Muttville wins "Best Rescue Group" 3 years in a row and first time "Best Fundraiser" in Bay Woof's 2012 Beast of the Bay Awards

Big thank you to all who voted for the older dogs in this year’s 2012 Beast of the Bay Awards by Bay Woof Newspaper. We are honored and overjoyed by the winning results.

Muttville was chosen “Best Rescue Group” for the THIRD year! Can you believe it?!?!?! And we are so very proud to have come out on top for the first time in the “Best Fundraising Event” category for Muttville’s annual Moolah For Mutts! Woofs and woohoo to that!!

STAY TUNED! We have more exciting news about this year’s Moolah For Mutts, as Muttville’s biggest night of the year is going to be bigger than ever on July 21st.

We also want to congratulate ALL the winners this year, as well as the nominees! Thank you Bay Woof Newspaper and the Bay Area’s wonderful group of animal loving folks.

Here are all the winners:

1. Best thing to happen to SF / Bay Area dogs in 2011: 
Reopening of the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society adoption facility   41%
New Bay Area dog parks opening   25%
Dog community united to protest GGNRA extreme dog management plan   22%
We still have Fort Funston   12%


2. Best Dog Park
Fort Funston – Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA)   44%
Albany Bulb – East Bay Regional Parks District (EBRPD)   9%
Point Isabel Regional Shoreline – EBRPD   36%
Stern Grove – SF Recreation & Parks (SFRP)  11%


3. Best Hiking Trail
Redwood Regional Park Trail – EBRPD   41%
Ft Funston – GGNRA   33%
Point Isabel – EBRPD   20%
Dunn Trail – EBRPD   6%


4. Best View with a Dog
Stinson Beach – GGNRA   37%
Chrissy Field – GGNRA   36%
Dolores Park – SFRP   16%
Alamo Square – SFRP   11%


5. Best Canine Sports Event
Agility   40%
Dog Day at the Oakland A’s   31%
Flying Disc   15%
Nosework   14%


6. Best Adult Dog Play Group/Event
Pet Pride Day – San Francisco   48%
Waggin’ Hours at Wag Hotels   23%
Senior Socials at The Rex Center – Pacifica   21%
Poodle Day – Carmel   8%


7. Best Puppy Social
SIRIUS® Puppy Classes – SF Bay Area   39%
BravoPup Puppy Playtime – Oakland   25%
The Rex Center Puppy Socials – Pacifica   19%
Metro Dog Puppy Socials – Richmond   18%


8. Best Dog Happy (Yappy) Hour
Saturday Doggie Happy Hour at Doc’s Clock –
San Francisco   30%
Waggin’ Hour at Wag Hotels – San Francisco   29%
Yappy Hour at Paws & Claws – Oakland   28%
Socials at AnnaBee’s – Pacifica   13%


9. Best Fresh Water Bowl
Paws on Piedmont – Oakland   34%
Holistic Hound – Berkeley   26%
K9 Scrub Club – San Francisco   18%
Duboce Park Cafe – San Francisco   21%


10. Best Free Treats
Pawtrero Bathhouse and Feed Co. – San Francisco   36%
Holistic Hound – Berkeley   28%
Paws on Piedmont – Oakland   20%
Dogbone Alley – Alameda   17%


11. Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant
Half Moon Bay Brewery – Half Moon Bay   34%
Sit & Stay Cafe, Pt. Isabel – Richmond   29%
Dolores and Duboce Park Cafes – San Francisco   19%
Park Chow – San Francisco   17%


12. Best Dog-Friendly Bar
Doc’s Clock – San Francisco   45%
Half Moon Bay Brewery – Half MoonBay   21%
El Rio – San Francisco   15%
Lucky 13 – San Francisco   19%


13. Best Dog-Friendly Coffeehouse
Sit & Stay Café, Pt. Isabel – Albany   39%
Peets – SF Bay Area   30%
Duboce Park Café – San Francisco   19%
Fourbarrel – San Francisco   12%


