A Surprise in the Mail

So, last week, we (The Lucky Puppy) received an envelope in the mail. There was no return address. Enclosed was a $50. Pre-Paid VISA card and a note that said:

"Please use as needed. From Anonymous"

So-whoever sent that-I want to say "Thank You!" And I also want you to know that today your gift was used to help pay for the spay of Bonnie, the Boston Terrier Momma. If you remember, she was rescued from a puppy mill and gave a little surprise of her own when she unexpectedly delivered 3 puppies in October. (Those puppies were all placed at Christmas and their adoption fees all went to The Lucky Puppy Rescue.)

Thank you for your generous gift. It was a blessing to Bonnie as well.

Thanks Dexter!

A big "THANK YOU" goes out to Dexter the Blue Heeler (a former Lucky Puppy) and his owners Paul Kreiger & Amy Shriner! Dexter came to The Soapy Puppy Doggie Spa so he would be sharp-looking and smelling good for Santa. While he was getting groomed, Paul & Amy went out and bought HEAPS of Canned Pedigree dog food and a great tire toy for The Lucky Puppy Rescue! Thank you so much! We're thrilled! And, by the way, they're doing a fantastic job with Dexter...he's a GREAT dog!

Donation

Michele Steed recently made a financial gift in honor of "a most wonderful Aunt & Uncle" that she is blessed with-Frank & Betty Beadnell.

Thank you Michele!

Honoring your loved ones with a financial gift provides food and medical care for dogs in need. Checks can be sent to: The Lucky Puppy, 67740 Airport Road, St. Clairsville, OH 43950

No Room at the Inn:

Well...I had to turn down someone who was needing to surrender a sweet little housedog. Why? Because there's no room at the inn. We are most comfortable at around 7-10 dogs in the rescue. Up until yesterday, there were 25. And, as much as I hate to say it, that's way too many...even for us.

I thought about not posting this, because I like our blog to be all Perky (grin) and chipper, but I also think you all deserve the truth. The truth is, we are in over our head.

Dog rescue is very fulfilling. We've changed the future for many a dog and for many a family. But honestly, it's not easy and it's not cheap. And I never really expected it to be either easy or cheap, but I personally can not afford 25 dogs OR the price of caring for them. It was all fun at first, when we just added them into what we already do at Play n Stay Pet Camp. But when there are 25, that changes the amount of staff that are needed (because we can't do it all), which changes the cost of payroll, which changes the checking account drastically. (Play N Stay Pet Camp/me and Vanessa have been covering the cost of all rescue staff...payroll is paid by US, not by your donations.) Add to that the cost of vet care and feeding, and we could probably pay for 3 meals a day for all of the population in some small foreign country.

So, we're in a stuck spot. I know we could do more fundraising, more adoption days, more advertising, but we just can't right now. It would be different if it was our only job. Adding volunteers aren't the solution, because all of our rescue happens within our other businesses and our home. Foster homes aren't a solution for us either, because we need to have the dogs available when someone is ready to see them.

For now, our priority HAS to be Play N Stay Pet Camp, grooming, and special order puppies. (It will have to stay that way until donations can cover expenses OR I am "independently wealthy", which I don't see happening anytime soon). We just can't keep up at this size right now and we don't have it within us to go bigger.

So-for now-we will downsize as we can, without compromising what we believe is in the best interest of the dogs. A rescue organization in Pittsburgh took Big Momma and her six pups yesterday. They do well with Pit mixes and have a BEAUTIFUL facility.

That freed up some space in my kitchen. (No-I'm not joking...they were in my kitchen.)

We are also changing to a less expensive diet effective immediately. (We go through about 30# of dog food every other week.)

We are also considering a forfeiture fee for dogs that are surrendered, to help pay for their dog's care while we try to find them another home.

So, here's the moral of the story: If you've been "eyeballing" a dog on our site and have been considering making a appointment, PLEASE DO! We have some wonderful dogs who deserve to be someone's dog. They are beautiful and wonderful and special. Call me 740-695-4566.

If you are a dog lover who can't add to your pack right now, please consider generously supporting the dogs at The Lucky Puppy this holiday season. 100% of your donation goes to their vet care and feeding.

I do hope the little dog that I turned down finds a nice home. It's so tempting to say, "Just one more..." That's how I got to 25.

Thanks for listening. Thanks for the support that you have given us. We have been able to accomplish what we have only because of your faithfulness!

Donors

Dr. Marvin & Michele Steed recently made memorial donations to The Lucky Puppy Rescue in honor of:

"Macey" Tavoletti

"Neilly" Carson

"Katy" Heilmeier

"Oreo" Ciofani

"Tanner" Ferrell

and "JR" Dean

We are very sorry for their losses. Thank you to The Steeds.

We also received a donation from Wayne & Jean Neely, and their little dog Nikki. Thank you very much! The rescues definitely appreciate your generosity and so do we!

SURPRISE!

One of our Boston Terriers from a recent puppy mill rescue had a surprise litter of 3 puppies on Thursday morning! We noticed that she was big, but never dreamed that a puppy mill would send out a pregnant female. Lucky for her, she concealed her pregnancy long enough to land in our hands. The babies were delivered szsometime during the night and were clean and happy when we arrived at work on Thursday morning.

Bonnie and the babies are doing just fine! They are now living in the office at our house. Oh well...what's 4 more, huh?

I'll post pics as soon as possible!!

Thanks for your Lucky Puppy support!

BIG RESCUE UPDATE-Now Available:

The following RESCUES are available immediately and need homes. They can be seen by appointment by calling 740-695-4566:

"Teddy"
Young (approx. 9 mos. old) Male Shih Tzu Mix (probably mixed with Yorkie) RESCUE
Teddy was surrendered by his elderly owner because he had too much energy & was too much for him. He loves to play and is "all puppy". He gets along great with kids and other dogs. He is up to date on all shots, but still needs Rabies. Teddy is not yet neutered, but the cost of his neuter is included in his adoption fee. (Neuter IS required to adopt.)
90% housebroken, but progressing very well! Just needs consistent positive reinforcement to continue good habits.
Adoption Fee: $225., including neuter
Call 740-695-4566 to schedule an appointment.

"Hazel"
Hazel is a 3 year old Spayed Female Basset Hound RESCUE. She was originally a Perky Puppy that was purchased as a house pet, but ended up as a breeder in an outside run. She was recently sent to The Lucky Puppy for care and placement. We had her spayed & got her up to date on her shots. She is a great, loving, and playful dog! LOVES other dogs! She likes her crate is pretty much housebroken. However, she needs those good habits reinforced, because she will have accidents if you just let run all over the house with no restrictions.
Adoption Fee: $175., includes crate.

"Hope"
1-2 year old Spayed Female Retriever Mix RESCUE
Hope was rescued by a couple who found her to be neglected and in need of hospitalization. Although they were unable to keep her, they paid for her vet care and supplies to make her comfortable and happy. She has now been placed with The Lucky Puppy for continuing care and placement in a "forever" home.
Hope is spayed and is up to date on all shots, including Rabies. She weighs about 40 pounds.
She is very playful and loves kids and other dogs. She's 98% housebroken, but has occasional accidents if you forget to let her out. She tolerates her crate well, but can be an escape artist if it is not latched properly. She is VERY smart.
Adoption Fee: $125., including crate, collar, and leash.

"Buddy"
Male neutered Chihuahua mix RESCUE. 98% Housebroken.
Sweet, but can be nervous. Quiet home needed. Suspicious of strangers, but very, very loving to those he knows.
Loves to go for walks and LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to ride in the car!!!
Up to date on his shots and neutered.
He will be your BEST friend! Born 12/10/04
Adoption fee: $ 100., includes crate.

"Jelly Bean"
Male neutered Purebred Jack Russell Puppy RESCUE
Jelly Bean loves other dogs! He's a lot of fun and is doing VERY well on his housetraining. Up to date on his shots and neutered.
Born 06/01/09
Adoption fee: $ 175., includes crate

"Zoe Margaret"
Female Spayed Chihuahua Mix RESCUE
9 years old and hates cats. Gets along fine with other dogs, but will tell them off if they are misbehaving. (Thinks she is the dog police and can be opinionated.)
Loves to just hang out and do her own thing. Sweet temperament.
NEVER has an accident. Loves her crate. She is the PERFECT companion dog...not demanding.
Adoption Fee: $ 100., includes crate.