The St. Louis Senior Dog Project

Button and other Good News

Cute as a Button ...our first Red Ribbon dog

 The St. Louis Senior Dog  Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in and finding homes for dogs of all ages...even puppies.  Meet and adopt your new best friend 11 to 3 Saturday and 11 to 2 Sunday, February 4 and 5 at the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh, and 11 to 3 Saturday, February 4 in the St. Louis McKenzie Petco .   To see which dogs will be there as well as other adoptable dogs (and to check out our Red Ribbon dogs (no fee to senior citizens), go Here.

I love sharing good news.  Button (aka Cute as a Button) is our first Red Ribbon Dog.  She's been waiting for the right home for quite awhile, and it looks like she's found it.  Her new guardians are senior citizens who qualified for the Purina Pets for People grant which covered her adoption fee.

So far things are going well although Button has been a little shy.  She has given up a few kisses though and nibbled thoughtfully on a yummy piece of cheese. Button was one of several dogs we took from a breeding facility that was shutting down.

Our other Red Ribbon dogs adopted in the past few days are Ghostie Girl the shih tzu, Patrik, a westie mix, and Paul Simon, a rottweiller.  We still have money left in the Purina grant to cover more Red Ribbon dogs, so if you're a senior citizen or know one, look on our website to see our Red Ribbon Dogs.

And we celebrated other adoptions.  Charlotte the redbone coonhound is now adopted as are the nine puppies she came to us with.  Also adopted are Cookie the cocker spaniel, Marcus the cockapoo, Bitsee the poodle, Ivy the pomeraian, Chloe the yellow lab, Kimora Lee the shih tzu, and Honey the cavalier puppy.

And I've received good news about some of our former adoptions, such as Kokomo, a 4-year-old miniature schnauzer adopted a year ago.  I remember her.  She was a frightened puppymil dog who was trying very hard to be brave.  She found a new home, but for awhile her new mom Ginny was pretty discouraged.  One night she couldn't even catch the dog to bring her inside.  But Ginny didn't give up.  Now a year later, she reports that Kokomo, now Sasha, has come a long ways.

"When I first adopted her she was very afraid of everyone and ran in the opposite direction when anyone approached her.  She couldn't walk on a leash and was more comfortable being alone that being with people."

A year has passed and Kokomo is now Sasha.  She knows several commands: sit, stay, down, up, off and is working on come.  She can now walk on a leash.  "She is very smart and eager to please.  She has learned to appreciate treats and even plays with some toys.  She is very sweet and even gives kisses.  She gets along great with Simon, my westie, too.  He has become her mentor, and she follows him everywhere. Sasha is truly a gift, and I hope that other people that rescue puppymill dogs can have a similar experience of watching their pet blossom." 

 Not every dog that comes from a breeder is a puppymill dog, but Kokomo/Sasha fit the description. When I brought her home from a dog auction, I was afraid I'd made a mistake.  I thought she might be unfixable.

Sometimes it's good to be wrong. Here's Kokomo when she was still with me.

I've also heard about Tippy, Bear/Barry, Blossom and others.  So more good news to come.

 

 

 

Red Ribbon Dogs for Seniors

Dash...one of our Red Ribbon dogs.

 The St. Louis Senior Dog  Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in and finding homes for dogs of all ages...even puppies.  Meet and adopt your new best friend 11 to 3 Saturday/Sunday, January 28 and 29 at the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh.   To see which dogs will be there as well as other adoptable dogs (and to check out our Red Ribbon dogs, go Here.

We have great news, so if you know a senior citizen (60 years or older) or if you are one, keep on reading.

The Purina Pets for Seniors program has awarded us a grant which we can use to cover the adoption fee for selected dogs when they are adopted by senior citizens.  We hope we'll make some senior citizens happy and place some of our older dogs.

Dash, above, is a very laid back yellow lab mix, an easy dog to have around.

Or if you're more interested in something small, here's Bitsee, a poodle 8 to 10 years old.

And here's Hazel, a miniature pinsher mix 8 to 10 years old.

Or maybe Maddie, who is about 8 years old and also enrolled in a program that will provide her with free vet care at the Stray Rescue clinic.

