Voices from the Flats – A Forever Home For Christmas
During my computer “down time,” I asked Snoskred if she’d like to post about a subject we’ve been talking about for a while. It’s nice to have her over on this end of the Mudflats Universe as a guest blogger – a visitor from the forum where she wears the incredibly big and complex hat of ‘Forum Master.’ It kind of looks like the combined crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt and she wears it well.
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Hey y’all, it’s Snoskred. I have a bit of an addiction I must admit to. But first I have to tell you how I found this addiction – it is a linky story.
It started several months ago when a great mudpup friend of mine mentioned they were thinking about adopting a pet. I found Petfinder and while browsing the various animals looking for a forever home I discovered some absolutely amazing photographs of animals.
Anyone who has ever looked at pet adoption websites knows that the quality of photographs on the websites can range from out of focus, badly lit and somewhat dodgy images which can lead you to ask “Is there an animal in that shot?” to photographs that (mostly) do resemble the animals you will find at the shelter.
While browsing through the animals on Petfinder I stumbled across some of the most amazing pet images that I have ever seen – on a pet adoption website or anywhere else. Just completely stunning.
Imagine my surprise to find out these images were taken by an Alaskan photographer named David Jensen, and all these gorgeous animals were in Alaska available for adoption.
David has a blog which I keep an eye on as he posts images from a lot of his photography sessions and he does a lot of animal photography as well as people.
Ever since then I have become addicted to checking in on the Friends of Pets and the ASPCA websites to see if these pets have found forever homes and sadly many of them have not.
So I was hoping if I posted this perhaps some of the readers in Alaska who have room in their homes and hearts may be able to give a kitty or a doggy a forever home for Christmas.
Do not get me wrong – a pet is a big commitment and I am not suggesting that you give pets as gifts to others as sadly they often find their way back to the shelter.
If you yourself (and your family) have the time, energy, funds, and love to give to an animal then these animals – and several others which you can see on the Friends of Pets website – click here for cats – click here for dogs – are waiting for you.
Rajah – Chocolate point Siamese/Himalayan mix male, 3 yrs. Gorgeous! He gets along great with other cats and would do best in a multiple-cat home. So if you already have a cat and would like to adopt a second one he would be a perfect choice. Look at those gorgeous blue eyes!
Krystal – Weimaraner female, 4+ years. Krystal is still looking for her perfect home. She needs plenty of exercise, to be an only dog, in an active household with adults only or with older kids. A fenced yard would help her to have a place to run as well.
Pepper – Black shorthair female, petite. She was a young mom, and her kittens were adopted at Animal Care & Control but she herself didn’t catch anyone’s eye. She is talkative and playful.
Squirt – Pug male mix, fawn. He’s got a face no one can resist! He came through Animal Care & Control as an unclaimed stray, so we don’t know his story, but know he’s ready for the next chapter in his life!
Emmie – Dilute tortie shorthair female, young adult. She came to us from Animal Care & Control because she had a ‘cold’ that needed treatment. She is fully recovered and ready for a home of her own. (Emmie is the exact same color as Snoskred’s 2 cats which is a pretty rare color to find here in Australia)
Josie – Beagle mix female, gold and white. She was an unclaimed stray at Anchorage Animal Care & Control. She needed eye surgery and has recovered well.
How incredible are these photos, mudpups? If you are in Alaska and you already have pets but have not yet got the perfect Christmas present, a photography session with David would be my suggestion. 
And do not forget to bookmark his blog which you can find here.
You will find more pets awaiting forever homes – and more great images from David – at the ASPCA website. Click here for cats (my favourite there is Lucky) – click here for dogs (check out Honey, how gorgeous!)
If you do adopt one of these gorgeous animals, can you let us know? You can use this contact form to get in touch.
That was beautiful. I know many or most mudflatters are animal lovers, so I’m not the only one with tears in my eyes right now. Thanks for the post.
We have 11 cats – all indoor cats, all rescues. Some were found on the street, some just showed up at our house.
Two of them came to us one night when I sent hubby to the grocery store for bread and milk. He came home with the 4-week old kittens that had been abandoned in the parking lot – and with no milk and bread.
