A HOMELESS DOG'S CHRISTMAS WISH

Everywhere - Children dream of stockings packed with goodies and big boxes filled with the latest and greatest toys. A homeless dog dreams of one thing - being loved.

That sentiment is what drives animal rescuers to find homes for the thousands of shelter pets across the nation. We want simply and beautifully, the obvious - what every dog lover knows in their heart, to end the suffering and homeless of dogs throughout the US. Dogs want to be loved. They want to be scratched behind the ears, taken for walks, or sitting by the side of the person that they love.

Every dog sitting behind the bars of a kennel door wants the very same thing - the simple pleasure and comfort of being loved. This holiday season, consider donating to your local shelter or rescue.

Tis' the season of giving. Don't forget those less fortunate this time of year; Especially our furry friends.

http://www.muttsmatterrescue.com/

A HOMELESS DOGS CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Tis' the night before Christmas

and all through the town,

every shelter is full -

we are lost, but not found,

Our numbers are hung

on our kennels so bare,

we hope every minute

that someone will care,

They’ll come to adopt us

and give us the call,

“Come here, Max and Sparkie -

come fetch your new ball!!

But now we sit here

and think of the days…

we were treated so fondly -

we had cute, baby ways,

Once we were little,

then we grew and we grew

now we’re no longer young

and we’re no longer new.

So out the back door

we were thrown like the trash,

they reacted so quickly -

why were they so rash?

We “jump on the children,

“don’t come when they call”,

we “bark when they leave us”,

climb over the wall.

We should have been neutered,

we should have been spayed,

now we suffer the consequence

of the errors THEY made.

If only they’d trained us,

if only we knew…

we’d have done what they asked us

and worshiped them, too.

We were left in the backyard,

or worse -let to roam-

now we’re tired and lonely

and out of a home.

They dropped us off here

and they kissed us good-bye…

“Maybe someone else will give you a try.”

So now here we are,

all confused and alone…

in a shelter with others

who long for a home.

The kind workers come through

with a meal and a pat,

with so many to care for,

they can’t stay to chat,

They move to the next kennel,

giving each of us cheer…

we know that they wonder

how long we’ll be here.

We lay down to sleep

and sweet dreams fill our heads…

of a home filled with love

and our own cozy beds.

Then we wake to see

sad eyes brimming with tears -

our friends filled with emptiness,

worry, and fear.

If you can’t adopt us

and there’s no room at the Inn -

could you help with the bills

and fill our food bin?

We count on your kindness

each day of the year -

can you give more than hope

to everyone here?

Please make a donation

to pay for the heat…

and help get us something

special to eat.

The shelter that cares for us

wants us to live,

and more of us will,

if more people will give.

# # #

Meet Gabriel

Friends, Family, and Supporters-

Meet Gabriel. He is the most stunning pekinese most of us have ever seen. His physical beauty is only surpassed by that of his soul and spirit. He came to our rescue on november 29, 2010 after surviving an ordeal that, had it been inflicted on a human, would have resulted in charges of attempted murder against the person who caused this "angel" such suffering, sadness and pain. He was given the name gabriel, not only because of his wonderful, soulful personality, but also in homage to the angels that must have been watching over him.

Gabriel is 2 1/2 years old. He was brought into an urban shelter with blood coming from his mouth, ears and eyes. His face was so swollen, he could not open his eyes. His brain was swelling from the trauma. We believe he was barely conscious upon arrival. His "owner" said their daughter had beat him with a bat. They brought no vaccination records. He was not neutered. He was horribly matted. He was very underweight. His toenails were curling under and growing into his foot pads.

They gave no further information. They calmly left their pet at the shelter. No remorse. No grief. No punishment. We have no way of verifying their story.

Fortunately for Gabriel, the shelter knew he was critical and sent him to the emergency vet facility, where he stayed for about 4 days. The shelter sent out a plea for help, and MMR was the first to step up. We are so grateful to this shelter for the life saving care they authorized for Gabriel; Especially with a very small medical budget. We came to pick up Gabriel on the 5th day, when he was transferred back to the shelter. He still has a bag of medicine he has to take around the clock. He may have been blinded in one eye, and will receive follow up care with an eye specialist. He rode from the shelter on a lap, and was perfect the entire trip to our primary animal hospital, Montgomery Animal Hospital in Rockville, Md. The compassionate and capable staff fed him and gave him a warm, safe place in the kennel, away from all the noise. Today, they gave him a soothing bath and groomed his gorgeous coat. It was reported that they could see the bruising behind his ears when they were bathing him. He was hit with so much rage that it also bruised his tender skin! His eyes are still a bit blood shot, and one has a blood clot, but we are hopeful that it will resolve with the medicine he is currently being given. He will remain at the vet hospital for another day, and will then be transferred to his experienced foster home.

Gabriel will still need further medical care. He will be on opthamalic medicines indefinitely. We do not know if he will have to have any further surgeries resulting from the beating he endured. He will need speciality care until we can determine how much of his eye sight has been affected.

We do know that he does not appear to have any brain damage. He is a very sweet dog, who has a very calm personality and seems to like both big and little dogs, as well as people. He enjoys his good food, and likes to "burrow" a nest for sleeping. He is a perfect gentleman, and a wonderful ambassador for his breed, and for rescue.

Mutts Matter Rescue will be covering all of his medical bills. We are asking for help from our community and rescue friends as we continue to rehabilitate this wonderful boy. If you are able, any amount of monetary donation would greatly appreciated. You can donate via our web site at http://www.muttsmatterrescue.com/ by clicking on the "donate now" button at the bottom on our home page. If you cannot donate, good wishes are happily accepted. If you can post this story to your facebook page, or other rescue sites, we would greatly appreciate that, as well. We really want to get the word out not only to help us with his medical care, but to also share his story. This is what can happen when a community works together to right a wrong.

Thank you for your support!

Melanie Samet

Some before and after moments....

Running a rescue can be quite emotionally draining. But there is alot of upside too. The rewards are seeing the successes. Looking into the eyes of a dog that was once broken inside, now living a life filled with love and happiness. I have attached some before and after pictures. These are the moments that remind me of why I continue doing what I do everyday. These are just a few. To date, we will have saved over 250 dogs this year. Next year we want to triple that!

This is Tinkerbell...before at the shelter, and now below.

This is Lulu with her wonderful new family. There were no "before photos since her prior "owners" didn't think enough of her to give her even that.
This is Marshall. He was one of our embedded collar dogs. He lived his life on the end of a chain. He now lives on several acres in with his brothers and lives the life off of a chain.

This is Precious. She came out of a shelter in PG Co. She was limping and in a lot of pain. We came to find out that he leg was literally hanging off. It was from someone picking her up by the leg and they dislocated it. So we amputated it and freed her of the pain she was in. She now lives in Pikesville, MD where she is adored and loved tremendously.

These are a few examples. This is what makes me say I'm thankful this year at the Thanksgiving table. (among other things)

More on a shelter dogs life....

My name is "worthless mutt" even though I have also been called "Dumb Dog", "Flea Bag" or more recently "adult mixed breed" and I'm a stray dog who was found by an animal control officer when I was trying to find ...food in somebody's garbage can. I'm starving, skinny and scared. I'm 2 years old, and my whole life was spent in the backyard of my owner's house, chained to a tree. One day my owner didn't want me anymore and left me on the side of the road. I tried to chase after him in the car, but he was too fast and I almost got hit. I'm not that beautiful. I'm a pitbull mix like most of the other dogs here.

My ears are flea bitten and you can count all my ribs. Most people will pass me by because of my emaciated body and my breed's reputation. I know it's time for me to go to heaven and I accept this. I will die with dignity... but apart of me still secretly wishes a kind hearted person would stop at my cage for once and pick me to go home with them. Some of the other dogs talk about having warm beds to sleep in, and bowls full of food everday. They talk about how they miss their owners and being pet, belly rubs, scratches behind the ears, playing fetch and going for walks to the park. I wish I had a home with these things. I wish I had at least had an owner who loved me enough to take care of me, then I could die knowing, at least, I was loved at some point. I want to be loved so badly. But everyone keeps walking by, glancing at me and shaking their heads. If someone would just give me a chance I would be the best dog ever. I would love them forever and be eternally greatful. Since I have been here, more and more dogs disappear and new ones have come in. I heard one shelter worker say I will be next if no one adopts me by tomorrow. They say it won't hurt and I shouldn't be scared. There will be angels in heaven that will meet me at the rainbow bridge...I guess they mean, since I have no one to wait for, but I still wish... I know a large pitbull mix like me shouldn't have hope in a place like this, but I can't help it. I feel there is someone out there who will love me, I just hope they come in time because my time is almost up and I am scared.



The Annual Rehobeth Beach Halloween Doggie Parade

Had an awesome time at the parade this weekend in Rehobeth Beach, DE. Got to catch up with our wonderful friends, and enjoy the doggies. It was a nice break from the grind of rescue. Most of the time I am writing about the heartaches and trials and tribulations of rescue. I thought I would savor the memory of a nice weekend with some great shots. I just loved seeing the parade. I also got to hang out at the kissing booth for bulldog rescue. I just can't stay away from the flat faced dogs.

Aren't these costumes great?

Of course I had to take the peke! She was a chicken.

I love dogs.

Please don't forget about the older dogs at the shelter still waiting.....

One by One, they pass by my cage,

Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can't run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way

A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.

Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can't justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted and driven away.

When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.

You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.

I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear

author unknown

Why we love our dogs....

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.'Excuse me!' he called to the man. 'Do you have any water?'

Yeah, sure, there's a pump over there, come on in.' 'How about my friend here?' the traveler gestured to the dog. 'There should be a bowl by the pump,' said the man. They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, and then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree. 'What do you call this place?' the traveler asked. 'This is Heaven,' he answered. 'Well, that's confusing,' the traveler said. 'The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.' 'Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That's hell.'
'Doesn't it make you mad for them to use your name like that?' 'No, we're just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.'

So now you see, sometimes we wonder why friends keep forwarding stuff to us without writing a word. When you are very busy, but still want to keep in touch, guess what you do. You forward mails. When you have nothing to say, but still want to keep in contact, you forward jokes. When you have something to say, but don't know what, and don't know how.... you forward stuff. A 'forward' lets you know that you are remembered, you are important, you are
loved, you are cared for. Next time you get a 'forward,' don't think that you've been sent just another forwarded joke, but that you've been thought of today and your friend, me, on the other end of your computer wanted to send you a smile. AND you are welcome at my water bowl any time!

A follow up to the Michael Vick Case

I just started reading a fascinating book by Jim Gorant called, The Lost Dogs-The Michael Vick dogs and their story of rescue and redemption. I know the story about what happened has been told over and over. It can't be told enough as far as I'm concerned. I know that God says we should forgive, but I just can't in this situation. When I read the first two chapters of this book, it told it from the standpoint of someone who was actually at the fights and was involved with what happened to these poor dogs. And although I have seen videos, it is something you never ever get used to seeing or reading about. This barbaric blood sport is beyond cruel. People that do it or participate,or attend, should be put in jail for life. OR better yet, let their punishment be the same as their crime. Let's electrocute and drown them. Or make them fight to their death against their will....

But that is not what this blog is about today. It is about the dogs that DID make it out of there. One dog has gone on to be atherapy dogs. Most live normal lives in homes with children and are loved for the first time in their lives. 47 of the 51 dogs made it out. This book shows what happened to the dogs that did make it out. I suggest this book to anyone interest in learning what happened to these great dogs. Here is a link to an interview they did on the book and the Vick dogs last week. A great read and a happy beginning for these deserving dogs.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6884146n&tag=related%3Bphotovideo.

Just remember, The "fighting dog" has few friends.

They live lives of brutality and unspeakable cruelty at the hands of those who gamble on their deaths, while betrayal and death await them at "humane" societies if they are "rescued".

These animals are victims of cruelty. Help end this ugly sport and fight BSL.

