Update on Gracie

Gracie is finished her heat and we hope she will get the medical OK to get spayed come December.


Gracie getting a belly rub!

She has learned how to play fetch after four months. For those familiar with dogs who have been badly neglected or abused, learning to play is a big step in progress and trust - so we are very happy to show you this video of Gracie playing! She is still looking for a home, one without other animals so she can be treated as a princess :)

New Photos of Gracie

New photos of Gracie... and a reminder what she USED to look like!!



This was her just four short months ago...

Gracie's Story

Here is a video I put together of Gracie and her progress from July to October. Enjoy!

Well we raised the money for the first training session to happen. Gracie is already getting along with some dogs which is a promising sign! Please watch my video blog below. She still has lengthy vet work, but LOYAL rescue has offered to foot the bills but would graciously (no pun intended) accept donations for Gracie and the latest puppy mill survivors form Quebec - I urge you to read their blog - www.loyalrescue.blogspot.com and about the two large busts in Canada that happened. Horrifying stuff!! They really need the support and funds as they have been supporting financially BOTH my fosters (see Junior in the videos - he's a camera hog!). So $5 etc. goes a long way for rescues - I assure you!

Ode to Oliver aka Junior

Junior aka Oliver
Ode to Junior

So at the end of August I saw a dog in a cage at the pound where I volunteer. Generally I only focus on the special needs dogs, but I saw this dog, scared and something just clicked. Maybe it was because he looked so much like my own dog, but there was this remarkable charm this dog had from day one. Unfortunately, his nose was badly sunburned (yes dogs get sunburns!!) and his coat completely matted horribly. He was scared and alone! So we decided to help him out and he bounded with our Charlie right away, and hoped into bed right when we got him home.

We are hoping that an active family who enjoys affection and attention from such an exceptionally special dog will love Junior, aka Junebug aka Jube-Jube aka Jubey aka Jupiter aka Juniper.. you get the point. He's kind of been overshadowed by our resident drama pup Gracie, but he has done nothing but bring joy and happiness into our lives. He's not perfect, he hasn't got that dogs go potty outside not by the toliet and that you don't need to rearrange the furniture or unstuff a pillow everyday - but he's such a genuine soul. LOYAL rescue offered to pay for all his vetting from shots to neuter (www.loyalrescue.blogspot.com)

It's hard not to get attached but this guy is truly a special little man with a very gentle heart and a big soul to share with everyone!!! I hope which ever new family adopts him realize what a special, special, special, special, guy he is! Please enjoy the photos...!! *tear*


Junior the first day I met him. Most of his coat had to be cut off but its growing in nicely.



Junior and his best friend Charlie - they love each other so much except when Junior wears a cone. Then Charlie does not love Junior. So it's not unconditional love but it's pretty close. They really look like brothers but Junebug is much younger and a different mix then Charlie.


Junior being ridiculously cute as always, in the backyard. A nice time to lie down on the grass!


Junior after his neuter on Monday - the cone head! such a patient dog!!!!

The Gracie & Pumpkin Sale!!!

The Gracie & Pumpkin Sale

From Nicole http://latejuly.etsy.com and Dawn http://fashionsplatter.etsy.com

(thanks so much to Marjorie http://whskr.etsy.com for putting ths post
together for us!)


These are stories of hopes and dreams. Gracie is a charming and sweet
2 year old Shar-pei mix found as a stray in the worst possible
condition. Pumpkin is a cat found shot with a brutal arrow, a story
that shocked many of us.

I'll be brief, but here's the outline about both our fund raising
aims. Gracie has skin issues that have taken time and a lot of money
to heal, she needs vital remedial training to give her the confidence
to mix with other dogs before she takes that crucial step to the new
forever home waiting for her. Pumpkin needs help with medication and
surgery fees after his desperate injury.

Gracie needs $250 initially to engage a trainer to help plus anther
$200 to guarantee her the training to be able to walk out into the
world with her head held high - a totally confident young dog.

Pumpkin's needs are still being assessed but his operation costs and
medication will need to be met, to ensure he remains free from
infection after his amputation. A three legged cat can do just fine,
thank you!

