I Don't Know How You Do It...

I often hear these words spoken when I tell people I volunteer at the Islip Animal Shelter and foster dogs.  If I had a $1 for every time I heard someone say that, I would be rich.  It is just sad.  It is very easy for people to live blissfully unaware of the trials and tribulations of the dogs here in our community and beyond, but I choose not to be blissfully unaware.  I am painfully aware of the tragedies that occur, and the many homeless animals and their sad stories, as are the other members of Shelter Link and the staff at animal shelters across the country.  I have seen horrific images of animals beaten and battered, starved, scarred and worse.  I often wonder what kind of world we live in, that these acts so freely occur with little to no repercussions.  For example, take a look at the darling Hope, who is at the Islip Animal Shelter.

This darling, beautiful girl, not only sports an atrocious crop job to her ears, which I am sure was not professionally done and was very painful for her, but she also bears many scars, perhaps the result of people trying to profit from fighting her.  DISGUSTING.  Yet, her kind spirit and love of humans remains, despite their heinous acts towards her.  Truly, these dogs ability to forgive our race amazes me daily. 

So you say I don't know how you do it.  This is how I do it.  I go to the shelter and give love to dogs that may never have known any.  I throw them a ball.  I teach them how to sit and stay.  I give them treats.  I welcome dogs into my home that have no other chance, and give them hope, and find them a  family who will give them everything they deserve and more.  I get emotional, sad at times, but joyous most others.  I choose not to turn a blind eye to the outrageous epidemic of homeless animals and cruelty towards them.  And I get so much more in return.  That's how I do it.  

So ask yourself this, how do you not do it?

Friday's Friends...Sammy

Today's Friday's Friends will be a little different, as I will be featuring one of our foster dogs, Sammy.  Sammy is an absolutely adorable, sweet Lhasa Apso/ Shih Tzu Mix.  Sammy has been in our care now since September.  He came out of the shelter a bit of a mess, ear infections with multiple bacteria, eye problems and a terrible skin condition which left him missing a lot of his fur.

He certainly was a little worse for the ware.  But those days are long behind him!  He has been staying with Maryann, one of our volunteers, and she along with Jack and Rita, has nursed Sammy back to health!  His fur is growing back beautifully, and his ears are all cleared up.  Take a look at Sammy now.

What a difference, right?!  It's like it isn't even the same dog.  We found out that Sammy has a wheat allergy, which isn't uncommon, that made his skin terribly itchy and his fur fall out.  Now that he is eating wheat free, his coat looks great!  He's even had a few haircuts!  We also found out that Sammy has dry eye, which is very common in this breed, and does need to take eye drops daily.  Trust me, he is worth the extra effort.

Sammy is such a sweet, balanced dog.  He's just plain happy all the time, and is a joy to be around.  He has no behavior issues period.  He loves to take walks, play with his toys, be with people, and will make you smile all the time.  He is great with kids and other dogs, and may even set an example for your current dog as how to behave, he's that good.  We have taken very good care of him, and nursed him back to health, and now he just needs to find his forever home.  Sammy will enhance your life for the better.  Read more about him here.  He would love to be home for Christmas!  I am pretty sure that's what he told Santa he wants this year. ;)

I am happy to report Skye is at her forever home, and I will be checking in on her this weekend.  It was so hard for me to let her go, I shed a lot of tears.  But she has found a great family, who will love and cherish her as much as I did.  Skye is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met, just so loving, and I don't know who is luckier, her new parents or her.  After a lot of thought, I will foster again, because the alternative just isn't acceptable, no matter how emotional it is to turn the leash over to the new family.

Just a reminder that today is the fundraiser at Michele Leschik's home with Nook & Cranny, and tomorrow is the 1st Annual Jingle Bell Walk at the Maritime Museum.  Hopefully you can make it to one of these events, and help support us.  I will have some big news for you next week, so stay tuned...

Have a great Friday!

Upcoming Events...

There are some great events coming up that will benefit Shelter Link.  First up is The 1st Annual Jingle Bell Walk at the Long Island Maritime Museum in Sayville this Saturday at 9am.  This is sure to be lots of fun for the whole family!  Register now online here.  Half of the registration fees collected go to Shelter Link!  We can't thank them enough for their support!  Santa will even be arriving by boat!  You can bring your furry friends with you as well.

Next up is a shopping fundraiser at Michele Leschik's home on Friday, December 10th.  Her home is located on 7 Woodland Street in East Islip  Get some great holiday gifts presented by the fabulous Nook & Cranny.  A portion of the proceeds benefits Shelter Link.

Foster Update...

First, I will tell you about Peanut.  Peanut is doing amazing!  She has some of the best people around caring for her, and doting on her.  Peanut tested positive for heart worm, and she received treatment last week.  The treatment can cause some rough symptoms, but Peanut was a trooper and faired very well.  She is pretty much back to her usual self.  She has bonded with everyone at her foster home, even her canine companion Max.  She is such a great girl, and I am so happy she is there with my great friends.  Take a look at how she's doing.

Peanut with her favorite man, I am pretty sure she is his favorite too!

Giving her little brother a nice kiss!

Hanging out with her buddy Max, getting some sun.

As you can see, Peanut is loving life, and is finally where she deserves to be.  Her foster family loves her very much!  Their little guy Dillon said to his mom the other day, I think we should buy Peanut.  This way we can keep her.  So just pay like $100.  This just cracked me up!  Obviously he thinks Peanut should go no further, she has found her home.  We'll see....

