Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Cat Adoption from PetConnect Rescue and Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART)


(C) Allen Pearson

Visit "Friday's Friend" on Friday's, yup really?, to meet some of my furry cat friends looking for their "Forever Home" and humans to love!

My cat friends are from PetConnect Rescue and Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART)! Stop by and meet "Cat Lady" and her pawsome friends! WOOF! er, sorry, BARK!

Friday, January 26, 2018

Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Operation Paws for Homes

Yellow Labrador Retriever Adoption
Photo Credit: Operation Paws for Homes
Creative: Allen Pearson

WOOF! My pawsome friends at Operation Paws for Homes brought by a pawsome girl for you to meet! Gala is 2-years-old and a Yellow Labrador Retriever mix!

Gala's pawsome personality and sense of humor make her the life of the pawty! She's got some smarts to go along with it too!
Yellow Labrador Retriever Adoption
Photo Credit: Operation Paws for Homes
Creative: Allen Pearson

Gala loves her humans will be a devoted lovable girl. She's looking for a human with a little dog experience to share her big heart of love with!

Gala will make a barkingly pawsome  walking, running, and hiking partner who enjoys snuggling on the couch too! She loves car rides!

Gala is housebroken, and crate-trained.  She wants to be your one-and-only-dog-that is! A dog-savy cat could probably tolerate Gala (she lives peaceably with one now), but not a scaredy-cat.

Gala loves humans but needs slow introductions. Once she knows you, you will be showered with nonstop kisses! Barkingly, if you're looking for a home-security system, Gala's your girl!

If you would like to learn more about dog adoption, pawlease visit the Operation Paws for Homes Adoption Guide.

Barks, if you would like to apply or meet Gala, pawlease complete the Operation Paws for Homes Dog Adoption Application.

WOOF!
Yellow Labrador Retriever Adoption
Photo Credit: Operation Paws for Homes
Creative: Allen Pearson




Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, The Humane Society of Loudoun County

My pawsome friends at the Humane Society of Loudoun County brought by two friends for you to meet this week!  Meet Annie!
Dog Adoption
Photo Credit: The Humane Society of Loudoun County
Creative: Allen Pearson
Dog Adoption
Photo Credit: The Humane Society of Loudoun County
Creative: Allen Pearson

Annie is around 2-years-old, sweetheart full of energy and a couch potato extraordinaire!
Annie is very friendly and gets along great with humans.  Everyone she meets just love her. She is not good with cats and prefers to be your one-and-only dog that is! 

Annie loves going for long walks and settling down with for a good chew on a bully stick. She loves playtime with a tennis ball. After a pawsome time of play, she likes to curl up with her humans on the bed or couch to zonk out! WOOF! 

Annie will make a great addition to an active family or a single person or couple.

Meet my friend Sally!


Dog Adoption
Photo Credit: The Humane Society of Loudoun County
Creative: Allen Pearson
Sally is around 4-years-old, a Labrador mix and loves humans! Paws, she enjoys giving hugs too! A barkingly pawsome gal inside and out! A sweet and gentle dog looking for a "Forever Home!"
Dog Adoption
Photo Credit: The Humane Society of Loudoun County
Creative: Allen Pearson

This lovebug adores going for walks and snuggling! She will make a pawsomely great family dog. 

Barkingly, Sally has lived with cats without any problems but prefers to be your one-and-only dog that is! 

If you would like to meet Annie or Sally or apply to adopt either dog, please complete the Humane Society of Loudoun County Adoption Application

Pawssibly you are not able to adopt but what about fostering? If you're interested in fostering pawlease email helpanimals@humaneloudoun.org for details. 




#fosteringsaveslives #adoptdontshop #humaneloudoun #fosterdogsrock #dogadoption #fromthedogspaw








Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League

Harlequin Great Dane Adoption
Photo Credit: Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League 
Creative: Allen Pearson 

WOOF! Happy Friday! Hope you have had a pawsome week- I know you are ready for a weekend with your family and friends!