Two among many, we know, but we can make a difference here. The following Etsy
sellers have offered items for sale to help both Pumpkin and Gracie.
Their generosity is overwhelming, and we are grateful. Please check
out the following sellers and items.

WHSKR
http://whskr.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5900335 For GRACIE
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15470720 For GRACIE
with a Harry Potter theme!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15989712 for Pumpkin!!

LolaLynn
http://lolaynn.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15994379 for Pumpkin
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15811406 for Pumpkin

bluewhimsy
http://bluewhimsy.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9772426 for Pumpkin

DragonRags
http://dragonrags.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14992043 for Pumpkin

midnightrabbits
http://midnightrabbits.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15714751 for Pumpkin
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8807177 Gracie
50% of all other sales divided between Gracie and Pumpkin!

TheRustic Home
www.TheRusticHome.etsy.com
20% of all sales to Pumpkin

PunkeyMonkey
www.PunkeyMonkey.etsy.com
20% of all sales to Pumpkin

ThingsThatGoBump
www.ThingsThatGoBump.etsy.com
20% of all sales to Pumpkin

GoodMojo
www.GoodMojo.etsy.com
20% of all sales to Pumpkin

fashionsplatter
http://fashionsplatter.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10495805 for Gracie
100% of all other sales to Pumpkin

claynfiber
http://www.claynfiber.etsy.com
at least 50% of proceeds from all items to Pumpkin

curlymonkey
http://curlymonkey.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7619853 for Pumpkin

BeadedTail
http://beadedtail.etsy.com
Proceeds from all sales this week to Pumpkin!

Pink Bunny Designs
100% of the proceeds of this item will go to Pumpkin:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15875249
And 100% from this one will go to Gracie:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15105338

LateJuly
http://latejuly.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14019677 for Pumpkin
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13929365 for Pumpkin
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13215605 for Pumpkin
100% of all other sales to Gracie

JMcGuinness
http://jmcguinness.etsy.com
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15971068 for Gracie
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9239804 for Pumpkin

CrazyHappy
www.crazyhappy.etsy.com:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14914613
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14855118
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13825217
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13824323
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13239719

Read Pumpkin's story HERE: http://withoutqualification.com/
Read Gracie's story HERE: http://latejulyphotography.blogspot.com/

The GRACIE SALE!!!

Hi all,

I am having a sale for Gracie - to help raise funds for her full recovery. She is looking better but we are in need of hiring a trainer for her as she appears to have a fear of other dogs. If I can get this trainer (who will be her trainer for the rest of her life should she need any other therapy) Gracie will have a PERMANENT home to call her own for the rest of her very long life!!!

So... please check out my etsy store... www.latejuly.etsy.com Buy 2 get 1 free! All proceeds going towards Gracie!




Or check out the right hand corner and click donate! Gracie is still, yes, still at the shelter but I am working very hard to change that in the very near future. None of this would have been done without the support from the public and we both thank you! WOOF!

Least we forget the long road Gracie has had....

Her upon arrival July 30th, 2008

Blog and dog.. they rhyme!

So I'm trying this video blog thing, hopefully I explain things better..., enjoy the music and the footage today i took at the vets :) rhyme!



Here's the ONE photo Gracie let me take today. She's going into heat and is in no mood for the camera! I don't blame her...

Gracie Fundraiser

Hi ok, so Gracie went to the vet last week and used up the last of my funds for her.

Here's the situation, and it's one of the hardest ones I've had to deal with, with a dog. Gracie is pink all over, and itchies until she bleeds - so we had to put on a t-shirt and a cone on her. I can't express how much better she looks, but what a long road is ahead of her. And this dog is PATIENT! She deserves the dog of the year award. She is so uncomfortable, literally in her own skin, and I thank that to the sharpei in her (she even has a purple tongue)

We did a skin biopsy as the scrapings came back negative. The skin biopsy showed excessive amounts of yeast, allergies and a massive infection. Which would make sense because she got worse once she went off antibiotics.

I've set up another chipin. My goal is another $800 - don't ask me how I'm going to do this but I do need to do this. It's frustrating but I have to help. LOYAL rescue has been doing their part as well but they have 40 other dogs they are looking after too.

Ideally, she will need an expensive blood test to determine her allergies so all modifications can be made complete. There have even been one or two whispers of a possible home in Ontario for her - but she is not allowed going anywhere until she improves.

The Twins

Here is our dog Charlie (the curly tailed one) and Junior aka Oliver, our foster, playing with a squirrel toy and wagging their tail.

Gracie out from behind bars!!!

As everyone can see below, Gracie is doing great. Her skin isn't a whole lot better but it's getting there. See her before and after photo. She is still looking for a foster and/or an adoptive home; check it out:


Before... ....after!!!!


Big shout out to Kennel Inn Inc. who paid for a big chunk of Gracie's bills and have taken great care of her and to LOYAL rescue for footing the rest of the bills.

Also to Camille's Studio at www.camillesstudio.etsy.com for her lovely rosie pink collar!

Check out her freedom video, she's almost there, she needs a home to call her own!!!

Junior aka Oliver

I've been kind of M.I.A. lately. On Friday Jesse and I took in a terrier mix, from our local pound. Poor guy is so underweight and was so matted. We groomed him ourselves, and bathed him.

He loves our JRT-Shihtzu mix Charlie - he follows him around and plays second fiddle to him so to speak. They also look a like, so much so everyone has started calling Oliver, Junior!

LOYAL rescue has offered to pay for all his vetting (shots, HW test, neuter etc.) and will adopt him out through their program, which saves us a lot of work! I speak very highly of this rescue, they are the largest small dog rescue in Canada in my opinion, and they rescue across Canada the U.S. Check them out here: http://www.loyalrescue.com/

Also you check Oliver's profile out here: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=11869132

He is so sweet and intelligent. Very passive. He is so smart that he figured out how to use the remote control windows in my car!! He loves the wind in his face :) He goes to the vet today to try to brain storm how to put weight on him.

What is happening with Gracie?

I haven't blogged awhile in Gracie because there is not a whole lot to report.

Gracie is slowly progressing, but seems to have hit a plateau. Because we could neither confirm or prove what type of mange she had, she has to stay at the shelter until mid september when she receives her third mange treatment.

For those of you who are unaware (I sure was!) there are two types of mange, demodex and sarcoptic. Generally speaking, demodex is passed from mom to pup, and is not contagious to humans or animals. Sarcoptic mange is contagious to animals and humans (in humans it is called scabies, and causes a bad rash over your body). Sarcoptic mange is treatble but it takes about 30 to 60 days to clear up completely.

Only 20% of dogs who have mange test positive for it. That means the other 80% who have mange, still don't test positive. It's rather frustrating. Further to that two types of mange can exist on one dog.

Mange often comes out with a weakened immune system, that can be caused by stress and malnutrition to say the least.

So poor Gracie is waiting for her third mange treatment. She still doesn't have a forever home to call her own, and the sooner she finds one the sooner she can get comfortable and enjoy being a normal dog.

Please put out the word if you know of someone looking to spoil a young rescue dog, who is sweet, gentle, loves to give kisses and be by your side!

While the donations for her vetting have poured out... we're hoping that she will have just as good of luck finding a home to call her very own! She will be spayed before being adopted!

Please contact me if you have any ideas on how we can help promote Gracie to find a home. She's already on petfinder :)

Friends

I call these the "friends" series. I don't know if you know how sometimes difficult it is to get dogs to sit side by side but we did it! The big terrier is Owen, his little big sister (she's older then him) is Buttons in the middle, and to the right is their good friend Casey! I thought these photos were adorable, they are all good friends and we're very good sports for taking photos! Thanks to Julie and her Aunt, for coming out with her dogs + Casey!!

Bella aka Ruby Update!

Well Bella, now Ruby's, mom emailed me some new photos. her eye is healed up, she is spayed and a happy happy kitty! She has two loving brothers and loves all the attention she gets from everyone.

She has gained over a pound, is tape worm free and has done wonderfully. When the vet spayed her, she placed her at about 1 year and she has already had a litter according to her Uterus.

Anyways we you can see she is happy spayed, and her eye is all healed up! Thanks to everyone for their support and help with her. Her mom and I are so thankful and happy for her! thank you!!!!

Welcome to paradise...!!!

Well Charlie and I were doing some thinking and he has not worn his party shirt in a while. So he got that out with his doggles, and his blue mohawk and put on a show for the camera. He was dually rewarded with treats and a game of fetch afterwards. As well he got to ride in Grammy's car to pick up the golf clubs. We will be releasing a Charlie calendar towards November :)

Gracie Going To Graceland...

Wow! Well I got a surprise today when I saw miss Gracie! She has HAIR ON HER FACE!! WWEEEEE!!!!

Her face is tan like I suspected - she's growing hair back and looking fabulous. She gave me a big kiss on my hand. She's very gentle and loving - we love Gracie!!

Just compare the first video with this one taken below, two different dogs! And she's only going to get better!!!

Bonnie, Bonnie, Bonnie...!`

Well... where is the Dr.House of veterinary medicine when you need him?

Bonnie's 6 skin scrapings came back negative, as did her DNA mange test which is supposed to be definitive. They say its likely bad skin allergies which can happen but I still think its demodex mange, everything fits. So she continues the way that she's on... she is STILL at the pound, likely curled in a ball in her snug bed. She likes stuffed toys as well!

I was hoping this would be an easy "she has mange, take this, she'll get better" case but no I'm not so sure. So begins the battle of the raw verses cooked food, what she should eat, eat out of (ceramic bowls), what she should wear, shouldn't wear.. it goes on and on!

I'm sitting here now with four of her videos open playing at once, from the first day she came in until today, looking at the progression of everything. She's such a cutie pie. We renamed her Gracie, because she was saved by the "grace of God".

When she came in she was sent to be euthanized immediately, she looked like a very old dog who had been decaying - like a zombie dog sort of. So the legend goes, the vet raised his hand and said "this dog has mange! it can be cured!" and sent her to her "hotel suite" at the pound where I've been visiting her ever since. If it wasn't for the possibility of private rescues I wouldn't be able to help her. But by the grace of the whole situation she's going to be ok.

And guess what? she's not a zombie! She's only two years old with lots of life and love to give!! Yay Bonnie!! See her photo progression below:

Week 1 - The first day I met Bonnie... she made me cry! I didn't know how to react but she wagged her tail and let me know everything was cool.


Week 2 - Bonnie's going bald and raw. I discover this week Bonnie loves soft denta chew bones and soft beds. You can say she's a softie. Still not allowed to touch because she's in quarantine. But gawsh darn she's cute. A little depressed no tail wags this week, she's not sure what the plans are for her.


Week 3 - Bonnie got to see the vet again do some tests, and go for a car ride! she loved it! everytime she saw a cat or dog she whined and whimpered. She charmed the vets office and was a very patient good girl. Now she sits and waits for the full results of the tests... she just wants to be loved! She also finds out this week the love and support pouring out from all over North America, places she's never even HEARD of. wow! She's feeling loved. Everyone has started calling her Gracie, a special collar and tag have been made to order and will arrive soon. Things are looking up for miss Gracie!! Video from today August 19th below.. set me free she says!! i want to be loved!!! All these pictures makes me think of Elliott Smith's songs "between the bars" but not much longer :)

Dump a senior and sick dog year in York Region

As some of you know, last year was the year of the Chained Dog. I founded Unchain Ontario's Dogs as an awareness group and we were able to nudge some laws in not being so favorable of allowing permanent neglectful chaining.

This year has been Dump A Sick Senior Year. People who dump dieing dogs should be heavily fined in my opinion. Also, I do believe that this wouldn't be such a problem if there was somewhere for low income families to go when their companion animal is facing serious illness. Never the less there are resources out there, I know because I've researched. I'd like to pay tribute (and thank you to the rescues) to the Seniors that were dumped, many completely blind, deaf, matted, and suffering from degenerative disease.


Westminster Pet Sanctuary - located near Ottawa, ON helped me big time with a senior American Eskimo named Pierre Elliott. Completely blind and mildly arthritic Pierre was at the shelter with no hope. Estimated at 13 years, his coat was heavily matted. With an emergency transport from Toronto to Ottawa, Pierre ended up in the loving arms. He lived a couple good months, until passing away from a tumor on his heart. He died very much loved and I am very thankful that he got to live out his days cherished.

Adopt-A-Dog-Save-A-Life in Toronto helped me out of a pinch with Layla who arrived not long before Pierre did. Layla is a senior Cocker Spaniel, who was also blind, suffering from terrible ear infections, and a swollen liver among other things. I was so fortunate to find a foster mom through this rescue to get her into a home. She's still alive and well acting like a puppy and receiving top notch care.


Mississauga Humane Society helped us out with a Chow mix girl who came in with logging chains around her neck, some vision issues and arthritic. Wosely aka Willa was quite soar, but MHS took her into their private foster homes and she was adopted out!

Southern Ontario Sheltie Rescue (SOS Rescue) helped me out just this week with a senior sheltie who needed a rescue. He has a lump on his side and his family did not want him anymore because he was too old.

Now I'm not the one to keep a deathly sick animal alive for my own selfishness, but many of these dogs still have time and love to give and receive. Call me old fashioned, but these sweet animals seem like they have given their life love and companionship and in return they get dumped on the side of a road.

Certainly an animal has more rights then, my desk lamp?

Updating Away!!!

Wow! What a past couple of days it has been for Bonnie... she's being showered with love and affection from near and far!

First off, she went to the vet on Thursday and I had the vet do a whole work up on her to make sure we aren't missing anything. She is heart worm negative and was given a shot of cortisone to see if it would help (in case it was allergies). It did not so we believe it is demodex mange but we are waiting for the bloodwork and skin scrapings to come back.

There are two types of mange, sarcoptic and demodex. Sarcoptic is contagious to humans (its like scabies) where as demodex is not contagious to healthy human or dogs. So once we rule out that it is not sarcoptic then we can fully treat for demodex.

On a lighter note, the loving people at LOYAL Foster Based Rescue here in Ontario will be taking Bonnie under their wing for as long as Bonnie needs to get better and when time comes they will search out the ideal home for her. You can visit their rescue at http://www.loyalrescue.com/

We have secured a local foster home for her, and LOYAL will be helping with the bills as well!

Donate to Bonnie!

Bonnie on August 16th whining to get out of her cage!

Please help Bonnie! She needs a bit more care then your average pup to get her skin condition under control - all the money will go directly to Bonnie's care. We aren't clear if its demodex mange, sarcoptic mange, skin allergies or a combination of the three. Fingers crossed for this pretty girl!!

Bonnie in dire need

Bonnie is heading to the vet today... my fingers and tripled crossed for her (ouch)

I really need to figure out funds for this girl, I'm about $200 short right now, and I have to find a place for her to go!

You can see her photos below poor girl... I don't want to see her get unnecessarily put down!

Sumi The Ninja Dog

Sumi is secretly a ninja ganster dog, or so I've been convinced. He is a strikingly handsome 5 year old Shiba Inu, who may or may not know kung-fu (yet to be determined). He came to the shoot with a sky blue bandana, kicking it old school.

PROOF FOUND!!!

As you can see below, Sumi was caught after the photo session, kung-fu fighting with my assistant Charlie, who is also a secret ninja. Note: Even though Sumi is Japanese in breed origin, he adapted the chinese art of Kung-fu beacuse he is a rebel.

Post-fight photo:

It was all an act.. they are on the same kung-fu team! see the matching blue on each of them?

Lukers!!!

Well an old friend of mine has a very handsome senior Boston Terrier named Luke aka Lukers. Luke is a diva dog, which means he means business when he strikes a pose! He was originally bought from a breeder and when they went to neuter him, it turned out he was a boy on the outside and a girl on the inside. Quite unusual, they asked the breeder, who said they could exchange Luke for a new dog. Realizing that Luke was not a car to be traded in they kept him, and have continued to love and nourish his loving diva personality! Here are some pics from the shoot: