I live in a neighborhood full of dogs in need. But I also live in a generous neighborhood full of love and love for dogs. As many neighborhood dogs as I have rescued and helped, my neighbors continually do the same. The need is great, but so is the desire to help. We all make a difference everyday. It’s the little things that collectively make a big impact. Here are a few unique examples of support of our rescue efforts.
Food
When the dog pack was living in my yard, a concern neighbor heard that I was feeding 10-12 dogs every day and she dropped off a 30 pound bag of dog food on my porch. When my neighbor lost his beloved dog to old age, he donated his dog’s food to the month long effort to feed the pack (long enough to trap them).
Dog beds
We crate train all our dogs. We start slowly with towels and then transition the dogs to dog beds in their kennels. The street dogs tend to kill at least one dog bed before they associate disemboweling their dog bed with the loss of their creature comforts. We are always grateful for donated dog beds to help transition street dogs to happy house dogs.
When princess Sophie, who lives down the street, turned down her new fancy therapeutic dog bed, my neighbors donated it to the cause. It was very welled loved. This last weekend, when another neighbor’s mastiff mix decided he didn’t want to use his dog bed, Pit Bull and Claire became the beneficiaries. Clearly from these pics, these dog beds don’t go unappreciated.
A Big Box of Love
What do you get Dog Lady for Christmas? Well, my sweet niece gave me the best Christmas present EVER! She stuffed, and I mean stuffed, a giant plastic tub full of dog food, treats, toys, snack etc. And then she did the sweetest thing ever – she wrote the names of all the dogs rescued to date on the lid. I cry every time I get something out of the box. That box has been helping rescues for the last two years and it STILL has more toys in it!
Winslow’s Gifts
My neighbor’s recently lost their family dog and they honored his memory by generous donating all of his dog beds, leashes, fancy shampoos, treats, etc to our rescue efforts. We made out like bandits as Winslow lived a very spoiled rotten life.
We usually make due with what is in the house when a stray dog comes along. Sometimes male dogs have to wear pink colars and girl dogs wear blue sweaters, but they don’t ever seem to mind. We generally run short on supplies for the little dogs as I don’t own any little dogs. Winslow’s donation fills a big need in our supply box. No longer will you see me walking a little dog rescue, like our last recent Chihuahua rescue Birdie, on a giant extra large leash with a buckle as big as her head. We are now size appropriate with toys, bowls, leashes etc.
We will honor Winslow well by making sure his favorite toys and blankets comfort neighborhood stray dogs on their road to a fabulous new rescued life.
We miss our little window buddy and will think of him often. He will always be in our hearts, even if he is not in his window playing the window game with Chankla. They both loved to look out their respective front windows at each other and then bark at kitty cat or the mailman simultaneously. Don’t tell Winslow’s parents, but I think squirrel misses him the most.
When were contemplating how to catch Number Two and what we would do with her when we caught her (trap and release was a consideration at one point) a gently used Igloo dog house and a several gently used dog beds were donated to the cause to help keep her close to the house and comfortable in the cold weather. All this for a feral dog that was still at large.
Once we caught Two, people donated toys, homemade meatballs, eye surgery costs, training tuition…what a beautiful collection of gestures and generosity to help this feral dog that was born and raised on our streets.
The dogs have a fan who has hand made them beautiful blankets – specifically for them! Because she wanted something she made with her hands to comfort and care for the former street dogs.
I am constantly amazed and blessed everyday by all the caring people I know and all the ways they express their caring hearts. Thank you!