These dogs deserve a chance like any other. Their only crime was being born a pitbull.

Don't support "humane" groups that don't include these dogs in their circle of compassion.

Read more about the Vick dogs by reading this book.

http://www.thelostdogsbook.com/bio_contact/

Remember Nico, the deaf Dogo Argentino?

Update: Nico, the deaf shelter dog whose photo inspired online rescue community, has a new home in Indiana

Last year, Janet Kinosian shared the story of Nico, a shelter dog who was rescued through the efforts of Southern California rescuers and a community of animal-loving Facebook users. Since then, Nico's story has gotten even better; here, Kinosian fills us in on what's been going on in the life of this hard-luck dog who became one of the luckiest couch potatoes in Indiana.

Remember Nico, the defeated deaf white Dogo Argentino at South Los Angeles animal shelter -- who moved so many people with the sad photo of him first posted on Facebook? Nico, the forlorn animal who evoked the agony and utter defeat so many discarded animals must experience? Well, it's a joy to update you on Nico's life.

Just look at these two photos before and after: Can this possibly be the same animal?

Photos like the one on at the top aren't anything new on the Web: Tens of thousands flood Facebook alone on a daily basis. What was different about Nico's photo, though, was what it captured: the loneliness of an animal that lay against the shelter's wall full of sadness, seeming to have lost all hope. That only spurred on Southern California rescuers.

And that's where the photo below it comes in.

Things have worked out well for Nico SwanGarris. That's his new name and he lives now with his two moms and new sister, Brisby, a pit bull mix who is also deaf and white, in Indiana. He still loves balls, baths and life as a major couch potato, says Bridget Swan, who, with her partner Melissa, adopted Nico in November 2009.

Last August, Southern California animal rescuer Nikki Audet first posted Nico's photo on Facebook, and Kelley Gibson, a rescuer and animal transporter based in a San Diego, helped get him to the Hamilton County Humane Society in Indianapolis. Nico likely didn't know how lucky a hand he'd been dealt.

He quickly went through training to help him with issues resulting from his deafness and teach him how to navigate in a world of sound. His bumps and nicks and battle scars were attended to. He was happy and safe when Bridget and Melissa decided they wanted to adopt a dog, and Bridget's friend said she should see this dog at the local humane society.

Swan remembers that, at first, the animal agency was a bit wary of her adopting Nico. She didn't understand why until she was clued in by shelter staff that Nico was a bit of a celebrity and they wanted to make sure she was adopting him for the right reasons.

These days Nico walks in parades with his new moms, “loves to sit up close on your feet so he knows when you are walking away,” says Swan, and “in general is 100% low-key. He'll get a wild hair in him once in a while, but he's a mellow guy, and he deserves it after all he went through back then. He just loves people -- despite whatever was done to him -- and gives lots of kisses. He's very generous and free with his kisses. He's just so dependent on us, and he likes to hang with you 24/7.”

Nico has had one setback: A cancerous tumor was discovered and removed shortly after his adoption. Recently, Swan and Garris learned that the cancer has returned, but they remain optimistic about his future. "We are attempting a holistic approach so that we can hopefully avoid an ear amputation," Swan says. "We know that he will beat this just like all the other terrible things he has put up with in the past. He is a loving fighter and is strong."

According to Swan, finding toys for Nico can be a bit of a problem, as he loves and chews up Kongs, bones and anything he can wrap his canines around. He also has hundreds of fans on Facebook who hear about his daily happenings and send him messages of love and support.

Asked what Nico might say now that he's safe and sound, Swan replies: “The main message is this: Just because it's a cute small dog or puppy doesn't mean it'll be your best companion. Go for the downtrodden, defeated dogs, look at the underdog, because they will give you all their love and gratitude and forever be grateful you literally saved their life.”

So this soulful, special dog, once full of sadness, now lives out the good life in the Midwest. It's the happy story ending all dog rescuers wish for but often don't always see -- though every animals deserve nothing less. We're wishing Nico a happy, healthy and cancer-free future!

Reprint courtesy of **Janet Kinosian-Voice of the Voiceless