Yesterday, the director of Bay City Shelter reached out for help with Jade. Abandoned at the shelter which has little funding and less support, Jade's chances are slim. However, she landed at a shelter that really cares.
Although Jade is supposed to be labrador and perhaps pittie, do we see a little bit of Chesapeake Bay Retriever in there? Sure looks that way by the way Jade loves the ball. Is anyone out there looking for a sweetheart youngster who loves to play? Jade is only 18 months old and still a puppy dog!!!
Jade would make an excellent pet for a family to grow up with. Here is what Bay City Shelter had to say:
"Jade has an owner who knows she is here but has not picked her up.
The pics aren't the very best (possibly operator error?), but I am including some of her in the process of catching a ball. Sometimes she has a little trouble with the 'drop it' command, but she is very good at sitting on command until the ball is thrown. Leaps high in the air to try to catch it before it hits the ground.
She has also discovered that she can lay down behind the only stepping stone in the dog yard . . . the stone is slightly canted . . . set her ball on the stone, push it a bit with her nose and it will go rolling across the yard so that she can retrieve it and bring it back to the stone, repeat the process.
Yesterday she was in the office, saw a little pink stuffed pig and claimed it. She wasn't supposed to play with that particular stuffed toy because it was supposed to follow another dog into its adoptive home. So we just shoved the toy into the very bottom of the toy box, gave her another toy. She wasn't having any of that. Poked her head down into the toybox and rooted around until she came up with the pink pig. (The pink pig did follow its real owner to his adoptive home, but it was missing its tail and one arm.)
Jade is a hoot, a whole lot of fun to be with. She is probably about 18 months old. We'd really like to see her get out of here.
If you are interested in the world's best valentine, please email:
It's been a long, long time since I was able to wake up in the morning with a song in my heart. I am very grateful for all the Reunion Rescue dogs living great lives and the ones who haven't found their homes yet, living a good life at Reunion Rescue No Kill Refuge, the only raw feeding holistic no kill pit bull shelter in the world.
It ain't perfect yet, but it's a hell of a lot better than it was. For years, we've boarded our Texas and California dogs while thinking we just were not set up to be a shelter. The Texas dogs were boarded at Spindletop which was raided last summer. We made four trips to Conroe to get some of our dogs back, but Stella was killed with 37 others in the Morgan Building. Many other dogs are still missing and presumed dead.
Just as the dust was settling over the Spindletop tragedy, we began making plans to bring our three remaining California dogs which were being boarded in Lodi. What's three more, right? Once you've set your mind to run a sanctuary, it's really not that hard.
BeBe at the lake
We are set up here on the river outside Austin, Texas to comfortably house these animals. Each of these dogs came from nasty beginnings.
Amber and Stella were butchered and noosed in a hot Houston vacant lot. Stella still had blood running down her head when she was found and we raised money to board them at Spindletop.
BeBe doing some Christmas shopping
BeBe burying her Kong
BeBe, formerly known as Batgirl, was beaten severely with a baseball bat and scheduled to die in Austin.
Merry Christmas from Nolan
Nolan was starved nearly to death outside Dallas and on his way to Spindletop when news of the raid and seizure hit. Luckily, his transporter turned the car around, but not before Leah Purcell pocketed over a thousand dollars which had been raised for his care. Heartworm positive and down to 70 pounds, this beautiful Great Dane/American Bulldog mix is thriving at Reunion on a raw diet and lots of sunshine and exercise. He's even well enough to finally be neutered for Christmas.
Peanut and Scott
Peanut was named 'Feo' and pulled illegally by Purcell from city of Alvin shelter last December. It's anyone's guess how much money she made off this dog. Since The American Pit Bull Examiner covered his story in the first place, Reunion felt a kinship with Peanut, so here he is. Peanut had a lot of fearful problems he's working on and goes to work with Scott these days. Along with his herbal remedy and raw diet, Peanut's 'job' has turned out to be the very best medicine.
