Feature Friday

 

This week's Feature Friday winners are Dublin, Jessie, and Sammie from Hillsboro, Missouri.

Here is what their mommy, Morgan, has to say about them:

 

"We have 3 dogs (1 red pit bull, 1 blue pit bull, and a lab/chow mix). All three dogs are awesome with our youngest daughter who will be 2 in December. They are always gentle with both of the kids, super loving, and just generally awesome. Dublin, the blue pit bull, was found in a city where they outlawed his breed so we ended up getting him at 6 weeks. Jessie is our lab/chow mix. She doesn't really do pictures because she is as dark at night and hard to get. Sammie is almost 8 years old and the best dog. Period. She always listens and just a joy to be around."


Sammie and Dublin as a puppy



10 Ways to Help (With Just an Hour a Week)

Courtesy of Mutts

I hear it all the time. So many people want to volunteer in animal rescue, but they just don’t have the time to commit to weekly shelter shifts or fostering. That’s ok! There are still many things you can do to help with just one hour a week. Here is a list of ten ideas to get you started:

10. Make it a family affair. Go with your spouse or kids for a “date day” and walk dogs. Most shelter dogs only get out of their kennel once or twice a day for just a few minutes at a time. When volunteers show up to walk dogs, this allows them to get some much need fresh air and one on one attention.

9. Are you handy with tools or do you have any special trade skills? Shelters almost always need help with maintenance and repairs. This is often an area overlooked by other volunteers, but a properly functioning shelter is essential to the animal rescue process.

8. Are you a photographer? Whether you’re an amateur hobbyist or a professional photographer, shelter dogs could use your help creating a portfolio for them. A good portion of adoptions come as a result of a family seeing the dog online and “feeling a connection.” Good quality pictures that capture the animal’s true spirit can go a long way with improving their adoption potential.

7. Animals in shelters also need short biographies written about them. Spend time with a dog and gather a little bit of information from the shelter employees and then compose an honest yet endearing biography for them.

6. Help with transport. Shelters often need help getting an animal from one shelter to another or from the shelter to a veterinary appointment. All you have to do is pick up the dog and drive. You can even document your mileage for tax deduction purposes!

5. Fundraise. Many people are daunted by the thought of fundraising, but it doesn’t have to be a major project. Start by contacting the shelter to determine what supplies they may need and then come up with some ideas about how to get those supplies. Our rescue likes to look on Craigslist or at garage sales. They search for needed supplies, contact the seller, and explain to them that we are a non-profit animal rescue and ask if they would like to donate their dog house/kennel/blankets/etc. Another way to fundraise is to organize a blanket or food drive with a local business. You’ll find there are many ways to earn money when you think outside the box.

4. Do you like to talk to people? Attend an adoption event. Adoption events are a great way for shelter dogs to get out into the community and get exposure. Shelters always need volunteer help with getting dogs to and from events and interacting with potential adopters.

3. Organize a workplace volunteer day. Does your employer encourage volunteer activities? Next time you talk to your boss, suggest a workplace volunteer day (or half-day). It is great PR for your company, an excellent team building exercise, and provides a crew of free help to the local shelter. It is a win-win for everybody!!

2. Be an advocate for shelter animals. Share shelter postings on your social media page. Preach the merits of adoption. Support spay and neuter campaigns. Vote for stricter puppy mill and dog fighting laws. Start a petition to end BSL in your community. The possibilities for advocacy are endless. Find an alley that interests you and go for it!

1. Say “thank you.” Shelter employees are overworked and underpaid. The horrors they witness can wear on even the most optimistic soul. These people see some of the most horrific cases of animal abuse or neglect. They have to endure the sadness of watching a family dog be relinquished to the shelter. They have to see the emotional toll that shelter living takes on these dogs; as a previously vibrant dog becomes a frightened and subdued shell of themselves. These people don’t work for recognition, but a simple thank you makes the work much more bearable and restores just a little bit of faith in humanity. Who doesn’t want to know that their work is appreciated and admired?

Do you have other ideas? Feel free to leave suggestions in our comment section!