Oh gosh. My daughter and I went to out local animal shelter last week to drop off food my critters refuse to eat and a big bag of old towels. All their cats were in the lobby. I wanted to bring them all home.
I just adopted a 3 year old Maine coon cat to add to our family of two cats and my little Pug dog. I
@FL Realist
If you don’t mind, I love your husband.
I urge those who are not in a position to adopt to consider other ways you can help your local shelter or rescue organization.
Shelters need lots of supplies: litter trays, litter, lots of food, pet-friendly cleaning products, brushes, toys, and yes, things like old towels and rejected pet food are also useful.
Shelters need lots of money. It costs them money to keep the building heated and lit, to get professional veterinary care for the animals, and to buy all the above-noted things that people don’t always donate at exactly the moment it is needed.
Shelters need lots of help. If you are afraid that actually cleaning cages or walking dogs or fostering young animals will result in you bringing home one too many critters, you can still volunteer your time to help run a fundraiser or publicity event, or, like David Jensen, provide a service your shelter needs through your business at a reduced cost, at cost, or for free.
Wherever you mudpups may roam, there I am confident that those who cannot speak on their own behalf will have a voice and a helping hand.
Peace.
I found one of my pups on PetFinder. “Lemansky” is a tiny 9 pound Bichon who had been through some rough times. He was put on PetFinders through an organization called Small Paws. They rescue only Bichon’s. I have 3 pups now, a Beagle and a German Shepherd, in addition to the Bichon. We’ll soon add the sister of the German Sheperd. I am looking for a new kitty because our last one died a year ago at the age of 19. It will be a rescue kitty.
Well Snos, now ya did it. Not only was I already dealing with the holiday warm fuzzies, now I’ve got the “aaaWWwww! We must take care of all the critters !!!” emotional thing going on. If that Christmas Folgers commercial comes on , I’m a goner! ( or is it Maxwell house? )
Beautiful photos. He really captures their beautiful souls and personalities. Little Josie the beagle entirely has my heart.
PC @5 – excellent and inspiring reminder. Thanks!
I hope that these animals find good homes. Thanks for highlighting their plight, Snos.
I can just see you in that Egyptian crown – perhaps when kayaking?
We got our poodle/schnauzer mixes on Petfinder. It was right after hurricane Katrina and we knew the shelters were overloaded. We thought: any rescue would free up room for other animals. Our then 8-year-old girls were probably puppy mill moms who could not breed anymore; thus, they were dumped at the local SPCA in Pennsylvania. Within days we found a cancerous lump on Molly and had it removed. Long story short–these dogs (who seemed to never have been on leash before) needed a lot of work, patience, and love. But 4+ years later, they’re thriving…Petfinder is quite a site–you can rescue a dog and *still* get exactly what you were looking for. But you’re right–it’s one hell of a committement.
Such wonderful photos. Hope they find a good home soon.
Thank you for this post. I am also, too, an obsessive visitor to pet rescue sites! My particular passion is dachshunds and I hope to someday soon be a foster provider or adopt a few. My secret ambition would be to become a dachshund rancher! Ha ha.
As a rescue ‘mom’ I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to bring into your family a new member that really seems to understand that you are picking them, saving them in some cases. Puppies and kitties are cute and cuddly, but there is a special love that comes with a pet that has been around and has lost it’s way or has been given up on by a previous owner. They will steal your heart!
Oh, and also too, don’t forget that the calendars, mugs, and other items that so many shelters and rescue groups sell this time of year are useful and beautiful holiday presents!
And don’t forget Kitty & K-9 Connection!
http://www.kittyandk-9connection.org/
I adopted Daisy Mae from them in June – she’s a 10 year old dachshund who is totally amazing and wonderful. Her people probably couldn’t afford to care for her and dropped her off at Animal Control. After surgery for 7 mammary tumors, a hernia and spaying, she is full of vim and vigor! Now that she has a forever home, she is safe. She even has her own Xmas stocking!
Redwood – this is my first dachshund but not my last!
Aw – w – w Snos.
