Great weekend, Paulie, Herman, Jazzy, Maya, Leopold, Dandy, Dixon all found new homes!

Well, it was rainy and cold but some Muttville dogs found their new, warm forever homes!

After going through abandonment, fear, uncertainty, and shelters these lucky dogs landed at Muttville. Thanks to our loving foster homes, they had a chance to overcome these emotions and – thanks to our donors – they all got the vet care they needed. They have new places to spend their golden years. The lucky adopters and dogs will have the chance to give lots of love to each other.

A job well done. Thanks to all that have helped, opening up their hearts to a senior dog in need and saving a life. And because these dogs have been adopted, we now have the space to save more dogs in danger. Woofs!

03.14.11

this poem spoke to me, it needs to shared!

TRAYS POEM
by Leslie Whalen
One by One, they pass by my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can’t run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn’t belong,
I got in their way,
my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can’t justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will greive.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.

02.27.11

Be aware, be afraid and act today for your dogs: letters and emails are needed

You may or may not have seen recent articles about proposed laws that would significantly impact the areas in which dogs may be allowed on and off leash in Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). Off-leash walking will become prohibited in some current areas and even on-leash walking will be banned entirely in other places. As you know, it is crucial to a dog’s well being (mentally, physically, and emotionally) to have ample opportunity to really stretch its legs and explore the world. Additionally, a poorly exercised dog can lead to a whole slew of behavioral issues which means … you guessed it … these changes could influence the # of dogs that end up coming into and going out of shelters. Marin Humane and some other organizations have already started to get the word out and we’re jumping on the cause as well. We allow fairly limited access already to open spaces when it comes to dogs while we 2 legged creatures can go pretty much where we please. Your participation is critical to keeping dog walking access in the GGNRA!

WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION:

http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/current/dogwalkingrules.html
http://www.nps.gov/goga/parkmgmt/dog-management.htm
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/projectHome.cfm?projectId=11759

Additionally, the Crissy Field Dog Group has created a video which outlines and explains about how respond to the Draft EIS. Please go to the eco-dog website (www.eco-dog.org) to see the video, and when you are there, you can also sign up to get email alerts about the latest information regarding this process.

VOICE YOUR OPINION – PUBLIC MEETINGS

Tuesday, February 8
I’ve been told The San Francisco SPCA will host a public meeting about the DEIS and our options in responding to this very important document
6:30 to 8:30pm.
*I don’t yet see this on their events calendar so if I hear differently, I will let you know.

Saturday, March 5
San Francisco State University
Seven Hills Conference Center
State Drive
San Francisco, 94132
11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Monday, March 7
Fort Mason Center
Building A
Marina Boulevard at Buchanan
San Francisco, CA 94123
4:00 – 8:00 p.m.

VOICE YOUR OPINION – RESPECTFUL LETTERS (Advocating the benefits and importance of maintaining off leash areas for city dogs)

Frank Dean
General Superintendent
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Building 201 Fort Mason,
San Francisco, CA 94123-0022.

VOICE YOUR OPINION – ONLINE POLLS

01.21.11

4 adoptions on the first day of 2011 Happy New Year!

We have much to be thankful for! We reached our goal of $50,000 and will receive matching funds to total $100,000. This will help us save more dogs in the coming months!

A huge thank you to all of our donors and a special thank you to the whole Pottruck Pack and our wonderful anonymous donor!

Today, January 1st, 2011, we adopted out 4 lucky Muttville dogs, I hope this is a trend for the new year…..

We made some new adopters very happy today, and now have more room to save other very needy senior dogs in danger at shelters all over CA.

A personal thank you to all the great folks that came over today, our HQ dogs all got walked twice and are peacefully snoring now!

01.01.11

Muttville pooches don't fear the needle, Acupuncture treatments, YAY

We at Muttville were so lucky yesterday, Dr. Fong from SFVS came to the house and gave our doggies some acupuncture! He worked on Bessie for her hip pain and worked on little Clarabell to get her chi flowing. Some got treatment to strengthen their kidneys We put on the zen spa music and had the beautiful smell of lavender running through the house.
Everyone slept well last night. Even me!
Thank you Dr. Fong and Caroline for setting it up.
I just wish I could have gotten on that table.

11.04.10

She's Ba-ack! Little Princess is back at Muttville and needing a forever home!

Poor Little Princess, her adopter lost his place to live and had to return Little to Muttville. We always stand by our dogs and don’t want them to ever go back to a shelter.
Little Princess has been very spoiled by her previous daddy! She was taken everywhere with him and she ruled her kingdom!!
She is looking for a new castle, where she can get plenty of admiration for her cuteness!
LP is a 6 pound chihuahua with one eye, she looks like she is winking at you!!
She bonds easily and really just wants to snuggle with you all the time. She travels well in her own bag.
She is OK with other dogs, too, but is a bossy little girl!
Charming, full of a big personality in a little package.

