Badger and Bailey Want a Home for the Holidays

Badger and Bailey are looking for their forever home! This beautiful, bonded pair of Shepherd mixes were rescued from Devore Animal Shelter in San Bernardino, CA.

They are about 6 years old, neutered, house trained, and all around great dogs. It would be ideal to find them a home together, but that's not required.

Badger and Bailey are currently boarding in Newport Beach, CA. These miracle brothers would LOVE a home for the holidays.

Anyone interested in adopting Badger and Bailey can email us, blackdogrescues@gmail.com.

Harder to Place: Middle Aged and Senior Dogs

Puppies are incredibly cute - we wouldn't argue with that! But we can say from our own experience that adopting a middle aged dog is a truly wonderful experience. No chewed up shoes, no potty training!

We see so many middle aged and senior dogs come into shelters and rescues, where they languish, and what a tragedy that is! Adult dogs have wonderful, full personalities, and truly understand the value of a loving home and a soft bed.

Our rescued Brittany, Pepper, was 4 years old when we adopted him through America Brittany Rescue. Turns out that's a perfect age! Pepper came to us with just the right amount of energy, and we already knew his likes and dislikes thanks to his foster mom. No accidents in the house, nothing sacrificed to puppy teething.

Pepper is now 8 years old and we can't imagine our life without him. He taught us that there's so much to be said for adopting an adult dog, so we're shouting it from the rooftops!

Harder to Place: Dogs Who Don't Get Along With Other Dogs

This is the first in a series of posts about dogs that are considered hard to place. One of the most common problems? Dogs who don't get along with other dogs.

Anyone who does rescue work knows it can be particularly challenging to find a home for a dog that doesn't play well with others. Many people looking to adopt already have a dog at home, and want a companion for him or her. Perhaps others love the idea of taking their new pup to a dog park, and don't want to give that up.

The sad fact is that dogs who need to be only dogs are less likely to be rescued, and what a shame that is! Our beloved mascot, Duster, is very picky about his canine companions, but with a careful introduction, he grew to love our other rescued pup, a Brittany named Pepper. It's true that Duster isn't a dog park candidate, but we're okay with that. His quality of life is still very high, and ours is, too.

If you're considering adoption, and don't already have a dog, consider opening your heart and home to an "only dog" pup. You really will be saving a life!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

You can tell a lot about a shelter by the way it represents animals in its care. Shelters that care, even those that are regrettably high kill - shelters that care take the time to photograph dogs and cats so that you can see the wonderful faces, and get at least some sense of personality and best qualities. Many shelters allow volunteers to take flattering photos, if the shelter itself doesn't have the resources on its own.

Devore Animal Shelter had steadfastly refused volunteer offers to take dignified photos of its dogs and cats, despite numerous complaints about the terrible quality of the pictures it takes of dogs and cats available for adoption.

The great injustice of this heartless approach is that these dogs and cats have less than a week to be adopted or rescued, and the only chance they have is being seen on the website or in networking emails. The shelter photo is their only hope - and Devore continues to churn out carelessly taken, out of focus photos.

Dixon was a 6 year old Shepherd mix who came to Devore as part of a hoarding case. He had lived a life of neglect, just one of many dogs his owner had but couldn't properly care for. Dixon's one chance at a better life was being seen on Devore site, or in networking emails. His photo was his one opportunity to show the world he was worthy of love, of life.

Devore couldn't be bothered to take a clear shot of his sweet, grey muzzled face. Dixon did not make it out of Devore alive. Shame on you, Devore. This dog deserved better.

Wonderful Tanner Needs a Home

We rescued Tanner from Devore Animal Shelter's euth list last month. Since then, he's been at a wonderful boarding kennel, getting lots of good nutrition and good exercise.

Tanner is SO ready for his forever people to find him, though. This 2 year old Shepherd mix has a huge, happy heart and a loving disposition. Tanner is great with other dogs, and with cats, too. He's house trained, walks beautifully on a leash, and knows his basic commands.

Tanner is currently in Newport Beach, CA. We would prefer to find him a home in Southern CA but the right home outside that area will absolutely be considered.

If you'd like to learn more about this special boy, contact us at blackdogrescues@gmail.com.

Duster, BDR's Mascot and the Poster Dog for "Unadoptables"

Our big, beautiful Duster is pretty much the poster dog for "unadoptables." He's HUGE, black, male, middle-aged, fearful with strangers, dislikes most other dogs, and would be a disaster in a household with cats. He's also one of the great loves of our life.

We can't say it's always been easy, but Duster has taught us so much about patience, and trust. He is gentle as a lamb with people he loves, and he's grown very attached to our other rescue pup, a Brittany named Pepper.

In the 8 months since we opened our heart and home to Duster, we have discovered that earning his love and his trust is rewarding in ways we could never have anticipated. Although he is regal and reserved with strangers, Duster is a total clown with us - a true goofball and a fast and funny friend.

It should also be noted that we created Black Dog Rescues as a result of taking Duster under our wing, and for that inspiration we love and thank him, forever.