Rescuing Rover: To My Best Friend

by Sandy

© reader copyright on file
Shiloh

To My Best Friend

That cold winter day when we first met

I surely didn't know

That you would be the special one

Who soon with me, home would go

The nice man took you from your cage

So the two of us could meet

You were cute but I didn't think

That you were the right one for me

Back into your cage you went

I heard you cry as I walked away

"Don't worry, boy, she'll be back"

I heard the nice man say

"Somewhere", I thought, "there must be

A perfect dog to share my life"

And so my search continued on

I looked near and far both day and night

I didn't find what I thought I wanted

Perhaps I had no clue

So I went back to that shelter

And decided just to "settle" for you

To my surprise we bonded so fast

It happened right from the start

How could I have ever imagined

That so quickly you would steal my heart

In my search I had been so wrong

It didn't take long to see

That a power greater than I had known

That my want had not been my need

People often say I saved you

If only they could see

The void in me had been so great

That it was you, my friend, who saved me

If you have a story or poem about rescuing your best friend, I'd like to share it with my readers. Feel free to send submissions for the Rescuing Rover column to AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com. Include at least one photo of your dog that was taken by you. 

Rescuing Rover: Shiloh Gets an Owner

by Sandy

© S.D., reader copyright on file
Shiloh and Owner
 Enjoy Outdoor Adventures

I already had one dog, and I'm usually a one-dog kind of person. The only reason I wanted a second one was because two nights in a row someone tried to break into my window in the middle of the night, while I was sleeping. My other dog wasn't a barker, so I wanted a dog that would alert me and scare off intruders.

I was looking for an older, calm, female dog. Shiloh was a young, energetic male. When I met him at animal control, the handler removed him from his cage and brought him to the meeting area, and he jumped right into my lap for some loving. He ran around all over the place and seemed a bit too rambunctious. When I left, the handler put him back in his cage, and Shiloh cried out as I walked away. The handler said, 

"Don't worry boy, she'll be back for you." 

But I told him I didn't think I would be back, as I didn't think he was the right dog for me.

© S.D., reader copyright on file
Shiloh's is Always Smiling

I kept looking for the "right" dog. I went to all the shelters within a 50-mile drive, and checked out all the "free dog" ads in the paper. Still couldn't find what I wanted. A few days later, my mom talked me into giving Shiloh a chance, as he was the only dog I sort of liked out of those I met.


 Yes, I was being very picky. I had a very elderly dog at home and a new dog would have to fit in just right with her, and with my lifestyle. When I went back to the shelter, I wasn't sure he'd still be there, as it was a high-kill shelter. But there he was. The handler told me Shiloh was supposed to have been euthanized already, but he said "something" told them to hang on to him for a little while longer. On the drive home with him, I still wondered if I had made a mistake adopting him.

It didn't take long to know that it wasn't a mistake. Adopting him was the best decision I've ever made in my life. We quickly formed a bond so strong... stronger than I had ever thought could be possible between a human and a dog. He truly is my soulmate. 

Funny thing is, he turned out not to be a barker either. If someone were to break in, he'd welcome them and tell them to take whatever they wanted. So I didn't get what I was originally looking for in a dog, but I got so much more, and definitely got what I needed in him.

© S.D., reader copyright on file
Shiloh Sets Aside a Snack for Sandy

 There is a story behind the 3 nuggets lying next to his bowl in this photo. When Shiloh was very sick and on medicine that made him stop eating, I would do everything I could to get him to eat, including lying next to him and pretending to eat from his bowl. 


After he recovered and started eating again, he'd beg me to still come eat with him. I guess he liked the company. Now I just stay in the room with him while he eats. Before he eats, he looks at me and removes 3-5 nuggets from his bowl and lays them in a straight row next to his bowl. Then he eats what's in his bowl, and walks away, leaving the nuggets on the floor. I think he's leaving me a snack. LOL!  

If you have a rescue story that you would enjoy sharing with our readers, please submit your story to AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com. I make every attempt to publish every story, however some editing may be required. Please include at least one photo of your dog, taken by you. Happy tails!

Foster and Rescue Dogs: Assorted Ramblings

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Carrie Boyko
The Lucky Ones:
Playing Tug at the Dog Park

I visited my local rescue today to make a donation. Why don't I feel better? It's always hard to hear the truth and feel the pressure--even when only within myself--to do more. Without a fenced yard, and bordering a main road entrance to my neighborhood, safety is a huge issue. My local rescue has firm rules; absolutely no dogs are adopted to families who do not have a fenced outdoor area (aka, a yard) for safe, active play. Not even the tiniest of breeds may go home with a family that has no fenced area.


That puts me on the "sorry" list. And there's further complications in that our home is placed on a lot that is completely compromised in the back by a pool and a lake--no land except a pathway to the water.


