Day 3: June 7, 2010.

Dog #4. Penned for 7 years. I received a call from vet tech, Teresa, from my Vet clinic. This clinic is very supportive of the efforts and cause of DDB. Teresa informed me that an owner of a Lab mix wanted to schedule an appointment the following Saturday to have their dog put to sleep. She promptly called me sensing that something didn't seem right in the care of this dog and asked if I would be interested in rescuing her. She told me the address of the owner and “ding, ding, ding…” bells went off in my head. This is the dog I received an anonymous tip about and has been on my list of DDB dogs for sometime now. I replied with an adamant “yes”. I had never seen this dog, as her pen is covered by sheets of corrugated metal and the pen only slightly in view from an adjacent side street.

Kalli now has a new lease on life and will be fostered with my wife and I until her forever home finds her.

—Tim Treybal
MN area DDB representative.

Dog #5. Meet Simon, a darling little 5 year old Shih tzu who came to us intact and with only a rabies vaccination since puppyhood. It's not the typical dog we get at Dogs Deserve Better. He wasn't chained, and he wasn't in an outdoor kennel. But he was in a small indoor pen for the past two years!

You see, Simon has a problem. A biting problem. He was surrendered to a local vet after biting a five year old boy....who hit him with a baseball ball! I'm sure that is why he spent life in a cage. Who knows what types of abuse this dog has suffered. The one thing we know is that he is damaged psychologically. Along with being a unpredictable biter, he also has a compulsive disorder. He spent a week licking, sucking, and nudging the ear of one of my own dogs. Poor Karla!

Simon has been fully vetted, but we are in the process of checking him for pain, and getting a thyroid test and some blood work done to rule out any other problems. Once that has been done, he will be working with a wonderful trainer pro bono to help us rehabilitate Simon. I don't expect quick results. He is very "damaged". But I do expect him to recover most, if not all of his well being.

Simon will now jump on our laps, give us kisses, and let us pet him. Although we do have a few "battle wounds" we are willing to tolerate it until the time he can go to a family of his own, and be respected and treated like he always should have been.

Thanks to Dogs Deserve Better for vetting this little dog, and caring enough to make sure he gets the help that he needs!

—Gayla Hausman, Dogs Deserve Better, Area Rep., NE

Dog #6-7."Dumas" is a White German Shepherd mix that was living his life alone, chained in a dark shed. His caretaker is a truck driver and would leave for days and weeks at a time. "Dumas" was left with large amounts of food and water, but was isolated and alone. He could only step a couple of feet out of his shed and could not enjoy the green grass and sunshine that surrounded him. It is also a daunting task to protect all of that food from raccoons, possum and even coyotes, especially when chained and unable to defend yourself. DDB was contacted, we drove 4 hours to Southern Missouri to get him relinquished.

—Melody Whitworth, DDB Rep - Columbia, Missouri

"Max" was chained with a collar so tight, we had to cut it off! We were told he was "wild". He was living in dirt and feces. He would constantly tip his water bowl over because he had very little room to move around the tree the anchored him. When "Max" was released from this tight collar and restraints of a chain, he instantly became a fun loving, ball catching, couch potato! All "Max" needed was some exercise to expel his energy, as all dogs do, especially a young, lovable Labrador Retriever!

—Melody Whitworth, DDB Rep - Columbia, Missouri

Dog #8. I received a call from a San Bernardino County Probation Officer about a week ago regarding this dog. She explained that when she took on a new probation case and did a home inspection, she noticed Brandi crated in a back room. Brandi was living her entire life in a small crate in a back room of this house. She was so upset and called me and the Humane Society immediately.. Brandi has a sever case of dermatitis mange but is being treated for this by the Humane Society. The Humane Society's Cruelty Team has been working to get the dog healthy and talking with the owners to allow DDB to re-home her. Why they didn't remove her is beyond me??? The HS also installed a zip line for Brandi so that she can be outside, but from what I understand, they would rarely take her out of her crate.