My kitty is a “pound” kitty and I loves him dearly. Thank you for your post. And I’ll move this over from the open thread.
http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/funny-pictures-cat-is-a-christmas-ninja.jpg
Awe………..but we’re not in Alaska, and we already have 3 dogs, 3 pigs, a cat and a nanny goat and kid coming in the spring. Here’s hoping the find homes for Xmas!
How aprapo to read this article today! I just got home to the village last night on the ferry. Traveling with us is our new family member, Princess Pixel the kitten. Thank you Mat-Su Valley Kitten Rescue! Pixel is a tiny 3 mo old black and white “tuxedo” marked cat who is already busy getting into all the nooks and corners and coming out covered in dust bunnies – reminding me of all the places I missed in my fall cleaning! I had a cat for 22 years until she passed 5 years ago when my son was born. My birthday was last week and my husband insisted that it was past time to get a new kitty friend. Said if I didn’t come home with a cat on this town trip, he would on the next. I’m so glad I did! (Even with the pouncing on the head in the middle of the night!) I didn’t realize how much I missed a having a kitty around. Watch out spiders!
#5 Problem Child-
The sad truth in our area is that our shelters have a “click” going on, they won’t allow anyone else to help. It’s so weird. While we don’t have a lot of money to give, we’d gladly give of our time, but can’t because we’re not part of their “rescue hero” crowd.
“tuxedo” marked cat who is already busy getting into all the nooks and corners and coming out covered in dust bunnies
_________LOL, cats are SO much better than endust!
very heartwarming and heartbreaking to think of these animals without homes. My cats are my kids and I love them with all my heart. These pictures are incredible – it’s hard to see why these animals haven’t all been picked up immediately.
I hope somebody does a follow-up. Thanks snoskred. And a blessed holy season to you.
And @liladyNY – I’m with you. What a husband FLrealist has!
I love Krystal. Aaaagh. She’s there, and I’m here.
What a great post! I used to foster for Friends of Pets (and Matsu Puppy Rescue), but my husband had a hard time giving up dogs so we wound up with FOUR. We’ve lost
two to old age and health problems, but the rewards of having animal companions are
beyond measure. I also had David Jensen take professional photos of myself and my
four babies for a Christmas present for my husband. He is a wonderful photographer, will come to your home and is fantastic with animals. I highly recommend him.
Problem child (#5), you are so right about donating to shelters. They do need a lot of things people don’t think about. Plus, most shelters also assist during natural disasters in providing care for animals around the country. I know
the local shelter here sent lots of supplies to New Orleans after Katrina.
They also took in a lot of dogs and cats from NO and if unable to find the owners, put them up for adoption here and found them all forever
homes.
I really don’t want to sound like the Grinch, but I’m sure most mudpups
know this, if you have other pets; make sure that before you take a “found” pet into your home take them to your vet ASAP and keep them away from
your other pets until you do so. Because as cute and cuddly as they are and
no matter how much they tug at your heart strings, strays can and often do carry diseases.
# 2 FLRealist Says:
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:42 AM
We have 11 cats – all indoor cats, all rescues. Some were found on the street, some just showed up at our house.
Two of them came to us one night when I sent hubby to the grocery store for bread and milk. He came home with the 4-week old kittens that had been abandoned in the parking lot – and with no milk and bread.
# 4 LiladyNY Says:
December 23rd, 2009 at 6:46 AM
@FL Realist
If you don’t mind, I love your husband.
——
Me, too!
Here is a link to a commercial that gave me the dream of dachshund ranching……
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v_IYA99iL0
The day before Thanksgiving we went to a local shelter and came home with two kittens, one about 10 weeks and one about 15 weeks. It had been 6 years since our last cat died at 15 years. Life has been a lot busier lately !!! What joy!! What mischief–nothing is safe.
And someone, please adopt that beautiful black cat Pepper! My two from North Shore Animal League on Long Island, NY are very loving and one makes the other sister do all the talking, but they both are playful, 12.5 years later.
What a lovely way to “give back”. If I lived in Alaska I’d surely have my dog’s portrait taken by David every year. They are very lucky to have him supporting their shelter. I am sure his portraits go a long way towards finding forever homes for these worthy animals.
