Hug-A-Dog

Ruthanne

Ruthanne is a lovely 5-yr old Border Collie/Golden Retriever mix. She’s intelligent, perceptive, and possesses the instinctive qualities of a working dog unique to the Border Collie while displaying the affectionate and physically striking qualities of a Golden. Ruthanne exhibits the herding behavior and other natural instincts such as stare-downs, barking or nipping often used to get their point across to stubborn livestock. While this instinct can be channeled into other activities (agility, frisbee, etc.) or can be redirected somewhat through training, the instinct will always be there. For this reason, she will not be placed in a home with children. Living with another confident dog is fine as long as boundaries are established and managed by a savvy owner familiar with the Border Collie personality. She has enjoyed life in a foster home taking long walks, sitting at outdoor breakfast cafes and even walking the Santa Monica Pier. Ruthanne is a unique dog and as such, requires unique owners who will give her an environment to work with her natural abilities both as a Golden Retriever and a Border Collie. A ranch or farm would be ideal. If you would like to be considered as a potential family for Ruthanne, please contact Denise at ripcurl8@adelphia.net

 

Remembering Onslow

As a volunteer with the Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles Rescue, I keep an eye on local shelters for Golden Retrievers. When I discovered Onslow online in the Banning shelter in early February, I went to the shelter to meet him and leave my information. His family didn't reclaim him, even though they were notified and knew he was there, and he wasn't adopted by the general public. He looked a mess...overweight, matted and dirty, with crusty eyes. Listed as 10 years old, I doubt anyone even asked to take him out of his cage...if they had, they would have seen what a lively character he was. So, he became a ward of the GRCGLAR.

After spending a few days at the vet's I was going to take him to the kennel we board with where he'd stay until a foster opportunity came up for him. But, I couldn't deliver him to the kennel...I was worried about him. He was big and old and didn't seem like he'd be any trouble at all, so I brought him home instead. He couldn't get in the pool fast enough!  I was worried he would fall in, but he was able to navigate around the pool and found the stairs. He loved to sit on the top step. We'd throw a floating toy in and he'd bark at it. We got tired of retrieving the toys and he was soon swimming after them on his own.

Onslow had a host of health issues. His hips were crunchy, he had a partially torn cruciate ligament in his left knee, his elbows were calloused over, had mildly entropic eyelids, was arthritic, obese (125 lbs! should have weighed 80 lbs) and hypothyroid. He started on thyroid and arthritis medications immediately and this seemed to put some pep in his step. He began to lose wait and was able to take short walks. His weight loss was progessing along nicely and fur was beginning to come back in on his hairless tail.

About 5 weeks into his stay here, he began throwing up his meals. After a few days of this, I took him to the vet's where we were given anti-vomiting and anti-diarrheal medications. They didn't seem to help...Onslow was not acting himself at all. So back to the vet's we went. I was worried about a blockage but x-rays showed nothing remarkable going on in his gut. We went home with more medications. Two days later, I was awakened by Onslow's heavy panting and a distressed look in his eyes. I raced him to the emergency clinic we use in Corona, fearing he'd pass away before I got there, but he hung on. Once at the vet's he went into cardiac arrest. The veterinarian revived him several times, but he eventually went unconscious and died on the table. Chest x-rays showed something, a mass of some kind, pushing on the lungs and heart. The veterinarian felt it had likely been there a while.

It was tragic to lose Onslow this way so soon after he came into my life. But, I'm glad he's no longer hurting from his many ailments. I'm glad he didn't die in a shelter. I'm glad he was here for nearly two months, swimming every day and hanging out with us. I'm glad I got to be a part of his life. Good-bye big red boy, you are missed.

Joshua Tree

Andy, his mom, dad, sister and I were treated to a Hummer tour of Joshua Tree National Park today. Joshua trees blossom every 2-3 years and we were fortunate to be there while many were blooming.  Our awesome tour guide was an earthy guy from Poland with bright blue eyes and a rich past that he was happy to share with us. The dogs didn't get to come with us this time, but perhaps we'll get out there again with them sometime. Lots of great hiking and views, but plenty of rattlesnakes and cholla, too!

What's a Yaris?

Andy spent the morning in the garage picking the bugs out of the grill on his Scion XB. When he was satisfied, he came in and announced he was taking the Scion to Toyota of Indio to trade it in for a Yaris. "Huh?" I asked. "Wanna come?" he replied. I was intrigued...what was a Yaris anyway? Thirty minutes later we were cruising around the dealership in a teensy, black, 2-door, 5-speed hatchback called a Yaris. Two hours later, we owned it! The low-riding, bouncy white box with kick-ass stereo system, custom wheels and modified springs and headers was headed for the used car lot or auction as we headed home in the new, gas-saving Yaris with human-powered windows. Ahhh, love that new car smell...