14. Best Dog-Friendly Winery
Mutt Lynch – Healdsburg   37%
Mountain Winery – Saratoga   24%
Rosenblum Cellars – Alameda   21%
Treasure Island Wines – Treasure Island   18%


15. Best Dog-Friendly Bakery
Annabee’s – Pacifica   45%
Sit & Stay Cafe, Point Isabel – Richmond   32%
Paw Patch Pastries – SF (web only)   14%
Barkn Belly Bakery – Morgan Hill (web only)   10%


16. Best Pet Superstore
Pet Food Express   46%
PetSmart   24%
PetCo   17%
Pet Club   13%


17. Best Pet Boutique
Holistic Hound – Berkeley   40%
Pawtrero Bathhouse and Feed Co. – San Francisco   26%
Dogbone Alley – Alameda   18%
Sunset Pet Supply – San Francisco   16%


18. Best Doggie Birthday Present
Massage from Happy Hounds   35%
Paw Patch Pastry   26%
A Paco Collar   24%
SIRIUS® Nose Work Classes   15%


19. Best Locally-Made Dog Stuff
Jeffrey’s Natural Pet Foods – San Francisco   37%
Paco Collars – Berkeley   32%
FYDO dog beds – Berkeley   19%
MaSnax Treats – Sonoma   12%


20. Best Veterinary Clinic
Berkeley Dog & Cat Hospital – Berkeley   33%
San Francisco Vet Specialists – San Francisco   25%
Mission Pet Hospital – San Francisco   23%
Linda Mar Veterinary Clinic – Pacifica   18%


21. Best Veterinarian
Dr. Ilana Strubel, DVM; Linda Mar Veterinary Hospital – Pacifica   35%
Dr. Jenny Taylor, Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Center – Oakland   23%
Dr. Adam Piaseczny, Healthy Pets Veterinary Hospital – San Francisco   23%
Dr. Molly Rice; Coastal Holistic Complementary Veterinary Services – Pacifica   18%


22. Best Canine Chiropractor
Lisa Koenig, DC; Holistic Veterinary Care – Oakland   30%
Margret Holiday, DC; Creature Comforts – Oakland   29%
Gary Richter, MS, DVM; Holistic Veterinary
Care – Oakland   21%
Wendy Wallace, DC; Four Seasons Animal
Hospital – Lafayette   20%


23. Best Canine Massage Therapist
Deborah Ellen, Spirited Paws Canine Massage – Berkeley   28%
Heather Sanders, Wags n Wellness – SF Bay Area   27%
Shelah Barr, Happy Hound Massage – San Francisco   26%
Cathy Chen-Rennie, The Rex Center – Pacifica   18%


24. Best Alternative Medicine Provider
Jenny Taylor, DVM; Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Center – Oakland   29%
Gary Richter, MS, DVM; Holistic Veterinary Care – Oakland   27%
Molly Rice, DVM, Coastal Holistic Complementary Veterinary Services – Pacifica   26%
Rachael Feigenbaum, DVM; Lotus Veterinary House Calls   19%


25. Best Canine Rehab Facility
The Canine Rehabilitation Center (Muller Veterinary Hospital) –
Walnut Creek   36%
The Rex Center – Pacifica   26%
The Sams Clinic – Mill Valley   20%
Scout’s House – Menlo Park   18%


26. Best Dog Groomer
Bow Wow Meow – San Francisco   37%
All About the DOGue – Emeryville   28%
Bernie’s Grooming – San Francisco   19%
Kate’s Cat & Dog Salon – San Francisco   17%


27. Best Dog Wash (self-serve)
Pet Food Express, various locations – SF Bay Area   43%
Paws & Claws – Oakland   21%
K-9 Scrub Club – San Francisco   18%
Pawtrero – San Francisco   17%


28. Best Dog Walker
Molly Kenefik, Doggy Lama – Oakland   36%
Courtney Gunter-Durbin, The Whole Pet – San Francisco   29%
Glenn McTaggart, The Love of Dogs –  CITY   21%
Walt Bell, Black Nose Trading Co. – San Francisco   14%