09.08.10

What a weekend! Phoebe, Angel, Sassy, Taiko, Weezer and Guy 3 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.

08.31.10

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.”

08.29.10

Success Story: Big Boy and Andrzej

About 2 years ago, Andrzej was referred to Muttville from SF’s Trauma Recovery Center. He adopted Big Boy, a scruffy terrier mix that was a very sad and traumatized little guy.

This video is of Andrzej today with Big Boy. This was a match made in heaven. Big Boy was so sad, his papa had died and he really needed one-on-one love. Andrzej also needed one-on-one love. They are inseparable today.

Big Boy is a large part of Andrzej’s therapy, but I am not sure who saved who.

07.21.10

Saying Good-bye to my Lollipop

Sunday morning after our very successful Moolah for Mutts fundraiser I wanted to thank all our supporters, donors and sponsors for being so generous and spirited, and for making the event so much fun.
I actually awoke earlier than usual and went to check in on my girl, my soulmate,
Lolli, she was pushing 18 years old, 50 pounds-but going strong.
To my surprise, Lolli was having a massive seizure, it lasted about 10 minutes.
I held her close and made sure everything was very soft around her. She never came back fully. Lollipop passed peacefully in my arms Sunday morning. We always had an agreement that I would not let her suffer. I think she let me know- in that way of communication you have with someone you have spent 15 years with.
Anyone that has been to the Muttville HQ’s knew and loved Lollipop, she was the beginning of my rescue life, she was patient and put up with the changing doggie personalities that she would have to share “mom” with. In fact she has had to share me with over 550 dogs through the years!
Lolli came to me from the SFSPCA when she was 2 years old, she was the most athletic, outgoing girl. She was a challenge, ripped up any books that were left out, growled and told off dogs that got in her face, but she was her own girl, and mine of course. She refused to sleep anywhere but right next to me from day 1. Loved to swim, hike, run on the beach. Her last week she played at the park and barked at a dog that got in her face!! I will miss my girl.
Say a prayer, light a candle and hug your dogs….for Lolli poppy-seed-cake

07.14.10

Mill Valley adoption event was a huge success today!

We packed up the dogs and headed to Marin today where we had a crowd there just waiting to meet our senior doggies!
Our mutts love it out there and some of them got to stay!
Sweetest little Olive went home with Donna, who has adopted 2 other Muttville dogs in the past, so Olive will be living with Teddy and Olliver. What a great Mutt Mom Donna is!!
Kaya found her new home – we brought her especially to meet Kay and Danny. It was love at first sight, and poor Kaya, a completely neglected little husky mix, will now get all the love she has never known…till now.
Peter aka Stella also found her new family today!! Peter/Stella never even made it to the website, and we are thrilled.
Rusty may be going home with a new friend that visited us today, too.
It means so much to us at Muttville when we get to see our dogs get adopted into loving homes….
Getting these dogs adopted opens up new spaces for us to save even more.
We will all have sweet dreams tonight.

06.20.10

A hot day at the park with Bailey, Lucy, Buffy and Corey

We had crazy record temps in SF, but it didn’t stop this fab four from hitting the park-check out our youtube link- and crazy Corey, the youngest of the bunch, took off on his own adventure! You may notice Corey’s walk is gimpy – he was raised in a small wire cage and his back legs grew in deformed because he was unable to stretch them out. But as you can see, he is unaware of his so-called limitation….and enjoyed the freedom of running at the park. He’s from Korea, and he had never even seen a park before! Just in case you don’t know, Corey is looking for a home….

Corey's adventure on YouTube

06.13.10

On the road again!!

What a weekend! Saturday Duboce Park and Sunday Mill Valley. These pups are pooped! Our volunteers are pretty tired, too. But what a job they did, with big smiles.

We had so much excitement in Mill Valley today, as you can see from the photo, the little ones can barely keep their eyes open.

Very possible that we have 2 new adoptions in the works from today’s event. Mill Valley is a very dog-friendly place, we look forward to the 3rd Sunday of the month there! Our big dogs get lots of attention there, they love big happy dogs. And little lap warmers, too.

04.18.10

Enjoying the sun at Dogfest in Duboce Park

Tonton, Beegee and Smokey enjoying a snooze in the sunshine today.

Muttville had loads of visitors, our dogs were admired by many, we are hoping for great adoptions!

Perfect weather, great dogs and friendly people, an all-around wonderful day!

04.17.10