Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota (SDR) is an all-volunteer group committed to the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of dogs 20 pounds and under.

This position has been filled. Thank you to everyone who inquired!

SDR is looking for a new vetting coordinator. This highly important role will require a volunteer who has strong organizational skills, is self-directed and self-motivated, and has access to email several times daily. Training will be provided. A minimum one year commitment is preferred.

Vetting Coordinator -

• Review veterinary records for dogs new to the rescue to determine whether a dog needs vaccines and other required vet care
• Coordinate vet visits with foster parents
• Be the point of contact for each SDR vet clinic
• Scan and upload all previous and current vet records for each dog
• Keep SDR's database and xcel spreadsheet current by itemizing each dog's individual vet visits
• Scan and upload all vet invoices
• Monitor all current SDR dogs and organize yearly vet visits and vaccines if needed
• Email or mail adopted dogs' records to their new families
• Monitor microchips on hand and order if needed
• Mail microchips to SDR vet clinics and record on xcel spreadsheet
• Order heartworm/flea/tick prevention
• Be on call for any SDR emergencies and be available to talk to e-clinics
• Make sure all vet bills are paid on time

Please email kelly@smalldogsminnesota.org if you are interested or would like to learn more about the position.

SDR is deeply grateful for everyone who has helped with donations, food, supplies, well-wishes, and offers of help during this rough time. Yesterday at Elvis's orthopedic specialist appointment we found there had been severe injuries (breaks and fractures in the lower part of his back and his pelvis) that had been missed earlier. This means that he was in much greater pain than we had thought. The long long road ahead would have not resulted in a very high quality of life. The breaks that were reported today caused irreparable severing of the nerves in the pelvic and tail region of his body. These injuries would have made it impossible for Elvis to regain any function in his bladder, bowel, or tail. Also the prognosis for fully functional rear legs was not favorable. Additionally he would have been subject to numerous chronic infections due to complications from these injuries. With all this information we decided we could not in good conscience let him suffer further. Elvis was able to go home to his foster and pass peacefully with her and his volunteer caregiver at his side, after a day of treats and petting and cuddling. We wanted so desperately to give this happy beautiful little dog one more chance for permanent safety and love, and we are devastated that this story couldn't end on a happier note. We are heartbroken about the loss of the precious little guy. We are thankful and grateful to everyone who helped cover the costs of all his high quality care up until the end, and the deeply generous offer for his future care. Please feel free to email info@smalldogsminnesota.org if you have any questions.
 

Thank you to everyone who helped raise money this Thursday for Give to the Max Day. With your help, SDR raised $4,265! That's more than double what was raised last year. The generosity of our donors never ceases to amaze. Thank you for your support.

April is a new foster dog with SDR and has been missing since 11am on 9/29/12. She was last seen near the intersection of Foxrun Circle and the 9100 block of Neill Lake Road in Eden Prairie. She is a 3 year old spayed female tan chihuahua mix and weighs approximately 12 lbs. She is very fearful of people, especially men. April just arrived at her foster home and slipped out of her harness. She is timid and may growl and nip if cornered. If she is spotted, please notify Kelly Greene immediately at 763-486-7001. Please email karen@smalldogsminnesota.org if you would like a flyer to distribute. Thank you for your help.

Everyone at SDR cannot even begin to express how thankful we are for the HUGE success that was our Big Hogs for Small Dogs Motorcycle Ride and 10th Anniversary Celebration yesterday. The support from the community and the donations received from area businesses were truly unbelievable. An extra special thanks is in order to all of our volunteers that helped collect these donations, especially Janet Sinning, Jim Sorum, and Karen & Brian Patterson. This year’s event raised a grand total of $3,342.79! Thank you to every single foster, volunteer, donor, adopter and supporter that has helped to keep this rescue going every day for the last 10 years! The small dogs you help thank you from the bottom of their big hearts!
 

Patch is a sweet, laid back guy who is a cuddle lover. He came from an overcrowded rescue in Tennessee, but may have been in a loving home prior to that because he is house-trained and even knows some tricks! He will gladly go out when his people ask him to. Patch knows how to sit, stay and come when called, especially when you have a treat for him.  His whole bottom will wag when he's excited! Even though he has one cloudy eye (from a cataract), and is about 10 years old, he doesn’t let that slow him down.  Patch loves to jump on the couch, chase his foster mom’s daughter, go for car rides, and he really loves to sleep in bed with his humans at night.  He’s also a major sun-bather!  Patch loves his toys and will sometimes get in a playful mood and throw his toys about the house. Not convinced yet? How about this? This little sweetheart gets along with other dogs, cats, and kids in the home. He welcomes all sorts of attention and love! What more could you ask for?! Overall, Patch is a loving and sweet dog, and would be a great new addition to your family. Whoever ends up giving Patch the forever home he so deserves will not be disappointed.

Kristine became involved with SDR 2 years ago when she took in a stray Lhasa Apso pup, Nonna.  Nonna inspired Kristine to research rescue groups in the area, and decided to contact SDR after reading former SDR president Dallas Rising’s biography.  Dallas responded almost immediately, and Kristine began her journey toward becoming a foster and volunteer at SDR.  She fostered 8 dogs in her first year and was touched by each and every one of them. Her first official foster was a feisty Chihuahua, Chico, who required surgery for a luxating patella.  After spending months on Chico's physical and behavioral rehabilitation, she was extremely grateful for the amazing home SDR was able to find for him.  The 8th dog, Roxie, turned out to be so special, she became part of Kristine’s permanent family!  Now, instead of fostering, Kristine focuses on promoting SDR adoptions by helping to run adoption events and also handles medications for the metro area foster dogs.  Fostering is still near and dear to Kristine’s heart, and she looks forward to taking in another homeless pup when the time is right.
 

Meet Indy! Indy is a fun loving, 6 year old, Jack Russell Terrier. He loves to go on walks, play with toys and take long naps with the special people in his life. He is friendly with strangers as he thinks everyone comes over just to see him. Indy is very affectionate and happily soaks up any attention. He is very well housetrained and will sit by the door when he needs to go out. Indy knows how to sit and shake and walk on a leash. Need more convincing that Indy is a great dog? Check out his video!
 

Congratulations to the following winners!

Aveda Basket: Kelly Greene
Inta Juice: Rachel Freeman
Sonja's Pet Service LLC in Rochester: Three days Dog park trips, $90 value: Becca Stiles-Nogosek
Third Ave Pet Hospital: Amber Stricklin
Toothbrush: Rachel Freeman

Small Dog Rescue are expanding our presence at the Twin Cities Pride Festival on June 25/26th,  last year we managed to find great homes for Jericho, Elsa and Diabla!

This year we have booked a double space and our plan is to bring in as many of our furry friends as possible down to Loring Park, we own a 10 x 10 white or red EZ Tent but need another 10 x 10 EZ Tent to ensure that we have plenty of cover from the elements.

We would need to have the tent here in the twin cities for the 23rd – 27th June – I have attached a similar photo to the one that we have.

If you could help us by loaning us a shelter that would be great!

Please email jan@smalldogsminnesota.org if you can help.

Volunteers Cheryl and Sharon share the $500 donation from Jim Hubal, The Animal Lover's Real Estate Agent, with foster dogs Stitch and Achilles. Make sure to mention Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota when Jim helps you buy or sell your house and he will donate another $500. Contact Jim at jimhubal@edinarealty.com or 612-201-8499.  Thank you so much for your support, Jim.  This donation will help save a few lives!

If you have a creative idea for fund raising, we're happy to hear them!  

Bring your dog to the game for an afternoon of fun with the Saints! The afternoon includes promotions like “Musical Sit” and the famous “Dog/Owner Lookalike Contest.” Plus, kids (and puppies) run the bases after the game and get autographs from the entire team as part of Family Sunday with the Saints. The $15 package ($23 value) includes an Outfield Reserved Ticket for you and your dog & a Saints hat. $5 of each ticket sale supports SDR! Order & print tickets online at SAINTSGROUPS.com (password: smalldogs) - or - Call Josh at 651-644-6659.

 Hello SDR supporters!  As you may know, Big Hogs for Small Dogs helps the dogs of SDR quite a bit, but only if people know about the event.  That is where you (or maybe a creative friend) come in.  Small Dog Rescue MN is looking for a new logo design to advertise this event.  We will be looking for designs that are both fun and professional-looking.  Please submit your entry via a .pdf or .jpg file to info@smalldogsminnesota.org by May 20th.  The winner will get a hearty thank you and they’ll see their logo on advertising for Big Hogs for Small Dogs!

Lexi came to SDR from a reservation in the Dakotas where poverty is rampant and dogs are treated so poorly that a ban on dogs is soon to be enforced.  Dogs that come from reservations often have staggering medical issues and Lexi was no exception.

When SDR took Lexi in she had almost every infection imaginable including; ears, anal glands, bacterial and yeast and toenails. Sadly, her infections were secondary to the mange that had taken over her small body. Mange is caused by parasites where the animal’s immune system cannot keep the mites under control. There are several forms of mange and some can be contagious. Even though Lexi had a kind that was not contagious, she was thought to have a kind that was which, forced her to be kept in lonely, and unnecessary, isolation. The infections Lexi had required many painful treatments. It was thought that her back toenails would have to be removed as they were already beginning to come off. Fortunately, through expert veterinary care, her nail infection was kept at bay and her nails are growing again. It won’t be long before the damaged ends will be able to be clipped off. Watery liquid had to be squeezed from her anal glands and bacterial plugs and her ear tips bled constantly. Lexi also limps occasionally and after having her hips radio graphed it was determined that she has two hip fractures that aren’t healing as her femur isn’t in place in her hip socket, which causes Lexi great pain. Lexi will need expensive orthopedic surgery once she’s fully recovered from her spay. It’s been suggested that she was probably hit by a car and her previous owners never took her in for proper care. She was put on a host of medications including medicated shampoo to rid her of all  the infections while she continues on her road to recovery. Fortunately, SDR’s vetting coordinator was in a position to foster Lexi so she’s in great hands as she makes the transition to back to health.

Today, Lexi is doing considerably well under the loving charge of her foster family, but she is still in need of much care. Please be a hero to Lexi as well as the other dogs that pass through SDR on their way to happy forever homes by making a donation to help off-set expensive, but life changing veterinary care. Your generosity could be the missing link in helping dogs just like Lexi move forward from a horrible and neglected past into a bright, love-filled future.

 Small Dog Rescue would like to remind you about a super exciting event coming up. This Saturday, April 30th SDR is participating in the first annual No Kill Walk for the Animals at the Como Park Pavilion. Registration starts at 9 am so be sure to get there early! Come show your support, rain or shine, for Small Dog Rescue and other local No-Kill rescues and shelters at 1350 North Lexington Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55103. Bring friendly companion animals, leashes and plastic bags for cleanup and give back to a great organization that does so much for our furry best friends. SDR will have a table where you can learn more about who we are and what we do, buy an awesome t-shirt and participate in a donation raffle for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to Pets Are Inn! Some of our adoptable dogs will be making appearances, including Bear the Min Pin, Millie the Beagle, Ella the Jack Russell, Stitch the Chihuahua, four new puppies, and Pixie the Rat Terrier- who does great with kids and smaller dogs and really wants to be the watch-dog of the family. Be sure to stop out, say hello, and show your support. We'd love to see you there!

There is absolutely no reason Mabel should still be homeless.  This little girl is loving, calm, gets along great with dogs, cats, kids, is mellow, friendly, smart, and all around irresistable.  Please help us find this gem of a dog a home so we can help save more homeless dogs who need our help.  Mabel doesn't need an experienced person to care for her - she would make a great first dog, she would be fine living in a condo or an apartment... what's not to love?

Calling all SDR supporters! You and your foster, SDR alum, or furry family member are invited to join in a fun walk (rain or shine) around Como Lake and show your support for SDR and other local no-kill rescues and shelters. You can collect monetary donations from family, friends and coworkers and donate these pledges to SDR. Please email info@smalldogsminnesota.org for a pledge form.  Be sure to also stop by the SDR booth and say hello! Registration begins at 9 am. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/nokillwalkfortheanimals.

On May 15th, bring your dog to the game for an afternoon of fun with the Saints! The afternoon includes promotions like “Musical Sit” and the famous “Dog/Guardian Lookalike Contest.” Plus, kids (and puppies) run the bases after the game and get autographs from the entire team as part of Family Sunday with the Saints.

The $15 package ($23 value) includes an Outfield Reserved Ticket for you and your dog & a Saints hat. $5 of each ticket sale supports SDR! Order & print tickets online at SAINTSGROUPS.com (password: smalldogs) - or - Call Josh at 651-644-6659.

 Gizmo is a very sweet boy! He is a very overweight 22lb, 8 year old papillon, but don't let his age and weight keep you from falling in the love. With some exercise and love he will shed those extra pounds and melt your heart for many years. Gizmo is a quiet, laid back mellow gentleman who gets along well with his foster brothers, 2 big labs, and loves to snuggle with his foster parents. He made himself at home very quickly, acting as King Tut, he loves to lay on plush pillows and cushions. He enjoys laying next to whomever just to get his ears rubbed or back scratched. Since Gizmo is a papillon he will need some extra grooming. Occasionally he will bark if he hears movement outside or if his foster brothers start barking. Gizmo obeys commands, come, sit, no bark and do you want to go outside. Gizmo needs to be let out for toileting more often to remind him to potty outside. He needs some guidance in learning how to walk on the leash, he is timid and will hide when he sees the leash, but enjoys going outside for a walk. He crates well, but prefers to roam the house and lay on pillows. 

Gizmo is neutered and up to date on shots. He received a much needed dental with bloodwork. He is heartworm and intestinal parasite negative. Gizmo is also micorchipped. Gizmo's adoption fee is $ 330 even though this does not even begin to cover the cost of the vetting care he has received while in SDR care.

A huge thank you is in order for the Minnesota School of Business Blaine Campus SCNAVTA (Student Chapter of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America). Karen Beaver, an SDR volunteer and Vet Tech student at MSB Blaine, nominated our rescue to be the SCNAVTA worthy animal cause in which to raise money for this winter. After a day of pet photos with Santa and a 3 day silent auction, the group raised a whopping $1,201.00 for SDR along with other needed supplies for our foster dogs! The dogs and all of us at SDR are incredibly thankful for their efforts.

It's evident when meeting Jan McBride that she is no ordinary volunteer. Her ready smile, sharp wit, and polished style make Jan a force to be reckoned with. Paired with her husband, Rusty Schmidt, she has become one of SDR's most active volunteers.

Jan holds a degree in Mathematics and Electronics and settled in Minnesota 9 years ago as Senior Director of Global Marketing for Digi International, she travels extensively for work. Her husband Rusty is a landscape ecologist with Washington County Conservation District (as well as author and HGTV personality). Jan, Rusty, and daughter Tara live in St. Paul.

Rusty and Jan are enthusiastic hockey fans and hold season tickets to the Minnesota Wild. Even with full calendars, they both find that volunteering has made a positive difference in their lives. "As a family we are dedicated to Small Dog Rescue. It has become one of the "things" we do on a weekend as we feel we are really making a difference helping dogs like our own."

Jan and Rusty’s involvement in SDR began when they adopted two rescue dogs.
Small Fry, a Pom Eskimo, had been at the Humane Society for four months before being a foster dog at Pet Haven. Ruthie Pie (adopted 3 years later) had been in four homes in two years before Jan and Rusty became her guardians. It wasn’t easy at first - Ruthie was poorly socialized and not potty-trained. "Now it’s a year and a half later," says Jan, "and we truly believe that Ruthie was meant to join our family. I had been reading about unspoken affects of the economy today - animals being abandoned, left in shelters or dumped outside the Humane Society. After adopting Ruthie, I wanted to find a way to help other dogs like her, and I found SDR. They specialized in small dogs and their website featured dogs with all sorts of issues like Ruthie's."

Jan applied to do home visits, and soon Rusty was involved as well. "My favorite story is about how Rusty became involved with SDR," says Jan, "About 3 months after I joined, I saw an e-mail about some dogs needing to be picked up and transported. I had a hair appointment, so I persuaded Rusty - who had not been involved at that point - to pick up Harley and Manny. Rusty called and told me that Manny had run around like a Tasmanian devil and then threw up in his truck, and then he picked up Harley and got a kennel for Manny who rocked it back and forth the entire ride.  Rusty had to spray Manny down and ended up spending the day with him."

Rusty was hooked. Besides the occasional transport, Jan and Rusty help coordinate events in the Twin Cities, do home visits, manage SDR's Google ads, and train a number of volunteer staff. "Rusty has become our 'People Whisperer' at Small Dog Rescue," says Jan.  "He is the guy who will walk into a crowd of strangers with a dog in his arms and chat." Daughter Tara, age 15, helps at events and speaks with potential adoptive families. Now an animal advocate, she no longer goes into pet stores to see the puppies for sale and wrote a speech about puppy mills for a school project.

So, how does such a busy family make time for volunteering? "I seem to be involved in a lot at onetime, which is great! I love volunteering for SDR—whether it is finding those fur-ever homes for the dogs or seeing our events turn into something professional and cool. Rusty and I believe that it doesn’t matter how busy you are, you can always find a couple of hours a week to volunteer for something you’re passionate about. The volunteers and foster parents I have met are amazing. They totally inspire me!"

We at SDR could say the same of volunteers like Jan, Tara, and Rusty. As we near Valentine’s Day, we want to recognize you as three incredible people who have truly given from the heart.

Mable is an 9 year old black and tan miniature pinscher. She is overweight and her correct weight should be in the range of 9 or 10lbs. We will be working on that! Mable was surrendered from a family because of housetraining issues, but so far, she is not having accidents in her foster home apart from a couple of accidents the first day here. Mable sleeps through the night without accidents and goes out to to potty with the rest of the gang here. She will also use a pee pad if needed. She is a typical minpin, she hates the cold, so she will need to be watched when she is outside to make sure she does her business. She is a sweet loveable dog who doesn't have a mean bone in her body and she absolutely loves people.

Mable needs someone who will make her part of the family and pay attention to her and not over feed her. All she asks for in return is a commitment and some toys to play with! She is good with dogs and kids, and we would love it if she could go to a home that could offer her that.

More info will come when we get to know each other better.

Mable is spayed and up to date with shots. She is heartworm and intestinal parasite negative. Mable is also microchipped and her adoption fee is $330
 

Whenever I look at Chico's profile, I think of a little gem of a child waiting in an orphanage for someone to come by and realize how wonderful they are.  Chico is cute as can be, but he will need someone with small dog and likely chihuahua experience.  He is working on developing some confidence so he doesn't get so stressed when he's in a new environment.  But when he's bonded to someone, he is as loyal as they come, is a major cuddle bug, and the very definition of a lap dog. Chico will need someone who will let him sleep in bed with them under the covers because few things give him more joy. He's only 3 and would be happiest in a home with another confident dog who can show him that the world isn't something he has to be afraid of.

Chico is neutered, up to date on shots, heart worm negative, had a fecal, had a dental and blood work done, is on flea and tick prevention, and micro-chipped. His adoption fee is $325.
 

We have loved all the e mails and feedback we have gotten about Peanut's adoption.  She is very happy in her new home and her family loves her to pieces already.  But, lots of you have been concerned about what happened with Luna.

The answer is: We had a great prospective home for Peanut, who had been with us for two years.  But the family was only looking for one dog, not two.  What we ended up doing was a basic trial run to see how everything went, and both Peanut and Luna have been doing really well without one another. 

That said, Luna is a very social and playful girl and we will require another dog be in the home for her forever home.  And, she is still waiting!  So if you're looking for a small dog with a truely big heart, maybe Luna is for you. 

A controversial collar called the choke chain (or check chain as they are sometimes called by trainers that use them) is shown to be an unsafe way to train your dog.  Here’s why.

Choke chains work by pulling tighter as the dog advances forward away from the leash. The choke chain is constructed with an O-ring that the rest of the collar slips through.  When the dog pulls ahead or the guardian / trainer pulls on the leash, the main pressure is on that O-ring against the dog’s neck. Besides the constant pressure of the chain around the dog’s neck, the O-ring pressure and collar being pulled taut causes bruising, no matter how gentle the tug.  Often in an untrained dog, he or she will pull ahead while being walked by their guardian.  Therefore, it is inevitable that a choke chain on a novice dog will cause unnecessary pain and / or injury.

Choke chains have been linked to trachea / esophagus damage, fainting, sprained necks, temporary leg paralysis, recurrent nerve damage of the voice box and hind leg muscle loss in dogs.  In rare cases, it has been reported that the choke chain locked up and caused strangulation of the dog.  In situations where the dog continues to pull ahead while walking, the choke collar is even more likely to injure the animal.  Smaller dogs are further susceptible to injury with the use of these chains. In addition, these collars are often put on backwards, even by trainers, which can cause even further injury.

For all of these reasons, and more, Small Dog Rescue has a policy that choke chains or prong collars will not be used on foster dogs.  There is a better way. Most dog guardians who have tried to tried to teach their dogs to loose leash walk, have found that voice commands, encouragement and click / treat methods work very well. 

Be a good pet guardian by not allowing you dog to be hurt by one of these collars.

We are pleased to announce that Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota has been added to the corporate giving program at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.  If you know someone who works at Thrivent, let them know that they have the opportunity to receive matching funds, dollar for dollar, for donations to Small Dog Rescue.  The program is called the "Thrivent Gift Multiplier", and their phone number is 1-877-877-2085 if additional information is needed.  Spread the word on this great giving opportunity!

The success of Small Dog Rescue is owed to the countless hours and dedication of our volunteers. Our volunteers pour their heart and soul into finding homes for lost dogs, and at times it can be a thankless job, but at the end of the day these dogs are grateful to find a home. This month we like to highlight one of our volunteers, a person who has incredible dedication in what she does.

Netta Putzier from Rochester, Minnesota is a business owner and a SDR volunteer who cares deeply about the pets she helps to save. Her journey to becoming an SDR volunteer was more of SDR finding Netta. From first meeting SDR and learning what the organization was all about, Netta started to feel the calling to become involved with SDR.

"Representatives from SDR walked into the store and asked if we would like to participate in an adoption day. We were thrilled. The organization was not only caring for foster dogs, but also for foster parents. You could really see that SDR really appreciated the help from foster parents. So I then became a foster mom," says Netta.

Netta’s time is clearly spent on caring for animals and assisting guardians with their needs. Her passion has lead her to co-own Rochester Feed & Country Store which has helped her immensely to assist guardians and their companion animals, but also has helped to be resource to support SDR efforts. Since her becoming a member, Netta has fostered rescued dogs, helped to store SDR supplies, donated needed supplies, hosted important events, helped with fundraising, and helped sponsor weekend adoption days. Netta has found a mutual benefit between being a business owner and a volunteer. Her passion took her from co-owning a business that helps animals and their guardians, to now helping raise awareness for SDR and their cause, through her business. Her volunteer efforts didn’t stop there. Netta has also become a member of Rescued Animal Coalition of Southeast Minnesota.

"I was recently nominated Treasurer at RAC. RAC gets together and focuses on the need for spaying and neutering pets in Southeast Minnesota. You need to educate individuals of spaying and neutering to help reduce the population of homeless animals," explains Netta.

"I have always loved animals and their guardians. Volunteering is something you want to do. When you see the faces of the animals that come in scared it breaks your heart. Though when you find a permanent home for an abandoned animal, it is amazing to see their confidence and personality return. It’s pretty remarkable," says Netta.

When asked what her greatest accomplishment in SDR is, Netta replied,

"Helpings dogs find great new homes. The most rewarding thing is to educate people that adoptable dogs are not dogs with problems. They are kind, loving and just looking for someone to love them as much as they will love you."

Netta is an amazing person who loves life and enjoys each day to the fullest. She believes in treating others as you wanted to be treated. Those who know her well think she can be bit stubborn at times, but knows she is ultimately a caring loving soul. Netta has one cat named Cleo, who has become the official store cat, a dog named Maggie and a Donkey named Sonny. Netta’s efforts are appreciated immensely and we thank her for service to SDR.

The following has made the email forwarding rounds a few times and I thought it would be fun to share it with all of you.  Luckily, Small Dog Rescue dogs are all kept in loving, screened foster homes - but they weren't always there.  And this is a great reminder that while we like to think that we're the ones doing the rescuing, it really works out to be both ways more often than not. - Dallas

--
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels.  I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.  I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today.  Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't  feel sad about my past.  I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.  I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.  Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.  Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.  I would  promise to keep her safe.  I would promise to always be by her side.  I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.  I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.  So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved.  At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Muse, one the hottest bands on the planet, are visiting Target Center on their world tour.  Their single Uprising has been one of the most-played tunes on the radio this summer.

Luckily, Tracy Pitts, a long time volunteer and foster with Small Dog Rescue who just happens to work at the Target Center arena , managed to get two lower-level seats donated for a fundraiser.

On Saturday's adoption event at Chuck & Don's in Bloomington, Deb Johnson pulled a name out of a bucket of people who donated to win these tickets.  The lucky winner is Carol Buhr from Andover, MN. Carol is the new parent of Tallulah, and the very happy recipient of the tickets.

Thanks to those who took part, Small Dog Rescue raised $270!  These funds will help us continue our mission to help small dogs in need!

Imagine your dog living in a confined area with little room to move, no access to toys, companionship or even a yard to run in. This is what a dog living in a puppy mill or "puppy farm" faces.  Mills put quantity, sales and production above quality of life for these animals.  Dogs and other animals in mills are treated as products to be mass produced and sold for profit. This problem contributes to both pet overpopulation and health issues in the animals.

Although mills have been around for decades, there is a movement to work to stop them.  Many states are trying to enact legislation to regulate and penalize puppy mills whose practices are beyond deplorable. It's hard to imagine the dogs that we love surviving in these conditions. Although it's a horrible thought, it is one of Ty's survival story. Ty is a 6 year old charming and sweet Phantom Poodle who spent the majority of his short years in a wire cage at a mill.

Despite all of this Ty is one of the lucky ones.  After being rescued by Small Dog Rescue, Ty began the path to his happy ending by being placed in a loving foster home. He is currently awaiting his forever home.

Since being rescued, Ty has made great strides with the help of his patient foster parents and the family's resident dog. Ty has proven that there is a life after a mill and that mill dogs are not "defective products" or "broken souls". Ty is getting to know caring humans and he's slowly learning that he can trust them.  He has a face that could melt any heart and a sweet disposition.  Ty proves even small dogs have big hearts capable of big love!

Just as Ty, puppy mill dogs often have trouble with socialization and their health due to the poor conditions in mills. Most mill dogs are capable of moving on from their often traumatic pasts.  Like Ty, mill dogs do well in a structured and loving environment.  These dogs can learn the ways of their new (and much safer!) world and know what it feels like to be loved by humans and not hurt by them.

Please join us and others around the nation on Saturday, September 18th in recognizing National Puppy Mill Awareness Day.

Our hope is to join forces to raise awareness about puppy mills and help prevent dogs from going through what Ty has been through.  Please do what you can to help.  Many people will be hanging posters, talking to others, joining the St. Paul demonstration, writing letters and signing petitions, all in an effort to raise awareness around mills.