I have been pawsomely busy with my human creating a new "Friday's Friend" to get more attention to my friends needing "Forever Homes" and humans to love. Pawlease be sure to let me know what you think.
Harlequin Great Dane Adoption
Photo Credit: Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League 
Creative: Allen Pearson 

This week, my friend the "Great Dane Dame" brought by a handsome 5-year-old Harlequin Great Dane with natural ears named Walter to meet you!

Walter is one pawsome character! He is house-broken but needs to be on a consistent schedule. He has no problems with being alone with his Great Dane foster brother for 9-10 hours a day if need be.  On the weekend, he will be your shadow or side-kick, but really, your best buddy as he follows you around the house- everywhere! He loves snuggling and going to the spa or having you bathe him! WOOF!! He can swim but takes a while to hop into the pool!

Walter has previously lived with another 5-year-old Great Dane and got along well. He has had no problems with dog at the dog parks but often forgets his pawsome size! He has no problem galloping around and having fun, but he'll need to be watched to make sure he doesn't get too rowdy or playful! WOOF!!

Walter has a pawsomely HIGH prey drive instinct! Smaller dogs, cats, squirrels, birds and the like are not his friends as he wants to "hunt" the small animal. Barkingly, he cannot be placed in a home with cats.  Woofs, he has no problems with mini-humans, barks, you'll need to watch him as he forgets his size making it possible to knock a mini-human over simply by turning around in a hallway! He will only be placed in homes with older mini-humans as the new mini-humans confuse him. WOOF!

WOOF! If Walter does not agree with your commands or thinks he doesn't need to do them, he will "mumble" back at you! He knows "sit," "stay," "come," "paw," "speak," but "healing" on a leash is work-in-progress.


Walter loves paying with the other Great Dane in the house. He will run back and forth tossing a tennis ball or palying fetch for as long as you let him!

Barkingly, paws, Walter will have a training requirement with his adoption so he can continue being the best-dog-he-can-be! He has had some training but pawsitively can use a refresher!

At mealtime, Walter has good behavior.  He allows his foster family to eat first! He does not come to the table nor begged for food. He isn't a counter-surfer either! WOOFs!

Walter does well with crates but is still learning to use one. He has stayed in one for nearly an hour without complaining!

This pawsome fella, Walter, is great company for his foster human Dad who works from home. He follows him around and will curl up or sit next to where he's working. BARKS!!

If you would like to learn about the procedures to adopt Walter, please contact the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League!



Wednesday, January 24, 2018

National Compliment Day

"Noah!"
(C) Allen Pearson
WOOF! You know I can't say enough! I can't say enough about you, my pawsome readers! I pawsitively love everyone of you for being you, your unique self.  Not at all like anyone else, but you! Humans, dogs, cats, horses- you are the best.

I love that you are from many different countries with many different traditions and customs speaking many different languages. I've had the pawsome opportunity to meet many of you and learn more about your world- right in my own neighborhood. 

I love that are among the most educated humans in the universe- which is probably why we get along so well!  WOOF!

Barkingly, I love that many of you are different dog or cat breeds. You are among the most brilliant guys and gals on earth as you do the most pawsome job of caring for humans and making their lives so much better by having you, their dog or cat or both, in their lives! Keep up your pawsome work.

WOOF! Have a pawsome day!


Monday, January 22, 2018

National Squirrel Appreciation Day!

WOOF! On your mark! BARK! Get ready- take your best hound hunting stance! WOOF! WOOF! GO CHASE THE SQUIRRELS! WOOF! WOOF!

Squirrel
"A Day for Me?"
(C) StoryBlocks, Used by Permission

Yes, a day to appreciate squirrels! I can think of one good reason for squirrels! That chasing them gives me pawlenty of pawsome exercise! The squirrel may think that I will never catch the pesty guy, but never you mind as it has happened and will happen again! I'm a pawsome hound and love giving the squirrels a good chase.

My human doesn't like squirrels because they are always digging up the plants in the gardens and leaving messes behind, trying to steal bird seed out of the feeders, getting water from the bird baths and digging holes all over the place. I don't like the last one as I am the only one allowed to dig in my human's yard- hence a reason to chase the fellas! Well, all the squirrels! WOOFs!
Squirrel
"Squirrel Hunting for Food!"
(C) StoryBlocks, Used by Permission

Barkingly, I have to admit, the squirrels provide some entertainment which none other can do. Woof, my human and I have seen these guys jump, run and carry on in our backyard like they are part of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey Circus! The acrobats from tree-to-tree or fence-to-tree or tree-to-whatever-else-is-close-by!  Woofs!