I believe our local shelter fosters animals over the holidays alá The Christmas Dog, but unfortunately my dog is a one dog family dog. He doesn’t take well to strange dogs so I have to pass.
Thanks so much for sharing this and the links.
What a wonderful post I hope that you find homes for most if not all of these beautiful pets.
I have three dogs that I love just as much as I love my children. I love all animals, they are truly mans/womens best friends. They are always there for you, loving you no matter what. I cannot go from one room to another without the three of them right by my side. They cheer me up when I am depressed, they make me smile when I feel down, they let me know when they are mad at me, but they always get over it quickly, And they sure let me know when they’re happy with me, too. They are just full of unconditional love. The way people should be.
It’s really a shame that people do not appreciate them more. They have a lot to offer. Humans could surely learn a lot from them. I know I have.
Good luck with the adoption process, of finding proper homes for them all. Please remember to tell people that are interested, that each animal has their own unique personality. Sometimes, it’s a good idea if they take them for a few days and try them out. You might make a better match that way, and pet and owner will be happier in the end.
austintx
“My kitty is a “pound” kitty and I loves him dearly.”
I swear that all animals who are rescued from shelters know that you saved their lives.
Most of the pets I’ve had through my lifetime, have been rescued pets. They just know………they must have better memories than most so-called experts say they do. Because I know………they just know!
(does my comment even make sense to anybody?)
I have always had pets in my life. Dogs, cats, guinea pigs, birds, fish….Our dogs and cats have all lived past 10 years old or better. We have rescued many over the years. With my son away in college and my daughter about to finish high school, we have 3 dogs at the house. My cat McBeth passed away 6 years ago and I had given up hope I would have another cat. Yesterday, my daughter gave me a 7-8 week old kitten for Christmas. She and I have had a rough couple of months and she talked her dad into allowing her to look for a kitten for me to show me how much she loves me. This kitten was found on I-10 and brought to our animal shelter. We named her ELLA. Everyone should adopt from a shelter if they looking for a new friend. I know I will enjoy my miracle kitten for a long, long time!
Thanks for this. I have tears in my eyes. Props to that awesome photographer.
@ Redwood Palinizer and Suchanut:
I first dog, rescued when I was little, was a standard, black and tan dachshund named Gretchen. Wonderful, patient doggie– all the rest of my dogs have been rescues.
Oh, give me a home, where the rescued weiners roam…la la la
oops. Should be “My” (not my fingers’ fault- must be the sticky keyboard…)
Awesome post! Thanks so much
I handle and train shelter dogs here in Billings, MT and foster cats…every day I count myself lucky that I get to spend my ‘extra’ time with these amazing souls.
@ austintx…I was recently told that a dog will remember a person they have known (well), even if they go for years without seeing them, for 10+ years…so, basically their entire lives. I’ve always believed the heart remembers.
What a wonderful Christmas gift, being able to see such lovely critters on this site. I brought my old friend Biff, a Maine Coon cat who found me through Anchorage’s Friends of Pets, with me on the plane when I moved down here to Arizona 4 years ago. He’s still going strong, and after 12 years together, is part of my heart. Since living here, I have adopted four more rescued or strayed kitties, including one who moved in on her own after deciding she liked my house. Our animal companions give us so much and ask for so little in return. Thanks and blessngs to all of you who have taken in rescured or stray animals, to all of you who love your pets, and most of all, to the staff and volunteers of programs who help all animals.
Since losing my best girl, Isis, 2 weeks ago, so many of my friends have been calling me and suggesting different dogs for me. My heart is still filled with grief for the loss of Isis but it is amazing how the heart can swell to make room for more.
