ARF-Aid....March 7, 2009

The dogs pictured here are only a fraction of the thousands of Australian Shepherds nationwide, whose lives have been saved through the courageous efforts by the volunteers of Australian Shepherd Rescue.

Sammy(Sue's boy!)  We found Sammy at Polk County Animal Services.  He had been turned in by his owner for being "destructive."  Sammy had been kept alone in the back yard with nothing to do and no one to interact with him.  It's no wonder that he became "destructive."  Many dogs kept in these conditions go insane.  Sam didn't know his name, and didn't know how to play when he first came to live with us.  With a little training, he has turned out to be one of the best dogs I've ever had.  He's so loving, genuine, and sincere. And he's an excellent kisser!  We take him to functions wearing a fundraising doggie vest with donation pockets, and he gives out "Dog Kisses for $1.00!"             

Sammy will be at ARF-Aid!

Scooter also came from Animal Control.  He tested heartworm positive and had to undergo painful injections to kill the heartworms and then remain calm and quiet for six weeks.  The heartworms die quickly from the injections, but it takes a long time for the dog's system to eliminate the dead worms from the heart.  In the meantime, if the dog over-exerts itself, the dead heartworms can break loose, causing a clot that will kill the dog.  Taking it easy was difficult for Scooter -- after all, we didn't name him that for nothing!  Scooter eventually recovered and was adopted by a very nice lady who lives on the beach.  We're sure he sleeps on silk pillows and eats caviar now!

Andy#1 was a gorgeous black tri-color Aussie who was very loving with us, but later displayed severe fear of strangers.  One can only imagine what in his past could have caused this.  Andy was eventually adopted by a loving couple who were willing to work with him.

Buddy #1  I used to call Buddy my "clown boy."  He was such a silly, fun-loving dog!  Buddy LOVED to play in the hose.  He would chase the water and bite at it, and get soaking wet.  Buddy was adopted by a very nice young couple.

Dixie (on right - pictured with her new sister Katie)  Dixie only stayed with us for a short time.  She was adopted by a wonderful couple who take "the girls" everywhere with them.  We get frequent updates and pictures of Dixie and Katie.  We happen to know that they both have a chicken McNuggets addiction. 

 Dixie and Katie are coming to ARF-Aid!!!

Rusty was transferred to us from another foster home.  He's one silly boy!  He had a number of names while living with us...Rusty-Roo, Mr. Bustle Butt.  Rusty was adopted in Winter Haven by a lady who became a friend of mine after she got Rusty, so I get to see him often and even dog-sit for him.  It was later discovered that he has an enlarged heart, and has to be on heart medications for the rest of his life.   

Buddy #2 came to us as a transfer from another home.  He had not been getting along with the foster home's other dogs.  Upon his arrival, Buddy immediately implemented his plan to become pack leader.  But there was one thing he hadn't counted on... I AM PACK LEADER!  After a few discussions while Buddy lay on his back and I held him down (also known as the Alpha roll-over), Buddy decided that I made a better pack leader.  From then on he was a GREAT dog and got along with all the other dogs.  He was adopted by a nice young couple, and gets to go for walks around the lake near their home.

Andy #2 was only with us for a short time since he was a transport on his way back to the Florida Panhandle.  But while he was with us, we really enjoyed him.  He was a fun-loving pup.  And he had a big, beautiful, fluffy tail to boot!

Rory (Libby) (on left - with my Sammy)  Five-month-old Libby came to us from Animal Control.  What a little sweetheart!  But what a spitfire!  We used to joke that she probably thought her name was "No-Libby!"  One of her favorite things was to play in the water bowl.  I'd catch her splashing water all over the kitchen.  No Libby!  She was adopted by a family in South Florida who have a pool for her to splash in.

Rudy came to us from Animal Control just before Christmas, and, well, he did have a red nose...  He was so funny.  Just a happy-go-lucky boy.  In fact he was so good-natured that it took a day before I noticed his limp.  X-rays revealed the head of his femur was broken off in the socket!  Rudy had sugery to remove the  femur head, and gradually learned to walk on that leg again.  He was adopted by a couple who say he's the love of their life. 

Rudy is coming to ARF-Aid!!!

