The St. Louis Senior Dog Project

Boomer's new life

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 and even a few cats.  See our adoptable dogs at www.olderbetter.petfinder.org.  And please vote to help us win a grant.  Here's the link.  Just write in St. Louis Senior Dog Project, click on vote, and identify and animal to verify vote,

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

Ellen's Notes:

Sooner was one of eight senior dogs we took in from a research facility that was shutting down.  He was nine years old and had spent most of his years as a "flavor" tester.

Sooner was -- to say the least -- awfully shy.  He was also nervous around other dogs since he'd spent most of his time in a cage by himself.  During his time with us, he kept his distance from most other dogs but was gradually coming a little closer.

When Sooner was adopted, his name became Boomer; his new family wondered if he would ever settle in and become friends with their other dog.  We were a little worried.

Well this week we received this picture of Boomer and his housemate. That's Boomer at the top of the picture with his head resting on his mate.

All is well.

We needn't have worried.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

A Molly Hiccup or Two

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 and even a few cats.  See our adoptable dogs at www.olderbetter.petfinder.org.  And please keep voting for us daily at this link.  We're trying to win a grant and our closest Missouri competition is sneaking up behind us.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

Ellen's Notes:

Not to long ago I received a message  and pictures from Cindy who adopted Honey, now Molly, about two years ago.

"Tell people not to worry if they find a hiccup in their dog.  It doesn't have to be something they can't overcome.  Get advice from a trainer, Senior Dog Project a friend, a veterinarian or training books.  It may only take some time and patience ..."

She sent a picture of Molly fitting herself (almost) into the cat's bed.  That's the cat she didn't like too much at first.  Eventually they became friends.  They now even share their human's bed some nights.

Molly, she says, "loves her walks and has a boyfriend down the street -- a big Golden Retriever who is always eager to share kisses with her.  Then she has to visit her buddy the Westie, and they have a big sniff fest and tail wagging contest."

One of Molly's original problems was that she "lunged and barked at joggers, strollers, bikes, trucks.  Today she barely blinks at eye at them.  It just took some desensitization to things that were new for her."
 
Although I'm still away, I learned we had four adoptions today including Ebony, a 5  year old black cockr spaniel and a genuine sweetie.

Ellen EllickPresident/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com
 
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So hard to get away

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 and even a few cats. See our adoptable pets at www.olderbetter.petfinder.org.  And keep voting to help us win a grant.  The race is tightening!  Here's the link.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

Ellen's Notes:

I'm still in Syracuse, but I just can't seem to get away from St. Louis.

My cellphone keeps ringing, and the emails arrive like thunder. I swear I can't escape dog rescue unless I leave the country.

First Woody jumped a fence at his temporary foster home. I had to arrange a home with a higher fence.

Then our fat dachshund ended up in the hospital with a sore leg.  Another dog needed treatment for kennel cough.

And the emails kept coming from a family in Kansas that wants one of our dogs which they say used to be their dog.  We  got the dog from a shelter where it had been for three weeks and was scheduled for euthanasia before we agreed to take him.

So far so good.  Great senior dog.  But the family who didn't collect him from the shelter (because they said they weren't called) now really really wants him back and really really loves him.

And that might be true.  It also might be true that they just want him back because they think of him as their property.  "Property" is a bad word when used in reference to a pet.  At least it is for me.

This dog might well go back to his original owners if I can find out that he'll live a good life there -- well tended, loved, and maybe sleeping on someone's bed.  But he won't go back because he used to be their property.

There's a lesson here for all of us.  This dog had a collar on with a phone number.  The shelter said they called the number and no one came for the dog.  The family says no one from the shelter called them.

The lesson is to never assume that a tag or even a microchip means you can sit home and wait for someone to call you.  Shelters are busy, chaotic places.  They try, but sometimes they fail.  Maybe they failed this time.  If you lose your dog, you must look for it.  Contact the neighbors.  Put up signs in the neighborhood.  Circulate pictures to all the shelters. And visit the shelters personally.  Place ads. Your dog deserves that much.

