It’s DOGust Universal Birthday for Shelter Dogs Day. Let’s Get Some Adopted!
Jasper in his Smucci Too! bed chomping on Sophie’s fave toy, Baby
It’s DOGust! If it wasn’t about dog, I’d be depressed. Why? Because summer’s passing way too fast for me. But it is, and what’s more, it’s the universal birthday for shelter dogs nationwide. North Shore Animal League, the world’s largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization, declared August 1 as a birthday for all the shelter animals whose birthdays are unknown. My husband and I are the proud parents of a new shelter pup, as many of you already know. Jasper has enriched our lives enormously in just the 8 short weeks we’ve had him. And, he’s taught us a ton! Having to help a young dog, who might never have been outside and certainly not in a big city, to adapt to the insanity that is NYC, topped with a generous portion of fear aggressive behavior, has been an eye opener. But, we’re improving every day. Yay!
Hey! Let’s use this day for good! We can be extra vigilant in spreading the word about all of the wonderful animals waiting for forever homes in shelters. If each of us would pick one shelter we like in our hometown, and post, tweet, share about it and any of the animals there, think about how many we could have a hand in getting adopted! How many we might save from euthanasia. Could be pretty powerful.
I’m choosing Animal Care and Control, the shelter I often choose because it’s a kill shelter. And, it’s the place we found our little man, Jasper! Woo hoo! For anyone in New York City or the surrounding boroughs, go here for more info on adoptions there.
TeeTee – ID#A1008057
TeeTee is a 10 year old, unspayed Basset Hound mix. She weighs 41 lbs. There’s no more info on her than that, but she looks like a very sweet girl, very much in need of a place to call home for the remaining years of her life. Please share and let’s get TeeTee adopted.
CAESAR – ID#A1008227
Caesar is an unaltered, 8 year old black Pitbull Terrier mix. He weighs 49 lbs. Here’s what a volunteer has to say about him: “Youngsters are usually resilient , moldable and adaptable…They might be scared or uneasy with sudden changes but their curiosity and inexperienced brain lead them most of the time to just fall back quickly on their feet. Oldies are set in their habits. They have known the same owners, the same premises all their life , even if the latter was not optimal…Caesar is no exception. I am not sure that he had the most comfortable pillow to sleep on in his former home but he might just feel like he’s missing it….A kennel is no place for a senior…. Caesar is easy going, though.He does not mind me leashing him. He pulls a little like most ‘lost’ dogs do, sniffs a lot and marks his territory. He seems very much housetrained. He does like treats that he takes politely from my hand. He sits after a few prompts, on command. He really must wonder…’who is that strange woman giving me orders….’ He has that little smile, the type one sees on the faces of the elderly looking at our dizzying world. Caesar doesn’t mind other dogs nearing us and keeps going even if one is barking at us. Toward the end of our time together, he comes when I call him, sits at my feet, looks at me with gentle eyes and accepts my caresses.Yes, I love you, Caesar, and I am sure others after me will, too. Caesar is at the Manhattan Care Center, an elderly gentleman, well mannered and friendly who is looking for a new empire, and mostly a new family, to call his own.Will you open your heart to him?” He sounds like a real gem and look at that eager, open face.
How are we going to celebrate with our own shelter dogs? For us, we’re going to give Jas (and Sophie – can’t leave anyone out) a new toy and some extra treats, and lots and lots of luvin’! Heck, we do that every day, but it’s nice to have a day when shelter dogs are recognized nationally, to do it in.
So, cuddle up with your own shelter dog and, like us, think about all the ways he or she has made your life better, richer, more fun.
Happy Birthday, Jas, and all of the other wonderful shelter dogs out there!
What are you going to do with your shelter dog to celebrate this special day? Tell me about it in the Comments!
