Petco entry for the win

Here is Leslie's entry for the Petco contest for Reunion Rescue's chance to win $10,000 for the dogs!

 Gauguin: The Art of the Dog

My dog Van Gogh had died at home and was buried under a headstone that said “Companion, Friend, Teacher.” Then there was nothing left but my grief. I knew I wanted another dog, but I was looking for a pit bull because of how maligned they are and Van Gogh had been a pit bull terrier. I emailed Cindy at Reunion Rescue about a couple of dogs on their site. Cindy listened and said she had a dog that needed a friend. She said, “Festus” had been found on a brutally cold day and taken in by someone who couldn't keep him. Festus was a few months old still in “training.” He had been in two foster homes and a failed adoption. Cindy said we should both go for a walk and I should “check him out like a library book.” Reunion Rescue has a foster to adopt program and a 100% lifetime guarantee so no pet ever goes back to a shelter.

I took gangly Festus for a walk and was told he was kind of a pain – super energetic and athletic. After the walk we played fetch and he and I fell into a nice rhythm. I did NOT feel ready, but sometimes the dog knows better and “our time” was just beginning. We have the best adoption day picture EVER. The kids in the neighborhood all came over that day to meet him and they took him on a walk. Everybody loved him.

 

Throughout many other fosters, other cats, a turtle and many moves, Gauguin (renamed from a close friend to Van Gogh) has weathered the storms. Gauguin outlasted my marriage and several moves – including a cross-country move from Texas to Minnesota with Gauguin in the passenger seat. 

 

Throwback to his beginnings on that “brutally cold day” and now he has many fashionable coats to keep him warm and dry. He has run many miles and we still walk twice a day. From his frenetic youth, he has slowed to a very sweet guy who loves to lean on me. He is like a Gauguin painting, colorful, bright, mystical.

 

 

 

 

He's not your average cuddler, but he does allow me to use his hip as a pillow. I am very grateful that he was there with me to visit my difficult mother. He was there for me when I went to her funeral. He always travels back and forth from Texas with me and while he does not seem to enjoy it - he does it without complaint.

Wherever we walk he chooses human and animal friends to visit and people are so proud to be “chosen.” I get lots of strange looks and chuckles as I call him “Sir” when addressing him. It reminds me that he deserves the respect of being a separate and whole entity with his own life beyond our friendship. 

Gauguin is my best friend in the world, my soul companion like that Jimmie Dale Gilmore song, “Reunion,” “we’ll remember that we’ve never been apart.” 

 

 

Three dumped dogs in Georgia being saved by evicted animal lovers

Helping animals is a daily mission. This story came across our Facebook page and that face reminded me of so many I've been blessed to know. 

This one looks so much like Wylie in California who very long ago was 'Sluggo,' a dog we had to take from an abusive situation. 

Wylie is now and has been for many years the 'son' of a vegan couple in Vallejo, Todd and Darren. Wylie was very blessed to have been saved by Todd and Darren and is now a cherished senior citizen and beloved member of the family as every companion animal should be.

Please read and share these 'dumped' dogs and their story.

"Liberty County, GA~~ The ladies who have been trying to take care of these DUMPED dogs have both lost their jobs and are being evicted. They have to clear the premises in 2 weeks; therefore, we are I desperate need of foster spaces and funds for these 3 dogs. 

The 2 red dogs are mother and daughter and were found living in a drainage pipe... As you can see, their bodies are wrecked with demodectic mange and their eyes are infected. Momma dog is approximately 3 years old, very sweet and smiles with big wrinkles when she approaches or is approached. She is very friendly and gets along with other dogs. She is approximately 45 pounds, medium sized and though she is also suffering from Demodex, it is not an extreme case. We expect her to be heart worm positive. Her daughter also gets along with other dogs but is shy around humans. She does allow for petting and she would easily come out of her shyness in a positive environment; however, her Demodex is extreme and it will take some time to clear up. She is only about a year old; therefore, we are praying that she is heart worm negative or very light positive. 

The third dog, Wilbur, just recently showed up on the property and even though the ladies can hardly afford to take care of themselves, they have started taking care of him, too. We believe him to be mixed with Yellow Lab and possibly Bulldog. He is extremely friendly with other dogs and humans alike and we even know him to be fine around cats, as there are several outside cats on the property next door. He appears to be a young adult but we also expect him to be heart worm positive. He is emaciated and full of ticks and scabs - these do not appear to be from dog fights. He is starved not only for food, but also for attention. It's easy to see that he loves feeling a kind hand on his head and back. He is curious and alert, loves water, too."

Donations can be made below and let's try to help Wilbur, and the Momma and daughter find happy homes just like Wylie so many many years ago.

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/urgent-vet-care-needed-/77194

Original Facebook post:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=686518218028856&set=a.686517524695592.1073741831.100000120510995&type=1&theater

Austin dogs strut Texas style at Best Friends event

Reunion Rescue and other local Austin animal groups turn out at Mueller Lake Park in Austin for a fun event. We took several of our Reunion refugees to show off and were joined by some fun loving Reunion Rescue adopters with their dogs for a wonderful time.

Pictures say it best and there were plenty of photo ops at Austin's second annual Strut Your Mutt.

We could only bring three dogs this year, but hopefully next year we'll have that cargo van and bring every dog from Reunion Rescue No Kill Refuge!

Reunion Rescue and the beautiful LuLu

joined by puppy Cayenne and mommy Kelly

Strutting our mutts for homeless pets everywhere....

Best Friend-ers lending a helping hand

LuLu and her best friend, Nolan getting ready for the big day

Nolan and Lulu...Adopt Me!

Me with a couple of my best friends

Mike and Dayna with Julie and team captains Kim and Brent

Dayna comes up for a peek

Just bee a dog...

Rocky with Mike and Dayna from It's My Treat Pet Care

Team captain Kim and Rosie

Team captain Brent with Pig

Pretty ballerinas..

Nolan

LuLu and Nolan with Dayna

Scott walking Vinny..who doesn't need sight to have a great time!

Kelly with little Cay

Cay is all about making Best new Friends

Just a few weeks ago, Cay was a tiny puppy stranded in Lakeway

and now she's in Reunion's foster to adopt program with Kelly

Brian and Denise with Bullfrog and Kewie

Bullfrog and his sister, Brownie Rose were feral puppies dumped in Cardinal Hills

and now Bullfrog is a beloved family member

Best Frienders lending a helping hand

LuLu is strutting her stuff while waiting on that forever home

Reunion Rescue loves kitty cats and Shadow Cats

Baby Cay stops for some lovin'

Cay says 'hi' to a new friend...typical pittie who loves everybody she meets!

Rocky and Mike enjoy the ducks

Nolan, always the ladies' man

Pig Pig and Brent taking in the scenery

Bullfrog goes for a little dip

Vinny's first Strut Your Mutt

Volunteers Julie and Cory with beautiful Maddi, their beloved rescue pittie

Who needs words?

LuLu and new Best Friend Maria

Reunion's new Best Friends Jenny and Alex

Lil' ol' Bullfrog

What a team!

More to come, but someone tied this cutie up and left him stranded

Nolan just being Nolan

Did somebody say gorgeous?

Ann V and her Best Friends