Other Red Ribbon dogs are Roxie the dachshund, Einstein the poodle/terrier, Dolly the shepherd/hound mix, Milo the poodle, Button the rat terrier, Marley Bear the pomeranian, Paul Stanley the Rottweiller, and Chessy the poodle mix.  So you see we have them in all sizes, and we may be adding some more. And we may be adding more.

Check out the pictures on our website and you'll see all our Red Ribbon dogs.

Our grant will help us place 10 to 14 dogs, so don't delay.  Come and see our Red Ribbon Dogs weekends at the Kirkwood Petco, or call/email with questions about the ones you find interesting.

We do add that if you are one of those seniors who can easily afford our adoption fees that you pay the fee and leave the assistance for someone else.

Thanks.  And good luck to all our Red Ribbon dogs.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

ST. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

The trouble with "no kill"

Sizzle still waits for a home.

The St. Louis Senior Dog  Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in and finding homes for dogs of all ages...even puppies.  Meet and adopt your new best friend 11 to 3 Saturday/Sunday, January 21 and 22, at the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh, or 11 to 3 Saturday, January 21 in the Bridgeton Petsmart. To see which dogs will be there as well as other adoptable dogs, go Here.

Marian Brickner, an animal photographer, is offering to take a family picture with your adopted dog.  Half of the $25 fee will come back to St. Louis Senior Dog Project.  You will receive a Hi RES image of the best picture.  To arrange, call Marian at 314-564-5855 and check her out on this website: Pet Photography. 

Every week I answer phone calls and emails from people who want me to take the dog they no longer want.  Sometimes their reason for dumping the dog is a good one; often it isn't.  But many of them want to know if St. Louis Senior Dog Project is a "no kill."

Yes, of course, if by "no kill" you mean that we don't put down dogs for lack of space or because they've been with us too long.  Once we commit to a dog, we hold on to it until we find it a home.  The only exceptions would be aggressive dogs or dogs in pain from unfixable injuries or untreatable diseases.

But I"m always tempted to say that there's really no such thing as a "no kill" rescue or shelter for the simple reason that when the dogs at "no kills" don't get adopted, other dogs die.  We can't really be "no kill" until our entire community is "no kill."  I say "no" to a lot of people wanting to turn over their unwanted dogs to me.  I say "no" to a lot of the requests from shelters when I don't have room for another dog or I'm just not comfortable with the dog in question.  I don't know what happens to all of these dogs, but I'm sure some of them die.  That's why I don't brag too much about being a "no kill."

The main difference between "kill" and "no kill" is that a "no kill" group can choose the dogs it takes in and say "no" when out of space.  "Kill" shelters are the municipal and county shelters responsible for animal control.  They can't be selective.  They must take in strays and usually also those turned in by owners.  When they're out of space, they can't close the door.  They must make space, and they do that by euthanizing dogs.

Most of the county and municipal shelters I work with try to save as many dogs as possible.  They work with rescue groups to get dogs into homes and still must make tough decisions about which dogs to hold onto a little longer and which are probably not adoptable.  I'd hate to be the one making those decisions.

I can remember a time when many shelters euthanized dogs as soon as they were past their "hold" period, the number of days they must hold a dog by law. It didn't matter if the dog was vicious or friendly, healthy or not.  If time was up, the dog was out of luck.  The rescue movement and programs to encourage spay/neuter have changed things a lot, significantly reducing the number of homeless dogs being euthanized. We're making progress. But we're a long ways from being a "no kill" community.

Most of us define "no kill" as "no kill of adoptable dogs," and we don't all define "adoptable" the same. I think senior dogs are adoptable.  Some others disagree and avoid them.

We all get a little uncomfortable when we turn away a dog that anyone would call "adoptable" because we're having trouble placing other dogs that may be less desirable. We comfort ourselves when some of these less desirable dogs end up in homes where their new humans thing they're the best dogs they've ever owned.

But still. We aren't a "no kill" community.

Part of the solution, of course, is more spay/neuter to cut down on the number of unwanted dogs.  We might also aim our strongest efforts at dog fighting rings and pitball breeders who are contributing so many of the dogs that end up in "kill" shelters.

This past week we did take in a couple senior dogs from St. Louis County and a couple big dogs from Jefferson County.  All were at risk.  I'm happy we could help.  Sizzle, above, is another dog we rescued from a "kill" shelter last summer.   As a black dog (and a darn sweet one at that), she was at risk.   She's still waiting for a home, and she deserves a break, but so do some of the others who never seem to get one. 

It's not easy.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

Dogs love snow!

But this is not snow.  This is sunset at White Sands National Monument in New Mexico.

The St. Louis Senior Dog  Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in and finding homes for dogs of all ages...even puppies.  Meet and adopt your new best friend 11 to 3 Saturday/Sunday, January 14 and 15, at the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh. To see which dogs will be there as well as other adoptable dogs, go Here.

Marian Brickner, an animal photographer, is offering to take a family picture with your adopted dog.  Half of the $25 fee will come back to St. Louis Senior Dog Project.  You will receive a Hi RES image of the best picture.  To arrange, call Marian at 314-564-5855 and check her out on this website: Pet Photography. 

Dogs love snow.  I know this because I'm looking out the window at several dogs who seem to think heaven sent this wonderful stuff so that they could enjoy an extra special day.  Dogs might not care for rain, but they'll play for hours in the snow.

I'm not loving the snow quite that much.  A week ago I was in New Mexico enjoying a few dog-free days and visiting such places at the White Sands National Monument.  It may have looked like snow there, but it was sand dunes as far as I could see and a jaw-dropping sunset.  And the weather was lovely.

During my time there I stayed at the Hilltop Hacienda, a bed and breakfast I'd recomment to anyone wanting a few days rest and recreation in and around Las Cruces.  The picture below doesn't do justice to the gardens, birds, patios and comfortable rooms as well as the trails through the desert out the back door.
But now I'm back home.  It's cold, and I'm catching up with dogs and starting a new semester of teaching.

This snowy white boy is Malcolm, the newest addition at my place.

He's  4 or 5 years old and very friendly.  We've also taken in a senior minpin and a senior poodle mix from St. Louis County Animal Control.

And we've had some adoptions: Emily the black shepherd mix, Ziggy the Aussie mix, Blossom the beagle/corgi mix, Trooper the little minpin, Frannie the yorkie, and Minnie the schnauzer mix.  Also, drum roll, Flopsy the Aussie mix has found a home.  Flopsy had been with us almost two years and wasn't adoptable because of urinary incontinence.  We finally found a solution to her problem through a new surgical procedure available at Veterinary Specialty Services.  She is now almost perfect and settling into her new home.  Another dog in for surgery this week is Latifah the black lab.  Her surgery was for a knee problem that was causing her constant pain.  In a few weeks, she should be better than ever and, we hope, pain free.

Tomorrow's another adoption day. 

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

Something to celebrate

Milo finds a home.

The St. Louis Senior Dog  Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in and finding homes for dogs of all ages...even puppies.  Meet and adopt your new best friend 11 to 3 Saturday, December 31, at the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh. To see which dogs will be there as well as other adoptable dogs, go Here.

Marian Brickner, an animal photographer, is offering to take a family picture with your adopted dog.  Half of the $25 fee will come back to St. Louis Senior Dog Project.  You will receive a Hi RES image of the best picture.  To arrange, call Marian at 314-564-5855 and check her out on this website: Pet Photography. 

Milo is just one of our dogs with something to celebrate.  He found his new home on the last day of 2011, which wasn't such a great year for him.  He spent most of the year ( 8 month) locked up in the old St. Louis City shelter on Gasconade.  We took him into our program and quickly discovered an almost perfect dog.

So Happy New Year to Milo.  2012 should be a good year.  And Happy New Year also to Blue Moon and Root Beer, the two Aussies who got their wish and will be spending the rest of their lives together in a wonderful new home.  Others finding homes were Gigi the senior poodle, Gerri the schnauzer, Miles the chihuahua mix, Emily the black shepherd mix, Marley Bear the Pomeranian, Lucy the chubby border collie mix, Nutmeg the redbone coonhound puppy, Brodie the maltese, Charlie the dachshund, Liz the border collie mix, and even the elderly Sassy, a schnoodle.

This is Brodie the maltese, a former breeder.

And her's Nutmeg (although she's grown since this picture).  She was born in a ditch with her eight siblings.  All the pups are adopted.  Mom Charlotte still needs a home.

And here's little old Sassy. Her former owners decided they were too busy for her.

