Rescue Dogs can do Amazing Things!

Meet Montana! She was adopted from APAC in February of 2019. We received this update from her mom this week!

“Montana is now a certified Go Team Therapy, Crisis and Airport Dog . She says THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE and wishes you a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!”

Saving a life and teaching them skills that benefit you and the community is a wonderful thing! Thank you to her Mom for the update, but more importantly, for adopting a dog from our rescue.

Adopt your rescue today and see what amazing things you can accomplish!

HIdden Gems

It is so hard to be on the frontlines of a dog shelter and make tough decisions.  I have a friend that knows this firsthand.  It is a constant battle to find the right homes for these special animals, all while juggling the limited space available.  My friend is my Hero as she promotes each dog and works tirelessly to make all the connections work.  This wouldn't be possible unless the Shelter, the community, the rescues, and yes, the adopters all make a commitment.  It is true what they say about it taking a village to raise kids and this is also true about saving animals.  No ONE person can do it all, but as a community we can make our small piece of the world a better place for pets.  With all the sad stories that come out of a County Shelter, occasionally, there is a perfect ending.  This is true in the case of a lovely Lady named Bella.  Bella is a beautiful 2-year-old boxer mix with amber eyes.  When she first arrived at the shelter she was surrendered by her owner and was recovering from a wound on her neck from an imbedded collar and a lifetime of neglect.  She was Heartworm positive and labeled an escape artist by her former owner and the shelter was warned she was a runner.  Sometimes a label can stick and make people not even try to get to know an animal before walking past them in a kennel environment.  For Bella, it was over two months of people walking by her at the shelter before a rescue person noticed her and decided she was worth getting to know.  From the moment Bella was taken outside into the play area, it was evident there was more to this beauty than anyone had realized.  She was dog friendly, playful, and loving.  She played fetch and smiled with happiness as she scrunched up her nose in delight.  Finally, she was given a chance to shine and shine she did.  She learned to sit, stay and play dead all within the first five days in her new Foster home.  She learned to walk on a leash and to be gentle.  She learned what belly rubs were and how fun it was to be truly loved by her Foster Mom.  She became an amazing companion while still attending events to look for her forever home.  Her first event was confusing as she was standing outside at an adoption event with many other dogs.  She wanted to play but was apprehensive to warm up to people.  By her 2nd event she was winning hearts but still didn't find her forever home.  She kept learning new ways to show off her superior brain power with her Foster Mom and by the 3rd event, she was bringing her leash to say she needed to go for a walk.  It was at this 3rd event that Bella glanced across the parking lot and locked eyes on her forever Dad.  She saw him coming and by his face we knew he was headed straight for Bella.  This wonderful new adopter had specifically come to this event to see Bella after his wife found her post online.  Within a week of being with her new family in her new home, she is truly happy.  Her foseter mom watched her as she hoped in her new Dad Joe’s truck with no leash and according to her Joe, she has never showed any signs of running away or being disobedient.  On the contrary, she is comfortable, happy and loved.  When Joe heard about her time in the shelter, he couldn't understand how she was there for more than a day.  She is a perfect dog and a great fit for anyone, especially him.   He says she is even more beautiful in person and he and his family have changed their life to accommodate his new beautiful Lady.    It is stories like this, that make my friend from the shelter keep smiling even through the tough days.  It is stories like this that makes me ask you, when is the last time you took time to go visit the shelter and consider saving a life.  In Joe's case, it was the girl of his dreams.

Foster Miracles

I take great pleasure in Introducing our newest foster CoraBel. Actually, Cora has been with APAC for quite some time. She actually came into APAC on 6/24. Our friends in Waco sent an urgent request about her as she had Parvovirus and an aggressive case of Hook Worms. She spent several days at our vet, Animal Medical Care. On 6/26 we almost lost her but Dr. K. saved her with a blood transfusion.

She came to our house on 6/28 and has slowly made progress, gaining weight and strength. As of 7/23 after lots of meds, several more rounds of de-wormer she is clear of all issues.

We do need to thank our friends who have donated for CoraBels’ vet cost. Cora is now healthy, and has started to join her foster brothers on morning walks.

Cora will be ready for adoption the first weekend of August. However, it is quite likely that she will be what we term a “Foster Failure” (foster that is adopted by their foster people and dogs).

CoraBel is 100% kennel trained but does not go to kennel on command. She is about 80% house trained (but still has some issues on #1). She is Bulldog mix so will need harness for walking to prevent breathing issues and she does snore. She is not completely leash trained as she had a late start but we expect great improvement in the next weeks. She does come and sit on command. She gets on well with her foster brothers and all people she has met.

I have included a couple of pictures of her initial state, to emphasize the miracle that is CoraBel.

Many times being involved with rescue is quite heartbreaking but at other times we get to see the enormous blessings as well. This is one of those times.

