Madalin's Used Dogs Rescue is committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of dogs in the New Orleans area. We do this through spay/neuter outreach, fostering, adoption, surrender intervention and education, all the while promoting the sense of community and neighborhood that is the foundation of the New Orleans culture.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
LAST Chance for a GOBBLE GIVE AWAY!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
A Rescuer's Rainbow Bridge
Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no idea what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.
It wasn't long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.
He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be. But, alas, as he approached The Bridge his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.
With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also elderly and infirm. They weren't playing, but rather simply lying on the soft green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.
One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn't understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for awhile to explain it to him.
"You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge."
The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted.
Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden light and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in the prime of life.
"Watch, and see.", said the second animal. A second group of animals from those waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.
"What happened?"
"That was a rescuer. The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of her work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn't place on earth across The Rainbow Bridge."
"I think I like rescuers", said the first animal.
"So does GOD", was the reply.
~ Compliments of our sister rescue, The Dog Liberator of central Florida. The dogs shown in the video all passed away while in their love and care, before they could find their forever home.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Woof Fleur De Lis
Those of us who live in New Orleans take great pride in our city and jump at every chance to celebrate its unique history and culture. Well, here is a great opportunity to benefit our rescue while doing your jumping!!!
Big Paw Designs has created a pewter collar charm that embodies the spirit of New Orleans and the love of pets. A portion of the profits goes directly to help Used Dogs Rescue! At only $10, this charm makes a lovely gift for any Mardi Gras or New Orleans loving pet or pet owner.
Click on the photo or on the link in our side bar for more information!
To remember the 5 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina - we are doing a Buy one Give one for Used Dogs Rescue. Buy one of the five items that benefit Used Dogs and in addition to the portion we normally donate, we will GIVE an additional dollar for each "Used Dogs" item sold in September.
Monday, September 6, 2010
What Katrina Meant to USED DOGS
Monday, August 30, 2010
Olga Featured by Facebook's Save A Dog!
Guess what - Olga has been selected as the Dog of the Week for Facebook's Save A Dog application! How neat is that? We didn't even know until today. Her "week" was August 23-30. What's more, our Sarah was the Dog of the Week for July 26-August 2. I have no idea how that happened, but it is cool!
Sarah was the dog that brought me to rescue by walking up to me on the streets and collapsing at my feet. That was many years ago. In reality, she has become my mascot of heart.
Olga was one of a litter of nine puppies born in an abandoned house here in New Orleans. Shortly after that, the house caught on fire. As a neighbor stood watching, not knowing what to do, out of the house came the momma dog carrying a puppy. She deposited the puppy on the neighbor's doorstep then dashed back into the burning home. She repeated this time and again until all nine puppies were safe! That brave momma and eight of the puppies have long since found their forever homes, but Olga has not. Now seven years old, she has matured into a lovely, petite dog of great intelligence. Although very attached to me, I still hope that one day she will have a home of her own.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Tsolta has been adopted !!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Csaba - ADOPTED!!
From Csaba/Max's new home:
Hey Madalin,
Max is GREAT!He already sits on command, and follows me around wherever I go.My younger daughter was in town this weekend, so now he has met her and knows she is family.
Janice found us on Adopt-A-Pet.com, one of over 20 websites that we just started posting on through Rescue Groups. I'm happy to say that Janice's phone call was not the only one generated by these new postings. Did I mention that it has gotten busy????
Csaba was reunited for a minute with his sister when I picked him up for their spay/neuter appointments. The were so thrilled to see each other again! However this photo was taken after they were all tuckered out from a massive play session!!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Rabbit Adoptions, Reunited Puppies and A Big Thank You!
Zsolta the Puppy
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Welcome!
Welcome, my friends, to the Used Dogs blog. This is a new venture for me, and I hope that you will join me in it.
Rescue can be an overwhelming and sometimes lonely path. "Overwhelming" because the stream of pets needing rescue is unending, and "lonely" because the pets in our charge require constant care, allowing us no time for vacation, break or even, it seems, a cup of coffee. As a result, volunteers quickly burn out and friends move on.
Did that sound like whining? I hope not. It certainly isn't my intent. Instead, it is one of the reasons I have started this blog. It is a place for me to journal my experiences, to share my insights and, hopefully, to help get pets adopted. And so, let us begin!
