Still At It For Dixie And Olive

It's hard for me to believe that I still have two great dogs in boarding, but that is sadly the case. Below are some pictures I took yesterday of Olive. I didn't have my camera ready when they brought Dixie out so I will have more pictures of her another time.

I am also posting their chip in. I only had to raise a reduced amount this month due to a great month in December. People have been truly wonderful, and several have been repeat donors. I will say that, frankly, I am a little nervous about February. Each month we/I start at zero and have to raise now $800. How many times can you go to the same well without showing some progress?! I want to do a chip-in for the cat colony I'm feeding but before I do I'd like to show some progress on the dogs.

In the meantime, if you can see your way to contributing somehting towards their boarding for January, Id be grateful.

Wearing the coat a facebook fan sent her!

NYC was COLD yesterday - as well as today - so Miss Olive enjoyed her weekly chew bone in the car.

This has come to be known as Classic Olive. Ever-onward, with one ear up and one ear down.

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Another Month for Olive and Dixie

I have learned that if people see a dog that is safe in boarding, and they want to rescue someone, they naturally go to the dogs still in the shelter. I understand, I do!

But I still have two great dogs in boarding!

I hope you don't mind the tin cup rattling again. Here is the newest chip-in, and an explanation of why this month is less money than last. I hope you can see your way to making a contribution of any amount. They add up and have been adding up these last few months. Many thanks to those of you who have given.

For the girls' part, we had some fun on New Year's Eve...

Dixie -- I knew I'd get the crown on her at some point, when she figured out it's not for eating!

And Miss Olive...

The Princess!

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New Christmas Collars!

Went to the cat colony today (trapped four to spay/neuter, and relocate to a bigger colony that isn't eleven miles from home), went to the shelter (four dogs went home today!), and then to see the Two Misses, Dixie and Olive, who got new Christmas collars. I held up chicken and they posed.

And here is their chip in link. Full story at the chip in page. We are 30% 37 %  48% 62% 71% 100% of the way to December's boarding cost figured out. Anything you can contribute is greatly appreciated!

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Thanks!

Many thanks to those who have brought us to 30% of December's goal for Dixie and Olive's boarding! And to those who have shared the chip-in link on social media. People send in contributions of varying amounts and it's really adding up.

Just a funny pic I saw somewhere...

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New Chip-In For Dixie And Olive

I give quite an extensive background of "the girls" at the chip-in page. You will notice I have combined collecting for both girls into one chip-in. The boarding cost for them each is $12 a day, or $360 a month for one dog, or $720 for a month for both: hence the amount being asked for in the chip-in.

I appreciate anything you care to donate towards their care. Many thanks!

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Update on Olive

Olive had a nice day. I got to the boarding facility at around 2:00pm and it was still nice and sunny. We sat in the sun a few times, the first of which she got her bone to chew. I was concerned because her gums bled but it might be because she doesn't get many bones like that. She did have a dental when I pulled her in July. Hard to believe it's been that long! We walked about a mile. She's put on a few pounds and I need to tell Pedro, who heads up the kennel (and is wonderful) not to feed her so much. I said once that he's got to feed her less because she's gaining weight, and he said "but she looks so pretty."

Many thanks to those who have contributed towards Olive's boarding. It's such a big help. The entire cost for one dog for a month is $360! And I have two dogs in boarding, both pulled from the same shelter. I first pulled Olive, only planning to have one dog out, got her adopted, and then once those folks were going to keep her, I pulled the second dog, Dixie. Don't you know Olive came back after a month. We learned she needs a quiet home and not too many visitors. She spent five years in a shelter and lived in a cage. She needs and will need a long transition, a lot of patience, and probably one owner, or a couple who are equally committed to allowing her time to feel secure. But I am not giving up on her and only wish I could see her more than once or twice a week. I do have two other volunteers going to see her so she actually gets visitors three to four times a week.

Many many thanks for your concern for OLIVE! Enjoy the pictures! I will post some of Dixie tomorrow.

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Updates

One day I will be a regular blogger again, writing on things that are time-sensitive, telling of the latest news, putting together a substantial story instead of posting mostly pictures. But with the two dogs that I rescued in boarding, the usual at the shelter, my soldier-supporting work (we have a dog unit!), and the cat colony I've just begun to manage (oh, didn't I mention that? I think I have a saved draft post about it, that I haven't finished yet. I won't mention that I'm not even a cat person!), I am swamped.  Then there are my own dogs and the birds I adopted a month ago....