29. Best Dog Sitter
Courtney Gunter-Durbin, The Whole Pet – San Francisco   37%
Erin Graves, All About the DOGue – East Bay   26%
Maureen Goldlist, All Fur Love Pet Care – East Bay   21%
Bill Brobst, Go Lucky Paws – South Bay 16%


30. Best Doggie Daycare
Muttley Crew – San Francisco   30%
Wag Hotels – San Francisco   28%
MetroDog – Richmond   20%
Pride and Pedigree – Oakland   23%


31. Best Overnight Boarder
Wag Hotel – San Francisco  36%
Metro Dog – Richmond   24%
The Whole Pet – San Francisco   21%
High Tail Hotel – San Francisco   20%


32. Best Training Class
SIRIUS® Puppy and Dog Training – SF Bay Area   29%
Marin Humane Society – Marin   27%
Bravo!Pup – East Bay   23%
ARF U at Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation – Walnut Creek   21%


33. Best Private Trainer
Sandra Mannion – SF Bay Area   31%
Courtney Gunter Durbin – The Whole Pet   27%
Kelley Filson – DogEvolve   22%
Gail Chadbourne – Bark Busters   20%


34. Best Dog Photographer
Lori Cheung – thepetphotographer.com   38%
Mark Rogers – markrogersphotography.com   25%
Jesse Freidin – jessefreidin.com   19%
Chickpea Photography – chickpeaphotographystudio.com   18%


35. Best Pet Artist
Kathleen Hill – kathleenhill.com   31%
Stephanie Lam – studiopet.com   30%
Delaine Hackney – delainemosaic   20%
Andrew Carson – carsonthird.com   19%


36. Best Dog-Friendly Lodgings
Cypress Inn – Carmel   38%
Russian River Getaways – Sonoma County   24%
Inn at Schoolhouse Creek – Mendocino   19%
Sheep Dung Estates – Boonville   18%


37. Best Day Trip with Dog
Half Moon Bay   34%
Carmel   29%
Point Reyes   28%
Monterey   10%


38. Best Dog-Friendly Campground
Mount Madonna County Park – Santa Clara   37%
Samuel P Taylor State Park – Lagunitas   33%
Anthony Chabot Campground – Castro Valley   26%
Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park – Big Sur   4%


39. Best Rescue Group
Muttville Senior Dog Rescue   43%
BADRAP Pitbull Rescue   24%
Furry Friends Rescue   17%
Rocket Dog Rescue   15%


40. Best Humane Organization
San Francisco Animal Care & Control   30%
Berkeley East Bay Humane Society   25%
East Bay SPCA   23%
Humane Society Silicon Valley   21%


41. Best Canine Cause
Give A Dog A Bone – Support for long-term shelter dogs   41%
Muttville – Senior Dog Rescue   25%
BADRAP – Pit Bull Rescue   23%
VetSOS – Veterinary care for the companion animals of homeless San Franciscans   12%


42. Best Fundraising Event
Moolah for Mutts – Muttville   33%
Pet Pride Day – SF ACC   29%
Growl, Meow & Wine – EBSPCA   24%
Petchitecture – PAWS   14%


43. Best Dog Blog
Dog Star Daily – dogstardaily.com/blogs   31%
Spoiled Bitch – spoiledbitch.com   27%
Grouchy Puppy – grouchypuppy.com   22%
The Daily Puglet – dailypuglet.com   21%


44. Best Dog Social Networking Site
Dogster – dogster.com   41%
DogTime – dogtime.com   29%
East Bay SPCA’s Facebook Page – facebook.com/EBSPCA   17%
Dog Star Daily – dogstardaily.com   13%


45. Best Online Dog Boutique
Nutt Butt Bakery – nuttbuttbakery.com   30%
K9 Scrub Club – k9scrubclub.com   27%
Mijo and Bambi – mijoandbambi.com   23%
P.L.A.Y. – petplay.com   20%


