St Anthony's Canine Rescue

St. Anthony's Celebrates Our 20th Year Anniversary in Rescue

Hard to believe in some ways that 20 years have gone by since I rescued my first Corgi mix out of the Long Beach Shelter in February of 1988.  She was named Belle and became my own personal pet.  She lived to the ripe age of 19.5 years and passed away 5/14/03.   Since that first rescue we estimate nearly 2000 dogs have passed thru our portals either coming directly into our rescue or having qualified adopters adopt them directly from an animal shelter.  Included in our 2000 headcount are the many assists we provided individuals by courtesy listings since we went on the Internet in 1997.   

We have always had our dogs in foster homes and when the need arose boarded them at a kennel but that was rare and not within our budget for too long.   Some of our foster homes decided to adopt one or more dogs they fostered.  Three families come to mind that wound up adopting 4 or more dogs over the years.  Roberta Byrne adopted Duffy, Peaches, Dewey and Bridget.  Marie and Shirley Drake adopted Dalton, Danny, Barney and TJ.  Teri Levin adopted Baxter, Mimi, Heidi, Susie and Clancy, and most recently Mc Gregor.  SACR must be doing something right when adopters come back for more.

Our standards are high as we match the needs of the dog into a home that will be forever.   Our adoption process includes completing a pre-adoption application, a homecheck, adoption contract, donation and followup visit.  We have dogs now in WA, AZ, NV, RI, ID, OR, HI and all parts of CA.   Some of our dogs recently moved to VA and TN with their CA adopters.   

In Feb. of 2006 I worked with another rescue who had accepted a little Corgi mix female from Taiwan.  Soon thereafter, in May of 2006, I welcomed 4 dogs from Taiwan into my rescue and later 5 more for a total of 9 dogs that have since found adoptive homes.   In 2007 I was able to pre-arrange qualified adoptive homes for nearly 15 dogs, one of which went up to Canada and two were special need dogs, another carted dog named Hope went to northern CA.  I took a little Maltipoo into my rescue in 2007 from Taiwan.  Hard to believe a little dog that small could have survived on the streets.  Maggie Chen and her husband Joseph, of Animal Rescue Team have saved many dogs in Taiwan and with the support of various rescues here in central and southern CA, many are finding new lives and a rebirth in the USA. We believe that compassion knows no borders. 

We continue to post some of these needy and deserving dogs on our website and as people inquire, we have had some wonderful stories evolve as these dogs made their way from southern Taiwan up to Taipei Airport into LAX and one went to Seattle that got adopted by a Canadian family.  With our network, we have had people help us with homechecks.  Maggie has some wonderful local CA rescue volunteers: April, Jana and Nick who meet the dogs as they arrive at LAX and transfer them to their new families.   

We had two friends adopt 2 puppies each from a litter of 4 in the spring of 2007.  One adopter found it too overwhelming to deal with puppies and her friend took them into her family.  So one litter of 3 female and one male puppy have stayed together. The wonderful lady who opened her heart to the two additional puppies was Linda Simpson.

We hope to have a reunion picnic at the Huntington Beach Dog Park later this year with some of the more locally placed dogs from Taiwan.

What's in the Future:

I will continue to work with two Corgi Rescues (BARK and PWCCSC) as we network to save both purebreds and mixes from shelters and those whose owners want to turn them over to rescue for any number of reasons.   

As I'm into my "early" (I like to think) golden years now, I have to be realistic and not overwhelm myself.  My foster homes are limited as it is an all volunteer service , you will see some local dogs in our rescue (Chipper, an Aussie mix male that was an owner give up all the way from North Dakota who wound up in San Pedro and Duffy, a cute little Corgi-Tibetan Spaniel mix who was saved by a former adopter who drove 8 hours round trip from Modesto to Los Angeles to bring him to our rescue.  He was set to be euthanized at the Merced Shelter and we couldn't let that happen.  Oscar, a Puggle mix male, was saved by good Samaritans near Burbank Airport after being hit by a car and losing one eye; Freida Simone, a very captivating little Doxie-Chi mix female who was given up by her owners because they didn't want to pay a pet deposit at a new apartment  Our most recent rescue is a brindle and white Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Shepherd mix 1-2 year old male named Durango.   He has a passive personality and is just a good all around dog. .   A golden senior fluffy tricolor Pembroke Corgi-Chihuahua male just out of Bonita Shelter named Paddy Cakes needs a forever home.  At 12 lbs. a perfect lap dog. 