Peanut and Scott..just a job
Angel overcame his abuse from Spindletop so quickly, he was able to join Murmur and Barbara in Minnesota where he's now called Hub and enjoying a Dickinson life in a small quaint town.
Our sweet brave William
William was one of the three left boarding in California. There was a lot of rumor and innuendo about William, but he is proving them all wrong. He came from the hellhole Stockton shelter after being burned, starved and drug behind a truck.
He was transported all the way to Texas with Guido and Kingston, a.k.a. King James/Spuds, and is thriving in a fab foster home. He is living the high life in a doggy day care Disneyland, eating a raw diet and happy for the first time in his whole life.
Guido Sarducci on the trail
Guido, from Wasco, and Kingston from Marin Humane, who is blind, arrived quite obese. They've been under-exercised and over-crated. Although Reunion is all about the crate as it provides a safe and confidence inspiring environment, mimicking the wild instinct, the crate is certainly not intended to be utilized 24/7. Kingston's muzzle was scarred and covered in dried bloodied marks which look as if he'd been stressed from over-crating.
Guido and Kingston were a very hard sell on the raw. Who knows what these two have been eating? We've tried just about everything from raw ground chicken blend to ground beef blend, chicken livers, yes...even kibble...but nada. I tried boiled chicken spiked with cottage cheese and even some cheddar flavored 'Easy Cheese' to no avail.
Kingston hoofing it the natural way
This morning we had a major breakthrough. Green tripe is the daily blue plate special for these two persnickety customers. First, I filled a couple of empty marrow bones with tripe and when that was snarfed down, filled a couple of big Kongs. It was a winner! Finally, getting some raw meat into these two boys. From experience, I know it's all gonna be easy pickings from here on in. Kingston's face is healing with new pink skin growth. Both these boys have relaxed and begun to settle in very nicely.
I've not had the time to sit down and write an update on these guys. Each day, I try to get each dog a nice nature hike. It's amazing to see these precious dogs doing what dogs are supposed to do. They are enjoying good healthy diets filled with ingredients their bodies were created to eat. They are exercising and learning to love the sounds of wild birds and lizards scurrying through the brush, the smells of browning leaves and sound of flowing fresh water creeks. They feel the freedom of warm sunshine on their happy faces and are slowly learning that tomorrow is another day and holds something new and fresh, an adventure. We are learning this together, that this sad old world can really be a happy place if we just put one foot in front of the other and believe.
This September, senior dogs from all over the bay area will be strutting to raise awareness for homeless pets. Reunion Rescue has been saving San Francisco bay area pit bulls from death row for over 15 years.
Not all of the wonderful dogs we've saved are still with us, but we will be remembering them in a special Hope Memorial walk. Hope passed away several months ago and her mom, Pam, has created a memorial walk for her. Anyone who's loved and lost a pet can join us in this walk. We will be writing the names of those who've passed on our commemorative tee shirts.
Maisie
September 21 at Treasure Island will certainly be a splendid day. When all the media seems to only
want to cover bad pit bull stories, Reunion Rescue's senior and other canine good citizens will be showing the world what wonderful dogs pit bulls are.
Along the way, Reunion Rescue created Animals First Rescue for the dogs like Teddy, a blind and deaf cocker spaniel who was going to be killed at San Francisco Animal Control and Alibaba, a registered Siamese cat whose owner passed away from HIV complications and the program whose mission to take care of HIV related issues, left him to die at SFACC.
Sasha, Percy and Russell
We'll be joined by Buddy, Griffie, Lola, Lexi, Allie and many others. We are waiting to hear from Kirbee, a beautiful senior Golden Retriever who was saved in the nick of time from being put to sleep. Hopefully, one of our oldest and dearest, Mia will join us with her mom, Emily. Fingers crossed.
Chino was running down Dolores and had to be darted when impounded. The minute his stray period was up, he was condemned to die. Reunion pulled Chino and he has never once left the side of his best friend, David.
Not all of the Reunion Rescue dogs are senior citizens, but won't it be a wonderful sight to watch these dogs in their golden years advocating for so many who probably won't live through their first year.