46. Best Online Vet Advice
Pet MD – petmd.com   43%
“Ask Dr Dog” column – baywoof.com   37%
Dogged Health – doggedhealth.com   13%
Dr. Karen Becker – healthypets.mercola.com   7%


47. Best Online Adoption site
Pet Finder – petfinder.com   47%
Muttville – muttville.org   29%
BADRAP – badrap.org   14%
Northern California Pet Adoptions – norcalpetadoptions.com   11%


48. Best Overall Website for Dog Lovers
Dogtime – dogtime.com   41%
Dogster – dogster.com   26%
Dog Star Daily – dogstardaily.com   18%
Bay Area Canine Network – dogs.bayequest.info   16%

Adopted Mutts of the Week: February 20 - 26

Thanks to the efforts of you – our foster parents, volunteers and supporters – here are this past week’s lucky Muttville seniors who found forever homes:

Apple
Stella and Willy
Asta
Candy
Boo 2
Little Willy
Vinnie

Many thanks to all our volunteers and visitors who joined us this past weekend at our first Sunday at Mudpuppy’s Tub and Scrub in San Francisco!

Every dog adopted means another life we can save. There’s a perfect senior waiting for you! Click here to see all of our mutts.

Success Story "Lima"

This is a story about Lima, a pit bull that ended up at the Fremont Animal shelter at 8 years old.

Lima used to help a little girl read and was her therapy dog, but the family fell on hard times and Lima went to the shelter.

A senior pit bull in the shelter doesn’t really stand a chance to make it out alive. BUT one of Muttville’s rescue partners, Nancy, heard about Lima’s story. And once Muttville heard it, we had to save her!!

Lima is still spreading joy to everyone she meets.

From her new mom, Peggy:

I LOVE Lima. She’s doing great it’s like she was always here.

Thank you for the best dog in the whole wide world, she’s the princess and we all love her, the cats didn’t skip a beat around her and Princess the kitty is already after her for love. Lima is very gentle with everyone and she seems very happy.

Thank’s again I’m so very very happy to have her.

It’s never too late for a new beginning!

If you adopted a Muttville dog, we would love to feature you in an upcoming ‘Success Story’. Please contact info@muttville.org with the Subject line ‘Success Story’

Adopted Mutts of the Week: February 13 - February 19

Thanks to the efforts of you – our foster parents, volunteers and supporters – here are this past week’s lucky Muttville seniors who found forever homes:

Sammy
Suma
Pee Wee & Lady
Augie Doggie

Many thanks to all our volunteers and visitors who joined us this past weekend at our Sunday outreach event at Pet Food Express on Market Street in San Francisco.

Every dog adopted means another life we can save. There’s a perfect senior waiting for you! Click here to see all of our mutts.

Success Story "Zozo"

As told by ZoZo, and Alfred Olson, a much loved Muttville volunteer:

Alfred: SHAME ON ME
The purpose of all Muttville Outreach get-to-gethers is to introduce pups to potential parents. I breached the protocol when I saw at a Sunday outreach in the Castro, the little girl I wanted to foster. I was sure she was the one. After so many false starts, where I picked a candidate only to find them going to be fostered or adopted by someone else, I hatched an evil plan to kidnap

keep her away from the group until the outreach ended. I knew very well that one look at those beautiful black eyes and matching toenails would cause many folks to swoon, leaving me to wave goodby with tears in my eyes. At closing time we went back to the group, where

I put her on the ground and announced to the other volunteers, and our beloved leader Sherri, ‘This girl is going to be my foster baby.’

ZoZo: The guy led me away and we got in his car. I just knew he was taking me back to my home. We arrived at a house and he carried me up the stairs. He put me on the floor. I was screaming in my head, ‘This is not my house! Where is my mommy? Where is my mommy!’

Alfred: I carried her up the stairs and put her down on the kitchen floor. She appeared to be in shock. She wouldn’t walk or sit, she wouldn’t eat or drink water. I carried her to the yard, but nothing. Her shriving was constant, so I wrapped her up in towels and placed her in an old dog bed a friend brought over.

