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Amelia’s Story

October 31st, 2009

Amelia was a tiny 5 month old, 3.4 pound tri-Color Chihuahua. She found her way to Atlanta Pet Rescue from a local vet, where she was surrendered because her owners could not afford to have her broken leg mended.  They signed a waiver to have her euthanized if rescue could not be found.

Our guess is that someone accidentally stepped on little Amelia, breaking both bones in her left front leg, very close to her “ankle”. This was a serious fracture, and we were not sure if her leg could be saved, as she came to us on a Saturday. We got her in to Paces Ferry Animal Hospital as soon as we could for further diagnosis and a prognosis for recovery for Miss Amelia.

Dr. Whittle at Paces Ferry Veterinary Clinic, said Amelia needed surgery to have pins put in her broken bones to stabilize them and allow them to heal in the correct alignment. The location of her fractures was very near her ankle joint, and getting those bones to heal would be very, very difficult. The splints placed on her leg previously did not stabilize and immobilize the fracture sufficiently to allow the bones to heal, so surgery was essential if her leg was to be saved.

Thankfully, Dr. Whittle was able to re-position Amelia’s broken bones and obtain a good positioning of the bones without surgery. This was very good for little Amelia, because there is research that indicates that surgical repair in tiny tykes like Amelia can cause sufficient disruption in blood flow to delay or prevent the bones from healing.

Because the fracture was in a precarious location, good healing was very, very important. We were so pleased that Dr. Whittle was able to avoid surgery on Amelia’s leg.

About three weeks later, Amelia had her leg checked and new X-rays taken. Everything was showing to be healing beautifully. She would need the splints for six more weeks.

Six weeks later, the splints were removed, and Amelia was adopted shortly thereafter! Yay for Miss Amelia!

This rescue story was provided by Betsey Blimline, Director of Marketing and Development for Atlanta Pet Rescue, 404-643-2332, www.atlantapetrescue.org, fundraiser@atlantapetrescue.org.

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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

Tags: atlanta pet rescue, dog rescue, pet rescue, rescue story
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Rescuing Abandoned Hunting Dogs

October 16th, 2009

During a severe ice storm in the southern US, a pack of 3 adult Beagles and 5 puppies were sighted in a rural forest in Arkansas. The people that spotted them were fortunately animal lovers, and sought out animal rescues who could help the dogs.  Thankfully, Carol and Desiree, two compassionate women, rose to the challenge.

These wonderful ladies gathered their gear and drove 45 miles to the woods where the dogs were sighted. They found the dogs waiting near a plastic tarp tent with some food that a caring Good Samaritan had fixed up for them (at right; photo by Carol). Found next to the puppies were shells littering the ground near the dogs which were evidence of hunters who were shooting at the abandoned dogs.

Carol and Desiree managed to load all eight Beagles into their vehicle and drive them back to town. There they were cared for at Little Rock Animal Village and Care for Animals, two animal rescue shelters who immediately took them into their adoption programs. Thanks to these kind people, the Beagles had warm shelter, food, and affection that cold, stormy night.

Abandoned hunting dogs perish daily of exposure and starvation all across America. Please help them whenever you can. You’ll be in good company. Thank you Desiree and Carol!

More great rescue stories are found here.

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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

Tags: abandoned dogs, animal shelter, beagles, dog rescue, rescue
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Interview with Marta Aldriedge – Pet Photography

October 12th, 2009

K9 Cuisine was honored to interview Marta Aldriedge of HealeyGrisham Studio – a well-known pet photography studio.

K9 Cuisine: What is your story-how did you get into pet photography and pet rescue?

Marta: I’ve been heavily involved in commercial photography for 5 years. One of the things that attracted me to HealeyGrisham Studio is their reputation for helping the community – specifically in animal rescue for companion animals. My husband and my daughter are both passionate about working with animals, of all kinds. (We’ve also rescued and rehabilitated opossums, birds, turtles, reptiles.) It has always been a part of our lives. My first rescue was a poodle that found me in 2nd grade – at school.

Hooray for the Underdog! was created by the owners of HealeyGrisham Studio. Janet Healey and Joe Grisham have been lifelong animal lovers and rescue advocates. About 10 years ago, the couple began creating portraits of rescue animals to motivate others to open their eyes and their hearts to animal rescue. In 2006, they took their efforts one step further and created a stationery/gift line, aptly named Hooray For The Underdog!. 10% percent of all proceeds from “Hooray For The Underdog!” sales is given to a national charity that distributes funds to provide spay/neuter, adoption and emergency relief services to animals across the country. Last year alone, the charity contributed 24 million dollars to more than 3400 grassroots animal welfare agencies.

Janet and Joe’s animal rescue efforts have been recognized locally on Good Morning Texas, Channel 5 news, Larry Powell.com, the Daily Candy and in The Dallas Business Journal, as well as nationally on Oprah.com and CNN.com, The Haystack Needle and in Redbook magazine.

K9 Cuisine: What is the secret to your success with the organization-how have you gotten to where you are today?

Marta: Hooray for the Underdog! is successful and growing because of the genuine desire to help grassroots rescue organizations. Along the way, there has been much support from friends and strangers who believe in the cause. When you combine something that you are good at (photography in this case) with something you care deeply about (giving rescue animals the homes they deserve), the only way you can fail is to do nothing with it. Janet Healey and Joe Grisham put a tremendous amount of time, energy, money, and belief in their idea. When they didn’t know what to do next, or how to take the next step, they did extensive research, sought out professionals, and they did it to the best of their ability. Doing their personal best – that’s really the secret.

K9 Cuisine: What makes you different?

Marta: There are several things:

1) Janet and Joe don’t just rescue pets that they get to enjoy, (these days, they have 2 rescues that come to the studio every day), they also use their talents to make a difference for hundreds, maybe thousands, of companion animals across the country.

2) In raising awareness, rather than focusing on the abuse and neglect these animals suffer, their products showcase the beauty and charm of underdogs (and cats). The backs of these clever cards spotlight the animals’ personalities with each pet’s rescue story and their unique traits, their “special power.” In addition to greeting cards, there are also journals, notepads, folders, buttons, and pet id tags. You can purchase these items at the following websites: HoorayfortheUnderdog.com and Cardstore.com, at The Petropolitan in Dallas as well as in pet boutiques across the country.

K9 Cuisine: What is it about dogs that you love?

Marta: It sounds cliche, but dogs love unconditionally. They are always happy to see you no matter how hard their day has been!

K9 Cuisine: What is the neatest part about your work?

Marta: Wow – you know, it doesn’t really seem like “work” at all… I think knowing that I am working with other people who have the same philosophies about the day to day – that our work and our personal lives really do have to blend in order to be truly successful on all fronts. I love what I do and so do the owners of the studio, so it is not like a typical “job”. Janet Healey and Joe Grisham found a way to integrate their passion for animal rescue and commercial photography into a business model, one that also gives back. I’m fortunate to be a part of it.

K9 Cuisine: Where do you see the pet photography industry going?

Marta: Up! There are several directions pet photography will grow. We are seeing in our portrait area that because pets are part of the family, and the emphasis on family has risen because of the economy, owners want professional, fine art portraits of their animals. A couple of candid shots at the holidays isn’t enough. In advertising, I’ve seen an increase in including pets in shots, not just for pet products, but across several consumer product lines. As consumers today, we are more emotional about the purchases we make, and whether consciously or not, we want to buy from companies that we feel a connection to. Animals, especially dogs and cats, provide a common ground for everyone. I’d venture to guess that almost every American today can tell you what type of dog, and probably his name, that President Obama has. Not because he/she voted for him, but because they relate on an emotional level. I don’t think that can be said of the past administrations pets. I believe this is due to the fact that literally everyone has been affected by the financial crisis and is more sensitive, more appreciative, of relationships – even with our pets.

K9 Cuisine: How do you fit into that-what are your future plans?

Marta: We are gearing up for growth. Our stationery business has increased 200% over this time last year. Because the demand for pet photography has risen, we are brain-storming ideas that will facilitate efficiencies in locating the animals we want to shoot, both commercially and for our stationery line. As a result of attending the NY stationery show in May, we now have 30 reps across the US for Hooray for the Underdog! We expect big things in the years to come. Joe made a comment recently that he would like to see our cards become a household brand name – not unlike Hallmark. Imagine the difference it would make to the 5 million animals that are euthanized every year.

K9 Cuisine: How can people find out more about you and your organization?

Marta: The best way is through our website – www.HoorayfortheUnderdog.com

K9 Cuisine: Tell us a little about you!

Marta: My job title is Artist Representative – I represent HealeyGrisham – a successful commercial photography studio in Dallas, Texas. I’ve been working for over 20 years in commercial advertising services: design, photography, high end retouching and pre-media support. My strength and passion is in building teams and cultures – putting the right people with the right projects, and in providing over the top customer service. I have an adorable Yorkie, Sophie, who models professionally, so I get to see that side of the business as well. She is represented by an animal talent agency in Dallas, AgentBeast. They are also very involved in animal rescue. Every day I’m surrounded by people and companies who champion rescue animals. It doesn’t get any better than that!

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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

Tags: dog, dog cards, dog rescue, dogs, HealeyGrisham, Hooray for the Underdog, pet photography, pet rescue, photography, Underdog
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Cody’s Rescue Story

September 25th, 2009

C.A.R.E. (Castaway Animal Rescue Effort) rescues neglected and abused animals. A great success story of theirs is about a sweet dog named Cody. Cody lived with a family where he received very little, if any, attention or care.  For over a year, he was changed in the same spot.  He was seldom fed or given water.  Most nights Cody fell asleep at night hungry. Had this continued, Cody would have been destined to certain death. Lucky for Cody, a C.A.R.E. volunteer was informed of his situation.

Volunteer Heather spoke with the owner about Cody’s living conditions. Somehow, the owner thought Cody’s conditions were fine and claimed she was taking proper care of him. Heather explained that Cody was being neglected and if she was not able to provide a healthy, happy environment for an animal, she shouldn’t have one. Luckily, The woman agreed to turn Cody over to Heather.

After a thorough examination at a local clinic, it was determined that other than malnourishment and dehydration, Cody was healthy and only needed some love and good food. Sadly, many people, like Cody’s owner, grow up thinking this is an acceptable way to keep a dog. That is why it is up to us to teach them that this environment and way of life is not acceptable for any animal. As you can see in the after photo, Cody is doing great at the shelter. He has regained his self-confidence now and is starting to put on weight. He is eager to please and thanks his helpers each day with lots of kisses.  He is up for adoption right now. If you would like to meet Cody, please call the shelter at (417) 875-6565. They are located in Aurora, MO.

This story is from the C.A.R.E. website, at www.carerescue.org.

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K9 Cuisine is a provider of premium dog food. We’re committed to providing our customers with the knowledge, and the products, to help their faithful friends be the best they can be.

Tags: animal rescue, C.A.R.E., dog, dog rescue
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Grady’s Story – FOCAS

August 11th, 2009

Grady was brought to a San Diego County Animal Shelter by a Good Samaritan who found him wandering the streets all by himself. Severely malnourished and suffering from over 200 foxtails lodged in his mouth and nose, this poor dog looked as though he was not going to make it. Worse still, it soon became apparent that Grady had also sustained a gunshot wound in his hip some time ago, which was rendering his leg almost useless.

The shelter staff was amazed at Grady’s exceptional demeanor given all of the pain he was in. They were even able to pull out all of the foxtails without Grady making a fuss. To everyone’s surprise, Grady wagged his tail during medical treatment and even tried to throw in a few kisses to anyone who came near.

The FOCAS adoption counselor at the animal shelter was aware of Grady’s plight and, soon, a rescue plan was in the hatched. Thanks to the generosity of the Lauren Foundation, FOCAS was able to provide Grady with the medical care that he needed including surgery to repair his injured hip in an effort to save his leg. Grady was then placed in the capable and loving hands of a foster mother at Boxer Rescue, where he was able to get the care and rest he needed while waiting patiently to for his new forever home.

Because of the caring, collaborative efforts of these people and organizations, Grady’s life was saved and he has been adopted by a family who truly appreciates him for the sweet dog that he is. His new family reports that his physical therapy sessions have done him a world of good; he now almost has full use of his leg, and that he has gained those ten much-needed pounds.

You can contact FOCAS (Friends of County Animal Shelters) at http://www.focas-sandiego.org, or call at 619-788-7880.

Tags: animal shelter, dog rescue, FOCAS, rescue
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