Sasha, Russell and Percy are resting up for the big walk.
Lenny
Reunion Rescue needs strutters and you don't have to have a senior pet or even a pit bull to strut with us this year. You don't even have to attend. You and your pet can create a virtual strut page and help us save that next life.
Please visit our Strut Your Mutt page and consider helping Reunion Rescue save lives. We need you to let them know....somebody loves them.
We will have some newbies walking with us like Buster Posey who was just pulled from Solano ACC. Reunion Rescue has long been a bay area refuge for unwanted pit bulls and others. Please join us this year to help homeless pets everywhere and to save that next Reunion Rescue dog.
"I will lend to you, a bird", God said, and teach you all you have to do...
...and when I call him back to heaven, you will know he loved you too…..(author unknown)
Avian Avenue’s website has some sage advice for the caged bird enthusiast. “A healthy parrot starts with a healthy diet.” There are almost as many parrot and cage bird websites as there are pet birds. One common factor all agree on is a diet enthused with :essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.”
According to Avian Avenue, a ‘healthy diet can help aid a bird’s immune system in keeping illnesses away’ and fresh foods added to a cage bird’s diet will not only ‘increase their health, but may also prolong their lifespan.’
The site provides a list of suggestions for the novice:
Just like the raw food craze sweeping the nation for people, birds enjoy and thrive from a sprouted diet.
The Kitchen Physician website hosts an excellent article on sprouting by Carolyn Swicegood. According to Swicegood, “Sprouts are the only food on the planet that meets these seemingly impossible requirements. The germinating seed is in the maximum growth phase of the immature plant. It has been described as "a chemical vitamin factory in high gear, cranking out antioxidants and chlorophyll, and repackaging minerals and trace elements in a more bio-available form."
All of the stored food and enzymes needed for the growth of an entire new plant are mobilized as the seed sprouts. Protein, carbohydrates and fats are broken down (predigested) to free up amino acids, simple sugars and soluble compounds. Essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium are supplied by sprouts in chelated form for better assimilation.”
She offers easy step by step instructions for bird lovers who want the very best for their feathered companions.
SELECT seeds that have been grown organically or that are free of harmful chemicals.
MEASURE one half cup each of shelled sunflower seeds, mung beans, lentils and wheat berries. Measuring will become unnecessary once you become accustomed to sprouting.
INSPECT and remove broken and damaged seeds which will not sprout and can cause spoilage.
RINSE well until the water runs clear.
SOAK overnight in pure water (and antibacterial solution if desired). Water level should be well above the top of the seeds to allow for swelling. Houseplants can benefit from the nutrients in the soak water.
RINSE well in the morning.
SPREAD seeds in colanders, glass jars, or pans and place in a dark, well-ventilated area.
RINSE well several times a day.
HARVEST when small tails appear, usually in one or two days.
DRAIN UNTIL DRY before serving to your birds. Dry sprouts will continue to grow in your birds' dishes during the day instead of spoiling as wet or cooked foods often do.
If the old hippy-style version is too complicated for the birdy’s household, easy sprouting set-ups and ingredients can be ordered online from sites like Sprout People or China Prairie.
For the wise owl who wishes to insure his companion of both a diet as close to the wild as can be mimicked, the productHerb Salad for Birds is the ticket. These herbs contain the ingredients birds seek out to repair damaged organs, fight off infection and improve the skin, beak, feather conditions and aid in digestion.
Made up of organic harvested astragalus, barberry, chickweed, dandilion, echinacea, elderberry, garlic, kelp, lavender, licorice, marshmallow, milk thistle, oatstraw, olive leaf, pau d’ arco, plaintain, red clover, spirulina, thyme, valerian, wormwood and yarrow, these herbs have been known to heal sick birds when other pharmaceutical medications have failed.
Just for fun and on the off chance that the pet bird is still hungry, try making birdy bread. There are many sites which provide great recipes, but for the healthy conscious, Holistic Bird offers some organic ideas that rival some people bakeries.