Min Min (on right - with his new sister)  Min Min came from Animal Control as an owner turn-in.  His name was previously Man-Man.  So I did some research and found out that in the Australian Outback there is a phenomenon called the Min Min lights.  He was so emaciated when we got him.  And he was sick, full of worms, and seriously depressed.  It took a while, but when he came out of his shell, there was no turning back!  Min Min's job in his new home is to wake up his two boys every morning and make sure they aren't late for school.

Zazoo the three-legged, thunder-phobic, old girl from Georgia that nobody wanted.  So I emailed her picture to my friend who adopted Rusty, and suddenly Rusty was getting a sister.  Well, actually he thinks she's his mother.    We picked up Zazoo in Jacksonville and brought her to Winter Haven where she began living the life of the true princess that she is.  Lately Zazoo has been finding her inner wolf.  Ever hear of a three-legged dog that can dig holes so deep she disappears into them? 

Sadly, on June 12, 2008, Zazoo went to the Rainbow Bridge.  We will all miss her so much.

Kellie...another Aussie with a tail.  We were pretty sure Kellie had suffered abuse at the hands of someone.  She was terrified of everyone, and for that reason, didn't "show well" when potential adopters visited.  But once she got used to someone, she was a little sweetie.  When we took Kellie out of Animal Control, they told us she was already spayed, but they still charged us the regular fee that would normally include spaying her.  Then, weeks later, she came into heat.  It's bad enough putting doggy diapers on an Aussie without a tail, but imagine getting that big fluffy tail through a little diaper hole several times a day.  Kellie also tested positive for heartworms, and had to endure the painful injections and six weeks of limited activity.  Kellie was adopted by a nice lady who had the patience to coax her into trusting and loving her.

Dakota Our super-model...the Fabio of the Aussie world.  Everyone wanted to adopt Mr. Handsome Man.  But that wasn't his nick-name when he lived with us.  We called him Mr. Clopper Choppers because when he got excited, he would clop his teeth together and make this really funny noise.  And he would drag that big white mane of his through all manner of water and dog food.  We used to say that if Dakota was a person, he'd sit around the house in his boxer shorts, drinking beer and smoking cigars!  But he was a big, fluffy, loveable snuggler of a dog.

Scooby We almost renamed this guy "Nascar" because of an idiosynchracy he had.  Scooby would run in circles when he was excited, and he ALWAYS turned left!  Scooby was adopted by a family with two other Aussies, and since he loved to play with other dogs, it was a perfect match.  Scooby also has a little girl to call his own now.  We recently got to visit with Scooby and the rest of his family at the annual Aussie party, and he was doing really great!  But they tell us he's worn a bare spot in the grass in their yard, from making left-hand circles.  Scooby's favorite thing in the whole world is to go for a right in Grandpa's Cobra and smile at all the pretty girls!

Scooby is coming to ARF-Aid!!!

 Wrigley named himself.  He was such a happy wiggly, wriggly puppy.  He was also deaf and vision impaired.  Wrigley was what is known as a "double merle" or "lethal white" Aussie, the product of mating two merle-colored Aussies -- something that responsible breeders never do.  Only tri-colored Aussies should be crossed with merles to avoid the genetic defect that Wrigley suffered.  But he certainly didn't know he suffered from anything!  He could see well enough to tear around the yard after the other dogs.  So we took Wrigley to the veterinary ophthalmologist, and it was determined that the only thing wrong with his eyes was that the pupils were not centered. (Ectopic pupils)  So we dilated his eyes, and he could see!  Wrigley was adopted by a young couple with a one-year-old Lab mix, who became Wrigley's big brother and best friend.  Now they wear each other out.  His new parents administer eye drops to keep Wrigley's eyes dilated, which helps him see, and aids in his ability to continue his training in sign language and obedience.

Wrigley is coming to ARF-Aid!!!

Pepper When I picked up this little guy from Animal Control, I was supposed to deliver him to his foster home, but a short time into our trip, I realized that he was very sick.  So I pulled into a veterinarian's office, and Pepper was found to have a 104 degree fever!  He was diagnosed with fungal and bacterial infections, he was full of worms, and he had, literally, HUNDREDS of fleas.  When they applied flea treatment, it rained fleas!  Pepper had chewed most of his hair off his legs, stomach, and rear end, so much so that he had matted hair stuck in his teeth.  But look at him now!  His foster mom told me that he has the happiest personality in spite of everything he's been through.  Pepper was adopted by a couple with a little mini Aussie female, so he has a little sister to play with.