One morning, my human was working in his photography studio when he noticed a squirrel scampering around in the trees. When the squirrel got to the top, he decided to jump to the other tree. WOOF! He didn't make it to the other tree and went free falling to the ground! BARK! He hit the ground and leaves went flying everywhere! WOOF!

Did you know squirrels an impawtant purpose in the workings of our pawsome universe?! The squirrel plays an impawtant role in the seeding of trees for the forest and, barkingly, sometimes in human's yards. The erractic planting of food for the upcoming winter seasons, and the slight "where did I put that stash of nuts" combine to allow some of those seeds to grow into mighty oak trees. WOOF!

My human has a kind heart for all animals, except maybe snakes, and doesn't like to see anything bad happen to critters but sometimes I wonder if he is secretly hoping that the huge hawk which visits our yard regularly will make a few squirrels his next meal. Woof! Another impawtant role of the squirrel is to be meals for hawks or owls and foxes, coyotes, wildcats, weasels and snakes who happen along for a good meal.

So squirrel. I appreciate you. Not only today, but every day. Barks, this by no means is saying I will not chase and catch you- barkingly, I will.... I will...

Happy Squirrel Appreciation Day!

Squirrel
"Squirrel Eating Nuts on a Fence Post"
(C) StoryBlocks, Used by Permission

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Prayer Pups


© Prayer Pups, by Jeff Smith, Used by Written Permission

Jesus told him, 
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. 
No one can come to the Father except through me.”

 – John 14:6

I paw and bark my thanks to Prayer Pups for sharing their pawsome artistic talents with us.

All content and characters © 2016 Jeffrey Smith. All rights reserved.
Used by Permission, Prayer Pups by Jeffrey Smith

Monday, January 15, 2018

4 Steps to Success as a New Pet Parent

(C) Allen Pearson
It is always a great feeling to bring home a pet with whom we can grow and take care of. The pets teach us a lot of things about life that we sometimes fail to notice. It shows us what unconditional love feels like and how does it feel to be loved and how we can do the same for our pets and to our friends and family as well. It allows us to see the life from a whole different point of view. It makes us realize how does it feel when one whole life depends on you and you have to nurture and feed them to help them grow into a healthy living being.

We will be telling you about how you can be the best owner of your new pet. What practices you can adopt and what are the simple yet effective ways to ensure that your pet and your known ones believe you to be the best pet owner out there. Make sure to follow these 4 simple steps and you will be well on your way towards being the most loved and cherished owner ever.

1. Keep in touch with a vet and get to know everything about your pet and their body language at the very beginning
It is important to consult a vet regarding your new pet because there is no better person than a vet who knows the inside out of most of the animals. Ask them about when, where and how the pets need to be vaccinated and for what diseases. Check for any allergies or infection of the pet and consult them for designing the diet plan for the pet as well.
(C) Allen Pearson

All these small things matter a lot. Get an idea from them how you should bathe your pet and how frequently should it be done. Learn the body signals of the pets from the pets as they try to communicate a lot with their eyes and body gestures which can help us to understand them better and also develops the bond between you and the pet stronger. Mark it on the calendar, put a reminder, do anything but make sure that you bring your pet to the vet for an annual check-up at least.
Don't ever self-diagnose if you feel any irregularities in the behavior of your pet or you sense something. Take them to the vet immediately so that whatever has happened can be treated at an earlier stage itself.

2. Quality diet full of nutrients
Food is the most underrated thing related to pets and everyone usually tend to ignore it, always following what the masses follow. It is important to understand that each and every animal has its own taste and one must need to buy a lot of samples in order to determine what suits their pet the best.

