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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Pit Bull-palooza - June 7, 2009!!

Hear yee, hear yee!

All pit bull moms/dads and/or lovers of pit bulls!!!

Come join us for a fun time at the Pit Bull-palooza!

When: Sunday, June 7th, 2009

Time: from 11am - 3pm

Where: Nomahegan Park, Springfield Avenue, Cranford NJ

Features:

*Vendors (rescue, educational, dog-related items)
CGC testing
"Ask the Trainer"
Mini-Lecture & Q andA period on the breed
DJ playing a modern array of tunes
Plenty of informative material on Pit Bulls
Raffle
Weight pull demo

Trailside Pet Fair - May 3, 2009

Please come join several rescues at the 30th Annual Pet Fair which will be held at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside on Sunday, May 3rd from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. (This is a "rain or shine" event)

Many organizations dedicated to educating the public about pets and pet products will be on hand. You may purchase various pet products from vendors while enjoying the festivities. (see below) Have fun listening to a folk singer and seeing all the beautiful pets at the 30th annual Pet Fair.

Admission to the Pet Fair, which includes free face painting and a free petting zoo, is $3 per person, with children six years old and younger admitted free of charge. For an additional fee, children can enjoy pony rides or win prizes by playing games.

Appearances include:

- The New Jersey Rescue and Recovery K9 Unit

- Kathy Murarik of the New Jersey Sled Dog Club

- A flyball demonstration

- The Union County K-9 Division and their handlers

- Canine members of Paw Pals demonstrate “lure coursing” . (your dog can try out for a small fee)

- There will also be the inaugural American Pet Idol Contest will be hosted by The National Foundation for Animal Rescue. If you think your pet has what it takes, then enter him or her in this talent contest. Entries are $1 per category and prizes will be awarded.

Make sure you stop by and say hi! We will be there with a couple of our All Star Pets, ready to greet any and all!

For further information about the Pet Fair at Trailside, please call 908-789-3670

“How Do You Do It?”

People often tell us that they admire our dedication toward the many deserving animals that cross our paths, the countless hours we spend helping them, the way we open our homes to them, how we can look beyond the ill or disfigured animals we find to be able to see the happy animal they will become, and the money we spend to make these wonderful creatures whole again. Then they will ask, incredulously, “How do you do it?”

In truth, what they really mean is, “WHY do you do it?”, because they couldn’t or wouldn’t. Quite simply because it doesn’t merit the rescuer a bonus or raise at work (in fact, it sometimes takes time away from our jobs!), it doesn’t garner praise and accolades from politicians or other important people, it certainly doesn’t render one capable of keeping the cleanest house or car, and it doesn’t put money one’s pockets or food on one’s table…

Honestly, in some of my rare moments of clarity, I wonder what I think I’m accomplishing with rescue when, for every dog I find safely ensconced into their new home, another one in worse shape is just around the next corner. I grieve being counted among a human race that seems incapable of understanding its obligations to those other equally important sentient beings that we share this planet with.

Every once in a while we meet an Angel in Disguise who already knows why we do it and who is so socially evolved that they are light years beyond the rest of the human race. An Angel who, in their own way, helps us to keep fighting the good fight of rescue when we sometimes think we just can’t do it anymore. Here’s an email recently received from one of those Angels that just made all of us who volunteer at rescue weep in appreciation:

“Subject: Valentine Donations

Hello!!

My name is Kristen. I am a 24 year old Graphic Designer that works at (a large Corporation). I am writing to you because I am a huge animal lover, and although I would love to take in every pet that needs a home and love it forever, reality sinks in and I know that I can't. However, I realized that I can do my small part to help organizations like yours. I wanted to let you know that I ran a Pet Supply Drive for a month within my department to help support your wonderful organization. Through the generosity of not only the people in my department, but various others that heard about what I was doing, I collected a Valentine's gift to help the animals in need that you are fostering. This gift includes food, toys, beds, treats, etc... along with a monetary collection.

Also, I am sure you are wondering why I picked Ayou? Well, I decided that I am going to pick one organization monthly and take collections to help support their cause. I was reading through the list of shelters and organizations in this area and I came across your web site. You do wonderful things for animals in need and one story in particular tugged on my heart strings, Emily, the Golden Retriever's. See... I grew up with Goldens. My Family had one named Shawnie when I was a baby, he became sick with congestive heart failure when he was only 4 years old. My Parents kept him alive through weekly out of state trips to specialized Vets, along with a lot of medication and most of all lots of love. They eventually had to put him to sleep when he was 7 because he was just getting too bad. Then when I was 12 we got another Golden named Barnie. I loved him dearly, he was my Fuzzy Brother for 10.5 years. We lost Barnie in December of 2006 after a 3 month battle with cancer. It was one of the hardest things that I have ever had to go through. Then, a year later my Family got Willie, the crazy Golden puppy. Willie was My Little Man. I loved him so much. He was only one year old when he suddenly passed early one Saturday morning. The Vet said that he had something lodged in his throat, however he had not eaten yet that day nor was even awake long enough to get into anything before my Parents found him on their bedroom floor. We were hardly over the loss of our Barnie when we found ourselves having to endure the same pain once again. So to get to the reason why I picked All Star is because you gave Emily a chance at life, and that is a gift that can never have a price tag attached to it.

I would like to say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for helping all of the animals that you do on a daily basis. It is extremely heartwarming to know that there are people and organizations out there that care for those with out a voice.
Once again, THANK YOU!
Kind Regards,
Kristen”


No, Kristen…. Thank YOU (and the others you inspired) for being an Angel to our rescued Pets!!!

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS

I received this from a rescue friend in an email and just had to share it here. Please enjoy.

A Pet's Ten Commandments

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.

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

3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

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

5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

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

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.

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

9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.

10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.

Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.