Anabelle was most likely an abuse case.  Although she loved every person she ever met, she had some severe phobias.  She was terrified of the dark, refusing to go outside if it was even sunset.  And if we forced her to go out, she would hide in the bushes.  Something terrible happened to Anabelle in the dark.  She also seemed to be  apologizing for her existance.  She CONSTANTLY thought she was in trouble.  We had to be very careful of the tone of voice we used with her so as not to traumatize her.  Anabelle came to us with fungal and bacterial ear infections and a severe urinary tract infection.  She was adopted by a wonderful family, and has a baby sister named Claire to play with.  She has completely come out of her shell and now behaves like a normal dog.  Anabelle's favorite thing is to sit in your lap and be hugged and petted.

Anabelle's coming to ARF-Aid!!!

 Trudy - Before... 

Trudy came to the rescue from Animal Control. She arrived with tapeworms and a horrible case of kennel cough, and had to be taken to the vet and given what we were told was a very uncomfortable injection to rid her of the tapeworms. She barely flinched when given the shot, and once home, the poor thing had to be given medicine twice a day, but took it like a trooper. She had a beautiful full tail that she used to her advantage to get your attention. She was the biggest sucker for belly rubs. She also loved to play with the other dogs every chance she got out. Trudy was adopted by a family from Orlando with two preteen boys who had lost their dog to cancer six months earlier. At last report, she was doing wonderful and has made good friends with the family cat.

Trudy - After!

 Trudy is coming to ARF-Aid!

 Blaze - Before...

Blaze came to us from Animal Control. He was so very smart and learned everything quick as a snap! We had no clue what his name was since he never responded to Blaze, the best we could figure out was his original name must of started with a “K” sound and had an “OO” sound in it too, we spent much of our time with him walking around calling out different names to see if he would respond. He had the most beautiful amber colored eyes that could melt a heart of solid ice. Other than his theory that it was play time when you wanted to bring him inside the house, and ran circles around you so you couldn't catch him, he was perfect. And he gave the best dog kisses! He went to live on a horse farm in Myakka City where he has become buddies with a young pony and is a perfect companion for his adopted mom. Blaze has since been renamed Caleb and finally responds to his name.

Caleb (Blaze) - After!

Bonnie

Bonnie was one of a multitude of dogs that were rescued from a puppy mill.  Puppy mills supply puppies to most commercial pet stores.  These puppies are frequently

sick or have genetic defects.  The dogs that produce these puppies are viewed as nothing more than inventory to the puppy mill operators, who are interested only in making a profit.  The dogs are often housed in cramped, deplorable conditions, forced to sleep in their own excrement.  Bonnie was covered in feces when she arrived at my house.  She has since been spayed and went to live in foster care with Scooby's family, where she was adopted.  She has a beautiful new sister named Jackie and they go for rides together in the family golfcart!

Bonnie is coming to ARF-Aid!

Timmy

This sweet little boy stole my heart.  Timmy came from the same puppy mill as Bonnie.  He had never been properly socialized, and was TERRIFIED of people.  He refused to even take treats from my hand, probably because they had been used to catch him in the past.  He wouldn't eat for three days when he arrived, until someone told me that the dogs at the puppy mill were "free-fed."  That means the food was not put in bowls -- it was just thrown on the floor of the pen amid the feces and urine, where the dogs would fight over it and gobble it as fast as they could.  So I put his food on the floor, and he ate.  Timmy quickly came to trust me, but no one else -- he barely even trusted my husband Ray -- so I knew what I had to do.  Timmy had to go to a new foster

home so he could learn that I was not the only person in the whole world who wouldn't hurt him.  It broke my heart.  But Timmy's new foster parents are wonderful people who are working patiently with him to help him overcome his fears so that he will become adoptable. 

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER buy a puppy at a pet store!  If you do, you are probably supporting the puppy mill industry and contributing to the horrible suffering that these dogs endure.  If you must buy a purebred puppy, do so from a reputable dog breeder and visit the facility to be absolutely certain that the dogs are properly cared for.  Do not just take the word of the breeder; go see for yourself.  The website of the breeder that had Bonnie and Timmy gave glowing descriptions about how loved these dogs were, and that they were "part of the family" and "lived in the home" with them. 

