Monday, March 25, 2013

Where do Rescue Dogs come from?

by Susan Saulvester

A member, with obvious trepidation, has asked of Australian Terrier Rescue (ATR) “Where do these dogs come from?  Is it us?”

First and foremost, ATR can state that rarely is rescue asked to assist with placement of a dog known to be bred by an ATCA member.  The Code of Ethics (COE) of the ATCA states that breeders “accept and acknowledge that they have a lifetime responsibility to the breed, to those who purchase their puppies, and to the dogs they produce.”  The COE goes on to state that no member may wholesale, sell via wholesale houses, pet outlets, etc. or any speculative source of distribution.  It further states “observing the spirit of the Code is as important as adhering to its law.”  In order to list with ATCA Breeder Referral, a member must have on file with the breed referral chair a signed copy of  ATCA’s COE and also a signed breeder referral compliance form.  This includes having a written contract between buyer and seller and a spay/neuter agreement for pet puppies.

In the early years of ATCA, members’ dogs could be found behind some of our most prolific USDA licensed breeders and also backyard breeders of Australian Terriers.  Over the years, member education and excellent mentorship of new members by experienced breeders, and yes, peer pressure, has virtually eliminated the breeding stock of ATCA members from the pedigrees of commercial breeders, wholesalers, and pet shop suppliers.   Today, if a dog bred by a club member needs assistance from rescue, that club member is notified and must assume responsibility for the dog.  If requested, ATR will offer adoption referrals. Failure to assume this responsibility is in violation of our Code of Ethics.

Most dogs that come into rescue are from unknown sources  and most of the reasons are not the dog’s fault! One only has to look at them to see that while they are Aussies, they do look different from our dogs in the show ring, but they are still our happy, joyful little breed, in spite of this.

ATR is contacted by public shelters when they receive what they think is an Aussie. ATR works closely with Silky Rescue, Yorkie Rescue, and Cairn Rescue, as these breeds are often misidentified by shelter employees. We are also contacted by private local rescue groups who pull adoptable  dogs from high-kill shelters. Most shelters now have either a paid or volunteer adoption coordinator who contacts rescue groups.

Some of the Aussies come from owners who pass away or go into nursing homes.  Sometimes, owners are in the military and have to move, often on short notice, to places where they cannot take their dogs.  The most common reason, and perhaps the most valid, is that the poor dog is the wrong breed for the wrong person at the wrong time in their life.  This seems to be especially true of adult male Aussies.

ATR occasionally finds large numbers of dogs being offered at auction.  Reluctantly, we have decide not to pursue this,, as we would be perpetuating commercially licensed dealers by buying their older breeding stock so they are able purchase more and younger dogs.  Former breeding dogs are often discarded along the road or found in shelters, primarily in the Midwest.

Pet people may lose the registration papers over time, so they often do not know where their dog came from.  Many dogs have been passed around several times by well-intentioned people or adopted from a newspaper ad or from Craig’s List.  These dogs have untraceable backgrounds.

Tireless public education on TV, through the media, and networks such as Animal Planet have made the puppy-buying public much more cognizant of purchasing their new family pet from a reputable breeder, one they get to know and stay in touch with.  The buying public has become much more demanding and aware of making the proper purchase.

The best way an ATCA a member can be sure that no dog they breed and sell ever becomes homeless is to keep in touch with each puppy buyer for the lifetime of the dog.  Sending a note at Christmas or at the time of the litter’s birthday annually is a nice touch.  This way, you will find out if there are health problems in your line, which you might not know about otherwise, as the dogs age.  Keeping the lines of communication open between yourself and the owners encourages them to come to you with health issues and even  behavioral issues.  You can share their loss when they tell you that old age has taken their beloved pet.  Sometimes people’s lives take a turn in ways they do not anticipate, and letting them know you are always there for that puppy that you sold them can be reassuring for both breeder and buyer.   And who knows?  They may come back to you for another puppy in the future.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Dear Australian Terrier Rescue:

I was sitting here at work today and someone mentioned the Westminster Dog Show and I went online to look at the winners. I was particularly interested in seeing the best of breed for the Aussie.

You see, I, too, rescued my darling Petey almost 5 years ago. I live in Massachusetts and he was at a local humane society. I swear the minute we looked at each other we were bonded for life. I knew
when I took one look at him that he would be one of the greatest loves of my life.

