Our Rescued Pets

We found Sunny walking down the middle of the road with the look of one who has been dumped - once you see it, you never forget it. She came to our house on a “temporary” basis (hah!) and we rolled over and kept her. With a beautiful, sunny disposition, her name was a no-brainer. Several months ago, she got a little big for her britches and started chasing deer. No amount of shouting and scolding would stop her. Then one day she chased a young fawn into the woods - and came flying back out, tail between her legs, hollering like she was dying but running flat out with a mule-eared doe hot on her tail. The doe chased her almost to the house, despite our presence, but finally gave up when Sunny thumped up to the door. That same doe came back later and we saw her standing there, studying the door with interest, but nothing came of it (lucky for Sunny!) Although she still chases deer, she stops at a certain point and pretends interest in something else. Maybe she actually learned her lesson!

Sunny has started taking tracking and she is doing quite well...she will do anything for FOOD....

Gracie

Gracie is a precious jewel. She is so gentle with tiny kittens, and wags her tail at trespassing possums, toads, birds, and deer. She is the peace-maker; there is no fighting on her watch! She is so patient with the cats and with the other dogs, but if she is pushed too far she lets everyone know, and the others back off quickly. She was one of a litter of five from a backyard breeder in Texas who decided that she was tired of them, so they were sent to a kill shelter. Someone at the shelter called Mississippi Great Pyrenees Rescue, and the rest is history! Pyrs have minds of their own, and Gracie is pyr to the core. They listen to what you have to say, and clearly think about it, but then pretty much do whatever they want. That's our Gracie! She is very independent, intelligent, and brave and beautiful.

Champion aka Champ

Check out Champ's BLOG!

We call Champ “Dream Date Ken” because he is so easy to handle, unlike Gracie, who bolts off to look at whatever she wants whenever she wants, dragging one of us behind. We got Champ from Mississippi Great Pyrenees Rescue too, and by the time we got him, he had socialized himself by wandering the streets in search of nice families to feed him. When he moved to the highways, the neighbors called rescue and the owners relinquished him and here he is! He is not perfect, though; when we go off and leave him at home, he chooses something to destroy. It might be a roll of toilet paper, or paper towels; it could be a sponge, or a pile of magazines; and yesterday he went into the office and carefully pulled out a box of page protectors, shredding each one individually. When asked, “Did you do this?” he rolled his eyes and looked at the ceiling, thumping his tail all the while. He is quite the character. He has taken to barking at the turkey vultures that catch the thermals above the house, and would dearly love to attack the airplanes that fly within sight of the deck. He really takes his guard dog duties seriously and he loves JUNK food (especially french fries) which he rarely gets!

Champ earned his CGC in May of this year....he did well except for the "COME" part and I had to get on my knees and grovel to get him to come.

Recently, we began taking Champ and Gracie to train as therapy dogs. Therapy dogs are companion dogs that have been trained around wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and in situations that one might find in a nursing facility or hospital. We are training with Therapy Dogs, Inc. and all four of us have learned a lot. It is interesting to watch the dogs: Champ is born to be a therapy dog and struts up to one and all, smiling and so majestic and laid-back. Gracie loves people and wants to help, but she is anxious and worries about what her responsibilities are.

In April 2005, both Gracie and Champ passed their training and have become Certified Therapy Dogs! We are so proud of them! Dana took Champ to the Special Olympics and Champ was hugged by at least 300 kids. It turns out he hates starters’ pistols and balloons, but he had a big time with all the kids, making sure no one was left out. The Therapy Dog program has added a wonderful new dimension to all of our lives. If you want more information on therapy dogs, please see the link on our links page.

St. Nicholas or "Nick"

 

 

Saint? Nicholas, or Nicky is coming into his own. Still raggedy looking, to be sure, but growing and putting on weight, his coat is finally beginning to look healthier. We switched him to the raw food diet like the other dogs are eating, and it has made quite a difference.

Back in December, our local shelter, Foothills Humane Society, called about a possible Pyr that had been found by the side of the road. We offered to come and take a picture and get it into one of the local rescue organizations. When we got there, this skinny little guy (definitely a Pyr, with double dew claws), looked a little younger than we thought, so Dana went to check his teeth. To our horror, we found that his gums were bone white - a very, very bad sign - so with a flurry the shelter staff helped us get him to our beloved vet, who is practically on retainer at this point, and who confirmed that he was close to death from blood loss due to severe hookworms. This little guy was stronger than he looked, though, and now the “six million dollar dog” is home with us, where he is rapidly gaining weight and confidence - he is a sweetheart, and quite unassuming, but he loves to play, chew anything and everything, and stick his nose in everyone else’s rear end (human and animal).

Nick passed his obedience class April 25th!!!!! It was his 4th try and he did an excellent job! We are very proud of our little man!:)

Nick has started taking tracking lessons. He is doing pretty well, but he is a little slow! Like the hare and the tortoise, we hope:)

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All of our animals - four dogs and nine cats - have been rescues. In addition to the usual “dump and run” type of rescue, we have been supremely fortunate in connecting with Cathy Brooks at Mississippi Great Pyrenees Rescue (MSGPR). Follow Foster to MSGPR's Site.

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We are very fortunate to have all of these "guys" in our lives. We cannot begin to imagine life without them.

Our furry family is such a huge part of our lives that we are often brought to tears and anger about people who think that animals are “disposable”. People who think animals are all about money, or convenience, or are to be used to take out their own frustrations. People who don’t breed their animals responsibly but “manufacture” them for money - and throw them away when they are no longer “cute” tiny puppies who are easy to sell. This kind of thinking is simply incomprehensible to us.

We beg of you: if you are going to purchase a dog to show, do your homework! Buy from a reputable breeder! And if you want a certain breed but do not plan to show, please, please, go through the breed rescue organizations. And if you aren’t particular about a certain breed - go to your local animal shelter. They and the rescue organizations are the unsung heroes for the voiceless ones. Literally millions of dogs are out there waiting for a “forever home” and you can get any kind of dog you want, usually cheaper than purchasing from a good breeder, and knowing that you are saving the life of a precious furry being who will love you forever and unconditionally.

And now for our theme song - IF YOU LOVE THEM, SPAY AND NEUTER THEM! This is the only answer to the millions of unwanted and unloved animals, both in the system and in the streets. Dogs and cats do NOT need to have a litter to settle them down or to maintain their health or their happiness - nor do the males need to mate or sire puppies to be happy. There are so many homeless ones that it makes no sense to add to the population.

We welcome your comments and your stories. Just drop us an e-mail any time at: dana@lacyloos.com or admin@lacyloos.com

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