And this is Marley Bear, whose former owners turned him in to Jefferson County Animal Control.

Happy New Year to all of them, and to all of the wonderful people who fostered them and to those who adopted them. And Happy New Year to all our wonderful volunteers, probably the best anywhere.

We ended 2011 with 384 adoptions -- more than a dog a day rescued and delivered to new homes.

We ended the year up to date with all bills and with money in the bank.  We're operating in the black.  We're here for the long run. In 2012 we'll celebrate our 10 year anniversary.  My New Year's wish is that long after I'm too old to keep up with dogs, there will still be a St. Louis Senior Dog Project.

I've received more cards and emails from former adopters including a gorgeous Christmas picture of Bongo, a spaniel mix rescued from Jefferson County Animal Control.  He's certainly found the good life, as has a cocker spaniel we first knew as Gummy (now Donner). 

I received a letter and photos from the people who adopted Gummer/Donner five years ago.  I remember this dog well because when I first saw him at the old Gasconade pound, he was so matted that his mats had mats.  Staff didn't think he was even adoptable -- too old.  Well, he's still alive and he still enjoys life.  He sleeps with his teddy bear in the middle of a king-size bed.  He enjoys car rides and walks.  He also has good food, dog beds in every room, plenty of love, and regular trips to the groomer.  No more mats on this boy.

It's amazing to think how different his life is now from the one that brought him to us.  My wish for all the sad, neglected dogs is that the find new lives as good as those of Bongo and Donner.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

 

Ziggy zigs while I zag and sag

Welcome Ziggy

The St. Louis Senior Dog  Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in and finding homes for dogs of all ages...even puppies.  Meet and adopt your new best friend 11 to 3 Saturday, December 31, at the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh. To see which dogs will be there as well as other adoptable dogs, go Here.

WE HAVE A WINNER of the baseball raffle.  Michael Ferguson, who adopted an Italian Greyhound from us a few years ago, wins the baseball signed by Albert Pujols.  Congratulations, Michael.  And thanks to everyone who participated in the raffle.

Marian Brickner, an animal photographer, is offering to take a family picture with your adopted dog.  Half of the $25 fee will come back to St. Louis Senior Dog Project.  You will receive a Hi RES image of the best picture.  To arrange, call Marian at 314-564-5855 and check her out on this website: Pet Photography. 

I'm officially now over my comfort level with dogs. As much as I love each and every one of my foster dogs, I'd like some of them to find new homes fast.  And I'm really looking forward to a four-day vacation scheduled the first part of January.

During my days away, I won't answer phone calls from people wanting to get rid of their dogs.  I won't read emails about dogs that will die if I don't do something right now. I won't even spend my weekend taking dogs to adoption events.  For a few days, I'll live like regular folks.  I'll even sleep in a dog-free bed.

As I sometimes say, I may be a little bit crazy, but I'm not a lot crazy.  I know my limits.  That's important because I don't have a facilty, and I don't keep dogs outdoors.  All dogs live in foster homes, and mine is the busiest foster home of all.  My current foster dogs are Royal, Latifah, Lucy, Willy Wonka, Ziggy, Cute as a Button, and Ziggy. Look them up.  They are not all small dogs.  They take up space.  I also have two resident dogs -- a crazy Chocolate Lab and an insecure Affenpinscher. 

The newest foster dog is Ziggy (picture at top), an Aussie mix pulled from the old St. Louis City Pound at Gasconade.  I gave him his name because when I walked him out to the van, he zig zagged all over the place.  I'd been feeling like a zig zagger myself these last two weeks -- too busy to walk straight.  Or was I just sagging? 

At home I do the "foster shuffle" when  zig zagging about the house because dogs are always bumping against me. If I step too high or too lively, the slightest bump could catch me off balance and knock me over.  Pathetic.  So I shuffle and stay upright.  And I yell a bit too much.  That usually happens if the dogs decide to exercise their barking privileges at once. 

They are a good bunch, thank God.  At least I'm not breaking up fights.  I'm not even mopping up too many accidents. Great potential pets.  Now if they will just find homes.

My sister lives in a separate part of the house and has three dogs of her own and several fosters.  Although these dogs aren't with me all the time, I do help take care of them.  See, things are even worse than you thought.  Yesterday, she took in a new foster -- Bitsee, a tiny poodle who was thrown from a car.  Here's Bitsee, 7 or 8 years old and now recovering from some rather extensive dental work.