Grain Free Pumpkin Treats

Lucky Paws Bakery & Unique BARKtique in Lawrence, Kansas is one of our favorite destinations for everything dog related. The owner, Raven Rajani has a passion for rescue dogs and local art. Her store is filled with delicious home-baked treats, locally made dog collars and toys, and beautiful animal artwork. We caught up with Raven last weekend to get the scoop on how she got started:

"I have always loved dogs and have been interested in health and nutrition. In 1990, I adopted my first dog from a shelter in Wichita, Kansas, and my two loves converged.  

After reading the ingredient labels on Maggie's food, I decided to start making her food and baking treats to give her. Despite being the 'laughing stalk' of my family,  I was concerned with all the chemicals on the labels and I knew that what I would create for her would be much more nutritionally sound! Over time, I added more dogs to my pack, became involved in rescue and I kept baking! I wanted to create treats for others that they could feel good about giving their dogs. I baked treats and sold them locally at The Community Merc, and the local Farmer's Market.

I rescued Shakti, a blue pit bull girl from a shelter in Arkansas in July of 2011. Shakti became the inspiration for my baking (especially the grain-free treats), became my logo girl, and in April of 2012, I took my dream one step further and opened Lucky Paws Bakery & Unique BARKtique. My store features organic, gourmet treats baked fresh weekly (using LOCAL, sustainable ingredients), and unique, dog-themed art (provided by local artists), organic bath supplies, funky collars, leashes, tags, toys and even our own coffee blend - Lucky Paws BARKfast Blend!

Shakti is the CEO (Chief Eating Officer) and the official greeter. As a bully girl, she serves as a wonderful ambassador for her breed, and we advocate for bullies and rescue! Shakti is a TRUE working girl - Not only does she work at Lucky Paws Bakery, but she is a certified therapy dog and was the inspiration for Loving Paws Animal Therapy Program, Inc., a non-profit organization, which will train and certify volunteer teams (dogs and handlers) to serve those in need throughout Douglas County."

Lucky Paws Bakery & Unique BARKtique is located in Lawrence, Kansas at 4 East 7th and is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Raven was kind enough to share the recipe for one of her most popular fall-time treats...Grain Free Pumpkin Treats!!

Life of Drool tested the recipe this weekend...and I'd say it was a huge success!

Step 1: Whisk eggs, pumpkin and milk together.

Step 2: Add coconut flour, tapioca flour and spices (*can add flax or chia). 
Stir and continue to add flour if necessary until the dough is stiff (not sticky). 







Step 3: Use a melon ball scoop to place dough on cookie sheets or roll the dough onto wax paper and use a cookie cutter to make cute shapes.

 

Step 4: Bake at 300 degrees for approximately 1 hour. Cool and store in refrigerator.  

Optional Step 5

Yesterday my sister and I packaged the treats into Halloween treat baggies and set off for Dogtober Fest in Le Claire, Iowa. We were trying to raise awareness for the blog, so if we met you there please comment and let us know if your dog enjoyed the treat!

Feature Friday: Tilly

Tilly has had a rough start to life, but thanks to Even Chance Rescue in St. Louis, MO, she is getting lots of love and snuggles from her foster family and getting the medical care that she so desperately needs.

Even Chance Pit Bull Advocacy + Resources + Rescue is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that works to promote pit bull education, counteract sterotypes and misinformation, and rescue pit bull type dogs from area shelters. Even Chance originated in San Diego, CA and recently opened a second chapter in St. Louis, MO.

For more information about Tilly and how to help, please see the flier below.

Please click the image to enlarge.

Lennon Update

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.”

-John Lennon

Lennon came to us just over a week ago. At that time he weighed just 31 pounds, after having been found in a backyard by animal control. Lenny had just enough energy to softly wag his tail, but that was the extent of his physical exertion. He could barely stand, barely walk, barely lift his head. He was a skeleton of a dog (both literally and figuratively).

Being in the medical profession, I have a soft spot for dogs with special needs. I feel like these dogs are my opportunity to use my knowledge and professional experience for the greater good. So, when we saw his picture, my husband and I knew we had to help. We couldn't look the other way and allow him to die in the shelter (as he almost certainly would have done).

