Furry Comfort

In the wake of the horrific Newton, Conn. school shooting, this video brings a little sunshine. 

 http://cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/crime/2012/12/18/ct-shooting-ac-tuchman-comfort-dogs.cnn.html

I am a huge proponent of the comfort that our four-legged friends can bring to us in times of trouble.  This past Friday, my parents had to put down our 9-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog, Amber, after a short but swift illness.  She provided all of us with warm, furry hugs in many times of need over the years, and she leaves a big hole in all of our hearts and lives.  

While on the phone with my parents, my two dogs, Hannah and Titan, clung to me like glue through the whole ordeal.  They knew something was up, and Titan sat in my lap while Hannah licked my face.  Life brings trials and tribulations of all shapes and sizes but dogs are loving, non-judgmental, and accept anyone who has love to give.  So take a minute and hug your dog (or cat, or horse, or rabbit or whatever) today.  I promise it will help to dissolve any troubles in your way.

Me, Ely and Amber on the Potomac River a few years ago.

Simba Finds a Home

Last Saturday, a wonderful family from Boulder adopted Simba.  They have a 5 year old girl and a 10 year old boy.  We had many great applicants for Simba, but this family stood out and are good friends with another one of the Mountain Dog Rescue volunteers. 

Simba enjoying the good life.  

Simba was a hard one to let go, and at one point Fritz actually wanted to keep him.  Three dogs would be tough, and it would definitely prohibit us from fostering much.  Maybe someday when we have some land and a giant fenced in yard we can have a pack running around!

We have had several lovely emails already about how much they love Simba, and he seems to be warming up and trusting them after being a little depressed right off the bat. We were even lucky enough to get a picture of Simba with his new boy on the car ride home.  A picture is worth a thousand words, and made us feel so happy that Simba found his home for Christmas!

Simba and Titan.  Both came from death row at BARC in Houston, Texas.
Both are now safely in their forever homes! Titan is our dog.

Meet Simba

 Meet Simba, our new foster dog!  We picked him up in Denver on Saturday, and he has fit into our house amazingly well.  He has the funniest kind-of scrunched face, and really shows his sweet soul when he looks into your eyes.  This guy is 8 months old, about 30 pounds and came from the BARC shelter in Houston (same place as Titan) to explore wonderful Colorado.  He has lots of puppy energy and loves playing with bones and toys, but settles down at night to snuggle with us and the dogs.  

He is a really quick learner - and is already starting to understand "go potty" to go outside, and "sit" and "go to bed."  After only 5 days he is already sticking close off-leash and LOVES to play with Hannah and Titan outside in the snow.  I think he must be part herding dog, because of the way he crouches down and stalks Hannah when playing outside. He has the softest fur, and doesnt seem to shed much at all so far.

This guy is already stealing our hearts...I know he will make someone an amazing dog when he finds his forever home!  

Check him out on Petfinder.

Sweet Simba 

Stalking Hannah on the golf course.

Play time with Hannah!

Simba, taking a break from the action.

Inside of a Dog

On a recent trip I picked up Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz at the airport book store. Something about buying a book and holding it in my hands still makes me so happy!

Horowitz explores the science of dog perception and cognition, while referencing experiences with her own dog's behavior.  Describing the way our pets see, smell, and know in a way the average person can understand provides some much needed insight into why our dogs behave the way they do.  Growing up with all kinds of pets and having a vested interest in animals since a young age, I feel like some of the pieces are old news to me.  But the average pet owner who hasn't sought this information previously would do well to read this book.  I can guarantee that anyone who thinks they know their furry companion well, will walk away with a much better understanding of this wonderful species.

Waiting out a delayed flight in Denver International Airport.

I am only half way through the book right now, and will have a few plane rides this weekend to read some more.  Full report to come once I finish!

Before and After

This week we had a dog returned to us by his former adoptive family.  Sandy and the cat could just not get along, so he made his way from The Pacific Northwest back to Colorado.  

We quickly realized that in order to get Sandy adopted, he needed some better pictures, and since the photographer who usually donates some time is on the Front Range...I started reaching out.  A local photographer ended up volunteering his time to help us out...and look at the difference!  Sandy is a very sweet dog, and was so polite and well-mannered at the park during his photo shoot.  A little dog threatened him with some menacing barks but he totally ignored him. 

I am always amazed at how the pieces of the puzzle all come together for these dogs...bit by bit, getting one step closer to their forever homes with each caring person.  A special thanks goes out to everyone involved with helping Sandy so far, and especially our photographer.  Hopefully he finds the perfect home soon!  

Forest is Home

This weekend my foster dog, Forest/Summit, went to his forever home.  An amazing teacher who lives in a great part of Denver adopted him and picked him up Saturday morning.  I really, really like her and know that she will provide Forest with an amazing life and so much love.

Forest and his 2 week stay with us.

I expected that letting this foster go would be a bit easier...but it wasn't.  Even though he was a handful, he is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met.  A lot of dogs avoid looking right at humans, but Forest looks directly into your eyes in a very loving and non-defiant way.  He wiggled his way into many hearts on his way from death row in Texas to a wonderful home in Colorado.  I cried when he left, but I am so happy for him and where he has ended up.

Rainy Morning Rant

For whatever reason this turned out to be one of those days where I am utterly overwhelmed by what's wrong in the world, and how little it sometimes feels like I am doing to help it.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, about four million adoptable dogs and cats are put to sleep every year.  I am most reminded of this startling statistic when I have a foster dog.  Right now I have Forest, and although I don't know whether he was officially saved from death row, just being in the over-crowded shelter put him at risk of euthanasia.  Sierra was going to be put down in Arkansas, and so was Lassiter (who is now in a different foster home since I have Forest).  It blows my mind that these wonderful, affectionate, and happy dogs would be dead.  Sierra was adopted and has made an older couple and their dog very happy, Forest is well on his way to an awesome home, and Lassiter already has multiple applicants who would love to take him home.  These wonderful dogs were SO close to their death, but instead are one step away from amazing  forever homes.  

Sometimes I am kept up at night thinking about the millions of amazing animals, like these three that I have known, who are put to sleep instead of getting the happy ending that they deserve.  Some are strays who were dumped, or never looked for.  Some are the victims of bad economic times, a divorce, or their "families" changing their mind about wanting a dog after they had an accident, or chewed up a shoe.  And even purebred dogs can come into these circumstances every day.  Almost every breed of dog has a rescue out there to adopt from.  Many of these dogs are put to sleep because there is not enough space in a shelter, or enough money to treat their ailments when sometimes all it takes is a shot, or an antibiotic.  

There is not one thing to blame, but many changes that need to be made for this problem to be overcome.  Pets need to be spayed and neutered.  People need to adopt pets for life, know the commitment they are getting into, and honor it.  When possible, pets should be adopted through humane societies and rescue groups, and NEVER bought in pet stores.  And people need to help, volunteer, foster, adopt, donate, or simply share the message.

One of my favorite awareness ads.

In no way do I expect everyone to care about what I care about.  But we all have to help in the best way we can and through what touches us the most.  For some people that may be feeding the hungry in Africa, or aiding in disease prevention, or saving the rain forest.  And others may help without ever seeing or touching the cause they care about, but by donating money to that end.  Anything, even sharing a Facebook post can make a world of difference and takes so little time. I need to do more.