Adopt Dipper and Parker a Bonded Pair of Senior Dogs @WaysideWaifs in KCMO

Dipper and Parker are a bonded pair of senior dogs that were rescued from a hoarding situation.  They were kept outside without human contact so did not receive socialization.  They were each adopted from Wayside Waifs animal shelter - separately.   Both ran away from their new homes and ended up back at the shelter where staff realized this pair really needed to go to a home together.

Dipper is a 8 1/2 year old German Shepherd mix.  Parker is a 6 1/2 year old male Terrier mix.  They're an adorable, sweet pair!

Here's their adoption letter and their story:

Hi! We are Dipper and Parker. We don't want to bother you or take up much of your time, but we are looking for a home and we hope you might be just the person who is looking for us too. We are sweet and cuddly and very shy, until we get to know you. We are looking for kind, patient, and gentle people who will welcome both of us into their home and life. We know we're asking a lot from you and we know we're not the dogs for just anyone. But someone out there must need two sweet souls to brighten up their life, right? We have hope and faith that we can find the family who will love us for who we are and who will give us the life we deserved all along.

I, Dipper, am a handsome and distinguished, 9 year old, 47 pound, Shepherd mix. My best buddy is named Parker and he is an adorable and cuddly, 6 year old, Terrier mix. We are best friends. We lived together in an awful place with a dog hoarder. There were so many of us dogs there, neglected and lonely, just trying our best to survive. We didn't have the basics in life that so many dogs take for granted. We were kept outside without human contact. It was both exhilarating and terrifying the day we were rescued and brought to Wayside. Oh my, it's hard to describe the feelings we had. I spent my time trembling in fear at the thought of strangers coming near me. Parker and I were split up at that time, and I couldn't stop wondering how he was doing. It was only a few months ago, but it feels like a lifetime. It's been such a whirlwind since the day we first got to Wayside.

Since we were both shy and never socialized with people before, we spent awhile just getting acclimated to the human touch, walking on a leash, learning about dog beds and treats and couches...that sort of thing. At one point, we were both adopted, on the very same day, to different people. But as nice as our new families were, things just didn't work out for us there. We both ran away from our new homes and ended up back at Wayside. I've never been so happy to see anyone in my whole life as when Parker walked into my kennel! We comforted each other and joyfully played. It was a beautiful sight! And the Wayside staff realized that what we really needed was to go to a home together. We are more confident as a team. And we comfort each other through all the craziness of life. We were meant to be together and we can't wait to share our loyalty and devotion with you, too!

We hope you will be patient with us and give us plenty of time to adapt to our new home and life with you. It will take us longer than most dogs to feel comfortable and learn to relax with you and trust you. We will get there, but it will take time. We'll do best in a home with just a few people who we can deeply bond with and a home without a lot of activity going on. We love to be by your side and hope you'll be home a lot with us. We will thrive with a calm and positive energy around us. Please offer us positive reinforcement and let us know when we do good, by offering us gentle praise and tasty treats. We have never had anyone take the time to train us, but it's not too late! We are a couple of smart cookies and we love to learn! It makes us feel special when people care enough about us to teach us new things. 

The Wayside staff will be happy to give you plenty of ideas to help us thrive in our new home. We hope you will give us lots of time to learn to trust you, understanding that everything is new and scary. Introduce us to new things a little at a time, and please keep in mind that we are trying our very best to fit in. Calm, quiet, and patient is how we hope you will be with us. We will do best in a home without kids under the age of 5, since their quick movements and loud voices are scary to us. And we both need to be closely supervised whenever we are outside. At this point, we are likely to run from you out of fear if we get loose. And Parker can climb a fence, so we will need to be on leash with you at all times when we are outdoors, at least for now. We don't want to scare you away from us, but we want to be sure you're the right person for us. We want to know up front that you are that special person who understands our quirks and challenges, but that you will love us anyway, because you want to make a difference in the lives of two sweet dogs who have never been given a break in life.

Dipper and Parker were hoping Santa would bring them a forever home.

We know you're out there! You've been looking for us, but the timing just hasn't been right. And we've been looking for you, too. We've been waiting and figuring things out. Parker and I are finally together, ready for our new life to begin. And what a beautiful life it will be, as part of a real family. We're ready!
Love, Dipper and Parker

Take a look at their adoption video and then give Wayside Waifs animal shelter a call at 816-761-8151.  Dipper's animal ID number is 23688532.  Parker's animal ID number is 23688477



Wayside Waifs is Kansas City’s largest no-kill animal shelter.   They are an independent, 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit humane society and animal welfare organization established in 1944.  Wayside Waifs is committed to finding homes for all adoptable pets. Wayside is the largest pet adoption center in Kansas City, placing over 5,400 animals each year in loving forever homes. Wayside does not euthanize adoptable animals, and there are no time limits for animals in our care. Only animals suffering from significant medical issues or those that pose a danger are humanely euthanized. Wayside Waifs is proud to be a part of Kansas City's no-kill community.  

Talking Dogs blog is participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz and Talking Dogs. This is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Find a pet at your local animal shelter or rescue and join us!

Tuesday's Tails blog hop participants can post any day of the week and link up with a fresh blog hop linky every Tuesday.  Though targeted at adoptable pets, we also welcome blog posts regarding pet adoption, rescue organizations and adoption events.Fetch the new Tuesday's Tails Facebook page and give us a like! Please help spread the word about these beautiful animals via social media and let's find them forever homes!

Do Just One Thing to Help One Dog | Tuesdays Tails

Tuesday's Tails is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Hosted by Dogs N Pawz and Talking Dogs, the purpose is to promote shelter pets and help them find forever homes by social media sharing.

All of the pet bloggers participating in Tuesday's Tails are counting on each and every reader to do just one thing:  share.

Just One Dog is an inspiring story that shows it only takes people willing to do just one thing to make a difference.  A lot of people each decided to take pause in their day... to do just one thing for just one dog.


 

Tuesday's Tails blog hop participants can post any day of the week and link up with a fresh blog hop linky every Tuesday.  Though targeted at adoptable pets, we also welcome blog posts regarding pet adoption, rescue organizations and adoption events. 

Please help spread the word about these beautiful animals via social media and let's find them forever homes!  

Spare a minute in your busy day to help save the life of a shelter pet.  Share them via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ or whatever your favorite social media channels might be.

And if you're wondering what happened to Stanley, here's an update.

2 Black Dogs Too Long at the Shelter: Adoptable Dogs

Awhile back I wrote about dogs who spend most or all of their lives in a shelter.  I wondered out loud:  how long is too long.

I caught some flack from some who thought I was promoting euthanasia.  I also received some very thoughtful messages from folks who also had conflicting thoughts and emotions about the quality of life provided in a kennel run at a "no-kill" shelter.  That resulted in a second blog post.

At the time, I ended up just feeling glad that the dog that caused me to confront the issue, Hailey, found a home.

My friend, Kim, has forced me to confront the issue again.  I'm still conflicted and find no good answers within myself.  Pro-euthanasia?  NO.  However, dogs deserve better than to live in a kennel for years.

Kim is a professional photographer with her own business, Creative Photography by Kim Hansen.  She is also a passionate advocate for animals and donates her services to Dogwood Animal Shelter in Osage Beach, Missouri.

Her goal is to show people the beauty in these dogs and cats that she sees, to capture their spirit in a photograph that will get them noticed.  As Kim says:

With so many of them, it takes patience, kindness, understanding, and the ability to connect and gain their trust in order to capture an image that I feel is worthy of using as their 'life line' on a site [Petfinder] for all of the world to see.

That may sound a little dramatic and over the top, but really, aren't these animals worth it?  worth my time, effort, compassin, dedication and ability to do something so important and so life changing?  My answer is YES!  A million times YES!

Here are two dogs whose photographs were taken by Kim over a year ago.  Though I don't know how much longer than a year A-Rod has been there, I do know that Carley has been there for five years.  Almost all of her life.

Carley is listed on Petfinder (by the shelter) as an Australian Cattle Dog (Blue Heeler) and Labrador Retriever mixed breed dog.  She looks like a Rottweiler mix to me.

She is 5 years old and has spent her whole life at the shelter.

Carley came to Dogwood Animal Shelter as a puppy and has been there ever since.  Her brother was adopted, but she is still waiting.

Primarily black with some tan, Carley weighs 65 pounds and has been spayed.  She just completed the shelter's 6 week obedience class.  Carley is a smart girl.  She learns fast and is very eager to please. 

Adoption fees have been reduced to 1/2 price for Carley.

A-Rod is a Labrador Retriever mixed breed dog.  He's shy so it make take a moment to get acquainted, but shelter staff report A-Rod is a sweet boy.  Primarily black in color, about 4 years old and already neutered.  This playful boy needs a place to call home.  Adoption fees have been reduced to 1/2 price for A-Rod.

Please share Carley and A-Rod via social media.  Use whatever networking means you have at your disposal and let's try and get them real homes.

Those of you reading closely, may have noticed:

• same "no kill" shelter as Hailey, the dog who'd spent all 8 years of her life in the shelter
• all black dogs
• same shelter where we found our birthday boy, Jeffie (and our puppy, Rosie, too)

Dogwood Animal Shelter is a non-profit, no-kill animal shelter in Osage Beach, Missouri.   They've been in operation for over 30 years and survive on donations and proceeds from their Dogwood Thrift Shop.  Services include:  low-cost spay/neuter clinic, obedience classes, and more. They can be reached via email and their telephone number is 573-348-4411.

