Rescue Dog Stories: Abu and Dewey

Abu and Dewey’s Rescue Dog Stories

Abu was rescued dog through PetSmart Charities.

Abu was a planned adoption. We had Ella and Cooper already but wanted to get a third dog since we had the room and a big back yard. Extra protection since we lived on a busy foot traffic street in-between two parts of town that were considered “bad areas”.

Abu was adopted through Last Hope Shelter, an organization that was able to be part of the PetSmart Charities. We brought home this little pup in hopes that the Boxer side in him would be predominant. The only Boxer trait he got was maybe the height. He’s our Prince Abu all the same, plays with the other dogs, and keeps the older dogs young. He does a wonderful job barking at anyone who happens to be on the other side of the fence, which I am grateful for.

Dewey is a rescued stray dog from Merced, CA.

Dewey wandered into my front yard one morning on my way to work. He was so small, and it was early in the morning. I thought he was a puppy. He had a collar on, but no tags. Again, I thought he must belong to someone.

A special note at this point, I learned a big lesson after Dewey. Only take on what you can handle. Look if the lost dog(s) have any tags. At this point, you are taking responsibly for the animal if no owner is found. OWNERS REMEMBER THAT. You’re making someone else responsible for your pet.
I have from time to time, helped a dog (who didn’t have tags on) when the owner is trying to catch them. Luckily, now that I am back in Phoenix AZ, I have not seen as many strays as I did in Merced CA.

I asked my boyfriend at the time to watched him until I got home that evening. Dewey and him bonded during the day. We had to keep him outside on a leash to protect our dogs. Dewey seemed to have some sort of skin condition and was not neutered. I also thought in the evening someone would be looking for him and since we lived on a corner lot by a park, maybe they would see him. At night we’d put him in the garage until I could get him in to see my vet. Turned out he had two horrible ear infections and a foxtail was removed that was black and almost petrified. Clearly, this dog did not get regular check-ups. The vet also said his skin condition was because of his hormones and not being neutered. Dewey was also not a puppy, but approximately a seven-year-old Dachshund. All the strays I’ve found were purebred, strange.

So, Dewey was safe to enter our home and we continued to look for his owners. Posted signs, lost and found in the local paper, and then one day we got a call. A lady said she was the sister of the person who owned the dog. We asked her to identify the dog. She couldn’t. We asked her what the dogs’ name was? She couldn’t. At this point, it had been a few weeks, and we decided to get Dewey neutered and microchipped and re-home him to a responsible family. In just a few short weeks after he was neutered his skin cleared up, just like the vet said.

After searching, we found a family that the dad wanted his very own dog. This was perfect, because ever since that first day, Dewey seemed to attach himself to the man of the house. They had some meetings on neutral territory (local park) and Dewey got to meet with the family and the “kids” family’s dog. Everyone got along great and soon Dewey found his forever home. He was quite a character and I am happy to have been a part of his life, and hopefully made this little dog’s life better.

Rescue Dog Stories: Rufus The Red Nose Pitbull

Rufus The Red Nose Pitbull

Rufus’ Rescue Story

My name is Caleb. I was trucking through Utah when I and my teammate met another trucker who had a puppy. The dog was an 8 week old “red nose” baby pitbull. There is no room for a puppy to play on a rig. An active puppy left alone in a cab will only get in trouble. Cables and upholstery get chewed in anxiety. The driver slapped the pup in the face to punish him. He hit the little guy for using the bathroom in the truck. He didn’t feed this baby, to keep him from using the bathroom. Then, he slapped the dog around for play… to make this baby pittie mean – and there were signs that it was working. This puppy had a strong will and an alpha attitude. He would bite at any hand put toward him. All I could see for this dog was a bleak future. So, my teammate and I diplomatically took the puppy away. During this time, I found a name that seems to fit. Rufus = red hair in Latin. We still had a few weeks on the road before there was home time. We made special rest-stops and forgave any mischief Rufus caused. Since there were two of us, he got a lot of individual attention. I determined that my house with my girlfriend, Nellie Mullins, and our four dogs was where Rufus would stay until we could find a forever-home for him.