I have one dog left and he needs some buddies. He is a sled dog and needs to run but our pack has been so descimated (sp?)in the last 2 years….”So what to my wondering eyes did appear” but an e-mail re: an older man (with health problems) who had been running a sled dog rescue for years who had to get rid of all of his dogs because he could no longer handle the physical requirements of 28 dogs. I e-mailed him immediately and he tells me that he found homes for 21 of them on the first day. He has 4 left for adoption and we may have a whole new team by 1-2-10 when I get back from going Outside. He is going to wait for us to come and see them. One, a 6 year old male just tugged at my heart strings from his picture. I asked about him specifically and the guy told me that he is special and needs a home where he will get a lot of love because he was probably abused as a puppy (took the owner a long time to bond with him and the dog is spooky). The present owner wants him to be where he won’t be bullied by other dogs. Luckily my little guy Silvertip (although not abused-EVER) has the same needs as he is submissive and a sweetheart and just wants to fit in. So Silvertip may get some buddies for Christmas and the others may get a forever home with us.
We need to meet them first though. I am fully convinved that animals choose us (not the other way around). They are my soulmates and souls just have a way of finding each other.
These are BEAUTIFUL pictures! I had to visit David Jensen’s website and I saw more stunning pictures. You can tell Mr. Jenson communicates with the dogs and cats–there is a real soul connection. I love his work!
And yes, I have two rescue “babies” who I love very much.
I found my Jessie Marshmellow on Petfinder.com. She is the BEST DOG EVER! I am a huge fan of Petfinder.
Totally impressed by the photos. I would luv to have a pug too.
I love rescue dogs!! Our newest boy Harley is about a year old and was actually adopted from a Craigslist posting from a military couple moving from Louisiana to Alaska! He is an 8 lb mix of Dachsund and Chiuahua,a beautiful,happy crazy dog that people swear is part cat.He jumps up and sits on the windowsill,he sits on the back of the couch with one paw on my shoulder,he sits on my Dh’s desk chair while I sit at my Pc.He plays with my grandchildren,he loves them and puts up with the 2 year old and loves her,he actually jumps up somehow and sits on the very top of the back of the desk chair while she plays her PBS game on the Pc. He was not housbroken when we got him,but he was quick to learn,and he is learning tricks and commands.He goes for sleepovers with the grandkids at their house ,a trend started by our previous rescue(from Pet Finders)–
Sparky is now about 10 -11 years old,he used to weigh in at 7-8 olbs but now is 10-11(chubby!!) he is either a very small Min Schnauzer or poss a mix of Yorkie and Schnauzer.He is now older and lazy and sleeps a lot,when he’s not looking for treats.He is happy and loving ,has always been a pleasure,and is a beautiful perfect little tiny picture of a Schnauzer. He is not the smartest dog in the world(he must be carried from the kitchen to the bedrooms because he cant stand to walk on the tile!! He once ran fast and skidded into the island,that was that!) ,but he may be the sweetest,happiest dog I have ever known. He was rescued to be a brother for our previous dog –
Blacky.The love of my life.Not rescued from a shelter,but from a puppy mill who advertised some Schnauzer puppies around the time of my birthday when my DD was in highschool.She saw the ad and asked her dad to bring us there so they could buy me a “perfect puppy”. We went,me with misgivings as I have always liked to adopt.My DD and DH had $300 to buy me a puppy.We looked at all of them in their horrible little old chicken coop cages.The owner seemed to think I was concerned about price(I was nauseous about the puppy mill) .He made an off hand remark that he had a 6 month old puppy who no one wanted because he “may have a genetic defect”!! Holding back tears(as I am doing now) I went to look In a separate fence with no shelter,was a longlegged ,shaggy looking ,heavy boned little guy,pure black.He was quiet and had the saddest eyes.The owner said he would have to catch him if I wanted to see him,because he was so shy of people,and that he would “let him go” for $100. He opened the gate and stepped in the yard and this black furball leaped into my arms!! Need I say more? We got papers with him with his long fancy name,but he was always Blacky to us. Blacky was loving and kind,always seemed to know if someone was sick or feeling bad,always gentle with everyone.He had his moments growing up,like when my DH got his new $360 pair of his first bifocals,left them on the couch,and found them later with even the glass chewed to bits!! But he become perfect,always the dog at your feet when sitting,lying by the side of the bed while I slept,lying on the bed in the babies rooms watching them sleep and getting me when they awoke.We never had him neutered,yet he was never interested in any female dogs.He never barked,unless a stranger walked into the house when I was alone,as when we had some construction work done.And that bark was the bark of a Mastiff,coming from the mouth of a 20 lb Min Schnauzer. He did have some sort of genetic defect,causing him to have heavy bones and arthritis.He left us about 18 months ago and I miss him all the time.When we first got Blacky he become a brother to our previoud rescue –
