Sweet Samantha

Sam is a Chocolate Lab who came to our rescue when our vet called and asked for help. Sam's caretakers wanted to euthanize Sam because she had ongoing skin issues and was having accidents in the home.

As Sam was only 4-5 Years old, and just the nicest dog in the world, our vet felt that she deserved better - and we agreed.

After running extensive tests on Sam, we discovered that there was nothing physically wrong with her other than food allergies. To keep her coat in good condition - Sam requires a grain free diet. The accidents in the home were the result of a steriod shot that her previous caretakers had given her in an effort to relieve her skin issues. Steroids are hard on a dog's liver and kidneys and a large dose makes a dog drink excessive amounts of water - which in turn makes them need to relieve themselves frequently.

Once in foster care and on a high grade diet - Sam stopped having accidents and showed no signs of her previous skin issues.

We were surprised at how many prospective adoptive families for Sam fought us on the condition that she be fed a grain free diet. Many felt that the cost of the food was prohibitive to adoption. As we feed all of our rescue dogs high grade food, we know that spending a little more on food, greatly decreases vet expenses - as lower grade foods can cause countless health problems such as allergies, hot spots, ear infections, urinary tract infections and even cancer.

After a month of screening applicants for Sam, we found the perfect family for her! Not only are they giving Sam the food that she needs to stay healthy - but have switched their other dogs to the same diet. Sam is now living in Edgecomb, Maine with two other Labs, cats and a family who loves her. She spends hours chasing balls and swimming. Here is the latest update from Sam's new family:

We really could not be happier with our trio of dogs. they do so well together and are such a joy to have in our family. Sammy completes the canine aspect perfectly! Sammy has decided that she likes to sleep with emmy (our older dog) on the couch downstairs at night. emmy really seems happy to have the company.

Everyone is GREAT! Sammy is SOOOO sweet and we are very happy to have her! Sammy and Emmy enjoy naps together and she and Lilly are ball-chasing buddies. I've tried to take some good photos, but whereas the dogs are always pretty busy, they come out as yellow and brown blurs and when they are sleeping (as you can see) Sammy appears as a brown lump!!!

Anyway, here are some pictures and a short clip of a "fetchfest" with the spunkier 2 of the girls.

More Happy Tails! Shadow & Skipper

Shadow


Shadow came into our rescue early this past summer. He appeared to be a perfect pup (outgoing, good with other dogs, children, house trained) - but for some reason, we had a hard time finding him the perfect home. Finally - the perfect home appeared in September. A nice couple had recently lost their canine companion to old age related challenges. Their remaining pup, Sadie, was lost without her brother. Boy we were surprised when we met Sadie! She was Shadow's twin sister! Sadie did not welcome Shadow with open arms, but after a little time together, they have bonded and have become a dynamic duo! It goes to show you - good things come to those who wait! Here is the latest update from Shadow's new Dad:

Hi There,Things are going GREAT with Shadow! He and Sadie play well together now. He has settled in nicely. He is a wonderful boy. We have had no issues with him at all. We all love him dearly. Greg

Skipper

Sweet Skipper belonged to one of our family members who passed away. Skipper was lost without his mom. He became depressed and refused to eat. From there Skipper went to a rural shelter in Northern California. We could not possibly leave Skipper's fate in the hands of strangers - so with help from Dogs Deserve Better Rep, Pam Fanning in California, Skipper was pulled from the shelter and transported to Maine.

Of course we had to find the perfect family for Skipper. He was used to having his caretaker around 24/7 and was a very spoiled dog! Well, the perfect family came along...Skipper is now living with a wonderful retired couple in Saco, Maine. He appetite is returning. He accompanies his new family on walks to the beach, trips to the dog park and to their camp on the lake! Skipper is even learning to enjoy boating!

Thank you Arnie and Felice for giving Skipper more love and joy than he could ever ask for! You have no idea how much it means to us to know that he has found you.

Adoption Update - Sophia (Formerly Face)


Sophia (formerly Face) came to our rescue three years ago from an overcrowded shelter in Kentucky. Sophia is fearful of strangers - but has found herself a member of a wonderful family that has gone the extra mile to help her overcome her anxieties. Here is the latest update from Sophia's adoptive mom:

Sophie is doing well. She still goes to daycare twice a week for socialization. She enjoys playing with the other dogs. I recently took her to a dog trainer for advice. Whenever company comes, she paces - she is fearful of strangers. The trainer suggested putting the leash around her neck and keeping right at my side when company comes for security, and not to allow anyone to touch her. This gives her time to observe without a stranger coming into her "bubble". Also to give treats and put the leash around her when someone comes to the door, because that is when she paces and barks. I've tried that a few times and that does help with the treats, but she still has a long way to go on that conditioning. She is great with my husband and myself. Spoiled. I just got done washing the couch cover because she sneaks downstairs at night and that is where she sleeps if she isn't in the bedroom. She leads a good life. Tries to catch the frogs in the lake in front of our house, watches for the chipmunk who lives in the rock wall, and plays well with the dogs at daycare. Here are a couple of pictures. Hope all is well with you. Maddy

Thank you Maddy for giving Sophia the love and life she deserves. Rescued dogs are not always perfect dogs. It is heartwarming to see a family dedicated to working through the challenges - one that sees the inner beauty of their canine companion and does not give up.

Happy Tail - Diamond

We LOVE to receive updates on our adoptive dogs! Diamond was adopted from us approximately two years ago. She came to our rescue from a kennel in upstate Maine where she was living outside in a pen with her "brother" Demon. We were thrilled to receive the below update from Diamond's forever family:

Cleaning out my email and happened upon this one from last year! Here are a couple of recent pics of Diamond. She continues to do well. She has found her voice this year and knows how to ‘speak’ – mostly only when asked! She still comes to the office with me and hates it when I leave her home for any reason at all. She continues to be the precious gem that her name implies. She doesn’t like the water much – I think she’s confused and doesn’t realize she’s a lab. So we just have fun doing other stuff besides swimming! Hope you are still finding good homes for dogs who need them. Best Always, Ellie

I Want To Quit

The below was sent to me by a fellow rescuer today. I thought it was great because it explains what each person that devotes their life to rescue goes through mentally, physically and financially on a daily basis.