My Skye baby is doing great, and has found a forever home!  It is going to be so hard for us to let her go, but it is what we intended to do, so we could foster again.  Turns out the people that contacted us about Skye, are parents of my husband's friend from High School, talk about a small world!  They came to meet Skye on Saturday, and were instantly in love.  She has found a great home with them, plus they live around the block from my in-laws, so we can go visit her.  The girls are very sad, but I think they understand.  Skye should be going home this week!  I'll take pictures.  We are going to miss her a lot.  I will always love her and cherish my time with her, she is a great dog.

Krinlgle is now in Shelter Link's care as well!  He is staying with Connie, one of our volunteers.  He is adjusting very well to life outside of the shelter, and is so lucky to have Connie.  Kringle has spent his entire life at the shelter, he came in as a pup last November.  He's a beautiful boy, and is so deserving of a home.  Thank you Connie for taking him into your home.  More on Kringle at a later date.

So as you can see, success all around with our foster program!  Maybe you would like to join us and become a foster.  It will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life!  I can tell you first hand, I wouldn't trade it for the world.  It was worth every minute of my time saving Skye, and finding her a forever home.  I look forward to doing it again.

Thanks for reading, have a great Monday!

Friday's Friends...

Last week, I totally forgot to post Friday's Friend with all the after Thanksgiving stuff.   So I will add a few extra this week.  All of our animals at the Islip Animal Shelter would love to be home for the holidays!

Look at Muggs!  He is one of the sweetest guys around!  Just look at that face!  Muggs is a Boxer Am Staff Mix, and is so gentle.  He loves people, and would make a great addition to any family!  How can you deny that darling overbite?  Come meet him, and see what a great dog he is!  See more about Muggs here.

Oh, Gypsy, such a ham!  Gypsy is a super sweet Terrier Mix.  She is playful and loves people!  She is known to drop to her back at any moment to get a belly rub.  She is just a joy, and would love a family to love!  See more about Gypsy here.

Or what about Othello?  Othello is a beautiful Border Collie Akita Mix.  Just look at that gorgeous coat!  He is truly stunning.  He loves to chase balls, and play.  He is an all around great guy, who would love to find his forever home.  See more about Othello here.

Meet Oscar!  He is an American Bulldog Am Staff Mix.  Oscar hasn't always had an easy life, as you can see by his scars, but he  still loves people.  He is playful and sweet, and deserves a good home.  Won't you come and meet him?  See more about Oscar here.

Or maybe you are looking for a feline friend, check out Miss Abby, a beautiful Calico kitty.  She is blind in one eye, but that doesn't slow her down.  Abby is very friendly, and enjoys being held.  She would make a great addition to any family.  See more about Abby here.






All of these animals would love to be home for the holidays enjoying their new families.  We have so many beautiful dogs and cats at the shelter, that you needn't look any further.  Our adoption fees are minimal in comparison to purchasing an animal, plus you are saving a life!  If you are looking to add a furry addition to your family, the Islip Animal Shelter is the place to go.

Thanks for reading, and Happy Friday!

The Holidays Are Upon Us...

Saturday was the annual Sayville Holiday Parade.  It was a cold morning, but sill we had a good time.  Deb, one of our volunteers, made us a great banner.  Skye, Sammy and Deb's four dogs marched right alongside us.  My daughters had a great time and were so proud to be in the parade and walk a dog, well actually, Ava my youngest, pushed a dog. ;)

The beautiful banner Deb handmade...

 See what I mean?  Ava loved pushing Deb's little dog in the stroller, totally made her day!  (That's me in the gray coat next to her, in case you were wondering.;))  The crowd went nuts over it!

Our two certified dog trainers, Jack and Rita, and yup, that is Skye with Jack, and another of Deb's pack with Rita!

My oldest daughter, Emma, walking another of Deb's sweet dogs.  Walking a dog is very empowering for a child.  Em was very proud of herself, it was all over her face.  Ahhhh....my future dog rescuers.

That's Maryann and Sammy looking all festive!  The kids in the crowd loved Sammy and had to pet him.

Come see us this weekend at the Islip Santa Parade at 2pm on Main Street!  Skye won't be there this time, as she is having surgery today to correct the entropion that has grown back, but Sammy will be, and I am pretty sure some of our other furry friends!

Speaking of, we have a new friend in foster care, Kringle!  Yeah, we are so happy for him!  Kringle is available for adoption, and will be up on our site soon.

And it looks like Skye may have found her forever home.  I'll keep you posted.

Have a great Wednesday!

'Tis the Season...

Can't believe Christmas is less than one month away!  While brave people went out at 4 am this morning to fight for sales, my pups were snuggled all safe in their beds.  Sadly, too many pups I know were not.  Shelter Link invites you to foster with us this holiday season, and make a big impact on the lives of those who didn't ask for they life they were given.  Shelter Link sponsors all the dogs we have in foster care, and covers all expenses.  We are always fund raising to cover these expenses and to fund our other programs, like our spay/neuter program.  If you are unable to foster, perhaps you could donate to our cause.  Any amount is greatly appreciated, and no amount is too small.  We are growing, and appreciate your support.

Also, come down and see us in the Annual Sayville Holiday Parade this Saturday morning at 9 am.  It's sure to be fun for the kids, and will put you in the holiday spirit!  Skye and Sammy will be marching in this year's parade.  Maybe you would like to meet them too!

Thanks for reading, Happy Black Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From all of us at Shelter Link and Pilgrim Cleo, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

"Grandpa" Jack...

I have affectionately dubbed Shelter Link volunteer and certified dog trainer Jack, "Grandpa Jack".  Jack is amazing to watch with dogs, and I have learned so much from him.  His behaviorist approach to dog training never ceases to amaze me.  Not only is he an amazing trainer, he truly just enjoys being with dogs.

He'll call me and ask if the dogs are available to go for a run.  It's like setting up a doggy play date.  He comes, all suited up, for a nice bike ride with my girls, and will go down into the trails at Heckscher State Park.  They'll ride for awhile, stop and relax in the sun, taking in nature, and sometimes even stop at the deli for some cheese for the girls and coffee for Jack.  It reminds me of when my step father would take my oldest when she was a baby on long walks in her stroller, and stop by Carvel and share an ice cream, hence me dubbing Jack "Grandpa".

The significance of these outings are profound.  Not only do my dogs get their much needed exercise, they get to be dogs, and explore their surroundings and get back to what they are hardwired to do.  We have humanized dogs so much, and they spend most of their time trapped in a house.  This doesn't make them happy despite what you may believe.  Humanizing dogs is largely responsible for what we deem as "bad" behavior in dogs.  They are not human, they don't understand our language, and they need dog experiences.  When dogs get to use their noses to explore their environment they are engaged and mentally stimulated.  This drains them of excess energy, and will relax you too.  Couple it with a nice walk or run, and you will see a very content dog, who isn't hyped up.  They will also put you higher up on their resource scale, and listen to you better.  The best time to do some training with your dog is right after a walk or run.  All you need is 5 minutes.  It can be simple, like working on sit or stay.

I will write more on the behavior theory I have learned and how to apply it to dog training at a later date. It is truly amazing stuff.  But the best way to build a relationship with your dog, is just by being with them and enjoying a nice activity together, like a walk or run.  And be in the moment, don't chat on your cell phone or think about what you have to do tomorrow, just be.  This will be just as beneficial for your mental state as it will be for your dog's.

This is the picture of three happy girls, who are ready for a nap after enjoying one of their favorite experiences with "Grandpa Jack".  They come home different dogs than when they left, sated and content with life.  Happy to have been "dogs" for a few hours.

Friday's Friends...

Yup, it's that day again already, time for Friday's Friends.

Check out Timmy!  Timmy hasn't always had an easy life, and he would love to be a part of your family.  Don't let the fact that he only has 3 legs fool you, this loving boy can still run and play with the best of them!  Timmy is about 2 years old, and does need to be the only animal in your home.  He's had a rough life, so won't you give him the happy ending he deserves?  Read more about Timmy here.

Or what about Simon and Theodore?  These two sweet male Wheaten Terriers came in together, and if at all possible, we would love to see them stay together. These two will sniff the same grain of sand at the same time. It is hysterical to see them together.  They are both goofy and fun loving guys, who deserve a chance at a forever home.  See more about them here, and here.

Here we have Miss Fiona.  Fiona is a small am staff mix with big personality.  She absolutely loves people and is very affectionate.  Fiona has received lots of training at the shelter, and it is amazing to watch her work.  They say statistically it is tough to get black dogs, yet alone a black am staff mix adopted, so why not come down, and fall in love with Fiona, and debunk those statistics.
See more about Fiona here.

Thanks for reading and Happy Friday!

Oogey...

Truly inspirational and thought provoking...the book is in stores now.

A Sweet Video To Start Your Day...

Have a great Wednesday!

Peanut...

There she is!  Check out that smile!  Peanut is really enjoying her new foster home and family.  They think she is just beautiful, and are already smitten with her.  She really loves baking in the sun, looking out their front door.

Is there anything better than seeing that?!  This girl has been laying on cold cement for quite some time in the shelter, so I am sure this is heaven to her.  It is precious to see her this way, enjoying such a simple thing like looking out the door.  Her foster family, good friends of mine, tell me, this is one of her favorite things to do.

And there she is enjoying her new back yard.  Her foster mama tells me she loves to run around the back yard, and even buried one of her treats yesterday.  Too cute!  For those of us at the shelter, there is nothing sweeter than seeing one of our favorite dogs finally get the life she deserves.  She is adjusting very well to her new home, and loves playing with her toys, laying on her comfy bed and being loved by her family.

She is particularly fond of her foster Daddy, and I am pretty sure, he with her. ;)  There is nothing like seeing a 6 foot man reduced to mush by a 70 lb dog.  Look at her snuggling up, while he is petting her.

I am going to see Peanut today, and can't wait to see her out of the shelter environment!  Shelter Link member and dog trainer, Jack, has spent lots of time at Peanut's new home, and has given Peanut what I like to call "Jack" days.  These are special days for any dog.  Jack loves to take the dogs for long bike rides, and just spend quality time with them, letting them experience the world.  Every dog should have a Jack day.  Francey, Peanuts foster mommy, tells me they have learned so much already from Jack.  He has given them the knowledge and tools to use with not only Peanut, but their own pooch, Max.  Francey and her family are so grateful for this experience and are so happy to give Peanut a loving home.

Peanut thanks you for reading, and thinks everyone should foster a loving dog like her.  It will be an amazing journey for you!  Shelter Link is so happy to have 3 dogs in foster care, 2 of them Pits.  Kringle and Precious still need foster families.  Please consider coming down and meeting them.  You would be giving them a chance at a new life.  Click here to see more about Kringle and Precious.

Be An Advocate...

I got a very disturbing email yesterday from a concerned individual, who believes her neighbor is abusing a Pitbull puppy, and possibly getting it ready for fighting.   She has gone down the right avenues to seek hep, but her story seems to be falling on deaf ears.  She isn't going to give up, and will continue to try to get help for this poor baby. One good thing, she was told that there was an ongoing investigation, perhaps into a fighting ring.  So maybe help will come soon.