We have a significant list if Taiwan dogs posted right now that are waiting to come here as we hopefully find homes for them. We hope 2008 is as rewarding as 2007 was in that regard.   We placed one special needs dog in NV this year from Taiwan.   

The stories go on and on and rescue never ends.  Independent rescuers and both small and large rescue organizations cannot save them all.  Thousands don't make it out of the shelters but for those that do, they are grateful and we are grateful to be able to help.  Our reward is the gratification in saving lives or being a bridge to others to help find homes for dogs they have taken under their wing.

Our biggest asset is St. Anthony himself as he is the mentor to our organization and is the patron of lost and found.  He always comes through for us.   As one door shuts, another opens.

We do need fresh foster homes as we are down to two active ones at the current time.  When some of the current foster dogs get adopted, those homes will no longer be available.

We also encourage everyone who can to make a donation in whatever amount you can afford to help our rescue.  You can make the check payable to St. Anthony's Canine Rescue and mail to me: Arleen Rooney, PO Box 464, Lomita, CA 90717.

Contrary to what some may think who don't know what rescue entails: bailing dogs out of shelters isn't free, spay/neuter, vaccinations, grooming, dental work, often serious health issues, food, training, transportation, gas, telephone and postage, the expenses add up.   Most of our donations come from previous adopters and supporters.   We are not a 501 C registered non profit.  We were registered from 1990 to 1997 but cut back in our actual intake of dogs and decided to just be an independent rescue and certainly non profit but not registered.  We are well established but do no formal fund raising.

24 Canines Have Gone to the Bridge 8/07 thru 3/08

As is our custom, we wanted to share with everyone the passing of 18 dogs since our last newsletter who have had wonderful lives with their adopters over many years, some too short, but many very full.

Dotty, a cart dog arrived from Taiwan on 5/9/06.  Ken Handshaw flew all the way from RI to LAX to adopt this special need Doxie mix female.  Dotty flew back in coach with Ken 2 days later and joined his canine family which included other carted dogs.  Sadly Dotty passed away from a heart condition just about a year later at the age of 3.  Ken and his wife, Nancy, have such great hearts.  They felt Dotty inspired them to rescue another special needs dog from Taiwan.  They chose Tracy who came first to LAX and then to a short term foster home in NYC.  Jana Chiang, a special local rescue volunteer for Animal Rescue Team, flew from LAX to JFK and picked Tracy up at her foster home in NYC.  Jana rented a car and drove all the way to RI to bring Tracy to her new home.  Nancy Handshaw was recuperating from heart problems and Ken could not leave her.  Dotty is pictured being held by Ken before they flew back to RI May'06 and Tracy is pictured in her crate as she arrived at LAX.  Tracy was a very skittish dog and it will take a patience and time for her to be comfortable but if anyone can do it Ken and Nancy can and will.

"Hopkins (a/k/a Sir Anthony Hopkins, Romeo Rob) was put to sleep on 1/4/08 in Tremonton, UT, surrounded by women who loved him.  In the 1.5 years, we spent together, he was a wonderful, smiling, faithful dog who brought me loads of happiness.  I was extremely fond of him--he was the handsomest dog I've ever known.  Strangers were always stopping me on the street to ask what kind of a dog he was and where I'd found him.  He was a great advocate for St. Anthony's and for dog rescue in general.  He was an honorary staff member of two film festivals--AFI Fest and the LA Film Festival.  He spent numerous days in the office where he was beloved by his coworkers.  He also tried his hand at sheepherding on my parents' UT ranch (albeit from the passenger seat of a pickup truck).  He was the receipient of a good behavior certificate (with autographed photo of Pulto) from the Disneyland Kennel Club, and was the senior grad of his puppy school class.  While he was never overly affectionate, or at the least, overly demonstrative in his affections (whether this was due to his deafness, past neglect, or personality, it's impossible to tell).  He seemed to miss me when I was gone.  Now that he's gone, I miss him terribly.  Thanks to all who saved him for me" - (as written by his adoptive mom) Ann Jensen of Santa Monica.

Cambell and his brother, Tucker, came into rescue over as owner surrenders.  They were 8 years old at the time.  Tucker, a tricolor, Pembroke was adopted by a senior lady in Palm Springs and passed away in 2006.  Campbell was adopted by a lady down in Orange County and passed away in 2007. He is shown here with his adopter Christmas 2006.