"I Want To Quit!" by Joan Fremo, May, 2001

This week's contribution is late, and I want to apologize to my readers. It has been such a busy week with Rescue, and sometimes Rescuers just run out of time. Sometimes, Rescue can be very difficult... I'd like to share with you my feelings. The following is based on a recent post I made to my friends on one of my Rescue Email lists. I was not the only one experiencing "one of those weeks".

I want to quit! My health is bad. There are days I feel so terrible that I can barely move. My phone bills are outrageous, and I could have replaced my van with the funds I have spent these last 3 years---on animals that were not my own.

I want to quit! I spend hours and hours emailing about dogs. There may be 500 messages when I start---and at 4 AM, when I finally shut down the computer, there are still 500 emails to be read.

I want to quit! Gosh, I haven't the time left to email my friends. I can't remember the last book I read, and I gave up my subscription to my local newspaper---I used to enjoy reading it, cover to cover, but now it often ends up in the bottom of the squirrel's cage---unread.

I want to quit!I've spent days emailing what seems like everyone---trying to find a foster home, help for a dog languishing in a shelter---but his time has run out, and the shelter has had to euthanize to make room for the next sad soul.

I want to quit!I swear, I walk away from my computer to stretch my legs---let the dogs out---and come back to find another dog in desperate need. There are times I really dread checking my email. How will I find the funds, the help, to save yet another dog?

I want to quit!I save one dog, and two more take its place. Now an owner who doesn't want his dog---it won't stay in his unfenced yard. An intact male wanders... This bitch got pregnant by a stray... This 3-month-old pup killed baby chicks... The dog got too big... This person's moving and needs to give up his pet. I ask you, friends---what town, what city, what state doesn't allow you to own a pet?

I want to quit!I just received another picture, another sad soul with tormented eyes that peer out of a malnourished body. I hear whimpering in my sleep, have nightmares for days...

Many of the "Breed People" don't seem to want to hear about these dogs. Breeders either don't realize, or just don't care, how many dogs of their breed are dying in shelters.

I want to quit!I just got off the phone. "Are you Pyr Rescue? We want to adopt a male to breed to our female." How many times do I have to explain? I have tried to explain about genetics, about health and pedigrees. I explain that rescue NEUTERS! I usually end up sobbing, as I explain about the vast numbers of animals dying in shelters across the country, as I describe the condition many of these animals are found in. I wonder if they really heard me...

I want to quit!It is not like I don't have enough rescues of my own to worry about---but others have placed dogs improperly and aren't there to advise the new owners.

I want to quit!There ARE some unscrupulous rescues out there---hoarders, collectors, and folks who will short change the care of the animals to make a dollar. They save them all, regardless of temperament, putting fellow rescuer's and adopters at risk by not being truthful.

I want to quit!I have trusted the wrong people--- had faith and heart broken...

I want to quit!AND THEN...My dog, lays his head in my lap, he comforts me with his gentle presence---and the thought of his cousins suffering stirs my heart.

I want to quit!AND THEN...One of those 500 emails is from an adopter. They are thanking me for the most wonderful dog on earth---they cannot imagine life with out their friend---their life is changed, and they are so grateful.

I want to quit!AND THEN...One of my adopted Rescues has visited a nursing home. A patient that has spent the last few years unable to communicate, not connecting---Lifts his hand to pat the huge head in his lap, softly speaks his first words in ages--- to this gentle furchild.

I want to quit!AND THEN...A Good Samaritan has found and vetted a lost baby, "I can't keep him, but I'll take care of him until you find his forever home."

I want to quit!AND THEN..."Jamie took his first steps holding on to our Pyr." "Joan, you should see this dog nursing this hurt kitten!" "I was so sick, Joan, and he never left my side..."

I want to quit!AND THEN...I get an email from a fellow rescuer, "Haven't heard from you in a while---you OK? You know I think of you..."

AND THEN...A dozen rescuers step up to help, to transport, to pull, and to offer encouragement. I have friends I have never seen, but we share tears, joys, and everything in between. I am not alone. I am blest with family of the heart, my fellow Rescuers.

Just days ago it was a friend who shared her wit and wisdom, whose late night email lifted my heart. Sometimes it is friends who only have time to forward you a smile. Often, it is my friends who forward me the notices of dogs in need.

There are Rescuers who see a flailing transport and do everything they can do find folks to pull it together for you. Rescuers who'll overnight or foster your Dog while you seek transport. There are Rescuers not used to or comfortable with your breed, but who put aside their discomfort to help. There are Rescuers whose words play the music of our hearts. Foster homes that love your Rescue, and help to make them whole again---body and spirit. Foster homes that fit your baby in, though it may not be their breed. Rescuers whose talents and determination give us tools to help us. Rescuers we call on for help in a thousand ways, who answer us, who hear our pleas. Rescuers who are our family, our strength, our comrades in battle.

I know I cannot save every dog in need. I know my efforts are a mere drop in a sea. I know that if I take on just one more---those I have will suffer.

I want to quit! But I won't. When I feel overwhelmed, I'll stroke my dogs head while reading my fellow Rescuers emails. I'll cry with them, I'll laugh with them---and they will help me find the strength to go on.

I want to quit! But not today. There's another email, another dog needing Rescue. This piece is dedicated, with love and gratitude, to all my fellow Rescuers.