I rescued a human today.

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. Gentle 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. 

Josh and Willow are growing up together... there are older posts here of Josh and his best friend... Time for an update!  Both are growing and learning and loving!

Another ARVSS Happy "Tail!"

This is adapted from an email we recently received.  This story could have been told by us --- and is true of thousands of dogs across the country who just need a chance... a foster home to take them in until their forever family is found... Read it.  Think about it... and let us know if you have it in your heart to foster...

Damsel, a sweet young Boxer mix waiting in an overcrowded rural shelter.  As Castaway Pet Rescue grew in capacity, we came riding up to rescue this "Damsel in distress."  But this is no fairy tale. 

The hero arrived too late and Damsel was put down before we were able to say “We’ll take her”.

Why was she chosen to be one to die and make space for another?  She loved people to a flaw, her only known flaw.  She scaled the 6-foot kennel fence to get to be with people, not to run away.  Containment in a shelter is critical, but she did not understand that.

Damsel was a sweet dog who would have been happy and grateful to curl up next to her family in front of the TV. She lost her life only because we were too late.  She is not alone and you can help. 

Fostering is a win-win situation.  The most important thing the foster home provides is love and guidance for the dog.  Castaway provides the medical care and any supplies the foster requires.  We provide training and 24 hr support for our foster homes.   This rescue belongs to all who want to participate and help the dogs.  Big dogs, small dogs, only girls, only boys, young pups, mature dogs, it doesn’t matter.  We can customize the foster dogs selected to suit the foster home’s needs.  You will never be asked to foster a dog you are not comfortable with or more often than you are ready.  Fostering should feel good for everyone. 

Warning: Fostering is addictive and can increase your health

Look at Sal --- she arrived full of MANGE... She was in desperate need of some TLC!

July 28, 2008

Amazing changes... look at this Happy, HEALTHY little lady now!

October 5, 2008

Even Minnie needs a breath of fresh air... read on:

From Minnie's "Mom"

We need some advice!  Minnie just decided her new favorite hobby is rolling around in dead fish at the dog park (Indian Lake).  She smells so bad - it is nauseating.  We can't get rid of it!  3 baths into it and she STILL stinks to high heaven.  We tried tomato juice even!  Any ideas???
 
Any advice is appreciated.  We are gagging over here! (but you know she is still snuggled up next to me in bed as I type this)

Thought you'd get a smile out of this Minnie story: She and I were at the dog park on Sunday (She KNOWS when it is Saturday or Sunday and drags me out of bed at 7am to take her!), and she was running and playing with about 5 of her regular friends there.  They were off running and frolicking, when one of the dogs (A large german Shepherd) slipped in the mud at the same time a big Doberman slipped and fell on top of him.  The poor Shepherd took all the weight on it's front paw and obviously broke it or sprained it very badly.  The dog yelped out in pain, and me and the other owners started sprinting towards our pets, not sure which one had been hurt.
 
When we got there, all the other dogs had scattered, afraid of the poor Shepherd, who was crying in pain - all except Minnie.  She was crying along with the Shepherd and licking and nuzzling his face.  My first instinct was that she had gotten hurt also, and I scooped her up and started examining every inch of her, while running towards the parking lot to take her to the emergency vet.  I got about 10 feet before I realized she was just fine, but was just crying for her hurt friend. It was so sweet, it brought tears to my eyes.  She is such a loving girl, it made her cry just to see a friend in pain.  My heart almost burst I love her so much!
 
Thought you'd like that sweet story!

Mom Kelly

Well, Hula is 2 years old today!  We had a little party (complete with party favors for the all the dogs: new squeaky toys and nylabones) -- as you can see, Hula is thrilled again with our choice of pink accessories.    She'll get me for this later, I am sure!   --- dad Dave

UPDATE:

On the "Mange Scale" of 1 to 10, Donna was a 12! This poor girl arrived in such bad condition it was thought that she had been burned in a fire. Diagnosed by Dr. Trepell this was a bad case of demodectic mange! Not too many rescues would take on animals in such bad condition, let alone PIT BULLS! It was her sweet and loving disposition and wagging tail that brought her to us. You wouldn’t find a happier pup to be alive! This type of mange is not contagious and the mites live in the hair follicles of most dogs. Because of Donna’s poor immune system, stress and malnutrition - the mites reproduced rapidly... causing all this horrible hair loss and infection. Photo taken 01/25/07... what a difference!

Donna lived with Charity and Jim Harris on their farm for several months. After a decision to take a new role in their lives, Donna came to me for foster. My newfound learning in the foster arena made me a tad nervous to get this young lady in her condition. Then my fear of taking on a pit bull put a double knot in my stomach. Donna taught me a very strong lesson. With the love of animals, I knew in my heart I could do well for Donna. As time went by, Donna was such a loving dog. She absorbed the love, socializing and enjoyment of having playmates with my two dogs. I grew to understand that she was just the neatest dog one could be fortunate to come across. In the months, I had her, each two weeks she was given a medicinal dip and kept on antibiotics to heal the cracks in her skin. The dips took care of the mange.

My love for her grew as her love for me did too. We played, walked, ran, cuddled and just enjoyed each day with each other. You could sense in her heart she was very happy to have been saved. She gave so many kisses while in recovery. Her health became stronger and finally it came to a time where I knew she was ready to find that forever home. Donna taught me that no matter how fragile life is, you can overcome!

Her forever home was found with a spur of the moment trip to Aunt B’s Pet Spa & Resort. Upon entering this gorgeous day care for animals, one of the care providers and animal trainers walked right up to her. It was love at first sight. When she, (Lindsay) found out she was a foster, her immediate words to me were “Don’t let anyone else adopt her, I want her.” They bonded immediately. Donna spent the weekend at Aunt B’s and they enjoyed each other tremendously.

Lindsey was given adoption approval and she patiently waited while Donna was given the medical release. The spent as much time as they could together. Since then, Lindsey and Donna, now known as Brie have stayed in contact. Brie gives me as much love and thanks as she can when I spend time with her.

Notes from the Indiana rescue:

This puppy weighed 20 # about a week ago.  Look at her back leg--that thing is called an external fixater.  This puppy came in with a broken leg--actually broke in two places--horizontal and vertical.  The fixater was screwed into her leg.  She has fully recovered and it has been off for a week.  Half  of the holes are nearly gone. 

I named her Mariah and she responds to it.  I think she is part Salooki, though they marked her Dobie.  She has a little white on her toes and tip of tail and around her tail and a wavy coat.  She is nearly potty on the newspapers outside the edge of her pen.  When at the shelter in a pen, she holds it the 4-6 hours, so she is ready to break.  She does pretty good on a leash.  I walk her twice a day with Sunshine to give her the potty outside idea.  She plays with Sunshine (who doesn't get along with my other dogs) but has taken Mariah under her wing.  She harasses the cat, but just gets swatted and moves on.  She knows the word "No" and I have been working to teach her not to jump on people.  She appears to learn quickly.  She is very happy and affectionate.  She will climb a puppy pen--did the day after her surgery.  The vet said she is a miracle.