Billy the Kid

Billy then (bottom) and Billy now (top).

Billy’s owners were forced to give him up when the City recently imposed strict weight limits in NYC public housing, leaving hundreds of beloved pets at city shelters to die. He is a handsome Staffie/Mastiff/Weimaraner mix “teenager” (11-12 mo.old) who is very mild-tempered, sensitive and sweet with his people. He is a beautiful blue brindle with the most gorgeous hazel/amber eyes. He has an endearing way of leaving the tip of his tongue hanging out of his mouth at times, which gives him a comical look and makes everyone laugh. Billy loves to sprint around the yard in his foster home and enjoys interacting with humans while playing. He enjoys balls and squeaky toys and will romp and play with them out in the yard, tossing them as he runs.

Billy is fine with other good tempered dogs but can get a little rough as he gets into the moment. He especially loves romping with his foster brother, Shai. He is too focused on cats, however, so a “no cat home” is for him. Billy would be fine with kids, however, keep in mind that he is young, and while he is mostly laid back, he can get quite carried away with his play when stimulated – as most young dogs can. The good news is that, even when he gets stimulated, it is easy to get him refocused again. He gets a little nervous riding in the car, but settles after a while.

Billy is completely housebroken. He is UTD on his shots and is HW negative. He is neutered and ready for his for ever home. We think Billy would be a great addition to a family that wants a loving, affectionate boy who will appreciate a good life within a loving household. He knows how to relax and just enjoy the moment with his people….an all around great little guy! Won’t you consider giving Billy the home he really deserves?

If you are interested in meeting Billy,please contact Joann @ kaatzndogz@aol.com or Ilse Singer @ ilse_ny@yahoo.com

Here is the fabulous evaluation Billy got while in Brooklyn’s Animal Care Center:

Notes: MILD
Stare:1-holds gaze with soft eyes licks handlers face
Sensitivity:1-leans in soft body ears back mouth closed
Tag:1-engages in play approaches when game ends
Pinch I:1-gently pulls away
Pinch II:1-^
Food aggression:1Allows head to be pushed away
Toy Aggression:1-no interest
Rawhide Aggression:1-^
Dog to Dog:2-Rushes in tail wagging becomes pushy wants to play

His former owners also tell us that he loves all people and kids too, and is housebroken, likes other dogs (doesn’t like cats).

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Our Chance at Rescue

We have made some significant changes over the past few months. We are no longer affiliated with any one rescue, but, instead, are broadening our vision to include any legitimate rescue effort where we can.

We are hoping to be up and running as soon as possible, so feel free to stop by from time to time.

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Because Your Dog is Worth it, Too!

We are reprinting an older post to remind everyone that L'Oreal's 6th annual "Because Your Dog is Worth it, Too" Day is fast approaching on Saturday, August 15, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It will be located on the grounds of their facility in Cranbury, NJ.

There will be many activities to enjoy with your pooches, many great rescue groups to visit with, and many vendors to visit while supporting Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure of Central and South Jersey. To date, this event has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help fight breast cancer. For 2009, they are preparing to organize new events, refine well-loved features, register guests and welcome supporters.

Please note that our friends from Companion Critters will be holding a microchip clinic as well. Here is the link to their website for more information:

>http://www.critters.petfinder.org/

And the link to L'Oreal's "Because Your Dog is Worth it, Too" website for information about the day as well as directions:

>http://www.yourdogisworthittoo.com/

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Operation Pittie Removal Has Been Accomplished!!

I am happy to report that all 10 of the Toms River Pit Bulls have been safely removed from the horrendous situation they were in! On May 31, 2009, All rescue volunteers and the SPCA officers in charge of the Court Ordered removal arrived at the home and systematically removed the 10 dogs and brought them to a local groomer to be bathed, micro-chipped and given their first distemper shot prior to going into rescue.

The rescuers and crew from Kat and K9 Design were amazingly accommodating of the chaos involving 10 unsocialized, stinky and frightened pit bulls and we thank her for her support. She helped make this day run so much more smoothly!

http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Kat.And.K.9.Design.732-292-1001

All ten of the dogs went into various rescues that had been previously screened.

Four of these dogs are now in a local rescue's care and will need adoptive homes. We can report that even though these dogs spent most of their time living in little plastic boxes (vari-kennels, mainly used for transport purposes because there is little air circulation in these hard plastic carriers) where they were forced to lay in their own excrement, these dogs are beginning to learn proper bathroom etiquette. They are also learning the joys of blankets to lay on, toys to play with, and endless grass under their feet to romp in. If you'd like to read more about the efforts that went into helping them, you can link to the NJ SPCA website and read about the plea that went out, then read the story in the Examiner about the actual rescue as it happened.

http://www.njspca.org/

www.examiner.com/x-1513-Philadelphia-Dog-Advocate-Examiner~y2009m6d1-Follow-up--10-pit-bulls-in-Toms-River-NJ-are-saved"

HELP THE PITTIES!!

"HELP!

I NEED SOMEBODY,

HELP!

NOT JUST ANYBODY,

HELP!

YOU KNOW I NEED SOMEONE,

HELP.....!" - Lennon/McCartney

This is how our Eeyore (shown here in a "before" picture) must have felt before he rescued out of the squalid conditions he existed in with 9 siblings. He was taken to Red Bank vet last night to treat his injured eye and the wounds all over his body from neglect. He is on antibiotics to help clear up his skin issues, eye salve for this scratched cornea AND had a much-needed bath. He now looks so much better and must feel so much better now - especially being out of his vari-kennel "prison" and in a safe foster home to begin his journey to healing.

Eeyore has a wonderful temperament and will be a great companion for some lucky human(s). He weighs 90 lbs, but needs to put on about 10 more to fill out his frame properly. While Eeyore's story is starting to turn into a "happily ever after", we are frankly worried about his 9 siblings still living in awful conditions and needing to be removed ASAP.

Their "home" is an un air-conditioned garage in plastic vari-kennels with absolutely no air circulation. The stench is nauseating and the dogs are getting next to no socialization. They are timid but we saw no aggression - they just need to be shown how to be a dog. They live in their plastic kennels all day and night and that is all they know right now. Most of them have sores on their legs and lower bodies from sitting and laying in their own urine since they never get out of their kennels. No one is spayed or neutered - the owner had some grandiose plans of "showing" these dogs to make them 'champions'!

These 9 pups need a new place desperately - even a temporary foster home would be welcome at this point. The town ACO asked us to help because if he seizes the dogs, they would be destroyed. And that would be a shame because they do have nice temperaments - they are just horribly neglected and not shown any love or affection.

These babies will be 3 years old in September and it is time to get them released to be able to play outside in a yard where they will have the chance to experience life on the 'outside' and inside a home to be part of a loving family. They are absolutely filthy and the first thing they need is a good bath.

To read more about these sweet pitties and to see how you can help, click on the link below and scroll down to the last 9 dogs on our site marked "Urgent" after their names.

http://search.petfinder.com/shelterSearch/shelterSearch.cgi?shelterid=NJ451&preview=1

Help us change their song into a more hopeful one; "I get By With a Little Help from My friends":

"Would you believe in a love at first sight?
Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see when you turn out the light?
I can't tell you, but I know it's mine.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mmm I get high with a little help from my friends,
Oh I'm gonna try with a little help from my friends...!"