Rescue Pets!

[Jessica]

Does anyone have any rescue pets? Tell their stories here!

I've got three:

Bosch (aka the Wolf): She's 14 now. She ran away from her owners after an earthquake and wound up with us. We eventually found her former owners who were ready to get rid of her because she was too hyper (then, now she barely moves ). They had named her GingerSnap which is clearly a lame name for a wolf.

Indy the Big White Dog (aka the Dufus): His former owners dropped him off at one of those Nazi Training Camps for dogs, paid like a grand and then never picked him up. The Nazi's wouldn't give him to a rescue organization unless someone paid the second half of his training. Someone did and gave him to some friends of theirs who lived on the beach. But again Indy was too hyper and insisted on chasing all the people playing volleyball and trying to take the ball. So they decided against keeping him and he wound up with us via a rescue organization we're involved with. He's 13 now and thuch a good dog. (He has a very slight lisp. He says it's hardly notithable).

Remy (aka the Impothter): Remy is the newest addition. We found him wandering the streets two weeks ago. His former owners were clearly abusive. He's terrified of leashes and sudden movements. He looks like someone took Indy and shrunk him in the wash. We think he's about a year old. He's completely adorable.

So your turn, how did you rescue your pets? As a public service note, if you haven't rescued pets in the past please consider doing so in the future. Your local rescue organization will be happy to work with you to find the perfect animal [/complete rescue pitch]

[potterposse]

I adopted my cat, Rasha. She I guess was abused and was kept in a basement for about three years...she is really sweet, but is getting very old now, since we adopted her old on top of that, is ancient...she doesn't have much longer.

[snapegirl]

One of my cats was rescued. My friend was driving and almost hit this pure white, tiny kitten. She took him home and bottle fed him. Since my friend has a lot of cats already, she couldn't keep him. After nagging my husband about wanting the kitten, we got him when he was about 14 weeks old.
My snake was also a rescued pet. I got her from another friend who couldn't keep her. My friend orginally took the snake from someone was going to release her in the woods.

[8m57w6]

I got my bunny from a friend of my moms. The lady had 2 siamese cats, and they did not get along with the rabbit at all. She owned that cats first, and didn't want to give them up, and I'd been wanting a rabbit for years, so she was hands down the best Christmas gift I ever recieved.

My dog was also a rescue. According to the place we adopted him from, (the organization is Tails of Hope) they found him running the streets with his sister when they were just puppies, and they were so dirty and mangy when they were first found, they didn't even know he was white!! We're fairly sure he was abused as he is scared of very random things such as garbage bags, and goes insane whenever we use the garden hose. He barks, and gets in his defensive pose, and bares his teeth whenever we try to use it, and with the garbage bags and such, he runs away with his ears down, looking over his shoulder. He's completely crazy, bouncing off the walls full of energy, but we love him to death.

[Colonel_Fubster]

Barney (blab) was a rescue, we got him from the SPCA over a year ago. They got him from the pound, where his previous family had surrendered him. Apparently they didn't have time for him anymore.
Sandy (cocker spaniel) I rescued from a home with 3 kids under the age of 5, they were very rough with her. She was not yet 2, and she's now 14.
Princess Mollie (sheltie) was sort of rescued from a breeder. She refused to have puppies, and was getting beat up by another female, so my roommates took her home. She may hold the record for being the most expensive free dog in history, as she became very ill with pancreatitis several years ago, her vet fees for that alone were over $4,000. She passed away this summer at the ripe old age of 16.

My roommate is currently sighing over a dog in the local shelter, a greyhound cross named Momma. We'll have to wait and see, if she's not adopted soon, we might have a third dog again....

[Tenshi]

Two pets. The first was a guinea pig. The owner had many of them and wanted to get rid of them for reasons I forgot. I wasn't allow to keep pets, but I managed it to get one of them home.

The second was my old cat. When he was a kitten he followed my dad to hour house one day and wouldn't go back home again. We have a shed were he stayed for a few days. We didn't know who he belonged to, so we started to feed him and took him also inside. After a week or so we found the owners and asked them if we can keep him. They said it's fine and that they are glad that he found an owner. Looks like they thought that he ran away.

[Redhart]

While I raise Salukis, we have a tradition of always keeping a spot on the couch open for a rescue/shelter pet (sometimes two).
I can also recommend STOLA (Saluki Tree of Life Assoc.), an association that rescues Salukis in shelters or bad situations, rehabilitates and rehomes to adoptive homes whenever possible.
STOLA

Sahara was brought home at age 4 weeks old. She was, of course, far too young a puppy to do so, but she was in dire straights. She was born two weeks prior to the 1989 San Francisco/Loma Prieta quake. When she was two weeks old, the quake hit. The story was that it so frighted her mother that all her milk dried up. The owners of her mother did not know much about puppies and had been feeding them adult chow and cow's milk. They were full worms and fleas, had raging diarhea, not thriving and very weak. We took one to see if we could save it.

