Douglas Animal Welfare GroupP.O. Box 1850, Gardnerville, NV 89410

(775) 267-7325

DAWG Unleashed is published quarterly and distributed

throughout the community and to those who support our mission.

Douglas Animal Welfare GroupP.O. Box 1850

Gardnerville, NV 89410 (775) 267-7325

SEPTEMBER 2011 VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3

DAWG Unleashed

contents

Happy Cat Tales .................... 2

Cats Available for Adoption .. 2

In Memory of Our Beloved Wylie ....................... 3

PAWS of Thanks ................... 4

Josie finds True Love ............. 5

Emily’s Story .......................... 5

One Really Lucky Dog .......... 6

DAWG Member Profile ....... 7

Dogs Available for Adoption at the Shelter ........................... 7

Exercise Yard ProjectUPDATE ................................ 8

News Blast!! ............................ 8

HONEY – A Sweetheart of an AdoptionSubmitted by Honey’s adopters Wayne & Diane Maki

When we moved to Gardnerville in November of 2010, our goal was to get a dog. It had been a little over 20 years since our last dog and with our new home in the country with abundant land for a dog to roam, it was time. Our son in Oregon has a rescue dog which turned out to be an incredible pet and his experience together with our love for his dog influenced our decision to explore the option of getting a pet from the Douglas County Animal Shelter.

After several visits to the shelter, we saw Honey for the first time and as the saying goes it was love at first sight. She was lying in her kennel and looking up with the saddest eyes ever seen and she looked a lot like our son’s dog. She was very shy and didn’t acknowledge any of our attempts to get a response. The Shelter staff said that she may have been severely mistreated, was suffering from malnutrition and was very shy around people and other dogs. They did say that she was responding to the leash and that she had a ravenous appetite for treats.

We thought it over that evening and discussed whether or not Honey might be more of a problem than we could handle. We decided to go see her the next day and when we looked in her kennel it was empty. When we called her name she came running in with her tail wagging and we knew that she wanted to come home with us. We then took her outside and played with her and gave her treats and got tremendous advice from the DAWG volunteers that had been working with her. Since it was late in the day, we gave the staff a verbal okay to start the adoption process. When we went in first thing next morning, Honey was already at the vet being spayed and getting shots and we picked her up there that evening.

Honey adjusted very well to her new home and all the attention that she received. Two days after we brought her home, our daughter and her family and their 110 pound Bernese Mountain dog arrived and the next day our son arrived with his dog and although at first Honey was shy, before long she was running around the house with the other two dogs and having a ball.

Honey is well behaved, completely housebroken, has gained all of her weight back, is very smart and picks up commands and learns new tricks very quickly. She loves to chase rabbits and quail, hates coyotes and loves to play with all of her toys. Now if we could only train her to sleep beyond 5:00 AM each morning.

Our thanks and gratitude go to the Shelter Staff and the many DAWG volunteers who were so friendly and helpful and who made our adoption process a pleasant experience.

Thanks to volunteers Ursula, Sue A, and Kay for their extra work with Honey.

DAWG Unleashed (775) 267-73252

GARFIELD wins again!!Submitted by Darlene Moore, Garfield’s Adopter Our barn kitty had just died, so in January my husband and I went to the shelter to rescue another kitty. Right away we noticed a big beautiful orange cat that they said was feral and would be perfect for our situation. His name was Garfield. So of course we decided to take him home. Little did we know at the time….Who was adopting whom.

Garfield has many things he likes to do, but his favorite is to chaperone my husband. My husband is not a cat person, but he and Garfield have formed a close bond. When Bob is riding in the arena he follows the horse around and around. If Casey stops, Garfield stops. Round and round they go at the perimeter of the pasture.

When Bob is doing chores in the yard Garfield helps and supervises, usually managing to get in the way. On occasion he will lay down, indicating that it is time for a tummy and chin rub. Sometimes he will even come into the house and honor us with his presence. Then when he’s had enough of that he demands to be let out.

We consider him a special member of the family and really love “Our cat Garfield.”

Happy Cat Tales

Kitten

Join DAWG as an Active Member or as a Supporter. Call DAWG at (775) 267-7325 to find out how to join.

CATS AVAILABLEfor Adoption at the Shelter

Oreo

Johanna

KittenOlivia

3PO Box 1850, Gardnerville, NV 89410

Please Spay & Neuter your Pets

The great day that Wylie adopted us, was a most wonderful day in our lives. Gentle Wylie joined us on November the 9th of 2009, from the caring people at the Douglas County Animal shelter, when he was seven years old.

Wylie was a beautiful husky mix, with one blue eye and one brown eye. He loved his twice-daily, hour-long walks with his best friend Helmut. Wylie enjoyed exploring every bush, rock, tree or just a clump of grass, for all the exciting news other animals had left for him. Wylie enriched our lives immeasurably with his unconditional love and eagerness to please. He absolutely loved going for car rides, especially the beautiful drives up to Lake Tahoe. Wylie loved to run and play on the Lake shores, and tried to eat every wave that came his way.

On July 15th, 2010, we adopted our sweet little Toby, aka Popcorn the purr machine, also from DAWG. He was about 6 months old, and very small for his age. Toby and Wylie fell-in-love at first sight. Big Wylie and tiny Toby, what a marvelous sight. Wylie was ever so gentle when they played together, realizing their size difference. Sweet little Toby, however, was always the great instigator into mischief.

We don’t believe that Wylie grew up in snow country. The first time he saw snow, he wasn’t sure what to make of it. We played with him in the snow for a while, and after that he could never get enough, especially catching light snowballs.

Wylie did not bark. We taught him to bark at least once a day for sheer fun. It was such a pleasure to see him enjoy barking, only three or four barks, as he was dancing and jumping for pure joy and contentment.

Our Wylie became very ill in February of this year. He very patiently endured all the probing, bloodtests, x-rays, injections, blood transfusions, etc., never once complaining. By May he was well on his way to a complete recovery. Everyone was so very happy.

For reasons we can never understand, on Memorial Day, he suddenly and totally unexpectedly passed away. The time we spent with our wonderful Wylie was entirely too short. We will forever remember our Wylie for the unforgettable and loving companion he was.

-- Ingrid and Helmut submitted this story and made a donation towards the future exercise yard in the memory of Wylie. Thank you Ingrid and Helmut. And thank you Wylie for adopting them.

In Memory OF

Our Beloved WylieWylie and Toby

Maggie Bado In memory of Butch DogJean Baudisson, Jr. In memory of Little Holly & Big HollyJennifer Boeche In memory of TerrellJennie Bray In memory of her cat FriskySharlee Cotter In memory of Hank and Nancy TaylorGareth Craner In memory of her brother, Dr. Charles HewelRegina Dorman In memory of Lady, Award, and Tiger Billie Edwards In memory of her husband John who passed away in MarchI.E and H.G.W. Engelke In memory of Wylie and ToshikaDick and Melissa Flanagan In memory of TobyTina Forrester In memory of OscarJulie and Peter Kostes In memory of our beautiful labrador, OliverJeanne Lamb In memory of BeauAnn LaMonica In memory of Josie, my beautiful wolfSue and Bob Martin In memory of Marlene Ambar’s PrincessDarlene & Brian MacFarland In memory of Teddy, the “will break your heart” guyLeslie Moran In memory of Raphael, the Angel Cat of healingLeslee Munoz In memory of “Chance” BeckerbauerGary Neighbors In memory of Susan Neighbors, and pets Lou & NoraJohn and Nancy Richmond In memory of Karen Lugerner’s TykeGloria Smith In memory of Walter SmithBarry and Liz Starkey In memory of Jack & Maria Driscoll’s Simba & NalaDenise Stevens In memory of my lovable Dalmatian Bodie Jean Tomlinson In memory of White Fang and Jay Tomlinson Josephine Willer In memory of Blondie Tom Willhoite In memory of Barbara WillhoiteTrish & Dennis Van der Sluis In memory of Sweet Bodie, beloved of Denise Stevens

DAWG Unleashed (775) 267-73254

In Honor or in celebration of:Rita Bentley In living honor of Natasha Patricia Klover Happy Re-Birth day to my Howie & a big Thank you to DAWGAndi Van Berkum This Birthday donation is being made in honor of Carol Grattan, Pat Rahbeck and Deb NalderDarlene Moore In living honor of Bodie and CaseyCurtis and Cathy Smith In honor of Monica Sellery’s BirthdayCurtis and Cathy Smith In honor of Dudley Sellery’s BirthdayIngrid Texeira In honor from Sam with Thanks Jean Tomlinson In honor of Mike Mordaunt’s Birthday

Barbara AlexanderCharles AtwoodMarilyn AustinDr. & Mrs. F. Gregory BettsCheryl and Mark BlomstromDale and Karen BohlmanJohn BrackettKaren and Kathy BrondelGerald and Georgia BrownJonathan Gary and Nancy BrownDebra BurkmanRalph and Naomi ChizekKen and Vicki CramerMarvin CunninghamMarion DavidsonLinda Dennis

Dorothy FarnonDiane and Wayne FerreeJim and Vera GesselmanLynn and Kathy GraffCarol Grattan Pamela GregorySylvia GriffithGail HebertCaroline HigueraJaffe FamilyKaren JosephBetty and Chu KaminskiFrank KenedyGloria LangenbachRita LantisJessica Ledbetter

Donna and John LeveSusan LippmanSandy McAnarneyRyan McCloskeyB.A. MinnerDeborah NalderJohn and Denise NikakisJanet and Leonard ParkerPinon Hills Elementary School– Ice Cream SocialPat RahbeckElizabeth RobinsonPeter Philips and Estela RodriguezSheri RyanJoan Schlaifer

Sharon ScholtenDorothy SchumakerPat SeilingBarbara SmithBillie TedsenIngrid Texeira and Sam, a happy adopteeMarcella WardMark WhiteWillard and Deanna Wood

Mr. Lon Isreal – a generous Benefactor and long-time Supporter of DAWG and all the homeless animals at the Douglas County Animal Shelter passed away in May 2011. We humbly appreciate the designation of DAWG as a recipient of donations in his memory:Donald Books, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. E. MacaulayBarbara Donald Susan and Frank MiltenbergerHolly and Graydon Elliot Elizabeth WilliamsPatricia Everett

There are several pet grooming shop ads throughout this issue. The shops donated FREE grooming of

shelter dogs who either were matted, dirty, and/or really shaggy and needed professional attention. DAWG appreciates their donations of time, care

and support for the shelter animals.

Please mention that you saw their ads

when you and your doggie next visit

their shops.

In Memory of: Special Acknowledgement of a generous DONATION OF $2,073.00 from the SMITH’S FOOD & DRUG STORES’ customer support of the Smith’s Pet Club.

PAWS of Thanks for your Generous Support: late april 2011 - mid august 2011

Thank you Pet Groomers!!

5www.dawgrescue.com

josie finds true loveSubmitted by DAWG Member Barbara Begley

As a regular Petco adoption event DAWG volunteer, for the March adoption event I was assigned a Doxie X girl at the shelter who had acquired the name of Vienna due to her more than ample size. I am not a regular walker due to ankle limitations so went to meet Vienna at the shelter on Thursday before the adoption event. I found her to be delightful and was pretty smitten with her when I left.

We had lost a dog to old age about 1 1/2 years ago and I wondered whether our 9-year old Queensland X, Tucker, would like another pal. Saturday arrived and Vienna and I headed off to Petco. She was perfect in the car and acted as if she had traveled a lot in a car. She was a princess at Petco and greeted people and other dogs with a waggy tail and big smile. I was concerned with her weight and felt that she needed a home what would address this and give her the exercise and weight management program she needed.

Needless to say, she didn’t get adopted at Petco and I don’t know if I thwarted possible adoptions by being too sure she didn’t head to a “couch potato home”. I got in my car with Vienna after the event and thought about the day and realized she was the pal for Tucker and us. I called my husband, Don, and asked him to meet us at the shelter with Tucker for a meet and greet. The dogs got along fine so she came home with us and her name was changed to Josie.

Of course, we are always curious about the shelter dog’s history and Josie had been brought in as a stray running loose with no collar, tags, etc. Many weeks later, Janet Duzan, Animal Control Supervisor, told me she had received a call about a chocolate colored Doxie X and if she had been picked up by the shelter and if she was still there. The story though fragmented seemed to be that Josie had been owned by an elderly person who passed away and a relative got her but that didn’t work out so she was let loose. Janet assured the woman that the dog had a good home.

We have always had middle to large size dogs so Josie tested our fencing. She escaped from the deck twice and had a great time running around the sagebrush but always came back. We fixed the fence and since then not even a try. She seems perfectly happy here even though she has been on a pretty good diet since she arrived. GREEN BEANS is the answer for overweight dogs. My friend, Diana, told me about this and you just substitute green beans for an amount of kibble. Works like a charm. Josie was 33 lb at first vet check and 4 months later is 26 lb. We have had a few typically “doxie” type issues but she has settled into our routine just great. A wonderful addition to our family!

DAWG would like to give recognition to a wonderful young lady in our community by the name of Emily Muller. Emily is 11 years old and

goes to Minden Elementary School.

