Our Friends in the Storms' Paths

My heart is breaking today for the people who have been devastated by these tornadoes the past few days.  I had a really lovely dog story ready to share about Meko, but I'm going to save it for tomorrow. Today I want to share a few beautiful things to give us hope. 

UPDATED (4:15PM):  Check out this Buzzfeed article about pet survival stories.

First of all, the dog we featured yesterday, Mac, and his mom and siblings, were in the path of this storm. I was so relieved to see this status on his Facebook page a few hours ago:

I was worried sick. Every time I woke up during the night I checked my phone to see if Mac's mom had updated us yet.  What an answer to prayer that Mac passed the night safely in the basement on his bean bag.

I also wanted to share this post from Facebook:

I have shared these dogs before in regards to their work at Sandy Hook and Boston. I think we all know what the healing power of a dog can do and I encourage you to consider funding this project if you can spare a few dollars. 

As the next few days go by there will likely be many ways to give and help. As always, remember to be careful that you are contributing to a legitimate organization. The Red Cross always accepts donations, but you may want to consider also giving to rescue organizations who are trying to take care of the displaced pets. I don't know of any now but if they come to my attention in the next few days and someone can confirm they are reputable I will gladly pass them along.

Last night I came across this tweet while reading about the storms: 

And finally, I saw this video this morning, and I cried my eyes out.  Don't worry, it has as happy of an ending as it can, all things considered. Click on the picture.

We are sending thoughts, prayers, love, fairy dust, and anything else positive Wiley and I have to all the people and pets affected by these storms. As the next few days go by if you hear of ways to help please share them with the blog. Email me at pabibliophile@gmail.com.

I hope this post is coherent. I don't do my best research and writing at 5:45 am but I couldn't just proceed with the post I had planned today without acknowledging these tragedies. Thanks for all the love I know you are sending our friends. Finally, I leave you with a picture I shared yesterday from Mac's Etsy shop:

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UPDATED:  Check out this Buzzfeed article about pet survival stories.

Pit Bull Strong

We have a very special dog to share today. Now, I think every dog is special, so I  don't want anyone to feel slighted. But Mac has been through an awful lot, and it never gets him down. His mom says he is "Pit Bull strong,"  and that must be how he manages.

Mac was being sold on a street corner when his mom saved him, and he and his siblings were definitely intended for dog fighting. 

 

In fact, since Mac was only 4lbs at 3 months old, in all likelihood if he survived he would have simply been a bait dog. He was covered in mange and malnourished, but his mom was determined to change that.

The original plan was to nurse Mac to health as a foster pup then find him a furever home, but his mom soon realized this dog was connected to her at a cellular level, and Mac never left. 

Poor Mac has genetic defects in both of his back legs and already has hip dysplasia since he was bred for fighting. 

 After multiple surgeries on the same knee he developed a terrible infection and a more invasive surgery had to be postponed.

Mac's medical bills are very costly, but he and his mom raised all the money for them by hand-making screen-print shirts. 

In fact, once they raised the money for his surgery, they realized they could keep on selling the tshirts and other awesome merchandise to help other dogs!

Mac has raised $2400 just this year alone!  The money is used to help other pit bulls like Mac who need a little extra help to find a furever home.

 

 His mom helps transport, foster, and nurse many different dogs from their local shelter and all over the country, thanks to the connections she has made on her facebook page. Her latest foster is Zayda, a mini Mac.

Mac also goes with his mom when she volunteers at the shelter, providing his calming presence to the dogs who need it.

Although no matter how hard he tries he cannot stay awake in the car!

 I have not even begun to show you what Mac is all about.  Please check out the rest of his story!  His mom updates his followers constantly so be prepared to see an abundance of adorable dog pictures and hear an abundance of optimism, because that's what Mac and his mom deliver. Here he is playing with his sister.

His story and his mom's unwavering devotion to changing the world to make it a safe place for all dogs is so worth your time. Plus there's this:

  To find out more about Mac, you can start right here at his web page: http://iampitbullstrong.com/

This site links to all his accounts, like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

Here's a direct link if you're on Facebook: definitely make sure you like Mac's page.

Whatever you do, make sure you check out her Etsy shop. That's where you can purchase not only Mac's tshirts but also lots of other great stuff, like this:

Wiley and I are so grateful and encouraged by Mac and his mom and all they are doing for our canine pals.  We hope she continues to keep us posted on Mac. Wiley and I are saying a prayer for Mac's upcoming knee surgery and his overall health in general.

Readers, let's all do what we can for rescue dogs by sharing what rescue dogs can do for us. Email me at pabibliophile@gmail.com

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Sunday's Grab-bag: FOTB: Friends of the Blog

This week a number of my friends on Facebook shared some particularly adorable pictures of their pets which also happen to be rescue dogs.  I shared them on the Rescue Dog Blog's Facebook page, but I wanted to share them here too.

This is Lizzie. She's appeared in a few of our Photo Shares and her mom, Amy, keeps assuring me she is going to send Lizzie's full rescue story in soon.  Hmmm. She had better!  Lizzie is too cute not to share. Anyway, Amy broke her ankle a few weeks ago, which has put quite the damper on the active lifestyle she and Amy were used to.

Amy's sister, Sue, was nice enough to come visit Amy and take Lizzie for a walk, and this is the thanks she got!

Lizzie decided she would rather sunbathe. This dog seems like she's full of personality!

Speaking of personality, we have shared Rosco a few times on the blog. A few months ago Rosco found out his family was going to grow, and this week Katie and Matt and Rosco all got more specific details.

Congratulations!

Katie and Rosco and Amy and Lizzie are all FOTB (Friends of the Blog) and we thank them for reading it faithfully.  If you're the praying type feel free to pray for a safe and healthy pregnancy for Katie and a speedy recovery for Amy.

Check in often this week and please. . .share your rescue story! Email me at pabibliophile@gmail.com.

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What did you miss? 5/13/13 -5/17/13

 

The blog was all over the place this week.  We started in Oz, and I don't mean Australia, I mean Over the Rainbow with Jessy and Brindy. Tuesday we shared Bertie, who lived in Scotland.  The Great Outdoors Photo Share started with snow and ended at the beach.  Thursday I told you about Cujoe's oral surgery, and my parents report that he gets better and better every day.  Finally on Feel-Good Friday I addressed a topic we all know well. . .  treating our pets like humans.

I am looking for ideas for the next Photo Share.  People have shared some good ones with me. If you think of any good ways to get everyone to share their pet photos get in touch with me via email at pabibliophile@gmail.com or contact me in one of these ways.  As always, we welcome your personal rescue stories too.

I never got a chance to share this picture of Wiley, and it is way too good not to share!

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Feel-Good Friday: Do you think your pet is a human?

Today I'm sharing a link to a fun Buzzfeed article, "24 Signs Your Person Thinks You're Human."  They have adorable pictures of dogs and cats in silly scenarios, some of which I think Wiley can definitely identify with.  For example:

Wiley celebrated Easter, but we didn't make him! He wanted to!

Now, this one I personally object to:

Who knows what Wiley is capable of doing?  Maybe he will become a famous detective!

You need to click on this link if for no other reason that the fact that there are pictures like this:

I hope you enjoyed your Friday Frivolity.  Have a great weekend and don't forget to share your rescue stories with the blog. Email me at pabibliophile@gmail.com

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Uncle Cujoe

This is Cujoe (right) and Gracie (left).  Wiley's Uncle Cujoe and Aunt Gracie in fact. We've featured them before on the blog. My parents adopted Cujoe from the Hillside SPCA, the same shelter Wiley came from. 

Cujoe was found running through a cemetery near the shelter.   They believed he might have been dumped by a puppy mill. 

Most of Cujoe's day consists of this:

He finds my mom and plants himself securely beside her. If she is going to be busy for awhile he'll lie in one of his many beds or curl up on the chair with Gracie and/0r my dad.

Poor Cujoe has had a rough week.  He had surgery on Monday to remove a few lumps found on his gums, and 13 of his teeth. Awww poor pup. : /  Look, in the picture below he was posing for us, showing the need for the upcoming surgery.

When I spoke to my parents they said he was pretty out of it for about 24 hours after the surgery, but by mid-day Tuesday he was figuring out how to eat with his cone on, and was stealing food from his sister's dish.

Will you keep Cujoe in your thoughts and prayers this week? We need a speedy recovery so he can get back to living the good life and enjoying the way my parents spoil him. In the meantime, this is what he has to say about wearing the cone of shame:

Send your rescue stories to the blog please!  Email me at pabibliophile@gmail.com

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The Great Outdoors Photo Share: Day Seven

When we extended the Great Outdoors Photo Share we never anticipated we would get so many great pictures! Thanks to everyone who sent in pictures of their pets enjoying the outside world, and keep those pictures coming. 

Today I have two more Waldo pictures, and then I will calm down with the snow pictures I promise.  This bottom picture is just too funny though. He found the last tiny little bit of remaining snow and enjoyed every little bit of it.

Speaking of finding a cool spot, look where Ilsa wound up when she was visiting the farm and was played out.

And when she and Jaroo sought shady relief, poor Brownie, who is an older rescue dog who lives on the farm, tried to pretend she still had the spot all to herself.  Can you spot Brownie all the way over on the left?

Here Coco and Candy chase each other in a shady spot.

Freckles found a shady spot too, and look at his view!

Well we started with snow and finished on the beach. Do you have any good beach pictures of your pets?  What about any where they're all curled up in a shady spot?  Email me at pabibliophile@gmail.com and I'll share your pictures right here! Also, I'm starting to think of new ideas for our next photo share. What are your thoughts?  What is a good way to include many of our readers' pet pictures?

Please spread the word:  we are running low on stories. If you have been thinking about sharing with us now is a great time!  Thanks. 

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