Today was "our" Adoption Day!

Today our family "officially" added another member to our family... Scooter. This past summer, my precious shadow and constant companion of almost 16 years, passed away. Our home felt void, and my 2nd dog went into a major depression, lost her appetite, withdrew under the bed rarely coming out from under and would have no interaction with us. She had lost all her zest for life. I felt like I had lost both my dogs, but my husband said no more animals as we had retired and over our many years together, raised 6 dogs and our cat, with still our 9 yr. old female Shih-Tzu at home, though it was like she was missing in action. I figured a compromise could be to foster a dog, one to fill my need but more importantly to assist our baby girl to come back to the living. I started researching rescues having in mind what would best suit our girl's disposition which would be a small, older dog that had a docile temperament. I had been looking at Second Chance Rescue's web site for some
time as their's contained additional info other than sex and size of dog. My husband was still adamant "no more animals" but I couldn't resist doing some research. I found one I fell in love with, so similar to the friend we had just lost. I went to an Adoption Day and learned that dog was being adopted but was told of another dog, small about 8 years old and docile, that had recently come to the Rescue, and was getting treatment for an infection. He had been abandoned in a box, completely matted and left at the door of a Humane Society. I went to visit this little guy, named Scooter, at Second Chance, but there was no emotional connection like I hoped, he was one very sick baby and was oblivious to all around. I also had to buy time to try and convince my husband that fostering a dog could work for us. I wasn't so sure I was willing to devote the time needed to nursing a very sick dog, I had just been through that with my baby that passed and it would be that much harder to
convince my husband to foster a dog so ill. I shared with him about this little sick dog and he smiled and said "no more animals". Our 37th Anniversary had arrived and unknown to me he looked for the info to contact Second Chance Rescue and went to pick up this little dog. Debi brought this little bundle out, and my husband thought to himself in disbelief, "Oh My God…THIS is the dog she wants??" This sick little guy was a pathetic looking fella, no doubt about that. Gaunt, emaciated, ribcage showing, he had a severe infection that wouldn't quit, coughing much of the time, eye infections, diarrhea, worms, he was a mess. That was exactly 2 months ago, to the day, and TODAY Scooter boy is ours. He's a breath of fresh air and has brought life back to our home. My husband didn't fight me about adoption, he became captivated by the delight that is Scooter and the smiles he brings to us daily. Our female dog no longer lives under the bed, she sits and waits to eat along side him,
wants her due affection and has decided she wants to play with me occasionally when she sees he's getting more than his fair share of attention. The one thing Scooter isn't is "docile". He's no longer sickly and frail; he's packed on pounds, he's perky, full of energy and life and ready to play at any moment, (and play and play, and play) and he's full of love. He's SO full of love, and after all he's been through. He truly has become the joy of my life, he's my precious. Scooter you're here to stay! He's so darn lovable I could sit and cuddle him forever!
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My new cat...

I lost a cat (Murphy) to kidney failure (who t I loved dearly) on Sept 8th of this year. She was 9 yrs. old. Murphy and my other cat, Pouchey have been together since they were kittens. Both me and Pouchey were very depressed with our Murphy gone, so I decided to adopt Boops through second chance (who has been renamed Roz) less than two weeks after Murphy passed. She has brought so much, joy and life to Pouchey and me. She adapted quickly on some levels and gradually on others. They now play and clean one another, and spat a little from time to time, but that comes with the pecking order.

All things considered, I am so glad I adopted another cat to entertain and accompany one who lost her best friend. We love our Roz dearly and are so greatly for organizations like second chance.

If you have two cats and loose one, please entertain giving another a good home and giving your existing pet a new friend.

I don't have any photos on my computer to submit, but will at a later date.

Robin

Puddles Turns to Penny

Puddles, a hound-lab mix, was transfered from owner to owner because she can escape out of any yard. When she escaped she usually got pregnant and had puppies. In the shelter she was to scared to eat and you could see her ribs, but no matter when she came to see us and our other dog, Sherman, her face lit up and she started hopping all over us. We decided that we would take her home and see if she would fit in with our lifestyle. Well long story short she did and Puddles was turned into Penny because her coat is the color of a penny. Everyday she is excited to see someone. She likes to play steal 'n' chase with Sherman. They get along great and will have a wonderful life together

Puddles Turns to Penny

Puddles, a hound-lab mix, was transfered from owner to owner because she can escape out of any yard. When she escaped she usually got pregnant and had puppies. In the shelter she was to scared to eat and you could see her ribs, but no matter when she came to see us and our other dog, Sherman, her face lit up and she started hopping all over us. We decided that we would take her home and see if she would fit in with our lifestyle. Well long story short she did and Puddles was turned into Penny because her coat is the color of a penny. Everyday she is excited to see someone. She likes to play steal 'n' chase with Sherman. They get along great and will have a wonderful life together

Update on McDuff, now known as Mickey D.

Mickey slept in my lap for the hour drive to his new home.  When we arrived, he followed RJ, our lab, into the house and promptly made it his home by marking six different locations in less than 45 seconds.  It was actually pretty funny with me running behind him with the paper towels and Nature's Miracle spray in hand.

I carefully taught Mickey how to climb the doggie stairs to get into bed with me.  No problem, he ran up the stairs as if he had done this many times before.  RJ likes to sleep against the headboard and Mickey claimed his place nestled into ribs with his head on my chest.  Watching TV from bed, Mickey prefers my lap as in this picture:

I took Mickey to my Purdue trained Vet this week.  I am convinced that Purdue puts out some of the very best Vets.  His neuter surgery is healing nicely but both of his ears were infected.  At some point he had been injured in the white of his right eye and his upper right lip was crusted over, showing some signs of infection.  We got medication for all his problems and he is progressing beautifully.  He also got his doggie flu shot.

Mickey is a lover.  He loves to be in my lap, loves to be petted and is liberal with his kisses, something I needed as I lost my mother this week.  Mickey and RJ have bonded and get into running fits, first with one in the lead and then the other.  RJ is adorable with their difference in size and even lets him win when they play tug. I can't imagine how a sweet loving dog could have ever ended up homeless.  He will have a home with us forever and ever.

Thank you for saving him!

Linda Rutherford

Girls Night Out - Rescue Style

This used to mean a bunch of gals getting together, having a few drinks at a meet and greet place or at someone's house to talk about life, your dreams, what went wrong, hopes for the kids, and what's next in our long, mostly uneventful lives.  Now Girls Night Out for the last 16 months has been about dumpster diving for free dog food, dog rescue in the middle of the night, picking fleas off puppies for hours that have just been saved, or sitting all night long with a mom ready to give birth to her litter and in such bad shape we must do most of the work for her.  Conversations are less about personal issues that really never get solved. They have turned into something greater then ourselves -the cause for the paws, meeting at all hours of the night transferring dogs to foster homes. a hoarder, some criminal case of abuse, a Pit Bull fighting ring broken up and homes needed ASAP for 60 dogs that may be savable. We talk about worms -  long worms, round worms , short worms, and the color of poo or the smell of pee, how strong, what does it look like, how is your puppy, the momma, what do his gums look like - questions one never asks about our children.  

It is both new and enjoyable leading me to believe that Girls Night Out will never be the same. These photos only represent a few cases that I worked on this year. Thank you Second Chance Rescue, for at the end of this road the dogs rescued ME.

Laurie