Travis

Travis is a work in progress.  He was picked up by Animal Control in the Green Swamp.  He has heartworms and the worst case of mange I've ever seen.  He will begin the series of painful shots for the heartworms, and in the meantime we are having genetic testing performed on him to see if he is positive for a gene mutation called "MDR-1."  This genetic mutation is found in many herding dogs and makes them susceptible to life-threatening reactions to certain drugs, one of which is necessary to treat the mange.  If we find that he has the mutation, he will not be able to take the medication, and will have to be treated with a very toxic dip, but it works.  In spite of how sick he is, he is definitely treatable.  A good diet has helped him start feeling much better, and he has kept his sweet disposition through all of his hardships.

TRAVIS UPDATE: He came through his heartworm treatment with flying colors!  Yeah!  He was also treated for internal parasites, and has now put on weight and become fit and muscular. 

But Travis tested positive for the MDR-1 gene.  Two weeks ago, we started the biweekly Mitaban dip.  First he had to have all his hair shaved off.  Then I have to practically wear a hazmat suit when I'm sponging the dip on him.  And he feels very sedated and just generally yucky afterwards.  Plus, as the mites in his hair follicles began to die, he developed an allergic sensitivity to them and itched terribly.  His skin turned so red, so we gave him Benedryl, and then he had to go on antibiotics to fight the skin infection he developed.  But once we got the infection treated, and the allergic reaction subsided, Travis started to feel better.

And for the very first time...he played! 

Travis update: TRAVIS HAS BEEN ADOPTED!!!  And he's been to the vet and tested NEGATIVE for demodectic mange!  Here's a pic of this sweet boy with Jamie, his new mom, and his new brother Reggie in the background.

        Nita - before...

Nita was found wandering the streets of Wahneta, Florida, having recently had a litter of puppies.  She's just the sweetest girl, and in spite of the grey on her face, we estimate she's only about six years old.  And she has the most beautiful brown eyes!  Nita was adopted and has a little girl all her very own now!

                    Nita - After!

Charlie

Charlie's owners, through no fault of their own, couldn't keep him.  He's one of the easiest fosters I've had.  He already knows many commands and is well-behaved and house-trained.  Charlie loves to run around outside in the back yard, but he's just like a little kid at bedtime -- "Pleeease!  Just 10 more minutes!"  all the other dogs come inside, but Charlie wants to keep playing in the backyard - in the dark, by himself - until I come back in a few minutes, and then he's ready to come in.   Charlie's primary job is to keep all the evil squirrels out of our yard.  And he knows some "tricks" like High Ten!

 Charlie Update:  CHARLIE'S BEEN ADOPTED! 

A wonderful family in Orlando gave him his forever home.  Charlie has a boy of his own now, and goes running on the golf course every day.  In fact, he goes everywhere with his new mom, including picking up Joe from school.  We hear that when he sees Joe, he almost wiggles his butt off!

                                      Marbles- before...

Marbles

There's a term in Rescue - "Failing Fostering 101."  This is when the foster home falls so much in love with a particular dog, that they can't give him up.  Marbles is our "failure."

We just adore this boy, and he has fit right in with our family.  I couldn't stand the thought of "loosing my Marbles," so we're keeping him.  

Marbles will be at ARF-Aid!

Raleigh          Raleigh before...    

I found Raleigh's picture on the Animal Control website.  The had him listed as a "2 y/o black and tan cur."  They also told me he was heartworm positive.  Had I not seen his picture and realized he was an Aussie, he'd have been put to death like the thousands of other dogs that are euthanized annually. 

It turns out that Raleigh is actually approximately 8 months old and heartworm negative!  He's in foster care now, waiting for his forever home.

Raleigh - After!

Update:  Raleigh's been adopted!!!

Tucker

Tucker came to us after his owner died and the neighbor rescued him.  He's a serious teddy bear, and loves to snuggle and get tummy rubs.  He has the cutest little "pencil-thin mustache" on each side of his muzzle!  Tucker just arrived at our house, so we're still getting to know him better.

Here is a link to Tucker's video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_ei2CFpei4&feature=channel_page

Tucker Update: Tucker was adopted by a lovely couple who had previously adopted an little girl from Aussie Rescue.  Tucker has plenty of room to roam at his new family's property in Tennessee.

Clifford

Clifford was passing through on his way to his new foster home.  As with many families these days, Clifford's family had to move and could no longer keep him.  I just love his "airplane ears!"

Teddy

My "wild child!"   Teddy is deaf and partially sighted, just like Wrigley.  To see Teddy's music video, click here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTfd9qezt94