Charity

Well, I have been saying for a long time now that I need to get back into blogging and I saw Charity as my perfect opportunity to just jump back in. I have tons of pictures to upload of the fosters in between Chance and Charity, perhaps that will come later this week! For now I wanted to introduce Charity, a dog who is thriving against the odds that some pretty shitty people tried to give her.

A good friend and fellow rescuer sent me an urgent email with a listing she saw on Craigslist. The listing read "Last evening this sweet young female dog was in a dogfight. It was being videotaped to put on youtube. The dog was able to escape the fight with minor wounds only to be immediatly hit by a car. The poor baby now has a broken leg, and numerous wounds to her body. No one at the scene would claim this dog. We took the dog to the Pet ER and had her evaluated, she needs surgery for the leg and treatment for her wounds, this will cost at least $1200, on top of the $600 that was spent for last nights treatment. Due to the expense at the PET+ ER the dog has been moved to the Dundalk Animal Hospital 410-282-2250. We are reaching out to anyone that has the means to donate to this sweet dog's much needed surgery. Despite her condition and cruel treatment, all she wants is to give hugs and kisses to everyone that is helping her. Everyone that has had contact with her wants to help her and cannot believe how sweet and lovable she is, they were even able to give her a bath at the PET+ER last night. Any amount that you could donate would be greatly appreciated! The 1st step is her surgery, and the next step is to help her recover and find her a loving forever home. I know we "can't save them all" but this sweet girl at least deserves a chance at a happy life. If she does not get the surgery she needs by Saturday Oct. 22 she will have to be put down. She is less than 1 year old."

I read the posting in tears. Working at BARCS has shown me all too well just how horrific people can be to animals. Now is not ideal for us to foster, I promised Nick we'd take a break due to all the traveling I have coming up, but someone needed to save this girl so without hesitation I called the poster and told her MidAtlantic BullyBuddies would help. After some talking and planning I met Kim, the officer who found Charity that night, at North Laurel Animal Hospital. Kim was in communication with a surgeon there who saw the posting on Craigslist and offered to do Charity's surgery at minimal cost.

On October 25th Charity arrived at NLAH for her surgery. This was the first time I saw Charity and seeing the hurt and pain in her eyes made me cry all over again. She clearly was not comfortable at all, both of her legs were in bad shape, but she still greeted me with kisses and a steady tail wag.
 

The leg with red puncture wounds on it is where she was bitten multiple times by another dog. Her inner thigh was horrible bruised on that leg and it was very swollen. Her other leg, the one that took the most injury from being hit by the car, was not swollen but obviously not weight bearing.

I was able to pick Charity up from the vet on Friday the 28th. I met Kim there and we were both so happy to see the noticeable change in Charity's face. While still in a decent amount of pain she was happier, her eyes didn't look so sad, and she knew she was on her way to recovery! I cannot say enough about Dr. Cohn and the entire staff of North Laurel Animal Hospital. Dr. Cohn told us about his own rescued pit bull, his love for them, and his efforts to help dogs in need as much as possible. Everyone in the office wanted to tell us about Charity and wish her goodbye as she was carried out the front door. And we were off!

Charity had a buddy for the car ride. Milton, a dog I picked up from BARCS on the way to get Charity who has a moderate case of mange, entered MABB's foster program as well.

Charity has settled in nicely at her recovery house. She has met my dogs and loves them, constantly licking their faces and even licking the cats. Her pain patch came off yesterday so she is a bit uncomfortable right now but otherwise very happy. We go back early next week to have her staples removed and from there Charity will begin swim therapy to help the mobility of both back legs. To help her heal Charity will be receiving laser therapy to help with circulation, blood flow, and inflammation at her surgery spot.

Charity is a perfect example of why every dog deserves a chance and a show of how resilient dogs truly are. There are still signs of her past life; Charity cowers to me if I stand too close over her, she still runs from Nick completely and will hide in her crate, and she shakes quite a bit when meeting someone new. She has come so far already, there is no doubt in my mind that she will make a fantastic family dog once she is healed.

 Above: Shortly after surgery. Below: Charity's first hour home and she's kissing everyone.