When Lennon arrived at our house, he was in the worst physical shape I'd ever seen. I had serious concerns about whether or not he'd survive. I explained to my husband (the eternal optimist) that he shouldn't get too attached because there was a strong possibility that he wouldn't make it through the night. But each time I got up to feed him, there he was, tail wagging and ready to eat. This guy was a fighter, and he was determined to prove me wrong.

Lennon gained twelve pounds in the first two days. This was mostly due to rehydration, but it was still a promising sign. Within four days, he was climbing the stairs. And on the fifth day, I came home to find him lounging on my living room rug. He had climbed a flight of stairs and crawled under the baby gate. He was definitely feeling better!

As Lennon's strength is improving, we are learning a lot about him. He is an outgoing dog. He loves to cuddle in our laps and if we stop petting him, he will gently remind us to get back to it. He likes to play with his tennis ball and he LOVES to roll in the grass. He is a wonderful dog and we are blessed to have him in our home.

We also got a little bit of information from somebody that knew him before this whole ordeal, he allegedly used to weigh 90 pounds!! We have a long way to go before he is back to that weight...but thanks to all of the thoughts, prayers, and generous donations, Lennon has a great chance of getting there.   

The support Lennon has received during this first week is incredibly heartwarming. It is amazing that one dog can have such an effect on so many people. We hope that his story will continue to inspire people to fight back against animal neglect and cruelty...because sadly, Lennon's story is not unique.

Lennon doing the stairs. 



Wordless Wednesday!

This is Ringo! He is a rescue newfie, and just the sweetest bear you'll ever meet!

Learn more about Ringo here! Ringo's Interview!




Why I Hate Fostering (and Why I Continue to Do It Anyway)

A question I get from my friends and family is “How can you give a dog to another family after having them for so long? Don’t you miss them?!?”

My response is usually a short, canned comment. “Yes, it is hard but it is nice to see them get their forever home.”

It is hard to explain fostering to people who don’t do it.  Those that don’t foster look at fostering as a purely wonderful opportunity. They believe that you simply give your heart and home to a dog temporarily. You love and care for the dog and then send him on to the life he had been waiting for so patiently. The dog gets his happily ever after and you get to live happily with the knowledge that you made a difference.

There is truth in this view, but it is an oversimplified truth.

The real truth is far more complicated. Yes, the dog lives happily ever after, but the foster home doesn’t fair nearly as well.  The foster home is left empty handed and broken hearted. Every. Single. Time.

Don’t get me wrong, I fully believe that this is the happiest moment in animal rescue. And yes, I understand that giving this dog a chance at a permanently happy life is the greatest thing you can do for him. Finding a dog his forever home is the ultimate goal, and we have to find homes so that we can rescue more.

I understand all of that…but rationalization doesn’t make it hurt any less.  

So, my answer to the original question is yes, I miss them terribly. And although I am over the moon happy for the dog, I am unbelievably miserable for myself. I loved that dog when nobody else did. I took care of that dog when nobody else would. That dog sat in my lap, slept in my bed, and gave purpose to my mundane existence. And now I am missing a piece of my soul...a part of my heart went to that new home.

I love my fosters. I love watching them transform from quiet and reserved to outgoing and confident. I love their energy and mischief. I love when they greet me at the door after a long day. I even love the trail of destruction they leave in my house.

But, I hate goodbyes. I hate the feeling that I am abandoning someone I love. I hate coming home and having to pack up their things and get my house back to “normal.” I hate having to watch my dogs wander the house looking for their friend. And I hate the emptiness and the finality of it all.

Yes, I get happy follow up stories and pictures, but at that point the dog has moved on to life with his new family. I am no longer an active participant. I have become a spectator.

So the honest to God, behind the scenes, truth is this: I cry. I cry all the way home. I cry for days. There are times when I don’t believe I have the strength to go through it all again. But I keep going...mainly because I know it is the right thing to do, but also because a small misguided part of me hopes that it will fill the emptiness left behind by the previous dog.

So the next time you are adopting a dog and are forced to stand there uncomfortably while his foster mom says her teary goodbye, remember this confession and don’t judge her too much.   

My former foster babies