Follow-up Friday: Bunny Ears, the Big Head, Senior Dogs and more

I'm glad to be joining Heart Like a Dog in the Follow-up Friday blog hop again this week.  This is the blog hop that lets you wrap up your week and leads you right into the weekend.  Hosted by FUF mastermind, Jodi, at Heart Like A Dog and co-hosted this week by Lisa at Dogs N Pawz.


Before I begin my follow-up, I just want to mention a few things. 

Love dogs wearing rabbit ears?  Be sure to come back on Sunday to see Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie in their bunny ears in honor of Easter.

Be sure to visit Talking Dogs during the month of April, because we're going to be celebrating Jeffie's 7th birthday ALL MONTH LONG.  There will be a different giveaway each week - hint: don't miss us on Tuesdays!

I have to thank Kathy Hensel Porter for the very lovely article she published this week on her Healing Rescue Pets blog about my life and For Love of a Dog jewelry business.  Kathy's doing a series of interviews with women who followed their dreams and created pet related businesses.  My interview is long, thorough, and Kathy did a wonderful job telling my For Love of a Dog story.

Finally, I have to shout WOOF at Caren Gittleman.  Here I am, just reading my Google Reader and I stumble on a totally unsolicited fabulous review of For Love of a Dog and my jewelry work.  I was gobsmacked and absolutely thrilled.  She better watch out or I'll get "the Big Head!"   Be sure to visit Dakota's Den on April 1 to enter a very special giveaway she's hosting.  I promise - this is no April Fools Day joke!

And, finally, a bit of follow-up:

Dancing in the Snow: Our First Real Video
I just want to thank everyone for their comments!  Obviously, Rosie has stolen our hearts, too, and we love watching her play with Rudy, with or without snow!  Hopefully, my skill at the "video thing" will improve as I remember where the zoom is and steady my hands.  LOL  I need to hurry up with that because Rosie is growing up fast.

Busted:  Dog Fighting Ring in KS MO TX
Last I heard, 100 dogs were seized and most were Pit Bulls.  (Frankly, I can't say much more about this story in polite company, if you know what I mean.)

March Madness: Wordless Wednesday Not
Over the years, Jeffie has learned that yelling at the television is okay and not directed at him.  He consistently is THE BEST comforter when your team is having a bad day, too!  Happily, both of my teams are in the Sweet Sixteen:  KU Jayhawks and Duke Blue Devils.  Rosie can have her cookies, I'll take my boys in blue.  (The dog daddy was for the Tar Heels.)  

Adoptable Senior Dog: Surrendered because He is Old
NEW INFORMATION!

Mac, senior Lab mix, adoptable dog. Photo: Kim Hansen

Freddie, senior Lab, adoptable dog. Photo: Petfinder

Mac, 12 year old Lab mix, and his companion, Freddie, a female black Lab, were discovered by a realtor.  They'd been left behind in an empty house that had been foreclosed.  Please, people, share these pups!

Adopt Velvet: Black and Tan Coonhound GSD mix

If you're thinking about adding a dog to your family, please consider Velvet.  This black and tan Coonhound and German Shepherd Dog mix is a real cutie.  Velvet is about 1 year old and currently living at the Humane Society of Missouri Maryland Heights animal shelter.

Velvet walks nicely on a leash and sits on command.  She loves people and would love to have a forever home.  Take a closer look at Velvet in the video below.  If you have room in your heart and home, contact the HSMO at 314-951-1588 and get more information about this wonderful dog.  Velvet's identification number is A522955

Puppy Mills: Over 30 Dogs Rescued in Christian County MO

36 dogs have been rescued from an unlicensed dog breeder in Christian County, MO.  Dogs were found all housed in stacked crates in a filthy basement.

Acting on information from a local animal control facility and working in cooperation with the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA), on October 13 the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force rescued 36 Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese, 32 adults and 4 puppies, from an unlicensed breeding facility near Ozark, Mo. in Christian County.

The dogs were living in deplorable conditions in the basement of the owner’s home. The dogs’ crates were stacked on top of each other with many of the dogs and puppies living in their own waste.  The concrete floor was wet with urine. The dogs appeared to be thin with coats matted with feces and urine. The only available water and food for the animals was contaminated with feces.

The owner agreed to voluntarily surrender the animals to the Missouri Department of Agriculture, which immediately transferred permanent custody to the Humane Society of Missouri for veterinary treatment and sheltering.

The rescued animals will arrive tomorrow at the Humane Society of Missouri's Headquarters on Macklind Ave in St Louis.  As they become healthy over the next several weeks, as many of the dogs as possible will be made available for adoption.  Interested adopters are asked to visit the Humane Society of Missouri web site to see all adoptable dogs.