According to a recent AP-Petside.com poll, nearly 85% of people who have adopted pets say it was a positive experience. Today, we’re driving awareness of adoption and its positive effects. The 2011 Pet ‘Net Adoption Event  features a hub page of related content from a consortium of the web’s top pet-focused bloggers and a social media donation campaign in partnership with Iams that will make it easier than ever to support pets in need.

“Adoption is a cause near and dear to Petside’s heart,” said Wendy Toth, Editor of Petside.com. “We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to revisit our inaugural topic and dedicate this year’s event to pet adoption, giving it the attention it so desperately deserves.”

I couldn’t agree more, so here is my contribution to Petside’s Pet ‘Net Adoption Event!

An Introduction

For the past four years, the employees of my company (P&G Pet Care) have taken a day off work in September to makeover an animal shelter in the Dayton-Cincinnati (Ohio) area. It’s a day for all of us to get out of the office, work together and accomplish something wonderful—to help homeless pets by improving where they stay while they wait for their forever homes.

Do you know of a shelter that needs a face lift? What follows is a guideline for how to organize your very own shelter makeover. How big you make the face lift depends on the needs of the shelter, the people available to participate, and the resources you have available.

Leaders and Teams

The Pet Care Example: Since we’ve done this for a number of years, our leaders already have experience in their jobs. Our core team is led by Bruce, our Project Leader. He oversees everything. Working with him is Mike, who is a general contractor and acts as Project Foreman. And Diane is in charge of Logistics & Supplies. These three people oversee the big stuff and each works with a group of Team Leaders who specialized in individual chunks of the work.

Being part of a large company has the advantage of a built-in workforce. And knowing that our company’s leaders—Mabe Rodriguez (Vice President – Americas, P&G Pet Care) and Dan Rajczak (Senior Vice President, Global Snacks & Pet Care)–will be working with us side-by-side at the shelter encourages everybody to take part.

Break It Down, the people you need:

At the top is a core of people who lead the entire project:

• Project Manager: coordinates all the team leaders
• Project Foreman: a general contractor or very experienced in construction; worth paying for if necessary. Advises on needed materials, needed skill sets, numbers of workers.
• Logistics & Supply Leader: Oversees communications to all; lines up all supplies including things like building materials, buses, port-a-potties, and catering.

Team leaders support the Project Manager, Project Foreman, and Supply Leader. Some of the areas they cover are:

• Carpentry
• PR and Communications
• Shelter Liaison
• Painting
• Artistic Design
• Landscaping
• Fund Raiser/Donation Scrounger
• Catering and Comforts (for the workers)

Most important of all, you need a work force. It can be the employees at your company, your church group, a youth group or organization, your fraternity or sorority, or any group of people who care about animals and want to do a good deed. Finally, don’t assume everybody can drive a bobcat, but know that you will discover unknown skills among your workers.

Tip: Make sure you understand which insurance policy will cover any injuries that might arise.

Pick a Shelter

The Pet Care Example: Traditionally, we do our shelter makeover in September. Our Project Manager (Bruce), Project Foreman (Mike), and Logistics & Supply Leader (Diane) start considering shelter candidates in January. We look for a shelter where we can do lasting good and that is not scheduled for renovation in the upcoming year. We look for a shelter that matches our skills and the size of our work force. We look for a shelter that maintains a good adoption rate.

Break It Down, things to consider:

• (Obviously) pick a shelter that needs help; that’s not scheduled for a future renovation.
• Does the shelter have the infrastructure to maintain your renovation and put it to good use?
• Does the amount of work fit with your worker numbers?
• Does the type of work fit with your worker skills?
• Can the shelter support your efforts by raising matching donation dollars?

Tip: Not every shelter has a large enough parking lot to accommodate all the cars that might show up on the day of the shelter renovation. Leave the cars parked at the office and use school buses to bus everyone in to the event.

Collaboration

The Pet Care Example: Bruce, Mike, and Diane sit down with shelter and create a project list. We set a budget, and we work with the shelter on how best to spend the money. Our only requirement is that the money be spent on improvements that will last for a few years and helps set up jobs the less skilled volunteers will be doing the day of the makeover.

Break It Down, things to consider:

• The shelter Director knows what’s needed; you know what your team capabilities/resources are. Use this to mutually create the project list.
• Especially important to use your Project Foreman’s professional judgement to advise whether the work is doable given your workers’ skills and your resources.
• Now’s the time to settle on a date for the renovation. Fall or spring are usually the most comfortable to work in.

