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Meet some of our featured pets!
She came to us as one sick puppy but look at her now! - Update! Lacy's surgery went swimmingly, and she is now a one-eyed wonderdog. We predict eyepatches will be the NEW fashion statement for Spring. Pirates are hot! Lacy also found her new forever home with a loving family on April 20.
ADOPT A SPECIAL NEEDS WAGGYTAIL - DON'T MISS OUT ON A GOOD ONE!
Sunny - Sunny is a sweet, loving, bouncing older adult dog. She has the most sparkling personality and love all people and other animals. She is a perfect easy going family dog! Several weeks after we got her out of the city shelter, she suddenly started having repeated seizures. She was diagnosed by our vet with epilepsy. It is thought that she was probably previously on medication , and when the levels got low, she began having the seizures. Unfortunately she was dumped at the pound as a "stray" - most people who drop off their animals claim "stray" to avoid shame. This mistake nearly cost Sunny her life, as if she had had those seizures in the pound she would have been put to sleep. She is happy and doing great in her foster home - a simple, inexpensive medication and she is entirely seizure free and lives a normal, healthy life. Update 4/29 - Sunny has been adopted!Charlie -
Charlie is the sweetest older gent you will ever meet! His foster mom says he is the easiest, most loving dog she has had!Little Charlie is mostly blind, but can still follow his foster mom around by sound, smell, and shadows. Despite the Stevie Wonder eye quality, he is otherwise healthy - we had his bad teeth taken care of , and his bloodwork was immaculate, but still he is entirely overlooked.
FEATURED HAPPY TAIL~CHARLOTTE
Charlotte one year later! Charlotte was a very special dog who spent nearly a year with Waggytail before finally being adopted. She was a great team effort...Holly jailbroke her from the city pound on her bicycle, an abandoned, forlorn dog that had been given upon. Charlotte had pneumonia, an infected eye, rotted teeth from neglect, and the her entire belly was riddled with massive mammary tumors (which a responsible early spay would have prevented). Still, Charotte was magical. Sarah nursed her back to health from feverish coughing. After her start with care at our wonderful vet, Dr. Gagliardi of Cooper Square Vet, she was referred to a specialist, as her tumors, though they had not spread as feared (x-rays revealed), would require a difficult surgery and a full double mastectomy. She was cared for by the oncologist at City Vet Hospital, and they also were charmed so much by Charlotte that she hung out in their office during her care and recovery, and went home with a vet tech every night. Charlotte made it through the surgery with flying colors, the masses were removed, and Charlotte was wagging her silly curly tail and sidling up with a smile to everyone. Despite all this, adopters were all hesitant when they heard of her health history. Although all found her endearing, nobody wanted to adopt her. City Vet Hospital (still smitten by this great gal!) offered to serve as her foster, and have her hang in their office again to get some more exposure.
Finally, The One came along, and Charlotte found a home with a woman named Susan and her three legged Pomeranian. A year later, Charlotte is a happy, healthy dog who brings joy her adoptive mom every day
DVR it or call in with the White Trash Flu to work April 23rd our People's Court episode airs!
Watch as Lisa Levy and David Shankbone defend Waggytail Rescue and Chiquita's rights against the an adopter who ditched her after getting a free dog and wanted her "purchase price" back. (and inside note - though she denies it in court we have information - oops forgetful her, she told us - she was given a free dog a week before she demanded to return the dog for a refund of her donation) Thursday, April 23 at 4:00pmEnd Time: Thursday, April 23 at 5:00pm Where: In NYC on Time Warner it is on at 4:00pm on Fox 5. See David Shankbone's blog about his experience as a Waggytail Rep on the case here: http://blog.shankbone.org/2008/12/20/lisa-levy-little-man-and-ds-to-appear-on-the-peoples-court/
TIPS FROM THE TRAINERS
Note - several times a year Waggytail Rescue offers free behavior workshops. If you are interested in attending a future workshop, please email our organizers, Misa Martin misa212@gmail.com and Lindsay Illion linzy1282@aol.com.
Tips fromDot Rivera http://www.dotsdogtraining.com/
#1 When picking rewards for your dog it is important to keep in mind what your dog likes. Like people, different dogs like different things. One dog may love fleece toys while the next may prefer tennis balls. One dog may do anything for a liver treat while the next may prefer a piece of carrot. Remember, in order for it to be a reward to your dog it has to be something he likes.
#2 Eye contact is one, if not the most crucial, behavior you can teach your dog. Reward eye contact or any orientation from your dog with treats, praise, or anything that's rewarding to your dog. This helps your dog associate looking or orienting towards you as a good thing and the beginning of something fun. If your dog is looking at you she can't be pulling ahead towards that squirrel by the tree or barking at the dog on the other side of the street. Best of all, it creates one more opportunity for you to bond and communicate with your dog.
#3 Dog don't generalize. Many times you'll find your dog sits every single time you ask him to in your livingroom, but refuses to do so outdoors. Don't fret, your dog is not being stubborn, dogs just don't generalize. Luckily, you can help him generalize by training in different locations. Start in your livingroom, then perhaps in front of your home. The more places you practice in the better your dog will get. Remember, to start in low distraction areas first.
#4 Keep training sessions short and always end on a happy note. Stop while your dog is still having success, this will help your dog associate training with something fun. If you're feeling stressed skip that day so your dog doesn't feed off your energy.
Tips from Lois Priva:
#1 Remember that dogs read your body language faster than they learn verbal cues. When you are interacting with a new dog, pay careful attention to keeping random movements of your arms and hands to a minimum. Also, be aware if your torso is leaning forward in the direction of the dog as this posture can apply social pressure to the pup. If you want to help the dog relax, just stand up straight or lean back slightly. #2. Start introducing tooth cleaning procedures early with young puppies by just allowing them to lick enzymatic toothpaste directly from your fingers before attempting to insert a hard toothbrush into their mouth. When your pup happily licks up the paste, add a soft fingertip brush as you gently run your finger around the teeth. Only after your puppy is totally comfortable with you reaching into his mouth should you start to use the longer, harder instrument
Be sure to read some great articles by Waggytail Rescue longtime member Laura Shafferman in The Examiner - http://www.examiner.com/x-3136-NY-Pet-Rescue-Examiner We love these!!
Extra special thanks to Bed, Bathe, and Behave of Long Island for stepping up to the plate for help when it's needed- Rebecca Rocks!!!
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