Clancy, a little fluff ball of Corgi and Papillon breeding was rescued out of the Carson Shelter and adopted to a lady in Pomona along with a female, Corgi Spaniel mix, also out of the Carson Shelter, a year later.  Clancy and Susie were already 12 years of age when their owner died and Teri Levin fostered and then adopted them so they could remain together.   Susie passed away earlier in 2006 and Clancy beat the odds with several predictions of not making it due to cancer but he lived to the ripe age of 15 and passed Jan. 08 in a loving home.   He is now with his canine soulmate, Susie.

Chelsea, a purebred Cardigan Welsh Corgi female lived to the ripe age of 16 years in the good care of the Jim Allen family. She was an owner surrender and adopted to the Allens just before her 10th birthday.

Chia, 15 year old tiny Chihuahua female passed away 3/25.   Here is her owner, Mindy's notice to me: "I wanted to say thank you for bringing Chia into my life so long ago. You probably never get to hear the inbetween. Well  I wanted to let you know she passed away this am. she was 4 months short of 15 years old. She brought so much laughter and love into my home I can never thank you enough for walking into the hospital that day with her. I remember it like it was yesterday. She was the alpha dog after my lab x passed and she used to put the 150lb mastiff in her place. it was funny to watch. Well before I start rambling I just wanted to say thank you.

Teddy, a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi had a life of abuse and neglect and wound up at the City of Orange Shelter with issues and in poor condition.   He found the perfect person in Gail down in Lakeside who adopted him and they complimented each other as she often would say.  He passed away in 2006.

Dakota came out of the old Long Beach Shelter and was adopted as a 5 year old.  He was a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi and we just learned that he passed about the very end of Feb.   His adopter, Sylvia, wrote: "I adopted Dakota Little Wolf 10 yrs ago, when he was 5. Dakota came with chronic health problems (mild colitis, a hip problem caused by a previous owner and turned into arthritis, and a mild thyroid problem).  He also had "issues", which made him even more endearing. He had severe abandonment issues and stuck to me like glue for several yrs-I stepped on him so many times and would position himself so he could see my roommate and I no matter what rooms we were in, if anyone sneezed, he started barking and would charge at that person.  He was very comedic, silly, loving, and playful.  Unfortunately, we had to have him euthanized two wks ago due to severe arthritis which could no longer be treated; his hind legs gave out."

Cubby, a Corgi mix male was adopted to the Fowler family down in San Diego a few years ago.  He passed away in August of 2007 of cancer.

Brandon, a Corgi-Jack Russell mix male came out of the Carson shelter almost 15 years ago.  He went thru two homes before he found his long term home with Margaret Davey.  Brandon passed away in March'08.  He was about 16 years old.

Coco, a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi had been adopted at the age of 9 when her owner turned her over to our rescue.   Gregg and Michelle Fowler had her for 5 years.   Coco passed in 2007 at the age of 14.  The Fowlers adopted a 5 year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi later the same year thru rescue.

Harley, a 12 year old purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi, was already a golden senior when adopted in 2006 by Christine and Chris Quimbo.  Harley passed away due to geriatric problems.   He had a good year with the Quimbos and their senior female Pembroke, Mascara, who also passed away in 2007.  The Quimbos adopted a 3 year old male Pembroke and then later a tricolor male Pembroke in 2007.

Dalton, a Corgi-Peke mix, was a stray at the Pet Haven Pet Cemetery and found his way from there to the Carson Animal Shelter 14 years ago at the age of 2.  He was adopted by Marie and her mother, Shirley, and was the last of 4 dogs they had adopted from our rescue to go to the bridge.  He lived to be 14 years old.

Josie, a sweet senior Whippet-Border Collie mix female was dumped at the Downey County Shelter when her owners said they didn't have time for her.   She won the admiration of some of the shelter staff and she hung in there for 2 months avoid euthanasia.  She came into rescue in Jan'07 but due to a serious heart condition became a permanent foster dog with Brenda Dickson.  She enjoyed a year+  in a loving setting.

Kitsune, a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi senior female was approaching 11 years of age.  Her owners had a infant who was fast becoming mobile and Kitsune wasn't accepting of the infant due to lack of earlier socialization with children.  We tried to place her thru rescue and did once but she had serious personality problems and passed away in April of 2007.

Molly, a Cardigan Welsh Corgi mix female (pictured on the left and Cedric on the right) benefitted 5 years ago from CorgiAid's assitance due to seriously infected ears after she was rescued from the Lancaster Shelter.  The necessary surgery left her deaf but her adopters, Cathy and Mark Leone loved her where Molly enjoyed 5 good years.   She passed away in the fall of 2007 of heart problems. Cathy writes: Molly was so special, so complex, so interesting and beautiful."  The Leones had earlier adopted Cedric, a Cardigan mix and most recently adopted, Liberty, a Corgi mix male to keep Cedric company after Molly passed. 