I don't know how this one will play out. My concern is for the dog and what is best for him.

And I'm still on vacation by the way.

Oh and yes, we will have an adoption event tomorrow (Saturday) at the Kirkwood Petco,I-44 and Lindbergh.  I just won't be there.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

A few days away

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 and even a few cats.  See our adoptable pets and www.olderbetter.petfinder.org.  And keep on voting to help us win a grant.  Here's the link:

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

Ellen's Notes:

I might...MIGHT...be silent for a few days.  Tomorrow I'm flying out to see my daughter in Syracuse, NY, for a few days.  Then I'll head back to the Lake of the Ozarks for a short family reunion.

The lead up to going out of town is always pretty hectic.  I need to find temporary foster homes for my own foster dogs and arrange care for my own dogs.  That's what I've been doing the last couple days --- and thanks to all who stepped up and said yes.

I've also had to arrange to have someone check messages and emails and this and that. 

My daughter doesn't have a dog.  Don't pass this around, but sometimes it's nice to be dog free for a few days...just a few days.

This day also had its sadness.  We lost CeCe, a senior Pomeranian who succumbed to heart problems.  She'd been hospitalized for a couple days recently and she seemed to be getting better.  But the recovery we'd hoped for wasn't to be.

One of the things we learn too soon is that there is sadness in this rescue business along with the joy.  Some dogs don't make it.  Some stories don't have happy endings.

CeCe did have her moment in the limelight not long ago when she appeared on television. She had a magic smile.

And it's her smile we'll remember.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

Why not a black dog?

The St. Louis Senior Dog Project is a not-for-profit dog rescue organization specializing in older dogs but taking in a finding homes for dogs of all ages and even a few cats. See our adoptable dogs at www.olderbetter.petfinder.org.  And keep clicking and voting to help us win a grant.  Here's the link:

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

Ellen's Notes:

You've probably already heard this.  Black dogs are hard to place.  Especially big black dogs. And old black dogs.

So if you're really interested in earning a few points for the after life, consider adopting a black dog.

I have one of my own -- my wonderful swimming companion Smokey, a senior black lab. I'm not sure he's enough to get me into heaven, but I can hope.

So give them a look folks, Pictured here are a few of the older one.  The first picture is Toby, whose foster mom says he is perfect.  Then Chester, a lab mix, and finally Tippy, the Lhasa mix.

Check our website for other black dogs in need of homes.

We'll be back at the Kirkwood Petco (I-44 and Lindbergh) 11 to 3 Saturday with many of our dogs.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

Saturday's adoptions

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 and even a few cats.  See our adoptable pets at www.olderbetter.petfinder.org.  And please keep voting daily to help us win a grant.  We're still number one in Missouri, but the race is tightening.  We've moved up to 42 in the nation but need to climb much higher to be eligible for any of the bigger grants.  Here's the link -- forward it to all your friends.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

Ellen's Notes:

Three dogs found homes at Saturday'a adoption event.  A slow day for us, but a good day for these three.

Bella ia a young, active border collie mix still shy of a year old.  She spent way too long in an animal shelter before we were able to spring her thanks to Karon, who volunteered to foster her. I delivered Bella to Karon's home and enjoyed watching this youngster finally getting the chance to run.  And run she did.

Now Bella has a family with children.  We wish her well.

Another winner is Kathy, a young miniature pinscher rescued from the St. Louis City shelter.  This was no surprise.  We could have placed several Kathys.  She's adorable, frisky, cuddly and cute. How she ended up as a stray I'll never know.  Sadder yet, this little stray wasn't microchipped and wasn't wearing a tag.  No one came looking for her either -- also hard to understand.  When Kathy left our adoption event, she was microchipped and wearing a tag.  We want no more misadventures for this little girl.

Mohito, a Japanese Chin, found his home before he'd even made his first appearance on our petfinder site.