Feeding a bird a good homemade natural diet is very rewarding and nothing is sweeter than the song of a healthy bird.
*Please consult a holistic avian veterinarian before transitioning your bird to a homemade diet.
On July 17, almost 300 dogs were impounded by the HSUS and Montgomery County Animal Control from Spindletop outside Willis. Many of us in rescue had thought the former 'refuge' was just that, a place of quiet rehabilitation in the lovely countryside outside Conroe, Texas.
What we discovered to be the real ugly truth was a huge hoarding operation in which dogs were stacked in crates filled with their own excrement and vomit. Photographs of filthy dishes and water bowls have been shared across Facebook and other social networks.
Reunion Rescue has been trying to raise funding to begin a real refuge, for some time. We have named it the Reunion Rescue No-Kill Refuge with its own Facebook page.
Most people do not realize how much rescue work entails and costs. We could probably have built our own refuge some time back had it not been for the boarding costs. Until the raid, Reunion Rescue was raising about $2500 a month to board at least 10 dogs. That is a lot of moolah to drum up each month and requires much writing, begging, can shaking at events and penny pinching.
We are down to four boarded dogs in California (Spuds, Diesel, William and Guido) one by one will be coming to our Austin, Texas sanctuary.
First, though, we must attend to the ones we redeemed from the raid. Stella is thought to be dead, one of the 38 who died in the Morgan Building at Spindletop and the terrible tragedy which activated the investigation.
The first dog we brought back in four trips to Conroe was Batgirl, now called BeBe. BeBe was not anything like the dog we initially boarded at Spindletop for rehabilitation. She had luckily been chipped and fixed before going to Spindletop, so she was relatively easy to have returned to Reunion's program. Sadly, her heartworm medications has been disposed of by Leah Purcell who reportedly does not believe in holistic cures.
Bebe
BeBe's treatment is the heartworm cure on our Nutrition Page along with a long term detox and herbal treatment for her issues which have been extremely escalated by solitary over-confinement in a filthy crate. Bottom line, this dog has been driven insane. We feel we can bring her back around, but this will take months if not years of work and supplements.
Amber was the little one who was rescued with Stella last summer in Houston. We created a Facebook page for them and raised enough to get them started in the boarding program at Spindletop. At least five homes were screened and would have been appropriate for either of these girls, but were turned away by Leah Purcell. Amber was very depressed when we got her back, but thanks to lots of fresh air, good raw diet, herbal and flower remedies, she is on the road to recovery, a squatty little doll.
Angel was the hardest one to retrieve. He didn't have the benefit of someone who'd actually handled him. The holding facility was reluctant to let him go in fear of the wrong person claiming him. We drove to Conroe and back twice to get Angel.
Angel responded quickly to a detox and herbal pick-me-up. If someone were to tick off the boxes in what they wanted in a dog, Angel would be that dog. He lives in the now and is very dog friendly. Since Leah turned down almost a dozen inquiries for his adoption, it was surprising to discover he was not only not a pit bull, but also very adoptable. This little Rhodesian Ridgeback mix is already in his new home with a longtime Reunion Rescue adopter. His new name is Hub.
Nolan
Nolan was nearly starved to death outside Dallas when we wrote him an article and tried to get him to safety. A kind hearted rescuer was able to talk his abusers into relinquishing him to her while the money was raised to get him into Spindletop. Nolan was boarded at her vet who discovered heartworm infestation and severe emaciation and dehydration.
When news of the raid hit, Nolan was being transported to Spindletop. Luckily, his transporter heard the news and turned the car around. Even though he never set paw on Spindletop soil, Leah managed to bilk $450 from one kindhearted donator.
Peanut
Nolan, a big Great Dane and American Bulldog mix, was brought to foster care in Austin, but Nolan quit eating and was taken to the vet. X-rays, bloodwork, a sonogram, biopsy and over a thousand dollars later, Nolan is here at the sanctuary and eating well. He is putting on weight, enjoying the sunshine and the herbal heartworm cure. Since his health is so challenged, neuter and conventional heartworm treatment are out of the question.
