Dixie's Story

August 2011, leaving the shelter for parts unknown.

Dixie is a dog I pulled from the shelter where I volunteer, which went through a terrible patch of having to euthanize dogs every other week due to being fuller than we'd ever been. Dogs that had no issues but were basically just homeless were going down. A bunch of us volunteers scrambled and pulled some dogs to stash in boarding while we searched independently for proper homes. Our shelter has since created a facebook page and gotten much more visibility for our dogs, moving several long timers into home situations. But that is another story.

Last fall I posted signs everywhere to get Dixie adopted. I remembered a friend lives in a neighborhood that is pittie-friendly and very nice. Beautiful old buildings and lots of community. I posted signs on many, many street corners and on their community board. Sure enough, a nice family contacted me, but they quickly realized it was too soon after their last dog died and they still needed some time.

I kept plugging away to get Dixie adopted. Numerous people inquired; one had cats but we learned Dixie hates cats, one had too many rescued animals already, another had too many animals in her apartment but was responding to my flyers and trying to do the right thing. A little discouraged (hey, I'm being honest), I emailed the family who lost their dog again. I mentioned that if they felt they were ready, Dixie was still available. The 21 year-old daughter emailed me right back saying they would finally like to meet her. That was January 20th. 

Nine days later Miss Dixie slept in a home for the first time in three and a half years! The pictures below document the last part of her homeless journey.

They like me, they really, really like me!

And up in the apartment...

This can work.

I'll be glad when I don't have to pose anymore... oh wait, these new people probably like cameras too. Humans! Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em!

On the way to spend her last night in boarding, she knew she did good!

...And the Big Day!!

During her last car ride from Top Dog boarding facility.

 The nice man at Top Dog gave me this new pink collar and leash. And a bath!

Okay, I'm here. I was fluffed and buffed and now I'm waiting...

Are you my Mother?!

When are we going?!

Hey, I recognize this place. This, I can do.

Do you like my new collar and leash? I think it's fab. When do I get fed? I smell good, you know.

Look, our hair matches!

I like the view from home. I think I'll bark at the cars on the bridge, every. single. day.

I want to thank everyone who helped share Dixie's flyers, gave boarding money, told friends about her, and who encouraged both of us in some way during the last nearly-six months. You helped to save a great dog!

Onward, to Olive's new home... someday soon I hope!



xoxo

Dixie Being Adopted Today!!

Sorry to be so quiet... very busy getting the little miss adopted! The deed should be done today. Pics to follow!!



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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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Updates on Dixie

Shelter day today; all the dogs got out (yay!) and the thin ones were fed a second meal today (this happens a few times a week if they are thin). Yesterday I was at the kennel/boarding facility, walking Olive and Dixie. They are both doing well. See the post below about Olive.

Dixie has become so much more animated since she left the shelter and is staying at the kennel. She upgraded from a cage to a run (same with Olive), so can walk around, though not much. She gets walked daily, which is also an upgrade, since at the shelter she only walked from her cage inside to the outdoor run, and it was just a movement, not a walk.  With the volunteers that take Dixie out, she walks a mile! And she does it about twice a week.

I've never known Dixie to want to run like she does not. She does this thing that right after she poops, she wants to make a mad dash down the street!

Here are some pictures of Dixie.  She is dog friendly, people friendly, rides nicely in the car, but does not suffer cats!

 In both of these pictures, Dixie was looking at a small bucket of chicken bits that I fed her from (I usually bring her and Olive something), and was going to share with the puppy/small dog room after the workers took her back into her kennel.  Finally, a dog that looks at the camera!

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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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Dixie Still Needs Your Help

I realized when searching past blog posts to make a link to an old story, that she has actually been in boarding since August 21st, not the second week of September as I said.


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Dixie STILL needs a home

 ...and in the meantime, I'm boarding her. Please consider donating one day worth of boarding ($12 bucks). See below for the story. Basically, I pulled Dixie from Yonkers Animal Shelter, which was full and is still full and is still putting down dogs almost weekly. Olive also came from this shelter and she is also being boarded, but I am at the moment focusing on one dog.

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Background:
You might have seen the other chip-in I did for Dixie. That ended (they require an end date) and I was not able to re-open it to extend the period to collect funds. I collected $300 out of the $500 goal; her boarding costs $84 a week. Dixie has been in boarding since the second week of September.

I pulled Dixie from a kill shelter. It is a low-kill / low-visibility shelter and she spent three long years there (with volunteer love, but she so wants a home of her own!).  Like many shelters across the country, we are completely full and Dixie needed to move on or it wasn't going to end well.

She was to be an easy adoption; she never caused any trouble for anyone and was just basically homeless. I had an adoption lined up for her; she got along with the nice people's dog and they loved her, but when we brought Dixie to the house to meet the cats, we learned she REALLY doesn't like cats (and there were three). So, I am back at square one and out of boarding money at the end of this week.

Boarding costs $12 a day. I hope you can give one day of boarding, and pass this along. If you would like to donate directly to the boarding facility, please contact me and I will send you the info.

Thanks for your interest and please pass this on through any social media or through email to friends.

Dixie will come fully vetted to an approved home. Application, vet check, and home check are necessary. Adopters should be in general NYC area, as she is boarding in the Bronx, and we want to have you meet her in person.

Thanks!

Dixie's Advocate

ADOPT, DON'T SHOP!

On The Way To the Kennel

More tomorrow...

Thanks for your support of Dixie.

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Olive is Adopted! Now Dixie Needs a Home!

One things about dog rescue: there is always more to do!

I feel I haven't paid that much attention to the blog lately, mostly because between a full time job, three volunteer efforts (two soldier support groups and walking dogs at the shelter), and having just added a new one, things are busy!

A little up date:

Olive is adopted! She just passed her one week anniversary of doing well in the new home, with Dan the Fireman and Catherine the Nurse. The first two days were difficult. Olive had been in the shelter for so long (years) and since we didn't know her history before that, she was panicked when Dan and Catherine brought her home. She only knew them for 24 hours and they were the things in life she knew most at that moment. None of her usual friends or surroundings were around. In retrospect I would have brought her to the house myself at least once to get her acclimated. I think that would have helped because she would have been familiar. It would not have assuaged the fact that Olive was by that point bonded to me so my leaving her anywhere, or her going with other people while I stood back, would have been hard. This process included an application, a reference check, a home check (an hour away each way), and the adoption itself.

But Dan, Catherine, and Olive all  hung in there. I asked the shelter trainer to speak with them, and now things are good and calm. One of the things suggested to them was to keep her crated when she acted up, and overnight. They really didn't want to, because they wanted to see this dog that had been crated for so long finally free, but Olive was used to being in a smaller contained space. It calmed her and they began to create her new normal by gradually leaving her out longer and longer. Now, just over a week later, she is just beginning to sleep in her regular dog bed, outside the crate, overnight, and she is getting used to her routine, which calms dogs.

So, it is a good ending. I miss her, and it kills me to think she misses all of us and might feel abandoned, but I know the fact she is in a home will sink in and she will know she is loved by them.

Here's a pic:

Today, I am pulling Dixie, another dog that has been at the shelter for three years. You may wonder why the shelter has dogs that long. Not all dogs are there that long; some get out quickly. Others languish. We have a low visibility shelter with no pedestrian traffic. Add to that the fact of us having 90% pitbull mixes, and it's not easy to adopt scads of dogs out each week. A great week for us is five dogs. But now with being so full, like never before, we have to move more dogs than that or euthanizations will continue to happen with greater frequency. So several volunteers are scrambling to take dogs out that they feel they can board for a bit until they are adopted. I had a little money left over from what I collected from Olive and so I am applying it to Dixie. And I started another chip-in in case you would like to contribute.  I'm not vetting Dixie yet, because she was spayed a few months ago when she had some interest by someone saying they wanted to adopt, and Olive had not been to the vet ever to my knowledge, so I feel she needed the full work up. Dixie's chip in will go towards her boarding, and we may need it. Adopting Olive out was relatively quick and I think luck had a lot to do with it. It may not be as easy this time around.

During this process I have built a relationship with a boarder, found a dog transport that can bring the dog(s) to the vet for me (Dixie did need a bordetella shot due to the plan to keep her in a kennel), and I worked out a lot of quirks. I also bought an "adopt me vest" that I never got to use on Olive when I took her to the park those times, so I will be using it with Dixie!

Here's Miss Dixie and her chip in: (she also has a facebook page here.)

So I hope now that I have added this to my life and worked out the initial panicking moments and newness, I can resume normal blogging. I have so many links I've sent to myself to share with you, and I hate to let the important news go by without even a mention. I'll try to do better!


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Rainy Day At The Shelter

I'm so bummed it's raining today. I used to love the rain (got to sit in, wear pajamas, drink soup or tea), but now it means the dogs sit in the dampness all day.  Nothing can be done about it. It's that or they stay in crates (indoors) all day. To their credit, most volunteers showed up today to do the usual walking. Everyone was soaked. The dogs, us. But it's the only real exercise they get and who could deprive them of it?

Lots of dogs getting adopted.  More to report on that when it's time. I hope to have pictures!

Today I walked Mr. Willie (of course, he's my little honey), Hannah Banana, Daffy, Hank (who I think has a home but he's got to be neutured,) Maybelle, Dixie (who still insists on her biscuit), and June (who smells everything in site and who has hookworm so I walk her last, washing my leash at the end).