 Below, Charity's first night home. I slept on the couch with her to make sure she was ok and I realized very soon that she is a typical pit bull- she can't get close enough!

 A little break from the cone! She has since gotten a soft cone. Charity is making herself right at home like a typical foster dog would!

I have no idea what the status of the case is against the people who were fighting her. All I can do is think what would have happened had Kim not taken her in and it really makes me sick to think of her "other" outcome so I try and focus on where she is now. I could go on and on about people who abuse dogs, how statistically they will go on to harm people, how sick some is mentally to force their loyal companions to fight until death but that will be a post coming later, I want to keep this post focused on the positive. Charity is why I spend every ounce of my energy saving dogs because each and every dog saved deserves it, they all deserve their "happily ever after". Charity is saved, she did not become some kids medal or some kids loser that night, she will go on to be someone's beloved family pet and she will surely love every second of it. This is what a dogs life is meant to be like.

Chance still needs a home!

The day I took Chance home from BARCS I thought for sure he wouldn't last long, just look at him! He has a wonderful personality to go with his good looks and sweet face. Chance is about 60lbs, he's housebroken, neutered, and UTD on all of his shots. Look at this gorgeous guy, he needs a new home!

Chance loves others dogs, he walks well on a leash, and he appears to be fine with cats. Pass along Chance's information and pictures, he deserves a great home!

Move over Vogue, this is a photo shoot Morabito style...

Stella, our little foster puppy, finally opened her eyes! Clearly that calls for a photo shoot. Of course, we had to also feature Sookie, her proud mama.

I can see! 

Who doesn't hold puppies like babies?

So maybe she is all gut and no torso, this sweater was a little snug! She also looks remarkably similar to a groundhog in this picture, according to Nick.

Puppy feet!

 

Where's the party? Stella is ready to go!

My Day at Work in 10 Pictures or Less

I thought it might be fun to start posting pictures of daily work days at BARCS, I promise lots of cute dog pictures!

Yet another puppy post, what is wrong with me?! I think I'm going soft. Luckily Nick is not so this puppy post is coming from work. One of my new favorites things to do at work is puppy socialization. I may leave with red patches and welts all over my skin, thank you allergies, but it's so worth it! Who can't resist a puppy face? Here is my day at work yesterday in 10 pictures or less.

Puppy Group #1- Three 10-week old puppies

 Lots of puppy love!

Taking pictures was difficult!

Puppy Group #2- Four 6 week old puppies.

Forget all of the toys I brought in, the dust pan was a hit!

My Spikey boy twin, just a much smaller version :)

One puppy went in the crate, the other ran up and pushed the door shut with his paw. 

And there you have my day! Well, I did more than that but puppy playtime was pretty much the highlight of my day!

Day 2, Nick still has no idea these two dogs are in our house...

I brought home a mom and her five day old puppy yesterday. I have them in my craft room because my dogs aren't allowed in there, the sun hits it so it's very warm, and also very quiet. Nick never goes in my craft room and the door is usually shut since it's now more of a dog supply room for work and Spike knows this.

Mama and baby have been here almost 24 hours and Nick still has no idea. I almost just want to see how long it takes him to realize this. I have to crate my three when I take mama out and Nick still has yet to think anything of it or to notice that another dog is going out the front door. Piglet has stationed herself outside of the door for the past day and still, Nick thinks nothing of it. I'm now taking bets on how long we think mama and baby will continue to go unnoticed. I guess, for once, I should thank his Xbox addiction that keeps him in the basement a lot.

Mama is about 4 years old and a very petite little girl. Baby is 5 days old and was checked yesterday by a vet, she's doing great so far. It'll be a while before I try to introduce her to my dogs but I can say with certainty that she LOVES people! She does not, however, like the camera. At all.

Yes, there really are clothes that fit this little baby! Good think Nick's mom bought me pretty much every clothing item on sale at Petco to donate to BARCS. I'm borrowing this one :)

Dear husband,

If you happen to be reading this blog while you're bored at work, I'm sorry! And surprise!

Blondie, our dull- yet sweet- star!

Blondie had a pretty rough start to life. Her previous owners said they used her for pull competitions until she got "accidentally" pregnant and from there she sat in a crate for 9 months. Not sure how much I believe any of that but I do know she is one of the most timid, scared dogs we've ever had. She warmed up to me pretty quickly but was still leery of Nick because he didn't quite understand that screaming at the TV during football and stomping his feet after an extremely difficult and important game of life Halo would not help her calm down.

For some reason Blondie would not go to the bathroom outside. We tried crating her, going out, crating again, going out, and cycling this until she would go. Well, 24 hours later and Blondie and I were in a standoff. I refused to falter on my hourly cycle with her and she refused to pee outside! She also refused to go in her crate, which was wonderful, but it lead her to a bathroom hold out. I decided that I would not lose this battle so she came to work with me and after three days of fighting over this, she went out front of BARCS! Maybe she felt better going back to her roots hah (she came from BARCS), maybe she realized that I'm just as stubborn as her, who knows. I danced and cheered for her like a complete fool and finally, we ended our standoff. It was that hold off though that made me realize Blondie is not exactly intelligent.

We worked on sit for a week, nadda. She walked in to at least five walls a day while she was here. Couches are great until she rolls off of them and jumps up with the most confused look on her face. Water bowls are used for "bobbing for apples" type drinking and food is not meant to be chewed, just inhaled. Despite her, well, "special" state she really is a sweet, happy, love-a-bull girl.

Blondie went to her new home last weekend as a test run and they ended up keeping her! The couple loves her to death and they're friends of ours so we will get to see her often. They actually have one American Bulldog already that they adopted from us about three years ago so Blondie has a brother to cuddle with!

One of Blondie's random running fits!

"What you says, ma?" Ahh the look of confusion.

 

Understanding how to get up there took a few days but that became her spot!

I had her wrapped in a Ravens Snuggie but apparently she's a Redskins fan? It didn't stay on long.

Just like Jillian, we have been getting lots of updates and pictures of Blondie! It's great to see how well she is doing in her new home and how much she's coming out of her shell.

It's Raining Puppies!

Nick and I have always agreed on one thing- we are not puppy people. Don't get me wrong, I love the wiggle butts, puppy breath, big curious eyes, fat little tummies, and puppy clumsiness but I can't take the constant peeing, pooping, chewing, and needle teeth. Plus, the Spike's House residents prefer sleeping 23 hours a day and puppies really mess that up for them. Despite my efforts to avoid having puppies, we had about six puppies over the past month. I feel like I run a puppy motel!

Oh, and while we had this rotating door of puppies, we also still had Jillian! Nick was so thrilled!

These babies came home from NC with us after a nice Christmas visit with my family. We brought four home, three are pictured. 

Little cow babies!

 

Spike, the definition of a couch potato, is not thrilled about puppy needle teeth!

Bella is the only one who really loves puppies and puppies LOVE Bella!

After the four moo cow puppies in to a long term foster home we got this sweet little girl. Lacey came in to BARCS and I scooped her up and brought her home at about 6 weeks old. 

Dog pajamas are a must!

And while we still had Lacey.. and Jillian.. Boldin came to our house. Boldin, named after the Ravens WR, is a little ball of fire! He is about 5 weeks in this picture and we really have no idea what mix he is. We've hear everything from pit bull, lab, smaller terrier, you name it. 

Poor Boldin, we don't have any small male dog clothes! Well, we didn't, I fixed that issue :)

 I have never seen two dogs have more of a love affair with each other than Boldin and Jillian. He terrorized her and she loved every.single.minute of it! She never let him out of her sight and if Lacey played too hard with Boldin, Jillian sat on Lacey.

Here is Boldin sleeping in Jillian's big paws :)

Poor Jillian just wanted to sleep! Well, so did Boldin apparently.

This might be my favorite dog picture. Ever.

So, there is our puppy run. As of today Boldin still needs a home but is not of age yet, the moo cow puppies all have homes pending, Lacey already went to her new home aaaand Jillian left :( I'm very happy for her, her new dad is nothing short of amazing and has been so wonderful with Jillian, but I miss her terribly. When we went to drop Jillian off at her new home I thought I could hold it together but I think I scared Mike, her new dad, with the complete hysterical state I was in when it was finally time to get my last Jillian kisses and leave. Lucky for me, Mike has been wonderful about sending me pictures!