This is reality.  It could be your neighbor, your street, your town.  Pitbull fighting and abuse happens here.  You would be jaded to think otherwise.  Be an advocate.  Be a savior.  If you suspect animal cruelty, report it.  Don't turn a blind eye and think it will just go away.  It won't.  These dogs need you.  They need your voice.  Your voice is power.

I have to warn you, this video does contain some disturbing images, but is very powerful.

Thinking about adding a dog to your family, why not go down to your local shelter, and give a Pitbull a chance at a beautiful life.  You won't be disappointed.

Wow!

What a big day at the Islip Animal Shelter yesterday!  It was so busy.  We had six adoptions yesterday!  That is huge!  And Peanut, one of the beautiful pitbulls, is now at a loving foster home.  Yeah Peanut!!!!  It truly doesn't get better than that.  Everyone was just so excited yesterday seeing all the happy families walk out with their new canine companions.  But we still have lots of beautiful dogs and cats waiting for their families.  Come down and meet them!  It would be so nice for our friends at the shelter to be home for the holidays.

Peanut meeting her new foster brother, Max.

A funny aside...the other day, I let Skye in and she still had the leash attached.  I was in the kitchen.  I look and see Cleo, my pit, walking past with Skye's leash in her mouth with Skye in tow.  It was so darn cute, and seriously funny!

Enjoy this beautiful day!

The Walk...

It was a long week here.  Just lots of work to do, kids to take care of, etc.  So this morning, Skye and I started the weekend off right with a nice walk.  We left the house around 7:30 and walked for about 45 minutes.  It's such a nice time to get out and walk.  Most people are still starting off their mornings in their home.  It's quiet and peaceful.  The birds are chirping, the squirrels are foraging, all seems right in the world.  I love taking the dogs out this early.  It helps me decompress from a long week, and relax the tension built up in my body.  It does the same for dogs.

Skye starts out much like a drunk driver, weaving back and forth, distracted by every sound and smell.  Then about 5 minutes in, she relaxes and settles into a nice rhythm.  Ears back, head up, and feet steadily moving.  It's great to see her act like a dog, enjoying her surroundings.  No worries, no tension, just calm energy.  We stopped and chatted along the way with a nice woman and her dog.  Skye stood by my side very relaxed, and waited for me to move on.  Truly the picture of great doggy behavior.  She'd pause here and there to sniff the ground and explore a bit.

The walk is a very powerful thing.  It's not only a great bonding experience for you and your dog, it helps to drain your dog of excited energy, lessening the chance for bad behavior.  Not to mention the health benefits for yourself.  I was very guilty myself, not walking my own dogs until recently.  There was always an excuse... I don't have time, they don't do well on the leash, it's cold, etc.  This lead to a lot of pent up energy in my Pitbull and Lab, which caused disruptive behavior in my home.  They had all this energy, and nowhere to displace it.  Now that I walk them, their behavior at home has improved dramatically.  Don't get me wrong, they were never bad dogs, just would do things to get into trouble here and there.  Stealing the kids' toys, playing a little too rough with each other, not always listening to my commands, barking at every little sound.  But when I walk them, they are completely different dogs, so enjoyable to be around.

If you find your own dog is having some behavior issues, whether it be excited, nervous, whatever, try walking them.  You will see as you go along, the difference it will make.  Keep yourself relaxed, and they will follow your lead.  It may take a few times for you to find your rhythm together, but trust me, you will.

For me, there is nothing more empowering than walking a calm, happy seventy pound Pitbull at my side.

Have a great day!

Friday's Friends...

Here are this week's Friday's Friends.  If you are not ready to adopt, why not try fostering with us?  You get the benefit of getting to know the dog you choose first, with tons of support from Shelter Link.  Shelter Link takes care of all medical costs, all you need to do is open your home and heart.  As a doggy foster mommy, I can't say enough how rewarding this experience is for me.  Being able to nurture Skye and watch her be a dog is just awesome!  Every day we find joy having her here.

Oh my girl Peanut, how I love her so much!  All of us at the shelter do.  She is just the most wonderful sweet girl ever!  Her favorite thing to do is snuggle up against you.  She thinks she is a lap dog!  Her coat is super soft, and you couldn't find a more gentle girl.  She would make an amazing addition to any family.  She loves to just hang out.  Peanut needs to be with a family without cats.  Won't you come down and meet Peanut?  I guarantee you, you will instantly fall in love with her!  See more about Peanut here.

Or what about Dodger?  Such a mellow sweet guy!  Just a big sweetheart with a happy wagging tail, who we all think is just the best!  He's the kind of dog who is happy to lay by your feet and just hang out, or play ball ball with you.  He is a mixed breed, approximately 5 years old.  Dodger is so gentle and loving.  He would be perfect for any family looking for a sweet loving guy.  See more about Dodger here.

Or maybe you are looking for a feline friend.  We always have lots of beautiful cats and kittens at the shelter waiting for families.

Whatever your preference of pet and temperament, Islip Animal Shelter is sure to have what you are looking for!  Please come by and see for yourself all the great animals we have!  Adopting from us means you give a new life to a pet in need.

Happy Friday!

Food for Thought...

This was written by a woman about fostering shelter dogs...really put things into perspective for me.

Where my dogs came from isn't as important as where they are going. With rescues, sometimes we know. Often we don't.