Just a bit of your time could help save a puppy mill dog like Ty. Please share in the big hearts of these small dogs by giving them a voice of compassion.

Small Dog Rescue received a very special little dog into our program on Sunday night.  And it wouldn't have happened without a whole lot of people coming together to help get him here.

Buddy is a senior chihuahua who was found running loose on a busy highway in Southeastern Missouri.  A kind woman was able to scoop him up, toss him in her car, and get him to an independent rescuer down there who then sent out an email to dozens of rescues asking if anyone had room for Buddy.  Of course, SDR didn't at the time, as we always have a waiting list for dogs to get into our program (this is a combination of there being altogether way too many homeless dogs out there and Small Dog Rescue's reputation for being an excellent organization).  But we put him on our waiting list, followed up when Buddy's turn came around, and sure enough, no one else had yet stepped up to take him.  So we said we'd be honored to have him.

As I have written before, transporting dogs across the country is both routine and amazing.  But what was particularly amazing about Buddy's transport is that he was the only one on it.

It was incredible. Buddy was the only dog on this transport.  All of these people (about a dozen in all) stepped up to drive him from Southeast Missouri to Minneapolis.  For him and him alone.

I had never seen a 3+ state transport with only one dog on it like this in the nearly 3 years I have been doing this work.

It's true that it took several weeks for the transport to pull together - partly because people are reluctant to drive for "only one dog".  But I want to publicly acknowledge the drivers who stepped up to help "just one dog".  Thank you all.

I did email them privately and promised them that we will take great care of Buddy and find him an excellent home, and we're so touched that they got him to us.

It's really amazing, and why rescue work gives me hope.  I just had to share it.

Dallas

Small Dog Rescue is fortunate to get donations of dog food for our foster dogs, but we don't control when we get the donations so we try to have a small stock on hand just in case.  To keep the food from getting moldy or mice from feasting on it, we use plastic storage bins.  But we're in need of more large and medium ones.  It would be such an incredible help.

Contact us at info@smalldogsminnesota.org if you can donate any bins!

Thanks,

Dallas

Beanz is a good example of why rescue is important, and how crucial foster care is. He came into rescue because his people had a baby, and that brought with it way more commotion than he could handle. He was protective of his kennel, of his food, and would snap at people he didn't know, or even people he did know if there was just too much going on. Classic fear aggression. The world was just too big of a place for this little guy, and the only way he knew to deal with it was by going on the offensive.

His behavior required more work than a traditional rescue or pound situation could handle, and this is one of many reasons why boutique rescues are so important. Beanz received some very special training with his foster, which taught him that even though he's so little and the world's so big, it doesn't mean he has to always be scared. The training and commitment of his foster allowed him to overcome aggression towards strangers - he will never be a leap-for-joy type of dog whenever someone new enters the picture, but now he's cautious as opposed to aggressive. He may bark a bit (especially towards men), but that is easily overcome. He's gotten past the need to guard his kennel and his food, which is a huge accomplishment! When all you have is your den and your bowl, it's hard not to protect them. But Beanz learned that he didn't need to, and so now he doesn't.

Beanz is pretty good with other dogs, but prefers dogs that are perhaps older and very calm. He is a follower and he needs a strong human leader that can show him the way, and be aware of when things are becoming too much for him.   He's smart; he enjoys learning and loves fetch! He likes attention and cuddles and all the love he can get! He's able to go into the pet store now, and even be pet by little kids he doesn't know. He will be cautious at first, but it won't be long before he's offering kisses to whoever's within reach. And maybe that's the most important lesson fostering has taught Beanz - give a little love, and receive a lot of love in return! It will take more training and more time before he's up for an art festival or something of that magnitude, and maybe he'll never really be able to take in that much stimulation at once. But would that be such a bad thing? The world needs homebodies, too!

Beanz is still waiting for his furrever home, but when those special people appear, it will truly be a magical day that he has worked extemely hard to attain! He's fully potty trained, sleeps in his kennel at night when asked to, and really loves to learn. An adult-only home is best, with perhaps an older, calm dog and no cats, please. Continued training is highly recommended, since it will give Beanz and his new family a chance to learn more about each other and will give them common goals to work towards. He is neutered, house trained, up to date on shots, de-wormed, frontlined, on heart worm prevention, and micro-chipped. His adoption fee is $325.

Everybody's dog is the cutest dog on the planet, but here's your chance to earn some legitimate bragging rights. Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota is looking for the twelve cutest alumni dogs for our 2011 alumni calendar. For a chance to have your pup be a Miss March or Mr. October, send your favorite photo of your pet to karen@smalldogsminnesota.org by September 30th, 2010. All submissions must be in high -rez JPEG format and the name of the dog should be the photo's file name as well as the subject line of the email. The twelve cutest pups will be featured in the 2011 calendar which will be available for purchase later this year. All calendar proceeds will benefit SDR.

Obviously, this photo s of last year's calendar, but you get the idea.

Thanks again for adopting through Small Dog Rescue!

 Come and meet Tidbit (and many other dogs needing homes) this Saturday, August 14th, from 11 am - 1 pm at the Rochester Feed & Country Store!

Tidbit is a special lady who loves to be outside, take naps, and carefully explore her surroundings. She almost never barks. She weighs 7 pounds and is between 10-12 years old, hard of hearing and mostly blind with cataracts. But that does not keep her from exploring and walking around wherever she is, albeit carefully. Her foster mom says she is housetrained because she only does her business outside, although because she is blind, she has a hard time finding her way to the door and down the stairs. So she is just put out every few hours and within a minute or two is done. She doesn't pay much attention to other dogs, and is tolerant of the preschool-aged girl in her home. There is nothing she wants more than to be cared for by my forever mom or dad and know that she is safe and loved. Could that be you?

 Roxie looks like she's about to snooze right there on her foster mom.

Many of us at Small Dog Rescue were saddened to hear of the passing of Pam Traetow, foster mom to Zeus and Zena.  Pam was an extraordinary woman, and that has shown even more in the past weeks.  There are very few people who will take on fostering two dogs, and despite battling terminal cancer, Pam and her family took in Zeus and Zena and treated them like their own. A special thank you to Tom and their sons for welcoming "the Z's" into your pack, as well.

In addition to fostering, Pam would show up to adoption events bearing gifts for other volunteers, often bringing window clings, silicone bracelets, and rings bearing positive messages about rescue and cancer awareness.  Just a few days after she passed, I had someone stop me and comment about the window cling on my car that was a gift from Pam: A paw-printed ribbon that reads "Until They All Have A Home".  Pam is still spreading positive messages through that gift even though she's no longer here.

This is a photo of Pam and her dog, Sugar, at a Petland protest last summer.  If she felt well enough, she was there, doing what she could to make the world better for dogs.  She will be missed.

Dallas

P.S. For those wondering, Zena is in a foster home in Rochester, and Zeus is in a foster home in North Dakota.  Zeus' foster family may adopt him, but Zena is still waiting for an application.

Yes, we know that Roxie isn't small.  But her foster dad found her running along the side of a freeway outside of Chicago and couldn't leave her there.  He and his fiance have been excellent foster parents for Small Dog Rescue, and we know how hard it is to find a safe place for a pit in peril, so Roxie is part of our clan until we can find her a perfect home.  And since AmStaffs are known to be a truly all-American breed, we thought we would spotlight Roxie today.

Unfortunately, some people think it's cool to torment these dogs and try to get them to be aggressive in order to .  We are certain that Roxie was abused before she was rescued, and she is currently in training to gain more confidence around strangers and in strange situations.  Roxie is naturally affectionate to those she trusts, just like all pits.  To paraphrase from a popular pit bull advocacy site, like all dogs, pits require intelligent, responsible, and dedicated guardians. Because of the breed’s undeserved negative media image, pit bull guardians have to be even more careful and responsible than the average dog guardian. They must also be aware of the myths (urban legends, really) surrounding their dogs. People with pits must be well educated about bully breeds, because they will likely face comments from friends, families, and neighbors who's only experience with pits has been negative stereotypes."

Please, if you would help us find a very special person or couple to adopt Roxie, we would be very grateful.  We know there are wonderful people out there who care deeply about the plight of this unfairly-treated breed, but it's unlikely they would be looking to our rescue to get involved or adopt.  Help us find them and share Roxie's story with them.

Molly is probably the sweetest dog you can find. She has a few years behind her but she still likes to run and play. Going on walks and chewing bones are her favorites activities. We also warn that she likes to hide socks and shoes. She doesn't chew on them or ruin them she just like to make a little game out of it. She gets along great with all dogs and humans. She is potty trained, too. She can cuddle when you want her to or she can get down and play. She just loves to be near people and make you happy.

Molly has had a bit of a rough life.  When she was first rescued, she was heartworm positive.  Many rescues don't accept dogs who are heartworm positive because the treatment is expensive and takes a few months - during which time the dogs should not be adopted or have any kind of major changes or stressful events.  But Molly came through the treatment gracefully and she is all ready to be adopted.  She truly is one of the most good natured dogs we have ever had come through our program.  And though she is a little rough around the edges, her winning personality shines through and she brings a smile to everyone she meets.

Duke is the newest arrival at Small Dog Rescue and he sure is a cutie.  It took no time at all for him to win the heart of his foster mom and she swears that whoever adopts him will be one lucky person.  Here's what she has to say about this little tri-colored angel:

"He loves to chew on bones and play tug with a rawhide. Duke's favorite place to be is underfoot near his mom or dad. He sleeps under my desk when I am working. At night he won’t sleep with my other two in their room he has to be on the floor on my side of the bed or up in bed with me. He only barks when kenneled if I have to run an errand, and it is a really hoarse bark. He loves to snuggle next to you on the couch, and if he hears a collar jingle he jumps like a kangaroo with excitement to go for walks.  He also likes to try to nip at the lawn mower when his foster daddy is mowing the grass. He does get protective over bones, toys and his food, however only really with the other dogs in his foster home. He is truly a wonderful little dog."

A very special thank you goes out to the wonderful and talented children at Underbakke's Little Tykes Daycare for all of their help in raising money to help small dogs.  The kids worked hard on making signs and crowns to wear at the Thursdays on First festival in Rochester last Thursday and they raised $40 dollars in an hour and a half!  They also got to meet Optimus Prime, who generously donated, too.  What amazing kids!  

Small Dog Rescue will be at Thursdays on First all through the summer, so if you're in the area, come down and say hello!  The dogs would love to meet you.

Have you ever thought about fostering, and helping to save a dog's life?  Check out Eva and her wonderful foster family on KTTC!

Frank is the newest arrival at Small Dog Rescue and he's already a big hit.  I mean, look at him.  How could he not be?

Frank the mini doxie is 11 lbs of pure furry joy! He is the perfect companion animal. He will stay by your side on walks or at home. He loves a lap to lay in, but is happy with his doggie bed too. Frank would love to find a home where someone is home most of the time. He could spend a day chewing on fuzzy toys or chewy tendons and lounging around in peace. He'd love to play with other doggies that are a fair match in size or are gentle if bigger than him. Cats are ok too. He gets scared when he's left alone for too long so a family with someone at home or with other animals that he can keep company with would be an ideal place for Frank. He knows sit and stay and how to make your heart melt with a single glance.He is almost fully housebroken and knows to use a potty pad when he can't make it outside. He has the sweetest demeanor and the softest coat and just wants a home to share these amazing qualities with.

Dooley is a 10-pound Shih Tzu estimated to be around 9 or 10 years old.  Dooley was dropped off at a vet clinic when his person died.  We have no real history on him other that the fact that his person had adopted him from a shelter a year or two ago.

Being a typical Shih Tzu, Dooley does not like to have his face groomed, and he will let you know that he does not approve.  He also dislikes going to the vet.  However, he does like to take walks, baths, and go for car rides!  Dooley has been giving a clean bill of health, apart from a cataract and luxating patellas.  This basically means he has loose knees, a condition that plagues about 80% of small dogs.  It does not affect him at all, and it will require no treatment.

Dooley will only be adopted out to an adult-only home.  He would do best as an only dog or with another dog that is mellow.  He is also good with cats.  His ideal home would consist of a nice calm environment where he could take a walk in the afternoon, come home and take a nap in his dog bed or on your lap.  He would be a great dog for a senior person!

Hi Everyone.  I'm Zena, a senior min pin girl who has been in foster care with Small Dog rescue for over a year.  I might not look like much, but I have a lot of personality.  Us min pins are feisty and spirited so aside from my greying face, you probably wouldn't guess that I'm 11 years old.

I'm looking for someone who can appreciate a sassy girl like me.  I'm no wall flower!  I am always ready for an adventure and I promise to be a good watch dog and let you know when anyone comes to the door or the window.  I'm not afraid of anything!

My brother, Zeus, is looking for a home, too.  The people at Small Dog Rescue were looking for someone who would adopt both of us, but it's been a year and no one has come forward to do that.  We knew it wouldn't be easy to find a home where we could go together.  I appreciate the people at SDR for trying - but at this point, Zeus and I would be okay with finding separate homes - as long as the people in the new homes love us and take good care of us for the rest of our lives.  As much as I love my brother, we both know that we need people to take care of us in our golden years more than we need to stay together.

So, what do you say?  Can I come live with you and let you know when the mail is delivered?  Or do you know someone else who could use a sassy little min pin to love?

-- Zena

Shiloh is an easy dog to overlook.  There's nothing outwardly remarkable about this senior beagle/doxie mix.  He's brown with a greying face and he's a pretty quiet and reserved guy.  But there's something about him that is obviously special because Shiloh won the hearts of some pound workers who kept him safe for 5 long months while waiting for a spot in a no-kill rescue to open up. 