First, a bit about me. A native of New Orleans, I moved to San Francisco and worked in the film industry for several years. In 2002 I came home to visit my mother and saw all the abandoned dogs wandering the streets. I was horrified and decided to take action. Along with a friend, I started Used Dogs, a rescue with dual purpose ~ the saving and re-homing of abandoned pets and the advocacy of spay/neuter programs. We were making good headway ~ successful dog placements, fund raising to assist low-income pet owners in the spay/neuter of their pets, volunteers helping with the dogs ~ when along came Katrina! It knocked the wind out of sails and the resources out of our organization. We lost most of our fund raising and volunteers, including my co-founder. That was hard. Very hard. But if you live in New Orleans, it is a too-familiar story.
We've kept plugging along, making a difference where we can. Just when I wondered if perhaps it was all for naught, I was contacted by a casual friend who was starting a new radio show. She wanted to know if I would be interested in doing a "Doggie Minute" on the weekly show. You have to ask???? And then, through the miracle of Facebook, I "bumped" into a high school friend after 30 some-odd years, a friend involved in rescue in Florida. She helped me set up this blog and brainstorm ideas for rejuvenating our efforts. Serendipity, luck or a blessing? I don't know, but I do know that I feel that things are starting to move forward again.
I'm excited. I think that great things are going to happen. I hope that you will join me on the journey and perhaps together we can turn the tide of abandoned pets. We can make a difference!
~ Madalin
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Fly Right and Adopt Video
Click the bottom right corner for a full-screen view.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Csaba the Puppy ~ Adopted
Csaba is a precious little puppy. And I do mean little ~ some of these photos were taking with him standing on the kitchen counter. But don't be fooled ~ he's going to be a good size fella when he grows up.
He is such a little champion. We rescued him from the streets where he was trying to make it. Such a loving spirit, I adore the photo of him with his kitty. We all need a buddy, don't we? :) Well, maybe Csaba is meant to be your next buddy!
You can see additional photos of Csaba on his photo album.
7 August Update:
Csaba has a new home with Janice and her daughter. However, his sister Zsolta is still waiting for her home!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Mimi the Shepherd
Stanya the Lab
Really Stanya should be easy to adopt. She has a very sweet, even temperament and does great with both children and dogs. If she has a fault, it is that she is a bit lazy, but when you are talking "Lab" that is more of a miracle than a fault!
I think that Stanya is the perfect dog for more people than they realize. She doesn't demand a lot of exercise (we only think we want to jog with our dog), she isn't so smart that she is always planning The Great Escape (why get a dog that can come up with creative ideas when bored?) but she isn't so dumb that she doesn't understand that the mailman is allowed to come to the door! She is a right-down-the-middle kinda dog, mellow, easy going and oh-so-pretty!
Pedro the Lab
Pedro is an example of why I stay in rescue despite all the heartbreak and stress. You see this beautiful young loving lab today and think, "What a sweet dog." What you don't see is the dog I rescued several months ago. That dog was all skin and bones, full of worms and heartworm positive. You can see his backbone clearly in this photo taken shortly after I got him.
His life has been turned around not just by food and medical care, but by the love and attention that only a foster family can provide. Yes, he is one of the lucky ones to be in a foster home, a home with both adults and kids to help him rediscover his inner-puppy. And as a lab, well, that didn't take long at all!
Pedro absolutely LOVES children and is great with other dogs. He does fine in a crate, something that is especially important when hurricanes threaten.
Personality-wise, he's a little rambunctious, but he learns fast. he is really goofy and sweet. an all around good dog.
As I mentioned, he is heartworm positive, but don't let that stop you from welcoming him into your life. I can have him treated rather reasonably or he can continue to take regular monthly heartworm pills which will slowly kill off the worms.
Pedro is a great dog. I mean, really, how many dogs would let your kids put a flower hat on their head????
Liam the Basset Retriever
Liam is Kate's son. I rescued three of Kate's litters, for a total of 23 puppies! Liam is the only one who has not been adopted, and for the life of me, I don't know why.
First, he is a very unique dog (I don't want to hurt his feelings by saying, "funny looking"). Without a doubt, he is a mix of several breeds, but his legs have Basset written all over them, his general stance reminds me of a long-haired Dachshund, and his coat and forehead say Flat-Coated Retriever. Oh, and he loves the water and will actually curl up in his water bowl. Yeah, Retriever.....
