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.

Tsolta has been adopted !!

WOW! That's a first!! We didn't even get out the door before we had an adoption!! Zsolta has been ADOPTED!! AND she is going to live the life of an artist!

But not to worry, still come an meet the dogs today. Mimi is still looking for a home of her own!! We will be a Petcetera, 3205 Magazine Street at Harmony (Uptown New Orleans) Mimi or Stanya would just LOVE to watch the Saints game with you tonight!!

Csaba - ADOPTED!!

Csaba has settled into his new home. He now lives with a very nice lady named Janice and her daughter.

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!!

Anyway Csaba is all settled in at his new home! And by the way, don't call him Csaba anymore. His name is MAX!! So much for the Hungarian theme! LOL

But his sister Zsolta is still looking for the perfect picnic spot! She spent some time with me here after her Spay. She is a great little girl. Although she was shy when we first got her from between the houses, she learned how to get love FAST. She is loving and sweet and patient. She did great with her crate training. And she is really growing into her beauty! Lovely!

Rabbit Adoptions, Reunited Puppies and A Big Thank You!

Hey everyone,

Wow! Isn't it amazing how one minute you feel like you've got everything under control and the next *bam!* you're going 90 mph! That's what it ha been like for the last couple of weeks. But don't get me wrong ~ it's all been good! Truthfully, I cannot believe the supportive response I have gotten to our new blog and Facebook page. We already have over 100 facebook fans, 300 blog views and 12 followers. I guess people really are interested in what we are doing! Who knew? Not me. Thank you. It has meant a great deal to me to know that people care.

A couple of great thing to bring you up to speed on. First, big news for small rabbit ~ Mae Fern has been adopted. She was so happy to leave us with Amey. Who could blame her? How would you like to be a rabbit living with all these dogs? Amey found us thru the House Rabbit Society. A big THANK YOU to June for letting Amey know that of all the rabbits in town Mae Fern needed a new home the most. That put Mae Fern ahead in the line...in front of all the little baby bunnies!!

You remember Csaba, our little Rottweiler puppy? Guess what ~ we just rescued his sister, Zsolta. These two had been running the streets making it on their own. Someone caught Csaba but couldn't get Zsolta. But then, two weeks later, guess who was found trapped between two houses? Oh yeah, Zsolta! What was cool was how these two puppies acted when they saw each other again. They were so happy. I'll make a separate posting for Zsolta with more details, but I just had to share here!

I really need some financial help getting Csaba and Zsolta fixed. I don't have the funds to do it without their adoption fee, and I don't want to adopt them until they're fixed. See the Catch-22? If you can help just a little bit, that would be huge for me. I have a vet who is very reasonable but can't do it for free. You can use the Paypal button, but please let me know so I can thank you!

One more time, thank you to everyone who has joined us on Facebook and this blog, who encouraged their friends to do the same, and who sent me supportive posts and messages. Suddenly I no longer feel alone! You are the best!

~ Madalin

Zsolta the Puppy

Zsolta is a lovely puppy, probably a Catahoula Leopard Dog and Lab mix. You can see the "leopard" markings in her coat. Beautiful! Check out her photo album.

Zsolta and her brother Csaba were living on the streets until someone decided they deserved better. She was able to catch Csaba fairly easily but not Zsolta. However, two weeks later, who did she find trapped between two houses but Zsolta. Smart girl got herself through the fence but couldn't work her way back out.

So now we have both of these adorable puppies. They had a tough start on life but have bounced back well. If you are interested in adopting one of them please e-mail me at madalin@useddogs.org. If you can't adopt but would like to donate toward getting them fixed and fully vetted, that would be huge! You can just use the Paypal button at the top of the right column of this blog.

Spread the word. Let people know that there are lots of Used Dogs needing a loving home!

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!