Thursday, February 28, 2013

Update: February 10-28, 2013

Notes by: Dulce Garcia, Eva Belendez, Tauna Ready, Wendy Thiessen and Lynn Rodriguez

We can't say it enough; we are so grateful for our volunteers who step up daily to the task of visiting and socializing with our rescues in boarding. Our rescued cats and dogs suffer from less kennel stress and are able to stay healthier. Thank you volunteers for taking time out of your busy schedules to brighten the day of a rescue. You help prepare them for adoption events where if they are lucky, they will find the perfect foster or forever home.

Here's Casey with volunteer Wendy who rescued her
Casey's skin is looking better by the day and she is feeling great. She is beginning to explore the world around her and like a baby, will use her mouth to discover new things. She will jump and mouth to greet you and get your attention. When she does that, redirect her attention by providing her with something positive and mentally stimulating to do. She loves when you throw toys or the frisbee for her to chase. Only give her attention when she is calm or her four paws are on the floor. This happy puppy will thank you for teaching her good manners.

Ellie
Ellie has gone into foster care and we are so happy for her. Thank you to her fosters for giving her a chance and preparing her for a forever home.

Lady enjoying the spring weather
Lady was diagnosed with cancer a few months back and needs a quiet home where she can rest and receive care and attention. She is not particularly tolerant of other dogs around her when she's not feeling well and who can blame her?  However, Lady has become friends with Casey and likes to play with her when she's feeling good.  Lady loves people and going out for walks which makes it hard to believe no one has scooped up this beautiful girl.

Mackenzie
Mackenzie is another of our rescues that needs a foster home because of her injured leg. She has to wear a cast for several weeks and the cast must be always be kept dry. We ask that volunteers put a plastic bag around the cast and secure it with rubber bands before taking her out in the yard; the materials are in a bag hanging outside her kennel. 
Renata
Renata is a unique looking dog with a great disposition. She makes friends easily whether human or four-legged. Her best friends are Tita and Casey; sometimes they can all get play time together with supervised attention. If you can visit her, please make her day by taking her out for a walk or spending play time out in the yard (hint, hint: she loves toys).

Zoe continues to be in the program although she doesn't belong to Barrio Dogs.  Her favorite thing is going out to the yard for potty breaks, going for a walk and getting her coat brushed.
Zoe
Here's Tita checking out the cats at the boarding facility

Tita is one of our strongest girls in rescue which makes us believe that she is feeling better and has recovered from her condition when she was rescued.  If you need a good workout, she's your girl! She will jump and get mouthy when she's excited and we advise that you don't give her attention if she does that. Instead give her attention when she is calm and not jumping on or mouthing you. Giving her toys and petting her when she is sitting or down on her four paws lets her know that she is being appropriate. You can also try giving her toys to chase around; she really loves those but what she loves best is interacting with you.
Feline Friends

Attie has left the building! We are very happy for her and are certain that she is having a great time in her new home.
Edward, Fred, Illeana and Chief
Edward, Fred, Illeana and Chief still need a home. Please share their pictures and help us find them a home. They are growing up quickly in boarding and missing out on a lot. Volunteers help us clean their cages, litter boxes and give them attention. This cheers them up a bit but we know they will be the happiest if they had a home where they can roam free.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Update: January 19-February 9, 2013


 Notes by Dulce Garcia and Lynn Rodriguez

Welcome all new volunteers and thank you for making the lives of our rescues in boarding less stressful. We have new dogs and feline friends in our program that can really benefit from social time so we need your help more than ever! We also want to share great news regarding some of our rescues.

Adopted and Fostered

Cooper is loving life in his new home!
Buffy and Cooper
Love bug Cooper has been adopted by our very own volunteer Buffy after living in boarding for three years. Buffy fell in love with Cooper while working with AHFA and was finally able to bring him into her home. Cooper’s early life was difficult and sad but luckily, he is in a wonderful home with an owner who loves him dearly. He is loving life in his new home and we couldn’t be happier for him.
Caitrin and Derek

Derek was adopted by another AHFA volunteer, Caitrin, and is enjoying being a couch potato in his new home. We are certain it was love at first sight. Good luck Caitrin and Derek!
Chris and Copper




















Copper has gone into foster care with a family and he is definitely getting to see the world. His foster dad, Chris, has been taking Cooper out to different places around town and we are sure he is having a ball! Our fosters are essential to our organization and contribute highly to saving the lives of our rescues. Thank you Chris for being such a great foster for Copper.

Corky (left) and his new family


Corky was independently rescued by Beth. He was only in boarding a short time; he has been adopted and has a new sibling that could almost be his twin. We are sure that he is having a great time at his new home and loves being pampered.
  
Barrio Dogs

Casey




Casey is  new to the program and our youngest. Our volunteer Wendy found this young pup suffering in the streets in Greater East End Houston and could not leave her behind. Wendy rescued Casey and got her vetted at Gulfgate Animal Hospital. Unfortunately, since no foster is available, Casey is living in boarding for now but we are looking for a foster or adopter. Thankfully, she is off the streets!


Ellie
Ellie was found roaming in the East End with neck wounds from a chain. After being vetted and treated at Gulfgate, her wounds are healing quickly. She just loves going out in the yard to play with any toy you give her. She would love for a volunteer to stop by and take her out to play!
  
Tita














Tita playing with a volunteer; Tita is one strong girl!





Tita is the typical cuddle bug and is happiest when you’re with her. We want to warn you that she is very strong so if you’re thinking of taking her for a walk, be prepared. We advise you to be extremely careful when taking her out and especially where there are cats nearby; she is not very cat friendly. However, she is very dog and people friendly!

Renata
Renata is happiest when she’s out on a walk or playing in the yard. She was great during a recent visit to a downtown dog park. It breaks our heart to have to take her back to boarding. Renata is great with people and other dogs and it’s hard to believe she hasn’t been adopted yet!
Lady with a volunteer
























Lady has cancer and will be having surgery soon. We need many prayers for this girl and would also love a foster home where she could recover.
Mackenzie

Mackenzie just arrived at the boarding facility and we really hope she gets into a foster home right away. She was dumped on 2/8/13 near a small apartment complex close to Broadway/Park Place off I-45 South. She was bleeding and apparently had a litter of puppies some time during the past six weeks. She also has an old fracture below her elbow. The vet said dogs can bleed for up to six weeks after delivery so perhaps the people who dumped her kept her puppies because they were not with her when she was found. She is wearing a splint for now and needs a lot of TLC. 

Not a Barrio Dog but in the program anyway

Zoe can definitely benefit from going out in the yard and getting some fresh air. She’s also very good on leash and loves going out for a short walk.

Zoe


Bruno














Bruno is owned by an independent rescuer and has been in boarding for several months. He has not done well in boarding and we have asked all our please not take Bruno out of his kennel; he has been hard to handle in the past. Fortunately, a trainer, John McDonald, volunteered to help us and has been working regularly with Bruno. We hope that with John’s attention and training, Bruno will be able to start attending adoption events and will eventually make a successful transition into a home.

Feline Friends

Chief
Attie
Illeana
Edward
Attie is very social and loves to play. Like any cat she can bite when she’s tired of someone picking her up. Cats are very sensitive and it’s important to put them down if they are feeling uncomfortable; that is one way to prevent scratches or bites. Chief, Edward and Ileana have also not been able to find homes which is unfortunate since they are young and boarding is no place for them.

Once again, thank you to all our volunteers and supporters. We couldn't do it without you. Most importantly, you're making a big difference in the lives of some very deserving dogs!