From Foster Pup to Military Service

This handsome fellow was barely 6 pounds when he joined us about a month ago. Even if you don’t believe in love at first sight, you’d have fallen for this guys expressive brown eyes and constantly wagging tail. As soon as we saw him bound around the backyard, it was clear he’d be named Bouncer. A blue heeler mix originally taken in by the Waco shelter, Bouncer, found his forever home on Thursday, October 19, 2017 and it’s unlike any forever home APAC has previously assisted with. Bouncer’s new home has 26 adults, 31 horses, 3 mules and 1 soon-to-be-retiring mascot dog, Buddy.
Approving adoption applications for our foster pets is a family affair, which our 2 daughters take very seriously. When they read that he’d have a full staff of vets to care for him and he’d also have human contact 24 hours a day, they gave an enthusiastic “yes” vote for Bouncer to be the Mascot-in-training for Ft. Hood’s 1st Calvary Division, Horse Detachment Calvary (HDC). He will learn to be at home with the horses, to ride in the wagon and just be friendly to visitors. He will travel the country to perform with the HDC’s mounted demonstrations. As I looked over my shoulder as I was leaving and saw him happily licking and wagging himself through that day’s visitors, I knew he was right where he was meant to be. We can’t wait to visit him in the following months and beyond to see all of his potential developing.

Mounted Horse Detachment Demonstrations and Barn Tours are conducted every Thursday at 10:00am at the barn area behind the Visitor Center on TJ Mills Road, Ft. Hood.  - by Tricia Richner

Sometimes we have to say good bye

It is with a heavy heart that we said good bye to our permanent foster Dominick.  He was badly neglected when he came to our rescue and his sweet foster Mom thought he could recover and find a forever home.  But sadly, his stay with her would be a hospice stay.  Thank you Amber, we love you and rest in peace Dominick, you were a good boy, deserving of so much more!  Here is a little peek into her heart and life with Dominick and be sure to scroll through the pictures and see just how happy he was in his foster home. 

Very sad day...I had to finally come to terms and say goodbye to one of my permanent fosters. This was Dominick or "bubs". He came to me in bad condition from the shelter. So bad he was immediately released to rescue for medical. He was my first really bad case. I was horrified. We werent sure if he was ever going to be adoptable. He was blind, had severe heart worms, and had a severe heart murmur. I could tell he had had a life full of neglect. Being blind, he found his way around my house fine and LOVED to play fetch and LOVED balls! He was super sweet and I could tell he was very grateful that I made him as healthy as I could again and he was happy. As sad as it was to see him initially and and sad as it was to say goodbye to him today, Im still glad I could make his last year+ probably the best of his life. Makes me very proud, even though not the most ideal situation. I believe God gives us all special gifts and we should use them. This is mine. God bless you Dominick. You can finally now rest in peace. We will miss you

Free Puppy?

So, you want a free puppy…

So, you want a free puppy.  Why?  Did you know it is almost always cheaper to adopt from a rescue that provides all the vetting for the dog, than it is to find a free puppy or dog?  It’s true!

Let’s see if it is really true.  Suzy takes a free puppy from a friend.  We will assume that the puppy has been well cared for and has not been exposed to parvo or distemper.  Suzy takes her cute little puppy, Spot, to the vet for its first checkup.  She learns from the vet that the puppy will need a series of three parvo distemper shots, a rabies vaccine, will need to be dewormed and spayed.   Remember, Spot is healthy, so this is for well puppy care only.  She has gone to a reasonably priced vet and her first visit is $120 (parvo/distemper vaccines, intestinal parasite test, and wormer).  Suzy has a return visit scheduled for 3 to 4 weeks later.   Upon the return visit, healthy Spot is growing nicely, no issues, $85 (office visit, parvo/distemper shot).  A third visit is scheduled for 3 to 4 weeks later.  Suzy returns for her third well puppy visit.  The charge is $150 (final/annual parvo/distemper, rabies vaccine, a box of heart worm prevention and flea prevention).  Suzy schedules the neuter for Spot when he is 6 months old.  This price can range anywhere from $50 to $145 depending on your choice in vet providing service.   Now, let’s tally all that up.  $85 + 65 + 140 + ($50 to $145) = $340 to $435 is the total cost for Suzy’s free puppy Spot. 

Yes, that free puppy, if it is lucky enough to have been adopted by a responsible pet owner, just cost between $340 and $435.

Let’s say, instead of taking a free puppy, Suzy goes to a local rescue, like APAC, that has puppies in the homes and not a shelter.  Puppies are healthy because they have already been to the vet for check-up, have received at least the first shot, are already in the process of potty training, maybe even kennel training.  The rescue commits to providing the remaining vetting (2 more parvo/distemper shots, rabies vaccine, and spay or neuter, plus a box of Heartgard for heartworm prevention).  The cost to adopt this puppy?  $100.

It doesn’t take a math genius to see that Suzy saved herself at least $240.  You know the old adage – nothing in life is free.  That includes puppies. 

When you are ready for your next furry friend – Adopt from a local rescue!