Every dog was once a puppy. Any number of things could be factors in getting them to where they were the day before they came here but those were yesterday. Now we concentrate on today with an eye towards tomorrow.

We're not going to repeat history because WE don't have a history. Yet. Eventually our todays will combine and we will have a history but it will be OUR history. Our history will provide a predictability that we can build upon. A trust.

What happened when a dog was 6 weeks old, 8 months old, or 2 years old impacted him - has an affect on who is standing before me, but what's important is where we go from here.

~author unknown

Isabel, a beautiful Weimaraner mix at the Islip Animal Shelter

Please consider fostering with us, and making a positive history with one of our beautiful loving dogs...

Skye...

{please pause the music player at the bottom before watching}

To adopt Skye, contact us here.

We Need Your Help ASAP!

We have two beautiful dogs we need to find foster homes for asap.  If you can't foster, please spread the word for us, and help us get these two amazing dogs on their way to their forever home.

Meet the very handsome Kringle.  Kringle sadly has spent most of his life in a shelter.  When I adopted Cleo last November, he was the puppy next to her, so imagine my surprise and sadness to see he was still there when I started to volunteer in August.  All of us at Shelter Link just adore him.  He has the most beautiful unique eyes you will ever see.  When you look into them, they will steal your heart.  He is a great guy who deserves a chance at being in a real home, a foster home on his way to his forever family.  Maybe you can open your heart to foster or adopt him.  Kringle is around 1 1/2 years old.  He loves to play with other dogs and is good with children.  If interested please contact us asap.  Read more on Kringle here.

Look at Little Miss Precious!  She reminds me so much of my dog, Cleo.  Precious is such a great girl who loves people.  She loves to play ball, is super curious and just plain silly.  If you love to cuddle, she is your girl!  She is quite the princess and needs to be the only animal in your home.  She is a beautiful brindle terrier mix, who will only put smiles on your face.  Your life will truly be enriched by her.  Contact us asap if you can help Precious.  See more about her here. 

I can tell you from first hand experience, this will be an amazing journey for you,these are both great dogs, and you will have unlimited support from Shelter Link.  All you need to do, is open your home and your heart.

If you want to really rescue a dog, save a life, and make a difference in this world, please foster a dog with us.

Prejudice...

Oh no!  Watch out!  There's a pitbull dangerously close to that little girl's head!

Yes, I am being sarcastic.  Very sarcastic.  I mean really, doesn't she look so menacing?  I see prejudice against this breed all the time, and it not only saddens me, it makes me angry.  Let me give you an example.

I took Skye to the vet Saturday for a checkup.  She did pretty well.  Every new experience for Skye makes her very nervous.  The scale was a challenge for her, so after trying to coax her onto it and failing, I just picked her up and put her on it.  Risky, right?  I mean, this 70 lb pitbull could have turned around and bit me (heavy sarcasm).  The exam room was tough for her, as it was very cavernous in feel, and echoed terribly.  But she made it through it, and has a clean bill of health.

While back out in the waiting area to wait for Skye's heartworm test results, which were negative...phew, a woman and her husband come out of another exam room across the way with their three little dogs.  Skye was laying on the floor by my feet, completed relaxed. She picked her head up to see what these three little dogs were excited about,  and their female owner looks at Skye, nervously says Oh no, and proceeds to rush two of her dogs out to the car, leaving her husband standing there with one, wondering where she was going.  Skye is laying there minding her own business, and because she picked her head up to see what all the fuss was about with these three excited dogs, fell victim to common pitbull prejudice.

I couldn't help myself, I was annoyed and hurt for Skye, who is anything but a mean terrifying pitbull.  She, in fact, is a victim.  I look at the husband, a pretty scary looking dude himself, in a black leather jacket with tattoos and earrings (I'm being sarcastic again), and say to him, she, meaning Skye, is more afraid of you than you are of her.  She picked her head up because your dogs were all excited.  She wouldn't do anything, and I've got her.  Yup, couldn't help myself, I had to defend her.  The wife thoroughly aggravated me with her blatant prejudice.  I think the man was taken aback by me, and just grunted a quick uh, huh, very cave man. (there's that sarcasm again...)

Do you know who I blame this on, the media, who only give this breed negative attention, and the irresponsible owners who abuse and neglect this breed.  Skye most definitely was abused and mistreated by people in her past life, causing her to be so afraid.  Meanwhile, she is the most gentle girl, great with children.  Why doesn't the media focus instead on educating the public about this breed, and the thousands that are abused, neglected and murdered.

I am angry at the people who did this to Skye, who took away her trust of people and made her so fearful, that even going out my front door to do her business, is an overwhelming experience for her.

Now that I am sure I have a few of you shaking your heads in disgust at the prejudice this breed falls victim to, I will get off my soapbox.

Skye is a beautiful girl, just stunning, and she is looking for her forever home.  One where her owners will be patient and understanding with her, and guide her with love to trust again, and move past her fear.  She is doing very well here, has bonded with me, and is great with my children, giving them daily face washes.  She is housebroken, responds well to training exercises and corrections, and thrives on the positive attention and reinforcement we give her.  She truly is a gem, with the cutest big jowls, super soft coat and short chunky spotted paws.  You just can't help but want to kiss her all the time!  The trainers at Shelter Link have been working with her, and will continue to do so with her new family, so that one day, hopefully soon, she can be the happy girl she was meant to be.

 I would keep her in a heartbeat, but that isn't the goal here.  The goal is for us to be the go-between, and be able to continue fostering more needy dogs.  Maybe you are interested in her, or maybe you know someone who would be the perfect match.  Please help us by spreading Skye's story so she can find her forever family.  You can contact us here to talk about adopting Skye.