If you've been following our site, you probably know by now that senior dogs are often dismissed by potential adopters.  Whether people are afraid of feeling the pain that comes when a beloved pet dies, or they are worried about the possiblity of higher vet bills due to age-related health problems, or some other reason, we often see some of the most lovable and loving dogs in our rescue get passed over again and again because of their age.

But those of us in rescue know that a dog's age is not a solid predictor of the vet expenses!  Young dogs get sick and injured and those bills can be huge.  And some older dogs don't have anything more complex than a bit of arthritis when it rains.  Also, remember that smaller dogs tend to have longer life expectancies than bigger dogs.  But either way, the important part is the love that is given and recieved while dogs are with us that is most important, and that is totally unaffected by age.

Sally is one of our newer arrivals at Small Dog Rescue and she is currently being fostered with two kids and a family who runs a daycare.  While Sally gets a bit nervous around smaller, unruly children, she is really exceptional with gentle kids who are familiar with how to behave appropriately around dogs.  She is a non-shedding dog, too, which means that she is less likely to aggravate allergies.

This poor baby was left outside by her last family and hit by a car.  She is looking for a new family who will value her more and keep a close eye on her and never, ever leave her outside unattended.  Sally loves walks and giving kisses.  Oh, and she is house trained, too.  What's not to love?

It all started with a small dog named Sweetie Pie. My wife, Joanne, and I stopped at a farmhouse to look at antiques and left with our first dog, a three-pound Jack Russell puppy. From that moment on we entered the world of animal rescue. We became shelter volunteers, fundraisers and “personal trainers” for our own rescued pets.  During the next fifteen years we bought and sold six houses, each one filled with family and animals.

After settling back in our home state of Minnesota, we wanted to do something more for animals in need. We did two things: First, we created AmericaHelpsAnimals.com, a web site that showcases what animal lovers all over the country are doing. Organizations like Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota are listed on the site, along with our animal welfare cartoons, animal dates and facts and hundreds of simple ways to help animals. The second decision was that I would move from teaching to real estate and focus on helping people and their pets. I became The Animal Lover’s Real Estate Agent ™ and give $500 to a local shelter or rescue after every sale.

In a short time it became apparent that people with pets have special needs when it comes to buying, selling or relocating. Some of my most common requests are to find properties that are pet-friendly. That might include knowing about building or neighborhood association rules, restrictions on number and size of pets or even whether or not you can build a fence around your back yard. Sometimes buyers want to know where dog parks are located or the important state and county regulations regarding licensing, or acreage requirements, for larger animals such as horses. Sellers have questions about preparing their property for sale (e.g., odor issues) or how to show a property when pets are home alone.

If you have other real estate questions please contact me at jimhubal@edinarealty.com  Also check out my web site http://jimhubal.edinarealty.com to see additional pet-friendly information.

To see the SDR link on AmericaHelpsAnimal.com go to http://americahelpsanimals.com and click on “Helping State-by-State,” click on “Minnesota” and scroll to SDR description.

I am also pledging that after the next sale I will donate $500 to SDR for all the great work you are doing.  And in memory of the small dog that started it all, Sweetie Pie.

--Jim Hubal

It's Nala the Boston Terrier's 2nd birthday today!  This spunky little lady is still waiting for her forever home, she's filling her time at her foster home wrestling with her foster siblings, rolling on the floor, and giving snorty piggie kisses with ever chance she can.  Nala came to us very unsocialized, but with guidance and a lot of patience from other dogs in her life she's learning that she doesn't need to act tough to make friends.  Nala is snorting out her 2 bithday candles, wishing for her family to adopt her.  Will you grant her birthday wish?

Zeus and Zena are a pair of bonded minpins who have been in foster care with SDR for over a year.  They are sweet and spunky dogs, but due to complications in their foster family they are in need of a new foster home -- or better yet, a forever home.

Bonded pairs are often dismissed by people looking to adopt.  We understand this, but it's really unfortunate because the only thing bonded pairs have in the world are eachother.  Not many shelters will require the adoption of two dogs together.  Our foster parents get to know their foster dogs intimately, and we always look out for the best interest of our foster dogs.  So when a pair of dogs are tightly bonded, we commit ourselves to finding a person or people who are open to double the love.

Senior dogs are routinely looked over by prospective adopters because people are afraid that the dogs won't live very much longer and it will be hard to lose them.  Or people may be wary about potential health complications happening sooner rather than later.  However, adopting a senior dog gives people a unique opportunity to help dogs in the most need.  While adopting a dog should be something that you do because you want to parent a dog, it's also about saving lives. 

And if you have already had the great pleasure of adopting a rescue dog, you know that while it may seem at first like you're the one doing the good deed, these dogs never fail to bring great love and life lessons to us that are impossible to measure.

So please, consider Zeus and Zena and see if there is any way you could help connect them with their forever home.  Maybe it could even be you?

This is re-printed from Animal ARK:

Minnesota House May Vote on Puppy Mill Regulation - Urgent Action Needed
Contact your representative in the Minnesota House of Representatives and ask them to support the Benson Amendment to House File 2678

After years of stalling, the Minnesota House of Representatives may finally have an opportunity to vote on puppy mill regulation. Within the next week, House File 2678 will be heard on the floor of the Minnesota House of Representatives. When that happens, Representative John Benson is expected to offer an amendment to that bill that would do some very important things, including:

·         Close a loop hole currently being exploited by Minnesota puppy mills to avoid paying sales tax on the puppies they are selling;

·         Generate at least $1.3 million in additional revenue for the State as a result of increased sales tax compliance;

·         Ensure large-scale, commercial breeders of dogs and cats are in compliance with existing cruelty laws in Minnesota;

·         Help to ensure that sick animals, which can pose a risk to public health, are not being sold and shipped nation-wide from Minnesota commercial breeders.


To help ensure this important amendment is accepted, we need you to contact your representative at the Minnesota House of Representatives NOW and urge them to support the Benson amendment to House File 2678. It is long past time for the Minnesota Legislature to deal with this issue. More information can be found at the links on the right side of this page.

THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR TAKING ACTION!

In addition to contacting your representative, please share this page with your family and friends!

All dogs have special skills.  CJ's is "the stare".

Sunday May 2nd  is the May Day parade in South Minneapolis. This is an amazing opportunity to get SDR's name out and to spread the word abut the work we do and the fantastic dogs we have available for adoption.
 
We want YOU to come and march with us!  And, we'd love your small dogs to join us, too! This is especially true if you have already adopted a dog from SDR.  This is a family friendly event and a lot of fun for kids, too.  The more the merrier, and everyone is welcome.
 
If you have a crafty side and want to help make little flower petal collars for the dog marchers to wear, we need help with that, too. 

If you have questions, or you already know you will be marching with us - please do us the favor of letting us know.  You should e mail Erin at erin@smalldogsminnesota.org right away.  Thanks!
 

 See one of our littlest rescuers help out with Duffy on KTTC News!

Renaldo co-hosts the weather on KTTC!

We're thrilled to report that Wilber the chihuahua mix who escaped in Eau Claire, WI on Valentine's Day during transport from Tennessee to Small Dog Rescue was caught in a live trap early this morning and should be arriving at Small Dog Rescue by this evening.  Wilbur's story was picked up by the local television news crew in Eau Claire, and a film crew was even present during a 40 person search effort within the square mile in which he's been spotted several times.  Wilbur managed to stay alive for 11 days outside in February before finally being caught.  Everyone involved is greatly relieved.  We'll be sending him to a vet immediately for an exam and he's expected to need plenty of R&R to recouperate from his ordeal.

Dublin has been with Small Dog Rescue for a long time.  He's been our featured dog for over two months, he's had a youtube video made about him, he's had a featurette on KTTC in Rochester... but we cannot seem to generate any applications for this poor guy.

Dublin is actually doing really well these days.  He has made huge improvements in terms of his comfort level at adoption events and he is a lot more confident than when he came to us.  He has had such a rough start in life and he just needs someone to take a chance on him and let him show them how rewarding his love and loyalty can be.

We at Small Dog Rescue are begging you to please share Dublin's story with others and help us find the right person to love him.  He's a healthy, adorable, cute, house trained, dog-friendly, little dog.  Yes, he can be a little neurotic, but he's gotten so much better and we know he'll continue to improve even more with the right person to guide him.

Our tagline is "Small Dogs, Big Hearts", so we are really excited about Valentine's day, which ia sll about love and celebrating huge hearts.  We'd like to take a moment to appreciate our adopters for opening their hearts to one of our dogs and vowing to love them for the rest of their lives.  We'd also like to thank our incrdibly generous and committed volunteers for showering our foster dogs with all the love they deserve, and often crave, while they are in our care.  We'd like to thank our donors for providing the means for their love for dogs to be expressed in a tangible way, too.  And last but not least - we thank the dogs for always being there to teach us lessons about love.  That's what they do best.

Don't forget to do something extra special for your dogs this weekend! 

Dallas

CJ is a seven and a half year old Jack Russell Terrier with a very sweet disposition.  It took her all of 5 minutes to become a member of  the dog pack in her foster home. She also has no problem with the cat and is in constant motion and by her foster mom's side.  She is active for a middle aged gal, but not "naughty active".  She will make a wonderful addition to any family.

CJ isn't a majorly stand-out dog in any way.  She doesn't have any dramatic story or special issues, and she's not really young and super cute.  She's an average, sweet, easy dog.  We just wanted to give her a chance to shine in the spotlight in hopes that someone out there will notice her and think she might be the dog for them.

Small Dog Rescue is hoping to find 7 people today  who are willing to donate $10 or more per month on a reoccuring, automated basis.  If we can do this, we have an anonymous donor who will commit to donating $30 per month, bringing our total in steady monthly donations to $100 or more collectively. 

Reoccuring donations are highly recommended strategy for financial health for a non-profit.  And for a non-profit like ours, where we have an unpridictable budget because our spending is determined by the conditions of the dogs who come into our program (since we are a true no-kill rescue that does not reject dogs due to age, health conditions, or behaviour problems), having a steady source of relaible donations would be a huge help.

We ask that you sign up for the re-occuring donation plan using Razoo, or GiveMN.org, because that service doesn not take out any processing fees, so you know that 100% of your donation is going to help the dogs. And, it's all automated, so you can sign up once and not have to think about it again.

If you opt to give $10 a month, over the course of a year, you will have sponsored a neuter surgery, which is a huge and vital step toward reducing the number of homeless and suffering dogs in the world. 

Please think about how becoming a re-occuring monthly supporter fits in with your values and personal goals for making a difference. 

All donations are tax-deductible, and Small Dog Rescue will provide you with a letter for your taxes at the end of 2010.

Please help make our first ask for re-occuring donations a success.   Sign up to be a sustaining donor today to help us secure that additional $30 er month, which equals $360 for the year for the dogs!

If you listen to public radio, you probably understand the value of donors who give a set amount to a charity on a regular basis.  Often, these donors are called "sustainers" because they are providing gifts over time and allowing the organization to be more sustainable.

Tomorrow, January 28th, Small Dog Rescue is hoping to find 7 individuals who will commit to donating at least $10 per month to our organization.  We have one anonymous donor who has committed to donating $30 per month if we can hit this goal, which would mean we would be able to count on enough donations coming in on a monthly basis to cover one neuter surgery per month with no worries at all.

We hope you'll take some time to think about how becoming a Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota sustainer might fit in with your values and goals for 2010.  The payments can be automatically withdrawn from your checking account or billed to your credit card to make it easy for you.  You would be sent a letter at the end of the year for your tax records.

Just let the idea marinate a little bit and we'll hit you up hard tomorrow :)

Charo is a brand new arrival and we're looking for a very special home for this timid little girl.  She is doing fine with the other dogs in her foster home and while she is not totally sure about the six year old girl living there, she has not been aggressive at all.  Charo is still learning about going potty outside but we think the help of the other two well-adjusted dogs in her foster home will help.  Charo is a bit tubby and needs to lose a pound or two.  Over all, she needs lots of TLC and someone who is willing to help her come out of her shell and make her feel secure so she can be a happy, confident pup.

Small Dog Rescue is in need of small and medium sized travel kennels and wire crates.  Donations of goods are considered in-kind donations and we can supply you with a letter for your taxes if you are able to donate any physical items to our rescue. Here is a short list of some things we need right now:

* Kennels and Crates

* Dry Adult Dog Food

* Harnesses, leashes, and collars

* Pee Pads and Kotex Pads (for belly bands)

You can either drop these donations at any adoption event, or you can e mail Tammy@smalldogsminnesota for metro area donations or Becca@smalldogsminnesota.org for Rochester area donations.  Thanks for your support!

Heckel is one of our newer arrivals at SDR, a scottie dog/cocker spaniel mix, he is great with kids, house trained, and very playful.

At the last adoption event, someone made the comment that Abdul looks like Garrison Keillor.  What do you think? 

Abdul has been with Small Dog Rescue for many months, and it's such a shame because he would be a perfect family dog!  He's house trained, great with kids, other dogs, and cats.  Check him out!

Thanks for allowing me the opportunity to work with Brandi, and prove to her what a kind touch can be.  I have to share with you that last nite she jumped up on my recliner and slept next to me.  It's so cute as you can tell she wants to be close to me, but is still afraid that I might do something to her.  The good thing is that I can see small changes in her everyday.  In fact this morning when I was laying in bed with Cloe, Brandi jumped up on the bed, and nuzzled closer to Cloe and me and allowed herself to be petted.  It was the first time that she really initiated having me pet her.  It was a completely amazing feeling.  Cloe is teaching her so much in just the short time they have been together.  I know that with time, and patience that Brandi will come out of her shell and be a great additon to my family.   She craves the attention, but is still a little hesitant to allow herself to open up completely.  I'm looking forward to the day where there is no hesitation on her part (espcially with me).   She will have a GREAT life, and be given every comfort that she deserves to make up for the time that she was neglected.  That life will soon become a distant memory.  Your group of volunteers did an excellent job getting her to where she is at, making my job so much easier.. She is definetely very special, and I love her more and more each day.