Spinner.One day when living in the mountains of Nc,in beautiful Maggie Valley,my DD and I were running errands and were at the shelter to drop of towels and things we had for them.While we were there,we of course looked at the dogs.The worker was trying to talk me into adopting a Basset hound who had just come in.In the pen with the Basset was a fiesty little Min Schnauzer(see a pattern here?) .He would not let the Basset come to the front of the cage,putting himself between her and the wire.He was cute and full of energy,but we really were looking,maybe,for a dog that would enjoy the country walks and be more of an outside dog.But that little dog would not let us leave.He barked when we stepped away,stopped and actually smiled when we came back.So,of course,we adopted him(Maybe he adopted us). Spinner was the most amazing,most intelligent dog I have ever known.He learned with no effort.He was not housbroken,but after one week of getting up and walking him on a leash in the middle of the night,he would go and get the leash and put it in my hand when he needed to go! Great because I sleep with one arm out and he would place the leash in my hand and wake me up. He was about a year old,and we had him for 13 more years.In that time he learned to sit,heel,come,stay,go up(upstairs) go right,go left,crawl,sit up,dance,fetch,evrything and anything you could think of,he learned by doing it once and being told he was wonderful,no treats involved.He lived to please everyone.He learned hand commands when I saw a tv show and wanted to try it,he would sit,come,crawl,lay down,and roll over from hand signals alone. Spinner grew up with my DD and was her dog.He wore doll clothes and took bubble bathe with her and her cousin(not my idea!!),he went to the beach and would be covered in sand with his little head poking out,until she told himUP!! then he would race to the water.We spent time in Connecticut and NY where he would run and jump in the rivers and swim.We moved to Louisiana and bought a home with a backyard pool,and a wooden swingset for my GS.Spinner would climb the ladder after my GS and come down the slide.He would dive in the pool and swim. He should have been on tv. When we first got Spinner he was a brother to –
Tiffy! Tiffany to be exact.We were in NJ,we had picked up a stray(a huge Lab who jumped in my truck when I opened the door for him in the middle of the Garden State Parkway.I called the shelter and someone had been looking for him,so I took him there for them to pick up.While we were there we looked at the dogs!!(I never learn!) Their was a scrawney little girl that had been completely shaved because she was such a mass of hairballs and knots when she was found.They were calling her Tiffany,to make her feel better,they said.Well,Tiffy was about 5 months old and my DD fell in love with her.We brought her home and gave her a bath,then I had to go to work.My DH got home as I left,and I never mentioned Tiffy.A few hours later(Tiffy was in my DD’s room),my DH went to bed.Sometime later,he woke up because something jumped on the bed!! It ran away and he called me at work”Honey,I think a rat is in the house,it jumped on the bed”!! I laughed so hard ,with her shaved body and tail she looked just like a rat!!. DH got over it and this unassuming little thing grew into a beautiful Lhasa Apso,silver hair parted down her back,perfect.She was a kids dog,she learned no useful commands,but she played frisbee and soccer,she wore hair bows and jewelry,she was always happy and crazy. She moved to NC with us where she chased bobcats on the mountain,and would pull the end of the toilet tissue and run all over the house,up and down the stairs,until it ran out and she left a trail behind her. When she got dirty,as she often did because she thought she was a hound dog,we said “Go take a bath” she would jump in the tub and wait for her shampoo.Tiffy never needed a leash,she was trained to to stop at the little wall at the edge of our property ,but she did go up the mountain in the back to explore.One week after getting Spinner,I was walking him when a Boxer came down the hill and attacked. him.Tiffy chased the Boxer to the edge of our property and stopped there,standing on the short gray wall.The stones blended with her silver hair.A 4 whell drive came around the bend and swerved to miss the Boxer in the road,fate caused it to come off the road and hit our wall right where she was standing.I am sure the driver could not have seen her.I carried her to my car and held her sitting up in my lap as I drove,so she could breathe .Her vet tried for 2 days to save her,he cried with me when she passed. I am sure she is in doggy heaven,she was an angel in life.