Budget

The Pet Care Example: We generally spend around 20% of our budget for tools, rentals, and materials. Another 10% goes for catering, buses, porta-potties, worker tee shirts, and a DJ to keep the tunes rolling and our energy up. We’ll also allocate approximately 10% to pay for the expertise and contacts of our Project Foreman/General Contractor. It’s important to mention that our Project Foreman is someone who is very passionate about this annual project and really does much more than what we pay him to do. We also hold approximately 10% in reserve as a kind of “slush fund” for emergencies. If we don’t need it then we use it to purchase a nice surprise for the shelter. The rest of the budget goes to pay the up front costs of the contract work. This past September, the shelter appealed to their supporters and was able to generate a matching amount which doubled the work we were able to accomplish.

Tip: As a “Not-for-Profit entity, typically, a shelter can get better discounts than we can. So we give the shelter the money for the renovation, and the shelter pays the bills.

Break It Down, things to consider:

• The size of your budget will determine how much you’ll be able to do (and the need to adjust the % for each of the support areas)
• Is the shelter able to appeal to their supporters to match your donation?

Don’t depend on donations to make the renovation happen, but consider contacting and asking for donations or discounts from:

• Local home improvement stores/big box retailers for donations of landscaping equipment; plants/shrubs/trees; paint equipment; paint; lumber; tools.
• Local radio stations to do a remote broadcast providing  music to the workers and community awareness of the event
• Local restaurants/bakeries/coffee stores for food to feed workers at the event
• Supermarkets, warehouse store, or big box stores for bottled water, soda, snacks,
• An event rental company for chairs, tents, tables
• Tool rental companies for big tools (make sure there’s someone who knows how to use)
• Contractors doing the pre-work
• Landscaping companies (especially items they are reducing due to change of season)
• Pet food stores for donation of pet food
• Office stores (or even extras from your own office): computers/equipment; office furniture; printer paper.

 The Project List

The Pet Care Example: We have found that there are four things that shelters consistently need: a laundry room makeover (usually involves a contractor); landscaping/beautification (great for lots of “non-skilled” labor); creating a meet/greet area or making it more “friendly” (great for creative mural painting); and power spraying the kennels (all you need is a power sprayer & a hose connection), so we usually recommend these to start the list.

Most people don’t realize how important the laundry room is in a shelter. Towels, rags, blankets, scrubs, rugs, are just a few of the items that need to be washed when caring for orphaned pets. This room seems to nearly always be stuck in a corner as an afterthought that includes bad plumbing, little space, and always needs sprucing up.

Landscaping and painting are things that nearly anyone can do–with a little supervision. And both add a layer of polish to a shelter that invites people to come in to find a pet. Creating a pleasant area for adopters to meet orphaned pets and interact with them encourages the adoption process. And power spraying the kennels–again a low skill task–makes for a nicer temporary home and a nicer environment for adoption.

Break It Down, things to consider:

• Update the laundry room–do they need new shelving? New washers/dryers?
• Spruce up public areas with paint and low-maintenance landscaping
• Full cleaning and updating to kennel areas
• New office equipment
• Build new structures–how about a new gazebo for meet and greets (be sure you have the skills)
• Can a portion of the shelter’s property be turned into a dog park for the shelter dogs?
• Replace old fencing, or paint it to give it new life

Project Prep Ahead of the Event

The Pet Care Example: We know that we can’t get everything done in one day, and some of the work is beyond our skills. So a portion of our budget goes to pay skilled workers (contractors) to do some of the carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work that usually needs to be done ahead of our renovation day. Also, Pet Care employees with drawing skills will spend time in the shelter prior to the event sketching out the wall murals that their lesser skilled colleagues will paint on the day of the renovation.

Break It Down, things to consider:

• Break your project list down to what should be completed ahead of the renovation event, and what can be completed by your unskilled labor force on the day of the event.
• Sketch out wall murals and pictures ahead of time–make the wall a coloring book that unskilled painters can “color within the lines.”
• Complete projects with multiple steps that take additional time–like hanging and taping dry wall or setting wall posts in cement–ahead of the renovation date so that they’re ready to be completed or painted on the day of the renovation event.
• Have a plan for what to do if the weather turns bad

The Time Line

The Pet Care Example: This is generally what has worked for us:

January
~ Pick the shelter

February
~ With the shelter, agree upon a date: We like a Thursday in mid to late September because it gives us Friday to clean up. Avoid holidays and most people’s summer vacation/back to school schedule.
~ Get approvals from management. Also put the date on senior managers’ calendars—we want them at the event!

March, April

~ Monthly meetings for Project Leader, Project Foreman, Supplies & Logistics Leader and shelter.
~ Establish project list with shelter and Project Foreman; start prioritizing the projects.
~ Challenge the shelter to begin a matching grant/fund raiser especially with their top donors; fund raising can continue up until approximately 6 to 8 weeks away from the renovation.
~ Line up contractors to work for free or at discount

May, June
~ Bi-weekly meetings
~Start lining up logistics and supplies (busses, port-a-potties, catering, tools, etc),

Ten Weeks Out
~ Announce the event to the company with a celebratory kick off that includes the shelter director.
~ Send an email meeting invite to entire company so the event goes on everybody’s calendar
~ Create an online signup that includes asking about skills and tee shirt size (shirt colors designate work team; shirts take 4-6 weeks to order); online signup helps establish a broad idea of the skill sets available and a rough idea of total number of participants.
~ Start the tools needed list

Eight Weeks Out
~ Finalize project list with shelter
~ Contractor work lined up and their project list set
~ Recruit specific volunteers based on their advanced skill set to lead work teams
~ Logistical planning for organization of work teams (how many people needed for each project; what tools needed; what materials needed; etc)

Three Weeks Out

~ Group Leaders assigned and begin work with Team Leaders.
~ Team leaders assigned specific tasks and tour site to see area they will work; fully briefed on materials needed, project needs and volunteers’ skills.
~ Photographer takes “before” photos at the shelter

Two Weeks Before the Event
~ Contractors do prep work
~ All lists finalized
~ Volunteers assigned to specific work groups; work groups finalized
~ Tool rental plans completed
~ Supplies for the event are collected
~ Email notice sent to all involved that includes date, time, what to bring (gloves, shovels etc), when the bus leaves
~ Agenda for the day is planned and set.
~ Bonus list created (usually unskilled manual labor that doesn’t need any prep like weeding a fence line) in case the renovation is finished early and we have extra time.

Tuesday/Wednesday, the Days Just Before the Renovation
~ Make up name badges with team names on them
~ Pass out name badges and tee shirts

Thursday, the Day of the Renovation
~ The Project Foreman directs the work teams for an efficient flow of labor (re-assigning people as they are freed up to help finish the things that are taking longer to do).
~ Photographer takes photos of the event and the work as it progresses. We do a group shot before we start and another group shot at the end of the day when we’re all dirty.
~ Our DJ starts cranking up the tunes to energize the work force!
~ Our company leaders and the shelter leader give kick off speeches.
~ Each team leader has a sign so people can find their work groups
~ Each worker has a name tag that includes their team name.
~ Team leaders take their teams and tell them what to do. If team leader doesn’t know answer bumps up to group leader. If group leader doesn’t know bumps up to general contractor or general foreman.
~ Lunch breaks accomplished through team rotations.
~ End of the day closing speeches—big thank yous.

The Friday/Monday Afterward:

~ Follow up with shelter
~ Do any needed clean up
~ Return tools

Four to Six Weeks After the Event: Celebrate!
~ We have a company meeting to thank leaders and volunteers,  and show pictures/video of the event.
~ Helps us keep our eye on the mission and vision

Break It Down into basic blocks:

• Pick the shelter.
• Agree on the date.
• Make sure the date is on any VIPs schedules.
• Create project list; priortize the projects.
• Start fund raising.
• Start detailing the logistics of the project and supplies needed.
• “Hire” any contractors/professionals
• Alert your volunteer work force; get their commitment to the project.
• Finalize the project list.
• Finalize the contractor work list.
• Finalize logistics and supplies.
• Finalize the voluntary work force.
• Do the renovation.
• Celebrate!
  

  Vicki just finished laying sod!

Conclusion

P&G Pet Care employees consistently rank our annual shelter renovation as the #1 team building experience of their Pet Care careers. It’s an opportunity for us model our mission statement of enhancing the well being of dogs and cats, and a chance to work and bond with others outside of our company who share our passion for pets.

What I’ve detailed is a basic outline of how we make the renovation happen. I hope this will act as an inspiration for others to reapply our guidelines in order to help more orphaned pets find forever homes.
PET ‘NET EVENT SHARE AND DONATE: There are many ways to support local shelters! Iams Home 4 The Holidays will donate 25 bowls of food to feed pets in need for every mention of the Pet ‘Net hashtag–#IHeartShelterPets–and @IAMS handle on Twitter. Users can also share their adoption stories on Petside’s Facebook Wall for the chance to be featured on Petfinder.com as a Happy Tail story!

Some good news in my Google mailbag today! Okey’s Promise which I wrote about last week has been fully funded through contributions from the online pet community. How cool is that! In her email Vicki–AKA the artists BZTAT–says:

I cannot tell you how grateful I am to each and every person who pledged to the cause. Whatever the size of your pledge, you are each very special to me, as you have helped to make this crazy dream of mine come to fruition.

This is really good news! For the rest of the story, click this link.

This is a call to action: Here’s how you can Be The Change in just a few short minutes.

One of my favorite artists, Vicki Boatright–or @BZTAT as she’s usually known in the online pet community–is working on a project to raise awareness of the connection between child abuse and animal abuse. Okey’s Promise, her project, is named for the tiny abused cat that BZTAT recently rescued.

Starting in her home town of Canton, Ohio, Vicki plans on creating a highly visible public mural featuring a child, a dog, and a cat to remind us of those who are most vulnerable in our society. Her hope is to spark a local dialogue regarding the issues of child and animal abuse. This local effort will be backed by a national media campaign to serve as a catalyst for a wider discussion of the issues through the commission of additional murals in other communities. Vicki says:

“The issue of pet abuse and abandonment is deeply connected to the issue of child abuse and domestic violence. Both issues need to be addressed together, not one in isolation of the other…Creating artwork that is highly visible to the community has a greater chance of connecting the dots for people. It is easy to ignore a fact sheet, but hard to dismiss a powerful public artwork that reaches out to you each day as you drive by it.”

Here’s the part where you can Be the Change: Make a donation so Vicki can make her project happen. Every dollar helps–we go farther and the road is easier with a little bit of help from a lot of people–so give what you can afford.

Wouldn’t you like to have one of BZTAT’s murals in your community?

This Saturday presents another opportunity to see one of my favorite veterinarians, Dr. Jessica V. of PawCurious, in tears.

I adore Dr. V. because of all she’s done for animals. Not only does she help animals in her professional capacity as a veterinarian, she’s also one of the driving forces behind “Be the Change for Animals,” a grass-roots social media effort that supports animal causes.

A couple months ago, at the BlogPaws West conference in Denver (September 2010), I watched as Mike Arms picked an unsuspecting Dr. V. from the audience to help with his keynote speech (P&G Pet Care—my company—provided both keynote speakers for this conference). I knew Mike would call on someone to help—I’ve seen him do this before. Over breakfast that morning I had strongly requested that he NOT pick ME! Mike had told me he always picks the person who seems the most empathetic and in tune with what he’s saying. He chose the right person when he picked soft-hearted Dr. V.

Mike asked Dr. V to read a very powerful and emotional letter written by a shelter worker in charge of his shelter’s once-a-week euthanizations. This letter underscores the horrendous emotional price our shelter workers pay each time an orphaned pet is uselessly destroyed. By the time Mike told Dr. V. that she could stop reading (she never finished the letter), we were all of us in tears.

(SIDEBAR: Dr. V later said to me that among the lessons she learned during Mike’s keynote address is NEVER SIT IN THE FRONT ROW!)

Dr. V at BlogPaws:

It is appropriate that Dr. V. again help Mike out by reading a letter. This time, it will be during the HOPE Telethon* to benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center. And it’s a different letter.

So here’s an opportunity to see our favorite Dr. Jessica V. in tears. And be sure you’ve got tissues handy, because she won’t be the only one crying! This will be a cathartic moment for everybody watching, so be sure to tune in to the livestream of the event!

• WHO: Dr. V of Pawcurious and the friends of Helen Woodward Animal Center
• WHAT: The HOPE Telethon, to benefit the HWAC.
• WHERE: Livestreaming over the interwebz at www.AnimalCenter.org
• WHEN: Saturday November 13 from 10am to 2pm, Pacific time. (1pm to 5pm EST)

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*What is the HOPE Telethon?

H=Helping people with special challenges

O=Orphaned cats and dogs finding safe haven

P=Parents and children learning about sharing the earth

E=Educating shelters about “the business of saving lives”

According to the website:

“Each year Helen Woodward Animal Center reaches 10,000 animals and 50,000 children and adults with our unique programs, but we need your help to make it happen. The HOPE Telethon will be broadcasted live on KUSI – TV 9/51 on November 13th, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to raise funds for the Center’s many beneficial programs. Tune in or come visit us at the Center.”

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My best buddy Karen is doing something incredible this weekend. Something I really admire. She’s going to walk 60 miles in 3 days!

Karen (also known as “The Food Lady” on Skeezix’s Scratching Post) will be joining other walkers in San Francisco this weekend to do the the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure™. She’s been in training for months, looks FABULOUS, and she’s ready to walk 60 miles in 3 days. Incredible!

Karen has been doing all kinds of things to raise contribution money for her walk. Including some wonderful art raffles on Skeezix’s blog. Finding a cure for breast cancer is a very worthy cause, and if you would like to help you can make a donation on Karen’s page on the Susan G. Komen Walk wedsite.

Karen, I wish you all the best on this adventure! And I have such admiration for your focus and for your many gifts. I’m so glad I know you!

To give you a flavor of the delight that is Karen, here is an interview she did a few weeks ago at BlogPaws West. Notice that Karen is wearing some charming pink cats-eye glasses. When I had the honor to introduce Mike Arms at the first morning keynote, the first thing I saw as I got to the podium was Karen (right up front as usual) looking very serious in those glasses. Totally blew my concentration, I wanted to laugh so hard! But I have to say, Karen looks fabulous in pink!

You go girl!!

Today is the last day of Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week, and I have three wonderful Fluffs–all from Small Paws Rescue, all with challenges–that I want to tell you about. Take a look, because one of these sweethearts might be your furever dog!

Little Petunia is a sugar-challenged dog: She’s diabetic and gets one injection each morning.

She’s an old girl who’s  former owner could not take proper care of her any more.

She’s very clever. Her eyesight is not so good, but once she learns her way around the house it’s not a problem.

Like many older dogs, she comes to you already housetrained. She likes her crate. She enjoys riding in the car and walking on her leash. She enjoys the company of other dogs. And she knows how to do the “Bichon wave.”

This little girl enjoys people. She’s and affectionate bundle of fluff who only wants to be petted and loved. Is she the dog for you?

This is Mayo.

He’s a little guy–he only weighs 10 pounds. He’s a little lover–a master at snuggle and cuddle.

Mayo is ear-challenged.

Before Mayo entered Small Paws Rescue, he suffered through a botched ear canal removal! He has a badly infected ear that needs ear drops and an ear flush every day. It’s possible that this condition may continue for the rest of his life.

You may have notice Mayo’s tongue hangs out. That’s because he has no teeth.

With all he’s had to suffer, it’s no wonder he has a little separation anxiety.  And yet, he still enjoys life. He gives kisses, enjoys his food likes to play in the backyard with his foster siblings. He even enjoys the company of cats! What a wonderful, discerning pooch!

How can you resist his adorable face? Mayo is being fostered in Texas, and because of his ear troubles he cannot fly. But he’d love you furever if you’d drive over to his foster home and adopt him.

Southpaw is simply the most adorable gentleman pooch you may ever meet. He’s a little tiger in a Bichon/Poodle body, with peach-tinged hair and a delightful face.

Southpaw is sight-challenged: he has cataracts. But the dogtors say that this can be fixed with surgery. This has not stopped Southpaw from learning his way around his foster home and having a good time. You’ll notice in his photo that he also wears a belly band. Southpaw is slightly incontinent.

This sweet boy is very playful and an excellent snuggler. He enjoys playing with his toys. His blindness does not stand in the way of a walk on a leash, if you will help to guide him. He has a HUGE personality! He enjoys the company of other dogs–but he needs to get comfortable with them first due to his blindness. And play, play, PLAY! This little man is a playboy!!

He loves to snuggle with his human, but he also will play or nap by himself. He enjoys sleeping under the covers! This boy has got it all! Don’t you need a playful cuddler?

This week, Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet!

See more Small Paws Bichons ready for adoption.

My friend, Michele, has been going through some hard times with one of her dogs. Her story is very appropriate for this week, because in addition to being Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week it’s also Deaf Pet Awareness Week. A while back I suggested to her that she start blogging to help her organize her feelings and get perspective. The following is something she recently shared with me. Though it’s a long post, it’s worth reading. And it’s a true story.

“Hi, is this Cooper’s mom?” This is how it all began, when I picked up the phone that day. A friend of a friend involved in fostering contacting me because I was indeed the Mom of Cooper.

“There is this Boxer, he’s about 14 weeks old, named Marley and he’s about to be surrendered to a shelter. His family doesn’t want him anymore because he’s deaf.”

I said, “What can I do to help you? Are you looking for me to talk to them about deaf Boxers?” Being deaf is such a small piece of what being a dog is about.

“No. Marley’s family had already decided he was not what they had planned for when they picked him out.”

STOP and REWIND!!!

That’s what my brain did: stop and think Michele! There was a reason I was called and a reason the first question they asked was, “Is this Cooper’s mom?”

Cooper is my 6 ½ year old Boxer who was born deaf. I met him when he was just 2 days old and he was the only boy out of a litter of 5. I picked him up and held him in my hands. That moment was the day I fell in love. I visited him 3 times before I brought him home and every time I went, I thought he seems so laid back, nothing seems to bother him at all! The reason he seemed so calm, which I discovered the day he came home with me, was that he was totally deaf. At that time, I also had a 9 month old female Boxer named Bailey who was instantly smitten with him. When I called the breeder, I said, “Are you aware that he is deaf?” She replied, “Would you like to bring him back?” I was so angry! Not because Cooper was deaf, but because they thought he was a piece of merchandise to be exchanged for a better or newer product! I said, “Absolutely not! I’ve loved him for 9 weeks and he’s mine now!”

Cooper is one of the best gifts I’ve ever gotten. Good ole’ Coop! Momma’s boy from the start! Gangly legs, patch on his eye, following me everywhere and learning everything I could teach him! We taught him sign language, how to ring a bell to go outside, how to come in when we flashed the back porch lights. Heck, he listens better than my hearing dogs!

He taught us, how to be patient, how to love unconditionally, how to accept life is not perfect and how to be grateful for the gifts God gives us!

One more thing he’s teaching us… it’s how to let go.

You see Cooper has Stage III mast cell cancer. He was diagnosed on March 10^th, just one day before my 40^th birthday. He had a tumor removed from his back end the week before in which we almost lost him while under anesthesia. But he’s a fighter! We’ve also tried some alternative therapies to slow things down. Unfortunately, the tumors keep coming.

My vet (who’s amazing!) and I have decided that it’s time we let Cooper tell us when he’s ready to cross the Rainbow Bridge. He’s a sensitive guy, and we’re doing everything to keep him happy and comfortable. I’m still not prepared to think about the fact our Cooper will leave us when his time is up.

So the call I got about a new puppy who nobody wanted because he’s deaf inspired a mix of emotions. How could I possibly bring a deaf puppy home, and not feel like I was replacing my Coop?

I offered to foster Marley with the intention of finding a family to adopt him who would appreciate how much a deaf dog could be taught and how much love they could give. So food in hand, puppy in arms, and my mind thinking I was absolutely crazy, I brought him home.

Marley came home to Bailey, my seven year old Boxer, Cooper m y six year old Boxer and Geddy my three year old Boxer. That first night, I grabbed my pillow and blanket and settled into a night on the couch hoping his crate training would allow me a few hours of sleep. The other boys went to their crates; Bailey went to her pillow upstairs, leaving just me and this little guy. Looking at me like he’d lost his last friend, the howling began! Oh boy! He cried for about 10 minutes, which is about how long it took me to move Cooper’s kennel right next to his. I figured, hey it’s not like his howling will keep Cooper up and maybe it will comfort this pup some. Cooper got in his kennel stuck his big old head in the gap and out came Marley’s tongue to give him a kiss! That night we all got 4 hours of sleep! Amazing!

This went on for a week. Then one morning I woke up early. It was so quiet. I could only hear the faint sounds of Cooper and Marley snoring. I got all my Boxers up and out back for a potty break when it suddenly hit me:   When I signed for Cooper, Marley came too! I sat on the ground and cried. What a cry I had! It was like the gates opened and all my emotions about Cooper and this puppy came rolling out of me!

Cooper was not being replaced; he was leaving a piece of himself behind in this pup. With every step, with every sign, with every patient look he gave this pup, he was telling me “Mom, this is where Marley belongs.” I laughed at that moment thinking, “Well I guess it’s a good thing you are deaf, because you sure don’t look like a Marley!” That’s when Marley became Mason; I figured he deserved a new life and a new name.

I called that Monday to ask his former family if they were sure they did not want him. I was afraid to hear what they would say because it’s pretty easy to fall in love with a Boxer’s smooshy face! They seemed relieved that they would not have to find someone to take him. They were focused on the new puppy they were planning on getting. That was the last day I spoke to them.

I’m not involved in the Boxer rescue groups, although I support them wholeheartedly in the work they do to foster and care for so many unwanted Boxers. I’m just a Boxer lover.

I shared my news with just a few people when I brought Mason home–I mean if I thought I was crazy for doing this, wouldn’t my friends, coworkers and extend family think that too?

But I don’t believe there are any coincidences in life and sometimes the path you’re on doesn’t take you in the direction you expected. I began journaling my thoughts about Cooper and Mason at the advice of a good friend who said it would help me, and it has. I know there are going to be days in the future that are going to be hard. I know that Cooper will not always be here to teach me things. However, the biggest gift Cooper gave me is what I want to share with you.

Don’t ever give up on a pet because they are not perfect, because no matter how imperfect we are, they don’t give up on us. Love is what you get when you give it unconditionally and it doesn’t matter if they can hear you say “I love you” or not…they will love you back.

Mason and Coop

This week, Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet!

And celebrate Deaf Pet Awareness Week!

PetFinder recently did a survey among the adoption groups that are part of the PetFinder site. They found:

• 33% of the adoption organizations have orphan pets who have been waiting for 1 to 2 years for their furever family to find them.
• 27% have orphan pets who have been waiting for OVER TWO YEARS!

Which furry buddies has the hardest time finding their furever home?

• 30% senior/older pets
• 15% pets with medical problems
• 13% victims of breed prejudice
• 10% shy pets
• 10% those who need to be the only pet

Today’s Fluff is Mickey. He is a bit portly, but he’s working on trimming down to a more healthy weight–he’s recently lost 8 pounds!

This sweet senior boy is sight challenged–but that’s OK. He’s very smart with a great sense of smell and really good hearing, so being blind does not stand in the way of being a great dog.  He LOVES to go for walks!

Mickey is house trained (one of the advantages of an older dog!). He is truly an excellent companion and a charming little gentleman.

Is there room in your life for this sweet, chubby boy?

This week, Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet!

See more Small Paws Bichons ready for adoption.

This is Cody. He’s had a harsh life.

He was attacked by his previous owner’s big dogs, and his jaw was broken in several places. Surgery and a steel plate repaired his jaw. Cody also has had some mild seizures since he came into rescue.

The good news is that the Dogtor says Cody’s heart is good! And his foster mom says Cody’s heart is warm, loving and ready for a new family!

Little Cody is a survivor!

This cutie pie is 13 years young. He knows all kinds of different tricks and commands. He knows how to dance! He loves walks. He loves people. He’s a little guy–a bit over 10-inches tall. He’s eager to please and could probably adapt to all kinds of different living situations. After so many bad things, he’s still a very happy little fellow.

Be Cody’s hero! Add him to your family, and give him a furever home!

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This week, Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet!

See more Small Paws Bichons ready for adoption.

Sweet Dalilah used to have a home, but her owners could no longer take care of her, so Small Paws took her in until her new family finds her.

Dalilah is like my Bailey–she has had bladder stones and she sometimes gets bladder infections. But, like Bailey did, she eats a special food which helps keep the stones from forming.

She’s an older girl, and that means she knows about walking on a leash, how to snuggle, and how to sit for treats. She’s quiet, but she’s been known to do a very Bichonly wiggle dance when confronted with a treat or the possibility of a walk. She also enjoys puttering around in her foster mom’s fenced in yard.

The seasons are changing from summer to autumn, and nights are starting to get cooler. Sweet Dalilah is ready to snuggle up and help keep the chill away! What are you waiting for?

This week, Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet!

See more Small Paws Bichons ready for adoption.