Emily came to the Douglas County Animal Shelter on Sunday, December 26, 2010 and presented us with a large wrapped Christmas box. Upon unwrapping the box, we found numerous items for the dog and cats at the shelter. Instead of gifts for herself, Emily had asked her family and friends to give gifts to the animals residing at the Douglas County Animal Shelter and she then wrapped these gifts up and gave them to the shelter. This is not the first of Emily’s charitable good deeds. Two years ago on her birthday she had done the same thing by asking her friends and family not to get her presents, but instead give gifts to the dogs and cats at the animal shelter. This past summer she was at the Farmers Market selling sno-cones and other items and all the money she made was split between the Rain Forest Alliance and the Polar Bear Society. Emily’s parents, Frank and Deborah Muller, are extremely proud of their daughter. They said Emily loves animals and everything she has done has been completely her own idea. Below is a letter that Emily included in the gift box she brought to Douglas County Animal Services this past December and really shows her amazing heart.

“Dear Animal Shelter, My name is Emily. I am 11 years old and this is a little something for the dogs and cats. I wanted them to feel like they belong even if they are in an animal shelter. They still belong to this world and they need to know that they will be safe and ok. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Sincerely, Emily Muller. P.S. Dreams come true for those who believe.”

emily steps up to help animals

DAWG’s Casey M., Emily Muller, DAWG’s Kathy R.

When I first met Arlo (now named Lucky) as I walked up to his kennel, I knew that there was something extraordinary about this little canine. All around us were jumping Jacks Russells, barking bulldogs, and howling hounds, but not a sound from this little gentleman. He simply sat on his humble little bed with shining eyes, perked ears and an engaging white-toothed grin. Many of us have seen that incredibly wide grin on a pitbull’s face that will melt your heart, but Arlo’s /Lucky’s grin was a flashy one! What was the deal with this little cattledog? He had flipped the scenario here and he was watching ME! I peaked back at his kennel door. His head cocked and he looked that me as if to say “come on, just a walk, try it, you might like it, a walk…that’s all I want.” That was the beginning.

Earlier in the week, I had received a call on the DAWG phone, from a lovely retired couple , Cliff & Judy, who had recently lost their beloved pet to old age and were very anxious to fill the heartache. The next few days were tricky ones. I gushed as I told them about Arlo. They seemed very interested.

As I spent a few days at the shelter with my sweet little protégé’, I felt there was something wrong. Most dogs this young have more energy. I went ahead and scheduled the possible adoption meeting, still worrying a bit about little Arlo. He was such a great little dog, I had learned that shelter director, Janet Duzan, had thought about him for her parents because of his amazing temperament and bright personality.

When this couple met Arlo/Lucky they fell in love. Judy was wild about him and so happy to have another wonderful dog, she could not stop crying tears of happiness. Cliff had many plans for taking him to visit his acting friends at the theatre where he performs as a civil war soldier. Their life was right on schedule again. He was now their boy and he was to be named “Lucky” as they felt very lucky to have him and, as it turned out, he also was “lucky” to be their boy. It would take an unbelievable leap of faith because it turned out that he was not well.

We found out some bad news after a checkup at Carson Valley Veterinary Hospital (CVV). It was a heartbreaking diagnosis of pneumonia from Dr. Talbot at CVV with a possibility of a several more potential complications. His lungs were full of infection and his pneumonia was severe. How could he act so happy? I wanted Dr. Talbot to tell me that it would be alright, he would be great in a few days of antibiotics and that he would recover 100%. He didn’t tell me that. But he did tell me that sometimes dogs surprise us. Dr. Talbot gave it to us straight and prescribed for Lucky the best medicine he could to save this little dog. I could not understand how he could seem so well and yet be that sick. Dr. Talbot told me that dogs can be very good actors. Was Arlo/Lucky going to be alright?

I had to be very honest with Cliff and Judy. I was very impressed with their devotion to this little dog. Judy asked me if I was a praying person and I have to tell you that there were many prayers that transpired during that afternoon adoption, on into the night and into the next week.

Cliff and Judy had Lucky for 10 days on very strong antibiotics, and LOADS of TLC - Tender Loving Care. Judy would not even let Cliff throw the ball for Lucky as she was afraid that it might hurt his lungs. He slept next to their bed with Judy’s hand near enough to touch her little boy. They would call and report how many times he did or did not cough. I was so glad the day she called in tears and said he didn’t cough once! There are many more long drawn out details, medications, vet appointments and phone calls that took place, but there was only one afternoon vet appointment with Cliff, Judy, Lucky, Dr. Talbot and me that really matters. All of us filed into Dr. Talbot’s examination room and waited for the news while he took Lucky back for another x-ray. He came out smiling and put the film up on the tray. It was 100% clear! Judy and Cliff were thrilled as was I! He was well. What a “Lucky” break! Between the great TLC, modern medicine and vet visits, Lucky was getting the home all doggies dream about.

Now a month later I called them and found out little Lucky is the King of the roost. He prefers to ask his neighborhood kitties to stay in their own yards. Judy said it was if he had always been there for them. They were so happy they did not let his health problems get in the way of their love and devotion for him. He runs and jumps like young dogs should. As they sit and pet him at the end of the day, Judy said Lucky will often lift his paw to them, she says through tears, “He still tells us “thank you” for not giving up on him.”

DAWG Unleashed (775) 267-73256

one really lucky dogSubmitted by Shelley Luna Hill, DAWG Member

Lucky and Cliff

LAKE TAHOE CORVETTE CLUB

made a generous $2000 donation to DAWG this summer.

The club’s President, Wayne Manning

presented the check to DAWG’s President,

Tondra Vees.

When Don and Darlene Broadwell got their first glimpse of Carson Valley from the top of Kingsbury Grade they knew then that it would be their post-retirement home. Volunteering for DAWG as daily walkers was inevitable.

Don is a retired IBM technician, where he worked since 1960. She retired as teacher aide, school volunteer and stay-at-home mom. “We were coming off Kingsbury Grade. It was October and the valley was green. I didn’t think there was any green place in Nevada,” he recalled. It was barely a few weeks later the same view turned white with snow.

The couple moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Gardnerville in 2004. Don was first to join DAWG. He had been doing volunteer handyman work for the Nevada State Parks when, on a drive to the dump, he spotted two dog walkers. “I said I’d like to do that, and (Darlene) said, well do it.” He did.

It was more than he hoped for. “You get your animal fix,” he said. “Except for one dog.” That dog was special, and they adopted it — a male dachshund – Chihuahua mix. His name was Duke, but the Broadwells soon changed it to “Chuy,” the name of the northernmost town in Russia and also the sometimes naughty sidekick of standup comedian Chelsea Handler.

It didn’t take long for his volunteer work with DAWG to rub off on Darlene. “He would come home and talk about these dogs. I got to know them through his conversation. It was really nice.” She recalled. “I learned they are all such individuals and have such personalities.”

After Don injured a shoulder, she decided to step up to the plate and help. But that required the full orientation, and before you knew it they were a dog-walking team.

Today, you’ll find Don and Darlene at the shelter walking dogs or loving the cats Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. “It’s a fix for your animal needs,” Don said. He also urged anybody who can’t have pets where they live to consider becoming a DAWG volunteer. “They can come here and walk them then just leave them here.”

Don and Darlene are virtual poster kids for DAWG. “You are helping these dogs,” he said. “You feel great going home after walking them,” added Darlene. “You feel good just looking at their little faces.”

7PO Box 1850, Gardnerville, NV 89410

Don & Darlene Broadwell get ‘hooked on DAWG’Submitted by Diana Furness, DAWG Member

DAWG member profile

FOSTER DOGSELVISBODIE BUFFY IKEGYPSY KUMA

LOUIE

JOE MAX

Dogs Available for Adoption at the Shelter

BRUNOARCHIE GINGER

LETTI

PACO

www.dawgrescue.com(775) 267-7325

Douglas Animal Welfare GroupP.O. Box 1850Gardnerville, NV 89410

NONPROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE PAID

GARDNERVILLE, NVPERMIT NO. 3

NEWS BLAST!!DAWG members, lead by T. Dillion,

have been working with a website company to revamp our website with the goal to make it easier and more efficient to maintain. It takes a lot of work, cooperation and collaboration

to get a design that works. Our goal is to focus the attention of our website’s

visitors on our available adoptable dogs and cats as well as our events and services. We hope to have it

operational in the Fall.

Check our working website at www.dawgrescue.com

Follow DAWG via our blogwww.dawgrescue.blogspot.com

and on

The current yard was remodeled to improve the gates and accessibility. The improvements are being paid from donations to DAWG’s Exercise Yard fundraiser. We have the blessing and cooperation of the Animal Shelter and Douglas County for this project. NO county taxpayers’ funds will be used. A HUGE thank you to

everyone who has and continues to donate to this fundraiser. Now we are putting the final touches on the NEW adjacent

exercise yard’s plan. We hope to start very soon with ground preparation of the site and some material installation. The

goal is to have most of the major part of the fencing in by Fall and maybe finished by the end of Fall. Here’s hoping

the weather gives us a break.

First phase of the Exercise Yard Project has been Installed!

Low-Cost spay and neuter programs continue for Douglas County residents’ family cats (non-feral) and pitbulls and pitbull-mixes. Call the DAWG phone line 775-267-7325,

leave your name, phone number with area code and note in which program you are interested. Someone will return your call.