Feo, which is a dumb name for a beautiful dog, was located at the city of Alvin Animal Control. He was pulled fraudulently by Leah Purcell under the Reunion Rescue 501(c)(3) entity. He was redeemed and boarded for a few weeks until we could get set up and bring him here. After being neutered, he arrived safe and sound. His new name is Peanut.
We have applied for several grants to help us build kennels and underwrite the costs of running a holistic no kill sanctuary, but so far have been dependent upon the goodness of private donations. The immediate costs to set up and meet the current needs of these dogs has depleted the budget and we need help.
We have set up a system in which the dog friendly dogs can spend time on the porch with ball breaks in the yard.
A chip in has been set up to try and raise money to underwrite food and health care as well as dog supplies and tarps to cover the day areas.
Kory Nelson is the man behind Denver's pit bull slaughter in which pets were dragged from their homes and killed by the thousands. Kory Nelson is Denver's Assistant City Attorney and a government official.
The man who made a name for himself killing other people's pets by the truckload has now issued a statement that he's hoping for 'a celebrity's child to be attacked....'
Nelson, always aping for the spotlight, has even endorsed shooting dogs in the street something like the recent dog slaughters in Sochi.
DogsBite.org is the group headed by Colleen Lynn and has become notorious for using 'flawed statistics' to promote hate for pit bull-type dogs. Lynn, who calls herself a 'social activist' moved to Austin, Texas in 2010 to promote her operation.
What kind of people hate dogs so much they fabricate facts and figures to propagandize a doctrine
promoting death to all animals who have a certain appearance? What kind of person advocates tragic mauling of an innocent child in order to hype his hostile campaign?
Sound familiar?
"Hitler, Adolf(1889–1945), German leader, born in Austria; chancellor of Germany 1933–45. He cofounded the National Socialist German Workers’ (Nazi) Party in 1919 and came to prominence through his powers of oratory. He wrote Mein Kampf (1925), an exposition of his political ideas, while in prison. He established the totalitarian Third Reich in 1933. His expansionist foreign policy precipitated World War II, while his fanatical anti-Semitism led to the Holocaust.
• [as n. ] ( a Hitler) a person with authoritarian or tyrannical characteristics : little Hitlers in the classroom."
It is a terrifying thought that a man with 'ideals' inspiring hate groups holds a government position. How is modern-day Denver so different from Nazi Germany?
No one in the thinking anti-BSL legislation movement endorses mauling or bad dog behavior. It's common to hear the statement 'ban the deed, not the breed' among those of us looking for solutions.
Is it pure hate or just plain old wanting to be famous?
Well, if you do, here's how you can help. Reunion Rescue is walking in Strut Your Mutt San Francisco and Austin this year. The events take place on September 21 in San Francisco and September 28 in Austin.
Reunion Rescue has been saving pit bulls for over 15 years from extremely high kill shelters in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond one dog at a time.
Team Betsy, Grace, Henry and Wylie ready to strut
Sasha waiting to strut
Reunion Rescue operates the only no-kill holistic raw feeding pit bull refuge in the world. We have a sanctuary full of bay area and other wonderful pit bulls who depend on Reunion Rescue and Reunion Rescue depends on you.
Please take a look at our strut pages and consider walking with us this year. You and your pet can join us in San Francisco or Austin to do the walk. You can also create a $10 virtual strut page and share it with your friends to help support Reunion Rescue pit bulls, the friendliest pit bulls in the world.
Yesterday she was in the office, saw a little pink stuffed pig and claimed it. She wasn't supposed to play with that particular stuffed toy because it was supposed to follow another dog into its adoptive home. So we just shoved the toy into the very bottom of the toy box, gave her another toy. She wasn't having any of that. Poked her head down into the toybox and rooted around until she came up with the pink pig. (The pink pig did follow its real owner to his adoptive home, but it was missing its tail and one arm.)
