Bailey

Here's another photo of wonderful Bailey, a sweet 6 year old German Shepherd mix we rescued from Devore in December, along with his equally awesome brother Badger (pictured in the second photo).

Bailey has been in boarding ever since, and he would LOVE a forever home to call his own. Bailey is great with other dogs, house trained, and just an all around catch. He is available for adoption in Southern CA. If you would like to learn more about this Devore survivor, or schedule a meet and greet, let us know! blackdogrescues@gmail.com ♥

Badger and Bailey Still Need Homes

Back in December, we rescued Badger and Bailey, two beautiful Shepherd mix brothers totally out of time at Devore Animal Shelter. These sweet, friendly dogs have been in boarding since  then, and while they are receiving great care and plenty of play time, they really want forever homes to call their own.

Both Badger and Bailey are around 6 year old, neutered, house trained, great with other dogs, and all around superstars! While it would be wonderful to place them in a home together, it's not necessary. They gentle dogs relied on each other for comfort when they were at the shelter, but now that they have been in a safe and loving environment for about 6 weeks, they are happy and independent, and would do fine if adopted to different homes.

Badger and Bailey are available for adoption in Southern CA. The adoption fee is $250. If you would like to meet either of these precious Devore survivors, please email blackdogrescues@gmail.com.

Chandler

Here at BDR, we see a lot of sad stuff. Poor Chandler's story is among the most heartbreaking we've come across.

This sweet 3 year old Lab ended up at Devore Animal Shelter with mysterious injuries to his right eye and shoulder. Devore gave him one day to be rescued. We partnered with the excellent Labradors and Friends Dog Rescue to get Chandler out of the shelter, and to a vet to be examined. We were hoping his injuries would prove to be minor, for his sake. Perhaps the swollen mass on his shoulder was a benign growth, or minor infection.

We were stunned to learn that in fact Chandler's poor body was riddled with BB gun pellets. Someone had used this sweet young dog for target practice. The pellets that had entered his shoulder had shattered, spreading shrapnel and causing the huge swollen bump. Shrapnel had also lodged in his right eye; pellets lodged in his spine, his sinus cavity, and throughout his body.

Right now, the vet is treating him with antibiotics to try to reduce the swelling, so they can go in and remove the shrapnel. A specialist will need to examine his eye. He may never be able to see out of it again. The vet is concerned about the pellet in his sinus cavity, and his spine. There a bit of wait and see right now.

Despite it all, Chandler is happy, gentle, and grateful to be alive. He has won the hearts of all who have met him.

If you can help with a tax-deductible donate for Chandler's care, you can donate here, http://sarahandemilio.chipin.com/chandler. BDR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so donations are tax-deductible. We cover all ChipIn/PayPal fees, so every cent will go to Labradors and Friends Dog Rescue for Chandler.

Rosie Needs a Home!

Our beautiful Devore rescue, Rosie, is still waiting patiently for a foster or forever home. We rescued this young Shepherd mix from the euth list; she's just a year old, healthy, and super sweet. Rosie does great with other dogs, walks well on a leash, and has so much love to share. She's been stuck in boarding for far too long - please help us share this sweet Devore survivor! Rosie is available for adoption in Southern CA. If you'd like to learn more or meet her, let us know, blackdogrescues@gmail.com ♥

Duster Isn't Fond of Joggers, Either

Yesterday we posted about Duster's, um, dislike of Golden Retrievers.

Well, that's just the start! Duster has a long list of things he would rather do without, and joggers are pretty darn high on that list. Now, we just so happen to live in an area (Cambridge, MA) full of healthy young people who want to stay physically fit. We also live right by the Charles River, a year round favorite spot for joggers.

Every time we take Dusty for a walk, we have to be prepared to cross paths with men and women out for a run. For whatever reason, Duster thinks people running towards us pose a potential threat. We can kind of understand that; if we were a dog, we might find it a bit alarming, too. Duster is a BIG dog, and a bark or worse, a lunge from him can be pretty scary. We feel it's our responsibility as his loving guardians to keep him safe and keeps others safe, too. As you'd imagine, however, there aren't many runners who want to volunteer to help us get to the bottom of this problem. So, we have become masters at the art of crossing the street. The funny thing about runners, though, is that they seem to come out of nowhere! So, Dusty stays on a short leash, and we stay ever watchful.

We have no idea what Duster's life was like with his previous owner. Perhaps he lived in an area that wasn't pedestrian friendly, and there just weren't any joggers around. It could just be a lack of socialization. It could be something specific to his breeds (GSD/Akita). We are working with a great behaviorist, and we are taking it a day at a time.

If you have a dog (rescue or otherwise) who has "problem" behaviors, you know how harrowing, hair-raising, and sometimes heartbreaking it can be. You make progress, only to have a setback. It is slow going. Is it worth it? YES! Duster may not like joggers, or Golden Retrievers, but he LOVES being alive and being safe with his people. He is a loyal, loving dog and we feel it is our duty to be worthy of that loyalty. There are no easy answers or quick fixes. We know Duster would never give up on us, and we won't give up on him!

Duster Hates Golden Retrievers: Or, Rescues Sometimes Have Quirks

Here at BDR, we advocate for hard to place dogs all the time. In our daily life, we live our mission - our mascot and the inspiration for BDR, Duster, is a huge black GSD/Akita mix we saved from Devore minutes before he was to be put to sleep.

In the year that we've had Duster, we've learned a lot. A LOT! The first 4 years old Duster's life will always be a mystery; we have no idea what his life was like before we stepped up for him. Like a lot of rescues, he has quirks. Examples? We've got lots! Here's one: Duster absolutely HATES Golden Retrievers. He can spot one a mile away; up go the hackles, out come the growls.

It's particularly embarrassing because Goldens have a reputation as lovable, sweet family dogs. Everyone loves a lappy, happy Golden Retriever. Well, everyone except Duster!

It's challenging to try to get Duster to work through his loathing for the hapless Goldens. We certainly aren't going to ask for volunteers to subject their beloved pets to Duster's dislike in the hope that eventually he will let go of the issue. So, we pick our battles and cross the street when we see a Golden Retriever headed our way.

In the great scheme of things, it's really not such a hardship. In fact, it's hardly a hardship at all. Part of bringing a dog like Duster into our life was accepting that he comes with a history we can't know. What we DO know is that Duster and dogs like him need lots of love, patience, and security. Rescues sometimes have quirks - just like the rest of us!

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.