After veterinary care for fleas, worms and ills, and some proper formula, she began to thrive and grow. We often called her the "Dutchess" for her air of royalty and grace. We were told she was half lab and half Saluki (a type of sighthound).

She was nanny to our children and alpha in our pack. She especially adored my husband and he could do no wrong in her eyes. She slept next to him each night. Sadly, she passed away a few years ago with cancer at age 13. We miss her still.
(as you can see, she was a most tolerant and good humored girl!)

We also brought home "Crickett". Crickett came from a local shelter infested with mange. She was only 10 weeks old and they were about to put her down as they said there was just not enough money to treat her. We took her home, got her treatment and she grew into one of my best friends.

Crickett also developed Canine Epilepsy when she was about three years old. We joined support lists for her and found a nutritional diet that seemed to stop all her seizures. By the time this happened, she had become withdrawn and scared of her own shadow. So, to help her regain her confidence, we entered her in obedience classes. She did so well we started doing agility with her...she was a natural! She LOVED weave poles and teeter totters! You could tell her "left" or "right" and she would know which way to turn. She was a very clever pup. She also learned how to close and open doors on command, give kisses, "dance" (twirl in circles) and a multitude of other tricks....and she stopped being afraid. She loved people, and was very intuitive with people. We had a great idea and applied for her to become an pet-therapy dog at a local hospital. She passed the tests we began donating our time.

I saw Crickett perform many miracles--patients who would not talk to people, would talk to her. There was once a woman who the nurses sat in a wheelchair in the hall who was catatonic--would only stare into space, and would not move or seem to be aware of anything. We placed her hand on Crickett's head. Crickett gently nuzzled her and she turned her head and smiled at Crickett--who wagged and nuzzled more. The nurses said they had never seen anything like it. The woman had never responded to anyone or anything since her major stroke. Crickett was like that, though.

Again, sadly, we lost Crickett two years ago to a cancer called hemangiosarcoma at age 11. I can't tell you how deeply we greived her loss. I only know if there is truly a doggy heaven, I'm sure she is there.

Here is Crickett--she often wore a funny hat when she made her rounds at the hospital. The bag around her neck contained Epilepsy medicine in case of a seizure (but she passed seizure free after 6 years of her diet). This photo is from her SPCA National Pet of the Month award in 1999.

You can also find a great deal of information and support for dogs with seizure disorders at: Canine-epilepsy.com

And, our latest arrival: Sadie
Sadie looks much like Crickett, but is actually much smaller--about half her size. She is definitely her own girl, though. We brought her home about 4 months after we lost Crickett. She was about 10 months old and picked up wandering along the side of the road in town by the local SPCA. There were some signs that she may have been abused--she's afraid of any kicking motion, and will run if you show her a broom. She's overcoming these things, however, and is a playful and very bouncy addition to our family. She loves to play with the kids, and also will drop on her back at a moments notice for a good tummy scratch (her favorite). She is currently three years old and we love her much.

[Quigwid]

My dog, Robbie, is a rescue pet, even though he was still a puppy when we got him. Apparently, his previous "owner" had tied him and his brother to the radiator! Whenever I think about this, it just makes me sad and incredibly angry at the same time. How can you do this to an animal? And what really gets me the most is the fact that Robbie is, despite of what he's gone through at such a young age, the most incredible dog, he's sweet, good-natured, loves cats and pretty much everyone he meets (except for the postman, old chliche but true in this case ).

We've had a few rescue cats over the years as well. There was Mickey, when I was about 7, who somebody seems to have abandoned in our garden. He was tiny, we had to bottle feed him for a few days. Despite that, he turned out to be the most vicious cat I have ever met, frequently lurking under chairs and tables for somebody to walk past (preferably barefoot) and then attack their feet. We still loved him loads, though

Then there was Felix, another abandoned little cat in our garden. He was the complete opposite of Mickey, really cuddly and sweet.

[purplehawk]

Well, let's see...

I am currently chair of the local Siberian Husky rescue operation. We've fostered nine Siberians over the years and co-host "Bark Park," a weekend get-together for Siberians and their owners. We have the space with a pond and woodland, which makes for a very good time for the dogs. We also own Copper, the Top Cop, a strikingly beautiful red-and-white husky with piercing ice-blue eyes.

Where things get a bit fuzzy? I also have seven cats in residence, all of them adoptees. Jake and Shaileigh were our first two cats. Jake was an adult male when we brought him home; Shai was just six weeks old and she promptly annointed Jake as her big brother-surrogate mother. He did a great job seeing her into cathood.

Then there's Tsunami, better known as Mommy Kitty. She and her 5 kittens were taped into a box and abandoned in my driveway. I thought for sure it was a UPS delivery until I heard hissing and spitting from inside the box. The kittens were just a couple of weeks old and Mommy was severely dehydrated and, quite literally, starving with a bellyful of worms. It was a huge leap of faith for her to trust us, but trust Mommy did. I made a vow that day that she, at least, would never have to wonder where "home" was again.

Two of her kittens were adopted by friends of ours. A third was adopted, but we asked to have her back when we discovered she'd spent a week in a tree. Thus, we have Zoom, Scruffy Yion, and Monster still aboard.

Then there's Liselle, our tortie. She was abandoned when her family moved and came to live with us. She was a 6-lb. adult when we rescued her, but now is a way-too-fat 16-pounder. She thinks the sun rises and sets with our 10yo granddaughter.

All seven of the cats are neutered.

Then there is Chauncey, or Pete as he's sometimes called, the hamster. We bought him, though.

And, finally, we have Gracie. Gracie is a boy African Grey. We didn't find that out until several years after we bought him, by which time nothing we've tried has ever convinced him that he isn't a girl. We finally gave up on our transgendered feathery baby and concede that he is "Mommy's widdle girl" because "Gracie wubbs Mommy."

[snapegirl]

Originally Posted by purplehawk

All seven of the cats are neutered.

That's a really good point, especially with cats. My three cats are neutered too. Even though they are not outside cats, they have gotten out a few times. Although they're boys and can't come home pregnant, it's nice to know my cats are not making the problem of strays worse. (and where I live, there seems to be a pretty big stray problem)

[Alastor]

Quite a menagerie, purplehawk.
But Huskies are working dogs who really need a lot of exercise. So I guess you have full time work with your pets.

I would never have an unneutered cat. I would literally drown in kittens because I couldn't trust anyone enough to give them away.

[LoveWeasleys]

I don't have any pets myself, but my uncle and aunt took in two retired greyhounds. I believe they are considered rescue pets as well, because I heard that after the greyhounds can't race anymore their owners can be not very good at taking care of them.

The second greyhound they had, had obviviously abused by its prior owner because it was often afraid of people and would run out of the room anytime someone would come into the room, she was very timid and would only respond to my aunt.

[purplehawk]

Originally Posted by snapegirl77

That's a really good point, especially with cats. My three cats are neutered too. Even though they are not outside cats, they have gotten out a few times. Although they're boys and can't come home pregnant, it's nice to know my cats are not making the problem of strays worse. (and where I live, there seems to be a pretty big stray problem)

No kidding! I'm glad people are finally beginning to realize the best protection we can give our animal babies is to neuter them. My vet bills are, obviously, outrageous. We got discounts for the huskies we rescue, of course, and our vet has been kind enough to do the same for our rescue kitties. Still, it adds up when you consider the volume of appointments required for so many.

Originally Posted by Alastor

But Huskies are working dogs who really need a lot of exercise. So I guess you have full time work with your pets.

Yeah, they are a lot of work... except in the summer time. Getting Copper off an air conditioning vent presents some unique problems as he's gotten older. When the weather turns cold, however, you'd swear he was still a puppy. He loves the snow!

About trusting someone with kittens... well, I've already said I demanded one of ours back after the tree episode. That was absolutely the wrong thing to do when you live three blocks from someone who had already fallen out of a tree, trying to rescue a cat, especially when that person let you adopt the cat in the first place. We paid to have a tree servicer cut that cat down and then brought her straight home.

Originally Posted by LOVEWEASLEYS04

The second greyhound they had, had obviviously abused by its prior owner because it was often afraid of people and would run out of the room anytime someone would come into the room, she was very timid and would only respond to my aunt.

I've heard horror stories about greyhounds. That's so sad!

[MC2456]

Originally Posted by Jessica

Does anyone have any rescue pets? Tell their stories here!

I've got three:

Bosch (aka the Wolf): She's 14 now. She ran away from her owners after an earthquake and wound up with us. We eventually found her former owners who were ready to get rid of her because she was too hyper (then, now she barely moves ). They had named her GingerSnap which is clearly a lame name for a wolf.