We also finalized Ivy's adoption.  She's been in foster care for several weeks.  Now she's officially at home there.

And We took in some new dogs -- 10 from a puppymill auction.  Their pictures will appear soon.  Living in the puppymill capitol of the country, we like to remove a few of these dogs every year from the breeding industry.  Now they will go on to be pets.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

Brutus 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 and even a few cats. See our adoptable pets at www.olderbetter.petfinder.org.  And keep on voting to help us win a grant at

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

Ellen's Notes:

Wow, Brutus.  You've had quite the week.  You turned 11 years old (no big deal for a Jack Russell Terrier), appeared on television (a pretty big deal) and found a forever home (a really big deal).

So how does it feel?

Brutus?

I guess he's just too busy being happy.

We almost missd his birthday.  Michelle notice it on his records when she met me at Channel 5 where Brutus was to be one of three senior dogs sitting with Jennefer Blome and me while we discussed senior dogs.  Brutus found the whole thing a little boring and bounced on and off Jennifer's lap.

But then we took Brutus to meet Anne, a senior citizen living in a retirement community.  We left the two together for a few days to make sure they were compatible.  After all, Brutus was an active senior and Anne still needed a walker after recent hip replacement surgery.

We shouldn't have worried.  Brutus quickly figured out how to walk with Anne.  He knew when to slow down and when to wait.  Then when they returned to their apartment, he knew how to hop into her lap.  He also had no trouble claiming a spot on her bed.

So today we made it official.  Brutus found his home.

This week I also received a note and picture from Amadeus, a favorite rat terrier.  He wrote (yes he did) that he's having a great time in his new home.  His picture was with his favorite toy.

And I received a new picture of Clara, whose owner is fairly ecstatic about the virtues of this litte dog, a rescue from the St. Louis County shelter. Here she is, front, with her friends.

Sarah says, "Clara has brought so much joy to my little family! She is such a happy little girl and approaches everyone with her tail wagging! She has such an earnest and open expression on her face at all times. Thanks for giving me the gift of Clara-she is so special." 

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

Pretty as Her Pictures

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 and even a few cats.  See our adoptable pets at www.olderbetter.petfinder.org.  Keep voting daily to help us win a grant at  

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

NEWS:  Conner the lost dog is home safe.  Thank you to the people who found him, bathed him, brushed him and kept him safe.

Ellen's Notes:

This pretty lady is Natalie.  We knew her first as Maxine the Schnauzer.

As you can see, she is very photogenic and at least one of her humans is quite artistic. Scroll all the way down to see the silhouette.

Lisa sent a note with several photos of Natalie telling us that "her personality continues to shine through even more every day. She loves to cuddle right in between us at night, but her favorite activity is probably going down to the apartment dog park and playing with all of her "friends." Big and small, she gets along and enjoys playing with them all. We're working on her shyness around children; I walked her down to the Race for the Cure this weekend, and she did so great with the crowds and all the little kids who wanted to pet her.

"Kyle and I catch ourselves almost daily thinking how lucky we are to have found her, and we hope she feels the same way! I couldn't even tell you the number of people who offer to watch her for us or the number of people who ask us if they can take her home... permanently. .. Anyway, we're in the process of looking for a house (with a doggie door and a yard)."

Thanks Kyle and Lisa....for the pictures and for giving Maxine/Natalie a good home.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

Goodby to Reba

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 and even a few cats.  See our adoptable pets at www.olderbetter.petfinder.org.  And keep on voting to help us win a grant.  Go to this link:

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

 

Ellen's Notes:

The good news is that Gage the German Shorthaired Pointer is doing wonderfully in his new homes.  He has a new name, Otto, and he enjoys visits to the park and swimming in the Lake of the Ozarks.  He loves his new humans and adores their grandchildren too.  Looks like Gage/Otto is finally home. When he came to us, he was a very skinny stray with mange, worms and tick borne illness. A dog's life can change in an instant.  Maybe so can ours.