We've battled the county and the neighborhood association to figure out a solution for Tanner to have a place to run. Oliver, at 10 lbs., is able to get some pretty good sprints inside our home, on our large screened porch and pool area, and at his weekly visits to the dog park. Tanner, however, needs more. He's a Golden Retriever, bred to chase down the hunter's kill, and keenly in tune with his DNA.


To watch Tanner at the dog park, or even playing fetch in the pool, you know immediately that he's in his glory when on the chase. People often comment on his speed and the well trained "Drop it" that is one of his trademarks. "Drop It" was one command that was essential for him to live in a house where my husband's collection of precious baseball caps resides. A marriage is, after all, a huge priority.


When Tanner accompanied me today, he enjoyed greeting many adoptable dogs and other visitors to the PetSmart store where their weekly adoptions progress. I asked about about this "progress" and learned that this had been a slow weekend--only one adoption in 2 days.  They are still seeking foster homes for the staggering number of dogs that were "awarded" to them when law enforcement closed a facility in a nearby county.


The good news is that nearly 3/4 of that batch of dogs have been adopted, yet I still saw many awaiting a furever home. As we observed, one volunteer brought out a beautiful black lab--friendly and playful--who had been with the rescue since birth. Volunteers believe that she has not been adopted because she is black--an unfortunate victim of "Black Dog Syndrome". After all, she is sweet, affectionate, beautiful and playful. Moreover she is young, healthy and able to be bonded with as many believe is best--from youth.


A few seniors reside with this group, and a few who are in need of expensive medical procedures sit patiently awaiting the fundraising to allow them to be treated for heart worms or get a needed surgery.


It was heart-wrenching to walk out, knowing that I could not take a foster. My own dogs must go out on a leash, and sometimes suffer for it. I'm so grateful for the numerous dog parks we have, a refuge from the leash-laws that insist dogs always remain tethered to us. Sure, I understand, probably better than most, the purpose of these laws. It doesn't make it any easier for the dogs though.  Enough rambling. Catch ya'll next week at the next edition of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop, that is, if it happens. We'll all be at Blogpaws, hobknobbing with one another about pets, pet products, social media and blogging. Hopefully we'll be here too.


As always, this event is sponsored by Life with Dogs, Confessions of the Plume and Two Little Cavaliers. The rules for linking up to this event are posted here, as copied from Life with Dogs on 8/1/11. Happy hopping!

• Link up your pet blog name and URL using the Linky Tool below. You only need to add your link once to be seen on all the Saturday Pet Blogger Blog Hop Linky Tools for that week. Note that if your blog is not pet related your link will be removed. Also note that only one post per blog is acceptable, and links promoting giveaways that are unrelated to the pet blogger hop will be removed. This is a community building exercise and not a promotional vehicle – please treat it as such.
• Grab the “Saturday Pet Blogger Blog Hop” button on the right hand side of this site and include it in your Saturday Blog hop post so that your readers will know what is going on. *Note – posting is optional. Feel free to just link and follow.
• Follow your co-hosts listed in the first 3 slots of the Linky Tool.
• Follow as many other blogs on the linky as you’d like.
• Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you’re from the blog hop.
• Follow back when you get a new follower through the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop.
• Make friends and grow. ♥

RESCUING ROVER: Meet Choco King

by Pamela Mullins

© P. Mullins
Choco King, aka
The Most Super Puppy in the World

We adopted our dog, Choco, 4 1/2 yrs ago from the Animal Rescue League here in Boston, MA.  I love dogs and had not had one in a long time. My husband never had a dog and my sons had collected over 100 stuffed doggies. 


One of my twin boys had said we should get a puppy now that I was getting better. He was almost 7 and I had just finished chemo and radiation for the 2nd time. Our other landlord had made us move and so when we moved to our current house, I told them that if they were good, we would get a puppy. 


One day I was looking online and I saw that they had a Shih Tzu for adoption. The people who had him could not take care of him or his siblings, so when I saw him I just told them I wanted him. Choco was so cute and cuddly that he just had to go home with us. My hubby even said it was cool and he was then 46 and never had a dog. So I told them I wanted him and we went thru the whole adoption thing and the next day I brought my 3 sons in to see him. It was love at first sight!!  


He has brought so much happiness to this house and, even better, he has made my hubby into a dog lover. Choco pulled my spirits up after all that I had went thru from my cancer treatments. And he has made my boys into more responsible children. They take him every where. Choco has become the school mascot in a way, and he goes to all of their sporting events. 


They say dogs are man's best friend, but in this case he saved me when I was so down. Choco made me think about all of the good things and he has made my family whole again.  And now he is the king of his castle. My husband misses him so much when he is on the road; he wants to take him over the road in the truck. But the boys have told him,  "No daddy; he has to stay home until he gets older."  I love my furry baby so much and when you look at him you can see why.


Do you have a RESCUING ROVER story that you would enjoy sharing with our readers? You can submit your story to AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com. Please include a photo that you have taken of your dog, and tell us all about your experiences with adopting and owning your pup. Your story must be less than 500 words to publish. We look forward to hearing about your Fido.