I knew I had a connection with all the mudpups. I don’t post much, but read here everyday. It’s amazing that all you good people are animal lovers too. I volunteer at our local animal shelter one day a week, and I can tell you it’s most rewarding, though sometimes heartbreaking.
I especially love dogs — all dogs, but my favorites are boxers. I have 5 dogs, 2 boxers, 1 boxer mix, and two mutts and I love them all dearly. Two were shelter dogs, one we rescued after she was dumped at the local landfill — she looks a lot like AKM’s buf, and one we took so she wouldn’t have to go to the shelter. Now I have a foster boxer that came into the shelter while I was working one day. He was very skinny and tested positive for heartworms. Unfortunately our shelter isn’t a no kill shelter and they are very strapped for cash. They would have put this beautiful boy to sleep and I couldn’t bear it, so I volunteered to foster him and pay for his neuter and heartworm treatment.
Needless to say I can’t send him back, he has wormed his way into our hearts and made himself at home with us. So we will soon do a formal adoption. Thank goodness hubby loves animals as much as I do. These fur babies bring so much love and happiness to us.
Beautiful photos! I hope your call for loving, caring homes is answered for all the pets this holiday season.
We’ve had two dogs since we’ve been married, both pound puppies.
Our first dog suffered a seizure while we were on vacation and died instantly, that was in 1999 and I remember it vividly. We were so upset we weren’t able to tell her how much we loved her and say goodbye.
We adopted our current dog, Molly, a dal/lab mix from the local SPCA shelter. I agree with lovemydogs, I think animals choose us. I was not ready for another dog (still had a cat at the time) and it was only 3 months since we had lost our first dog.
But my husband wanted to go look so we rounded up the kids and headed for the SPCA. We roamed up and down the rows of kennels and on our way back out passed a kennel that just a moment before had been empty. Inside were the two cutest dal/lab mix puppies you ever saw. They were three months old and had just been released for adoption.
We took her to the ‘get aquainted room’ where she promplty sat in my 8 y/o son’s lap and wouldn’t budge. I don’t know whose eyes were pleading more, my son’s or the pup’s. LOL
We’ve had her for almost 9 years. She’s been a wonderful friend and kept me company during my cancer journey. In fact, I think she knew I had cancer before I did.
The irony is, she now has cancer and I just found another lump this past week. :-/ The vet had given her 6 months to a year after her surgery for the first tumor this past September. I’m not ready to lose her yet….
They just wrap themselves into your heart.
(((mommom)))
Your tales of tails left me with tears streaming down my face. I’ve had dogs and cats all my life. I cannot even count the numbers of them. They came to me in every way and every direction. I have loved them all and remember them with all my heart. I’ve had cats and hamsters and the best guinea pig that ever was die in my lap and my hands. I’ve consoled my children on the loss of their birds and frogs and fish. I cannot imagine the story of my life being told without a critter in it.
(((lovemydogs)))
I’ve always said that when the time is right the cat or dog that we need will appear. I hope to hear good reports when you return.
Beautiful creatures !
About a month ago, we had to put down our last cat, a 13 year old three-legged terror. We loved her. Her cancer came back with a vengeance and she could not eat. Yes, she was a rescue. She immediately came into the house and took over the other 3 much older cats. I had never seen that behavior before. We have had cats for 46 years. ( Dogs also). Seems strange not to have a cat batting at the tree ornaments. Yes, we will get another. But first, our 8 year old golden has to have another leg/knee operation. He had been 25 lb overweight which caused the knee breakdown. Another adoption. He is the one who hops into the bathtub at the first hint of a storm. Now, we have babygates and barriers so he will not try to do stairs. Pets are wonderful. I also love to watch the birds and squirrels figure out how to get at the feeders.
mary b -
YES !! I believe they know.
My “Lynx” does.
Sue in Kansas -
Jump in more often. Please.
