No words needed here

Mutts Matter Rescue has taken in a lot of misunderstood bully breeds. When are we (and when I say we, I mean society) going to start being accountable for our actions? We are just killing these dogs for no other reason than being born a certain breed. What a disgrace....

STOP BSL!!

In Mutts We Trust

Every year, between 7-11 Million animals will end up in shelters throughout the United States. Less than 50% of those animals will get to a rescue or get adopted. THINK before you drop your animal off at a shelter. Shelters are overcrowded, understaffed, and under funded. An animal is a lifetime commitment. Animals want for so little, and only want for love. They ask for so very little in return. So the next time you're thinking of getting rid of your pet, think first. It may not make it out of the shelter. It would be tragic for your pet to die alone and afraid in shelter due to no fault of it's own.

YES-THEY SUFFER TOO!!!

Here are some facts that you may or may not know!
DID YOU KNOW...

-863 animals die every second
-Pigs are smarter than dogs and three year old children
-Piglets are torn away from their mother at just three weeks old
-Once the piglet is ready for slaughter, usually at about 5 months old, their food will be withdrawn leaving them feeling weak, lethargic and cold.
-Vegans live an average 6-10 years longer than a meat eater
-A meat eaters risk of developing heart disease is 50% higher than a veg{etari}ans
-Animals are fed drugs so they can grow bigger
-In every package of chickens there’s a little bit of poop
-They flavor McDonalds french fries with meat juice
-Animals like cows are kept in dark, filthy rooms then they are taken in a metal truck, which usually makes the cows sick, and then they are killed in the slaughterhouse consciously.
-Birds and chickens are kept in small cages. The great majority of all "layers" are kept in battery cages. Usually 5 hens have to share a cage measuring 18 by 20 inches.
-They are also de-beaked with a hot blade so they don’t peck the other animals to death
-Cows have their horns sliced off; they are branded, which causes excruciating third-degree burns; and males are castrated. This is all done without any painkillers.
-When cows are done making milk they are killed
-Pigs-farmers cut off a pigs tail so the other pigs tail don’t bite it off due to the fact of the small space
-When chickens are done laying eggs they are also suffocated in plastic bags
-Male chickens are gassed, suffocated in a bag, or ground up alive because they don’t lay eggs when they grow up.
-Eating one hamburger uses enough energy to drive a small car 20 miles and take 17 showers
-More than half of the water consumed in the U.S. is used to raise livestock
-Cows are excellent mothers
-Sheep can recognize other sheep’s faces and human faces as well
-Goats are very curious and playful, have individual personalities and capable of great affection and loyalty
-Goat’s intelligence is comparable to that of pigs and dogs
-If you give an apple or a small ball to a group of turkeys they'll play with it
-Fish grow underwater algae gardens
-Hens and their babies communicate even while the chick is still in the egg
-A cow must be pregnant in order to give milk... they are artificially inseminated and confined in one stall where they have to stand in their own urine and feces
-Cows are separated from their moms within 24 hours of birth
-To get milk out of cows farmers use electrical machines and usually the cows bleed and pus comes out so that’s usually that’s what your drinking
-The U.S has the highest upper limit of milk pus concentration in the world
-Mad cow disease is in the United States
-Fishing hurts. Imagine a hook is stuck through your lips and you are being pulled up rapidly.... Pain right?
-Raising animals for food need more than a third of fossil fuels and raw materials in the U.S.
-Cattle ranching is the number cause of Amazonian deforestation
-Going Veggie does more to stop Global Warming than switching to a hybrid car
-Vegans save an average of 100 animals a year

Now tell me again why you want to eat meat?

Speak up for our animals..They need you more than ever!

Shelter Dogs-Buying vs Adoptiong

If I stated that I had just returned from a country that manufactured 20,000 "widgets" a day, even though they had hundreds of thousands of widgets sitting in the warehouse, and then also daily destroyed 16,000 widgets because there was no more room to store them, you would think I had visited a nation of backward morons. That is ecactly what is happening in this country every day, except the widgets are living beings who often suffer horribly before having their lives prematurely ended --Kris King

These dogs did not make it out.

The Pets "Bill of Rights"

1.) We Have the Right to be Full Members of Your Family.. We Thrive on Social Interaction, Praise & Love.

2.) We Have the Right to Stimulation.. We Need New Experiences, Games, Toys, & New Smells to be Happy.
3.) We Have the Right to Regular Exercise.. Without it, We could become Hyper & Sluggish.

4.) We Have the Right to Quality Health Care.. Please Stay Good Friends with Our Vet.

5.) We Have the Right to Have Fun.. We Enjoy Acting like Clowns now & then; Don't Expect Us to be Predictable ALL The Time.
6.) We Have the Right to a Good Diet.. Like some People, We don't know what's Best for Us - We Depend on YOU.

7.) We Have the Right NOT TO BE REJECTED Because of Your Expectation that We Be Great Show Dogs, (or Cats) Watchdogs, Hunters, or Baby-Sitters.

8.) We Have the Right to Receive Proper Training.. Otherwise Our Good Relationship could be Marred by Confusion & Strife - We could become Dangerous to Ourselves & Others.
9.) We Have the Right to Guidance & Correction.. Based on UNDERSTANDING & COMPASSION - Rather than Abuse.
10.) We Have the Right to LIVE WITH DIGNITY.. (and to Die with Dignity when the Time Comes.

PETS: PART OF THE FAMILY

** Dogs shown are Tyson and Bear-both new rescues to Mutts Matter

A Pet's Ten Commandments..

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.

~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!

Mutts Matter Rescue

I just made this new video for our rescue....

I think it gets the message across. There are so many dogs still out there that need help.

But we have to keep moving forward.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0EWbwJxfDM

Some things to ask yourself before you adopt....