Indy the Big White Dog (aka the Dufus): His former owners dropped him off at one of those Nazi Training Camps for dogs, paid like a grand and then never picked him up. The Nazi's wouldn't give him to a rescue organization unless someone paid the second half of his training. Someone did and gave him to some friends of theirs who lived on the beach. But again Indy was too hyper and insisted on chasing all the people playing volleyball and trying to take the ball. So they decided against keeping him and he wound up with us via a rescue organization we're involved with. He's 13 now and thuch a good dog. (He has a very slight lisp. He says it's hardly notithable).

Remy (aka the Impothter): Remy is the newest addition. We found him wandering the streets two weeks ago. His former owners were clearly abusive. He's terrified of leashes and sudden movements. He looks like someone took Indy and shrunk him in the wash. We think he's about a year old. He's completely adorable.

So your turn, how did you rescue your pets? As a public service note, if you haven't rescued pets in the past please consider doing so in the future. Your local rescue organization will be happy to work with you to find the perfect animal [/complete rescue pitch]

WOW! You got 3 dogs? HOW cool is THAT!? I don't have a rescue pet, but once I'm an adult I want to adopt a pet from the SPCA and shower him or her with as much love as I can possibly give him (her). I would want them spayed, of course, and I also would like to adopt a baby animal, like a puppy, or a kitten. I've heard their bond will be stronger to you because you took care of them in their younger days. Any suggestions?

[Colonel_Fubster]

Originally Posted by purplehawk

And, finally, we have Gracie. Gracie is a boy African Grey. We didn't find that out until several years after we bought him, by which time nothing we've tried has ever convinced him that he isn't a girl. We finally gave up on our transgendered feathery baby and concede that he is "Mommy's widdle girl" because "Gracie wubbs Mommy."

that is just soooo cute and funny!

Originally Posted by MC2456

I've heard their bond will be stronger to you because you took care of them in their younger days.

That isn't true in my experience. I've found that animals who are rescued as adults or even seniors know that they were rescued, and show their gratitude. There's really no way of predicting a bond, animals choose their people. My Sandy, who I've had for over 12 years, decided she liked one of my roommates better, and now seems to like the other one best. Me, I'm furniture. On the other hand, Barney is officially my roommates' dog, but he decided quite early on that I'm his person. All you can do is love 'em!

[purplehawk]

Mommy Kitty has latched onto me as her #1 person, but in the beginning it was my youngest son. He has such a gift with cats! I'd managed to get her and the kittens settled a bit. Turned the box into a kind of shelter and made sure Mommy was well-fed and watered, but it was my son who won her trust and actually succeeded in moving them all into the house. I remember that so well. I was carrying the babies in the box and he carried Mommy in his arms alongside me. He was her first bond and I am the second. The rest of the family, from her point of view, is there for comic relief.

[Hermaryne]

Originally Posted by Colonel_Fubster

animals choose their people.

So true! I love everyone's stories, sigh. My Dad's a vet and has always done animal rescue work out of his clinic. You can't imagine all of the things I've seen and heard over the last 30 years, both good and bad. We've always had rescue pets. I've currently got 4 cats: 2 (once feral) tabbies, one rescued in Mexico, and an abanodnned Abyssinian. Main thing I've learned is to be realistic about the amount of pets I can manage at one time, so that everyone gets enough care and attention. But it can be hard to see those animals who sit in their kennels forever, waiting for a home. Some of my Dad's technicians have 10-20 pets and still manage to make it work. Most of their income goes into food and medicine. To me, that's heroism.

[gertiekeddle]

Our former family's dog was a German shepherd from animal shelter. The collie I grew up with just died a few weeks ago, when mum & dad and teenage gertie no longer could stay without a dog. My parents went to the shelter with a certain feeling that they would like to look out for a collie again (all their dogs had been collies until then).
It was two weeks after Christmas (still during school holidays) and there was this eight-weeks-old German shepherd, being found (as they told us) with a bow around her neck directly on Dec 27th in town, strapped at a lantern. And looking at us. Two days later we got her, she was sitting on my legs during the way home. My cat was amused. Lady was an awesome dog, just died a bit too early on cancer in 2003.

[8m57w6]

At the place where we got my dog from, they didn't really have a kennel or anything, the animals that were up for adoption just lived with the people who worked there. The lady my dog had lived with before had about 7 dogs and 4 or 5 cats at one point! I don't know how she ever managed it.

[MC2456]

Ah! I have no idea...that is my inadequate knowledge about cats and dogs. I suppose it varies from person to person.