Skye thanks you for reading, and give you a big wet kiss!

Guardian Angel...

I came across this article and had to share it.  What an amazing story!  Angels show up when you least expect it.

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The wandering 65-pound Pit Bull mix might have seemed menacing to some passerby, but one woman will always remember him as her "guardian angel."

The dog, which authorities think is lost and not a stray, successfully thwarted a robbery attack on a mother and her 2-year-old son, who were held at knifepoint Monday afternoon.

The Florida woman, who has been identified by authorities simply as "Angela," was leaving a playground with her toddler son in Port Charlotte when a man approached her in the parking lot with a knife and told her not to make any noise or sudden movements.

Angela didn't have to do either to protect herself and her child -- a dog mysteriously ran to the scene and charged the man, who quickly fled.

"I don't think the dog physically attacked the man, but he went at him and was showing signs of aggression, just baring his teeth and growling and barking. It was clear he was trying to defend this woman," Animal Control Lt. Brian Jones told Pet Pulse.

"I don't know what this man's intentions were, but it is very possible this dog saved her life."

The exceptional part of the story, Jones said, is that the dog had never met or even seen the people it quickly jumped to defend.

"You hear about family dogs protecting their owners, but this dog had nothing to do with this woman or her kid," Jones said. "He was like her guardian angel."

After the alleged thief ran away, Angela quickly placed her son, Jordan, in the car and tried to drive off. Before she could, though, the dog jumped into her backseat, waiting with her for the police and animal control officers to arrive at the scene.

The dog was transported to a local shelter and if his owners don't step forward within five days, Jones said, Angela and her family plan to adopt the savior she named "Angel."

Animal control officers and shelter workers believe Angel is lost, and not a stray, because of his good health, sturdy weight and mild temperament.

"It's funny, that someone's irresponsibility could have saved someone's life," Jones said of Angel's possible owners.

For Angela, it doesn't matter where the dog came from, just that he was there when she needed him most.

"I don't know what his [the thief's] intentions were -- I don't know why he did it, but I'm glad that -- we call him Angel -- I'm glad that Angel showed up because I don't know what would have happened," Angela told NBC2 News.

Calm...

Calm: (käm)
n.
1. An absence or cessation of motion; stillness.
2. Serenity; tranquillity; peace.

Such a simple word, with a simple meaning.  I have learned a lot the past few days about how this word must fit into your daily life if you are to have a successful relationship with your dog.  We live in a fast paced world, where deadlines need to be met, bills need to be paid, children need to be driven to soccer practice, dinner needs to be cooked, laundry needs to be done...you get my point.  So where does calm fit into your life and how does it relate to your dog?

 I am probably one of the most guilty, never practicing calm, I am always on the go, my mind is always spinning, and there is always too much to do, with too little time.  It has started to affect me with minor negative physical symptoms, such as TMJ and neck and back tension.  My two dogs live in a very excited state most of the time, not practicing calm either.  Totally my fault.  I need to be their teacher and lead them into the proper state of mind.

Your dogs read your energy, and it impacts their behavior.  If you are hyped up all the time, they will be hyped up all the time, which can lead to negative behavior issues.  I have been forced to change my lifestyle and practice calm, since bringing Skye home 3 days ago.  I now recognize how my excited state of being has negatively affected my own dogs and their behavior, which is causing Skye's transition into my home to be more difficult.  So I reached out for help from our two certified dog trainers at Shelter Link.

I was lacking the tools and the understanding of dog behavior, which was throwing off the balance in my house.  I will be perfectly honest, it hasn't been an easy few days, but I am learning so much about dog behavior and training, and it really is amazing if you follow the recommendations of a professional trainer, the immediate positive results you get.  I never even realized how hyped up I always was.  When I was approaching a training exercise with the dogs, or giving a correction, I wasn't in a clam state.  No wonder I wasn't getting the results I was looking for.  But after watching Jack, a certified trainer and member of Shelter Link work with my dogs and Skye, I saw exactly what it meant to be calm and how positively it affects a dog's behavior, leading to the results you are looking for.

It is a work in progress here, and it is heading in a positive direction.  I have so much support from the two certified dog trainers at Shelter Link, if I call, they come and lead me.  I am never alone at this.

So, two points to my post today, one, practice calm and see how it affects your relationship with your dog, and two, fostering a shelter dog may be a challenge, but with support, like we have here at Shelter Link, can be one of the best learning experiences of your life and lead you to be a better dog owner.  It certainly has for me.

Thanks for reading...

Friday's Friends...

Every Friday, I will post Friday's Friends, featuring a few of our beautiful dogs at the Islip Animal Shelter.  A lot of people say when I tell them I volunteer at the shelter, oh it's all Pitbulls.  Wrong, very wrong.  Yes, we do have a lot of great Pitbulls, but we also have so many other breeds at the shelter, from little Yorkies and Chihuahuas, to Beagles, Labrador's, Huskies and more.  You'd be surprised to learn that many of the animals in Islip's shelter are pure breed.  It's amazing that these expensive and sought after breeds, become residents at the shelter.  So if you are one of the people who think that there are only Pitbulls at the shelter, you are very mistaken.  Take a look at some of Friday Friends:

Meet Jackson, an absolutely beautiful and sweet Husky/Akita Mix.  Jackson is a young playful boy, somewhere around the age of one.  Besides being devastatingly handsome, with the softest coat ever, he is gentle, intelligent and eager to please you.  He has learned basic obedience commands very quickly, and enjoys learning.  He's got a great personality, and would make a great addition to any family.  To see more about Jackson, click here.