Love Cures All! (except mange)

9/2014

Poor Jelly Bean came to us a couple of months back with a terrible case of mange.  Through the unfailing efforts of her foster family (who simply could not part with her and became her adopters) and lots of love, she is now cured of her mange.

A beautiful success story...

Parvo - From a Foster's Perspective

Parvo – that word had always been a mysterious disease that puppies and very old dogs get.   Until this weekend.  Parvo hit MY house.  It started out as an exciting adventure to rescue a new puppy and foster him or her in our home.   A fun drive to the shelter with my daughter, lots of laughing and imagining what might be there for us to choose from.  The shelter, a clean place, that does it’s best to care for the huge number of animals delivered to its doors, welcomed us.  We peeked at each puppy, speaking softly, seeing the responses, examining the behavior and condition of the kennel they were in,  looking for any signs of an illness.   We found a kennel with three cuties and we could not decide on which two to take and could not bear to leave the one behind.   It was an easy and funny decision at the time to just take all three – we could do it we giggled. 

We rescued three beautiful, squirmy, tail wagging, face licking babies and happily headed home.  We quarantined the puppies, thinking in a few days they would all be running through the house and socializing with our dogs.  We left them for about 2 hours and when we checked back  – one was sick.  Not just a little car sick, or sick from nerves – one was sick!  My heart sank, the watery diarrhea, the lethargic, sad little eyes looking at me at and the still wagging tail – heartbreaking.  I didn’t think this baby would live to see the morning it was so bad.  An urgent request for prayers when out to my friends.   And so began a night of giving water to him with a syringe.  I cuddled, I cooed, and I gave water – thinking I wanted those last few hours to be safe and loving for him.  And I wondered – what the heck is Parvo really anyway?!

Bright and early the next morning a weak cheer went up in my heart for a living puppy and a mad dash to the vet confirmed it.  Parvo.  The internet research began – it’s a virus, a mean virus that attacks the intestines, with symptoms of watery and bloody diarrhea, zapping the life from the tiny victims.  It lives everywhere, and the unvaccinated puppies and adults with weak immune systems are at the highest risk.  “Lucky” for me, I had the virus quarantined in my room and now had to take super human efforts to keep it contained there. 

The sickest one had to stay at the vet, the other two began showing signs and it was too late to get them to the vet…I had to get through 48 hours until I could take them in.  Can you imagine holding tiny little lives, feeding liquids in an effort to keep them alive and feeling so inept at the task? 

My foster puppies made it.  They survived this battle and need some time to recover.  The thing that touches my heart the most – no matter how sick, they wagged their tails, no matter how sick, they licked my cheek, no matter how sick they were happy to see me.  Humbling.  The only word I can think of. 

What do I want you to take away from this?  Protect and prevent!!  Protect the little ones, spay and neuter the adults and vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate.  I don’t wish any foster or new owner to ever have to experience what I did…and I think I had it easy.   If you adopt a puppy, keep them off the ground and away from adult dogs until the puppy series of vaccines has been given.  If you have adult dogs, please vaccinate. You CAN prevent your dog from getting this virus or at least lessen the risk.  They depend on you.  - By Terri Cousins

Tallulah

Spartacus

Romeo

Success - Cali

For me, like everyone else, a successful adoption is not just about placing a puppy or dog in a home.  It is about finding the perfect home for the dog I am fostering and finding the perfect dog for the family interested in adopting.   I have had the blessing of being a part of several successful adoptions this year.

One puppy in particular comes to mind though.  I called her Mabel but she has a new family and a new name to go with it.  Her name is Cali.  When we brought Cali home from the shelter she was just a tiny thing, afraid of other dogs and us.  Cali stayed with us about a month, on her way to her forever home and steadily made progress in her socialization.

I had received interest on Cali from a Petfinder inquiry and made plans to make a home visit.  I knew, as soon as Cali’s Mom opened the door and said “Oh, Come here mami” that this was the family for her.  What she didn’t know was this is exactly what I said to Cali in my home all the time.  The only obstacle was going to be Cali’s new fur brother, a happy boy, but Cali had a hard time meeting new dogs and the first meeting was a little rocky but not too bad.  You would never know this little girl was afraid of her new brother.  They are best buddies now!

Cali’s new family loves her so much and I could tell she was going to be a little “princess” in their new home.  I am so happy to say, after about one hour of her going home, I received a picture that warmed my heart!  Cali and her new brother Bruno laying in the grass with her feet on his – a small miracle given her beginning.  Success is placing this little girl in a home where she will be loved forever.  Success is placing this little girl in a home she loves and feels safe and happy. Thank you to the Longoria family for giving this special little one a forever home! - By Terri Cousins

The Dog Park

FROM ASPCA

Dog parks are becoming more popular all across the United States. They range in size and design but all share the same purpose: to provide a place where dogs can run freely off-leash and socialize with other dogs. Although they’re not for everyone, dog parks can benefit both people and their pets. Read on to find out if a trip to the dog park is right for you and your dog as well as what to do before you visit and once you’re there.

Click here the full article

The real reason dogs end up in shelters →

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