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

Fly Right and Adopt Video

Enjoy this video of some of the dogs currently available for adoption. Dogs and .... What? A rabbit??? Okay, if you say so......

Click the bottom right corner for a full-screen view.

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!

Mimi the Shepherd

If you're like me, you have your favorite New Orleans restaurant that no one knows about. You want to tell others, but you're afraid if you do it'll become trendy and no longer your own.

That's how I feel about Mimi, a three-year-old 45 pound Shepherd. For two years she has been waiting for a home of her own, and mostly that is my fault. She is such a delight, filling a special role in our pack, that I have been reluctant to let her go. Terrible, but what can I say!

There are several things that make Mimi unique. First, she has a natural nurturing spirit that makes me think she has some Australian Shepherd in her. When we have litters of puppies, she steps in and fills the momma role, tending to them and teaching them the ropes. I've never had another dog do this and it amazes me.

Mimi is also very smart, as you would expect in a shepherd, but knows how to work it too. If she doesn't want to do something, she flips onto her back and gives me a sideways look and a smile. I'm not kidding! She loves kids and other dogs and shows this by wagging her tail in a circle, not side to side. Absolutely adorable!

Well behaved and housetrained, Mimi is also a looker. She has this beautiful red-tinged coat with black highlights that just make her eyes jump out at you. Don't look~ she'll melt your heart!

Stanya the Lab

I understand that everyone has good times and bad times, but what I don't understand is people who just abandoned their pets. That's what happened to Stanya. Her owners moved away and left her and her sister in the backyard. What were they thinking. A whole week went by before a neighbor called me and asked me to help. What could I say but yes? Fortunately Stanya's sister has found a home, but this pumpkin is still waiting.

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?

July 31 Update

Mae Fern has been adopted by Amey! How happy her new mom is, and oooooh!, how happy is Mae Fern to be waiving good bye to all the dogs! Another happy ending!

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?

Memo was found during Hurricane Katrina with his pal Poncho. Poncho has been adopted, but Memo is STILL WAITING :(

A volunteer favorite, this is what Hazel has to say about Memo:

"Memo gives me so much love. When I visit, I feel that he isn't looking for the treats; He is looking for me! Sometimes he ignores the goodies I bring because he is just wanting to lick me and love me and tell me he is happy to see me. Pretty much all dogs are capable of great love and loyalty, but I believe that when Memo gives his heart, it is given forever. After visiting, I always think to myself that, of all the dogs --all of whom I love-- Memo was happiest to see me."

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

Olga was one of nine puppies born in an abandoned house. Shortly afterward, the house caught on fire. The neighbor came out, not knowing what to do. As she stood there, she saw a momma dog emerge with a puppy in her mouth. The dog deposited the puppy on the neighbor's doorstep and then dashed back into the burning building. Over and over she repeated this until nine puppies lay safely at the door!

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

Ophelia is a lovely cross between a Fox Terrier and a hound. One of the reasons I actually prefer mixed breeds over pure breds is that you almost always get the best from both breeds and skip the downsides. And that describes Ophelia! She is just an easy-going, fun to be with kinda girl who always is remarked upon by those who see her. Some might go so far as to call her a babe-magnet, but far be it from me.... lol!

Lily the Bull Terrier ~ Adopted!

Lily is a great little Bull Terrier. She loves people, is very smart and affectionate, and her favorite napping spot is your lap. Having obviously been neglected, she craves attention and prefers to be with you at all times. However, she is very good when left alone as long as she has some toys to play with or a bone to chew on.

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!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Volunteer

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any rescue, and we are no exception. We need volunteers in every aspect of our endeavor and welcome you to come aboard. Some areas that you may want to consider are:

• 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!

To learn more about volunteering with us, contact me directly at madalin@useddogs.org . I look forward to hearing from you!

~ Madalin