We all love these happy reports and SDR will be unvieling a community blog in the near future to encourage all of our supporters to share postings and photos about their positive experiences with our rescue and foster dogs.

Hello all,

Small Dog Rescue is running low on dry dog food and we're looking for donations.  We are set on senior and puppy food, we just need standard dry adult dog kibble.  We usualy get donations from stores and companies but everyone is low right now, maybe due to the economy and the demand for food donations going up.  Whatever the reason, we need dry food donations.

The good news is that our dogs are small, so they don't eat as much as larger dogs and the donations last a while when we get them.

If you can help by making a donation of dry food, we have drop off sites in Rochester, Minneapolis, and Blaine.  Or, if you are friends with someone who fosters or volunteers for Small Dog Rescue, chances are they would be happy to help make it easy for you to donate through them, too!

Our beautiful model today is Diabla the doxie.  She is one of the SDR's newest arrivals and she is such a good girl.  Welcome, Diabla!

After an adoption, a volunteer from SDR sends the adopter a congratulaitions note and invites them to stay in touch.  This response was just too great not to share.  We love our adopive families!

Happy New Year! ~ Alan

(Since Amy was snapped up so quickly, we never did get a photo of her.  The dog pictured here is Dublin, who is in desperate need of a perfect match himself.)

Small Dog Rescue has a huge waiting list of dogs waiting to get in to our program and often times the only reason we can't take a dog into SDR is because we simply don't have room.  We're on a mission to recruit many new foster volunteers in the new year, and we are also looking for people who are interested in fostering to adopt, which means that you fill out an adoption application but agree to foster a dog that sounds like a dog you may be interested in adopting.  If you fall in love, you have been pre-approved to adopt and we simply adopt the dog to you.  If you don't fall in love, then you agree to foster the dog until we have found a suitable adoptive family for the dog. 

We have lots of dogs like Snap, pictured here, who are waiting for a safe foster home and a loving forever home.  Please help spread the word!  And know that fostering to adopt is an option.

Adorabelle won the cutest pet contest on Fox Radio in Rochester!  Now we just need to find this little local celebrity a home.  Thanks so much to Adorabelle's foster mom, Katie, for entering her in the contest and donating the $100 gift certificate for food and supplies from Rochester Feed Store to Small Dog Rescue!

Here are Meeah and Paige pictured with Alexi, a former SDR featured dog, at the Golden Living Senior Home.  Alexi makes a weekly trip to Golden Living to socialize with the seniors.  He's a popular little guy around there!  Many thanks to Golden Living for alowing Alexi's family to bring him in for visits, and to Alexi's family for all their good works. 

First off: Congratulations to Abby for being adopted by her foster parents! 

Abby's adoption left an opening for a new featured dog, and Abel is it.  You may not have noticed the change since he is a black poodle, just like Abby was, so we wanted to make sure to point it out.  Not that I don't have confidence in your observation abilities or anything.

If you looked up 'cuddle bug' in the encyclopedia, there's a good chance there would be a photo of Abel there to illustrate exactly what one looks like.  This boy loves* people.  He loves other dogs, he loves kids... he just wants to be around people and dogs all the time.  So another dog in the home is a must, and we would love to see him go to a home with a stay at home parent or a person who works from home or is retired.  He's a puppy mill survivor, so he has a lot of lost affection to make up for.  He's really sweet, and we know he'll be the love of someone's life if they give him a chance.

Jack is an amazing dog, we love her to pieces.  She gets along fabulously with our other dogs and a friend had her for a day and she never bothered her 5 cats.  She knows sit and she will come when called in the house.  She follows her nose and must be on a lead or in a fenced in back yard at all times.  She needs a bit of work on the "come" command outside, as all beagles do.  She absolutely loves to play, especially fetch and  tug of war. She loves to wrestle and will "mouth" your hands, but has never bit anyone.  Interestingly enough she can be running around wrestling with the kids or other dogs and then just stop on a dime and sit down in your lap to love.  She loves to snuggle in bed, she will nestle next to you.  A funny story, she was between my husband & I on her back in bed, I started to pet her and she shimmied on her back closer and closer to my head so I could pet her better and she could nuzzle with me.  She loves to nuzzle and give a little hugs around the neck.

Abesque is a very sweet and affectionate little girl! She has no teeth due to them all being rotted and broken and needed to be removed, so her tongue always is hanging out of right side of her mouth! It's adorable! When she was spayed they also realized that she had a uterine infection from overbreeding. She doesn't bark very much and likes to lay on anything she finds that is soft. She doesn't pay attention to any other dogs or cats and likes to just be near her people. She loves to be held and doesn't mind brushing. She hasn't quite gotten the concept of going potty outside or on peepads, but it will come in time. She does get somewhat jealous when other dogs come around her when she's trying to cuddle, but its understandable, after living in a small kennel for 9 years she has to make up for lost time! Abesque gets extremely anxious when kenneled and needs a home where she will not need to be kenneled at all.

Abesque is a 9 year old, 6 pound papillon who was used as a breeding dog in a puppy mill until the mill owner was forced to downsize. She was one of the lucky ones who made it out and she is soaking up the world outside of a cage. Abesque is spayed, up to date on shots, heart worm negative, de-wormed, frontlined, on heart worm preventative, just had a dental (they removed all of her teeth, her teeth were in such terrible shape), and is micro-chipped.

Abel loves kids.  He loves people.  He wants so badly to find someone who can commit to him the way he commits himself to the people around him.  If you're looking for a sweet, loyal, lovable dog, Abel is your man. 

He gets along with other dogs, learned to sit in one morning (what a smart boy!) and even gives hugs around the neck. 

He would make a great companion for a stay at home parent with kids or at least who has kids come to visit frequently because he really enjoys children.  We're all rooting for Abel finding a great home soon.

Today is the final day that the Small Dog Rescue calendars will be available for purchase.  If you're a procrastinator, now is the time to act.

While that's the most time-sensitive news, there's not much to it.  So, here's another one of our November Senior Spotlights.  (You do remember that November is Adopt-A-Senior-Dog-Month, don't you?) 

Nathan is a perfect gentleman of a dog.  He's house trained, behaves beautifully at adoption events, and has never destroyed anything in his foster home.  He's just an all-around gentleman!  He's about 10 years old, some kind of chihuahua mix, and has been fully vetted and is ready to go to a forever home.  He's being fostered in Rochester, but applications are accepted from anywhere.

Rochester, MN will never be the same: Abby the poodle has arrived in her new foster home and is taking the city by storm.  Busy as ever busting myths about senior dogs, Abby has brought surprise and delight to her new foster family.  She has weathered the transition gracefully and already has a grooming appointment scheduled for tomorrow in preparation for her television debut on Tuesday night.  KTTC's 5 o'clock news will feature Abby, where she will serve as both an ambassador for Small Dog Rescue and senior dogs.  November is Adopt-A-Senior-Dog month, remember!  Abby would do very well in a home where she had company most of the day - either a retired person or couple, or someone who is mostly home-bound due to a disability, perhaps?

Yesterday's Give to the Max day was a land mark in fund raising history for Small Dog Rescue.  Thank you, truly, to every one who gave a donation.  Collectively, you gave $3,407 to the dogs.

This is BEFORE the partial match.  We are still waiting for details on that figure. 

A special thanks goes to Dan Bassett, our technical advisor, for being available for my panicked calls, e mails, texts, and chat messages during my 11 hour fund raising marathon.  He really rose to the occasion behind the scenes. Thanks, Dan!

Also, thanks to all the people who were gracious and understanding with me as I begged for money yesterday.  Especially torward the end as I was getting tired and increasingly blunt.

Thanks again, everyone.  It has been a heart warming experience to have solid evidence of the generosity and enthusiasm people have for the work that we do at Small Dog Rescue.  Thank you.

Dallas

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Petland demo today.  We had 22 people there showing their support for our request that Petland stop buying puppies and kittens from mills.  We'll have another one soon, so if you missed it this time, you can join us next time.

Say hello to our newest arrival at SDR - Pippi the puppy.  Pippi is a 9 month old Brussels Griffon puppy who wants nothing more than to cuddle on a lap.  She's adorable.  Apply quick, she won't be around long.  (That's my prediction and hope, anyway.  If I see her at another adoption event I might just melt into a puddle and never be heard from again - she is that sweet.)

Adorabelle is a 4 year old, 10 pound chihuahua rescued from a puppy mill where she was used as a breeder dog. Adorabelle has already learned how much fun life can really be. She has learned to do steps, likes to play with toys, follows the other dogs to the door when someone is coming in, likes to sleep under the blankets (or in a dog bed), she runs happy laps when we get home, and she gives kisses. Adorabelle would make a GREAT addition to a family with other dogs.  She seems to open up quickly and her ears perk up when she sees the other dogs. She is a very sweet girl who was kept as a breeder dog in a puppy mill in Nebraska until she was surrendered because the mill owner got in trouble with the law.

Also, if you've been thinking about applying to adopt a little dog, stop by our adoption event tomorrow from 11am-3pm in Inver Grove Heights!  Details can be found on the events page.

Abilyne is a dainty chihuahua who weighs six pounds. Her coloring is a lovely mix of dark gray and dark tan. It is a delight to watch her walk...she prances as if she was in a show ring. She is good about eating her food and enjoys exploring the yard. She is still kind of nervous around people because she came from a big bad puppy mill, but she is making progress! Abilyne will be a wonderful and lovely companion animal as she gains trust.

Abilyne is a 7 year old, 6 pound chihuahua who was used as a breeder dog in a puppy mill until the mill owner was forced to relinquish some dogs. She is spayed, up to date on shots, heart worm negative, de-wormed, on heart worm preventative, just had a dental with 17 teeth removed, had bloodwork done, and is micro-chipped.

Come meet her at our adoption event on Saturday in Inver Grove Heights - For more info, see our Events page.

Abby is our new featured dog and we hope to find her a home quickly.  She is a delightful little girl.  Abby is a lively 13 year old toy poodle who had been living with the same family since she was a puppy.  However, she adjusted quickly to her foster home, accepting and giving affection.  She gets along well with the dogs living in her foster home but far prefers people.  More than interacting with the other dogs, she simply cohabitates with them.  Abby weighs just 9 lbs and is tiny.  She has a little difficultly with stairs but with some encouragement can hop up and down them.  She has clearly been fed from the table and begs incessantly for food during dinnertime.  However, ignoring her seems to have cut this behavior in half within a couple of days.  Abby eats dry food in the morning and evening; she enjoys going on walks and playing out in the yard.  However, Abby’s most defining characteristic is that she does not like to be alone.  She is much happier when in the company of people.  She’s fine downstairs if we’re upstairs and she seems comfortable being alone for a few hours here or there.  But she’s definitely a dog for a family with someone at home or for a person who works from home or is retired.  She’s a little nervous and fearful and seems to feel more secure with a person around to protect her.  She loves riding in the car, too!

Punk is going to be our ambassador tonight on the news in Rochester, MN!  We are so grateful for the air time, and for the chance to introduce Punk to the viewers in Rochester. Punk is a delightful 10 pound 10 year old chihuahua who would love nothing more then to spend the day on your lap.  He also likes to play with other dogs and he will tolerate the cats.  He does not like to have his ears cleaned, nails trimmed or mouth examined, however (but can you blame him, really?).  We are looking for an adult only home for Punk as he has made it clear that kids are not his thing. He was given up because his people were moving.  To apply to adopt Punk, please fill out our adoption application!

He is a sweet boy who is looking for a dog-experienced home.  Beanz didn't get a lot of socialization in his last home and he needs someone patient and confident to help him feel comfortable in the world, too.  He is a Rat Terrier, completely house trained, and gets along well with his two foster dog brothers.  Please check out his profile for more information.

Jack is one of the cutest beagles you'll ever meet - and she'll be at our adoption event today in Rochester!  She is a 2 1/2 year old beagle who had 2 families that were ill prepared for a dog.  This is really unfortunate, because she is a WONDERFUL dog and as her foster family has been tempted to keep her, but they want to keep their home open for more foster dogs so they're hoping someone adopts her soon.  She is house broken and wonderful with children.  Interestingly enough, she has become very bonded to the autistic boy in her foster family, and when she is not begging for his attention, he is begging for hers. It is very sweet.  She obviously has had little exposure to other dogs; her first meeting with her foster dog siblings she was tense.  But, with some guidance she warmed up within 15 minutes and now loves to play and socialize with them.  She is an energetic dog but not wild.  She loves to play tug of war and fetch.  But she also loves to snuggle in your lap, sleep in your arms or next to you in bed.  She likes to wrestle and may mouth your hands, but has never bit anyone in play.  She will need regular exercise or play to keep her energy from turning destructive, so an active person is a must for this girl.

I don't know if a nine year old dog qualifies as a senior or not, but it's time for Abesque to be in the spotlight for a bit.  This girl has weathered a lot in her life, and we're looking for a very special person to adopt her. 

Abesque is a very sweet and affectionate little girl. She has no teeth due to them all being rotted and broken and they needed to be removed, so her tongue always is hanging out of the right side of her mouth. It's adorable! When she was spayed they also realized that she had a uterine infection from overbreeding. She doesn't bark very much and likes to lay on anything she finds that is soft. She doesn't pay attention to any other dogs or cats and likes to just be near her people. She loves to be held and doesn't mind brushing. She hasn't quite gotten the concept of going potty outside or on peepads, but it will come in time. She does get somewhat jealous when other dogs come around her when she's trying to cuddle, but its understandable, after living in a small kennel for nine years she has to make up for lost time!  Abesque gets extremely anxious when kenneled and needs a home where she will not need to be kenneled at all.