The kibble size, the flavor, if they are wet or dry, there are a lot of things that go into deciding what type of food does your pet like. Dislikes and allergies of the pet are also needed to be taken into account. After you have successfully decided what food is best for your pet, make sure that it has sufficient nutrients in it along with other necessary elements like vitamins, minerals, fiber and other things. These things are necessary to be there in the diet of your pet because they help with the development of the muscles and bones in your pet and ensure that your pet grows to be a healthy one with lots of energy.

One can also provide treats for the pets as well to give them extra proteins and other necessary aspects of the diet. Treat can be a very effective way to let your pet know that you are happy with their behavior which will cause them to behave themselves according to the way you have been treating them.

3. Create the surrounding pet-friendly and make them acquainted with the family and the other pets
It is important to understand that you and your house, both are new to the pet and it will take some time to get them acquainted with all the surroundings and the ways. It is your duty to set your house in such a way that there is no imminent danger to your pet if they roam around and try to explore the house. This can be done by making sure that there is no open bottle or container of any chemical, oil, paint or anything like that lying around unattended. No random clothes should be thrown here and there as well, which can be taken in by the pet.

Make sure that all the cupboards are locked up and the pets can’t enter any of them and cause any damage to the furniture or to themselves. The next thing you must do if you live with your family is that let them feel comfortable with the presence of an animal in the house. Try to tell them and make them understand that everything is new with the pet in the starting and you need their help in order to get the pet feel your home as his own. They should not scare the pet away at any time, instead, play with them for some time and cuddle with them.

(C) Allen Pearson
Every pet demands nothing but attention and love from their owner and it is not very hard to give them that. The next and the last thing to do is to introduce your pet to any other pet that you have. Don't leave the newer pet with your older pet, instead make their meeting short and concise.
 Give them time to get comfortable with each other presence. Try to restrict one of them to an area and allow the other to roam free and then do vice versa. Gradually, they will come to terms with each other and will be comfortable as well with each others presence, often playing around together.

4.Create a schedule for their bathroom break and physical activities
It is a good practice to get your pet accustomed to different things with the help of a schedule. Fix a time at which they will eat and keep the food out for them at that time. The pet can eat it at their own pace, but make sure that you give them only a limited amount as prescribed by the vet.
Next comes the bathroom schedule. It usually depends on the age of the pet how many times are they going to use a bathroom break. Make them accustomed to a place where they need to defecate. It might be a problem at the start and the pets may defecate anywhere in the house, but it should be your duty not to make too much fuss about it and instead instruct your pet to the right spot.

You can give a treat to your pet if they go to for a bathroom break at the right place. This will encourage them to follow the same thing again and again. Last but not the least is to get some physical exercise for your dogs. Just make it a light run as you don’t want to put a lot of stress on them.

These are some of the ways that one can retort to in order to make sure that their pet loves them and grows into a healthy and loving pet. Always spend some quality time with your pet as it is the most important thing that will make your pet love you. It is important to create a bond between yourself and your pet.

Author Bio: Willie Mays is a housewife, good mother, pet lover and a blogger. Auxier is her dog and Mimo is the name of her cat. She loves them very much.  She is trying to help other pet owners by blogging and that’s why she wrote 4 Steps to Success as a New Pet Parent and at "from The Dog's Paw" as a guest author. 

Friday, January 12, 2018

Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Operation Paws for Homes

Wire-Haired Terrier Adoption
"Sally Mae"
Photo Credit: Operation Paws for Homes Creative: Allen Pearson
Meet my friend Sally Mae from Operation Paws for Homes! She is a pawsome 2-year-old Wire-Haired Terrier sweetheart looking for her "Forever Home" and humans to love! WOOF!!

She's a wee bit shy but warms up with a few kind words and a gentle touch.  Once she does, she's your friend for life.

Barks, Sally Mae loves to snuggle and cuddle- sometimes she just can't get close enough to her human. She will take every oppawtunity to curl up in your lap too!
Wire-Haired Terrier Adoption
"Sally Mae"
Photo Credit: Operation Paws for Homes
Creative: Allen Pearson

Sally Mae has a very curious and inquisitive nature.  She loves exploring and investigating new things.

Though Miss Sally Mae is past the puppy stage, you may want to watch her around shoes- as they tend to be a little too tempting for this little darling! WOOF! Those moments are far and few between! BARKS!

Sally Mae does enjoy de-stuffing and squeaking toys! She loves chasing tennis balls and zoomies are a favorite past-time too.

Paws, Sally Mae will do best in a suburban or country setting as the noises, busy streets, traffic and other loud noises make her a bit nervous.

WOOF, Sally Mae has done well with most dogs she's met and prefers to be the top-dog leader of the pack.

Barkingly, if you would like to learn more about dog adoption, pawlease visit Operation Paws for Homes Adoption Guide.

WOOF, if you would like to apply to meet Sally Mae or pawssibly adopt her, pawlease complete the Operation Paws for Homes Adoption Application!

Wire-Haired Terrier Adoption
Sally Mae"
Photo Credit: Operation Paws for Homes
Creative: Allen Pearson



Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.

WOOF! "Lab Lady" arriving this week to share two incredibly beautiful and pawsomely talented Black Labrador Retrievers was almost more than my humans heart could take! WOOF! He thought his dream of having a yard full of large dogs was starting to come true! WOOF!

Meet my friends Boo and Roxy!

Black Labrador Retriever Adoption
"Boo and Roxy"
Photo Credit: Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc. Creative: Allen Pearson
At 4-years-old, these pawsome Black Labrador Retrievers are looking for their "Forever Home" together in a suburban, rural or city single-family home. They have no fence requirement. Barkingly, yes, they are a pawsome bonded pair and must be adopted together!

The girls are easy to walk on a leash, ride beautifully in a care, very low maintenance and extremely affectionate! Neither girl has shown much interest in playing fetch.

Boo and Roxy do well in a crate- they want to be crated together. If not, Boo will try to get where his sister is crated! The two are house-trained!

Black Labrador Retriever Adoption
"Roxy"
Photo Credit: Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc. Creative: Allen Pearson
One thing for pawsitive, the two girls will avoid the vacuum cleaner- just don't like it. They'll leave the cleaning to the humans!

Boo and Roxy like to share a friendly "hello!" with other dogs on their walks! Barkingly, they get to go out around three times a day which seems to meet their exercise needs - totally pawsome!

The pair aren't demanding of attention, but barkingly appreciate all they can get.

Roxy and Boo love to play together too- Roxy will lie low for an ambush while Boo slowly walks closer to taunt her! WOOF!! Then, they both take off - the chase is on! Barkingly fun!

Roxy and Boo made their way to Lab Rescue when their human surrendered them because they didn't have time for them. 

Though they get along with other dogs, there is no cat history. There are recommended for mini-humans ages 10 and older.

If you would like to learn more about dog adoption and meet these two pawsomely beautiful sisters, pawlease complete the Lab Rescue Dog Adoption Application!

Black Labrador Retriever Adoption
"Boo"
Photo Credit: Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc. Creative: Allen Pearson


Friday's Friend! Cat Adoption, PetConnect Rescue

"Baby Girl"
Photo Credit: PetConnect Rescue Creative: Allen Pearson

My pawsome friend "Cat Lady" of PetConnect Rescue brought by a cool meowster for you to meet this week, Baby Girl!

Baby Girl is almost 2-years-old. She was found abandoned with a rear broken leg. She's fully recovered and the injury doesn't slow her down one bit! BARKS! er, MEOWS!

Baby Girl gets along well with other cats and dogs.  She likes being near her humans too.

She loves looking out the windows at the great outdoors and hopes her new family will have a window or two for her to enjoy! MEOW!

Baby Girl would love to make your life pawsome! MEOWS!

A note from my pawsome friends at PetConnect Rescue: The adoption fee for Baby Girl is $135, which helps with the cost of routine vet care. The fee DOES NOT INCLUDE spay/neuter if the kitten is not already spayed/neutered. If the animal you are adopting is not already spayed/neutered, you will be required to sign a contract legally obligating you to have the animal altered. S $100 fee is collected to spay/neuter deposit to help ensure that the procedure gets done in a timely manner.


Please note that cats adopted through PetConnect Rescue must be indoor only, and may not be declawed (unless already declawed at the time of rescue).

