From Izzy to Zoe

On March 27th we found our precious Zoe through DPS. Her name on the web site was Izzy, but she quickly adjusted to her new name. Poor Zoe had been abandoned not once but twice. She also had not had the best of care. When we took her to the vet, the vet said she was in basic good health, but her teeth were in need of immediate cleaning. Unfortunately, while the vet was cleaning her teeth, she discovered three that had to be pulled; One was abscessed. No wonder the poor dog did not want us to touch her face. After that she had a canine cold. Now recovered from her tooth ache and her cold, she is settling in to her life of luxury. Neighbors brought her gifts of toys, and each toy seems to be a new thrill. She loves rolling in our grass. She loves my sons,26 an 22 years old, and my husband, and snuggles up to John, my husband each night in bed. She also loves her walks around the neighborhood, and is getting used to the many dogs she meets. She is helping me get out a
gain after a broken ankle. She is making good progress on her dog manners, as in sit, and stay. She is quickly becoming a member of the family: Her forever family.

We Love Our Boys!

My husband and I have no children, and lost our sweet girl Molly, a dachshund/beagle pound puppy of fourteen years, just last month. We've owned our home for fourteen and a half years, and Molly had been in it for fourteen of those years!
Needless to say, we were completely destroyed, but we had no idea how empty the house would feel and how lost we would be. We love each other very much, but there's something that a dog brings into a family that humans simply cannot replace. We knew we had to have another dog in our lives, and this time, we wanted two. Teresa didnt' miss a beat! She shared with us several sets of dogs that had bonded, and when we saw "Brooks and Dunn", now Tino and Rooney, we knew they were the boys for us.
Yes, it's been a while since we've thougth about trianing a dog, let alone two, but these boys are so sweet and want so badly to be good that they've made it easy for us! We haven't had one accident in the house, and they are doing wonderfully on leash despite the fact that they both have kennel cough and can't socialize with anyone yet!
Tino, a beagle/chihuahua mix, will be doing agility with me after we learn the basics, as he was able to jump onto our kitchen coutner from a stand-still! Yes, at first we were scared, now we're excited!
We want to thank DPS from the bottom of our collective hearts for all of their support! We've had questions and issues that the DPS crew have been wonderful in answering and offering personalized help for!
We are gong to have a wonderful life together! THANK YOU!
Katy, Ian, Rooney, and Tino Bimpson

It's not always about saving dogs

Today a dog died. He didn't die because he wasn't loved. He didn't die because he didn't have medical attention. He died because we were too late. We were too late to educate his owners, too late to educate a community about the hazards around our houses and too late to educate humanity that our dogs are not disposable.

Caesar was a 1 year old Poodle-Shih Tzu who came into the shelter matted to the bone, completely pink from what we thought was a sun-burn after being left in a box in the desert and wounds all over him. The hot summer desert didn't kill him. Nope, he survived that. What ended up killing our little boy was lungs that had been damaged by some type of chemical before we got him. We thought it was kennel cough because most dogs have kennel cough when they come out of the shelter and he was hacking away. When he didn't get better after a few weeks, off to the vet to get some super-duper good meds and get him on the mend. His home was already lined up because he was such a special boy, I had to find the best home for him and I had it! Never did we expect the answer we got..."His lungs are beyond repair. He doesn't have much time..."

I remember the words reverberating around in my head and not connecting. Not this sweet, little boy who was fun spirited, loving, great with other animals. No! He just had kennel cough and it was a bad strain. Right? Right? Oh no. It can't be...

So he came home and got daily shots that allowed him to breathe easier. For awhile he did better and then slowly we began to see a decline. As one month after another passed, I deluded myself into believing that he could survive like this and just live here. Then slowly he wasn't getting up to run outside. Slowly he was dragging himself from one bed to another when I would leave the room and he wanted to follow. I saw the signs but I just believed we needed better medicine. And heck, we needed a better vet. After all, 9 years with one vet, we need to go elsewhere and get a second opinion. But I didn't get a different opinion. I just got confirmation what my soul knew all along...we were losing him quickly.