Nikki, a Corgi-Border Collie mix female became a permanent foster in my home for nearly 6 years after her adoptive home of 8 years ended with an ugly divorce.  She was devastated and suffered emotional problems so wasn't adoptable but she enjoyed playing ball, frisbee and did well at agility.  She passed away due to multipe organ failure at the age of 15 in 2007.

Andy, a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi male was adopted by the Horwitz family several years ago.  He had a challenging personality but guarded Mrs. Horwitz faithfully and was much loved.   He enjoyed traveling between their two homes in southern and central CA.  He passed away of a brain tumor in 2007. 

Anna, a 6 year old Lab mix female had been to hell and back in Taiwan where she had been a  breeder dog and then abandoned.   Melissa Krevitz of San Diego requested a special needs dog and Anna was the one she chose.  Anna had multiple health problems from neglect but made the flight to LAX from Taipei in June of 2007.  Melissa spared no expense or time in trying to resolve or treat Anna's liver and other health issues but in the end after just 3 months, Anna's system shut down.  She died loved by Melissa and the vet staff and had a beautiful 3 months.

Trixie, a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi female came out of the Merced Shelter and was adopted by Chris Tickner and Andrea Stark to join their Pembroke male, Tucker.  In their own words here is a tribute to Trixie: "Trixie-True Corgi Detective, came into our lives in 2002 and gave us over five years of joy and love. She was the best companion and alpha to Tucker and Jessie, her canine friends. Thanks to Diane Cass, Arleen Rooney and Corgi-Aid, who respectively found her, rescued her, and paid for surgery to remove a large tumor, she could spend the rest of her life in comfort and bliss!  Everyone she met loved her instantly and she loved them, especially if they had something yummy to share. She endured illness and surgeries, even losing one of her eyes to another tumor, with inspirational stamina and courage. She stayed as long as her adorable body would let her, then she crossed over this past November, and we miss her so very much. She was a trooper, a lover, a dear friend, a gentle soul." 

Annabelle, a little Corgi-Chi mix female was rescued from the now defunct Santa Ana Shelter.  She was adopted in 2000 by the Mc Graw family in Redondo Beach who later moved up to OR.  Annabelle passed away due to a heart condition at the young age of 8 years in 2007.

Alfie, a purebred Sheltie male, was given up by his owners in Lomita and came into rescue and then was adopted by Sandy Tessier of Bellflower.   He enjoyed the good life in his adoptive home for 7 years and passed away in 2008.   

Poquito Sadie came all the way from NV and was adopted by Mary and Richard Diaz.  Sadie was a Cardigan Welsh Corgi-Border Collie mix and died at too young an age of 7 years due to congestive heart failure in 2007.   The Diaz family adopted another Cardigan-Shepherd mix female named Charlotte Megan in 2007. 

Tristan, a purebred Pembroke Welsh Corgi was adopted by Sandie Mercer 5 years ago.  He passed away at the young ate of 7 due to liver disease.  Sandy adopted a Pembroke male named Flash later to keep her other Pembroke company.

Julienne, a purebred Cardigan Welsh Corgi male passed away on 2/21/08.  Here is his adoptive mom's email to me which speaks for itself.  "I wanted to let you know that that our beloved Julienne passed away 2 days a go. He had a large liver mass and became extremely anemic. The liver mass was most likely the cause for his back end problems. We never got him a cart there wasn't enough time and perhaps he would not have had the energy to run around again. Julienne was an amazing gift and we are sorely grieving the loss of our vibrant boy. He was full of love and stories. He was bright intelligent and most of all just a ray of sunshine. I beleive he had a wonderful life with us and we were truly blessed. Remeber when he came to us he wouldnt let the ball out of his site like Linus with his security blanket. As the years passed and he trusted and loved his family the ball returned to its rightful place as a fun toy to pick up and play with while his family became his focus for love and comfort. Julienne's nickname was Zoder.Thank you for giving us this opportunity to love such a special little guy." Kristi Maya

Violet the Rhode Island Red Hen

Violet wound up at the San Pedro LA City shelter after beingfound at large by animal control January 2008.   She came into our rescue as a birthday gift for a family member.   She enjoyed her new home, brief as it was.  She met an untimely demise after being attacked and killed by a raccoon who got into the pen at midnight.   We know she went to the bridge and we wanted to mention her passing as well.