runs the bases during the pregame parade, he can channel his inner Babe Ruth or Jackie Robinson. You can also shop ‘til you drop at Bark in the Park’s vendor booths, where you can buy team swag like jerseys, reflective dog collars, and baseball ropes toys — that you can turn into souvenirs with power players’ signatures. Meet SPCA Cincinnati’s current roster of adoptable dogs, who just want to “play ball!” with a forever pet parent. And, baseball buffs, if you make an additional donation to the non-profit, you can also pose with your barking buddy in front of a team backdrop.

 

3. Barkfield Road, East Northport, New York  

Barkfield Road
In 2016, Barkfield Road was named the “Best Organic Pet Food Supply Store” by the Long Island Press | Photo: Denise Rafkind

Happy birthday, Spot. Whether your dog is celebrating her first birthday (or her 7th in human years), Barkfield Road has the yum, yum, yummy treats she craves.  From mega peanut butter B-day bones to Peeps for your pup, the bakery’s treats are all-natural, healthy, and human-grade. Its shelves are teeming with Unbreakoballs, Tuffy pet toys, and Goughnut Blacks. “Rover is welcome to roam the aisles,” says Carol Andersen, Barfield Road’s owner.

 

4. Yappy Hour, Dana Point, California

Yappy Hour Dogs in Purses
Two Yorkie-poos are whisked across Cypress Lawn in floral purses | Photo: Deanne French

Bark your calendars: the Ritz-Carlton is hosting its monthly Yappy Hour, where you can schmooze and sniff with fellow dog lovers and their tail-waggers. Canine clientele is offered hand-made dog biscuits with bacon, chicken, cheese, beef, and liver-flavored water. B-b-b-b-bacon! “Bacon water is the number one pooch pick-me-up,” a hotel company rep barked. Though, beef is a close second. Pet owners can also chow down on hot dogs, hamburgers, and sushi while kicking back a glass of Mutt Lynch Unleashed Chardonnay, Merlot Over and Play Dead, or Château d’Og Cabernet Sauvignon. From Howl-O-Ween costume parties to photo ops with Santa Paws, it’s pampering with a purpose.  Proceeds from this year’s Yappy Hours will go to the Wounded Veterans Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence: a nonprofit that’s provided over 5,000 highly-trained assistance dogs to disabled warriors.

 

5. World Dog Expo, Secaucus, New Jersey

Furry Face Contest Mia
Mia, the winner of the 2017 Famous Furry Face Contest, will be featured on the World Dog Expo’s promotional magnets | Photo: Alyx Robertson

If you heart dogs, the World Dog Expo’s three-day extravaganza is for you.  You can watch top canine competitors duke it out to win the championship crown in diving, dancing, flyball, and more. Shake paws with over 80 different breeds at the World Dog Showcase. Hit up the “Paws On” booths, and let your dog take toys for a test run and nibble exotic treats. You can also let your dog show his wild side at the temporary tattoos and color spray station. Need a little person-puppy bonding time? Register for the World Dog Experience. You and your doggie dearest will be able to participate in education, training, and sport events.

 

6. Statue of Balto, the Husky Hero, New York, New York  

Balto-Central Park-credit the Central Park Conservancy (1)
A statue of Balto, sculpted by Brooklyn-based artist Frederick Roth, was erected in Central Park on December 15, 1925 | Photo: The Central Park Conservancy

 

In March of 1925, Balto and his pack of 12 dogs raced 674 miles in just five-and-a-half days — over treacherous waters and through arctic blizzards — to deliver life-saving medicine to the children of Nome, Alaska, who had contracted a lethal respiratory disease. Commemorated each March by the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, this life-or-death dash actually involved 20 drivers and more than 150 dogs.  However, Balto was the only one catapulted to superstardom.  Within weeks of crossing the finish line, he appeared in a two-reel film “Balto’s Race to Nome”.  And, after a nine-month variety tour, Central Park erected a bronze tribute near the Tisch Children’s Zoo. Standing on a rocky outcrop with his tongue wagging, tail curled, and deeply burnished, Balto is a park favorite. Visitors frequently climb onto his back and rub his ears during photo ops.  Others contemplate the words on his plaque: courage, intelligence, fidelity — words to live by for dog lovers and their four-legged friends.

Secondhand Hounds Rescues and Recuperates Animals on Death Row

In August of 2009, Rachel Mairose, huge and pregnant with hormones gone wild, founded Secondhand Hounds (SHH): a non-profit that scoops up cats and dogs that are on the “chopping block” at kill shelters around the United States.  A grassroots organization, SHH provides rescue animals with foster families, veterinary care, behavioral therapy, and daily necessities—while tirelessly beating the pavement to find them forever homes. “We don’t put a time limit on it [adoption],” Mairose said.  The proof: Snow White, a Pit bull whose ears were half-hacked off, entered the program in October of 2012 and is still waiting, almost four years later, to be adopted.

white pitbull
Snow White | Photo courtesy of Secondhand Hounds

Rescuing thousands of animals

Last year, the Minnesota-based organization rescued 2,400 animals, roughly 2,000 from out-of-state shelters and 400 from Minnesota.  Scouring Craigslist for $10 crates, raking in donation from events—the most popular being their 5K9 drawing in 3,000 runners—and receiving broken bags of food from stores like Target and Lakewind Co-Op, SHH only has to “buy food a few times per year,” which has allowed them to completely foot half a million dollars worth of medical bills, from clip and chip programs to tumor removals.