ZoZo: The guy slept on the floor next to me, and I remember him comforting me during the night. In the morning he held out his hand to me which contained small pieces of chicken. I ate.

Alfred: When she woke up I offered small pieces of chicken – she ate them. I took her out of the bed, unwrapped her from the towels to see if she would walk, and she did walk, over to the water bowl. We went out to the yard and she smelled all the vegetation, like it was new to her. It was a sign that everything was going to be OK.

POSTMORTEM

Ten days later, Sherri called to say,‘I have a couple of people who saw your foster on the website, and think she is the one for them.’

I said, ‘I have someone here right now who wants to adopt her immediately!’

Sherri asked, ‘do you know this person?’

‘Yes I do Sherri, it’s me.’ 

Sherri then called me a foster failure, and I didn’t care. ‘No one is going to take away my baby’ I whispered away from the phone.

And so it came to pass on August 30th, 2009, ZoZo, and I adopted each other. The first thing to happen after this union was approved, was the discovery that ZoZo was deaf. I proceeded to make up hand signals she would understand. Everyone who came to the house were taught how not to startle her. She learned to cope with the 85 lb. Golden Retriever she was to live with,

and he held swinging doors open so she could go through, and always lets her go out or in every door first.

She has three beds. One next to my bed, one in my studio, and one in the kitchen. This way she can always see me and follow if I leave the room.

From two vets, one who said she was nine and one who said she was ten, I made her 9½, and with a little fudging, her birthday is March 20th, the 1st Day of Spring, and this coming March, she will be 12 years old.

ZoZo closes with these words, ‘I love this guy, and want to be with him forever – and the big dog too.’

Thank you Sherri, for helping to make this story come true, between a senior dog and a senior man.

Adopted Mutts of the Week: February 6 - February 12

Thanks to the efforts of you – our foster parents, volunteers and supporters – here are this past week’s lucky Muttville seniors who found forever homes:

Tucker
Stanley
Rosie
Hazel
Guido
Posie
Daisy

Many thanks to all our volunteers and visitors who joined us this past weekend at our first Sunday at Pet Food Express in San Rafael.

Every dog adopted means another life we can save. There’s a perfect senior waiting for you! Click here to see all of our mutts.

Success Story "Winston"

Thank you Mirto for sharing your love story with Winston!

Winston came to us with no last name, only a cunning resemblance to Dobby, the house elf from the Harry Potter series. He was taken into our home in October 2010.

With his highly positioned ears, but always kept low and outwardly, his big, round, brown eyes and his white muzzle he pushed himself into my heart through an extremely difficult time.

Winston wasn’t suppose to happen to me, he was a surrender to Muttvile (an amazing rescue that focuses on rescuing senior puppies either strays or abandoned the minute the get older, slower and bit more smelly) at a time that I was still bargaining with the World to give me back my beloved Eddie.

He was surrendered by his owner, for no apparent reason (to me).

You see, Winston arrived into my life at a very challenging time:

It was about two months after I had to say goodbye to my Eddie, my senior puppy whom I adored and I was privileged to have called my own for a year and a half.

It was about a two months of having to overcome the shock of my dad’s sudden death to a stroke upon hearing of my mom’s deteriorating condition.

It was about one month after seeing my mom die on a hospital bed after a two year long and painful road fighting Lupus.

He had a lot of work to do.

There was no misunderstanding that Winston would replace anyone or anything, but I was unsure if I had anything left to give this sweet soul so we called his stay a fostering stay at the beginning, a helping hand to a dog that needed an in-between place to stay at.

But creatures, animals and humans alike, have this uncanny ability to burrow in and instead of filling a specific shaped hole, they just expand you heart further and create this whole new space you didn’t think you had in you.

Winston is twelve years old, loves long, off-leash walks in the park, treats of any kind, and giving us plush toys.

Winston is a dancer, doing a little jig with his front paws whenever he wants food.