Liam is truly a happy-go-lucky fellow, playful and adorable. But here's the reason he doesn't get adopted ~ when strangers come around or he is in a strange environment (read "adoption event"), he becomes very shy and withdrawn. This isn't terribly unusual but people just can't see past it. My gosh! I just know that given a couple of hours in their home he'll be the life of the party. Oh, how I wish people would believe me. So instead of having a home and family of his own, Liam is still at the rescue, waiting for the person who can see past the moment and into his heart.
I mean it ~ Liam is terrific. In addition to being super outgoing and confident here, he is not a jumper at all. Despite all of the dogs and people we have coming and going, he has never snapped or growled or anything like that. He is just about perfect!
Kate the Corgi
There's just something about Kate! You would think a dog with her background and her health issues would be a grumpy-gus, but not so. Instead, she is a little clown!
Kate survived on her own living in a large wooded area. Well, not totally on her own. The guys at the auto shop that abutted the property fed her and did what they could, but they couldn't stop her from breeding. And boy, did she breed! After I rescued her third litter for a total of 23 puppies, I really felt like I needed to stop this cycle. My reluctance was do to the belief that she was feral, and feral dogs are usually euthanized. What to do? What to do! Well, I found a vet who agreed to spay her, no matter how feral she was!!! So I trapped her, only to realize she was not at all feral, just abandoned. Joy!
Needless to say, Kate had a bit of a recovery period, not just from being spayed, but from the trauma of having been abandoned and forced to make it on her own. But she is such a litter trooper, she pulled it all together and became the affectionate family dog that she had obviously once been. Imagine my distress when, after all that, she started having health problem with her back legs. We did acupuncture and aquatherapy, and she got a lot better. But unless someone really special comes along, I expect that I will probably just have until she dies because she is incontinent. Now, I know that there are special people, ones who will go the extra mile for that special pet, and it is my hope that Kate will be found ~ she deserves it!
Let me share with you one of my favorite "Kate" stories. When her leg problems first acted up, they were pretty severe. In fact, her back legs were paralyzed. I took her to the vet where she spent the night in one of their crates. Or at least, that's what they thought. Somehow, this clever little survivor figured out how to get out of the crate, pulled herself into the front waiting room and feasted all night on the bags of dog food they had displayed for sale. When the staff arrived the next morning, there was Kate, surrounded by torn bags. It was quite obvious which brand she preferred ~ it had a big ol' hole and a significant amount was eaten. That was one happy puppy!
In the meanwhile, Kate is happy and spunky as can be! She has so much fun out in the yard everyday. She runs the playgroup she is in. She is SO FUNNY. One time, when she was at the animal hospital, basically with two back legs that weren't working, she managed to get out of the vet's cage at night and traipsed around the vet office, sampling from all the dog food bags they had out for sale in the waiting area!!! They could tell which brand she like best, because that bag had the most food missing with the biggest hole in it. She had just taken little samples from the other bags!! Kate is my volunteer Hazel's FAVORITE!! They have a lot of fun together. One day I hope that Kate will light a spark in someone's heart and find her forever home!
Mae Fern the Rabbit ~ Adopted!
How did a rabbit end up at Used Dogs Rescue? I ask myself that all the time, as does Mae Fern!!!
This bunny is adorable. She is about 7 years old, very healthy and has a great temperament. She even walks on a leash. Mae Fern looks forward to the day she walks out of our rescue. What do you say?
Guillermo the Shepherd
Guillermo ( Memo is his nickname!) is a very charming dog. He is a favorite with the vet techs, and that tells you a lot since they see so many dogs! What is it about him? I call it contagious joie de vive. (For those of you who forgot everything you learned in French class, that's Joy of Life) Guillermo is just a very happy, spunky, playful, energetic puppy. He gets along with most other dogs but has an undue fascination with birds, so to be cautious, I think we'll skip homes with birds, cats or other small pets! He also enjoys his quiet time in his crate, a real blessing with a dog. Sadly, Guillermo has never really had a close relationship with a person of his own until he came here. He's eager to start a forever one. One who will understand him Any takers?
Dimitri the Pit Bull
When I look at Dimitri, I think, "Mardi Gras!" I guess it is the markings on his face; they remind me of a Mardi Gras mask. Handsome, don't you think?
Dimitri has a great temperament. He gets along well with most dogs and is a good listener. He has had some hard times and not been treated well but is still very eager to give us a second chance. He is such a great dog, playful and patient. If you come meet him, guaranteed he'll put on a good show and impress you!
Sarah the Pit Bull
Sarah is a lovely Pit Bull. She is rather small, fawn with white markings. There is some scarring around her face leading me to believe that she has been subjected to some hard times. Sarah is ready to forget all of those and start anew in a loving home. How about yours?
Olivia the Boxer
What can I say about Olivia except, "EARS!!!" Really, they are beyond the pale! I think if we get a strong wind, she'll just blow away. And the funny thing is, she'd probably be think that was a hoot! I'm not sure where she got them from. My guess is that she is a hound/boxer mix, but those ears? Maybe there is some Dobie in her family tree....
This girl is nothing but fun and energy. She has never had a down day and finds joy in each moment. I can't imagine a home that wouldn't be lit up by her happy spirit! I mean, look closely at her photo. Her tail is actually blurry because it is wagging so fast. That's my girl!
Olga the Shepherd
We have long since found homes for that brave momma and eight of her puppies (all named after gymnasts) but Olga still remains waiting, seven years later. She has developed into a petite, intelligent dog who has grown very attached to me. The feeling is mutual, but oh, I think she deserves a home of her own.
Olga has a lot of German Shepherd in her (I just couldn't help myself with the name!) but it is slightly softened by a touch of lab. Her diamond-shaped markings give her eyes an exotic and rather soulful look, but her heart is all gold. She isn't pushy and so has been overlooked by those who come to meet the dogs. They've missed a gem!
Ophelia the Fox Terrier
Lily the Bull Terrier ~ Adopted!
Lily gets along well with other dogs and appears tolerant of cats. She is house-trained and has learned to walk on a leash. She is still very puppy-like and loves to play fetch or run with her toys from one end of the yard to the other.
September 3rd Update:
I'm happy to say that sweet Lily has been adopted.... by her foster family. Sadly, their own dog passed away and left a big hole in their heart. Fortunately Miss Lily was right there to help them through their loss. They quickly realized that they already had their next dog!
Roman the Boxer
Roman is the most loving, charming, endearing, beautiful, large, rambunctious dog you will ever meet. (Can you tell I think he is special?) He has a very unique spirit and, though a bit of an alpha dog, gets along well with most everyone! On top of everything else, Roman is soooo handsome! This is a dog you just have to meet! I think I'll add a few more exclamation points!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, July 2, 2010
Volunteer
- Fostering ~ as a foster you take the pet into your home. Nothing prepares a dog faster and more thoroughly for a forever home than a foster!
- Walker ~ as a dog walker you not only exercise a dog but teach it to trust human leadership.
- Playpal ~ proper socializing of dogs require that they learn how to play with us. It's a tough job but someone's gotta do it! :~)
- Trainer ~ teaching a dog basic commands such as sit, stay, and come help to make it unique among the hundreds of dogs needing adoption and so increase its chances substantially
- Care ~ cleaning dog runs, washing dogs, feeding everyone ~ one of the most important jobs in establishing trust with our dogs.
- Photo and videos ~ quality photos are huge. If the little thumbprint on a computer search engine isn't good, then no one will go to that dog's information page and it will just languish in rescue. When photos are combined with video, oh-my-gosh!, suddenly the dog goes from being a picture to a real-life personality filled puppy!!!
- Fund raising ~ adoption fees do not even begin to scratch the surface of our expenses. Without fund raising we just won't last.
- Writing skills ~ if you fancy yourself gifted with the ability to turn a phrase, then we would welcome your help in updating our posts about the dogs.
- Graphic design ~ I know we could do more in this area, but it is not my strong suit.
- Computer skills ~ if you are someone we can call when the computer does the crazy things that computers do, you would be a blessing!
- Bookkeeper ~ someone? Anyone? Please?
- Legal advice ~ just to have someone available should we need it would lift a heavy load from my shoulders.
- and more.... If you have a talent, we have a need!
~ Madalin