Today he didn't get up. Today he was gasping and today he looked at me with those beautiful saucer brown eyes and begged me to let him go. I laid on the floor next to his favorite bed and cried. I begged him to forgive me for not finding him somehow sooner. I asked for forgiveness for the person who dumped him at the shelter. I promised him we'd hold him as we said goodbye. I told him about the rainbow bridge and told him he'd be able to run free and fast as the wind through the meadows and he'd be greeted by others who had gone before him from our rescue.

I laid with his empty pillow tonight with a heart screaming with pain. I realize in these painful moments, rescue isn't always about saving dogs. Sometimes it's about giving them love for the time they are with us and then ultimately knowing when it's time to say goodbye.

Run free little man...we'll see you at the Bridge.....

A Foster Mom in Mourning

I said goodbye to him with tears in my eyes and a heart that was aching. I shuffled away knowing that he was going to a great home but that didn't stop the pain that was seizing my heart and the tears that were building in my throat. Some foster dogs just grab your heart and never let go. Tibet was one of those fosters...

As a foster home for many dogs over the past 8+ years, I'm accustomed to the ebb and flow of dogs coming and going in my household. Some enter and just as quickly move onto their permanent home. Some linger and you wish they'd find their own home and then there are those who you just wish would never leave. Tibet was one who could have stayed...With a few adjustments in my home, he fit right in. Of course it helped that he fit our color pattern. He joined a duo of black and white Lhasa-Shih Tzu's already here. It was kind of cute and particularly funny when they were all three in the yard and people would stop to stare. And even funnier when friends would have to ask, "Now, which is that Tibet or Tabasco?"

Tibet became my co-pilot on the road trips to No. CA for adoptions. He sat on the console on his pillow and to Donna's credit, she never once complained. He would warm our seats when we'd stop along the way but he never tried to get out of the van. Nope, he was there just patiently waiting for our return. Tibet never did manage to stay in the x-pens at adoptions because the minute I walked away he was up and over and chasing after me. Yeah. I kind of liked that. One time I found him wandering in the store and I scooped him up really without even thinking about why he was loose and then I saw the trail of volunteers chasing after him. I realized then maybe he needed be in back with me. Another time I tied him to the cart that had about 30 folding chairs. He could sit on my feet while I did adoptions but I could also get up when I needed without a shadow. Or so I thought. Little did I know that little Lhasa was a sled dog and if I was getting up, so was he and he was perfectly happy to drag that cart of chairs where ever I was going...

So just when I was beginning to believe he wouldn't be going to another home anytime soon, a wonderful woman came into adoptions. She was initially interested in another dog and described what she was looking for and I quickly realized who she was really describing was Tibet, not the other dog. Oh the panic in my heart. I had to be fair to him. He needed his own home and he needed a home where he didn't have to share. He'd get to be King of the Castle and that's what he deserved. I had to let him go. And just as quickly as we introduced her to him, he climbed in the boyfriend's lap and I realized he wouldn't be returning home with me.

It was hard to read in a follow up email that he sat at the door as if waiting for me to come back and get him for the first day or so. That broke my heart. But I knew by day two or three he'd slowly begin to adjust. He may never understand where I went or why but I know I did what was best for him. It's what we do as foster parents. We say goodbye.

So, I'll miss my little buddy. I have another foster already who I've sworn I'll keep my heart a safe distance. But he's already edging his way in there...

Happy Tail

Happy Jack was one of the Taiwanese pups from the 4th of July Litter 2009. His original name was Revere and his litter mates were Justice and Liberty. I had intended to adopt an older dog but instead, fell in love with Happy Jack. He was 4 months old when we brought him home and learned sit, stay, lay down, high 5 and shake with either paw his first two weeks. He struggled a little with passing cars and bicycles, which I attributed to him being a street dog in Taiwan. He did not like being "captured" to put on his walking harness at first but now his tail wags when he sees his harness and leash and doesn't protest when I put it on him. Prudence, our red heeler/chihuahua mix, had been abused prior to our ownership and she has blossomed from his love and companionship. They both to fetch and catch love their spiny squeaky balls. Happy Jack also loves our tuxedo litter mates, Gizmo and Bandit, but when my elderly Mom adopted Shasta, he fell instantly in love with her. He
hasn't met another pet that he didn't love. His favorite activity is going to the dog park at the Los Gatos Creek Park. He gets along well with every dog he's met but his favorite is my friend's 10 lb poodle, Destiny. Happy Jack has been such a loving addition to our home. I just couldn't imagine life without him.

I highly recommend the Basenji mix dogs based on our experience with Happy Jack. He was a bit skittish at first but through love and building trust with his owners, he has more than overcome his fear of the unknown.

Successful Adoption - Duke

I've been wanting to write to you for awhile now about our wonderful dog and experience with your group. It was almost a year ago now (May 16) that we adopted Duke (black golden doodle) from you. He is an absolutely wonderful dog and we couldn't love him more. He's been through obdenience training (more for us than him) and he is so smart, playful and loving we can't believe it. He loves all the other dogs at the local dog park and will chase (or run from) anyone who will play with him. He is also the fastest dog we've ever had. He is gentle with our 3 year old and loves wrestling and playing with our 6 year old.

In the beginning he had a few bad and interesting habits. He would eat my then 2 year old daughter's under wear and socks she left around and swallow them whole. Lucikly he seemed to out grow that on his own and never got very sick from it. He knows which toysare his and which are the kids and has been so good we just can't believe it. One of these days I need to record him because he is very sensitive and in tune with my children's emotions. Anytime one of them starts crying (because they are hurt or more likely having a temper tantrum) he runs over to them and starts howling. It is very sweet and hysterical at the same time. He does it until the kid stops crying. It makes a temper tantrum
tolerable :) Anyway, I wanted to let you know we couldn't be happier with the way your
organization handled his adoption and my initial inquiries. We especially couldn't be happier with Duke. He is amazing and my husband and I keep saying adopting him was one of the best things we did.
I wanted you to know that we love him very much and he went to a very good home. He also seems to be as happy as we are. Attached are a couple of fairly recent pictures we thought you might enjoy.
Ashley

Happy Tail - Ranger

Hi Teresa,

Ranger is over 19 months old now.  I started him in pre-agility this last summer and now he is in agility one.  He loves it.  He is such a great dog.  I am so lucky to have him.  He has such a great personality.  He is so handsome inside and out.  Thanks, again, to DPS for this amazing pup.

Jerri C.

It's almost a year with Ruby!

I adopted Ruby (Foxy) from DPS on April 28th 2009. I've had her for almost a year now and were going to be celebrate her Birthday on the 28th of April.

Ruby has been the funniest & smartest dog I have ever known. We took her to doggy classes where she excelled, and she has learned many commands and tricks. She currently has 13 tricks/commands under her belt, and were learning more tricks as we go. The one thing that makes me laugh is the way she snorts when we play tug with her toys.

Ruby has gone to many dog parks, & has been very approprite at all of them with all size dogs. She was bullied once (attacked), but the dog that bullied her no longer goes to that park, so it's all good :) Ruby loves puddles! I have never known a dog to really like water, esspecially a shiba mix! We took her to Fort Funsten and she ran around off leash, I was very impressed at how she stayed close by me, but still sniffed around and greeted other dogs, she really is a treasure.

I take Ruby to work with me everyday. She spends the day with her friends, Mummers (pug), Cutter (Chuwenie), Breezie (Pitty), Romeo (Staffy), Cheezpa(Dobi), and Scoopy( Shi-tzu)! Its can get full sometimes, but they all get along. At home Ruby likes to spend her time cuddled up in her beds or chewing bully stixs. She tries to convince the cats that she's a friend and only wants to play, but they don't understand. :) When it's bed time She will cuddle on Manuels side of the bed, and walke me up in the morning to go potty.

There is so much more to share, but how can one sum up a wonderfull year? Thank you so much for Ruby (Foxy) She has been a joy and truly a treasure, a "Ruby in the ruff". :)

Thanks Doggie Rescue!

Our story of Bode (now named Bodie Bob) is a love story. After our family dog died 4 years ago…we were finally ready for a new dog to love. We adopted Bodie about 5 weeks ago, and he is already a member of our household. Well, actually, I think he runs the household! He has brought a tremendous amount of love into our home, and we can't imagine life without him. We have two little boys, and Bodie is GREAT with them. I took Bodie to the park last week….and I got so many compliments "that he one good looking dog!" I also promote how we adopted him, because I'm so proud that we made the choice to adopt a dog rather than go to a breeder. Thank you for finding Bodie for us. God knew when he was born that he would one day be coming to our house hold. Thanks DPS!!
Love,
The Franks Family.