Aussies are the most loving, sweet, wonderful dogs I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with. Petey has been through so much with me in the short time I’ve had him. He has remained
forever faithful and loving to me (his Mommy).

I just wanted to share my story with you because I love him so much. I used to tell people I love him so much it hurts but people started thinking I was nuts. He is my baby. I have no children of my own and don’t plan to so to me, he’s my baby. I look at his face and think of all the times he’s been there for me no matter what and it brings tears to my eyes. He will be 7 in May and I pray to God to give me many many more wonderful years with this most awesome creature. He makes my life truly worth living.

I felt compelled to write to you today. A lot of tragedy has gone on in my life over the past few years and he’s been there every step of the way. I just wanted to share more of the joy of knowing an Aussie.

They are blessed little babies sent from Heaven to actually rescue us... not the other way around.

- Kimberley Drown
PROUD Aussie MOM

Thursday, December 8, 2011

A Holiday Thank You......

With the holidays fast approaching it is time for us to reflect on the past and to look forward to the future. Without your generous donations to Australian Terrier Rescue, Aussies would not have been saved and given that second chance. Rescue survives through your donations. So as the year is coming to a close, please remember Australian Terrier Rescue and send in your donations either by check or you can use Paypal. Check out our web site – AustralianTerrierRescue.org. If you would like to remember your special friend, be 2 or 4 legged, check out the memorial section on our web site.

There are several times throughout the year that ATCA members and friends of the Aussies step forward when needed for fostering, transportation and any other needs that might arise. The Board members of Rescue and all of the coordinators do a fantastic job of working with the person or organization that is surrendering the dog and finding either a foster home or a permanent dog for the displaced Aussie. Australian Terrier Rescue could not survive without these dedicated people.

The Aussies that are the easiest to place are the always the young ones. The ones that are the most difficult are the senior Aussies that may or may not have medical issues. If you know of any senior Aussies that have been placed, their stories will tear your heart out. They are the most loved and most appreciated by their adoptive families. If you have the space to adopt a senior dog but fearful of attaching yourself to a dog that only has a few years, you will never regret your decision. Those few short years become your most memorable years. Rescue will continue to share their stories with you.

This year as you sit down to enjoy Thanksgiving, please look at your Aussie and include him/her in your thanks because all the Aussie asks for is a loving home and people who really do care for him/her. If you do not have an Aussie, please contact rescue as we are always looking for foster homes. Some of the Aussies that come into rescue have no training and before we can place them, they need to be taught what life is all about. They are not going to be abused anymore. They will be kept warm. They will have a kind pat. They will be clean.

Thanks to the Australian Terrier Rescue Board
Thanks to the Australian Terrier Coordinators
Thanks to ATCA members for their help and contributions to Rescue
Thanks to all the people who have fostered or adopted an Aussie
Bless all of the Aussies that have been fortunate
to find their way to a new home

Darlene Evans, President
Australian Terrier Rescue, Inc

Friday, October 28, 2011

Rescue would like to thank all ATCA members and owners of Aussies for their contribution to Rescue.  It is really appreciated.

When Rescue was just beginning, there was an auction that had Aussies.  A call went out from Barb Curtis asking for donations.   I remember getting the call from Sue Bachman asking for my contribution.  Not knowing anything about rescue, I reached into my pocket and gave.  It was shortly after that when Barb formed Rescue and Coordinators were assigned.  I became a coordinator for the Western seaboard.  It was only then that I discovered why an Aussie can come into rescue.

I have learned over the years that severe medical issues seem to cause people to abandon their Aussies.  Marjorie was an older Aussie that only had a few months left when she was dropped at a shelter.  Marjorie found a home that was only going to keep her over the weekend while a permanent home was found.  She never left that family.  Grammy, was an older Aussie with mammary tumors that was dropped at a shelter because the owners did not want to cope.  Rescue stepped in and Grammy lived a full life.  There was another wannabe Aussie (Yorkie on steroids) with mammary tumors and she was thrown out of a moving car in front of a shelter which Rescue placed upon notification.

Now with the recession and money a lot tighter, Rescue is seeing more and more Aussies thrown away due to cost of medical treatment.  The sad thing is that these Aussies tend to be older dogs and it is really difficult to find people who want to adopt a dog that will only be with them for a short time.  My heart goes out to these dogs.   When the Aussie needs their humans most, the Aussie is discarded.  The financial burden in this economic time is stressful and sometimes there just is not any money for the treatment. There are not enough people who are willing to foster or adopt these dogs.

On the other hand, I really have a hard time with someone calling that insists that we take their Aussie because his ex-wife gave their son the dog. The man and son knew that this Aussie came from a puppy mill and only his ex-wife would give their son an inferior dog.  Therefore the Aussie must be gotten rid of immediately.   Thanks to Jeanine Johnson stepping in, this 6 month old puppy found a loving home who did not care where he came from.

How about the Aussie that does not fit into the family anymore because redecorating takes priority and there is no room for the Aussie.  The Aussie that does not get along with children and now there is a baby on the way. The Aussie that barks when left alone and the neighbors are complaining; the Aussie that jumps on you with muddy feet when you arrive home and ruins your clothes; the Aussie that chases the family cat or barks at the squirrels; and the Aussie that likes to dig and has made holes in the yard have all made their way into Rescue.

Now that I think I have heard them all, I am afraid of what other excuses will be stated for relinquishing their pet Aussie. When I hear these stories, I look at my Aussies and wonder how anyone could just dump one and not care where it is going.

Thank goodness we have so many people who are willing to help grab, relocate, foster, and adopt our wonderful Aussies.  Hal Wilcox over the years that I have known him has adopted 2 rescues.  Tommy was found wondering the streets of the LA area and was retrieved from a shelter.  Hal always thought for the first year that Tommy was always looking for his previous owners but then Tommy decided to spend his time with Alice and became her constant companion.  After Nedra Adams passed on, Tazer was in need of a home and since Hal knew Tazer from a puppy, offered to give him a home.  Hal is just one of many members who have stepped in and helped Rescue numerous times.  Without all of you, there would be rescue.

As always Rescue is in need of funds, but just as important, we need you.  We need you to help grab an Aussie, foster an Aussie or assist in working with owners in your area on how to correct some behavior problems. Without all of you, ATCA members, pet owners, dog lovers, Rescue would not be able to accomplish it tasks of finding homes for these Aussies who only want food, warmth and love.

I want to thank each and every one of you for your support.  Love your dogs and make arrangements for them in case you can no longer take care of them.

Darlene Evans, President
Australian Terrier Rescue

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Australian Terrier Club of America Quarterly Publication

Sign up now for the Australian Terrier Club of America's Quarterly Publication! It contains information not only about the Breed and what is happening, but health information and guidelines to help the everyday person and their dog

More Information

Monday, June 27, 2011

Rescue Needs Your Help........

Hi Everyone

Rescue is being inundated with older and often times diabetic dogs.

It is extremely difficult if not impossible for us to find homes for these brave
little dogs that are being surrendered. People cannot afford the cost of the
insulin and needles, the time it takes to regulate a diabetic dog, or just the
thought that they might have to be the person making the decision to put their
pet to sleep.

Rescue is turning to owners of Aussies as most of you already have a dog and
sometimes it is easier to take an older dog that you know only has a few years
left versus someone who is looking for a pet that will be with them for 10 or
more years.

These older Aussies who have done nothing but give their all to their familes,
deserve to live out their twilight years with love and dignity.

Please contact me if you can take or assist in fostering one of these lovely
special needs dogs. This week alone, we have been contacted for 3 senior
diabetic Aussies. If no homes come forward, these Aussies will be lost and
forced to cross the Rainbow Bridge alone.

Darlene, President
Australian Terrier Rescue
408-567-8177 -- work
darlene.evans @vishay.com -- work email

Monday, April 4, 2011

SUNNY UPDATE

 
Sunny is good in the crate all night without fuss. I do not think she would protest to sleeping on the bed at night if her new owner so chooses. She does well in her crate during the day when she needs to be in (and I think she needs the security of the crate when left alone). She still does not go in willingly, but does fine once she is in.

Sunny LOVES to cuddle! She has a wonderful and funny little Aussie personality. Such a great sense of humor. She gets along great with our male, but gets a little protective of her surroundings with our female sometimes. If she were to go to a home with another dog, it needs to be a male.
However, she is such a gentle personality, I can't imagine she would be a problem with an occasional kid.
She likes toys and chew toys.
Her coat is coming in beautifully. I took her in to our groomer yesterday when I picked up my two and they were very impressed with how lovely her coat is. They were also very impressed with how much more socialized and outgoing she is now!!

She is doing pretty well on the leash. