The St. Louis Senior Dog Project

Why is Truffles so Happy?

Truffles has reason to smile

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 , March 3 and 4 in the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh, and 11 to 3 Saturday, March 3, in the St. Louis/McKenzie Petco at 7279 Watson Rd.  It's not too late to find a Red Ribbon Dog, usually a senior or special needs dogs. Our Purina Pets for Seniors grant has room for one more senior adoptions.  We also have money left in the Dixie Fund, which will cover all by $25 of the adoption fee for persons of any age adopting Red Ribbon dogs.

Scrabble anyone?  Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 7, for Speed Scrabble. Gather 3 of your friends and a Scrabble board if you have one (others will be provided).  Cost is $15 per person and proceeds go to the animal organization of your choice (we hope it's St. Louis Senior Dog Project.  Doors open at 6 and the fun begins at 7 p.m.  Cash bar available.  Cash prizes for top 3 teams.  Location is the American Legion Post 162 at 9305 S. Broadway in Lemay, MO. For more information or to make a reservations, contact Arlene at 314-623-0412 or kulade5@yahoo.com

Truffles was about 30 minues away from, shall we say, an unfortunate outcome when I stood in front of his pen at the old St. Louis City shelter at Gasconade. We'd received a call the day before that the Missouri Agriculture Department had told the shelter that it didn't meet current standards and would need to reduce its dog inventory before a reinspection in two days.

City officials called us and other groups begging for help.  "We have a lot of adoptable dogs and we don't want to put them down" was the message we received. Shelter officials made special arrangements to meet rescue groups there.

First Chris swung by on his way home from work and picked up a  yellow labrador retirever mix.  Terry, Amanda, and Jeanette all selected a dog each -- a couple more labs and one mixed breed youngster.  Meanwhile the Humane Society of Missouri and some other groups selected a few more dogs.  I was there on the last day only 30 minutes before a vet was scheduled to arrive for euthanasias.  By then, the facility was almost empty of adoptable dogs...except for Tuffles, who was still waiting as he had been since October.  They were calling him a Chow mix.  He looks like a brown bear (or a big teddy bear).  He was a favorite there for his friendly nature and goofy smile.  So I took him home with me.

I love Tuffles.  He's an outstanding dog -- probably an Aussie mix.  I don't think he's even part Chow, but I'm not sure what the mix is.  He's fitting in fine here and will make his first public appearance Saturday at our adoption event 11 to 3 in the Kirkwood Petco.

One of the Gasconade dogs is already adopted.  The others will probably go fast. They definitely are adoptable dogs.

In other news, we adopted out more Red Ribbon dogs last weekend, and some young ones too (including Pamela Pointer).  We have a couple former adoptions coming back -- including a schnauzer, papillon and chihuhua.  Two are returning because of health of the owner.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. L ouis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

Yes, we had some adoptions!

Sizzle and her new "mom"

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 a REd Ribbon dog 11 to 3 Saturday and Sunday, February 25 and 26 at the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh.  Red Ribbon dogs will be adopted at no fee for senior citizens and only $25 to all others thanks to two grand programs.  This is the last weekend for this program.  In addition, we will have younger dogs at the St. Louis/Affton Petco from 11 to 3 Saturday. To see which dogs will be where as well as other adoptable dogs, go Here. The Red Ribbon dogs will be placed at no fee to senior citizens (60 plus) thanks to a grant from the Purina Pets for Seniors program.  This Dixie Fund will cover all but $25 of the fee for adults of any age.

Yes, we had some adoptions this weekend, and several were thanks to our two programs helping us place dogs -- especially seniors -- in good homes.  That's Sizzle up there.  She's been waiting for the right home since the sizzling summer day that I took her out of Jefferson County Animal Control.  Now it looks like she's found it.

Others finding homes through either the Purina Pets for Seniors program or our own Dixie Fund were Dolly the lab mix and Chessie the poodle mix.

Then we had several regular fee adopts, including Annette the beagle mix, pictured  below with her new best pal.

Others finding homes were Royal the retriever mix, Barret the yorkshire terrier, and Molly the yorkshire terrier.  And we may soon be able to announce a couple more adoptions.

Meanwile, we are gearing up for next weekend -- our Red Ribbon Weekend at the Kirkwood Petco.  Every dog there will be eligible for either the Purina Pets for Seniors Program (which means Purina will pay the adoption fee for senior citizens adopting one of the dogs) or the Dixie Fund (which means the adoption fee will be only $25 for people of any age adopting a senior dog or one that has been hard to place.

Spread the word.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com 

News: Sad and Glad

RIP Sweets

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 Sunday, February 18 and 19 at the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh, or 11 to 3 Saturday, February 18 at the Bridgeton Petsmart. To see which dogs will be where as well as other adoptable dogs (and to check out our Red Ribbon dogs (no fee to senior citizens and only $25 to all others), go Here. The Red Ribbon dogs will be placed at no fee to senior citizens thanks to a grant from the Purina Pets for Seniors program.  This Dixie Fund will cover most of the fee for younger adults.

My emails bring me news both sad and glad.  Today I learned about the death of a dog we knew as Sweets.  I took him home from Jefferson County Animal Control on a winter dog so cold I originally named him Brrrdog.  My sister changed his name to Sweets after the psychiatrist in the television program Bones.  He was indeed a sweet dog in need of a happy retirement home, and he found one.

Helen wrote, "He was happy with us.  He got a lot of attention.  He was walked every day except the icy or heavy rain days.....We enjoyed every minute with him.  I wish we had had more."

In happier news, I heard from the couple who adopted Donner, a beagle we'd rescued from a shelter and treated for heartworms.  We took him in just before Christmas so named him after one of Santa's reindeer -- Donner.  Donner has gone from being homeless and sick to being a welcome and healthy pet.  Ericka reports, " We just adore him and are so thankful that he's part of our family!  He's a bright, shiny light in my day!  He gets along great with his older brother (our Rhodesian ridgeback) and loves, loves, loves to be outside. "  Ericka forwarded their Chistmas card.  "He's always so serious in pictures.  It cracks me up."

And speaking of "happy at my new home" pictures, here's a dog we knew as Slylock.  His new name is Baxter.  Lisa tells us that Baxter loves to play outside in the yard, especially if someone is throwing his ball for him.  "However, he is also self entertaining and will throw his own toys and chase them.  This is very entertaining to watch. He has bonded well with all of the members of the family, even my husband. (Note: We were afraid he had "issues" with men, but evidentally not this one.) Anyway, know that he is well, loved, and happy."

And finally, here's little Bitsee, happy in her new home.  Bitsee came to us after someone saw this little poodle thrown from a car.  Lea wrote, " We brought 9-year-old Bitsee home about three weeks ago after meeting her at your event at Petco and immediately fell in love.  We were worried she might be a bit frightened in a new place with new people, but she seemed to feel right at home!  The second she curled up into our arms she won our hearts.  She's such a sweet girl, and we're so blessed to have her.  She has really taken to our other dog, Mollie, a 9-year-old Whippet, and trots along beside her wherever she goes."

 

 Life has certainly changed for Bitsee.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com     

 

Red Ribbons and new dogs

Roman...one of our new rescues

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 Sunday, February 18 and 19 at the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh, or 11 to 3 Saturday, February 18 at the Bridgeton Petsmart. To see which dogs will be where as well as other adoptable dogs (and to check out our Red Ribbon dogs (no fee to senior citizens and only $25 to all others), go Here. The Red Ribbon dogs will be placed at no fee to senior citizens thanks to a grant from the Purina Pets for Seniors program.  This Dixie Fund will cover most of the fee for younger adults.

Our Red Ribbon dogs are finding homes...and we're taking in new dogs in need of homes.  That's Roman up there.  I'm calling him a pointer/Australian shepherd -- a youngsters only about a year old.  He has the most unusual wavy hair.  I took him out of a local shelter yesterday and he's already settling in at my place.

We've taken in four Basset Hound puppies with demodectic mange.  They're not looking their best yet, but give them a few weeks.  Two are at my place; two are with Melissa.

And here's Haley, an eight-year-old labrador retriever whose former owner went into a nursing home.  Haley will be perfect for someone.  She's a Red Ribbon dog too, meaning a grant from Purina will cover her adoption fee if someone 60+ adopts her.  If a younger person adopts her, her adoption fee is only $25 thanks to the Dixie Fund, which I wrote about in my last blog.

We also took in Lora last week.  She's a 10 year old labrador retirever whose former owners moved without her.  Poor thing.  She deserves to spend her last years with someone who will promises not to move anywhere without her.  Her's Lora, who is also a Red Ribbon dog.

Lora's foster mom says she's a great companion and a good watch dog too.

Last weekend saw several adoptions.  Among the youngsters being adopted were Speckles the cattle dog mix and Willy Wonka the minpin,pointer, whatever youngster.  Two senior Italian Greyhounds, Angel and Bam Bam, found a home together with a little help from the Dixie Fund.  Dreyfus the schnauzer mix was placed as a Dixie Fund dog.  Gloria, a senior shih tzu amd Heidi, a senior dachshund,  also found homes through the Purina Pets for Seniors program.

We will have more Red Ribbon dogs -- and young ones too -- at our adoption events this weekend.  Come on by.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

Thanks to Dixie...and more

Dixie the German Shorthaired Pointer

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 Sunday, February 11 and 12 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 (no fee to senior citizens and only $25 to all others), go Here. The Red Ribbon dogs will be placed at no fee to senior citizens thanks to a grant from the Purina Pets for Seniors program.  This Dixie Fund will cover most of the fee for younger adults.

Thanks to Dixie (above), we now have a second program to help our dogs and those who adopt them. dogs. 

A couple weeks ago I told you about our Red Ribbon Dogs, dogs whose adoption fee would be covered by the Purina Pets for Seniors program if they were adopted by senior citizens (60+)

We've already placed several dogs through that program, including Cute as a Button, Paul Stanley, Patrik, Ghostie Girl, and Jazzy.

Now we're expanding the Red Ribbon project to encourage younger people to adopt senior and special needs dogs.  Those under 60 years will pay only $25 when adopting one of our Red Ribbon Dogs.  The Dixie Fund will cover the rest.

The idea for the Dixie Fund came last week after I heard from Diana who'd adopted Dixie and loved her for the last two year's of the sweet dog's life.  Diana let me know that the students, faculty, and administration of the Saint Louis Priory School were donating $1,000.

"Our donation is given in memory of Dixie, but we also recognize and honor all of the animals, past and present, whose love, devotion, and keen sense of forgiveness and gratitude were Dixie's hallmark."

You don't need to be a senior citizen to appreciate a senior dog.  So I decided that the money should go towards helping more senior and special needs dogs find their homes.  But with the Dixie Fund, we would include adults adopters of all ages.

We know the money won't last long, but while it does we hope to see many Red Ribbon dogs finding their way into homes as loving as the one Dixie found.

Here's Latifah -- just one of the dogs available through these programs.  She's an 8 to 9 year old black labrador retriever.

And yes, we have some small sized seniors too.  Here's Gloria, a shih tzu who is probably at least 10 years old.

Spread the word, and come visit us this weekend at the Kirkwood Petco near I-44 and Lindbergh.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

And More Happy Tails

Boomer the Redbone Coonhound pup

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 Sunday, February 11 and 12 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 (no fee to senior citizens), go Here. The Red Ribbon dogs will be placed at no fee to senior citizens thanks to a grant from the Purina Pets for Seniors program.

That's Boomer up there at almost four months.  He was the largest pup in a litter of nine that spent their early weeks in my spare bedroom.  They may have been born in a ditch, but they grew up warm,  safe, and healthy..  They and their mom Charlotte are all now adopted.  I'm still catching up on my sleep.

Sarah emailed to tell us how much she and David are enjoying Boomer: "One of the best dogs we have ever had!"  They've had him for just over two months. 

"He now weighs about 35 lbs and has huge ears!  Boom is such a loving puppy; his whole body moves when anyone comes to see him.  He loves giving kisses and is a quick learner."