Look at Sparrow, a wonderful sweet female Jack Russell. She is a gentle girl that is playful and affectionate. She is intelligent and just loves to be with people. She is energetic but not your typically Jack. She too, will make a wonderful addition to your family.  To see more about Sparrow, click here.

Or what about Pattycake, a Lab/Shepherd Mix.  What a great girl! She is very playful and funny. She loves people and is very outgoing and energetic. She is a character and guaranteed to make you smile. She will make a wonderful addition to an active family that wants to include her.  See more about Pattycake here.

Are you wondering what happened to Stanley, the dog rescued in yesterday's video?  We were too!

Respect-A-Bull took Stanley in, put him in a foster home and continued where the rescuer had left off. While with Respect-A-Bull, Stanley had surgery to repair a problem with his eyes and continued mange treatment. His second foster home, previous adopters from Respect-A-Bull, decided that they couldn't part with Stanley and he joined their family officially. We couldn't be happier for Stanley, his adoptive "parents" and his adoptive brother Taylor, a Respect-A-Bull program graduate himself!

So there you have it, a very happy ending to what may not have been.  Truly, an inspirational story.

Have a great Friday!

The 1st Day of a New Life...

There she is, Miss Skye.  Last night was an emotional night for my oldest daughter and me, as we sat with Skye, petting her, getting her to relax and drift off to sleep.  We talked about how we saved Skye, how today there were so many firsts for her...it may well have been her first time in a home.  We don't know. We could see the reality set in that she was no longer bound to a cage, as we walked her and my dogs with 3 of the volunteers at Shelter Link around my block.  She became a different dog, one who was more sure of herself, peppy and definitely happy.  She mastered the stairs relatively quickly, considering she may never have climbed stairs before, and was afraid at first of them.  But patience and love always win out.

I turned the TV on in my bedroom where Skye was, and she got so scared, backing away from it.  I can only imagine how big of a day yesterday was for her, how overwhelming it must have felt.  A new home, 2 dogs, 1 cat, 2 kids and 2 adults as housemates.  A big yard with lots of new smells, noises that are normal to any household, but foreign to her.  A lot to take in when you have spent the past 2 months of your life in a kennel in a shelter, and before that, who knows.  It was beautiful to watch her finally settle in on a spot on the rug in my bedroom, and close her eyes, breathing a big sigh, ready to relax.  She spent the night sleeping on the floor next to my bed on the side I lay, and never moved.  My one dog, Coco, right beside her.  I bet berber carpeting never felt so good!

This morning, she was a bit nervous, and had an accident in the house, but who cares, that's why there are paper towels and Clorox wipes.  She will find her way here, slowly but surely, I am positive of that.  It's new to Skye, and us, and we will all learn together.

You might be wondering what is wrong with her eyes.  Skye had eye surgery to correct a common eye condition in dogs, called Entropion.  She is still healing up, and should be all better soon with the help of an antibiotic cream.

So there you have it, Skye's 1st day, I'm sure it ranks up there as one of her best, it certainly is one of ours.  Skye is off to the beauty parlor soon for her first spa treatment, thanks to the fabulous ladies at Lad & Lassie Groomer in Islip.

A reader forwarded me this video which shows how one person doing one thing, makes such a difference.  Maybe it will inspire you to do one thing.  I warn you now, you will need tissues.  {Don't forget to scroll down and turn off our music player.}

As always, thanks for reading...

A Great Day...

It is 6:30 am, and my 6 year old daughter just asked me, Is today Wednesday?  Smiling, I tell her it is, and she excitedly says, Skye's coming!  Today is a great day for Shelter Link, and for me in particular.  We will be fostering one of the beautiful Pitbull babies, well she's not a baby, she's around 2 ;), here at my home.  She'll arrive this afternoon, and we can't wait!  She is such a sweet girl, who will thrive being out of the shelter environment.  She's a special dog, afraid, but coming out of her shell.  It became apparent to us that whoever had her before she ended up at the shelter, wasn't very nice to her.  But that is all behind her now.  The volunteers worked with her at the shelter, coaxing her to learn to trust again, and you would be amazed how quickly she did.  Dogs have an amazing capacity to forgive and live in the now.

Look at Skye and Valentino, another mush at the shelter waiting for his family, having some fun this past Saturday. {She's the gray beauty on the right.}

I will be posting lots about Skye's time with us, her progress and photos.  My daughter's are so excited we get to help her, and find her a forever home.  They helped pick out a new collar and dog bowl for her yesterday.  As a parent, I am thrilled to give them this experience, as there as so many lessons they will learn and take with them the rest of their life.

Skye is Shelter Link's 3rd foster dog in the past 2 months.  Hopefully, that number will grow quickly, as we have more fosters in place.  Shelter Link's first foster dog, Winnie, is already at her forever home, being spoiled and loved on.  Her family is very smitten with her.  I will be posting more about Winnie's love story soon.  If you would like to see our dogs being fostered, click here.

Fostering a dog is no doubt going to be an amazing and joyous experience for myself and my family.  I know tears will be shed when we turn over her leash to her new forever family.  But we'll think about the impact we had on her life, and how we loved her like she was our own.  And that will make it all worth it!

Providing a temporary home for a dog in need is very important.  Here are 10 reasons why you should consider taking a foster into your home to become a part of your family.  In animal rescue, a foster home is a necessary ingredient for moving a dog out of a shelter and on the way to a good forever home.

