2011 in Review and 2012 Wishes

My apologies to my core followers for abandoning my blog... I do have a few good reasons.

1.  Christmas came a little early... Bailey's Gotcha Day is 11/22/11.  He was pulled from an Oklahoma City Kill Shelter by Friends with Four Paws, a volunteer (Thank you Ethan!) tagged me and the rest was history.  I had all intentions of fostering him until FWFP was able to find a forever home; however, my partner John had other ideas and he is now a member of the Schanzuer-tude! pack!

2.  In August of 2011 I answered a call to help a homeless man who was living in his car with his 3 Shepherds.  I was able to raise some money and the dogs were placed in a kennel in Staten Island until the owner was able to get back on his feet.  One week then one month and another and the owner never came forward again; he abandoned them.  Precious, Princess and Blackie were residents at the kennel for about 3 months.

• Precious (now Precious Chance or "Chancy") is now with a wonderful family in NJ, she has two furry brothers, Bear and Buddy and is loving life with his new mom Janet.  Click on the photo below to see more photos of Chancy.  

Chancy with her new mom, this was their first day together.

• Princess is truly that... a princess.  Living on Long Island with her furry siblings Dagwood and Megan along with her two humans and human brother.  

Princess on one of her many thrones  -- Her human's words, not mine :-) 

• And finally, there is Blackie; he has a very long story.  I was able to find a foster for Blackie and on September 23rd when I was transporting him, he escaped from his collar and ran away on me.  Almost 16 days looking for him in Staten Island and with the help of an incredible core of local volunteers, SICAW, 3 trappers and 1 tracker (yes a dog scent tracker) we were finally able to capture him.  He was quarantined for two weeks and after three weeks, he went to a wonderful foster family in Flushing Queens.  He is currently enjoying his days with his furry foster sibling Kodi and a cat name Aphrodite.  HE IS UP FOR ADOPTION AND IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY.

click to see more photos of Blackie

So aside from the new addition, dog count is now four and these three rescues (something I'd never done before!) my time was not my own.   

I have a few wishes for 2012, top on the list is finding Blackie a forever home, paying off what I owe the kennel for boarding 3 dogs for almost 3 months, helping with more rescues but learning not to let it consume all of me (easy to say, hard to do) and finally, to be able to reach out to more people who can help with fostering, rescuing or even volunteering some of their time, either in person or virtually.    I started a FB page solely for rescues seeking fosters or forever homes.  Canine Collective is a core group of volunteers who I met during Blackie's search in Staten Island.  All animals posted on this FB page are personally seen by one of us and we are directly working with the rescue group or local ACC to help save them.  Please visit, "like" and share and cross post on your FB pages or on your blogs to help us reach more people that might be able to assist with a foster or forever home.  My final wish is to be able to dedicate more time to this blog, I will start with baby step and do my best to update weekly... wish me luck.

Wishing all of you a very healthy and happy New Year!

Claudia 

Nellie, Calvert, Yuchie and Bailey

Blackie - Foster or Foster to Adopt

Hi, my name is Blackie and I’m pretty famous!

I love long strolls in the park or beach I’m sweet and understandably reserved and require a patient, loving and safe home to start my new life.

2yr old, Male, Neutered, Micro Chip, Sheppard Mix.

Blackie does well with cats and female dogs, he is good around male dogs who are neutered, not intact.  He walks very well on a choker or collar and harness combined, is very affectionate, loves people both children and adults and loves playing with other dogs.  Blackie was used as a stud and has been in a kennel since he was rescued.  With the help of countless volunteers he has been socialized and loved, he has been evaluated by a professional trainer and is considered non aggressive but requires an owner that is familiar with dogs or is willing to put in the time that needs to be exercised and properly trained. 

If you have any questions and wish to FOSTER or FOSTER to ADOPT Blackie, please contact me at 212 961 7589.

You can view more photos of me here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.288383344518270.66362.288305324526072&type=3&l=d7ac7de0b5

Blackie - Foster or Foster to Adopt

Hi, my name is Blackie and I’m pretty famous!

I love long strolls in the park or beach I’m sweet and understandably reserved and require a patient, loving and safe home to start my new life.

 2yr old, Male, Neutered, Micro Chip, Sheppard Mix.

Blackie does well with cats and female dogs, he is good around male dogs who are neutered, not intact.  He walks very well on a choker or collar and harness combined, is very affectionate, loves people both children and adults and loves playing with other dogs.  Blackie was used as a stud and has been in a kennel since he was rescued.  With the help of countless volunteers he has been socialized and loved, he has been evaluated by a professional trainer and is considered non aggressive but requires an owner that is familiar with dogs or is willing to put in the time that needs to be exercised and properly trained. 

If you have any questions and wish to FOSTER or FOSTER to ADOPT Blackie, please contact me at 212 961 7589.

You can view more photos of me here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.288383344518270.66362.288305324526072&type=3&l=d7ac7de0b5

SWEETNESS ON A LEASH!

Looking for a human to adopt!

Dodger a Golden/Poodle (Goldendoodle).

Dodger is 2/12 yrs old, is house broken and obeys basic commands; he does not shed and has incredibly soft hair. He is good with children and would do well in a home with a yard. He has puppy energy, is very playful and cuddly. If you'd like further information please contact me at claudia.duque@gmx.com


Thank you.

Foster Failure

I just recently became aware of this term.  Thanks to FWFP I was a foster parent, sadly only briefly; then one day this little face came into my life and I was a goner!   I've had many wonderful dogs throughout my life, but for some reason, this little guy holds a very special place in my heart.  

I recently posed this question on FB, not expecting any one answer, one reply stuck with me, " it's because he was vulnerable and nearly destroyed and you saved him!!!"  

Well, I'm starting to think he saved me.  Our family dynamic has not been the same since he came into our lives -- and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Please join me in welcoming our new addition... Yuchie, a Chihuahua mix with the attitude of a Schnauzer! 

A Foster Story

As a lifetime pet parent I always thought I knew everything there was to know about out "best friends", it took my two schnauzers to remind me that I don't know everything... and thanks to them, I'm still learning....

Thanks to Friends with Four Paws, I've had the pleasure of fostering three dogs to date, Yuchie is my third and he's been with us for a little over two months.  I've been responsible for his daily care, but it has been Nellie & Calvert who have done the training.  This little guy has blossomed since he's been here; Calvert has taught him to share and play and Nellie... well, she's taught him a thing or two about boundaries.

Sights I never thought I'd see:

Yuchie exposing his belly....

 

Sharing a toy...

Sharing some zzzzzz

 If you've ever considered fostering 

please give FWFP or your local animal rescue a try. 

Happy New Year to all

With Love

Nellie, Calvert, Yuchie

and Claudia

Happy 3rd Gotcha Day!

Hi everyone,


We know we've been away for a while, our apologies... It's only been the blog that's neglected, not us.  We had a wonderful Summer with mom and dad and are looking forward to being able to blog this fall.


For now, we just wanted to wish our Facebook pal and Newbie Blogger Leo Miguel Ross a Happy Gotcha Day!