Another Success Story

One day last year, when I was leaving Baldwin Park County Shelter in Los Angeles, I spotted a little dog on the side of a very busy street, nosing around. There were people walking by him, but he didn't seem to belong to anyone.

Then, I saw that he was eating rocks! Whose dog was this?

I pulled my car over and tried to get close to him.....and poof! Off he ran, b-lining for a very busy intersection. I ran after him, blocking traffic so that he could get across safely, and continued following him for another 25 minutes! I got lots of wolf whistles and comments like, "Crazy white girl!" from car passer-bys.

Finally, puppy pooped out and sat himself on a grass patch accross the street of a 5 story tall apartment building. I spent another 15 minutes, slowly creeping up next to him. The residents of the apartment building all came out onto their balcony to watch, and I overheard a few of them making bets on wether or not I was going to get my hands on this dog!

Well, the money went to the ones who bet I was going to catch him, because I did!

Poor skinny guy, must have been on the street for weeks! He was so matted and dirty, I even found a 16 inch long industrial wire embedded in his fur!!?!

Well, this little guy cleaned up well! Look at him after his bath!

That's not the end of it! Karl was adopted by none other than trainer-extraordinare, vegan, and animal lover Bob Harper from NBC's "The Biggest Loser!"

Now Karl flies on private jets, stays at The Four Seasons, he's traveled to Martha's Vineyard, Chicago, New York City....

among many other metropolitan cities, AND he gets to go with Bob on his television shoots!

How's that for a classic 'rags to riches' story??? Yay Karl!!!

An inspiring story that led me to Oregon

While living in Los Angeles, I met "Peaches" on a Tuesday at North Central Shelter. I found her in her run, a pathetic sight. She had made herself small enough to fit on one tiny hand towel that was placed in her run as a bed. She was clearly blind, and shaking... badly... to the point where I thought she might have some kind of nerve disorder or brain damage.

She had been bred, and was still lactating, no sign of the puppies.

When I inquired about her at the front, staffer Delicia exclaimed, "I love that dog!!! You have to meet her!" I agreed to take some pictures and network her.

Well, Delicia was right. Peaches was amazing. Super sweet and full of life. She was an owner surrender, dumped on Sunday, and red-listed because she was blind. Peaches had until Friday before they would PTS. I sent out an email blast that night.

By Wednesday afternoon, I had Luv-A-Bull Pitbull Rescue in Eugene, OR willing to take Peaches on. I had a foster lined up for her, and transport!

Thursday, I bailed her out! We promptly went to the eye doctor to have her eyes diagnosed: advanced Glaucoma due to blunt trauma. She was in severe pain (hence the nervous shaking) and needed to have an enucleation. Everyone rallied to raise funds to pay for her surgery, and a week later, her surgery was performed by Dr. Silverman at Complete Animal Eye Care, in Sherman Oaks.

Peaches recovered at my house, and three months later we were on our way to Luv-A-Bull!

Her transition to Luv-A-Bull went incredibly smoothly. She bonded instantly with the other dogs.

It was exactly what she needed, and I couldn't have been more pleased.

Peaches became particularly close to a handsome fella named "Rhino." He is pretty irresistable. Rhino would guide Peaches on the trails during their walks, and ALWAYS let her win at tug-o-war.

Peaches spent 2 months with her friends at Luv-A-Bull. Last week she was ADOPTED by an amazing family. Peaches lives in their home with their other special needs dog "Moxie" on a 40 acre farm! Peaches latest pastimes are snoozing in the sun, swimming in the creek, and riding shotgun on the ATV.

David Reeker (Peaches' new daddy) says on Facebook:

"So this is Peaches. Peaches is a rescue from a LA shelter. She has no eyes, but doesn't let that slow her down much. She is the newest member of our happy dog pack, and will live the rest of her life sniffing her way around the ranch. She is one of the sweetest beings I have ever met, and I feel very lucky to have her here."

She is truly a special girl!!!

Success Story

This is Harrison. Harrison lives with my friends Lizzie and Matt. She enjoys stretching, rolling in goose poop, and catching flies in the house.

But what makes Harrison extra special is where she comes from. Three years ago I was driving on the 110 fwy, in the fast lane, going about 70, the same speed as everyone else. As I was rounding a turn, from my peripheral vision to the left, I saw two black eyes, and a black nose. I had just enough time to see that there was a dog, sitting next to the railing while cars zoomed past just a foot away from her going about 65-70 mph.

Next, I had the most intense adrenaline rush I’ve ever experienced. I immediately exited the fwy, back-tracked and got back on again so I could get to her. I got in the fast lane, put on my hazards, slowed to about 20mph pumping my brakes and honking my horn. When I reached the dog, I stopped. I got out of my car, walked up to the dog, who was dazed and confused. I let her sniff my hand, and then very quickly scooped her up, put her in my car, and immediately drove to the vet.

The doctors found scrapes and scabs, a nasty case of mange and a severe staff infection on her nose, but doing fine otherwise. I promptly took her home to introduce her to my neighbors at the time, Matt and Lizzie. Harrison looked so pitiful with a fly buzzing around her face, that they couldn’t say no!

Matt and Lizzie adopted Harrison on the spot! They rehabbed her and now she is swimming in salt-water pools, sleeping on designer beds, and enjoying a badminton game or two by the sidelines.

In hindsight, I realize what I did to rescue Hare Dog was very dangerous. Here are a few phone numbers for help with an endangered or distressed animal in the Portland area:

Injured Wildlife Hotline:

Portland Audubon Society Wildlife Care Center

(503) 292-0304

Injured Kitties or Canines:

DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital

1945 NW Pettygrove Portland, OR 97209

(503) 228-7281

Report Animal Cruelty:

Call 911 if you are witnessing animal cruelty in progress. Animal Cruelty is a CRIME. Learn more here.

If the situation is too dangerous for you to rescue a dog or cat, Animal Control may help. The animal will be placed in shelter intake for three days so as to give it's owner a chance to come to claim their animal.

Multnomah County Animal Services

1-503-988-7387 (press 1 to report an emergency)

Harrison says, "Thank You!"