Dying for a Home… When people hear we rescue homeless Maltese dogs they look incredulous, “how can there be any homeless Maltese?” Well, we know there are way too many in animal shelters at risk of euthanasia! Some are displaced because of a new baby, a death of owner, household move, etc. Sadly, many dogs may just need medical attention or behavioral modification. Foster homes help us get the dogs healthy and give them a chance. It is not easy work. It is tiring & hard. Foster families cope with house training issues, upset tummies, barking, etc. They teach puppy mill dogs how to walk up stairs and how to walk on a leash. They are rewarded by seeing a terrified sick little dog blossom into a confident, trusting, happy little dog; by getting gentle kisses of gratitude; and by knowing they have helped at least this one dog find happiness & a wonderful home.

Thank you to our foster families! We couldn’t do this without you. We need good foster homes that are willing to work hard and foster / rehabilitate dogs with all issues; injured dogs, shrinking violets, and puppy mill dogs! Fostering is not for every one. But foster dogs need good forever homes too. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please contact us. Dogs are dying for a good home.

In 1997 the national euthanasia rate for dogs was 56.4% of all dogs entering the shelters in the study performed by the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy.

Doesn’t Jingles look like he just stepped out of Whoville?! And like a Dr. Seuss’ character, he has a comical little personality to match! Jingles was a stray who ended up at a shelter. He was a very sick little boy when we were contacted by the shelter to take him. He appears to be around 5, certainly no older than 6. But Jingles has a big problem, and he needs your help! He has cataracts which limit his vision. The vet says they were a juvenile onset and can be treated. And because Jingles can’t see very well, he’s afraid of unfamiliar things and can be snippy. He is working with an expert trainer to overcome this problem and has made great progress! The Pawsitive Connection trainer, Megan, feels that if we can correct is vision problems it would help Jingles with his other issues.

Jingles had an appointment with an ophthamologist, Dr. King, who is located in Marietta, GA, on Wednesday, August 17. She told us that his cataracts can definitely be removed!!! She estimated the surgery to be around $2,000. At the time of this newsletter (September 2005), we have already raised around $950 toward Jingles surgery!!!

Being able to see clearly will be the best medicine of all for Jingles! Please help Jingles to see! We so want Jingles to see that the world is not such a bad place after all and that there are a lot of kind people out there who want him to have a happy life! Donations for Jingles’ cataract surgery will be gratefully accepted. Jingles thanks you from the bottom of his Whoville heart and sends blessings to all his sponsors!

Remember Marcello, that angelic looking little dog with the liver shunt? How sad he was! His congenital condition left him unable to digest protein. With the help of our generous supporters we took Marcello to the vet school at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville (UTK) for surgery to repair his liver shunt. He was fortunate that his shunt was an extra hepatic shunt and could be corrected by implanting a device called an ameroid constrictor. UTK did a fabulous job and Marcello began to improve almost immediately. He began making up for lost time and began playing and frisking and acting like a healthy normal dog. How heartwarming and gratifying it was to be part of his life and help him!

Marcello found a fantastic home with Nick, where he is one pampered pooch. He has adjusted well and has begun ruling his new home.

Please help people understand a liver shunt condition does not have to mean a short, unhealthy life for a dog. Prior to his surgery Marcello would look glazed, shake and wander restlessly, aimlessly, constantly. He was often too ill to eat and had little interest in anything. Now this little adorable ball of fluff is loving life! Thanks to all of you who helped Marcello. Especially thanks to Nick and the folks at UTK!

For more information on liver shunt go to www.vet.utk.edu/clinical/sacs/shunt/faq.shtml

1. My life is likely to last ten to fifteen years. Any separation from you will he painful for me. Remember that before you adopt me.



2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.



3. Place your trust in me - it's crucial to my well-being.



4. Don't be angry at me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your entertainment and your friends. I have only you.



5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it’s speaking to me.



6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.



7. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones of your hand but that I choose not to bite you.



8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.



9. Take care of me when I get old; you, too, will grow old.



10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch it”, or, "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, I love you.

1-1/2 c. whole wheat flour1-1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 c. corn oil margarine, softened
pinch of salt
1-1/4 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 clove garlic, crushed
milk

Grate the cheese and let stand until it reaches room temperature. Cream the cheese with the softened margarine, garlic, salt, and flour. Add enough milk to form into a ball. Chill for 1/2 hour. Roll onto floured board. Cut into shapes and bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until slightly brown and firm. Makes 2 to 3 dozen, depending on size. Originally from Laura Toms, Dublin, OH ("I got these recipes with dog-bone cookie cutters"), posted by Dixie Blake, 12/20/96, from the Official Rec.Pets.Dogs.Misc. Treat Cookbook. (Also same list, from Cleo Parker, with 1- 1/2 c. cheese, 1/4 to 1/2 c. milk, no salt, don't chill, roll to 1/4" thick, use ungreased sheet or parchment paper. Also from Norwich/Norfolk Terrier recipes, no attribution, posted by Carina Jacobs, without salt and with 1-2 cloves garlic. Also again from Norwich/Norfolk Terrier recipes, same attribution.)

1/4 c. cheddar cheese, grated
2 T. hydrogenated vegetable shortening
2 T. hydrogenated vegetable shortening
1/2 c. oatmeal, toasted
1/2 tsp. brewer's yeast
1/4 c. swiss cheese, grated

Combine cheeses, yeast and shortening. Using plastic wrap, shape mixture into a log about 1 inch in diameter and 8 inches long. Roll log in toasted oatmeal. Refrigerate. Slice into half-inch rounds and serve. Originally from The Dog Catalog (1978, Grosset & Dunlop), posted by Dixie Blake, 12/20/96, from the Official Rec.Pets.Dogs.Misc. Treat Cookbook. (Also from Norwich/Norfolk Terrier recipes, attribution same.)

2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Wheat Germ
1/2 cup Brewers Yeast
1 tsp Salt
2 each Cloves Garlic, minced
3 Tbs. Vegetable or Olive Oil
1 cup Chicken Stock (or any flavor you wish to use)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease two to three baking sheets. Combine first four ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine garlic and oil. Slowly stir flour mixture and stock alternately into oil and garlic, beating well, until the dough is well-mixed. Shape dough into a ball. On lightly floured surface, roll out dough 12" thick. Using a 2" biscuit cutter, cut dough into rounds. Transfer biscuits to prepared baking sheets. Bake 20-25 minutes or until well browned. Turn off heat and allow biscuits to dry in oven for several hours or over night. Store in refrigerator or freezer. Makes about 26 biscuits.