Later today I'm picking up a small dog coming from the Southeast Missouri Humane Society.  He will go with my sister...or some other foster.

And I'll dream about the vacation days ahead.  Oh I know there are some of you who never want to leave your "fur babies."  Me, I love them all the more when I can get away from them now and then.  I'm hoping I'll adopt out some dogs this weekend because otherwise I'll be boarding most of my fosters for a few days. Or maybe I'll find people who will foster a dog for a few days?  Hmm?

In spite of feeling a little crazier than usual, I'm  pleased that we've helped so many dogs during the final days of 2011, dogs that otherwise might have been put to sleep. The center still holds, my house still stands, and so do I.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

 

New walking companions

Out for a walk are Jerry(now Nikki), Roscoe and Alfie

The St. Louis Senior Dog  Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in and finding homes for dogs of all ages...even puppies.  Meet and adopt your new best friend 11 to 3 Saturday, December 31, at the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh. To see which dogs will be there as well as other adoptable dogs, go Here.

WE HAVE A WINNER of the baseball raffle.  Michael Ferguson, who adopted an Italian Greyhound from us a few years ago, wins the baseball signed by Albert Pujols.  Congratulations, Michael.  And thanks to everyone who participated in the raffle.

Marian Brickner, an animal photographer, is offering to take a family picture with your adopted dog.  Half of the $25 fee will come back to St. Louis Senior Dog Project.  You will receive a Hi RES image of the best picture.  To arrange, call Marian at 314-564-5855 and check her out on this website: Pet Photography. 

I'll always remember Alfie even though he was adopted from us almost 10 years ago.  He was one of the first adoptions during our first year in business.  Alfie was pretty shy and of unknown parentage, but he was adorable in a scruffy sort of way.  Over the years Laurie sent me pictures, including one of him wearing a life jacket while enjoying a boat ride.

So I recognized the name when Laurie adopted another dog from us a week or so ago. Laurie adopted Jerry, a little Maltese rescued from St. Charles City Animal Control.  I wondered if Alfie was still with us; after all, he'd be several years north of ten years by now.

Yes, I found out, Alfie is still with us and although a little hard of hearing now, he still enjoys daily walks of two to three miles.  Alfie and Roscoe the Pekingese are teaching Jerry (Nikki) the rules of the house and generally making him feel welcome. And all three, as you can see above, are now walking companions.

We rescued several dogs in the days prior to Christmas and found homes for quite a few too.  Here's Pamela and Ebony enjoying th Christmas in their new home.

And here's Darla the shy yorkie with her new human, Anna.

Lady the Pomeranian also went to her new home, but the people who thought they wanted to adopt Emily changed their mind.  They may still adopt from us but probably a smaller dog.  Root Beer and Blue Moon went home with their adopters but came back the next days when the couple adopting them came to terms with the extra work involved in taking in two new dogs.

However, as luck would have it, no sooner were Blue Moon and Root Beer back with us than someone else wanted to meet the two bonded Australian Shepherds.  As I write, they are visiting at a potential new home. 

This morning I picked up Ziggy, an Australian Shepherd/Border Collie mix from the old St. Lous City Pound at Gasconade.  I dropped him off for grooming along with Lucy, a chubby Border Collie mix rescued last week from Jefferson Count Animal Control. 

I also took in a tiny white poodle (Bitsee) who'd been tossed from a car a week ago.  I haven't yet taken pictures of Ziggy or Bitsee, but here's a picture of Lucy, who weighs 74 lbs but should be about 40 lbs. 

Lucy is friendly, housebroken, good with children and other pets....and dieting. It's hard to understand how dogs can get fat.  After all, they can't get into the refrigerator without help, and you never see them waiting in line alone at McDonald's.

Even with those extra pounds, Lucy is still a charmer and she's trying to play with the other dogs.  Give her some time and she'll get her figure back. Go Lucy! All she needs now is a good walking companion.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

Miracles here and there

Royal....will make a great walking companion

The St. Louis Senior Dog  Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in and finding homes for dogs of all ages...even puppies.  No adoption events this weekend, but we could arrange something for those wanting to meet a particular dog. To see our adoptable dogs, go Here.

WE HAVE A WINNER of the baseball raffle.  Michael Ferguson, who adopted an Italian Greyhound from us a few years ago, wins the baseball signed by Albert Pujols.  Congratulations, Michael.  And thanks to everyone who participated in the raffle.

Marian Brickner, an animal photographer, is offering to take a family picture with your adopted dog.  Half of the $25 fee will come back to St. Louis Senior Dog Project.  You will receive a Hi RES image of the best picture.  To arrange, call Marian at 314-564-5855 and check her out on this website: Pet Photography. 

I was expecting a slow week.  We weren't planning an adoption event on Christmas Eve.

But it wasn't to be, and that's what has me pleased and excited.

First, we've got adoptions happening.  Darla, a frightened yorkie who's been with us more than a year, has finally found her home.  Foster mom Linda thinks her new people are perfect for her.  That's one miracle.

Now we've got someone asking to adopt the bonded pair of Australian Shepherds -- Blue Moon and Root Beer.  That'll make everyone happy but especially the two dogs.

And two Pomeranians -- Pamela Pepper and Ebony--are also going home together by Christmas. For awhile there I was wondering what happened to all the Pomeranian lovers.  Today I've heard from a former adopter who is hoping to take home another Pomeranian Christmas Eve.

Charlotte the Redbone Coonhound who came to us with nine puppies and Mary Jo the Treeing Walker Coonhound have home visits set up next week, so one or both of them may be in a new home by New Year's.

Liz the border collie mix is getting adopted, and Emily the black shepherd mix will probably go to her new home in a day or so.  We took Emily from the now-closed St. Louis City Pound on Gasconade that is still housing dogs picked up as strays.  Emily, her foster mom says, is almost perfect.  I might say the same thing about Royal, above, the other dog taken from the Gasconade shelter.  Royal knows several commands and is a delight to take for a walk. He doesn't pull at all!  He'll make someone a great walking or running pal....and an excellent watchdog too.

At my place, Royal loves to play with Willy Wonka, the 20 lb chocolate miniature pinscher mix, another recent rescue from Jefferson County. Here's this cutie who is one to two years old. 

As mentioned in my last blog, we've been rushing to get more dogs safe  by Christmas.  I pulled Bessie Beagle out of the Jefferson County after Tom read my blog and said he could squeeze in another dog.  Another dog I was planning to take was returned to his owner -- always good news.  But no sooner was one dog home safe but another was turned in by a family struggling to pay bills for a daughter injured in an accident.  They didn't think they could afford to keep their dog, one I will pick up later today.

We've also found foster homes for a shih tzu and a miniature pinscher, both being held at vet clinics.  The shih tzu was abandoned at the clinic's front door.  The minpin was brought into the clinic to be put to sleep after being hit by a car.  Now here's another miracle.  The minpin initially seemed to be paralyzed, but after a few days he started to move about.  Now he can run with only a bit of a wobble.  Thanks to Lesa and Kim and others who volunteered to help with these.  The shih tzu may actually have a permanent home by Christmas.

I've received several Christmas cards from people who adopted from us years past.  I read of Jack's three-year anniversary and of how Harley had turned out to be such a good dog for a retired couple.  Miracles all when I remember how they came to us.

I'm still strugging to find space for a couple other dogs -- an Aussie mix at Gasconade and a purebred Aussie elsewhere.  With a little juggling and wishing, it'll work out.  Or maybe I'll have an extra dog for a few days.

I'm sure I've forgotten a miracle or two, but here's the last one.  One of the shelters I pulled several dogs from during the past two weeks canceled euthanasias scheduled for today.  

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com 

And the winner is.....

The St. Louis Senior Dog  Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in and finding homes for dogs of all ages...even puppies.  No adoption events this weekend, but we could arrange something for those wanting to meet a particular dog. To see our adoptable dogs, go Here.

WE HAVE A WINNER of the baseball raffle.  Michael Ferguson, who adopted an Italian Greyhound from us a few years ago, wins the baseball signed by Albert Pujols.  Congratulations, Michael.  And thanks to everyone who participated in the raffle.