So please forgive. Below are some brief updates and pictures of Olive and Dixie, both still in boarding, and one of Patrick, who looks better now than I bet anyone thought possible. Thank You God!

Olive Girl!

Some basics: Olive spent five years in a low-visibility, low-kill shelter. I sprung her when she was on "the list" due to overcrowding, which increased due to the bad economy. I put her in boarding, and through facebook "crossposting" got her adopted her out to a friend of a friend. She was returned her after one month (not a good fit, sadly) and was freaked out and skiddish about that. I still have her in boarding and it's been three months. She is 42 pounds, 6 years old, totally vetted (including dental and a microchip), and is available by appointment. Please click the link in the left column for my email and put "Olive, blog" in the subject.

This picture was taken yesterday. Olive had a nice long walk today (about a mile), half a small chicken empanada, three marrow bones, a small piece of chicken cutlet, and a backrub (while sitting in the sun). AND, she rec'd FIVE days of boarding from an ANGEL! Many thanks. You know who you are.

Also, here is Olives "chip-in" if you would like to help with her boarding costs. It's $12 a day.  She is at Top Dog in Morris Park, Bronx, if you care to donate directly to either Olive or Dixie. You can get a receipt for tax purposes. Pedro runs the place and he is wonderful. His facility is specifically for dogs that are halfway from a shelter situation to a rescue or foster, or an adoption. Thanks for anything you can do.

And here's Dixie:

Dixie!

Dixie was in the same shelter, but for three years. She wasn't in danger of being put down but by my pulling her and working to get her adopted, it opened up another cage for another dog to not get euthanized. We still put down a lot of little guys this past year, but I like to think one less than might have been. Dixie is about 5 years old, friendly with other dogs, does NOT like cats, and is really opening up since being at the boarding facility. She discovered grass recently and decided she likes it. Dixie will come fully vetted including a dental and a microchip. If you are interested in Dixie, plese put "Dixie, blog" in the subject line of an email.

Dixie's chip-in link is here. Again, anything you can do is appreciated.

And, here's Patrick, preparing for a game I imagine (I thought it was World Series Time, but I guess that's over now). It is hard to look at this magnificent boy and remember the skeleton we all saw. God bless his caretakers.

And finally, here are the birds I adopted - Pauline and Pips, who will go on the picket line if I don't post a picture of them.

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Olive Still Needs A Home Too!

 Olive came back from the adoption I set up for her. She has some issues but I am not giving up on her. The people who adopted her are lovely and wonderful, but Olive probably needs a somewhat quieter home and not so many visitors. Her right forever-home and person are out there.

In the meantime, I am boarding her along with Dixie. Here is a chip in if you care to help with those costs. At the chip in link there is a longer update on Olive. I would greatly appreciate you passing this around to your dog-loving friends. These pictures were the first time Olive had sat on grass that was not really weeds between concrete slabs in five years. We had a nice day at the park.

Click here for the page with the update.

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Olive Getting Stitches Out Today, and then...

Tomorrow she is being adopted!

Tomorrow she is being adopted!

Tomorrow she is being adopted!

by Dan the Fireman!

More later. Don't want to jinx her!

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Miss Olive is Back at Boarding

She spent the night on Monday and all day yesterday at the vet. I was glad because I wanted her observed as she had many things done. I will register her microchip to me until she can be adopted out.

Here are a few shots of little Olive in her cone, which she has to wear for ten days.  While she hates it, it kept her in the back seat! Pitbull or no, Miss Olive thinks she's a lap dog. There is some blood on it, while her ear hematoma dries out. It has stiches and so does her botom, where she got spayed. Hence, the cone of shame.

One of the workers at the boarding facility (they all love Olive and she loves them), remarked to me it was his first uestion of the day when she wans't there Tuesday morning... "where's Olive?!" he said. They are good to her and I really like these folks.

I highly recommend Top Dog in Morris Park on Newbold Avenue. He gave me a rescue rate to keep her there and has 16 years experience running his kennel. The dogs are well cared for, the staff are on top of things (and are always scrubbing something!), and the proof to me is how Olive feels about them.

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Olive Recovering At The Vet

Miss Olive had a busy day. I picked her up at 8:30am and we headed right to the vet. I was nervous to bring her in the office with the other dogs in there (seven!!), but she was cool as a cucumber. At the shelter, Olive was thought to be dog aggressive, but since being out has shown no signs of this. I think - and so do some others  - that she felt threatened in some way and so would act aggressively first to ward off trouble.

She had her teeth done, got a microchip, her ear hematoma drained and checked, her nails clipped, full blood work, and was spayed. She will need to wear a cone (oh no!) for ten days. The doc threw in a free heartworm test. All tests came back negative! Olive is healthy.

They wanted to keep her overnight and I had not anticipated that. I should have, but also I wasn't sure if the spay was going to happen. As of Saturday is was not going to take place till next time. I visited her at the end of the day and she was groggy and wobbly so I am thrilled she is being observed overnight.

The kennel where I am keeping her recommended a transport for me to use, as I cannot take another day off from work for this. I left a message and will see. If they don't work out, I will search for someone else, or need to ask to leave early.

I took the time off to post about 30 signs in the neighborhood of the vet, which was nice.

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Today At The Park

I am so freakin glad I'm doing this.

I saw a great expression recently.

Rescue work: I lost my mind but I've found my soul.

I would add that I also lost my wallet, but it's still worth it.

This is the second time Olive had been to a park in five years! She loves the grass and pulls you over to the trees, which she likes to sit under.

Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, NY -- the tortoise, the hare and the pitbull!

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Olive is Doing Really Well

Sorry for little posting. Been a busy week. I'm going to take Olive out for two hours later this morning. We'll go to the park again, where on Monday she did so well. I've been updating the chip in and you can get news there without having to donate.

A team of people is posting signs on her behalf. I have an application a rescue uses to give to people who are interested to fill out, and she is being vetted on Monday.

We have volunteers going about three or four times a week to visit her and I'm hoping that keeps her from being lonely.

More later, including pics. My little bag of chicken, home made treats from The Barkery (carrot flavored and very fiberous!), and a bottle of water is all ready to go. I just have to remember my camera this time!


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Here's Olive!

Updates at the chip in. Sorry to be lazy... I'm pooped!

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Olive is at Boarding... more tomorrow!

I'm pooped. Olive had an eventful day, and so did we all.

She's in, she's safe, I like the place, and tomorrow I go to see her, having taken the day off.

More later. Thanks for your help with Olive. People have been wonderful. .

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Olive Update

Today Olive got her bordetella shot and Sunday she is moving into a new kennel recommended by a fellow volunteer. I called them just to inquire about prices and while they are a bit more money, it's a very nice place. She will have her own run and will be a bit closer to most of the volunteers, so can have visitors. One of the other two places (the one I really wanted) was full, and the other was in a not-so-great neighborhood, and only one other volunteer agreed to see her there!

I am excited though honestly holding my breath about the 100 bucks more a month.

Everyone is stretched so thin right now, I know. If you can see your way to making a contribution, I'd be grateful. We are focused on getting her adopted and to do that, she will need to be made used to being out of the shelter.  That is step two!

Here's the link.

Much thanks!

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Olive Update

If you go to the main page of Olive's chip-in you can get updates but here are a few.

Tomorrow she goes to get a bordetella vaccination so she can be sprung on Sunday and brought to her new temporary home! I'm still pricing out two facilities, and checking about room at the one that I and the other volunteers would prefer. It's closer, much nicer, run like a day-care, and familiar to several of the volunteers, so the chance of them visiting Olive is that much greater. I eventually want to work out a visiting schedule so we can get people there a few times a week.

Fellow shelter volunteer Leslie - photographer, encyclopedia, and adoption specialist - took some pictures today of Olive playing in the kiddie pool. I deleted them by mistake (stupid blackberry) but as soon as she resends, I will post them. Olive has such a cute face but she moves so fast it's hard to get her on film.

I am also pricing out two vets to get her spay performed and a dental. I think she has stage two periodontal and I want to get it done. I've had a dog who suffered from the lasting effects of his former owner letting his teeth rot, and it's not fun. He died with an enlarged heart and liver, and failing kidneys. This way, whoever is blessed enough to adopt Olive won't have to worry about it. She is also getting her ear checked for a possible infection.

I saw this quote today and through various politics, fears of being left with bills I didn't plan for, and general trepidation at taking on a dog who I will be responsible for, this resonated.

Thanks to those of you who have contributed. I have almost one month of boarding (along with some other pledges). It's going to be a haul. Olive is a pit and she is not other-dog friendly. She was never used for fighting and we don't know why she is like that, but we need to search diligentely for the right owner. So she may be in boarding for a few months. That's why the chip in is for. I'm paying for her vet bills. I think this will have steam in the beginning but I'm hoping people will stay tuned and possibly contribute a little here and there so it all goes smoothly.


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God, we desire to be your presence to the least among us and to know your presence in them as we work through you to bring justice and peace to this world in desperate need.

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