Finding Foster Homes for Dogs: A New Mission for Local Business

Bishop Plumbing in Chicago has taken on finding foster homes for dogs as a “company mission,” one that has a strong place in the hearts and minds of the owner and employees at Bishop Plumbing.  Bishop Plumbing "informs its clients about opportunities to foster dogs, and some of the company’s employees have provided foster homes for the dogs.

After several months with Oakum, his chocolate lab, Bob, the owner of Bishop Plumbing, decided to adopt another dog.  In his search to find a dog to adopt, Bob was very affected by the number of dogs up for adoption due to being abandoned.  He eventually adopted Buster, but he never forgot all those dogs that needed homes. Kristina Curran, one of the company managers, was contacted recently regarding a couple of dogs were in danger of being euthanized at a pound in Jacksonville, Illinois.  Kristina discussed this with Bob and they decided to rescue them! AND find good homes for them.  They developed a list of foster homes from Bishop employees and sent a Bishop truck to Jacksonville to pick up the dogs.  By the time the dogs arrived that afternoon, the two black labs and the white shepherd had all been found homes, thanks to Kristina.

"Bishop Plumbing is now starting an initiative to inform their community of clients about the need for safe homes for dogs who are currently roaming the streets or housed in pounds until the time comes for them to be put down.  If you are interested in either adopting or fostering one of these dogs and rescuing them from these fatal possibilities, please contact Kristina Curran at Bishop Plumbing by calling her at 847-824-1800."

Looking for a new company mission for your business? Why not follow the example of Bishop Plumbing and  network with your employees and clients to find homes for homeless and abandoned dogs and cats!

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

For those of you who love to read dog books:

MAGGIE is now $4.60 on Kindle

For Suzie, The Lucky, Loved & Rescued Street Dog from Taiwan

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

For Norm and Helen ... In Loving Memory of Suzie

I met Norm and Suzie the "street dog" about 10 years ago, at the Brewing Market, next door to McGuckin's Hardware, every Boulder dog's favorite store. I wrote about these fun dog places that I frequented with Maggie in my book. Norm's love for Suzie jumped out, their bond palpable. I recognized Norm and Suzie's bond ... it was that same deep soul mate connection I had with Maggie.

Through the years I have always been struck by this pair, and Norm's tremendous commitment to Suzie. You see, they met when he was doing business in Taiwan so many years ago, and he did what it took to bring her home with him to Boulder, CO. I have not yet met Helen, Norm's wife, but I know she, along with Norm, is missing this wonderful soul, Suzie, with all of her heart, too. This is the slideshow tribute Norm and Helen put together for their precious Suzie. Suzie passed on May 13, 2011.

Norm and Helen, I am so very sorry for your tremendous loss. The life you gave Suzie was beautiful. Every street dog should be so fortunate to be loved and cared for as you did this furry angel, Suzie. I hope the gift of life and love you gave Suzie remains forever in your awareness and offers comfort to your hearts.

For the Street Dogs of Chile ...

May You One Day Be Loved

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of  MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

My niece who is living in Santiago, Chile, warned me before we arrived in Chile. She knew I would ache when I saw the homeless street dogs of Chile. She was right.

If I can find good news about this it is that many of the dogs are at least fed (both by tourists and locals) and not emaciated compared to street dogs in other countries I have seen. Of course that is not true for all of them. The sad news is they don't have the magic of the human-animal bond, someone to love and care for them.

The Street Dogs of Santiago ...

You can see the lonely, lost feeling in some faces, like the first dog above. And when they are sick, they are alone, with no one to help and care for them. Some, like the two directly above, find their bonds with each other. A physician in Santiago told me that when there are too many dogs in this city, they are killed. I didn't ask how; I'm not sure I wanted to hear the answer. But they are not euthanized in the humane manner (injection) that we are familiar with here in the States.

People do have family dogs who are loved like we all love our dogs. The Chilean family my niece is staying with served us a delicious lunch one Sunday. We watched them spoil and dote on their dog as we do ours. And the family we stayed with in the Cochamo Valley had a black lab, Puff, who is very loved. He has a great life going up the valley with the horses to La Junta with the guests. (He accompanied us).