Winston gives the softest drive-by licks and snores deep into the night while exposing his hairy belly.

I am very fortunate to have found him and him being persistent enough, not to give up on me and pulling me into his life.

So here he is: Winston, The House Elf, Hamon Salabasi Twist or also affectionately known as Ruru or Ru.

Thank you Muttville.

Adopted Mutts of the Week: January 30 - February 5

Thanks to the efforts of you – our foster parents, volunteers and supporters – here are this past week’s lucky Muttville seniors who found forever homes:

Kelly and Al
Babs
Scamp
Panda
Poet
Molly
Tallulah

Many thanks to all our volunteers and visitors who came to see us at the Bay Area Pet Expo in Santa Clara and at Pet Food Express in Walnut Creek

Every dog adopted means another life we can save. There’s a perfect senior waiting for you! Click here to see all of our mutts.

Honoring the Life of Piper

Sweet Piper crossed the Rainbow Bridge on January 18th. We thank Piper’s mom, Laticia, for sharing her very moving and personal story:

“Today I lost one of my best friends. She was the type of friend who always listened and was right by my side whenever I needed her. She was a beautiful soul, who taught me so much about myself, life and what is means to really love.

Piper came into my life during one of the most difficult times I had ever been through. My husband of 4 years, whom I had been with for 9 ½ years had just moved out. Our relationship had been difficult for some time, still nothing prepared me for the swirl of conflicting emotions that enveloped me in those first few weeks and months. I had started fostering for Muttville the previous year and had taken in back to back dogs that required treatment for heartworm. It was difficult, but in the end well worth it-particularly when they were each placed in wonderful homes. Franklin, my ever faithful companion was my last foster before Piper. He was adopted the weekend after my husband moved out. While I was THRILLED with the amazing family that adopted him, I felt a little lost once he was gone. Friends suggested that it might be good to take a break from fostering -and they were well meaning. They thought I should deal with my personal grief over the dissolution of my marriage. They mentioned how difficult it might be to handle 3 dogs on their daily walks. I secretly think they wondered if my devotion to the dogs contributed to the difficulty in my relationship. I considered their advice…..until I saw Piper’s photo. Instantly I knew, she needed me. What I didn’t know is how much I really needed her.

I still remember when the animal control officer unlocked the door to the truck, revealing to me the sad little sack of bones I had only seen a grainy picture of. She was terrified. The ride had obviously been traumatic. As I loaded her into my car I thought to myself, this one might be the toughest so far. She was very closed off. As soon as I got her home, I gave her a long overdue bath. I spoke to her in soothing tones. I wanted her to know that I was going to take care of her and she was safe. She kept turning her head away from me in fear and I wondered to myself…..what has this beautiful girl been through that made her this way? Will she ever open her heart to me? As we neared the end of the bath, she finally turned her face to mine. She seemed calmer. I gently stroked the fur on her face and told her she now had a place to call home. Before I knew what I was doing, I gave a quick kiss on her snout, something that came naturally to me. As I pulled away, I instantly realized I should have been more respectful of her boundaries, worried I might have frightened her. Instead, she gave me an indication of what was to come. Piper tilted her head and kissed me back. I should have known then, she would always be mine.

In the weeks that followed, I watched Piper blossom into a carefree, loving, goofy, 12 year old puppy. She basked in any affection I gave. She romped in the yard with my dogs. She ate like a champ and quickly put weight on to her skinny little frame. The first time she crawled onto my bed and proceeded to do the happy dog roll for 20 straight minutes, I watched through tears of joy. She had blossomed. She never understood the concept of toys or balls, but loved to chase my dogs as they played. Then one day, she picked up a squeaky ball and realized the joy it could bring. It was literally one of the happiest moments I have ever witnessed. It was like she was learning for the first time how to be a dog. I was thrilled with her progress. The only thing she continued to struggle with was strangers. She clearly trusted me. She knew I was her person, but as I introduced her to new people, she was scared, timid and would often back into a corner and bark. I understood this instinct. I too found myself pulling away from people, even trusted friends, as I struggled with my divorce. The thought of opening myself up to anyone frightened me. I figured if the one person who knew me best in the world no longer loved me, how could I expect anyone else to? I continued to expose Piper to new people and soon enough, she realized there was nothing to be afraid of. These people often offered scratches, love and treats. Slowly, she began to approach strangers with more confidence. I watched and realized that this dog just might be the bravest little creature I had ever seen. She once had a family she loved and trusted. She did nothing wrong and they left her behind, with nothing but her confusion and will to survive. She had no reason to trust anyone. But she learned that by trusting me, she found a place to call home. I realized that if I could open myself up again, perhaps I could find my “home”.

Without Piper, I am not entirely sure I would be as happy as I am today. I met someone who gives me that feeling of home & safety. It took me time to open up. I did plenty of pushing him away and hiding, but I too learned that I needed to be brave and I just might find something amazing. I should have known what a wonderful person he was-the first time he met Piper, she did not bark or run away. She simply walked over and greeted him, like he had always been there.

Now that I am without her I feel an overwhelming grief, but there is something even more powerful left….there is gratitude. Gratitude to a dog who taught me to trust, to fully love and to realize it was okay to start over again. I know for certain that the year Piper spent with me was the greatest year of her life. I also know as difficult as it has been for me, it will undoubtedly be one of the best years of mine. I fell in love three times this year. Once with a dog. Once with myself. And once with the kindest man I have ever met. It is only fitting that he was the one to let me know Piper had gone in her sleep and he was the one to comfort me as the sadness took over. He knows how much she meant to me and even more importantly, he was just as taken by her. She was able to go in the most beautiful way, curled up in the corner she always loved to sleep in. My heart, of course, is broken, but I am grateful she is free from the illness & pain she had struggled with.

When I close my eyes, I see her wrunkly (a word I invented to describe her wrinkled face) snout, her bright eyes and her gummy smile. She was a beautiful soul, who taught me so much in our time together. I will be forever grateful to her."

Success Story "Cupcake"

Thanks to Muttville mom Josie for sharing the story of Cupcake:

You wouldn’t know by looking at this itty, bitty poof ball of a girl dog the immense character and sweetness she has within. Everyday she shares her heart and silly ways with us and we LOVE it! Although she had little hair on her tail and bald spots on her tiny body when we first met, she’s rockin’ a full coat of blonde fur these days that her lovely, white eyelashes compliment so beautifully. This little girl brings us so much happiness simply by being who she is. Her Dad calls her Marilyn Monroe when she follows him around batting her loving, soulful eyes at him when she wants him to take her for a walk. It’s so adorable how she communicates with us. When she’s decided it’s time to go somewhere or sees me grab the iPod, she dances to the front door singing along the way with her front paws bouncing up-n-down, so excited. We’re crazy in love with Miss Cupcake, a total sweetheart whose exterior disguises the enormity of what she’s about on the inside.

I often think of our first few meetings at Muttville. She seemed content to be by herself, curled up and away from the action. Sherri told me she wants for nothing and likes to go out, but is so teeny and quiet it’s easy to miss her since she blended in so well with the comfy bedding she enjoyed snoozing away in. Although she has her fave spots, she still likes to move about and arrange her blankets just so to catch a nap.

Like all the other deserving souls Muttville has saved, her story was compelling; all 4 pounds of her was found dragging a cantaloupe sized hernia around, most of her teeth needed to be removed, there were open areas of skin on her body, one of her legs is jacked up from something that happened in her previous life…And yet, here she is one ear up, one flopped down lookin’ so darn cute, enhancing our lives beyond measure. She doesn’t carry even a hint of a grudge for the neglect she endured. We are so grateful to Sherri for seeing that Cupcake was ready for her new beginning.

It’s never too late for a new beginning!

If you adopted a Muttville dog, we would love to feature you in an upcoming ‘Success Story’. Please contact info@muttville.org with the Subject line ‘Success Story’