1.  Some dogs don’t do at all well in a shelter environment. They may be elderly or frightened of the smells and sounds. These dogs have a much greater chance of being adopted if they’re placed in a home environment and are given some TLC.

2.  If a foster dog needs veterinary care, the shelter organization takes care of that.

3.  Fostering a dog can be a rewarding experience for anyone of any age. You can enjoy the companionship of a dog that needs a temporary home.

4.  As you spend time with your foster dog, you can learn about canine behavior, grooming, and social interactions.

5.  You’ll learn the finer points about the dog’s personality. This is a wonderful gift you can give to people looking to adopt the dog. You’ll be able to inform them of all the strong points, as well as areas that need to be focused on if they are considering adopting your foster dog.

6.  If you already have a dog, fostering can provide your pup with a companion and playmate.

7.  Fostering a dog teaches children about compassion and generosity.

8.  Fostering means that you save a life. You are making room for another dog at the shelter. One more open run or kennel.

9.  Having a foster dog lets you actively participate in the rehabilitation of a traumatized or needy dog. Due to the attention and security you give him in your home, your foster can become a different dog, less timid and less emotionally or physically injured.

10.  Most of all, fostering is incredibly satisfying. The day your foster dog finds his perfect forever home might be a sad one for you, but know that he wouldn’t be where he is without all of your efforts and affection!

To foster with us, click here for more information.

We need you... they need you.

The Truth About Pitbulls...

Most people hear the word Pitbull, and immediately have a negative reaction, due to all the negative media attention the breed receives.  Sadly, the majority of dogs in Islip's Shelter or any shelter across the country are Pitbull or Pitbull Mixes.  Ask yourself why are so many Pitbulls in shelters.  Is it because they are the mean terrifying dogs everyone makes them out to be?  Or maybe, just maybe, is it because they may be one of the most neglected dog breeds.

The case of Michael Vick brought to the forefront of America's eyes, how terribly mistreated Pitbulls are and the horrific acts people were committing.  And that is just one case, out of thousands.  Now, thankfully, we have shows on televison that advocate for Pitbulls, like The Pit Boss and Pitbulls and Paroles, great shows, btw.  Finally, some much needed positive attention.

Did you know Petey from the Little Rascals was a Pitbull?  He was, and so stinkin cute, if I do say so myself.

I fell in love with the breed a few years ago, and if you ask my 7 year old daughter what her favorite dog breed is, she'll tell you A Pimple, Pitbull.  Granted she has two parents who love the breed and has a Pimple of her own, so maybe we swayed her a bit, lol.  They are loving, sweet gentle dogs, and despite what you may think, amazing with children!  Did you know they scored higher than the average score on temperament tests conducted by the American Temperament Test Society?  It's true, they did.  Here are six reasons why Pitbulls make great pets.

1. Pit Bulls are Affectionate Companions

Pitbulls are wiggly, cuddly, affectionate dogs. If you don’t like dog kisses then consider another breed, because most pitbulls love licking. The same goes if you have children and you don’t want them to be a regular target for face washes.

Pitbulls are not aloof – they like to remind you regularly of how they feel about you, and in general this means a lot of tail wagging and kissing.

2. Generally Healthy and Easy to Care For

Yes, pit bulls require a reasonable amount of attention. They do not, however, need a lot of care. They have short coats and are normal shedders, and only need to be brushed semi-regularly.

They don't tend toward genetic disorders like some other breeds, although they should be inspected at puppyhood for signs of hip dysplasia, but this is a good idea for most medium to large breeds anyway. Most pit bulls do not get larger than 50 to 60 pounds, although there are some larger sub-breeds.

And as long as you exercise the dog regularly, a pitbull can be very comfortable in a small dwelling.

3. People-Orientated, When Socialized Properly

Pitbulls love people. Although this breed frequently gets a bad rap in the media, if you have ever met a pitbull that was raised by a loving, conscientious family then you will understand how much they like to be with people.

The downside of this personality trait is that they can get overexcited when they meet new people, which is something that needs to be addressed through training and positive reinforcement.

4. Pit Bulls are Loyal to their Owners

Your pit bull will be you and your family’s best friend from the day you take them home to the day they pass away. While they will be naturally protective of their family and their property, because pitbulls are so people-orientated they do not make good guard dogs.

Unless you just want them to smother intruders with hugs and kisses.

5. Eager to Please

A pitbull will always do it’s best to make you happy, as long as you are clear about what you expect from them. Many people will mention the fact that this breed is notoriously stubborn, but once they realize that you are the boss, they will work hard to ensure that you were happy with them.

6. High Tolerance for Pain

Sometimes presented as a negative trait, the fact that pitbulls have a high pain tolerance makes them exceptional family dogs. They easily (and happily) put up with the rough play of children without reacting.

So now that you have some background on this wonderful breed, which in my personal opinion is just the cutest ever, take a look at a few of our Pitbulls at the shelter.  I encourage you to come down and spend time with any one of them and see what Pitbulls are really like.

Sprinkles, such a beautiful and playful girl...

Hef, what a ham!

Shorty, the most gentle guy who just happens to be deaf.

I could go on and on, sharing all of our beautiful, loving Pitbulls at the shelter that are are waiting for their forever homes.  Ask yourself this, if you are someone who is afraid of a Pitbull, why is that?  Have you ever spent time with one?  This breed needs us, and hopefully you'll consider meeting one of our great Pitbulls.

I found this video on U Tube and thought it was worth sharing.  {Please scroll down to the bottom of the blog and pause our music player before playing this video.}



Thanks for hanging in there and reading!  Have a wonderful day!