Welcome to our first quarterly newsletter. While 2018 is The Year of The Dog according to the lunar calendar, at Grateful Dogs Rescue
every year is The Year of The Dog!
We've included some heartwarming "tails" of hope and love, and some helpful hints to keep you and your pooches happy. We hope you enjoy seeing what our pups have been up to and we look forward to sharing your alumni stories in our upcoming newsletters!
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Tiny
Ruby
was surrendered after a large dog in her home attacked her when she approached that dog’s litter of puppies with innocent curiosity. Instead of being euthanized as requested by her previous owner, she underwent surgery to remove both badly injured eyes. Fortunately, a shelter volunteer offered to foster her for us! Initially Ruby was very listless, with only enough energy to lick her foster mom’s hand and then take a long nap.
Ruby’s recovery has been remarkable due to her resilience and indomitable spirit. She eagerly explores the world around her, sniffing everyone and everything. She loves being part of the family and getting all the love and tummy rubs she deserves. Ruby is the sweetest-natured little dog you could hope for and seems to bear no grudge against humans or other dogs. All it takes to make her happy is a warm lap and loving hands.
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Dobby Is All Ready to Go!
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If you're planning a road trip,
Dobby
would like you to know that he loves riding in cars and is a perfect passenger! He'll settle down and curl up, and maybe sleep a little on the way. Dobby would be a great hotel guest as well, since he is very quiet and housetrained.
Our adorable little Dobby, named after the house elf from Harry Potter, is a perfect example of the benefits of foster homes. He went from being the most fearful little dog in the shelter to a happy, confidant little dog who loves walks and toys and snuggling with his human companion. He is hoping he will find his forever home soon!
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Violet's Happy Ending (by her new mom)
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My dog Gigi passed away last May. By the end of the summer, I was ready to adopt a new friend. I saw a darling dog on Grateful Dogs website; but when I went to meet her, a family had already claimed her. GDR volunteer Kate Singleton, wizard of matchmaking, suggested I meet Fancy (now named Violet). It was love at first sight!
Violet is everything I always wanted in a dog, but never had. She likes to wear clothes and go to the dog park. She doesn’t mind being in a carrier, so we can go shopping and get coffee together. Violet makes me laugh and calms my nerves. I think she is pretty happy, too. A match made in heaven!
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Foster Spotlight: A Family Affair
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We like to emphasize that it takes a whole team of us to save these wonderful dogs, and sometimes it’s a real family affair. When puppy Jolene came in as a stray on a cold rainy January day last year she really needed some TLC. Luckily, five year old Emily was up for the task! They snuggled every day until Jolene felt ready to find her own family.
Emily and her mom, longtime GDR volunteer Michelle Douglas, agreed that Jolene's dream home would most likely be with a family that could snuggle her and keep her safe the way her foster family was doing, and that’s exactly what happened. So it looks like Emily’s and Jolene’s dreams came true! Thanks to Emily for being part of the team that saved Jolene!
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Training Tips: First Day Home
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This is an exciting day, but it can be pretty overwhelming for a new dog. There is so much to adjust to that it’s important to keep things quiet and low-key at first by not having friends (or their dogs) over for an enthusiastic welcome. First, take the dog outside and stay there until he poops or pees In the area you prefer. If you already have a dog, this introduction should also take place outdoors.
The next thing is to introduce your dog to the house while on leash. This is the time to give a simple command like “ah ah” or “no” in a quiet voice if there is too much interest in things like shoes, beds, or garbage cans. Later, some quiet time would be nice, along with lots of petting and a first walk around the block. Tomorrow the fun begins.
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Aside from adopting our dogs, there are many ways to help GDR. Don’t forget, we are an all-volunteer group! We always need responsible foster homes. If you can’t foster, can you help with transport, home checks, or photographing our dogs? Or help spread the word by sharing our available dogs on Facebook, Instagram, and NextDoor? One of our dogs was recently adopted by a foster parent’s next door neighbor this way!
Donations are our life’s blood. Almost all of our funds are used to pay veterinary bills for everything from the basics like spay/neuter procedures and vaccinations, to dental cleanings, and treating skin problems, to major surgeries. We always put your donations to good use! PayPal, check, and cash all work for us. Some employers will match your donation; check with your HR department.
If you donate $250 or more you are eligible for a portrait through
Pet Food Express’s My Mutt program
. If you shop on Amazon and sign up for
Amazon Smile and designate GDR
, we will receive 0.5% of the cost of your eligible purchases. Did you know that Facebook has birthday fundraisers? Two weeks before your birthday FB will ask you if you want to dedicate your birthday to support a cause, requesting donations instead of gifts. Grateful Dogs Rescue is one of the groups you can select.
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Grateful Dogs Rescue
PO Box 411013
San Francisco, CA 94141
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