Both my kittehs are rescues, little black ‘Neu’ (now 18 weeks old, adopted from a no-kill shelter upstate) and just recently the pure-white ‘Furriner’, found by a friend hanging around her gym. Introducing them to each other was a little strained only for about 2 days, but now they romp and wrestle….
If money or a long-term commitment is too much for you to handle, but you’d like to help in a very important way, there’s a site that needs foster-families for pets of deployed troops who have no one to care for their best bud(s) while they’re away. The trooper pays for food & veterinary care, all you have to provide is a home and some love:
Are You Interested in Opening Your Heart and Home to Foster a Military Family Pet?
http://www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=62&Itemid=165
http://www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org/
Our five cats and one dog are all rescue pets. And I can say, on a cold winter’s night, there is nothing like having furry hot water bottles sprawled around you. (Doggy is snug in his crate, since unlike the indoor cats, he romps in the park and the upstairs is a dog-free zone).
My leetle furry lady, Pepper, is a Petfinder adoption success story. Found her there in October 2003, 2.5 months after losing my furry fella, Sailor, who actually was just a bit of a bigger version of Pepper (black cocker spaniel with white stripe down chest area from right at the neck).
Wish we could post a picture in a message area here…
PepperzMom!!! Post a pic at
http://www.themudflats.net/forum/index.php/topic,7251.0.html
mommom~ i feel your pain…sooo hard to let go of these special animals…I’ve lost 2 pugs…adopted 2 more..Can not imagine my life without them..They are my best friends..My last Pug that i rescued was due to be put down within the wk..When they took me in to see her she was standing up on the cage door , standing in water…I almost started crying…She looked so pitiful..Long story short she is the most loving and happy little girl….I’m like you i do believe they are here for a reason…Have a wonderful Christmas..
Thank you for using this forum to promote pet adoption. And for all mudpups out there considering adding a new family member, petfinder.com is a great site. plug in the type of animal you are searching for and plug in your zip code and PAGES of furry friends waiting to be adopted will appear ( the magic of the intertubes LOL)
If you are considering adding a new member, here’s a good hint for kids…give them a stuffed dog or cat and then take them to select a pet after christmas when things are calmer.
Another hint, worried about “puppy” training? Adopt an adult instead–the pups always go first, but with adults you can better tell their personalities and the “adjustment” time is usually less.
We just “adopted” 2 new horses that we were going to foster but after judging their age and health ( underfed and hoof issues) they really are unadoptable so they will live out their lives with us
What beautiful portraits those are of those shelter pets, they certainly do stand out.
Merry Christmas to all and that includes the furry members of your families
We just adopted a 2-year-old mixed breed dog from our local Humane Society. We’d been thinking about getting a second dog, but wanted a smaller one and those are hard to come by in our shelter. I just happened to visit just after this dog was brought in… so now we have a sweet 11 lb (we’re guessing) Pomeranian/Papillon/Chihuahua/? bundle of adorable gracing our house. All of the cats we’ve had were either strays or from a shelter. Our older dog we got from a reputable breeder because I wanted that particular breed, and she is delightful.
The photos are beautiful – how great to have them to entice people to adopt them!
The much loved, furry, four-legged family members at my house are all rescues. They are sweet, smart, funny, and great for adding perspective to life.
I love this little video and the way the artist has captured the dog’s expressions:
http://www.godanddog.org/
I live in a tiny townhouse with my parents and five cats and two dogs. The cats are all “rescues” in that they showed up on our doorstep or at work and eventually came home.
The dogs are both mutts from shelters, and were each 9 and 5 when we got them. You’re right, CR46, adopt adults!!
Thank so much for posting this information!
And everyone, please remember to spay and neuter your pets. The number of animals euthanized (killed) simply because no one wants them is disturbing.
YEAH! Great post!
I rescued a gorgeous puppy 7 months ago with my boyfriend from an amazing shelter! My puppy has changed my world and I love him with all my heart.
Breeding should be illegal as should selling animals for a profit! I wish I could stop eating meat, especially after seeing horrible videos of how it is “provided” to us, but I have not been able to stop YET!!