The Street Dogs of Puerto Varas ...

The dogs I met were all friendly, but it was sad to see they had come to expect not being touched. None of them sought people out for food or attention, but readily accepted the food offered. Interesting, though, many dogs refused bread -- they are used to receiving the meat and fish from people's leftovers!

One day I walked into the market in Puerta Varas to buy "meaty" treats. Since pesos seem a little like "play money," I didn't realize until later I had spent $12.00 on one round of dog treats! For future feedings, I bought hot dogs, which were cheaper than dog treats.

Puerto Octay ...

Punta Arenas ...

We were surprised by the number of purebred German Shepherds we saw. We were told that some people got dogs as puppies and then let them go when they became adults -- no longer the cute, manageable little pup. Wow. It happens here, too, doesn't it? But here it's hidden from of our view as they are swept into shelters. 

 

A Chilean tour guide in Punta Arenas told us that it is up to the mayor of each city as to what will happen to the street dogs. Here in Punta Arenas the mayor had decided to have all the street dogs killed a few years ago -- but the people of the city were up in arms. The mayor listened, so these dogs, for the time being, are allowed their lives.

The One Who Will Be Forever In My Heart ...

He's in Puerta Varas. I call him "Flash," after a German Shepherd from my childhood ... 

He followed us around town; waited for us outside the laundromat.

 

When he followed us to our rental car and lay down and watched us, I cried, and tried to explain we couldn't take him. We still had to fly to another Chilean city. I talked to a veterinarian in town about what it would take and what it would be like for him to get him to the States ...

When he watched our car drive away, my heart broke. I looked further into what it would take to get him here after we returned home, with both the airlines, CDC, etc. The logistics of vaccinations and a health certificate were quite doable. But the very long plane ride with stops with him riding in cargo, the possible refusal at the US port of entry and its ramifications if there was any question about his health, really scared me for his safety. So I am speaking with a family we met in the Cochamo Valley, a few hours from Puerto Varas. They have a friend who finds homes for strays there. Maybe ...

Marky Is Loving His Forever Home

With calls by the Brownsville, Texas SPCA to Marky's new guardians, they report "they are in love with him" and that he has adapted very well. He sleeps with the 2 young girls and also with his canine sister, Medusa.

I finally received a couple of very recent photos of Marky that I share here. His puppy face that I remember from last year has matured into this precious adult face. I am amazed how much he reminds me of our Maddie!

This is a happy ending, indeed!

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns 

Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog:      Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog 
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

A Forever Home for Marky!

It is with great joy that I write this post. It's the one I have wanted to write for a long, long time. Remember Marky, the dog Tom and I rescued last January, 2010 in South Texas near the Mexican border? After over a year in foster and 2 "almost" adoptions that didn't happen, our boy FINALLY found his forever family just over a week ago.

They are very nice and loving, according to Brownsville SPCA, and they just fell in love with Marky. Isn't that fantastic? They have two young girls, about 9 and 7 years old, a small Maltese/Poodle mix, and a cat. Marky has joined them living indoors. After doing a home visit that they described as wonderful, Cindy and Laura from BSPCA are very excited as they feel that Marky is going to be very loved and happy there. They said this is the perfect home for any pet -- yes!!

Marky will also enjoy a huge, fenced backyard to play in, always supervised. The wife/Mom in the family is a stay at home mom, so she is always there. Marky hit the jackpot -- which he so deserves. Another wonderful dog off the streets and into a loving home -- as it should be! For a long time I was unsettled about Marky. I was happy he was safe and being cared for, but I so wanted his "forever bond" to begin. I do believe they sense impermanence. Now I feel complete, knowing this sweet boy is finally HOME.

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns 

Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog:      Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog 
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

The Great Animal Rescue Chase (VIDEO)

My husband and I still talk about Marky, the flea-infested pup we rescued off the road in South Texas last winter. And Tawny, the fearful pitbull we fostered and rehabilitated that the shelter wanted to euthanize. Both these dogs made us turn "I can't" into "I will find a way; I can."

I first saw this video on the Care2.com Blog. It suggests we all become part of a global animal rescue campaign. Stopping to rescue an animal takes time. It takes compassion. It takes being a hero. 

Visit The Great Animal Rescue Chase website to read more about the campaign. This is taken from their site:

"Welcome to the event that celebrates the heroic nature of the animal lover with an amazing mission to rescue one million. This free event is open to people everywhere ..."

"So pull your car over and move the turtle off the road. Untangle the fishing line wrapped around a pelican's wing. Call authorities to report that dog chained up without food or water. Take in that elderly stray cat wandering through the winter snow. Be late for work. Get swamp water on your sneakers. Get fur on the back seat of your car. And 10 years from now, you'll still be talking about the day you saved a life."

We don't just save these animals. They save us by making us push ourselves to stand up for them, to call on resources we didn't know we had, to bring out the best in ourselves -- for them.



Posted By:

Dawn Kairns  

Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life

Website: www.dawnkairns.com 
Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog  

Twitter: themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Puppy Mills: How Much Do You Know?

National Mill Dog Rescue in Colorado Springs Rescues Dogs and Educates People

Thousands of puppy mill operations exist in our country. According to National Mill Dog Rescue, documented problems of puppy mills include "overbreeding, inbreeding, minimal veterinary care, poor quality of food and shelter, lack of socialization with humans, overcrowded cages, and the killing of unwanted animals." To the unsuspecting consumer, this often means buying a puppy facing numerous veterinary problems or who harbor genetically borne diseases that appear years later.

Some dogs live their entire lives in puppy mills, and for one reason alone: to produce more puppies. Repeatedly bred, many of these females are killed once they can no longer reproduce.

National Mill Dog Rescue has been a non-profit in Colorado since 2007. NMDR was inspired by Lily, a puppy mill dog they rescued from a dog auction in Missouri. Lily was worn out, with a rotted jaw, and mammary tumors all along her left side. 

National Mill Dog Rescue began with Lily. Their pledge is to "put an end to the cruelty and evil of the commercial breeding industry," more commonly known as puppy mills. They educate the public about puppy mills and and buying dogs in pet stores (who are usually purchased from puppy mills).

NMDR says, "there are many reputable breeders and shelters from which to get dogs." I fully agree. They have an informative FAQ page at http://www.milldogrescue.org/faq.html that answers the following questions about puppy mills:

What is a puppy mill?
How is puppy milling different than reputable breeding?
Aren't you just supporting the mills by rescueing dogs from them?

Why shouldn't I just go to the pet store and buy a dog?

Where else can I get a dog?

How do I know I've found a reputable breeder?

Why are your requirements so tough?

Why do the mills turn dogs over to rescue?

I encourage you to visit the NMDR site to see who they are, what they do, and to learn more about their answers to the questions above. Please share this information about puppy mills with everyone you know about what puppy mills are. Many folks still don't realize the horrors that are perpetuated in puppy mills on precious, innocent dogs.

photo: Lily from NMDR site

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns  

Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life

Website: www.dawnkairns.com 
Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog  

Twitter: themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Maddie, My Therapy Dog: A Little Background on "Coffee With a Canine"

... How Were You and Maddie United?
From Coffee With a Canine by Marshall Zeringue

My husband and I were looking for a female yellow lab to adopt, preferably one year old or younger (Maggie had been a black lab and I wanted to make sure I didn't make comparisons by getting another black lab). We had just lost Chloe (the 11-year-old Golden retriever we adopted a year after Maggie died) a couple of months earlier. We plugged our criteria into The Denver Dumb Friends League website, and it linked to the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter and, lo and behold, there was Maddie’s precious black face, and it really called to me. She was ... Read more at Marshall Zeringue's  Coffee With a Canine or Campaign for the American Reader.

