Mindy

Now here's a dog after my own heart.

Another of the Christmas Crew, Mindy is a petite (about 35-45 lbs.), 4-year-old, Pit Bull mix. This ginger girl is housebroken, she's a quiet dog, and she loves to cuddle. No arguments, no muzzle pushing or punching, no "me, me, me." She just likes to be in a room with you. That's it.

She loves to curl up next to you and just know that you're there with her. I think she feels very secure knowing that someone is next to her, and you know what? Knowing that she's next to you feels pretty darned good, too!

The first picture's a bit blurry, but the second one shows the absolute cuteness of her face.

Gidget

This beautiful girl appears to be a Pit Bull/Spaniel mix, but it's anyone's guess. At first glance, her chocolate coat looks good enough to eat!

Gidget also arrived on December 24th, part of the Christmas Crew. She's got absolutely no manners, but we're going to work with her to change that! She needs to learn basic obedience and housebreaking. She's probably 8-10 months old, and is in excellent health.

Once Gidget learns her basics, she's going to be a great companion. This stunning girl is just looking to make someone very happy, and wants nothing but love and companionship for a lifetime!

Bandit

Bandit is about a year old, and HOUSEBROKEN! This wiggle-head is so handsome, I can barely speak.

He also arrived at PAWS on December 24th, and was very easy to name. (With patches on both eyes, it was either Bandit or Raccoon... Bandit seems so much easier.)

Bandit is a smaller size, although he's on the skinny side right now. If he tops out at 55 lbs., I'd be surprised.

He's a Pit Bull Terrier, and he loves to play. He's a hoot to watch run, as he does the Scoot-Run, where he pulls his back legs under his butt. (Gotta see it to appreciate it.)

I think he might get along with other dogs, but we'll be testing him out in the coming days to be sure. I hope to get a better picture of him posted soon so you can appreciate his brindle spots! Or, you can come by PAWS to meet him!

Rudy

Rudolph - what else do you name a little cutie who arrives on December 24th?

This Maltipoo is about 2 1/2 years old, and is housebroken. He's searching for a person who wants to spend all of their time with RUDY - RUDY - RUDY, as Rudy doesn't like to be left out of the conversation!

Mr. Rudy is a friendly, happy, energetic fellow, who is quick to escape from his kennel. He's an expert at the pirouette, and will happily demonstrate his ability for you over and over.

I doubt Rudy will have trouble finding a home - he's too charming!

Scooby

Scooby is going to be a big boy, probably 75+ lbs., but, at 6-months-old, he already knows sit, down, and give paw! Not too bad for a young man who was abandoned with a neighbor a week before Christmas.

Scooby is a true mushball; he's a cuddler and so much fun to be with. He's got a gorgeous brindle coat - almost tiger-striped - and a black muzzle. He loves belly rubs, and looks at you with pure affection in his eyes, practically begging for attention.

A typical puppy, he'll need help with housebreaking, but since he already knows some of his commands, I think Scooby will be quick to learn!

Could This Be A PAWS Record?!

Six dogs were adopted yesterday - SIX! It was a wonderful day in so many ways.

Cooper, Dash, Deacon, little Yogi, and Harley & Grayson (together) found the perfect homes, and just in time for Christmas. The day was hectic, indeed, but full of smiles and laughter.

We wish each of these pooches all the best in their new homes and thank their new moms, dads, and siblings (two- and four-legged!) for choosing to adopt a pet and give them a second chance at love!

Adoption Update - Blue

Blue has left the building! And what a sendoff she had. It's not like she had a fan club or anything... but you couldn't squeeze another person into the lobby if you tried! And, if she wiggled any more, she would have been the new hula-hoop world champion!

I don't think Blue could have found a better dad; this picture says it all.

We love you Bluesy!

There's a Rumor Floating About...

... that Blue might have found THE perfect home...

And, she might leave for that home today...

Adoption Update - Slinky

I'm dancin' like a fool! My Slinks is going home tomorrow, and I couldn't be happier!

One of our volunteers has decided that the Slink-man is for her. She lost her beloved Pit Bull a few months back, and after bonding with Slinky - I mean, who couldn't? - she decided that her home was a little lonely and could use a big red dog to liven things up.

You be a good great boy, Slinky. And tell your new mom to send lots of pictures and bring you in for visits! I love you, Slinks!

Update - Ellie goes home!

Remember beautiful Ellie? Well, she found the home of her dreams. A lovely couple came in, saw her, and (like the rest of us) fell in love!

We're so happy for Ellie. She deserves the kindest of homes and, by golly, she found it!

Yogi

Yogi, a Cairn Poo, is new to PAWS. Not sure why anyone would leave such a sweet and playful fellow behind, but often people do.

Yogi is just 10 months old and has HUUUUUGE black eyes - pools of ink, really.

I've never heard of a Cairn Poo. In my days, when a Cairn Terrier and a Poodle mated, they had mutts. Loveable and cute mutts, but they were mutts. Today, they're pricey designer dogs that everyone has to have.

Well, I would just “have to have” this boy because he’s absolutely adorable and has a personality to match! I don’t need the designer label!  :-)

Ellie

Ellie was on our waiting list for a few weeks. Apparently, she wasn't getting along with the other dog in the house, and the owners just had to get Ellie out. Hey, sometimes, it happens. Dogs don't necessarily get along and it can be a pretty bad situation.

But then you expect a dog with some issues to walk in. Not a pleasant and shy dog. Not a dog like Ellie, a lovely Beagle/Cocker Spaniel mix, who will crawl into your lap and sit quietly for hours.

If you're looking for a loyal companion who just wants some love in return, Ellie's the one for you!

Powder

I am just nuts about American Eskimos since meeting Shadow a few years back. That shy little boy stole my heart and still has a big piece of it!

Well, this boy, Powder, has come to steal my heart away all over again.

Powder, 1 1/2 years old, was hit by a car and suffered a fractured pelvis and a badly damaged hip. Vets at the VREC called PAWS when Powder's owners couldn't afford to pay for emergency surgery. The choices presented were to either euthanize this gorgeous youngster or fix him up. As usual, PAWS chose to help get Powder back on his four feet.

This sweetheart has a bit of a road to recovery, but he won't be alone. He'll get all the love and attention he needs and deserves to get through this ordeal.

Sarah and Belle

These dappled gals really are sweethearts. Please don't ask me which is Sarah and which is Belle; I'm simply enjoying them both at the same time!

They were given up by their owner who could no longer care for them, which is too bad, because they're really expert cuddlers. They're only eight years old, and I'm guessing that they're littermates.

Of course, we're going to try to place them together, but that shouldn't be too hard since mini-Dachshunds take up about as much room as my foot!

A Very Special Girl Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

Sadie spent a long five years at PAWS waiting for a special family to adopt her. She didn't like everyone she met, and not everyone liked her. She was, after all, a Pit Bull, and with that label came all of the negativity one could imagine. It was not deserved, not one bit, but if you couldn't get past the stereotype of the Pit Bull, you wouldn't get to know and love Sadie, and you were missing out on the chance of a lifetime.
But for those of us who don't judge a dog by their cover, we could look into her golden eyes and see the girl for who she was, and we received a very special gift. We knew a loving, sweetheart of a dog, a girl who loved to cuddle and smooch, who loved her walks, and who actually loved everyone she met.

Sadie was eventually adopted by a volunteer who could no longer resist her charms, and she couldn't have found a more wonderful and loving home.

Elisa and Lou spoiled Sadie beyond words. They took her on vacation, making sure they only booked at hotels that would accept dogs. They prepared special food - chicken or salmon - every night for Sadie. They had get-togethers for the Sadie Fan Club. But most importantly, they coddled and loved her through her chemotherapy treatments, fretting whenever she was sick and celebrating the days she felt good.

Each and every day Elisa, Lou, and Sadie had together was a blessing. I think Sadie would agree that a few years in a shelter was worth the wait for the time she had with her amazing mom and dad.

We love you Sadie; we'll miss you very, very much.  (Photos: Oda Erstling)

PAWS Dogs Attend National Pit Bull Awareness Day in New Haven

I was fortunate enough to spend the day with several of the PAWS dogs and some wonderful volunteers at the third annual celebration of National Pit Bull Awareness Day on Saturday, October 24 at Edgerton Park in New Haven, CT.

Bikers Against Animal Cruelty (BAAC) is one of the many sponsors of this yearly event. The purpose is to enlighten the public about Pit Bulls and what wonderful pets they can be. I just love this event because I'm not faced with the usual "I'm interested in adopting anything but a Pit Bull," so it's kind of refreshing to me.

North Shore Animal League lent us one of their units and a very cool driver (Hank) who made the day a piece of cake for us. We loaded the bus with nine of our furry friends - Skipper, Casey and Gizmo, Leo, Max, Bullet, Blue, Vendi, and Ichigo.

I tried, really, really tried to get Slinky on the bus, but he just flat out refused. Sweet Pea jumped on, jumped into her cage, and wouldn't stop jumping, so we decided it was best to leave her at the shelter. Everyone else rode up to New Haven in peace and quiet and had a fun day out!

There were so many gorgeous Pit Bulls from large to small, brindle to pure white. I was in hog heaven. But The best part wasn't that I got to spend the day with a bunch of dog lovers who understand it when you coo over their dogs. The best part was that I got to spend the day with a bunch of fellow Pit Bull lovers, who not only understand it when you coo over their dogs, but they understand why. And they love the fact that you're not afraid of their dog. Pictures of the day.

All in all, Vendi was the queen of the prom, paws down, and Blue was first runner-up. Hey, it was a Pit Bull event!

Skipper

How often do you see a Treeing Walker Coonhound? Now, how often do you see one in a shelter?

I'm telling you, you don't have to go to breeders or pet shops anymore. We've been seeing every breed imaginable lately. From Siberian Huskies to Pugs to Pomeranians to... well, Treeing Walker Coonhounds.

Meet Skipper, TWC extraordinaire! Shy at first, this boy will blow you away with his sweet and gentle nature, and his playful, frisky side. He's just gorgeous, and I'm sure he won't last long!

Hannah

"Mean. Vicious. They attack for no reason."

It's what people, fueled by the media, say about Pit Bulls. Well, sweet Hannah apparently didn't get the memo!

This girl is a playful puppy who was rescued at the eleventh hour from Hartford Animal Control. Many thanks to the volunteers who rallied to save her from being put down!

Because this girl is going to make an excellent companion for someone. She seems to get along with other dogs, but cats; well, not so much. She's a little overly fond of them, if you know what I mean!

Gus - Easy Come; Easy Go!

I know, I say this all of the time: "He's the sweetest dog to ever pass through the doors of PAWS..." But it's true! Gus is the sweetest dog to ever pass through our doors!

His owners left him with us because he wasn't housebroken. Hmmm... Not true; he seems just fine. He's got quite a bark, but he's under control when it comes to messing in the house.

News alert: YOU'VE GOTTA WATCH YOUR DOG FOR SIGNS WHEN THEY HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE. It's really very simple. If the dog doesn't have a physical problem like a bladder infection, or if they don't have Dirty Dog Syndrome, common in dogs BOUGHT FROM PET SHOPS, they really are fairly easy to housebreak IF YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THEM. Ahem. Pardon the screaming.

Anyway, back to Gus. Loves people, young and old. Loves other dogs; probably loves cats, ferrets, mice, hamsters, parrots, your big toe, celery - you get the idea.

Well, he lasted a really long two weeks. And a sweet gentleman adopted him. You can't even see Gus' tail wagging in the picture, it's going so fast!

Tell me, who has the bigger smile; Gus or the gent who adopted him?!

A Visit from Peanut (aka Tucker)

Tucker (aka Peanut) came to us when his owner decided she just couldn't have him around anymore. This decision came after only a week of having THE cutest puppy.

He wasn't housetrained. Well, they don't come out of the box housetrained. And, if she took a moment from her busy schedule to bring him to the vet, she would have learned that he had an infection caused by a parasite and the poor little guy couldn't help himself. She obviously watches too much TV and expected perfection from the poor little thing from Day 1.

Well, lucky for this wonderful lady and her husband. They met Tucker and fell in love (I mean, who wouldn't??). Norfolk terriers are very expensive and rather rare. It was an absolute blessing for Tucker to have been given up because he met the family of his dreams!

Update - Ace Goes Home!

Ace found a great guy - or is it a great guy found Ace?! Ace is a special dog - very complicated because he knows what he wants. But once you get to know him, he's a regular cuddle bug. This man came in, spent some quality time with our quality Ace, and the rest is history!

Update - Max Goes Home!

The cutest furball on Earth has left the building. And his new mom must be someone very special, because Max was a rather particular fellow.

Just look how happy he is! Hugs and kisses to you, Max, and lots of happy, healthy years in your new home!

A Sad Look Beyond the Pet Store Doors

A pet store is like any other business: to stay in business, they need stock. A supermarket needs cans of soup to stock the shelves; pet shops need puppies and kittens to stock the cages.

This collection of articles and videos from the ASPCA explains just what a puppy mill is, how you can help fight mills, and laws that protect consumers - and, ultimately, the animals - affected by puppy mills.

Also - did you know that Connecticut now has a Puppy Lemon Law? Simply put, if you purchase a puppy from a pet shop and it becomes ill, a congenital defect is identified, or it dies within six months of purchase, you are entitled to a full refund plus veterinary costs up to $500.

The pet shop also must provide you with a certificate detailing the origin of the animal (the person, firm, or organization that bred the dog) at the time of sale. It's up to you to do your homework to see if that person, firm, or organization is a reputable breeder. Now, last time I checked, no reputable breeder on earth had to sell its animals through a pet shop.

It's just so much easier to adopt!

How's My Hair?

Blue takes one last look at herself in the mirror before she joins Max, Oliver, and Leo on the set of Pet Talk.

Our very own luscious male models showed off some fancy gear from Australian pet clothing maker Kakadu Pet, while the lovely Blue modeled a very pretty bright yellow and purple collar and leash set which looked beautiful against her slate blue coat.

I hope fame doesn't go to their furry little heads!

Update - Dandy Goes into Foster!

My baby girl Dandy left for her foster home last night! She was on her best behavior and gave me the best cuddles and kisses yesterday afternoon. I think she knows this is her shot at the big time!

If all goes well this weekend, she'll be living with another Basenji, a Lab, and an assortment of animals on a lovely farm. Dreams do come true!!!!!!!

Max

Now, here's a sweet boy! Max was given up by his owners after the birth of a new baby.

They decided that they didn't have time for him. Which I don't understand at all. He's housebroken, quiet, likes to cuddle, doesn't shed... Exactly what kind of time does he require? A bowl of food? Water? What?

He was terrified when he first came to the shelter. It took a few days for him to stop growling and showing his teeth at people. Now, he can't get enough of us!

All he wants is a lap. If you can provide this extreme demand on your time, I think you might find a perfect companion!

Update - Melody Goes Home!

And it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that bling! Melody was all decked out when her new dad picked her up tonight. The ladies of PAWS made sure she was pretty in pink!

We LOVE you Melody - be sure to visit often!

Update - Maggie finds a foster home!

Could this be love?!

These folks are so wonderful, and they just love our Maggs! They have a cat, so they decided to take Maggie for a "test run" to make sure Maggs and Alex the Cat get along.

Keep your fingers crossed. If all goes well, Maggie will have found the best home on Earth!

Melody - Again

If someone doesn't snatch up this amazing dog soon, I'm going to have to dog-nap her. She's perfect in so many ways!

She loves kids, gets along with other dogs, snuggles like a pro...

That's it. She's coming home with me!

Apple

A great shot of Apple out and about! Gotta love those ears.

Update - He's not much of an underdog!

Our very own Chase has been selected by Animal Planet for the show Underdog to Wonderdog!

A film crew was at PAWS today as a family from upstate New York and the Animal Planet training experts officially adopted Chase. Lucky dog! He'll be living on a farm doing what Shelties were born to do: herding sheep, hanging out with cows and horses, traveling the country attending horse shows, and snuggling at night with two other dogs.

Here, Chase is pictured with the film crew from Underdog.

Now, that's the life!

Update - Fingers (and paws) crossed!

Ruth and Viper, those gorgeous Pennmarydel Foxhounds, may have found their forver home!

Last week, they went into a foster-to-adopt situation, so please keep your fingers crossed for these two sweeties. They deserve the love and affection, not to mention the peace and quiet, that a real home provides!

Slinky

Okay, another favorite. Dandy, Blue, Sweet Pea, and Slinky. Okay? There. I've said the "F" word and I've named names. Happy?

Slinky was pulled from Bridgeport Animal Control about 1 1/2 years ago. He was a mess when he first arrived at PAWS. Skinny. Dull coat. Scabs. Scars. Scared - extremely afraid. He would slink into a corner and stay there. But he would never hurt a fly. Not a nip, not a curled lip. Nothing. You could see the fear in his eyes, but you could also see that he really, truly wanted to believe that you meant no harm. He wanted to trust someone.

Needless to say, it took months for Slinky to come out of his shell and learn that we weren't going to hurt him. That we were going to love him, give him food, medical care, shelter, and help him build his confidence - that was the important element. And, once we gained his trust, we discovered a playful, silly fellow under that sad outer shell.

Now, Slinky stands tall and proud. He plays and walks with confidence and greets people as if they were old friends.

If only all endings were this happy. Now I have to find him THE PERFECT home!

Blue

Okay, we've established that I'm not supposed to have favorites. But here's another of my favorites.

Blue was left at PAWS one morning. Yes, left. Abandoned. In early March. You know, a cold, snowy month? Well, one of the staff found her tied to a fence. (It seemed to be tie-your-dog-to-the-PAWS-fence-week, as another dog was abandoned at PAWS in the same manner that same week.)

Anyway, this beautiful blue-nose pit bull was left for us to find one cold morning. Which is fine by us. Obviously, whoever had her didn't love her as much as we do.

They didn't deserve such a goofy and playful girl. They didn't deserve her snuggles. Why should they benefit from her smile when you walk into the room? She's got a mean case of The Wiggles, too! When she sees you, her wiggle machine engages, she grabs a toy and wiggles her butt all the way across the room until she reaches you. Maybe she just can't wag her tail hard enough, so her whole body ends up wiggling. I don't know, but I love it!

If you can see it in the picture, she's standing on my foot. But I don't mind. If I could, I'd take her home in a heartbeat!

Gizmo & Casey

Gizmo (top) and Casey recently came to us as owner surrenders. What gorgeous dogs!

These beautiful Siberian Huskies are father (Casey, 5 1/2 years) and daughter (Gizmo, 4 years). They've lived with other dogs and very young children, and seem to be very friendly and playful.

Still getting to know them - I'll keep you updated... If they're around long enough!

Chase

Sometimes, I just can't figure out why a dog ends up in a shelter. Okay. All the time. I can never figure it out, but with Chase, I really don't get it.

Chase is a sweet Sheltie who really isn't cut out for shelter life. The noises, the people, other dogs, cats - what are cats?! - it's just not for him. He'd much rather be at home with his doggie siblings, a few kids, a ball or two to fetch, and maybe a comfy dog bed to curl up on at night.

But not a shelter. Oh, noooo.

The first few days were awful for this poor fellow. He didn't eat a thing, he huddled in a corner shaking, and he wouldn't approach anyone. Every little noise sent him jumping and shaking more - if that was possible.

Sweet as can be, he never acted aggressively towards any of us. But he wouldn't take any kind of food from us, either, which was concerning us. Eventually, he took turkey from one volunteer that he recognized after seeing her for a few days. Then, one night, he greeted me with a tail wag - big improvement from huddling in a corner - so I went into his room, closed the door, and put his food bowl right in front of him. I started whispering sweet doggie nothings (nonsensical gibberish to calm him down a bit). He ate! I was thrilled beyond repair!

Chase is typical of his breed; my Aussie would react the same way under the same circumstances. But that's part of the beauty of his breed. They're always watching and learning, waiting to see who's around the corner, who can be trusted, and who will be a friend.

UPDATE! Chase hits it big!

Adoption Update - Casey

There's nothing like leaving all the noise of the kennel behind and getting a good night's rest...

Casey has found her forever home and she's finally catching up on her sleep. But, Maggie is still waiting for her forever home.

I sure wish someone would consider this wonderful girl! They really don't know what they're missing.

Vendi

Goofball alert!

Vendi came to PAWS when her owner decided she was just too much to handle. (NEWSFLASH: That's how puppies are!)

Vendi is about a year old, and is definitely all puppy. She's become the best playpal of Melody, and the two of them make the funniest couple!

If you've never seen a dog do a full body wiggle, you must, must, must see Vendi perform this feat. She will also cover you with kisses and flash her million-watt smile your way.

Vendi is probably best with kids over 7 since she'll wiggle smaller kids right out of a room. Other than her "offensive" wiggles, this playful, happy, silly pup is just perfect!

Dandy

Since Dandy's kids have visited, I should probably talk a little bit about her.

I know I'm not supposed to have favorites. But Dandy is definitely a favorite of mine. I am totally, completely in love with this dog. She's eaten two pair of my glasses, but who cares. She missed me. I was gone for at least 30 minutes.

Dandy is a Basenji-Hound mix. If you know anything about Basenjis, you know that they can be stubborn. I had the honor of sharing my life with two wonderful Basenjis, Rudy and Max, for many years. They destroyed everything in their path. But they were worth it. Even the blue pen on the white carpet fiasco.

And I think Dandy is worth it. I would love to see her in a home with lots of room to run. She loves to chase the ball and bring it back for a treat. You see, Basenjis are smart. They'll check your pockets before they run for the ball. Empty pockets, no ball. Get it yourself. Got a cookie in there? They'll be back in a flash. This isn't a joke.

Come and meet Dandy. I can guarantee you'll fall in love, too!