Marian Brickner, an animal photographer, is offering to take a family picture with your adopted dog.  Half of the $25 fee will come back to St. Louis Senior Dog Project.  You will receive a Hi RES image of the best picture.  To arrange, call Marian at 314-564-5855 and check her out on this website: Pet Photography. 

Corky, above, is another winner.  We got him out of a local shelter before Christmas and almost immediately found him a home.  Well, he is pretty cute.  But he's also pretty lucky because many shelters must reduce their inventory of dogs before the holidays so that staff can take vacations.  That can be bad news for dogs that don't make the cut.

But Corky was lucky, and so were Deke, Scrappy, Royal, Emily, Sierra, Kane and a few others dogs we pulled from shelters in the past week or so.  Today a couple of volunteers were off collecting two more dogs in need of immediate help, one being a 10-year-old dachshund whose owner had died. I have a couple other dogs on hold that I hope to get out soon. (Deke, Scrappy and Sierra are already adopted too.)

When people in rescue talk about the holiday rush, we're not talking about shopping or decorating the home, we're referring to the extra push it takes to save as many dogs as possible before Christmas and New Year's Day.

Here's a picture of another recent adoption -- Dusty (now Cannoli), a four-month-old Australian Shepherd who seems right at home under the tree. His new family find him playful and sweet and say he is "doing great!" He's a winner!      And so is his new family.

And here's a lucky fellow who spent awhile waiting for his lucky day.  Dudley was a very frightened puppymill dog when we first took him in.  The breeding facility where he lived had shut down, making him and others available to rescue groups. He is now looking very happy with his new human and is finally trusting people and enjoying life as a pet. Diane reports, "We're off to a good start."

And speaking of happy twosomes, here's a wonderful picture of Sunny (Sunshine) and one of his favorite humans. Pam wrote, "Sunny was wonderful when we first got her (despite being very quiet and very stiff!), but we never dreamed that she could blossom into the dog she has become.  She is the most happy, lovoing dog.  Her whole body wags, not just her tail!"  The picture is of Sunshine and Pam's daughter.

Doesn't that look like love? 

Winners.  I wish they all could be.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

 

Chia Puddum says hello

Chia Puddum, formerly Gia

The St. Louis Senior Dog  Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in and finding homes for dogs of all ages...even puppies.  We'll have adoptable dogs 11 to 3 Saturday and Sunday, December 17 and 18 at  the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh, and some dogs Saturday, December 17 at the Bridgeton Petsmart.  For information on which dogs will be there, go Here.

Marian Brickner, an animal photographer, is offering to take a family picture with your adopted dog.  Half of the $25 fee will come back to St. Louis Senior Dog Project.  You will receive a Hi RES image of the best picture.  To arrange, call Marian at 314-564-5855 and check her out on this website: Pet Photography. 

We knew her as Gia, a former breeder whom came to us as an almost 5-year-old.  She'd spent the first part of her life as a breeder, but she now had most of her life ahead of her.  She would now be a pet. Yes, she needed learn what this new life was all about and how to enjoy it.

Gia, a Brussells Griffon (see picture above), found a home and began the process of learning to be a pet.  She was still a little shy and mystified by life in a home, but she welcomed the change.  Imagine, she could have spent many more years in a commercial breeding facility until worn out from too many puppies.

It's been a year since Gia was adopted. Erin sent us some pictures and an email.

"I wanted to tell you that we love her so much... She plays, enjoys being with people, and is a bundle of energy.  She has about 75 toys " 

 Erin explained that the now-named Chia Puddum is no longer the shy little girl she was at first.  With confidence, she now pushes all those toys into the middle of the family room and arranges them in a big pile before beginning to vigorously throw them about the room.

Erin also sent pictures from before and after Chia Puddum's first haircut. 

I understand Chia Puddum now loves her visits to the spa.

Erin finished her email saying, "We just wanted to let you know what a great addition she is to our family. Thank you for allowing us to adopt Chia.  And we are so glad that she loves be ing here and is just as happy as a clam. "

And thank you, Erin, for adopting Chia Puddum and turning her into a dog who is "happy as a clam."  That's what we want to hear.

I've also received news from most of the people who adopted the Redbone Coonhound puppies.  Happy news in all cases except for Nutmeg, who came back to us because the other dogs in the family wouldn't accept her.  She'll find another place soon.

Ellen Ellick

President/Fouder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com