The family agreed to allow DDB to get Brandi and give her a better life than the life in that small area and from being tethered outside with no protection from other animals. The family explained they didn't even want a dog and since they were planning a move, they kept her crated because they didn't want a mess and didn't really want to deal with a dog. They explained that the yard is not fenced and was to much effort to walk and play with her.

The original plan was for me to pick her up Friday morning and take her to my vet and then the foster family in LA. WELL, this morning I got a call from the Probation Officer and she was in shambles. She explained that she along with CPS had arrived at the home to remove one of the children from the residence and the family has left the residence without notice and she couldn't find the dog. She looked in the back and it looked like Brandi broke free from her tether. While we were talking, she spotted Brandi digging in some trash near by and she was able to catch her. The Humane Society took her in and had the Vet check her and provide more medication for mange, shots, a physical, and do a temperament test for me.

Since I can not transport Brandi until Friday to my foster in Los Angeles, a vet has offered to kennel her for a few day's with no cost to us. Which is such a financial relief at this point..

She is the sweetest girl. She is a bit head shy and nervous but who wouldn't be after living this long in a crate.. She will be in great hands in her new foster home. The foster mom just called and is really excited to get her on Friday. Brandi will finally be able to run around a yard and play with 2 foster brothers. I can not wait to see her completely free... I will upload pictures on Friday of Brandi in her new foster home.

—Deana Whitfield, Region 1 Area Rep. Coordinator

Dog #9 I received a call about installing some fencing for a chained dog and the day that I went to measure the lot for the fence, a young man came walking up on us and asked what we were doing. I told him and gave him my brochure and he asked if we could put up a fence for his chained dog too? After I finished where I was, I walked over to his yard where I met this beautiful Belgian Malinois named "General Lee" He had no shelter, he was just tied to a tree and starving for attention and limping on his rear leg. This we came to learn was a soft tissue injury probably caused from getting tangled in the chain. I spoke to the guy and told him the General Lee needed to see a vet and he said he could not afford that, well ... that is unacceptable. I explained to him the cost of future care for a dog like this would be very expensive and he began to see the light. He signed him over to DDB and agreed in writing not to ever chain another dog. So here is General Lee, now named Rico, rescued from the chain! He's now safe and sound in his foster home in Illinois. Many thanks to all who helped him. He so deserved a better life.

—Shari Strader
Greensboro/Triad, NC DDB Rep, DDB Regional Coordinator, Region #5

Dog #10-11. He was a chained dog in TN whose neighbor witnessed the owner beating and kicking him on several occasions. He would get off his chain sometimes and run to this neighbor's yard because the man would feed him. After a couple of times of Chance coming into his yard, the man decided to contact a rescuer who came and took Chance. He was then sent to a kennel that a woman ran at her house, but there were 50 dogs there and not the best conditions.

I had Chance transported to me and I am working on getting him into a rescue or forever home now. This boy has had a rough life but is a total sweetheart. I have attached pics.

—Michelle, DDB-PA

Popeye was chained for the entire 4 years of his life. That is history. He is now my mushy family house dog.

—Barb

Day 9: June 13, 2010.

Dog #12. Meet Nick (his free name). Nick is approx. 1 1/2 yrs old, he was given as a birthday gift to a little boy. The parents could not housetrain him or deal with his energy so outside on the chain he went. The neighbors were feeding him, and one the ladies is who contacted DDB after they convinced the owners to give him a chance at a better life. The police had also been called several times because of the living condtions and constant barking.

He joined our home on Friday June 11. He has signs of a tight collar that left a very bad outline and rash...at least we were able to save him before the collar grew in. His ears have fly bites on, and he is very leary of taking treats out of our hands. Seems like he is more used to the scavenger instinct of eating off the ground.

Now, and forever he is enjoying an indoor life with water, food, love and toys. He is not barking all the time now and he smiles. He loves being social and seems to be catching up on much needed R&R . We think he is catching on to indoor life very well.