Is This Dog Good With Kids?

I get asked this question alot. Here is your answer:

Very few dogs dislike kids. What dogs dislike is being sat on, hit, poked, carried around like a stuffed toy, having their ears and tails pulled, or being otherwise abused.

Would you like these things? Probably not. Be aware: Abuse is still abuse, whether the perpetrator means it that way or not. A puppy who is tossed into the air and injured has been abused, whether the tosser is an adult or an unsupervised two year-old. So rather than ask a rescuer, "Is this dog good with kids?", ask yourself the following:

- Have I taught my child that animals are sentient beings with feelings?

- Have I taught my child to treat animals with respect?

- Is my child old enough to understand that he is capable of hurting an animal? And that an animal who is being hurt is not at fault for defending itself?

- Have I arranged to give my pet a safe place in our home where my child may not approach him?

- Is my child old enough to recognize a pet as a responsibility, not a toy?

- Am I committed to constantly supervising all interaction between my very young child and our pet? If you answered "Yes" to every question, you're ready to introduce a pet to your family. If the answer to even one question is "No", you need to consider waiting until your child is a more appropriate age.

Another Reason Why It's Important to Spay or Neuter

Note to potential adopters

So often when I tell people I do rescue, one of the first things they say is, “Oh-do you have any pure breed dogs?” Or they may ask for a specific type of dog. Then they go on to mention specifics of what they are looking for. Now that is all well and good intentioned I'm sure, but I don't know if they understand what goes into getting that dog into rescue in the first place. The blood, the sweat, and the tears we feel everyday having to say no even once to a dog that we know we can't save. It tears at our hearts. It eats us up inside. It keeps us up at night. It haunts our dreams. People don't understand that they could easily walk into any shelter in any county in the US right now and find a beautiful pure breed dog. Probably one that someone else discarded like trash. What I don't think people get, is that people that do rescue don't care if it's a pure breed. We look at the face of an animal and see the plea in it's eyes for help. For love. For a kind hand or word. We see the sadness, the darkness, the loneliness and fear. And we step in to make it all okay. To TRY and make the world a better place for that animal. We live to see that look of hope reappearing in a dogs eyes.

So no, I'm sorry but I dont' know what kind of breed I have in rescue. I just know that it needs someone. Anyone...to care. And it may not be a pure breed dog, but you can bet it's heart is pure. And isn't that what matters?

The above photos are of Madison. She is now happy in her new foster home where she is being spoiled. She had 4 BB's shot in her and a cracked pelvis when she came into rescue. That is just the beginning. And that is just the scars on the outside. But what about the one's on the inside? Right now, she seems pretty good. (Thank you Mike and Steph for fostering this sweet girl). She is definitely smiling in these pictures and enjoying having a big fenced in backyard.

So here is a reprint of one of my favorites things written to adopters from the side of a rescuer.

Note to adopters:

Lassie and Cleo and Rin Tin Tin and Toto don't show up in rescue. We don't get the elegantly coiffed, classically beautiful, completely trained, perfectly behaved dog. We get the leftovers. Dogs that other people have incompetently bred, inadequately socialized, ineffectively "trained," and badly treated. Most Rescue dogs have had it. They've been pushed from one lousy situation to another. They've never had proper veterinary care, kind and consistent training, or sufficient company. They've lived outside, in a crate, or in the basement. They're scared, depressed and anxious. Some are angry. Some are sick. Some have given up But we are Rescue and we don't give up. We never give up on a dog. We know that a dog is a living being, with a spirit and a heart and feelings. Our dogs are not commodities, things, or garbage. They are part of sacred creation and they deserve as much love and care and respect as the next Westminster champion. So please, please don't come to rescue in the hopes of getting a "bargain," or indeed of "getting" anything. Come to Rescue to give, to love, to save a life -- and to mend your own spirit. For Rescue will reward you in ways you never thought possible. I can promise you this -- a rescue dog will make you a better person.

by Diane Morgan

Words to live by.....Amen

Words to live by...

Today's post isn't about dogs, it's about life and words to make us think. Being unemployed gives you LOTS of time to think about life and what's most important. I try to remind myself (my dad's words of wisdom), that's it's the journey, not the destination. Enjoy the ride~

1.-The path is not straight

2.-Mistakes need not be fatal

3.-People and animals are more important than achievements or possessions

4.-Be gentle with your parents

5.-NEVER stop doing what you care most about

6.-Learn to use a semicolon

7.-You will find love

-Marion Winik

Me and my beloved....I am so lucky. I have the BEST husband. He is also my best friend!

Another Reason Why It's Important To Adopt From Your Local Shelter or Rescue

According to the American Humane Organization, nearly 10 million animals are euthanized annually in the United States. ( I think it's more than that personally since not all shelters report their stats and most are not required to report them either)

To break it down, that's:

• 10,000,000 every year
• 833,333 every month
• 191,780 every week
• 27,397 each day
• 1141 every hour of the day 7 days a week
• or think of it as 19 animals put to sleep every second of every hour of every day each year

I think that speaks volumes. When I hear about people buying dogs, I usually tell them that they have just killed a dog in a shelter that is waiting for a home. I know it's harsh to say-I'm sorry.

But by doing that, you just took away another dogs chance at hope. In addition, when you buy a dog from a pet store, you are supporting the puppymill industry. A disgusting industry that puts profit before welfare. I've only mentioned puppy mills about a million times-they breed misery. More on that later....

I think the statistics above are startling. Hopefully someone will read that and change their mind about buying and adopt instead. A girl can hope right?...

Just A Dog....

Just a Dog

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or,

"that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours

have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in

those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand

phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just

a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure

unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look

longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog"

but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the

thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog," just smile, because they

"just don't understand."

Author unknown