Fill out an adoption application today if you think you have what it takes to be this girl's special person.

November is Adopt-A-Senior-Dog Month, so we're spotlighting our oh-so-adoptable seniors.  Alexi has been with us for a loooong time, and he is such a good boy.

I'm Alexi, the most adorable and sweetest poodle you will ever meet. I am about 10 years old and was rescued from a puppy mill last April. I am missing all my teeth and my jaw is a bit odd so my tongue hangs out of my mouth all the time. I think you will agree it makes me even more adorable. I am really tiny too, only 5 pounds! Which is good because I love to be held and cuddled. Currently I like to hang out with my foster mama all day long. If she leaves me for even a few minutes, when she comes back, I am so happy that I dance around and do circles in front of her! I'm okay to be alone for a little bit, but I won't relax until I know my foster mama is near. I like to lay at her feet and follow her around all day. At night I like to sleep in my bed all snuggled up on the floor next to my foster mamas bed where I can see her. I do really great at going potty outside. There has been a couple times that I have peed on my foster moms couch leg and dresser, but in my defense, it IS brown like a tree. I have only did that though when my foster mom wasn't with me. I like to go outside frequently and for short walks. My current foster mom runs a daycare, and I love all the children I get to play with everyday. Plus, even though my two foster sisters are just puppies and are really annoying, I tolerate them pretty well. I tend to not bark very much unless one of them get me going. After having a tough life, I really would like to find a forever family that will love me as much as I love them. My foster mama says I am the perfect doggie. And I have to agree.

Did you know that November is Adopt-A-Senior-Dog month?  And Small Dog Rescue has plenty of spectacular senior dogs looking for adoptive homes with people who will adore them for exactly who they are.  Seniors are often overlooked because people don't think they have as much to offer - but nothing could be further from the truth.  We get consistent feedback from people who adopt seniors that the relationships they develop with their adopted dog are really special. 

We'll be featuring our senior dogs during the month of November so you can get to know these super special dogs a little better - and hopefully we'll find them forever homes, together.

Jack the beagle is back with Small Dog Rescue.  This little girl is 110% beagle and really needs a home with someone who adores the breed.  She's curious, feisty, affectionate, and really smart.  A petite girl, she's a gorgeous dog and will make some lucky beagle lover out there very happy.  Jack is two and a half and fully vetted.

Abdul knows what he wants: love and affection!  He follows his foster mom (or whoever else is home) around the house so he is always available when someone is compelled to give a good rub.  He sleeps next to the bed - and would love sleep on it if he could get up there by himself.   He has proven that he is not fully deaf, as he responds to the resident dog's bark and a loud whistle or clap from mom.  Abdul is a great house dog.  He is very easy to live with and gives back so much love in exchange for his loyal companionship.

Abdul would fit in well with almost any family/home situation.  He would happily live in a house with a big yard or an apartment with someone who would take him out to walk when needed.  As long as he gets his ears scratched and his needs met, he is ready to love you.  He has no problems around other dogs (often ignoring them for attention from people), and has not been tested with cats.  As he is hard of hearing, he would need to be taken out on a lead or in a fenced yard for exercise.  Are you the warm heart this mellow man has been looking for?

Did you know there is a quick and easy way you can help Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota?

October is the month to sign up for Workplace Giving Campaigns in hundreds of companies throughout the metro area.  It's an easy, efficient way to donate to critical health, education, environmental and social services charities that serve Minnesota.

If you choose to donate to the United Way, your contribution can be directed to Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota.  Simply select United Way as your primary pledge and then select the “Write In” option.  Companies may require varying details in the Write In option from just the organization name to EIN #, address and phone number.  All information you may be requested to provide in the United Way Campaign Write In option is listed below:

Organization Name:  Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota
EIN #: 68-0505532
Address: 1051 121st Lane NE, Blaine, MN  55434
Phone #: 763-432-7030

It's that easy.

Please consider taking this simple, easy step to help us continue to provide necessary veterinary care and increase the number of foster home providers so more homeless small dogs can find with their forever homes!

Thanks so much for your continued support!

For all of you chihuahua lovers out there, we have a special offer for you.

Kelly Barto, a local eco-friendly jewelry designer, has agreed to donate a hand-soldered, double-sided chihuahua necklace to the first person to donate $50 or more to Small Dog Rescue.  We are grateful to Kelly for her donation and hope that it will help generate some much needed funds for our foster dogs.  We are still trying to recover from the expenses incurred for Emily and Brandy's recent leg surgeries.

To qualify, simply donate online using our Paypal button.  Make sure to include your mailing address and write "necklace" in the notes field.

We have a few more of these special offers coming up, so keep checking back. 

If you have something you would like to donate for us to auction off or use as an incentive for donations, please contact Dallas at info@smalldogsminnesota.org.

Hi! I am Alexi, the most adorable and sweetest poodle you will ever meet. I am about 10 years old and was rescued from a puppy mill last April. I am missing all my teeth and my jaw is a bit odd so my tongue hangs out of my mouth all the time. I think you will agree it makes me even more adorable. I am really tiny too, only 5 pounds! Which is good because I love to be held and cuddled.

Currently I like to hang out with my foster mama all day long. If she leaves me for even a few minutes, when she comes back, I am so happy that I dance around and do circles in front of her! I'm okay to be alone for a little bit, but I won't relax until I know my foster mama is near. I like to lay at her feet and follow her around all day. At night I like to sleep in my bed all snuggled up on the floor next to my foster mamas bed where I can see her. I do really great at going potty outside. There have been a couple times that I've peed on my foster mom's couch leg and dresser, but in my defense, it is brown like a tree. I only did that  when my foster mom wasn't with me. If I am let out frequently I don't have accidents.

I like to go for short walks. My current foster mom runs a daycare, and I love all the children I get to play with everyday. Plus, even though my two foster sisters are just puppies and are really annoying, I tolerate them pretty well.  I tend to not bark very much unless one of them gets me going. After having a tough life, I really would like to find a forever family that will love me as much as I love them.  My foster mama says I am the perfect doggy. And I have to agree.

Today is our last adoption event at Chuck and Don's in Bloomington until next spring.  We want to thank them for their support over the past two years.  One of their staff members even adopted from us!

Come and see the dogs today from 1pm-3pm.  Especially Alexi.

We are looking for angels in human form right now... generous people who are willing to help sponsor either Emily or Brandy for the surgeries they need. 

Emily is the Jack Russell Terrier puppy who was born with a crippling luxating patella.  She is going in for surgery to correct it tomorrow and the surgery is being done by the best bone surgeon in the state.  It'll be pricey, but since she is so young, we didn't want to take any chances.

Brandy the pomeranian broke her paw this week.  She is also in need of surgery, and this was completely unexpected, so we were not prepared for it.  She also needs a high end surgeon because of the location of the break.  (Editor's note: this is one reason we drive home the message that little dogs cost big money - they're vetting expenses are often higher than big dogs for reasons like this).

These dogs would almost certainly be killed in a traditional shelter because of the expense that fixing their injuries will cost.  SDR is a no kill rescue, and we believe that every homeless dog deserves to be loved and cared for just like dogs who are lucky enough to have families who cherish them.  These girls need extra help until they find forever homes. 

We thank you for your generosity.  Remember, all donations are tax deductible.

Are any of you the gambling kind?  If so, now would be a good time to start placing your bets for how many dogs we'll place in 2009.  As of today we have placed as many dogs as we did during the entire year of 2008.  That's pretty rad. 

Come help us send a message to Petland that Minnesota won't ignore their continued support of puppy mills and kitten mills.  Small Dog Rescue is taking part in a national protest to get Petland to stop selling puppies from mills.  Hope you can join us.

Petland in Shakopee

8091 Old Carriage Court North
Shakopee, MN 55379

We'll be there from noon to 1:30pm.

Abracadabra is looking for a person who loves to be on the go.  Someone who's walking, running, hiking, playing, climbing... or who will at the very least be able to keep up with her while she does these things.  She's a young Manchester Terrier, and that's what they do.  She's really smart and incredibly loyal.  If you've been waiting for a girl like her, please look at her bio and apply.  If not, tell your friends - she was recently returned and we want to get her settled into her forever home as soon as possible.

Here's an update from Sophie's foster mom about how she's doing:

Sophie sleeps and eats eats a lot, but doesn't seem to be gaining any weight. Since she has been on the Well Food, her poop is super healthy and she seems to have a bit more energy when she is awake. She has had a few random episodes of not feeling well or being unhappy. The symptoms are usually vague, but they have all seemed to pass in a few hours. She seems to sleep harder during the day than she used to. She has actually started wagging her tail (!) on occasion, but usually only when I am preparing her food or when she wants something else, and is often accompanied by whining. I would guess it is an attention seeking wag and not a happy dog wag, but it's nice to see nonetheless. She still sleeps in the kitchen and luckily her separation anxiety has decreased a bit.  I still think some of her tumors have increased in size (but I could be wrong), but she doesn't seem to be showing any marked signs of pain or illness related to the cancer. I must say I am suprised, but you never know with these things. I will continue to watch her like a hawk. Oh, I forgot to mention, she actually cuddled up to me on the couch last night for the first time! Usually it's me doing the cuddling up!

Ollie is one of these dogs it seems we get constant e-mails about... a 4-pound yorkie, cute as can be.  He's social, friendly, easy going, just happy to be with you.  But he's still here.  It's a mystery as to why.

We'd really like to find Ollie a home.  Not just any home, as we have had lots of applications for him.  But the perfect home.

Usually I wouldn't use valuable front page space on a dog who has been getting 200 hits per week - but those 200 hits per week aren't doing this guy much good.  So please: If you know someone who thinks you can only get 4-pound yorkies from some breeder somewhere because they're never in rescue, send them a link to Ollie and prove them wrong.  You know the old saying: "Don't Breed or Buy While Homeless Animals Die", right?

Crystal charms everyone she meets.  She's a 6 month old terrier mix puppy who was adopted quickly, but was returned to SDR because the resident dog was being too mean to her.  Crystal is an easy going girl. She is a clumsy puppy still and just wants to love and play.  She is about 18 pounds at 6 months, so she might end up being more of a medium dog, but who knows.  She sure is a looker!  Please help us find Crystal a family quickly.  We're sad to see her bounced around from home to home and just want to get her stable and settled.

Hey Everyone!

Here's your friendly reminder to join us tomorrow at the Saint Paul Petland location to let them know that Minnesota will not ignore the fact that they support puppy mills.

About half of our foster dogs currently in our program are from puppy mills and many of you have seen first hand how traumatized they can be. Our rescue is still trying to recover from the financial hit we took getting these dogs the vet care they were in desperate need of at the time of their rescue.

It's because of places like Petland that these mills still exist.

Please come out, even if you can't stay for the entire hour and a half, and stand in solidarity with the dogs.

I'm not going to say "we are their voice" because they communicate their pain, sadness, and anguish clearly. Our job is to make sure that people get the message they're sending.

Tomorrow we'll make sure that Petland in Saint Paul, and their corporate headquarters knows that the people of Minnesota care about dogs, and we won't ignore the fact that Petland is responsible for a whole lot of suffering.

If you can bring a sign, great, If you can't, show up anyway. If you can bring a camera, great! If you can't, show up anyway. If you can bring a friend, great. If you can't.... you know what to do.

Hope you can join us. We'd love to see you there.

Dallas

Achae was the 100th dog Small Dog Rescue has placed so far this year.  We're all very excited to have reached this landmark so early in the year and we're having a photo contest to celebrate!

For the next two weeks, Small Dog rescue will be accepting photo submissions of dogs who have been adopted through our program.  There is no entry fee for the contest.  The 12 winning photos will be featured in the first ever Small Dog Rescue Calendar. 

Please submit photos to info@smalldogsminnesota.org and be sure to include the Dog's name (upon adoption and new name if it has been changed), the photographer's name and contact info, and a line or two about what gifts this dog has brought to your life, a funny quirk in their personality, or anything else you'd like to say about them.

If you're not the photographer, please check to make sure you have their permission to submit this photo with the understanding that if it is picked as a winner it will be reproduced. 

And, while we love to see dogs with their happy people, we're looking for photos with no humans in them. Though, other dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, etc. are acceptable.

We can't wait to see your photos!

Small Dog Rescue has been chosen as a recipient in their Make Your Quote Count campaign.  Between now and October 1st, Small Dog Rescue will recieve $5 for every auto insurance quote, and and additional $5 for every home insurance quote given to callers who mention our name.  No purchase is necessary.

If 150 people called and got quotes for both home and auto, Abia's knee surgery could be paid for in full by Liberty Mutual.  Abia has two grade 4 luxating patellas, which means her knees are permanently out of place.  Small Dog Rescue is committed to covering the cost of one of these surgeries. 

If you can spare ten or twenty minutes for a quote, please call Edward Conely at 763-543-4344 ext 55247.

Please tell your friends, family, co-workers.  We really need the help.  Our funds have been greatly depleted by the basic vetting for all of the mill dogs we took in a few weeks ago and we're finding that several of them need further surgeries and treatments.  We're proud of our commitment to giving our foster dogs the best care possible when they are with us, and we treat them as we would want our own dogs to be treated. We need your help to do this.  Now you can "give" SDR money without opening your pocket book, all you need to do is get on the phone. 

... But if you insist on opening your pocket book, we won't turn you down. :)

Did you know that not all rescues will accept senior dogs and seniors are often first to be killed in traditional shelters? 

Small Dog Rescue routinely takes in seniors, knowing that their vetting costs are generally higher and they tend to take longer to adopt out.  This is because we know that age isn't everything and senior dogs often make some of the most charming companions.

Here are a few reasons to adopt a senior dog:

* They won't chew on everything!

* They're mellow.

* Old dogs CAN learn new tricks.

* They tend to settle in quickly.

* They give a lot of love...

Check out our senior dogs: Rudy the Maltese, Alexi the poodle, Abby the poodle, Abdul the puggle, Merry the chihuahua, and Zeus & Zena the min pin duo.

Small Dog Rescue is expecting 22 dogs from puppy mills in Nebraska who are being forced to downsize due to violations.  Here is a link to an article about the major effort, of which SDR is a part.  If you can, please consider donating to help us cover the medical bills for the 22 dogs we will be taking in next week.  http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/52231017.html

It's that time again.  Time to head out to rescue some sad little dogs from a puppy mill. 

Small Dog Rescue was able to take in 11 dogs from the last mill rescue we helped with, and so far we are expecting no fewer than 12 dogs this time around. 

This means we need some more money. 

These dogs come out of the mill never having had a hug, scratches behind the ears, a kiss, a bath, a walk, or a toy.  They have not been given yearly check ups, they are matted and filthy, in need of grooming and a lot of vet care. 

Consider being a sponsor for a mill dog, or sponsoring a spay or neuter.  Spays are usually $150 and neuters are usually $110.  We really, really need donations right now. If you can donate, please do.  If you have friends who may be willing to donate, please ask them to help. 

We have raised $450 dollars so far this week, but with all of the vet bills, we're in need of more like $3,000.  I know it's a large number, but every bit helps.  Please use the paypal button on the left and help us help these dogs.  Chances are that someone like me begged someone like you to help your dog once - so please, please help a puppy out.

Abby is a senior toy poodle who would love to be able to live with someone who is home most of the time.  She is a quiet, sweet, good natured girl who hasn't gotten much attention because she is a senior and she is black.  Black dogs are often the last to be adopted and the first ones to be put down in traditional shelters - it's called Black Dog Syndrome.  Because we're a no-kill rescue, Abby is safe and we'll take good care of her until we find a loving person or couple to take over for us... but we're hoping she doesn't have to wait too long!  If you know someone who could use a girl like Abby in their life, have them fill out an adoption application and we'll see if it's a perfect match.

Hi, my name is Chico, and I met the wonderful people at Small Dog Rescue in June this year.  They promised to find me a fun and loving new family, but they have given me so much more already!  When Kelly first saw me at the Adoption Event, she realized that I probably had a condition called "luxating patella".  Well she was right- and the vet said my knee was so bad that there wasn’t even a spot for my kneecap to rest.  That must be why I have never felt steady on my feet, and I used to get really nervous when people tried to pick me up.  SDR immediately scheduled surgery for me, and they even had an orthopedic specialist come to operate on me.

A couple days after the surgery, I realized that all the stress and pain of surgery was definitely worth it!  My knee is stable now- no more wiggling in and out while I stand or walk.  Before I even realized it, I was able to cross the kitchen floor without losing my footing!  My foster mom was so happy to turn around and see me standing in the kitchen looking up at her that she started to cry tears of joy.  I don’t even mind being picked up anymore, which is good because I need help getting up stairs and on to the bed until my knee is healed.

The doctor gave me yummy joint supplement treats to help my knee grow strong and healthy while I recover.  I already took all of my other medicine like a good little boy- and tomorrow I get my stitches out! 

Thank you, thank you, thank you SDR and everyone else who is able to donate to help pay for my care.  You are all such amazing people.   I am a very lucky and grateful pooch!

Abdul is a great little dog. He's won the hearts of every person whose path he's crossed.  He's a senior puggle who just wants to keep tabs on what's happening.  He's a little hard of hearing, but that doesn't really slow him down.  He's got the best face, and he's just an all around charmer. Someone out there has to see the true beauty in this guy... forward this around to your friends and help us find the people he belongs with as quickly as possible.  (Oh, and he's reliably house trained, too!)

After some unexpected changes in their working schedules, Minnie the Beagle is back with Small Dog Rescue.  Minnie is a gorgeous, cuddly girl and she loves the company of other dogs, as most beagles do.  We're hoping that another person or family will notice Minnie quickly so she can start getting settled into a new adoptive home quickly and not have to be uprooted from her foster home again after getting all settled in. She is a really great dog and will make her new person or people very happy... Are you Minnie's real forever home?

Thanks to Rochester Feed for hosting a really great adoption event for Small Dog Rescue this past weekend.  Joey the Bichon was adopted, and we got a few applications for adoptions and foster homes.  Hopefully this positive presence for dogs in Rochester will continue to grow.  If you're in that area, or know someone who may like to help, e-mail Becca at Becca@smalldogsminnesota.org.  She is great and will be happy to hear from you!

Frauline is a new arrival here at SDR and she isn't getting on very well with the cats in her foster home.  She basically wants to eat them. She would do best in a home where she is the only dog, at least at first.  She was rescued from a puppy mill and she is about 5 years old. Very sweet with people, she would be an ideal dog for a person or couple who wants someone to dote on, who has a lot of personality.  If you are interested in adopting or fostering Frauline, please fill out the appropriate form (links to the left).

I know it's a lame title, but it seems like people are shying away from Brownie because he has a bee allergy.  But bees are only out a few months out of the year, and Brownie will be a tri-colored bundle of love throughout all the seasons.  He is a young, healthy boy (only a little over a year old!) and he's gorgeous.  He and his brother, Sunny, are sweethearts and can be adopted together or apart.  He's a bigger beagle at 36 pounds, but that just means there's more of him to love.

Summer time is a great time to foster.  No having to go out with the foster dog in the cold and snow and ice and wait around for them to potty outside.  No bundling up every time you go for a walk.  No shoveling a portion of the back yard so the tiny ones can go in the yard without having to tunnel through the snow. 

We are desperate for foster homes, especially because we lose some of our regular fosters due to traveling and weekends at the cabin.  If you can help, please fill out our volunteer application today.

Rudy is a maltese who is continually overlooked in our rescue... even though maltese tend to be a popular breed.  He is a little older than most people are looking for at ten years, and he would do best in a home where someone is around most of the time.  He would be great with a retired person or couple.  Rudy has been with us for months, too, and we're hoping a special post all about him might help someone notice this little boy. 

Jesse is a darling one year old purebred beagle who came to us from a pound in Missouri a few weeks ago.  He is absolutely charming, great with kids, playful, great with other dogs, and cuddly.  Jesse would make a wonderful family dog and is very eager to be a part of a family who will love him forever.  SDR doesn't often have such well-rounded, easy dogs come through our program, so we're highlighting him in hopes that he will find a home fast and we can open up his foster home to one of the 80+ dogs waiting to get in to our program.  He's a gem!  Apply now.

Poppy is a new arrival at SDR.  She came to us from an independent rescuer in Missouri who pulled her from the pound, worried that her missing eye and huge hernia would be her death sentence.  She got her out of the pound and kept her safe until we had an opening at SDR and we have since gotten Poppy's hernia repaired and she's feeling much better. Poppy has lived with other dogs, cats, and kids and does well with all of them.  She has won the hearts of her rescuer in Missouri, her transporters, her foster mom, the vet clinic staff who treated her, and her escort to the adoption day.  She seems to charm everyone she meets!  One volunteer's husband summed it up in saying she's a 'damn good dog'.  We couldn't agree more.

I thought Alexi would have been adopted right away.  Teeny tiny toy dogs who don't shed usually get snapped up pretty quickly, but Alexi is still here.  He's pee pad trained, he likes kids, loves to cuddle... what's not to like?  He came in with the puppy mill crew from Nebraska and I'm amazed he's still here, waiting for a home. 

His foster mom adores him, he loves being carried around and thrives on the attention that he gets from his human brother and sister.  He loves to sleep on the bed and cuddle up to his person during a movie.  Do you know anyone who would like a more mature, calm dog to be their companion?  Alexi could be the one.

Buffy was deaf and blind and found wandering the streets before she was brought to a pound in Western MN.  She touched the workers there, and they worked very hard to nurse her though sickness and an infected mouth while they waited for an opening at SDR.

She came to our rescue a few weeks ago and she was full of infection. Eyes, ears, and bladder, yet she still found the strength to wag her tail - especially when Sharon, her foster mom, was near. She could always sniff out Sharon, even from across the yard. Buffy knew she had a very devoted foster mom and they shared a special bond. As Buffy's condition continued to decline, Sharon would sleep on the couch at night and rest her hand on Buffy, who slept in a dog bed right next to her. During waking hours, they were constantly connected by a retractable leash so each could know where the other was at all times.

After several trips to multiple clinics, Buffy was found to have a renal disease and her kidney functions were deteriorating. She could not take in enough water, no matter how much she drank, and was excreting it as fast as she took it in. It was heartbreaking to see her go through all this, with her constant anxious pacing, wetting herself, and then becoming frantic over the need to have water. Her prognosis was very bleak.  With a great deal of thought and many tears, we agreed to have Buffy euthanized. We could not let Buffy suffer any longer. While being cradled, her little head in our hands, receiving kisses on the nose, Buffy was put to sleep. To see the calm come over her, the nervousness gone, the suffering stop, we knew she was at peace. Buffy was with us only a few weeks and we all wanted to keep her with us and give her the life she so deserved, one that is pain free and happy, but her body would not let this happen. She will be forever in our hearts and have a very special place in her foster mom's heart. Buffy was laid to rest at her foster mom's farm and will forever have a peaceful place of rest.

Small Dog Rescue doesn't make the decision to euthanize lightly.  Money is not a contributing factor, either.  It really is about the qualiy of life for the dog.  The leadership and foster parent all weigh in and we ask ourselves how we would handle the situation if the dog were one of our resident dogs.  We strive to do the most humane thing always, treating all of our fosters with tenderness, mercy, and compassion. Please honor Buffy by doing something extra special with your dog today, and enjoying life and one another to the fullest.

Small Dog Rescue likes to have some foster homes with expertise or affinity for certian breeds.  It's fun for the foster parents, great for the dogs, and helpful for the applicants.  We have been spoiled to having excellent pomeranian experienced foster homes in the past, but we don't have any currently.  And we do have a few poms on our waiting list.

So if you have a thing for those fluffy little fiesty poms, please consider applying to foster with SDR today. 

In other news, Frank and Casey were both adopted yesterday!  We wish them all the best in their new homes, and hope their families wil keep in touch.  

Buffy is going into the vet tomorrow to have a tumor looked at.  We're all hoping for the best, so please keep Buffy in your thoughts.  We'll keep you all posted on what the doctor says.

Thanks to everyone who helped out with SDR's tandem yard sale fund raisers yesterday.  Because of your generosity with your time, items, and money, we were able to bring in $450 in sales for the dogs.  Kerry Baker and Erin Underbakke deserve special recognition for their time and effort in hosting and coordinating the sales in their regions.  We also had a special offer come through from an anonymous donor who blew us away by offering to match the cash donations brought in by the sales.  This was a really amazing offer, and we're happy to say that our total amount brought in is a lot closer to $900 total because of it.  I also want to send a special shout out to one of our dedicated foster moms, Sharon H., for making an additional gift of $200 to SDR yesterday.  I feel compelled to share that not only did she make such a generous personal donation, but that she is also fostering a very special needs dog right now, Buffy, which is in-and-of-itself an amazing and huge contribution.

Of course there are more people to name who showed up at the crack of dawn, sat in the sun, and hauled lots of odds and ends across lawns and town in order to make this happen for the dogs.  Thank you so much for making this pretty standard fund raiser become bigger and better than we had ever expected it to be.  I am continually blown away by the quality and generosity of people connected to SDR; everyone from our volunteers to our donors to our adopters.  I guess we're all trying to be worthy of the dogs we are privileged to rescue.

You know you love yard sales.  You know you do.  So make sure to hit up one of the Small Dog Rescue Yard Sales on May 30th. 

Northern Twin Cities Location: 5983 Dellwood Ave. Shoreview, MN 55126, 8am - 4:30pm

Rochester Location: 2404 13th ave NW Rochester , MN 55901, 7am-4pm

Make sure to bring cash and round up your tab because we have a donor who will be making a matching donation for all the cash recieved at the yard sales!   We're pretty excited about this and we hope you'll come by and support the dogs.  

Wouldn't it be great if there was some reverse haggling going down at the SDR sales?  "No, I think this lamp is really worth a lot more than this - let me give you $20 for it!"  Hope to see you there - and don't forget to bring your dog!

He's cute.  He's tiny.  He's soft.  He's quiet.

He's been here too long!

Maybe it's because he's older, or because he likes to lay on someone's coat at the adoption events and he's not out hustling the crowd... but Rudy has been with Small Dog Rescue for a long time and it's his turn for an adoption application. 

His foster mom says that one of the funniest things about Rudy is that when she brings home groceries and sets the bags on the floor, Rudy will help unpack the groceries with you.  He likes to stick his head in the sack and pull out bags of pasta and whatever else he can grab onto with his tiny mouth.  How thoughtful!

Anyone who can resist Noney's charms must be made of stone.  Her smiling face and constantly wagging tail are gauranteed to lift your spirits and melt your heart.  I get to dog sit Noney this weekend and I can't wait to have her come for a visit.  She is a delightful girl and anyone who adopts her will increase their smiles and laughter, I'm sure.

And, if you want to come meet this girl in person, she will be at our adoption event tomorrow at the Chuck and Don's in Bloomington from 1pm-3pm.  Come meet Noney and the other SDR dogs and see if you fall in love.