We got him out of harm’s way, but couldn’t keep him. All the rescues for 100 miles were full and they advised me to make a FB page to get him adopted. Then Rufus got real sick. Took him to the vet, they gave him fluids and said the Parvo test was negative. He perked up but several days later fell very ill again – and it was indeed Parvo. He was hospitalized and he pulled through. That is where he met his forever-mom. A Vet-Tech who worked with him. He was socialized and became a happy, friendly little boy.

By saving Rufus the Rednose Pitbull, I did a lot of homework on his breed. Although I have an AmStafF at home, I still believed many of the myths. Knowing him changed the entire direction of my life. I post and cross-post to help other dogs. I do what I can to advocate for his breed. I understand training on a whole new level. Dogs are my life because of this little baby boy.

In an unusual act, Rufus dug out and escaped the yard. He was hit by a car. He was brought to his mommy’s office, where it was determined that his injuries were too severe, and he was euthanized. Rufus was 15 months old. I suppose I can appreciate that he got to know a normal existence, with love in a family pack for most of his short life…

Rufus, you were never meant to be mine, but you are always in my heart. Your time on earth influenced me to be a better human. Rest in Peace Good Boy. By Caleb England

Rescue Dog Stories: Cooper and Buffy

Cooper and Buffy’s Rescue Stories

Cooper’s a shelter dog rescued from Maricopa County Animal Control Shelter in Phoenix, AZ.

He was probably a little over a year old when he was adopted. Included in his adoption fee were his neutering and the first set of shots. His records listed him as a baby Labrador, this wasn’t the case. Vets have said over the years that he seems to be a mix of Beagle and Jack Russell Terrier, which makes more sense. He is hyper and loves to dig and keep regular sentry duty of the yard. After the first 6 months of having Cooper, I think I know why he ended up at the shelter. Any chance he got he would make a mad dash for the outside and run and run. He had probably done this and had no tags. A few times I spent running after him for blocks and blocks, sometimes in flip flops and pajamas, to coax him home. Finally, he learned to stay and after time no longer wanted to dart for the door. Cooper got walks every day and is now 14 years old and has been a polite little dog and a great companion.

Buffy’s a stray from Merced, CA.

One day I heard a dog barking throughout the night. My dogs were running up and down the fence, but I didn’t see where the barking was coming from. The next morning I went out and looked around my side yard. All of a sudden, I see this little Chihuahua come running up to me. I called her “Buffy” instantly and she rolled on her back, her tail going like a propeller. She had a collar on but no tags. I took her thinking she must belong to someone with a collar. I took her to my vet, no microchip. I printed off flyers and hung them on every corner within a mile radius of our house. But, no one called on her. In good fun, my neighbor said, she must have scoped out your house and probably went around and turned the flyers backward. I sent in a lost dog post to the local paper, no call. I then decided to keep her and got her fully vetted and spayed. She just seemed to fit in.

Rescue Dog Stories: Ella Pitz-Gerald

Ella Pitz-Gerald’s Rescued Dog Story

Ella was rescued as part of the Hopeful Hearts Club from the AZ Humane Society in Phoenix, AZ.

She did not have a history or background but was very good with other pets, including cats. Ella was one of the rescue dogs used to test the socialization of other dogs that came into the shelter. After her adoption, she had a bit of a rough start getting used to her new home. She might have been sick because she had “accidents” in the house. After some love and training, she soon became an ideal pet. Ella is now the highest member of her pack (other than her humans). All the other dogs go to her when they want comfort. Buffy, a 4-year-old Chihuahua, is her most adoring fan. Ella likes to sing the blues and sings her “woo woo woo’s” when she is feeling inspired.