“We work with about four behaviorists in training facilities [who]…perform temperament testing,” Mairose said. SSH works with the University of Minnesota to repair heart murmurs. “That’s one of the things that no one really wants to touch, [but] it takes puppies [and kittens] from dying to having normal life expectancies.”

Providing comfort for terminal animals

The nonprofit also has a  great partnership with Mission Animal Hospital. “They’re the first non-profit veterinary office in the Midwest. [Luckily,] we share a building with them. They euthanize really sick animals [that are in our Hospice Program] in fosters’ homes, so the cat’s or dog’s last experience isn’t in a vet office where they’re scared, but in a home they’ve come to love.”

puppy kiss
Bernadette | Photo courtesy of Secondhand Hounds

SHH launched its Foster Program in the Spring of 2015 after taking in a 17-year-old Min Pin that “looked like the crypt keeper”.  Weighing around three pounds, Elvyn had scoliosis.  His bottom jaw had completely disintegrated into a flap of skin.  He also had skin and eyes issues and his nails were curling into his feet. “There was no way this dog could have walked five blocks in a year,” Mairose said. The vet gave him only two weeks to live.  After being placed with a foster family, though, Elvyn found the will to live again, thriving for seven months.  “It showed us what love can do for these dogs,” she said. “[Our] fosters are angelic. They’re willing to deal with the pee and the poop and the [never-ending] vet visits.” Approximately 40% of dogs and cats in SHH’s Hospice Foster Program become senior adoptable.

dog playing
Roo Roo | Photo courtesy of Secondhand Hounds

Nursing animals back to health

SHH’s Fighter Fund picks up the “hopeless” animal rescue cases, the ones that no other rescue can or will take on.  Mairose started the program in honor of Bernadette the English Bulldog who had Cerebellar Hypoplasia: a condition that causes jerking movements and uncontrollable tremors making walking difficult. Because of over-breeding, Bernadette’s trachea wasn’t growing with her body, so she suffocated. “It was really angering to see that this was happening to this little girl who had so much fight in her,” she said. “The Vets said, ‘There’s nothing we can do.’  It really showed me that I was willing to fight as hard as the animals.”

puppy
Bernadette | Photo courtesy of Secondhand Hounds

The Fighter Fund went on to help animals like Isabelle, a seven-month-old kitten shoved into a dryer and discovered with third-degree burns, and Gaia, a Pit Bull that lost half of its face after being thrown from a moving car.

german shepherd
Quasi the Great | Photo courtesy of Secondhand Hounds

The Fighter Fund’s mini-celebs are Quasi The Great, one of only 13 dogs living with Short Spine Syndrome, Roo Roo, a two-legged Terrier Mix, and Bella, a kitten with a botfly in her head. “It’s been so wonderful to say ‘Yes’ to practically every case because of donations,” Mairose said. “When people donate to a rescue at large, I don’t think they want their money going towards exhaustive resources. Three grand could really save several dogs…at spay and neuter. [However,] with the Fighter Fund…they can say, ‘This is my passion.’”

Bella before and after rescue animal
Bella, before and after | Photo courtesy of Secondhand Hounds

Helping animals and people, too

With an application and $10 “donation”, SHH also takes surrenders. Case in point: “The other day, a homeless woman came crying to us because her Pit Bull’s back legs gave out,” Mairose said.  She owed the vet a large sum of money, so he refused to look at her dog.  Desperate and unable to handle “being with him while he left this Earth”, she signed over her dog to SHH.  The organization rushed him to an animal hospital where vets told them that he had inoperable cancer. Heartbroken, the staff took him back to SHH.  They took turns laying with him on the floor until he crossed the “Rainbow Bridge” with dignity.  “That’s why we were put here.  Not only to help the animals but to help the people,” Mairose said.  “Seeing a woman that’s that desperate, upset, and out of options…to give her options. It’s super hard, but it’s worth it every time.”

Day it Forward – April 2016

We believe that every individual has the ability to make a difference in our world, and we want to give our readers a chance to bring attention to a cause that is important to them.

Every month, we will ask you to submit a one-paragraph essay on a charity of your choice. We want to know what the charity is about, why it is important to you, and anything else you think is important for us to know.

Your submissions will be reviewed by bestselling author Sylvia Day and she will select one to personally contribute to for the month. Your charity will also be featured in the following month’s installment of Day it Forward to bring more awareness to its cause and allow for readers of Beyond Words to donate as well.

 

The submission chosen for the month of April is the Southern Nevada Beagle Rescue Foundation.

southern nevada beagle rescue foundation

The SNBRF is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the rescue of Beagles and education about responsible dog and puppy ownership. We provide rescue and adoption services primarily in Las Vegas, Henderson, and the rest of Clark County Nevada and find permanent homes for Beagles who have been surrendered by their owners or who have been abandoned or abused. Southern Nevada Beagle Rescue does not house dogs and puppies in a shelter as in many rescue groups. Our dogs are cared for in healthy, safe, loving foster home environments.

Sylvia will be donating $1,500 to the Southern Nevada Beagle Rescue Foundation. You can donate, too, here.