Spay Day USA - February 26, 2008

Join PBRC as we "Celebrate the Pit Bull" all February long to commemorate the 14th Annual SpayDay USA! PBRC is giving away special gift packs to applicants throughout February.*

As pit bull lovers, we know how special and extraordinary our dogs are. We want the best for them in every way so we take responsibility for their health, safety and well-being. Our dogs are loved.

But, many have never known this kindness because they were born into and suffering. Pit bulls make up the majority of animal shelter populations and most are euthanized due to lack of homes.

As and rescuers, we want to do our part to end pit bull homeless by spaying/neutering our dogs so they don't create unwanted litters. There are also many health benefits associated with spay/neuter including eliminating the risk of testicular cancer, lowering/eliminating the risk of mammary tumors in females, eliminating messy heat cycles, and lowering the risk of prostate cancer and peri-anal tumors in males.

If your pit bull is not spayed/neutered we hope you'll consider giving him/her the gift of good health this February! As an added incentive, we'll give you a free "Celebrate the Pit Bull" gift pack! All you need to do is fill in an application for spay/neuter assistance and follow through with the spay/neuter surgery from February 1 through February 29, 2008 to qualify for your free gift.

Click here to go to the application page!

Is your pit bull already altered? Want to participate? For a minimum donation of $50 to our Spay/Neuter Fund to help fund a spay/neuter we'll send you a gift pack too! To make a donation with your credit card click here or send a check with "Spay/Neuter Fund" noted in the memo to: PBRC, PO Box 335, Fulton, MO 65251

Please help PBRC by spreading the word and encouraging your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and other individuals to get their pit bull or pit bull mix spayed or neutered through PBRC during February. to go to the application page!

*The application must be submitted in February and result in spay/neuter surgery to qualify for free gift. Gift pack includes oval sticker, zipper pull and ribbon magnet. While supplies last. Expect 4-6 weeks for delivery.

Break the Chains of Cruelty poster

This is Tiger, a pit bull who was rescued in California by two rescues working together. When his sad picture came across the internet, with the announcement that he would be killed on Monday, they knew they had to act. This beautiful poster captures the image they saw that day. He spent his entire life on the end of that heavy chain, outside, on cement. They thought he deserved a second chance, and maybe even some love, after his owners broke the law by moving away and abandoning him. Even after all those years on the chain, he turned out to be a loving and gentle soul. He got his second chance, and he found love.

This limited edition, "Art with Heart" poster by artist, Christine J. Head, measures 24"x36" and is shipped rolled in a tube. Each piece is individually hand-signed and dated by the artist, and comes with a paper telling Tiger’s story written by comedian/writer/animal activist, Elayne Boosler, and his happy 'after' picture. The card can be personalized to you, your dogs, or whomever might cherish it as a gift. ORDER NOW and help pit bulls in need!

Vintage Style GOLDENTINI Poster

Be one of the first to own this delightful, 24"x36", limited edition, signed/numbered print and help GRCGLA Rescue at the same time! The image of former foster dog, Nostrand, intoxicated with happiness, swirls in a martini glass garnished with a tennis ball. Oh, to be rescued by GRCGLAR! The Rescue never turns away a Golden in need but honoring this commitment can be challenging, financially, as many dogs come to us neglected and with health concerns. You can help by spreading the word about our cause and the GOLDENTINI poster, artist Christine J. Head's first ever Golden Retriever print! ORDER NOW!

Atticus needs a home for the holidays! ADOPTED!

Atticus is an approximately 3 year old, male Akita/shepherd mix. He was picked up as a stray and had been in the shelter for about six months before he was lucky enough to catch the eye of his foster family. He has been living the good life at his new foster home for a couple of months and he has quickly fallen back into the routine of being in a family. Atticus is a very handsome young man, so devoted, and oh so loving. He lives with a female dog and gets along great with her as he does with all other dogs and with all people as well. Until he gets used to his surroundings, he may have a bit of a wandering spirit so it is imperative that the home he goes to has a secure yard with a 6 ft. fence. Atticus is such a smart boy that he lays by the front door with his leash, waiting to be taken for his nightly walk as he walks very well on a leash and doesn't pull. He can't get enough hugs and rubs and he'll go to whoever will pet him the most. He loves to play chase as much as he loves to cuddle on the floor with his foster dad. He's content to play with his stuffed toys and doesn't chew them up...he just throws them up in the air and catches them and runs around with them. He is a sweet boy that is full of pep and the more you play the more he wants to play. Atticus loves being outside in the yard basking in the warm sun and he doesn't bark when left alone. He would make a great addition to an active family, especially one that would like a hiking companion, a dog park companion, or a buddy for the children in the family. For more information, please email Lois at Lois2kruz@aol.com or call 909-597-3454.