SKYE's story - the dog used to kill thousands of other dogs

First question....where is Skye? It's been 10 years since I wrote the emergency story about Skye and Milo, the two New York City shelter dogs entitiled  "A final kiss goodbye before Skye is killed in New York City Skye will die in New York City." 

Here is a reprint of my original story which was removed at the request of Rhonda Roland Shearer and Imedia Ethics - the Skye adopter whose efforts had me fired from Examiner.com. I had been writing articles in my column American Pit Bull Examiner for over 5 years which had resulted in countless thousands of dogs saved from death row shelters and other stressful and abuse situations. 

Take a look at the article I wrote posted below and ask yourself, should I have been fired for quoting the dates written on all of the Facebook urgent pleas for Skye and Milo? 

Skye and Milo article:

Skye and her brother Milo were together in their home since they were only 9 weeks old. Their lives were ripped apart when then owners left the brother and sister to die at the very high kill Manhattan, New York City shelter. 

Skye kisses her brother goodbye from FB thread Julie Carner UPDATE: Skye is safe and has been rescued by Amsterdog Rescue. Brother Milo is still in jeopardy. Please save Milo. Skye used to lay at her owner's feet to get attention, but now she lays on a cold cement floor waiting to die along with thousands of other unwanted pets in New York City. 

One volunteer wrote, "With the cutest little pink and tan nose on the planet, and wearing a gorgeously groomed caramel coat. She’s friendly, tail waggy and happy to be out for a walk, showing off her housetraining skills the moment we’re out the door." "Her leash manners are lovely, she lets me put a coat on her and after stopping to take some pictures we head into the backyard. Skye explored the pen, hopped up on the bench for some hugs and kisses, comes when I call her and checks out everything going on around her. Skye is a delight, easy to be with, friendly and gentle. A proven family dog." 

Over 9,000 pets per day are being killed in our nation. New York City shelter system which has received millions from Maddie's Fund has been accused of falsifying their numbers while innocent pets like Skye are been murdered every day of the year, 365 days, and even on Christmas day. 

"There is a group in NYC called the Mayor’s Alliance which was formed to pursue a grant to transform New York into a No Kill community. Despite their name they are not part of city government and have nothing to do with the Mayor. In 2005 they got that grant which continues today from an philanthropic organization called Maddie’s Fund, a foundation that provides grants to communities seeking to be No Kill. The original target to make New York City a No Kill community was 2008, that goal has since been extended to 2015." 

A last minute effort has been launched to try and save Skye. Please share her Facebook page. Skye rated perfect scores on all behavior assessment. This is consdered walking on water at this substandard excuse for a 'shelter'....please don't let Skye die. 

This article was based on tons of emergency posts about Skye and Milo, posts STILL currently running on Facebook. In fact, I was able to find 17 pages of this post which I've archived in a pdf file (see below.) Note: each of these and many other posts were made on the date the article was written - January 31, 2016. 



NOTE: these original posts were posted on 1/31/2016 when the article based on the posts was written. After Amsterdog and Rhonda Roland Shearer of Imedia Ethics began their attack the caveat "safe 1/30/2016" was added. This is important because their data does not reflect their claims.

I wrote the article to bring attention to a wonderful story about a brother and sister dog which had landed in a very high kill shelter.

After being fired by the Examiner, Imedia Ethics which still has their 'lip smacking' article on their website rejoiced in the removal of the entire American Pit Bull Examiner articles which, again, have been responsible for saving huge numbers of dogs. The Imedia Ethics article is filled with untruths and misprints of my original work, literally changing the wording of my piece to fit their agenda.

Since the takedown what has happened?

Rhonda Roland Shearer, Imedia Ethics owner and Sky adopter called Reunion Rescue board members and offered false information in a threatening manner. To date, no photos or progress reports on the dog Skye. Where is she? Whatever happened to Skye? 

Katie Kausch who was the original Imedia Ethics "reporter" falsified her credentials and tried to join Reunion Rescue's community group no longer employed by Imedia Ethics.

Amsterdog Rescue is still active in NYC even after posting untrue facts about Cindy Marabito and Reunion Rescue.

The hate groups who wrote lie-filled blogs to hurt pit bulls Craven Desires, Dogsbite.org and pit bull killer Merrit Clifton at Animals 24/7 are still going strong and recruiting other pit bull haters to join their effort to eradicate the breed. These groups tout the "work" of Imedia Ethics, Rhonda Shearer and Katie Kausch so our question is this. If you call yourself an animal advocate, how can you join forces with hate groups like the above mentioned? Is your own hate that great? 

What about me? I still write books and blogs, save dogs and other animals with Reunion Rescue and Animals First Rescue. I always ask people what do you get when you cross an elephant and a pit bull....me. It's no accident I rescue pit bulls and I have an incredible and long memory. 

Lastly, it's sad I cannot access the archive of American Pit Bull Examiner articles and share stories to help other dogs in need. The resources in these pieces are invaluable and would be able to help new rescue advocates in their fight to save dogs. Every penny ever earned from over five years of writing articles for American Pit Bull Examiner went toward saving dogs. Can any of these other entities who enjoyed the takedown of these efforts claim they have spent their salaries helping animals? 

Reunion Rescue's 3-step reactive dog rehab

Reunion Rescue has spent several decades saving dogs. Our work has led us up and down a rocky path, many times two forward and three back. But, we kept trying. A monumental breakthrough was in Raspberry's Story. Raspberry, as you will read in the blog, was a waggy-tail dog park dog being fostered by our tea guy at the old Steeping Room at the Domain. When he and his girlfriend had to leave town, Reunion stepped up to foster Raspberry. She immediately went into heat and was scheduled for a spay at Emancipet. They gave her a rabies shot and I picked up a dog who went from kissy face to going for the face in one afternoon.

This experience set off a year-long baptism of fire. I was in the process of writing Pit Bull Nation to which I credit sparing Raspberry's life. Previous to the book, I would have seriously considered putting her down. She was totally unadoptable. She went after everything that moved. I had to find out what had caused the drastic change in her behavior. We walked everywhere there weren't people or wildlife. Winter, summer, fall and spring.

Throughout this year I worked with an animal communicator and another person in the ac group who did emotion code work, something I'd never heard of. The AC person also practiced reiki on Raspberry. They worked on her for about 6 months, during which period, I found Doug the Dogwalker who'd helped a friend's dog. He really is a dog whisperer and agreed to assess Raspberry at his compound. On the way, I got a call from Linda the emotion code practitioner. She was very excited and had been talking with Jayne, the AC. They'd lit together on a product which treats rabies vaccinosis with zeolites. In Raspberry's case, the product we happened to have on hand was Waiora.

I turned the car around and headed back to my house to grab the Waiora. I dosed Raspberry and set back out for Doug's. By the time we arrived, Raspberry was a different dog. Jump to a Disney ending. Raspberry not only passed her assessment at Doug's with flying colors that day, but Doug ended up adopting her. She became head diva at the doggy day care which sometimes housed over 65 dogs!

So over the years, Reunion Rescue has encountered tons of reactive dogs. We get calls all the time to take someones' pet because they've "done everything" and "spent over $4000 on training." I'm scratching my head every time, because what kind of trainer hasn't figured out that they are dealing with a physical condition. Maybe sometime after they've collected $3k from the poor owner, they should re-evaluate.

I'm all for a great trainer and have endorsed several on Reunion Rescue's website. Sadly, I can count on one hand the trainers we trust our dogs to. We use Roman Gottfried who is a holistic dog trainer and can fix anything. The coolest thing about Roman's work is he endorses the same holistic support as Reunion Rescue...CBD oil, flower essences. He truly is a dog behavior scientist we and all our dogs trust.

So I've cooked up a 3-Step schedule to help anyone out there who is suffering reactive dog issues and would like to share it here:

3 Step Detox/reactive dog turnaround

1. We at Reunion Rescue believe most reactivity is caused by the harmful metals (mercury) injected by rabies vaccines.   Lyssin/Thuja homeopathy dose to detox from vaccines - see Health Page reunionrescue.com how to dose homeopathy.
Daily dose zeolites to remove toxins metals from body from vaccines - every day from now on.

2. Raw diet..also Health page reunionrescue.com - start very easy with organic ground turkey mixed into regular food to transition
CBD Dog Health ..also Health Page reunionrescue.com - they will consult and assess the correct and perfect cbd fir your pet..this is the only CBD company Reunion Rescue endorses and uses.
Botonical Animal also on health pagereunionrescue.com..they also do consults and have kits and singular essences we have used with much success- Devil Be Gone etc.

3. Then after a good detox, a good trainer. We use Roman Gottfried Holistic dog trainer who is in line with using cbd/flower essences/diet etc. Roman is also on our Links and Training pages reunionrescue.com

Our site is filled with solutions. The main aim at Reunion Rescue is to lower the number of companion animals being turned into high kill shelters, so many due to the huge costs at vet clinics. We have discovered so many holistic solutions with diet and supplements you can order on Amazon for a micrometer of vet costs.

We are always here to help. It is Reunion's passion to keep these pets out of the shelters. No question is too small and if you're on Facebook, we have a page devoted to helping people: Home Remedies to Heal Animals where if you've got questions, we've got answers.

Please follow the blog and also please sign up for the Reunion Rescue newsletter.

Foster homes save lives

 What do these four dogs have in common? It's not necessarily their breed, but a big clock ticking over their heads. As most of you know, I've been pulling dogs from Bakersfield for many years and placing in Bay Area forever homes...and my home dash refuge, too.

Check out the dogs below and let doggirl@reunionrescue.com know if you can short term foster or know someone who can. We will fund their food, care, treats and toys until a more long term option can be found. These are great dogs and begging for a last chance.

Thank you so much!!

Here are just a few of the wonderful adoptable family pets at Bakersfield shelter:

Lone Star Pet Vet takes care of your pets in the home

After years and years of terrible vet experiences, some detailed in my book Pit Bull Nation, Reunion Rescue has discovered a wonderful veterinarian, Dr. Kelly Breazeale who owns Lone Star Pet Vet.

Yesterday, Dr. Kelly and her partner and husband Jim came over and vaccinated, checked up and microchipped some of the dogs who'd been missed at the shelter. Here's the caveat. Most of your know about the abused dogs we help. Like LuLu, Mannie, Paolo and Cricket who came from a horrible Bakersfield cruelty case. And Wally who we think from his behavior was sexually abused repeatedly. In fact, all of our boys and girls here at Reunion are here because the needed a place to live their lives in safety where they know they'll never be hurt again.

I couldn't believe how gentle Jim and Dr. Kelly were with the animals. Like I said, I've had incompetent vets and doctors in my own life, so I know how it feels to have somebody poke on you and become irritated and short-tempered during an appointment. Dr. Breazeale is everything the opposite. Like have a good friendly neighbor you trust who just happens to have a veterinarian license. Can I say again how LONG I've waited to find a good vet I can trust these animals with?

Now, not to say there wasn't a little growling, but the one I was worried about the most, Mannie, went first. We muzzled everybody just to be on the safe side, but Mannie didn't growl once. She looked at me and I knew she was trying with all her heart to trust me. She was such a good girl. They all followed suit, LuLu, then Cricket and last from that bunch, Paolo. 

What's great about Dr. Breazeale and Lone Star Pet Vet is they come to the privacy and comfort of your own home. Can I tell you what a huge relief it is to know these dogs who've never known kindness and safety can get their medical needs and care right here at Reunion Rescue from loving, gentle people who GET animals. 

All of the dogs got to meet Dr. Breazeale and Jim, got their shots, exams and votes of good health with a minimum of annoyance. I'm sure they'd have preferred getting the ball tossed or a chew toy, but rest assured, everybody got lots of cookies and treats for being such good boys and girls. They all could probably stand to lose a couple of pounds, but I can't help but spoil them. My bad. 

Side note...Dr. Breazeale and Jim have a cattle dog (like Cracker Jack) for all ya'll Cracker Jack fans.

Lone Star Pet Vet offers the following services:

• Wellness Exams
• Routine Preventative Care
• Vaccinations
• Minor Medical Care
• Parasite Prevention
• Microchipping
• Pain Management
• Routine Diagnostic Testing
• Puppy and Kitten Care
• End of Life Care
• Prescription Medication

Thank you Dr. Breazeale and Jim for the fantastic visit and gentle, loving care for the Reunion Rescue dogs. We are your new biggest fans...see ya' next time!

Beginnings - the Bakersfield Four and Danny's video

Danny Spanks made this video entailing the story of the Bakersfield Four and their amazing rescue...

 

All about Wally - bad start but winning finish

Wally at the shelter - redlisted for behavior

Wally was pulled by Reunion Rescue back in September 2023. The shelter in Modesto had him red-listed as a pit bull soon to be exterminated due to fearful reaction. To their credit, a Stanislaus ACC employee brought Wally - he was known by another name in the shelter - into her office where he came alive and blossomed, so thankful for a little kindness and to be away from the noisiest clangiest part of the facility where animals were brought to their death nearly every hour.
I saw his TikTok created by a shelter volunteer with the story and couldn't get this little man out of my head. I knew he could flourish by using the Reunion Rescue resources we've trusted for years to save animals like Wally. First thing I did was contact Patti to get an animal communication reading. These conversations would go on over the next few months. Into the fray would pop other spirits from the afterworld who've helped Reunion pets over the years.
I had a big surprise this time. Various dogs would pop up from time to time. Pip from Bakersfield is a longtime guide who helps the new kid learn about Reunion and how they will be safe and never ever feel pain or cruelty again. Peanut from Alvin, Texas who'd wound up at the horror house Spindletop and ended up living his life with us until last year when he passed gently into the night from old age. But, the biggest surprise was Penny. Penny was my mother's dog who'd lived to be 23 years old. Even though he'd passed away

back in the 50's before I was born, the stories my mother would tell my sister and I about Penny were the bright spots in a dark dismal past. Penny told Patti that he'd been with me my whole life, watching over me. He told her about a tree I'd climb and sit after school, where he'd "be with me..." his words. These communications with Penny have opened up a whole new realm for me and I'm writing another book about Penny and all the rescues and animal communication that have saved me and a lot of animals. I have little Wally to thank for that.
So when Wally's time was up at the shelter, I was frantic. What could I do? There was no money in the Reunion bank account as usual. So like our Found a Pit Bull page suggests, I created a Gofundme and stayed up all night contacting anyone and everyone who'd ever donated to Reunion for the past two plus decades. That was a lot of bounced emails, but I was able to raise $775. With that amount, I was able to place a hold on Wally.
The volunteer who'd been so adamant about helping Wally had given me misinformation about how to collect the pledges. I'd been told the donations could not be accessed until a freedom photo of Wally in front of the Stanislaus shelter was taken and posted. I had nobody to pick Wally up and move him to the boarding facility, his only option. A last minute contact of that volunteer was good enough to retrieve Wally, but that's where the buck stopped. When I asked for a photo, no answer from the dude and a sound rebuff from the volunteer. When it came time to make good on the pledges, the volunteer only posted the Gofundme I'd set up rather than our Paypal, Venmo and website donation links as was the policy with all of the other rescue groups and last minute pulls from this shelter. What that translated to was Wally's funds only amounted to the $775 I'd collected on my own as the pledge donors saw the amount and figured that was plenty and their money was needed elsewhere for another dog in need.

Life is a carnival - only good things for Wally

What most people don't realize is upkeep for an animal is expensive. How costly you ask? The boarding and food was $850 a month. Wally was boarded for over four months along with pricey neutering.
And, he had no options. I finally in all that time had one longtime adopter willing to foster Wally. She had a pet rabbit and lived hours away from Modesto. We had to rabbit test Wally first. I posted on that same volunteer/pledge Facebook page and was shocked at the response. The same crowd who'd championed pulling Wally at the last minute were first to slam the request asking for someone who had a pet rabbit to agree to a very supervised intro with an experienced handler. Everybody seemed to have an opinion and none of them helpful. I was shocked to say the least.
My only option at this point was to transport Wally here to Texas. I'd just brought the Bakersfield 4 here and was over-full with pitties and dogs, not to mention cats and the birds. A full house but not in the poker hand sense. Like most things I do in rescue, it was a leap of faith. I'd deal with it when Wally got here.
The $500 transport put Wally at almost $5,000. Most people who don't get rescue would balk at this amount, but I knew I had to get Wally to me. I knew he needed me, but I had no idea just how much. The communications with Patti began to illuminate his awful past. Wally had a problem with men. First, the boarding facility owner, a guy, had to warm him up and that took some work. Then the transport driver, another guy, had some issues with Wally. When he got to us, he was not receptive to Scott, to say the least. It was growling, fear-based lunging and most of the reactive behavior seemed to be associated with his crate. I'd first had Wally in a plastic kennel, my crate of choice, but not being able to see everything around him seemed to activate his fearfulness. I changed him to a wire kennel and while not perfect, the adjustment seemed to improve matters somewhat. I addressed this with Patti and that was when I found out Wally had been horribly abused. When he got to the shelter, he weighed 33 pounds at a year and half. Someone, a man, had inflicted great cruelty upon Wally. I still don't know exactly what happened and really don't want to. Patti added, "and it was severe." That was enough. We did not want Wally to have to relive his past. It was time for him to have a new life and that's where me and Reunion went to work.

First, I was amazed when Scott pulled me aside and told me I could keep Wally here even though it put us way over the top

Scott refused to give up on Wally...check out the payoff!

with dogs. This when Wally was still barking, growling and reacting to Scott. This was big. I'd already begun the work to help him move past his trauma. Use of Animal Relief, the flower essences which help move past a horrible experience(s) 

For any abandoned animal, whether feral or residing in a relief shelter

• Any animal being adopted into a new home, or being given a new guardian or caretaker
• For loss of the primary caretaker due to death, divorce or changes in the family system
• During any time of significant travel or re-location to a new home or living space
• For any animal with a prior history of physical abuse, torture or abandonment
• For performance or work animals who are exploited, or valued only for monetary worth or reproduction value
• During times of prolonged illness, or extensive surgery; can be used in tandem or alternation with Magenta Self-Healer
• For any time of pronounced stress in the animal - such as the prolonged absence of the primary caretaker or environmental disruption due to any natural disaster. Can be used in alternation or in tandem with Post-Trauma Stabilizer

Emergency stock Australian Bush Flower Essence for medical help, this essence will provide comfort until treatment is available. Administer this remedy every hour or more frequently if necessary until the person feels better. It can also be used topically or mixed into a cream.

These items are listed on the Reunion Rescue Health Page published to help others - shelters, pet owners, fellow rescuers - or any animal lover who might be facing issues.
It wasn't overnight, but Wally began to show marked improvement. Another factor - also on the Health Page - is a great diet. The more raw meat that can be added to the diet, the better. There are some great dog trainers out there who refuse to train a dog not eating a raw diet. It's amazing what eating the food intended to maintain the body can do for the behavior, the peace of mind.
The icing on the cake was a big surprise. Wally was a ball dog and a half. He loves it. He's learned to fetch and retrieve from all the way up to the top deck down two flights of stairs to the backyard. Not since Peanut have I seen such a great ball dog. Wally could go for it all day. Since he was so proficient on the ball, I tried him on Frisbee and he took to it like a champ. By the first day he was jumping up into the air to catch it. Wally has the makings of a real Frisbee champ.
He is very treat oriented and wasn't too fond of raw chicken at first, but I began chopping up some raw thighs minus skin and bone and covered it in a gravy of high quality canned and some premium almost raw kibble. He snarfed it up. By the third or fourth try, he was eating bone and all like the other dogs. And you could see the marked improvement. I've fed enough abused dogs to notice the difference in a kibble-fed pet and a well-fed dog. The food choices are a solid element in our E.A.T.S. Empty All the Shelters program. If you want to help us launch this incredible plan, please subscribe to the Reunion Rescue newsletter.

Check out Wally first day with his Frisbee -

Teaching this old dog a new trick

Good times at our neighborhood pet store. Tomlinson's Feed Lakeway always has something fun going on. They have been wholehearted Reunion Rescue supporters for years. We recently got a new pup Wally from Modesto, California. 

You know Reunion and our sister rescue for non-pit bulls Animals First Rescue saves dogs from both California and Texas. Wally is an Animals First dog .. why? Because he is a lot of things, but pit bull ain't one of 'em. The shelter had labeled this narrow boy with skinny legs a 'pit bull' but to me, he looked more like a Lakeway deer yearling than a pit bull. I'm pretty good at breed detection and see Australian Kelpie with maybe a dash of Ibizan Hound and Jack Russell in there.

Whatever Wally is, he's got a lot of energy. With other dogs to keep exercised and maintained, I didn't have the time for a daily Lakeway nature hike in the greenbelt and two or three ball or Frisbee sessions. What to do?


Enter Denise and Brad at Tomlinson's. I thought I'd heard of everything, but Brad had a surprise for me and for Wally. He walked me over to the toy section and pulled out this big rubber looking blue cup thing called a Toppl by West Paw. Brad informed me to substitute Wally's dinner by freezing a portion in this funny looking toy. He told me - as advertised on the item - it took the place of an hour's romp in the park. I was up for anything and added it to my purchase.

Even though we feed raw, I loaded up on some kibble and canned to try out on the Toppl. It was Cricket's turn for a nature walk yesterday and I placed the toy in Wally's crate with a dog food mixture. He went to work on it immediately. Usually when another dog and I make our exit, it sets off Wally's barking, but this time, pure silence. He was intent on that toy. After loading Cricket, I went back into the house at the risk of setting him off. It was still quiet and when we returned, the whole house was calm.

It was close to feeding time, but Wally got an extra ball session as a reward. He has the makings of a real Frisbee champ and we're already practicing jump and catch. I really want to thank Brad and Denise at Tomlinson's Feed in Lakeway for teaching this old dog a new trick.

So for those of you not lucky enough to hava a Tomlinson's Feed in your radar - that delivers by the way - you can order the Toppl from West Paw or Amazon. Luckily Reunion had some credits from our Amazon Wish List and I was able to get a couple back ups. Thank you Brad and Denise for keeping us on our toes!

A surprising resource for an old dog rescuer

I recently attempted to apply for a Petfinder Foundation grant to repair our sadly dilapidated dog play yard. Reunion Rescue fits the requirements to a T. 

"This grant program is part of our commitment to enhancing shelter dogs’ quality of life by allowing them to engage in natural social behaviors. Play Yard Renovation Grant are available to active Petfinder members that have completed a play-group training seminar. Grant funds must be used to construct or improve play yards to bring them into compliance with current safety recommendations."

One of the specifications was to complete two Maddie's University courses. The first course Canine Body Language in the Shelter focuses on understanding how dogs communicate what they are experiencing. The course includes a video followed by interactive materials to reinforce the learning. I immediately liked the instructor Sara L. Bennett, DVM. She was calm, spoke clearly and was very easy to listen to. Unlike many 'dog professionals' she didn't come off with a didactic 'leader of the pack' attitude. It was surprisingly refreshing and her approach compelled you to come to the class with a desire to learn what she had to impart.

Without giving away the whole class, she covered body language and signs of arousal. Despite all of the dog training classes I've attended and tons of speeches, many highlighted in my book Pit Bull Nation: Special Edition, I found Dr. Bennett's class to be informative and enlightening. I have used her teachings already in my dealings with the dogs here at Reunion Rescue refuge. It is fun to observe the dogs in your care and ask yourself what are they thinking? What does that wrinkle mean on the forehead? What does the growl mean? It's not always aggression. It gave me a deeper dive into the goings on with the dogs in my care. The class is designed toward shelters, but I feel any pet owner will benefit from this resource-packed session.

The classes offered at Maddie's University are free to the public.

When a rescue helps a rescue rescue a rescue

Reunion Rescue/Animals First has been trying so hard to keep these two puppies together.

 
These two very bonded two puppies were found abandoned in Lodi and turned over to Reunion Rescue/Animals First Rescue by finder who feared that the landlord would discover them illegally housed in her apartment. Reunion Rescue had them vetted and immediately offered on our Petfinder/Adopt-a-Pet and website in hopes of finding a foster for both dogs. It was very important to Reunion to keep them together as they are extremely bonded. Being abandoned in a high crime area on the banks of the Lodi river, these two puppies - Jaco only five months old and little Coco just a year - only had each other in a terrifying environment. It's my belief that they survived the trauma because they had each other.
 
Coco was fostered under our foster-to-adopt program with the stipulation Jaco would be fostered with her until a perfect home could be found nearby where he could visit Coco. The foster immediately violated Reunion/Animals First protocol by attempting to adopt Jaco to people in Nevada. She was told Reunion Rescue never adopts out of state. Too many horror stories and we hear them all. We even suggested two very needy and adorable baby Chihuahuas on death row at Stanislaus Shelter in Modesto where we pull dogs, but they never answered our email.
 
The foster became irate and began demanding more vaccines for the two puppies when both had just recently been vaccinated. The vaccine certificates specifically state to not vaccinate for at least 3/4 weeks. When Reunion Rescue cited again the holistic protocol guidelines printed on our website - the same protocol the foster had agreed to initially or she would have never been allowed to foster for our organization.
 
The foster stated in text she no longer wanted the dogs in her home and we asked for a couple of days to arrange transport. Less than 48 hours, out great friend and longtime animal advocate saw our posting on Facebook and fell in love. He called and asked to adopt both dogs and keep them together forever. Thrilled, Reunion tried to text and call the foster who shot back she was keeping the dogs and "that would be her last communication."
 
Our representative attempted to visit and speak with her and the foster became highly agitated. The police were called as the dogs are now legally stolen. They under California law are legal property of Reunion Rescue.
 
She violated Reunion Rescue protocol and had both tiny dogs re-vaccinated less than two weeks since vaccines. The foster also told the police on record she'd had both the dogs microchipped again after they'd been microchipped by Reunion Rescue as legal Reunion Rescue dogs. All Reunion Rescue/Animals First Dogs are never adopted to the foster until the Reunion Rescue Adoption Contract is agreed to and signed by both the former foster and Reunion Rescue. No such contract exists between Reunion Rescue and this former foster. The foster only signed our foster application which has strict terms involving our holistic protocol and vet care, periodic wellness checks in the home and other strict guidelines listed in the signed agreement.
 
We have Jaco and Coco's best interest at heart and a great home for them to enjoy a wonderful long life together with our friend of well over two decades. We need funding to take this matter at once to the court system where a judge can look at our paperwork with Reunion Rescue listed as 'owner.'

I spent the week freaked out calling lawyers and got two great Oakland area lawyers who’re now on my speed dial to share with anyone else who need East Bay legal assistance. I have the names of three animal lawyers in the area to help other rescues who face these dire circumstances.

my beautiful friend Pali Boucher

Amazingly, the finder phoned me, frantic that the foster was threatening to bring the dogs back to her or leave them at some vet. When the finder asked her to relinquish to our good friend Pali Boucher, founder of Rocket Dog Rescue, she was turned down.

The finder was told the foster would only release our two dogs Coco and Jaco to her. She would bring them to Lodi Saturday 9/16 at 10 a.m. p.s.t. I didn’t sleep all night and waited for word. Nothing. Finally get a text from VCA Emergency Hospital in San Leandro from a woman who asked Reunion Rescue to send a rep to the hospital to pick up the dogs at 2 p.m.

I had a wedding to attend, good longtime friends and our landscape clients, but kept phone on silent to help officiate this exchange. Suzie E, a great friend and animal advocate repped Reunion as volunteer and retrieved the dogs. But, where to put them? They’d missed out on two arranged transports down to our good friend Bill where they have been adopted.

Here’s the magic part. Pali was in the midst of a lost puppy situation with all hands on deck tracking the missing dog. Even though she was completely wrapped up in her own rescue trauma, she without missing a breath told me to have Suzie bring the dogs to her. She would take care of them. And that she did. They are safe in the care of Pali who is truly the best animal rescue person I’ve ever met. She never stops and never says no. I will never forget this kindness. If more rescues like Pali and Rocket Dog behaved this way with each other, we truly could empty out all the shelters. 

Jaco and Coco...safe!

Here's what you can do...share Pali's Rocket Dog Rescue with wonderful adoptable dogs: 

Follow Rocket Dog on Facebook

Check out Rocket Dog website: Rocket Dog Rescue

and help by hitting the big orange DONATE button where you can help Rocket Dog Sanctuary save the lives life has thrown away.

Check out Pali's wonderful dogs for adoption AND foster homes..cuz you know what? Fostering saves lives!!

 

 

 

A little side story for all you believers...

the minute I got in the car to attend the wedding and still not in possession of the dogs..my rescue theme and in my book PIt Bull Nation - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Learning to Fly came on the radio immediately...when the wedding was over and we got in the car to go to the reception..it came on the radio again!!

These are the lyrics that keep me going in rescue from that song:

Well, some say life will beat you down 

break your heart, steal your crown 

so I've started out for God-knows-where 

I guess I'll know when I get there

Last but certainly NOT LEAST: Sign up for the Reunion Rescue newsletter to help us empty all the shelters all the time. We can do this ya'll!

Hippo-pittie-mus time at the dog ranch

How do you beat the heat? Well, the Bakersfield 4 have a solution. They love to run and play in the water and Angela keeps 'em happy. Yesterday, the family splashed and frolicked like the best of 'em and it must have been 105 in the shade. They didn't care. These dogs are so happy to be together and in a place where they can just be dogs for the first time in their lives. Thank you so much to the kind people who helped me save them and who keep donating so they can stay together in boarding.
Someday we'll all be together with them here at Reunion Rescue, but until there is room here, they're doing pretty good as you can see. We did a little bit of housekeeping with some poop scooping and sweeping. I got their beds rinsed off and some nail clipping and brushing. Then it was playtime. Check out these happy dogs!

Mud puppies

Today was one of the awesomest days ever with the Bakersfield 4....Paolo, Lola Do, Danger Mouse and Chicken. Sure it was hot, but these puppies know how to keep cool. I got Paolo semi-brushed, about halfway. He is so busy with his job being big brother, he can't be bothered too much to get a spa treatment. He did let me clip one paw's nails. Chicken let me get almost all of her front paws clipped and the other two, Miss Lola and Danger Mouse were absolute perfect dolls and let me clip every single nail. They are so precious. I could tell they really enjoyed getting a little bit of girly girl mani-pedi.

We indulged in a ton of treats. Paolo took time off from his watch dog duties to enjoy some cookies and the three girls really snarfed 'em up. They've all put on a couple of pounds, but it's so nice to spoil them. If that means we are going to have some chunky monkeys, then let it happen. It's my job to spoil this family and I feel so gifted to be able to spend time with them. I can't wait till someday when we're all together 24/7.

Then it was swim time. Angela filled up their pool and in jumped Ms. Lola-cita! She loves herself some swim time. They all do. Little Danger Mouse especially likes a mud puddle as you can see from the photos. Thank you all who are following their exploits. I couldn't believe they allowed me to cut their nails! Until next week.

Feels like summer with the Bakersfield 4

I got to visit with the Bakersfield 4 yesterday afternoon and got a big surprise. Paolo has discovered his great big blue Cooleroo in the shade. What I saw was a dog who had no idea what a bed even was last week. I kept leading him up to the bed and he would stand there like "what do you want me to do?" But, this Saturday was a whole 'nother deal. He has claimed the blue bed as his own and naps throughout the day on it in the shade of his little house porch.

I see footprints on the terra cotta beds for the girls, so I know they're using them. While I'm there with them, though, the three girls are excited and jumping around. Everybody gets treats and chews and lots of hugs and kisses. I mentioned last week how I'd given the three girls nicknames. Dolores a.k.a. Dodo for Dorothy in the purple collar. Danger Mouse for Indica in the blue collar with the bow. And Chicken for Chiquita who keeps removing her collar. Tomboy, anyone? She really really answers to Chicken. I think she digs her new name. It suits her. I think she picked it out and somehow telepathically sent the message to me. And I got it, loud and clear. All three answer to their new nicknames. New names, new little house, new beds, new big red umbrella and new lives. Lots and lots of love and kisses.

I'm trying to come up with ideas how to keep them together in boarding. Last month in June I did a Reunion Rescue dog walk challenge and raise $240 toward their monthly boarding. I need ideas. Anybody have a suggestion?

For now here are this week's photos of four happy dogs, happy at long last.

The Mary Jane Girls....in our house...

Got the Bakersfield 4 new beds and a big red umbrella to go with their little house. Pink for the girls and blue for Paolo. They've all got new nicknames. Wanna know what? Ok. Their group nickname is The Mary Jane Girls like the Rick James artists. Dorothy with the chopped off tail is Dodo short for Dolores named after our good friend. Middle girl who used to be Indica is now Danger Mouse...why? Cuz she so shy and loves hiding up underneath the house. Little Bit who used to be Chiquita is Chicken. She is so sassy. Their official names are still Rza, Sza and Cardi respectively, but nicknames are so much fun. And they earned those. And then there's Paolo! Who you have to pronounce like House of Gucci Jared Leto. He is such a big movie star and truly enjoying his new role as protector and ambassador extraordinaire.

I love them all so much. Still can't bring them home with me until our numbers here lighten up. But, someday. I daydream of the day I can walk each one at the greenbelt trail. I know they will truly love it. They're all a little bit tomboy, those Mary Jane girls. It was kinda sad because they didn't know what to do with those Cooleroo beds. I had to show them how to get up on them. I don't think they've ever slept on a bed. Just like Paolo had to learn to chew up a dog cookie. He didn't know what to do with it. But, those sad days are behind us. From now on only good times.