Spiffy Spot, Doubting Dudley and Rejoicing Riley

Lucky Riley

Riley & Family

Finally -- another transport came my way!  Carol accompanied me and we met three dogs in Center Valley, all of whom had come from Washington County, Ohio.  Only two came with us, however, because Riley, a beautiful Husky mix was meeting and going home with his furever family, who was very excited to meet him! Congratulations to Riley.  We know you'll lead a happy, healthy life in your new home.

Dudley

After turning over Riley's adoption papers to Lenore and family, we then met Dudley and Spot, whom we would transport to Montgomeryville to meet their foster moms.  Dudley is a handsome, three-year old, 50 pound Shepherd mix with a most heartwarming face.  Dudley appeared to be shy and reticent.  After going for a brief walk, he jumped right into the backseat of my car.  He was a little anxious about what was happening and just seemed more comfortable there.

Dudley laid down in the backseat, but next thing we knew, he was on the edge of the seat and buried his head under the dog cover that I put down on my seats to protect them.  We have no idea if he just wanted to hide and thought perhaps we couldn't see him, or if he just felt safer under cover.  We, of course, respected his wishes to remain there, and he only changed his position once to face the other direction during our 45-minute ride.

See Spot's Side - a Dot!

Almost opposite to Dudley was Spot, a gregarious little guy who loves lots of attention and was definitely pleased to ride in Carol's lap all the way to Montgomeryville.  Spot, a 6-year old Beagle/Basset Hound mix, was surrendered by his owner in August.  He weighs about 22 pounds, and upon getting onto Carol's lap, he promptly sat right down on the buckle for Carol's seat belt.  I had to pry his little rumpous maximus off while Carol hurriedly buckled up.  Spot didn't care.  He was one happy pup to have so much attention. 

Look Into Those Eyes!

Spot spent the entire ride enjoying lots of petting and cooing from both Carol and me.  Just check out how adorable he is!  Neither of us could resist his cute face and personality.  He finally made himself a bit more comfortable by moving off the seat belt buckle and I swear he smiled.  After that, he sat quietly as he enjoyed the scenery, and occasionally looked at both of us as if to say thank you for all the love and attention.

When we arrived at our drop-off point, Spot met his foster mom, Ray, who is rather gregarious herself.  We noticed a policeman parked in his car nearby, and Ray decided to introduce him to Spot, with hopes that perhaps he would like Spot so much that he might want to adopt him.  She and Spot ambled off to meet him, and although the officer liked Spot, he's not allowed to have pets at the apartment building where he lives.

Spot Meeting Mr. Policeman

We finally had to say goodbye.  Spot jumped up as I tried to hug him.  He actually grunted softly, as though he was sad to say goodbye.  We said our farewells, and he trotted off with Ray, confident, I'm sure, that he is going to be just fine -- and will soon find his permanent home.

In the meantime, we finally coaxed Dudley out of my car, and he willingly leaped into his foster mom's car.  But by now, we all realized that Dudley wasn't necessarily all that shy, but seemed to be in pain due to a growth he has on his underside.  So it was decided to take him straight to a vet to be checked.  I will have to keep you posted on him.  Please send your best wishes his way. He is so handsome and has a great disposition.  Once he's feeling well, I'm sure we'll find out how friendly he really is, and he'll quickly find a new family to call his own.  Good luck, Dudley!

CORRECTION!

Last week, I posted about Linda's experience picking up Amber and some puppies from a large transport that arrived in Newark, Delaware.  I mistakenly said Linda drove her car with Amber in her lap.  This was not the case.  Linda was actually a passenger in someone else's car, so she had Amber in her lap while riding shotgun, not while driving.  Much safer!  Please know that Linda is very responsible and a safe driver!

Forever Amber

After Linda walked her mile at the Almost Home Dog Rescue first-ever 5k Run and One Mile Walk (see post below), she ventured off to help with a large transport, despite the raindrops that kept falling on her head.  She traveled to Newark, Delaware, to meet the Darlington Express transport vehicle carrying 65 dogs.  Linda picked up young puppies and had also volunteered to overnight a young dog.

Linda's charge was Amber, an 11 month old boxer mix with the sweetest face.

Such a Sweet Face!

Amber and Linda bonded as they drove to Linda's home.  Amber ended up sitting on Linda's lap as they drove -- a great time to bond, that's for sure.  Lap-sitting while driving is very unusual -- and not recommended -- for dog transports, but there just wasn't enough room in anyone else's vehicle, so Linda transported the puppies and had Amber as her main squeeze for the drive.



Food at Last!

Amber gobbled up her first meal of the day once she got to Linda's.  Because these transport dogs are caged, shuffled and transported all day long, they are not given food until they reach the end of their journeys.  It's better to keep them from being sick -- which is best for the dog and the drivers.  Amber was quite happy to finally see food for the taking!


Linda reports that Amber enjoyed her hospitality and was very well-behaved.  Being a youngster, Amber wanted to play with Linda's dog, Dolly, but Dolly didn't want to be bothered.  But Amber still knew she was in a safe, happy place and enjoyed her rest overnight, before setting out this morning for her final destination in Scranton.


She will be going to One Life to Live Dog Rescue, and will be fostered by Deb, who runs the shelter.  Amber has been in a shelter since July in the south, so it was very important to get her up to Pennsylvania where she will have a great chance for a new life.  There were no other fosters available to care for Amber, so Deb stepped up, thankfully.

Not only was Amber adorable, but the puppies will just tug at your heart.  Has anyone ever seen an ugly puppy?  I know I haven't!

 

Almost Home Dog Rescue 5k and One Mile Walk

Here are pictures of the Almost Home Dog Rescue 5k and 1 Mile Walk on Saturday, September 21st -- their first ever.  Held at Ft. Washington State Park, it was a beautiful day, and they had a fantastic turnout.  Linda, Carol and I did the one mile walk (not necessarily part of the "official" walk due to some disorganization, but nevertheless, we walked that mile) to benefit the wonderful, adoptable dogs in care of the Almost Home Dog Rescue organization.

Run, Run, Run.

Colleen, After Run, Run, Running

Linda and Friend, Mike

Andrea with Friend, Kathy

Yum, yum!

Hoping for Smooches

I'm comin' in for a big slurpy one!

I'll lick anything out of a cup! 

Eileen, a Happy Camper

I just know I saw a grasshopper in here.  I just know it!

Love little doggie paws!

Good Dog Walking

Layla's Head Shot

After being on vacation week before last and missing two weekends of dog activities, I just had to get my dog fix, so I went to Molly's Country Kennels yesterday, Saturday, September 14th, and took camera-shy Layla for a walk.  Try though I might, I could never get Layla to face me, so the picture here to the right is one snapped upon her arrival after being rescued/transported.

This was a typical view of Layla

Layla walked absolutely great on her leash!  She went at a good pace, sat when asked to sit, stopped when asked to stop, and enthusiastically devoured the bacon treats I offered after she followed my instructions.  She was well-mannered and also rode well in the car.

The park where I usually walk the Molly's dogs was packed to the gills with some special event, so I asked for directions to another  park. Heeber Park turned out to be lovely and not as hilly as Fisher Park, and I was told it was exactly one mile around the path, so I'd be getting my walk in too.



Meeting another pooch

Of course, Layla was happy to be out on such a beautiful day -- no humidity and cool enough for a lightweight jacket for me.  She was excellent when adults and/or a child approached, and greeted everyone without jumping up.  Here she is meeting another dog.  Even if she's shy with the camera, Layla was great at saying hello to others, and didn't discriminate towards anyone.

I had to get Layla back to Molly's before they closed, and I took a short cut back to the car, or so I thought.  Layla didn't notice that we'd taken a wrong turn somewhere along the way, as she gleefully traversed the park.  She wasn't bothered at all that we ended up in a parking lot where my car was not parked.  And she didn't notice when I asked strangers if there was another parking lot and how to get there.  And she didn't care one iota that we had to scurry to the opposite end of the park to hurriedly scramble into the car to race back to Molly's.  Layla was just one happy dog who had been taken for a long walk, got to sniff all sorts of new smells, saw some new sights, and breathed some fresh, cool air.  She was undoubtedly experiencing her bliss.  She truly was a good dog walking.