What a weekend! Phoebe, Angel, Sassy, Taiko, Weezer and Guy 2 all found loving homes
Well, it was very exciting for us this weekend, with so many wonderful adoptions!
Angel, who arrived at Muttville in June, 2009 found a wonderful forever home with a loving family, which confirms my belief that their is a home for every loving dogs, even if they are blind and senior. Phoebe got flown down by private plane to her new Oceanside home. And Taiko, who was flown to us from LA, found a wonderful new mommy, Coastside. Weezer will be the constant companion for a 2 year old toddler, same energy levels! Sassy will have a playmate and a loving family to keep her company through her golden years. And Guy#3 – one of our one-eyed shitzhus – found his new family with another little shitzhu.
We still have over 50 dogs available for adoption and more arriving all the time!! But with stories like this happening, we are energized to carry on.
He was a Man not afraid of a little DRAG- Henry, memorium
From Henry’s adoptive mom~
The name “Henry” is of Old German origin and its meaning is “home ruler.” We didn’t know this when we adopted and named Henry, but it was absolutely a premonition of what he would be to us. He was 8 lbs. of Chihuahua/Pug, and we blissfully felt his presence in every square inch of our three bedroom, two bathroom home. Henry was not noisy, just occasionally growled with disgust…not threatening, rather, a growl that said, “I’m a cranky guy. When I want to be loved, I’ll let you know by jumping on your lap or tapping you with my paw. Don’t pick me up unless I indicate it is my wish, and do not cover me because I like to arrange my blankets in a particular manner and you are not able to do it properly.” The best way to describe Henry, and I mean this in a good way, was that he was opinionated. Henry was against proposition 8, pro universal healthcare, and not afraid of a little drag. In fact, he performed in our living room (2 shows monthly) under the name “Baby Jane.” Henry was a complex male, unforgettable in his entire idiosyncrasy. Our lives are sadder without him. As George Eliot said “Only in the agony of parting do we look into the depths of love.”
Sunday Streets with Muttville
Wow! Muttville had a wonderful day participating in San Francisco’s Sunday Streets program! http://sundaystreetssf.com/
Here’s The Dynamic Duo, Snickers and Mocha! How have they not been adopted? Such a lovely, bonded pair. What a joy they would add to someone’s life – affection and love and happiness.
Sunday Streets today was held at the very edge of Golden Gate park where it hits the Pacific Ocean – I took a break from our table and walked one our senior poodles out to the edge of the sand and felt so grateful to be in San Francisco. The sun was shining, Clif Bar was giving away free samples, all the food trucks were serving good food and clever drinks, and people want senior dogs for adoption. What a city!
Be here now
One of the greatest things about dog rescue is having the opportunity to be a voice for the most elegant and intelligent senior dogs. There is a wonderful story to each of these dogs, and our simple minds get wrapped up in the PAST – what happened to this dog? Why is he with us? Is he sad?
The way to find your new pet, and the way to find yourself, is to be PRESENT. I lose sight of this sometimes, but these regal dogs remind me. At adoption events, I am the only communicable VOICE for dogs, but actions speak louder than words. These dogs are fine. They hit a rough patch, but they are ready for the next step. If you are at peace with yourself and with the adoption process, they will be at peace with you. You do not have to worry about why the dog is in Muttville’s care – you need only to worry about how to love in the moment.
And loving the moment, by the way, includes loving yourself, and allowing yourself to experience wonderful things, eat wonderful food, and exercise!
This dog, Sweetie, took me to the top of Bernal Hill over and over, and when the sun and the wind hit her wolf-face, she was centered, she was quiet, she was present. I was honored to represent her at adoption events – are we so intelligent because we use language to communicate? Are we so advanced? Whereas Sweetie here communicates by being available to the joys of life.
Appreciate the joys of life with a senior dog.
Success Story: Wyatt
A note about the ease of adopting a senior dog, from one of our fantastic adoptive parents, Jane. She and her husband Richard adopted Wyatt, now known as Charlie.
“We adopted Charlie the Pomeranian at the recommendation of our daughter, who is a Muttville volunteer and lives in San Francisco. Rick flew 2000 miles to visit Lake Tahoe and play golf, intending to bring Charlie home on the plane after a week-long visit.
Charlie is a 6 pound, bundle of energy – a senior dog who is full of life and a delight to be around. People frequently think he is a puppy but he is really a very seasoned dog who happens to be both well-trained and missing more than few teeth!
He was rescued by someone from the side of the highway, completely matted and covered in fleas, burrs and a big scab on his leg. After Muttville’s veterinary volunteers shaved him, gave him a bath & some medicine, he looked like his usual handsome self.
Charlie loves his walks and was already completely house-trained. He gets along well with other dogs of all sizes, cats, people and children. He even marched in “Pooches On Parade” on the Fourth of July in Half Moon Bay, California while wearing a patriotic, red bandana. Charlie enjoyed his week at Lake Tahoe and took lots of short hikes with our daughter’s two dogs.
On the plane, Charlie slept the whole way to Cleveland. The sedative the veterinarian prescribed conked him out until the end of the flight when Rick unzipped the Sherpa bag and Charlie popped his little head out of the bag and refused to put it back inside! Rick carefully zipped the bag around Charlie’s head and carried him off the plane. (Rick was afraid to push him back into the bag because Charlie is so small.)
Upon arrival at his new home, Charlie immediately inspected the fenced back yard and urinated on every bit of shrubbery. After a bit of aloof behavior, Charlie and the youngest cat are romping and playing together. They are approximately the same size and enjoy playing games.
Charlie sleeps on the foot of the bed and has an upholstered footstool to help him jump up and down off the bed. He plays fetch with a small, plush bumblebee toy with a squeaker inside.
Charlie is settling into his new life in the Midwest. He rides well in the car and goes almost everywhere with us. Recently, he was the only dog at a human birthday party near Lake Erie. Truly, this dog was born to be a Clevelander!”
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Thank you to Muttville’s human friends who generously donate their goods and services.
Hurvis Charitable Foundation
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Jen Scarlett DVM
Pan American Veterinary Corporation
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Pedigree Adoption Drive Foundation
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Joe Marko
