In Pursuit of Doggie Happiness

Help Island Dog win a $20,000 grant to continue Island Dog Rescue

  

VOTE NOW FOR ISLAND DOG to WIN A GRANT OF
$20,000
from the ANIMAL RESCUE SITE! 

Please help us save more island dogs by voting daily!
CLICK ON THE LINK TO SUBMIT YOUR DAILY VOTE!

     Click here for an easy and free way to help care for those in need at The Animal Rescue Site!

*please click to supply a bowl of food and then you will be allowed to vote for your favorite shelter.  Please enter: Island Dog Inc, and Maryland as the state*

Lulu is safe!

On Tuesday Nov 3rd, I picked up Lulu from the streets of Ceiba.  Meryl Wright, one of our fantastic volunteers saw our plea for Lulu and immediately found her an amazing home in New York.  Lulu is now at Dr. D's, awaiting travel.  She has come along way from the matted coat she once had.  She is by far one of the sweetest dogs we have ever rescued.  Here are some before and after photos.

Culture Shock....my evening in Puerto Rico, November 4, 2009

I've either been living-in or visiting Puerto Rico for the past 12 years.  Tonight I experienced my first bit of culture shock in Puerto Rico.  It will be a night I will never forget.

This evening, after feeding the dogs in Ceiba, Maggie and I went to grab some dinner at the local pizza pallor in town.  While passing by the Police Station, where we rescued Samson, I noticed a dog lying almost in the middle of the street.  She had been hit by a car.  Noticing that her eyes were still moving, I pulled the car off the side of the road.  Maggie followed......and as we approached the dog another car came wiping by and literally killed the dog right in front of our eyes.  Blood splattered.   I stood on the side of the road in shock, as car after car simply continued to run over the dog.  The dog was visible to all who passed by, she was 30lbs, with long strawberry blonde hair.   But car after car just continued to mutilate her poor lifeless body in front of our very eyes. 

The men sitting at the bar adjacent to the dog in the street didn't move.  The police men peeked out their glass door.  But no one stopped to ask anything.  And when I finally found myself reduced to tears, one kid (at the bar) asked if it was my dog.  "No, I said."  To me, it didn't matter who's dog she was, it was a horrible and nightmarish situation.  But in Ceiba, no one moved, no one stopped their car, no one attempted to help Maggie and I.  They all just went about their lives, completely emotionally immune to the situation. 

Six months ago, while driving on a busy road in Baltimore, I watched a 80 lb, chocolate lab get hit by a truck.  The dog flew up in the air and died instantly.  Everyone stopped their cars.  A traffic jammed formed.  People rushed to the aide of the dog, women were crying and men were comforting the women.  Everyone worked together to move the dog and found it's tag to call the owners.  People stayed and waited for the owners to arrive.  And everyone comforted the owners when they saw their dog laying lifeless.

Tonight, I had to stand in the middle of the road to stop the traffic.  Once the cars had stopped, Maggie and I put the dog's body in a box and buried her in the jungle of Ceiba.  There were no owners to call.

I realized this evening how important our education program is in Puerto Rico.  It's not that Puerto Ricans are uncaring or cold hearted.  Far from!  They love their children more then any culture I have come to know.  They have strong family ties and love their culture.  However, because of the history of this island and the hardships these people have endured in the past, their is a lack of respect for humanity.  A lack of respect for animals, the environment, and life.   It is our job and responsibility as humans in this world to give back, to teach respect for life and promote good values.  As my very good friend would say, it's our job as humans to leave the world better then we found it.  

I found Puerto Rico 12 years ago.  With your continued support, you, me, and the people of Puerto Rico can and will leave this island better then we found it.  We will change lives in both people and animals.  We can mold the children of today to live respectfully and to cherish life, whether it be the life of a plant, animal or a friend.

As for the sweet angel that passed away so violently this evening, we wish her a peaceful voyage over the rainbow bridge.   

Magnet Contest Winner

Thank you so much to all who participated in our magnet contest!!!  We received over 60 amazing designs.  We loved all of them and hope to use many of them throughout our web site.  Yesterday, final votes were tallied.  Our winner is Alison Smrcina from Sagamore Hills, Ohio!  Her design will be printed and used as our new car magnet.  Car magnets will be disbursed to all our mailing list subscribers.  If you would like to receive a free magnet, CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR LIST!

Special Thanks to Alison Trazzera for coordinating our magnet contest! 

Lulu

In August, I came across a dog that had been so badly neglected by her owners she could not see through her hair.  The matting was so bad, she had to be knocked out by Dr. D to be shaved.  In the process we spayed her, tagged her and put her back on the beach.  We named her Lulu because of her spunky, cute personality.  Yesterday, Lulu found me on Los Machos and came running with kisses.  She is now so beautiful and sooo soo sweet.  Once our rescue funds have been replenished, Lulu will be the first off the beach!  Check out her before and afters!

Lulu NOW

 

Island Dog shines in Shore News--a New Jersey News Paper

Download ArticleDDBB2009

Happy Halloween!

FINAL DAY FOR MAGNET VOTING!

Last day to vote for your favorite Island Dog Car Magnet.  Vote now!  The Winner will be announced on Monday November 2, 2009!

VOTE HERE!

Our Newest Rescues

On Monday, Melodie Rios, a great friend and volunteer of Island Dog contacted us to let us know that her friend Patti Coles was flying from San Juan to Rochester, New York on Tuesday 10/27.   Patti volunteered to fly our beloved island dogs and both her and Melodie volunteered to foster dogs!   So we jumped into the car to pick up some of our favorites.  Helen and I rounded up Thea, Rizzo, Jezzy, and Sandy and headed to the vet.  Everyone got the go to fly!  They arrived last evening in Rochester.  They are sure to be adopted fast!  If you live in the New York area and are interested in adopting one of these sweet girls, please contact us at islanddoghelp@aol.com.  Check them out!

Rizzo-7 month old, 20 lb sweetie!

Jezzy-3 month old terrier mix.  Very playful and sweet!

 Sandy- 4 month old, small German Shepard mix.  Veryy happy, social, and sweet!  Loves to give kisses

 

 Thea-an 8 week old true Sata.  Very sweet and loving.

 

 

Tony Trazzera, from rags to riches!

Alison Trazzera, one of most faithful volunteers sent over a photo of Tony Trazzera, a Las Croabas rescue, in one of his new sweaters.  He is obviously loving his new life and his new wardrobe!