But I also just received a note saying that Reba the Redbone Coonhound had been put to sleep because of liver failer.  I remember her well and wrote several blogs about her a few years ago.

Reba was found by the side of the road and turned in to a rural shelter.  For a week she didn't move.  Then she rose to her feet and started looking around.  When we took her in, she was still a littly wobbly on all fours and her head tilted to one side.  But she was a sweet, sweet dog.  In time she seemed to recover and eventually found a loving home.

But time catches up with all of us, and it did with Reba.  I saw her only a few weeks ago.  She still looked pretty good, but I knew she was being treated for several conditions.  But she was one happy lady still.  We'll always remember you, Reba.

Other troubles today: Conner, the dog I wrote about yesterday, got away from his foster home and is now on the loose.  We're hoping he'll turn himself in to a friendly neighbor soon. Conner is a collie mix and he's lost in South St. Louis.

And a cute little corgi mix is coming back because he bit a visitor.  This is a tough one.  We certainly don't approve of biting, but Buggsy was also such a sweetie, a regular little lapdog and bed snuggler.  I don't know what we're going to do with him.  I think he'd be fine in a home with fewer visitors.  He loves his own folks, just doesn't see the need for company.  Anyone out there for Buggsy?

And the border collie, Daisy, I rescued from Jefferson County Animal Control, is heartworm positive.  We'll treat her, of course, but with money so tight I'd hoped she would cost us less.  She was already spayed afterall.  Oh well.  She's a good good dog and she doesn't act 9 years old and doesn't act sick either.

If that wasn't enough, another of our foster dogs, Tabitha, became ill today and needed a special vet visit.  I'm waiting to see how she's doing.

But back to the positive side, Charlotte the  English Springer Spaniel puppy has now found her home.

I received eight calls from people who needed to get rid of their dogs today and had to say "no" to all of them.

Just another day.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

Our Almost Moratorium

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 and even a few cats.  See our adoptable pets at www.olderbetter.petfinder.org.  And vote to  help us win a grant at 

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.faces?siteId=3

Ellen's Notes:

Our moratorium against taking in any new dogs has turned into an "almost" moratorium.

We've taken in a few dogs (such as Conner here), but we've been very careful about what we've agreed to take -- looking at such things as how easy it will be to place the dog or how expensive it will be to prepare the dog for adoption.

We're still facing the same situation most rescues and shelters are facing today:  More dogs are losing their homes than finding new homes.  Rescue groups and shelters are full and adoptions are slow.  We're off about 30 per cent over the same time this year.  And of course, donations are off and more groups are competing for the donations and grants still out there.

So we need to be careful, but somehow we just can't stop doing what we do.

Conner (in all these pictures) is one of our newest rescues.  He came to our attention because the high kill shelter that had him just couldn't put him this sweet collie mix to sleep. Even though Conner was alost 10 year old, the shelter supervisor thought he was a special guy and that he'd make a great pet.  A few emails later and Conner was heading our way and the Grey Muzzle Foundation was to sponsor his veterinary expenses.

Win. Win.  And Conner is a super nice dog.  We're already questioning his senior status. And I'm thinking someone will want him very soon.

Then yesterday I coudn't say no to a 9-year-old border collie who was in a local shelter.  Her family had moved and said they couldn't keep her.  In the form they filled out, they said Daisy was spayed, housebroken and good with children, dogs and cats.  Sounds like somebody's perfect dog, and she comes to us almost ready for adoption.

We also took a young already spayed miniature pinscher from a shelter.  Sweet, playful, very adoptable. At the same time I took a very obese dachshund who will not be ready for adoption until he loses at least half his body weight.  Well, he might be a questionable choice, but we were his only hope ....and he does have personality under all that fat.

And we may soon take in a few easy-to-place puppies.

So our moratorium has become an almost moratorium.  We're being careful, but we're still taking in a few new dogs.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com