SDR is blessed to have a handful of generous professional groomers who donate services to our rescue dogs in need, but we don't have any located in the southern metro area. If you are a groomer, or know a groomer in Minneapolis, Bloomington, Richfield, Hopkins, or somewhere near there, and are willing to donate an occasional grooming session to a foster dog, please fill out our volunteer form today!  We're hoping to find someone to donate a groming session for our scraggly little Adel (who went to the vet today and got her stitches removed from her spay).

SDR is busy as ever - we're up to 57 dogs placed this year.  Yay! 

For those of you who have been waiting for some little non-shedding girls, we have them!  Nonna, Kizzie, Abigayle, Sophie are all non-shedding dogs.  These qualities are often popular, so if you know someone who's been looking or waiting for one - send them our link.

Also, if you're doing any spring cleaning (like me) and you want to donate to SDR's yard sale fund raiser, you can e-mail our foster parent Kerry (who is currently fostering Mac, a non-shedding boy!) at kerbearmn16@yahoo.com.  There are drop-off sites in South Minneapolis and the Northern suburbs and she can give you details about how you can donate.

For many of us dog parents, our dogs are like our kids. All of us at Small Dog Rescue feel that dogs should be a part of the family and not an accessory, a security measure, or a toy for human kids.  We put a lot of effort into finding special people who will make excellent dog parents, and today we wanted to give a shout out to all of the special dog moms who have adopted from SDR in the past. 

If you long for a little dog to love and adore, and you think you have what it takes to join the ranks of the SDR Dog Moms, fill out an application today!  We have lots of little dogs who need special mommies to take good care of them.

(Notice we have a new Shih Tzu girl who has just arrived!  She was rescued from a particularly icky  back yard breeder and she needs some TLC as much as any of our dogs.  She's called Sophie, she's 7 years old, and very petite.  Photos will come soon, but if you've been waiting for a female shih tzu, apply now!)

We're so happy that three dogs went home this week, but our foster homes don't stay open for long.  Murphy is a purebred Italian Greyhound who arrived this week and is good with kids and other dogs.  He is a gorgeous boy and is very representative of his breed.

We also have Nonna the shih tzu, who is only 11 months old and very playful, and Jack the two year old female beagle, who have joined us as well... though we don't have photos of them just yet. However, you can meet them at our adoption event happening tomorrow, May 9th, from 1pm-3pm at the Chuck and Don's in Bloomington.

I also have a special announcement: Sharon, Abado and Simon's foster mom, has agreed to foster Buffy the blind and deaf cocker spaniel when Simon and Abado are adopted.  So, this means we needs extra help finding Abado and Simon their forever homes.  Please share their photos and stories with people you know so we can have two more happy tail endings and a happy beginning for poor Buffy who has been waiting for weeks to get into SDR!

I love a good milestone - and placing 50 dogs so far this year was a fun one... but it didn't last long because you may have noticed we are now at 52 dogs placed so far this year.  I wish we could have had a little party, but we're all so busy beind the scenes over here at SDR with new projects and and of course, dogs. 

I will reveal that we have a yard sale fund raiser in the works.  Wait - scratch that.  I should say two yard sale fund raisers.  One will be held in the southern metro and one in the northern metro area.  Both will be held on May 30th.  So please keep SDR in mind when you're doing your spring cleaning, and I will be sure to post details about where you can drop off your used goods later this week.

And check out our new arrival: Jack!  He's a 3 year old purebred Jack Russell Terrier and he is a handsome one, isn't he?  Sound like the guy for you?  You know what to do!

Deuces and Jazz were both adopted this past week, and Noney the Pekingese has arrived at SDR.  Noney is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met - she wags her tail almost non-stop and has a smile for everyone she meets.  Check out her profile on the "Dogs Needing Homes" page.

If you have ever thought you might like to donate to SDR but cash seems too impersonal, consider donating actual items we need for the foster dogs.  If you have a membership at one of those huge bulk shopping chains or get an employee discount somewhere that sells infant diapers, we can always use them. Especially with all of these mill dogs who are learning about house training!  You can drop them off at our adoption event this upcoming Saturday and say hello to the dogs if you'd like.  We'll be at the Chuck and Don's in Bloomington between 1pm-3pm.

Buffy is an 8-10 year old cocker spaniel.  She is a beautiful blonde color and weighs 18 pounds. Buffy is house trained and gentle.  She is also blind and deaf. Buffy has been waiting to get into Small Dog Recue's program since April 2nd, exactly one month. 

Buffy needs a foster home with no small children and another calm, mellow dog. I have put out numerous requests to SDR's existing pool of foster homes, but for one reason or another, we have not found a good match for a foster home for Buffy from that group yet.

If you have thought about fostering before, and you have a heart big enough to take in a girl who has special needs, now is the time to apply to be a foster home with Small Dog Rescue.  SDR covers all of the dogs' vetting needs, we supply you with food and all of the supplies you need for the foster dog.  All you need to do it provide a safe and loving home, security and stability for the dog, and be willing to bring them to adoption events and vet appointments when needed. 

Click on the "volunteer" link on the left to fill out an application today. 

I can only speak for myself, but I continue to get so much more out of volunteering than I feel I put into it.  I have a feeling our foster parents would agree (as evidenced by how fast SDR is growing).

Thanks to an unexpected gift of free grooming prior to surgery for some of the dogs by a grooming student, we have been fortunate to shave off some of our expected costs for the Nebraska Mill Dogs.  Thank you anonymous dog grooming student!

Abado, the Cavlier King Charles spaniel had a tumor from his eyelid removed and he is now on anti-biotics and doing well.  The vet thinks that between having the tumor removed and getting groomed (he was soooo dirty) that the chances of his vision improving are very good. 

The donations have started to wane, but with the free grooming for some of the dogs, we don't have as much to raise.  I think we wil be in good shape if we can just get about $505 more dollars.  That puts our new goal at $2,250.  We currently have $1,695.  We're so close!  If you haven't given yet - give now and help give the boost we need to make it!

It's time to bust out the Journey mix and hit the road to collect some dogs!  Kelly, SDR board member and vetting coordinator, will be meeting Julie from Almost Home Rescue (without whom this entire Nebraska Puppy Mill Rescue would not have happened) in Worthington, MN tomorrow at about 6pm.  Kelly will then drive all 9 dogs to Le Seuer, MN where Tammy, SDR board member and Foster Coordinator, and myself will meet her to collect 8 of the dogs.  One chihuahua, Abdon, will be staying in Le Seuer with his foster family.  Tammy and I and the remaining 8 pups will then motor on up to the Twin Cities where our eager foster parents will finally get their arms around these dogs and start showering them with love and attention. 

We have recieved another $410 dollars since the last blog post which brings our total to $1,645 raised for the largest one-shot rescue effort SDR has taken on to date.  We've passed the half way mark!

And here's something new I would like to try: If you donate via Paypal, try writing a comment to tell us what motivated you to donate in the "special instructions" section of the web form... I'd love to post some quotes from our donors on the blog.  You can remain anonymous if you prefer, just make a note about that, too.

We must be doing something collectively right, because between this time yesterday and now, you have donated $885, which brings our total funds raised to $1,235!  This is wonderful news and we cannot thank you enough. 

To be honest, I was feeling pretty bummed for a while about this rescue because it has been so difficult.  Starting with the huge list of dogs needing to get out and the frantic search for foster homes, the hurdles we needed to jump to get a transportation plan in place for them, the anticipated vet bills and the unanticipated vet bills.. and to top it all off, the breeder deciding to keep some of the dogs we had said we would take and the heart breaking photos of the dogs who did get to leave... it's a lot of hard and sad stuff.

But then I opened my in box to find a pile of e mails from individuals who believe in what Small Dog Rescue is doing, and who care about the dogs, too, and it made me feel so much better.  Thank you, thank you, thank you for your supprt.

We are almost half way to our fund raising goal of $3,000.

If you have already given, I of course thank you - and I will give you another challenge of getting someone (or a few people) to match your donation! (I'm only pushing you because I know you're superstars and you can take it!).

If you have not yet given: now is the time to join in.  Our goal is not some pie in the sky impossibility - it is a reachable and attainable goal and we can get there with your help! 

Here is my challenge today: Donate what you might normally spend on an evening out - and take that time to either snuggle up with or play or walk your own precious dog(s).  It's a win for the puppy mill dogs, a win for your dog(s), and hopefully something you will feel great about on two levels. 

Today was the day that about 40 dogs were liberated from a puppy mill in Nebraska!  SDR committed to taking on 10 of them, which we are very proud of.  The doxie we had expected to take went to a doxie breed rescue, and we took a Cavalier King Charles and a mini poodle (both males) instead, for a total of ten dogs.  Yay!

As wonderful as that news is, the vet bills these dogs will generate are not such great news. A conservative estimate for the cost of rescuing these dogs is $2,800. Spaying, neutering, heart worm tests, rabies and distemper shots, de-worming, heart worm preventative, dentals, tooth extractions, ear and eye infections, hernia repairs, transportation, and a short and reduced-cost boarding stay between here and Nebraska all adds up to a lot of moolah spent on this recue effort.  

Please, please, please - click on our donate button and give ten or twenty dollars to this rescue effort.  We would be thrilled if we only had to worry about finding homes for these dogs and not have to be so worried about paying for their much-needed vet care.

Remember, it's always tax-deductible.  I know that's not why you give, but it's a nice bonus, isn't it?  You should really give because after all these poor dogs have been through, they really deserve to get fixed up at the vet and go to homes where they will be pampered and adored for the rest of their lives.

Now would be a great time to break in that new donate button on the site, everybody!  SDR has committed to taking in 9 dogs coming from a puppy mill in Nebraska and we need some extra funds to help get them here and pay for their vetting.  For those of you who aren't familiar with puppy mills, let me tell you that they are a kind of hell on earth for dogs.  Confined to cages 24 hours a day, these dogs have never known what it is like to be part of a loving family, to walk on grass, or to get scratched behind the ears or on the rump. 

In the past, we have only been able to take two or three dogs at a time when these mill rescues occur and we are really excited to have quadrupled that number with the 9 dogs that we have committed to thus far.  Four chihuahuas, a yorkie, a pomeranian, a brussles griffon, a dashschund, and a maltese are all going to know what it's like to be treated with kindess and love once they arrive in Minnesota! 

If you would like to help, there are many ways to do so:

1. Donate any amount to help us pay for the transportation and vetting of the 9 mill dogs arriving next week.

2. Apply to adopt one of the many lovely dogs we have in our program now so we can make room for other dogs still on the waiting list to get out of the puppy mill!  If reading about puppy mills has tugged at your heart strings, you may want to look at the two former puppy mill breeding dogs in our program now: Merry and Trixie, both female chihuahuas still waiting for someone to notice them and give them a loving new start.

3. Apply to be a foster home so we can pull another dog!  There are still 9 dogs left that have not been claimed by a rescue.  We hate to leave them behind, but the truth is we do not have enough foster homes to rescue all of the dogs on the list.

4. Tell your friends about SDR!  I cannot stress enough what a big difference this makes.  This is how we find volunteers, donors, and adopters. 

5. Did you know that there are no regulations for puppy mills in our own state of Minnesota?  To learn more about puppy mills and how to help reduce the suffering on Minnesota puppy and kitten mills, visit http://www.animalfolksmn.org.

5. They already get along - no worrying about whether or not the new dog and resident dog will like each other!

4. They are harder to find homes for and therefore need you that much more!

3. They keep each other company so you don't have to feel so guilty at work worrying about your lonely pup at home.

2. Twice the karma.

1. Twice the love!

Now that I have you all excited about the idea, go check out Bear and Sophie - an adorable pair of bonded pomeranians who are housetrained and cat-friendly.

I don't know why, but we have had lots of applications submitted in the past 36 hours, so if any of you out there read my plea and responded, the dogs thank you! The lucky chosen ones have already started primping for their big moment: the home visit.

Can you believe Small Dog Rescue currently has 23 current foster dogs?! For a little tiny rescue, we're doing really well. We still have plenty on the waiting list and requests for help pour in everyday, but it's great to look at all of those furry little faces and know they're headed toward a better life.

We're taking in some dogs from Rural Iowa and South Dakota this week, too. If you ever want to cruise the freeway rockin' out in your car to some classic rock (Journey, anyone?) and save some dogs at the same time, let us know! We could take in more dogs from poorer areas if we had more transport volunteers. [nudge, nudge] ...Don't stop believin'....

We're all very proud that Small Dog Rescue has such a great reputation that we are contacted frequently by people and organizations who need to find a safe haven for small dogs.  And we'd love to help them... but we need more people to adopt from us so we can make more room for the dogs who's lives need saving. 

I am begging you to please tell your friends and family about Small Dog Rescue and ask them to help.  We need people to apply to adopt our dogs, more foster homes, donations of money or supplies or gas cards... we need all the help we can get to save lives.  The more people who know about us, the more lives we can save. 

It's easier than ever to see all the dogs we have and to apply to adopt or volunteer (thanks again, Skittles' Dad!).  Spread the word and watch the numbers climb!

For the dogs,

Dallas

P.S. Only 9 days left on our logo contest!  Help make SDR even more awesome by submitting (or getting the most talented designer you know to submit) a rockin' logo by March 31st!

Small Dog Rescue is super excited to unveil our gorgeous new-and-improved website!  I want to say a big public "Thank You" to our web guy, aka Skittle's Dad, Dan, for making it happen.  Believe me when I say that this site will save lives.

And, hey, we always need help saving lives, so make sure to tell your friends to check us out.  Poke around a bit and check back often because the site is built to change and grow.  We always need foster homes, but if you can't make that commitment, make sure to check out our volunteer form for non-foster opportunities, too.  Our group has gotten so big so fast, we need all the help we can get.

If you have suggestions, please feel free to send them to me at dallas@sdrofmn.org.  I'd love to hear them.

For the Animals,

Dallas