A Dog Story for the Child in All of Us: What about Daisy?

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© illustrations by Gail Weissman 
© photo by Curt Biesterfeld 
What About Daisy?

As parents we try to teach our children that being different does not make others "bad". It's a hard lesson, and one that parents often struggle with, as well. What about Daisy? shares a mother dog's worrisome adventure to find her pup a loving furever home. However, Daisy, her pup, is an unusual puppy. She doesn't play with her litter mates, come running when called, or show interest in much of anything. This worries Ms. Didi, her mother.


With a little help from friends along the way, Ms. Didi sets out to find a home for Daisy, her deaf and blind puppy. Author Maryam Faresh was inspired to write Daisy's story by her own, real-life Daisy. Daisy won the WAG award for the Most Inspirational Dog in 2010, and the 2011 Barkcode Hero Award. You can learn more about this amazing dog and her story at the website for What About Daisy?

© Curt Biesterfeld
Faresh with Daisy

At this site you can also view an entire library of family videos of Daisy's life, enjoy activities for children, order a copy of the book, and much more. Her story is one of overcoming adversity--inspiration for all ages.


We'd like to help Faresh spread the word about this refreshing and inspirational book. We'll be giving away 3 signed copies and there are a number of ways you can win. You may enter once each day using any or all of these methods:

• Leave a comment on the blog telling us who you'd like to read the book to (my daughter, nephew, classroom of children. etc.)
• "Like" our Facebook page and comment about this post there.
• "Like" What about Daisy's Facebook page and be sure to tell them we sent you there!
• Share a few words about your own disabled dog here or on Facebook.
• Tweet about this post or What about Daisy? to @AllThingsDog.
• Take advantage of a FREE subscription to All Things Dog Blog at the top of our sidebar, and you'll get 3 entries. After you fill in your email address, visit your inbox to click the link in your activation email from Feedburner. Be sure to leave a comment letting us know you subscribed so we can verify. 

Entries will close on Monday, May 16, 2011 at 5 PM. The winners will be announced here on the blog on Tuesday, May 17. Good luck!

If you prefer, you can also purchase a copy through Amazon.


Other Book Reviews You May Enjoy:
Darby's Story: The Life of an Adopted Dog
THE Book for My Rescue-Loving Readers: Oogy
Assistance Dog Stories
In order to get the word out to more moms out there about this wonderful book giveaway, we're linking up to Hop a Little Tuesday's blog hop, and also Free Hot Samples. Have fun exploring. Be sure to let our hosts know you appreciate their efforts. Comments are always welcome.

RESCUING ROVER: Meet Lucy, Scruffy and Bud

as told by Patty Milliron

© courtesy P.M.
An Adorable Pack of Rescues!

Lucy, at far left, is a foster we kept. She was picked up by the pound in heat, and was heart worm positive.  She was a mess. She is a loving, devoted girl.  She's around 4 now.  


Scruffy, in the middle is 6.  He is a very smart boy and Ioves to snuggle with his mommy and fish on the kayak with his daddy.  


Bud is 8.  He was another rescue.  He was dumped in our Petsmart parking lot one cold, rainy November night.  He was raw and bloody from the chest up. He had apparently been kept on a choker chain in the back yard.  


Bud is a perfect example of a cute puppy bought at a puppy store (his owners were kind enough to drop off his papers with him) without much forethought. The little puppy got big, wasn't trained, and his owners had a baby.  


Bud is a sweet, gentle, passive dog . . . until he gets nervous.  Through the 7 years we've had him, he has chewed himself out of two metal crates, fortunately with no injuries to him.  Now for our house, that's been another story. Ha!  

Read other RESCUING ROVER Stories:

Abby--The Good Sister

Duke Returns his Owner's Favor

Discover the Dogs for the PAWS Project

The Rescue Dog that Helped Rescues

Can't get enough? 

Visit Adopt a Dog Park

Help protect our precious dog parks

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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Darby's Story Drawing Winner Announcement

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

You guys never cease to amaze me. Just when I thought my readers did not really want to hear about children's stories, I get a nice response to this wonderful book review about a rescued dog. Today I get to give away a copy to a lucky reader.  


But first, let's do a little research. Since you responded well to this book, I'm curious to hear from you. Are you interested in giveaways of other children's stories about dogs? I've received quite a few that I could give away, but they need good homes, just like their subjects. If you're interested, let me know with a comment at the bottom of the post or on my Facebook page. Even a Tweet will do the trick. Just get the message across: "We love to get free kids' dog stories". 

Now for the winner's announcement. Tanner did the honors today. He's pretty good at picking up things with his mouth, but I'll admit the name slip is a bit wet. Oh, well; it works all the same! "Thank you Tanner."


The winner is Chunyo's owner at Chunyo's Corner. Hope to hear from you soon at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. I need your address!

Visit Adopt a Dog Park

Help protect our precious dog parks

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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