—Cindy & Dan McGill,Region 6 Coordinators, Ohio

Dog #13-15. Sabrina the chained momma dog, and 2 of her puppies. There have been now 8 dogs total rescued from a trailer park in Florence, KY. Sabrina is a young flat-coat retriever who recently gave birth to 8 puppies. The family realized they could not care for Sabrina and her puppies, or 2 other dogs that were there. They were reluctant to give up Sabrina and the last 2 puppies, but after being threatened with eviction, we were given Sabrina and the last 2 puppies.

Sabrina is in a wonderful foster home and is a very lovable, adoptable dog. Her last two puppies Jasmine and Cupid, will no doubt be adopted quickly. Jasmine is the boxer looking puppy, Cupid is the black one and has a heart-shaped spot on her chest. They are at the vet safe and sound tonight and will be going to a foster home tomorrow.

—Tammi Kinman Ruppert, Ky Rep

Dog #16.This is Muddy. I have been working with this family for over a week now. They agreed to relinquish Muddy once I found foster. After spending the day with them and Muddy on 6/9/10, AC came and impounded him after receiving a call from a neighbor regarding his living situation. Muddy was tethered majority of his life and when they took him off the tether when I was there, he was so full of life. Muddy was at the shelter for almost a week. I was not allowed to adopt him until the owners did a "no show" on pick up. I finally got him on Monday, got him neutered and current on shots yesterday and he is resting and relaxing today.

The crack in the fence shown in the first 2 pictures, is why the owners tethered, when I asked had he ever gotten out before being tethered, the answer was no, so it made no since as to why they decided to tether him. The other two are of us on our way home from the vet's office this afternoon.

—Deana Whitfield, Region 1 Coordinator

Dog #17-20. This Saturday, 6/19/10, the owner of 4 dogs (a 3 year old male yellow lab, 3 year old female pit-bull and two 4 month old pit/lab mix pups) will be releasing his dogs over to DDB as he can no-longer take care of the dogs. The dogs currently live all in the same small pen sharing a water and food dish. I was able to meet the dogs and they are all very friendly and looking for love. All dogs do not have shots and will need a vet check-up. Three of the dogs will be transported to a Rescue in Dillsburg, PA and one of the pups which has a hurt right leg will be staying with a temporary foster mom near Philly until something opens up. These are all great dogs and I hope someone can open up their home for them!

http://surgeryforprecious.chipin.com/help-needed-for-precious

—Jeanna Erb, Harrisburg, PA

Dog #21-27. Diamond/ now Delialah pit puppy- She is safe in a foster home and going to a rescue in about 2 weeks. She had a thin tether with a lock so no one would steal her. She was stuck in the sun and when I pulled up she had dug a hole under the step to try and keep cool in 100 degrees in SC. Her friend Brownie is below. He is safe as of today!!!! He will go to a rescue and on transport July 3rd. The owners did give her to me when most in that neighborhood just want to breed and fight them. Brownie had actually lived chained briefly as an older puppy. She was starting to let him in but the new place she was moving to would not allow big dogs at all. My girls are with Delialah right after I picked her up before her spay!!!! No pit puppies will be born and abused from her!!! She is a real sweetie!!!

Brownie free today!! He was chained and then lived in a small fence/ pen. Now he'll live inside!!!

Stanley & Emily and their 2 surviving puppies were living in a pen for the last 5 years. Emily has had 3 litters. The owners are moving??? They kept there Pomperain in the house but not these poor beagles who were stuck in the heat for much of the day when the sun moved! Now they are being temporarily fostered by Linda & John who really cater
to their pooches. They will go to a Fabulous beagle rescue in NC. The rescue will be taking the whole family on Saturday!!

Snowball came in on our local Hotline 980-DOGS. The woman did not realize how hyper labs can be. She had him penned but he'd escape the pen to visit his mother who lived up the street, so then she chained him . He is so sweet and social. Really loves everybody. His temporary foster said his name should be goofball because he is so silly. He will be going to a great Northern rescue very soon. Thanks to several SC rescuers working together he is free!!

He has a lot of space to run now!!!! I'd like to be fostered in this fenced 5 acre lot!!!

—Alicia Schwartz, Rock Hill, SC

Dog #28-35. Poppy (white pit), only one year old, was chained most of her life. She ended up at our local pound with only 24 hours left to live. One of the shelter volunteers contacted me and we immediately went into action. Poppy is safe with me and loving life. Although she is a pit bull, she thinks she is a lap dog. She loves to be held and carried and loves to give kisses. This poor momma dog (brown/white mix) and her eight puppies were left outside to die in the heat. Two of her puppies did not survive but luckily Mary of TN, with the help of Vanessa in OH, was able to pick the whole family up and they are safe at Mary's house. This family is going to need a lot of support. We have started a Chip-In at : http://dogsdeservebetternrv.chipin.com/tn-mom-and-pups

—Shannon, DDB-Virginia; Vanessa Petrosky, OH; Mary Allen, TN

Day 28: July 2, 2010.

Dog #36. Here's Ben. Savannah and I rescued him today while dropping off clothes at Salvation Army. While I do not know for sure if he was chained or penned, I know that he has been a perpetual outside, uncared for dog. He was a little stray dog searching for water on the street. After not allowing me to catch him, I opened my car door and said, " Do you want to go for a ride?" and he jumped in.

He's a poodle, about 3 years old. Filty, matted, covered with ticks, and with a sore on the side of his face, he certainly did not deserve the life he has endured.

The local wonderful ladies (Thank you, Bridget) at the grooming side of Hobbs Animal Clinic gave him his make over at short notice and the Dr. Newman gave him an exam and some antibiotics for the sore on his face.

I am looking forward to the life Ben will get to enjoy now. Free from mats, ticks, and just generally being uncared for. Keep your head up, Ben. Your future is just beginning!

—Amanda (Barnett) Green
Hobbs, NM Area Representative Dogs Deserve Better

Dog #37. Acting on a tip, we accessed where Buck and Bear lived from the neighbors property to take pictures. Bear is the bigger dog that was in a pen with a metal shed. It was 95 degree's the day we were there. Bear was wimpering, which isn't unusual for dogs that are penned or chained. I think most times it is anxiety. But not this time. Bear would die that night.

I approached the owners of the dogs and asked to get them groomed and help with a fence so they could be together. She was reluctant at first but finally agreed. The groomer was to call and make an appointment with her. But Bear died before we could get back there. After I found out Bear had died, I asked the groomer to call ASAP, so we could get a better look at Buck. We made plans for Buck to be groomed the next day. But when it came time to go, the owner told the groomer she couldn't drive Buck the mile to her house. So I drove to Wymore and picked him up myself. Boy, am I glad I did! I could tell as I lifted him into the vehicle that he was unusually light.

It took the groomer five solid hours to get that filthy, feces covered and matted coat off that poor boy. We found just a skeleton with skin underneath. He is without any muscle at all, and his legs are very weak and he wobbles when he walks. I took him right to the vet when he was done being groomed. A deputy met me there and took photo's and more information. We all were touched at what a sweet docile boy he was, and what a trooper to stand for five hours when he is so weak. He weighed just 46 lbs. and should have weighed around 80.

The owners have been charged with cruelty. Buck has been confiscated and is in our hands. The sheriff is going to try and pay for his care. I offered for DDB to pay for what they didn't, so they would not put the dog down. Unfortunately, he is heart worm positive. He will need vaccinations and neutered when he is well. The deputy thought they would be able to cover most of his treatment and will let me know next week. Fingers crossed!

—Gayla Hausman
Dogs Deserve Better, NE Area Rep., Reg. 2 Rep. Coord., NE