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns  
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog  
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

In Honor of Maggie, Chloe, Maddie, Marky & All My Rescue Dogs: I Rescued A Human Today

Most of us who have rescued or loved an animal realize at some point in our lives with them just how much they rescued us every bit as much, if not more, than we rescued them. For all my furry loves: MAGGIE, Chloe, Maddie, all my foster dogs, Marky, my cats Shanna and Cinnamon, thank you for rescuing me and being there when I most needed you, and for your never-ending unconditional love.

I received this lovely piece of wisdom from a reader and friend via email today and want to share it with you:

I Rescued A Human Today

by Janine Allen, CPDT

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.

I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Getle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I
would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Marky the Rescue Dog Update

I have two kinds of news about Marky. The difficult news is that Sheree's (Marky's next foster mom and potential adopter) sister has been in and out of the hospital the last week with a dangerously low white blood count due to her chemotherapy. Her chemotherapy was rescheduled for Wednesday, yesterday, the day Sheree would have picked Marky up after his neuter surgery. Needless to say, she couldn't pick him up. Sam (Sheree's sister) is currently living with Sheree, and Sheree is trying to keep her isolated from any potential bacteria AND trying to incorporate Sam's animals into their household. So she can't take Marky this week. My heart goes out to Sheree, Sam and their family in their time of crisis. Incorporating a new dog at such a stressful time, as we all know, would be so hard on all involved, including Marky.

The great news is that a different BSPCA foster mom, Cindy, picked Marky up from his first foster home a few days ago to be sure he made it to his surgery yesterday. If you remember, the first foster mom missed Marky's first neuter appointment along with a couple of other dogs, and neglected to get her 3 foster dogs to PetSmart on 2 potential adoption days. Given her unreliablity, BSPCA arranged for Marky to stay with Cindy, and this is where he'll stay until Sheree is ready to take him. At Cindy's we learned that Marky is good with Cindy's several cats. I hear that Sheree likes this idea. What amazes me is that Sheree still plans to pick Marky up next Wednesday! I have to say, she is a bigger woman than I am. Of course I want Marky to go with her, but I don't know that I would be capable of doing it if I were walking in Sheree's shoes right now.

Marky does seem to be food aggressive and Laura from BSPCA tells me that Sheree is aware of this and has dealt with this issue with a couple of her own dogs. Is it any surprise that he is food aggressive right now given that he was out fending for himself as a pup, starving, with ribs protruding, and being eaten alive by fleas? Other than his food aggression, Cindy reports that Marky is a very sweet and friendly dog. That's the boy I met on the road!

Marky came through his surgery very well yesterday and tested negative for heartworm! The wait for his forever home continues, but I'm happy that progress is being made. I am relieved that he is now neutered, safe, and with a reliable foster. What will next Wednesday bring? Even though it seems so overwhelming to me for Sheree to foster or adopt Marky right now, perhaps somehow Sheree, Marky, and Sam are all part of each other's healing and support during this crisis. My hope for the best for all of these wonderful beings remains, and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the wonderful volunteers of the Brownsville SPCA.

Let's all send healing energy in Sam's direction ...

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

"There are only two ways to live your life: As if nothing is a miracle, or as if everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein

A Forever Home for Marky?

I was about to walk out of the door of Sheree's gift shop last week on South Padre Island when she asked, "Have you found a home for Marky yet?"

Surprised, I turned and looked at her. "How did you know about Marky?" I asked her. Sherry and I met here last year when Tom and I visited the island. She was a board member for the Laguna Madre Humane Society at the time. She and her husband also hosted a book signing for me at their store for Maggie the dog who changed my life.

"Your blog," she replied.

When I told her we hadn't yet, her next statement stop me in my tracks.

"I can take him. I'm kind of looking for another male dog since I lost mine last month. We can do a rescue to rescue transfer with Sam's rescue organization. I can foster him. And you know many of my fosters never end up leaving ..." Sam is Sheree's sister who has a rescue organization in Nevada. She and Sheree have worked for years fostering and placing animals.

"Do you mean foster him with an eye towards adopting him?"

"Yes," she nodded her head and smiled.

I couldn't believe my ears! I had been at Sheree's house last year and saw her fosters and how she cared for them. I knew her love for animals, especially dogs. Was I really hearing this? I couldn't think of a more dog-loving person for Marky to end up with."

I sent Sheree the BSPCA's contact information and went back into the store a few days later. Sheree has a lot on her plate right now. Her sister is staying with her while being treated for recently diagnosed breast cancer. Sheree is dealing with the fear and grief that comes with her sister's diagnosis. She is also dealing with the very recent loss of her beloved dog.

"Is this a good time for you to take this on?" I ask.

"Probably not," she admits. "But it's a good time for Marky."

Wow. That's why she'll be great. Sheree's plan is to pick Marky up in Brownsville after he is neutered on March 10 to bring him to her home for his recovery.

Sheree and BSPCA have not connected with each other yet. I am holding my breath and envisioning that this will work. Laura from BSPCA will let me know what happens with Marky, and promises to get him adopted at some point if Sheree finds she can't take him now.

And it's good-bye again. We leave the island tomorrow ... with both sadness and hope. I'd feel much better if Marky was in Sheree's home now, but I let go for now and hope, really hope ...

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog Twitter:
www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Dog Rescued Near Border is Adopt-a-Pet's Pet of the Day: Update on Marky

Marky, the dog we rescued near the US/Mexican border 2 and 1/2 weeks ago, did not make it to his scheduled vet appointment to be neutered or vaccinated on February 9 that I wrote about in my last update about him, unfortunately. Nor was his foster mom able to take him to PetSmart last Saturday for adoption exposure due to health issues she was having. I learned he could be in PetSmart without being neutered, but of course he had to have his rabies vaccination, which he did not.

Laura from the BSPCA gives me the phone number of 2 vets they work with to take Marky to for his rabies vaccine before he can enter PetSmart for possible adoption through BSPCA, and tells me they are open on Saturdays.

So last Saturday, Tom and I race for the second time to try to find the foster home in the country, about 40 minutes away from where we are staying. With more specific directions from a BSPCA board member, we find it this time. I can't reach the foster mom by phone as her cell number is disconnected. We can only park at the locked gate to their driveway and honk. No response. As we begin to drive away, a familiar white pick up truck comes up the street and pulls up to their gate. It's 2 of her teen kids. Thank Heavens! After explaining to the daughter that we are there to pick up Marky for the BSPCA to take him to PetSmart, she goes into the house to tell her mom. Several minutes later we see Marky trotting with the daughter towards the gate. It is really good to see him again.

Wow, he has changed already! His tail is up. He looks happy. He grew! And is filling out -- his ribs are less prominent. That makes me really happy! He clearly recognizes us and greets us with his chin licks, but is just as hesitant to get in the truck. Tom lifts him in to me.

I ask the daughter & son about his "aggression" with dogs.

"He's never attacked another dog, he just barks," says the boy. "And it's just with the male dogs."

I bet neutering will help that significantly! Now the 45 minute drive now to Brownsville to find the vet. Once again, Tom's GPS phone helps. We still get lost, and when we call at 12:05 p.m., the vet's receptionist tells us they closed at noon. I tell her Marky's story and what we are trying to do, and beg her to take us for his vaccination.

"The vet has already left," she says. We call the second number and get only an answering service. They were already closed. We are crushed to think Marky will miss a day of seeing potential adopters.

I call Sybil, another BSPCA board member, who is also on her way to PetSmart. Luckily, I get her, and luckily she has the phone number of 2 more potential vets. " We don't use them because they are too expensive," she warns us. Had we gotten in with one of the first 2 vets, the cost would have only been $10.00. We don't care -- we just want this first crucial stumbling block out of his way.

We dial the closest vet. It's 12:22 p.m. "We close to walk-ins at 12:30 p.m.," she tells me. Again, I tell her the story.

"Please, I beg you to see him! We are on our way & so close!" But the traffic is too much, and we are crawling, it seems.

We walk in their door at 12:30 p.m. He weighs 47.5 pounds. We pay the $35.00 for his rabies vaccine and are on our way to PetSmart, where we spent the next several hours with Marky before driving him back to his foster home in Bay View, Texas. What a sweet and precious little soul. So responsive & loving. Maybe next week end will be the one when Marky finds his forever home.

These are pictures of Marky in PetSmart that my husband took so BSPCA can place him on Petfinder.com and AdoptaPet.com. Here are the respective links to Marky's page on each of these sites:

http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=15760101

http://www.adoptapet.com/pet3466815.html

And I am just notified as I am writing this post that Adoptapet.com just made Marky their Pet of the Day! Thank you! Ironically, Adoptapet.com also posted my guest post about MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love today on their blog ... http://blog.adoptapet.com/maggie-the-dog-who-changed-my-life/

If you missed the first 2 posts about Marky, the dog we rescued in S. Texas, here are the links:

http://maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com/2010/02/dog-rescued-near-border-gets-second.html


http://maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com/2010/02/dog-rescued-near-border-gets-second_07.html

Please share and help Marky find his forever home!


Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com
Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Dog Rescued Near the Border Gets Second Chance: An Update

The Brownsville SPCA tells me that Markie will get vaccinated & neutered on Feb. 9. After that he will be able to start going to Petsmart with his foster mom and her other fosters dogs. Markie's exposure for adoption should begin next Saturday February 13 at the Brownsville Petsmart w/SPCA. Here's hoping! He is a little valentine -- he'd be a wonderful gift for someone to give themselves on Valentine's Day!

He has been a "little aggressive" with other dogs, the foster mom told Laura from BSPCA. The foster mom is not returning my calls, (must be too busy with her fosters) so my information comes indirectly via Laura from BSPCA. I saw no aggression with Maddie, our dog, but time will tell. I think he needs further adjustment and to unwind from the stress of being on the road. Remember when I told you he ducked as our truck approached, with a look of fear and submission on his face? I have since learned from a few people that some less than conscious individuals here in South Texas actually TRY to hit dogs on the road. I was dumbstruck when I heard that, and my heart aches for these innocent animals. I have also learned that MANY dogs get dumped down here. That is a heart breaker.

Unfortunately, Safe Harbor in Denver won't take him since he's a lab MIX... so I am hoping for a Texas adoption! I will keep you posted...

Posted By:
Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

Become a fan on Facebook of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist

Dog Rescued Near the Border Gets a Second Chance

On Sunday my husband, Tom, Maddie (our dog), and I decide to drive from South Padre Island to Boca Chica Beach, to where the Rio Grande River flows into the ocean. This is the river that separates Mexico and the United States. But we never get that far. Along the side of the deserted, empty road we see a coyote walking. And another one a few moments later ... or so we think. What we see next squeezed our heartstrings.

"Stop! It's a dog!" I say as his head suddenly turns to look right at us as he hears our truck approaching. His little body immediately crouches to the ground, the fear in his face palpable. The look on his precious face is heart-wrenching.

When Tom and I get out of our truck, the young dog runs the other direction. We squat low and I call to him in a high-pitched voice. "Come here, baby." He stops and looks at me, assessing.

"It's OK, Sweetie. Let us help you. Come on, Buddy." He starts his arc towards us with a few uncertain steps. Is that hopefulness I read in his face? Sadly, many dogs in this part of the country are meeting this fate of being dumped on a deserted road, I'm learning. "That's it, Honey, come on ..."

It doesn't take this emaciated little boy long to finish his approach. He looks straight into my eyes and begins licking my chin. It seems like his whole being is saying, "Thank you, oh, thank you! I have been alone and scared for so long ..." He looks to only be 7 or 8 months old. He smells horrible & is filthy. His ribs protrude. He is intact, which didn't surprise me.

Maddie hangs her head out the back window. He tries to reach her to sniff noses. Her lip curls ever so slightly, expressing her rank as the older dog & claiming her territory. We stop them from sniffing, although it's hard.

Our only choice is to put him on the floor of the front seat at my feet. We're concerned about what diseases he might have with Maddie in the back seat. His body totally stiffens as Tom helps him into the truck. This little boy really wants to get to Maddie, so this is challenging. I did T-touch with him and he relaxes, looking into my eyes. Tom and I both sense his extreme relief at no longer being on the run.

Now what? It's a Sunday. We're in an area we don't know. Lucky for new technology, though, as Tom's phone is a little computer, so we can look for animal shelters and vets to call. But nothing is open.

That's when I notice the red bug crawling on the pup's neck. I pick it out and flick it out the window. Then another ... and another. Oh my God, they are crawling all over him! Not living in a big flea area of the country, I don't know what they are at first -- then I strongly suspect fleas. I later learn I'm right.

I'm realizing our only option may be to get him groomed and treated for his fleas in case we need to keep him overnight and take him to the Laguna Madre shelter on Monday. Not a great option in a condo where the management company we are renting from is looking the other way so we can have our own dog and cat there.

Finally, I'm connected with Police Dispatch. At this point we have stopped on a dirt road to let the little guy out. Maddie is totally perplexed and wondering why this boy is on her leash while she is stuck in the car.

The officer tells me I can take him to the Brownsville Animal Shelter and place him inside the fence as they check every few hours for animals on the week end. I ask him questions re: treating the fleas at the shelter. He advises me that they do no medical intervention at the Brownsville shelter, and says he's dispatching an officer to come show us the way to the shelter.

"Is it a kill shelter?" I ask him.

"Yes, Ma'am, he admits.

That's not an option. He's a black dog, with a wound on his back, sores on his left leg which he is favoring, and full of fleas. "Thanks for your help, Sir. But there's no need to send anyone. I won't be taking him there."

That's when the thought of Petsmart jumps into my brain. Maybe we can get him groomed there! And rescue groups adopt their animals out through Petsmart on some week ends! We head towards Petsmart after locating it on Tom's GPS phone.

Maddie is none to pleased with this entire driving and rescue venture. After all, "what is this dog doing in the front seat while I'm in the back?" is exactly what her disgusted look says.

I charge into Petsmart while Tom waits outside with the pup. We luck out. Both PAWS and the Brownsville SPCA are adopting their animals out that day! Petsmart won't groom him without knowing his vaccination history. There is no vet there to give him a Rabies vaccination. A woman from PAWS tells me they can't take him. But she calls a groomer 2 miles away for us and tells him we are bringing the dog for grooming and a flea dip.

I speak with the SPCA folks about taking him. "We have no available foster homes," Sibyl says. But before I leave for the groomer, she relents & says they'll figure something out. God bless them!

As we walk into the groomer, the pup stiffens and won't walk in the door. I'm not sure this sweet pup has ever been inside of any building. I know he's frightened. They offer him water and food -- he touches none of it, that's how stressed he is. I hate leaving him there in a kennel, but they promise to groom him next. We are starving and go grab a quick bite to eat.

When we pick up our little boy he comes out smelling so much better, but not quite as sure about trusting us after his grooming ordeal. "It's as bad a case of the fleas as I've seen," says the girl who groomed him.

Back to Petsmart we go, and just in time. Tom names the little fellow "Markie" and we watch as a woman, Ethyl, an SPCA volunteer and her 2 teen children drive off with Markie in their truck to foster on their 14 acres in the country, along with their other foster dogs that didn't get adopted.

Our deal with BSPCA is that if "Markie" is not adopted by the time we leave Texas at the end of February, we'll transport him back to a CO rescue group to adopt out. Right now I'm in the process of talking with Safe Harbor Lab Rescue and hope they will take him in ...

Who saved who that day? Markie saved me as much as we saved him. It is in these moments that we become truly alive. Thank you, little friend.

Stay tuned to learn Markie's fate ...

Posted By:

Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE the dog who changed my life A Story of Love

Website: www.dawnkairns.com

Blog: Dawn Kairns and Maggie the Dog Twitter: www.twitter.com/themaggiebook

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2009 Indie Book Awards Finalist
DWAA 2008 Merial Human-Animal Bond Award Finalist