I also heard from Wendy who adopted Wanda, a 7-year-old Cattle Dog mix she renamed Annie.  Wanda was in Jefferson County Animal Control when I first saw her and decided she could be one of our Grey Muzzle dogs. (The Grey Muzzle Organization had just given us a grant to pay veterinary expenses for a few older dogs.)

Wendy emailed: "I absolutely adore Annie!  (previously Wanda).  Wendy had come to an adoption event about a year ago with three other dogs in mind but ended up spending time with Wanda (now Annie) who "wormed her way into my heart. 

"To watch Annie bloom over the course of the past year has been amazing.  When my best friend met her, she said, 'Annie is so sweet, shy and gentle. It's like she is tiptoeing around the house.'  Which was and still is the perfect description.  She walks so softly and gently, like a little ghost. 

"Sometimes I wonder if she thinks she has died and gone to heaven with her life now since I believe she was an outside dog before. Now she sleeps in my bed every night.  There is where she enjoys our favorite time of day....which is the morning.  When the alarm goes off, I hit the snooze button.  Annie knows that when that happens, I am halfway awake, and she belly-crawls up from the end of  the bed and puts her sweet head on my chest for scratches and a good ear rub. (her favorite.)  When this is going on, she has the cutest look in her eyes.  A little squinty, happy look :)

"Annie continues to amaze me.  She now wags her tail at full speed, instead of the tentative and slow way she did when I met her.  When I first got her, I tried to teach her a few tricks, like how to "shake" and "roll over."  That went nowhere, so I stopped.... figuring she was simply too old to learn any spiffy tricks.  Well, about a month ago for some reason I tried again, and she got it!  She is now a shakin' and rollin' over fool :)  (for treats of course!)"  

And here's Annie with one of her toys.

We also had several adoptions this weekend.  Mary Jo the Treeing Walker coonhound is adopted, as is Ginger Snaps the shepherd mix, Jazzy the pomeranian and Paul Stanley the rottweiller.

Ellen Ellick

President/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com


 

 

More Happy Tails

Tippy...is happy in his new 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 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. The Red Ribbon dogs will be placed at no fee to senior citizens thanks to a grant from the Purina Pets for People program.

 

"Isn't it nice to receive good news about our dogs," commented Tippy's former foster mom when she forwarded an email from his new family.

Yes. it is.  Tippy the border collie had lost his home at an age when some might have thought he was too old to find a new one.  He had a lot of training behind him, but he came to us nervous and upset at the changes in his life.  So we were happy to learn he was doing well.

Gail emailed to say, Tippy is doing great!  He loves attention, especially from me."  Gail went on to say that Tippy and the other dog, Sammi, were starting to accept each other and that Tippy was even making friends with the cat.  The best news was the very definite way Gail stated, "We are going to keep him. He seems very happy here with us. He is like a big teddy bear."  

I also heard from Carol about Barry (now Bear), a sheltie who'd come our way after a commercial breeder shut down.  Barry was friendly but still a little skittish.  He'd lived in a kennel before, not a home.

Carol said Bear "is doing wonderfully; I am so excited to say Bear initiated a play session for the very first time ever four days ago.  I have been trying for months without success. Since then we have been playing tag everyday several times a day.  He will come up to me and tag my knees with his front paws then jump down and race around the dining room table.  I will call him back to me and he does it all over again, over and over.  Toys are still not his thing but I now have high hopes for him.  Balls and small stuffed toys send him running.  He has made up to my husband a little, but is definitely a mama's boy.  His weight has leveled out at 16 ls with a beautiful silky smooth coat.

"He is such a smart little love. He gives the gentlest tiny kisses and rarely barks.  He loves to watch TV. When there is any kind of animal on the screen, he stands in front of the TV and stares, then goes around the back to see if he can find the animal. "I can't tell you how much joy he has brought us" she concluded. Here's Bear watching a bear.

I also received an email today about Sonny, a rat terrier I found at Jefferson County Animal Control about a year ago.  He was 7 years old then and is doing wonderfully with his senior citizen family which takes him everywhere.  Here's Sonny.

Thanks for the news.  These stories bring me joy.

Ellen Ellick

CarolPresident/Founder

St. Louis Senior Dog Project

EllenE9466@aol.com

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.