Another Dog Day With the Big Bunny

   I love talking to dog people. I mean real dog people.. the kind who know their dog is one of their family members, sometimes one of their most cherished.  Usually, genuine dog people are also good citizens, caring individuals in more ways than dog ownership.

   Yesterday, we held a photo shoot at a PetValu a few towns over. For a $5. donation to our organization, with all proceeds to benefit shelter dogs,  you got a photo of your dog or kids or both with the Easter Bunny.  We have some return customers, I love to see them... and several are rescue dogs that were adopted out by our rescues in previous years.  How wonderful to see the dogs and their families thriving.  The dogs are so much more confident and happy now that they have lived in a loving home. We witness them when they come to our events, scared and bewildered.  To see them rehabilitated by the reassurance of love... is heartwarming.

 We're holding another fundraiser - SPAY IT FORWARD CT -   We are helping Connecticut shelters with spay and neuter costs so that they can afford to spay/neuter the dogs in their shelters. This gives the dogs an advantage to help them get adopted... and it reduces the unwanted litters born out of irresponsibility by owners. Local Veterinarians have also joined our cause, donating discounted or waived  fees to the spay and neuter program.   If you'd care to donate, click on the link above.  Every donation, no matter how small it may be, helps those dogs find a better life.

Pure. Simple. Honest. True.....

...and this is only just a few. 

You know what I'm gonna say next, right? 

It's a beautiful thing. 

Scenes from "welcome" day...

  The dogs came off transport yesterday along with their rescue crew... the day was spent walking, feeding, bathing, vetting, settling in.   I've said it before, but I'll say it again... what an awesome feeling it is to be working along side like-minded people who are there only for the good of the animal.   Four dogs also were home last night with their new families, before we even opened to the public. It's a beautiful thing... and....     Hooray for the Underdog!...  now send us a little prayer of success this weekend as we try to place 56 more dogs and puppies with their forever families.

Another day for the Dogs

 They've left the South and are on their way up to New England... 60 dogs and puppies who ended up in a bad place, only to be rescued by our awesome rescue crew down south.  They have been caring for these dogs, getting to know them, vetting and training for the past few months.  Below are the pictures of just a few, the ones I wish I could take home myself, truth be told....

 Ryan in particular is my very favorite... he's already got at least three approved applicants who want to take him home.  The one who is determined to be the best fit will be his new family.  I would have named him Merlin.  He just looks like a Merlin to me.

  So wish us luck.. big adoption weekend for a lot of shelter dogs who are coming a loooong way (30 hours) to find their forever home.  You know I'll post pics next week.  If you're local, we'll be at the Chester Fairgrounds - adoption event 10-4 Saturday and Sunday.

WOW, what a weekend

We had a fantastic adoption event - all went smoothly - 40 out of approx. 50 dogs went to their forever homes!  The remaining few are in foster or went back with their rescue.  We are so very grateful for all the volunteers and adopters who show up and help us make  this monumental task a success.  I always go home exhausted and inspired with some of my faith in mankind restored after these events.  It's a beautiful thing. 

Just a few of the 200 pics taken this weekend - 

These two dogs are brother and sister - they were dropped off at the kill shelter when their owners got divorced and neither wanted the dogs.   They were adopted together yesterday - the highlight of our event.  -awesome. This couple gets a Gold Star - 

If A picture can say a thousand words.. this one is it. 

Here we go again!

  First, let me thank every one of you who responded to my "issues" post -  one of the things that makes the difficult parts of life less -difficult- is sharing information, worries, dilemnas, etc with others, gaining valuable insight and knowing you're not alone.  I don't blog as often as I used to because - life-, but I'm sure glad you still poke your head in here now and then. Here's what I decided to do once I read all your comments and went to the Dr. with more questions. 

   I've started a new drug (a Beta Blocker) because what I've been taking just ain't cutting it. Very low dose for now, we'll see where that goes.  I hate meds but I don't have a choice right now while I tweak other things.   I am drinking more water,  I'm walking, I am making A BIG EFFORT to cut out dairy, gluten, sugar.  I already know when I do that, (ain't no easy feat)... I feel so much better. The weight comes off, the aches and pains are much less, the blood pressure comes down.  I know some of you are already aware that when there is inflammation present in your body, dairy, sugar and gluten are inflammatory. So why dump it in your body to compound the issue, right?   I am also going to stay with the therapeutic massage to my neck and shoulders - right now I'm going twice a week to get rid of the spasms, but I will stay on a maintenance plan from here on out - maybe once every three weeks.  It's something I have not done before because... I don't like lying on that table or spending the money because insurance won't cover it... but I like feeling awful and immobile even less... so it's simple science, you know?   AND... I won't cut out my farm chores, but I'm changing the way I do them. Instead of tackling them with a vengeance, I'm mosying through my morning chores, sometimes taking a break to look at my phone, chat with others, etc.  I'm actually sitting down for 10 minutes every day to stretch and just breathe in and breathe out, slowly, deeply.    

  So... where are we going?... to another Homeward Bound CT Adoption Event!  For the next few days, myself and about 30 other people will be pretty busy helping dogs find homes - there will be smiles, laughs, tears even... and some exhausted people at the end of the weekend - but lets hope and pray and please send positive thoughts that  our 50 dogs will find their homes by Sunday night -   Hooray for the Underdog!....

 

 A few more of our adoptable adorables....