Please note that the first step in approving adoption applicants is to complete a Veterinarian check. Vetting of current and past pets is very important so PetConnect Rescue will be speaking with the Veterinarian(s) listed on your application to ensure that your current and previous pet(s) are kept up to date on vaccines (including rabies), spayed or neutered and examined annually by a Veterinarian.

If you would like to learn more about cat adoption, pawlease visit the PetConnect Rescue Adoption Guide.

If you would like to meet Baby Girl or apply to adopt her, pawlease complete the PetConnect Rescue Cat Adoption Adoption Application!  Once submitted, one of their Adoption Coordinators will contact you!




Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League

I had so much fun with my friend "Great Dane Dame" this week as she brought by a friend for you to meet who isn't bigger than her- at least at the moment! WOOF! Nor, bigger than me either! I love these Great Danes though - pawsomely magnificent animals to bark the truth.  

Meet Gwen! 
Great Dane
"Gwen"
Photo Credit: Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League Creative: Allen Pearson

Gwen is a barkingly sweet 1-year-old Great Dane! She is new to the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue after spendings six weeks confined to a kennel run at the Veterinarian's office. 

Gwen is slightly cow hocked as she didn't get the proper nutrition she needed when she was growing up and it caused some issues with her bones! Barkingly, this doesn't affect her ability to get around or to run- which she loves to do! BARKS! Though she does stand a bit crouched with an odd gate.  Paws, the Veterinarians said there is nothing to be done for it except good for and regular exercise.

Barkingly, while this sweetie is a bit underweight and a little shy at first, she is one very happy Great Dane!  She is busy learning potty-training and some basic commands! She has had some training in her previous home, so much of this is reminders! BARKS! She walks well on her leash and is getting used to car rides! She sleeps well through the night!

Gwen has gotten along with other dogs she's met- mostly mild and mellow dogs! She has no history with cats. She has gotten along with mini-humans! WOOF!

Interested in learning the process to adopt Gwen? Barkingly, pawlease visit our pawsome friends at Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League who can answer all your questions!



Friday's Friend! Cat Adoption, Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART)

Happy Friday! While I pawsomely enjoy writing about my friends every Friday who need "Forever Homes" and humans to love, I wish they were all already adopted and enjoying the barkingly or meowingly pawsome lives they are meant to live. Pawlease share my posts with friends and family and whoever else you may know who is looking to adopt a furry friend!

My pawsome friends at Homeless Animals Rescue Team brought by a meowingly pawsome cat for you to meet! Meet Antony!
Cat Adoption
Photo Credit: Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART)
Creative: Allen Pearson

Antony is 6-years-old, he is friendly with dogs, cats and mini-humans! He is not declawed.

WOOFS, uh, purrs, Antony is quite the handsome fella! He is pawsomely affectionate too! He is looking for humans to love and a "Forever Home!"

Antony came to Homeless Animals Rescue Team after his human passed away and he needed a place to go.

Antony is looking to make another human's life pawsitively pawsome by becoming their fur-baby!

Meow, do you have questions about Antony? Pawlease contact Kim!

Interested in meeting Antony or applying to adopt him, pawlease complete the Homeless Animals Rescue Team Cat Adoption Application.

MEOWS!



Saturday, January 6, 2018

Dog Adoption: Honey’s Journey Home By Natalie Davis

Black Labrador Retriever
"Honey"
(C) Natalie Davis
It started on the streets of Corinth, Mississippi. Two dark fur balls just barely big enough to fit in the palm of your hand, shivering while trying to keep each other warm in the winter cold. Honey was just 4 weeks old when she was found in a ditch huddled next to her brother, Dijon, without any sign of their mother nearby. The puppies were so cold and malnourished, that a few more hours outside without their mother could have killed them.

In desperate need of help, the puppies were rushed to the only animal shelter in a six-county area of North Mississippi and West Tennessee, the Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter. Thankfully, there was enough space to take in Honey and Dijon and bring them back to good health. But, as time went by and more dogs needed saving, there was no longer space for the puppies. If they did not find homes soon, the puppies were in danger of being euthanized and all the effort spent by Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter would be wasted as the newly healthy puppies faced death yet again.

In less populated areas that see more dogs going into shelters than coming out, the future was not bright. Even worse, this situation is not unique to the Mississippi shelter. Animal shelters across the country experience the same dilemma nearly every day. According to the ASPCA, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters nationwide every year, and of the dogs entering shelters, approximately 48% are adopted and 20% are euthanized. 

That’s where the Wolf Trap Animal Rescue comes in. Wolf Trap partners with Corinth-Alcorn Animal Shelter to help combat pet overpopulation in the South by operating rescue transports to the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. Kim Pettit, co-founder of WTAR said they’ll get a call from the rescues down in Mississippi that say, “we’ve got 30 to 40 dogs, we’re busting at the seams. Can you guys come help us?” They’ll immediately drive down to Mississippi and bring the rescues back up North. The DMV area has less strays and more families able to adopt, so by moving the animals to more populated areas, shelters like Corinth-Alcorn are relieved from overcrowding issues without having to euthanize any healthy animals.
Black Labrador Retriever
"Honey"
(C) Natalie Davis


So off went Honey along with 30 other puppies and a few kittens to continue the journey to their forever home in Northern Virginia. Since the Wolf Trap Animal Rescue operates by remote location there is not an actual facility to house the adoptable dogs, instead they reside in foster homes for a few weeks until the adoption event is held at PetSmart locations. For Honey and the other puppies and kittens that meant it was not necessarily the last stop on their journey, but they would be in capable, loving hands the rest of the way. Advisory Manager, Jesse Simmons was particularly admirable of the Wolf Trap staff, volunteers and fosters saying that seeing everyone work together to change so many puppies and families lives in the process is really amazing and makes all the hard work worth it.

One bus packed with fur babies and twelve hours later, Honey finally arrived in Northern Virginia a complete nervous wreck, unsure of where she was or what was going to happen to her. Little did Honey know, she was minutes away from finding her forever home. And little did her foster mom know, she was about to gain a forever fur baby.

Honey’s foster mom turned out to be a 20-year-old animal lover and college student who just barely convinced her parents to let her foster a puppy for two weeks. It was agreed she could not adopt the puppy but the second she picked up that trembling, terrified little black fur ball, she knew that she would never let go. And she never did. Comforted by the warm hands that cradled her, Honey nuzzled her cold little nose in-between her new mom’s neck and shoulder, and for the first time stopped shaking. In that moment, Honey and her mom both knew the journey was over. Honey was home.

About the Author: Natalie Davis is a full time animal lover and college student. She studies Public Relations at Virginia Commonwealth University and aspires to use her PR skills to bring awareness to animals in need.


Black Labrador Retriever
"Honey"
(C) Natalie Davis

Friday, January 5, 2018

Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.

"Nick"
Photo Credit: Lab Rescue / Creative: Allen Pearson

Barkingly, I made another new friend this week when "Lab Lady" brought by one of her friends to meet you!  Meet Nick! He is a 3-year-old Black Labrador Retriever

Since Nick is from a rural area, he isn't used to the noises of traffic, groups of people or the city. He is looking for his "Forever Home" in a single-family house located in a rural or suburban area. He has no fence requirement. Barks!
Black Labrador Retriever
"Nick"
Photo Credit: Lab Rescue 
Creative: 
Allen Pearson

If you are looking for a relaxed laid-back dog, Nick is not the one for you. He is very energetic. He is the pawsomely pawfect dog for a family who has time to spend showering him with love and attention. He might be small, but he's mighty!

Nick has a pawsome personality and enjoys going for rides. Walks on a leash are new to him but he is willing to work on it with his human. Barks! He loves snuggling and is a complete love bug.

Nick is crate and house-trained. He will go into his crate, sleep through the night and even eat there!

A pawsome fella, Nick has been good with other dogs he's met bt has no history with cats or mini-humans. He is approved for mini-humans age 10 and older.

Nick posed and performed in video so you can see him playing. Watch him here: Nick Playing!

If you would like to learn about dog adoption, pawssibly meet or adopt Nick, pawlease complete the Lab Rescue Dog Adoption Application.

Black Labrador Retriever
"Nick"
Photo Credit: Lab Rescue  / Creative: Allen Pearson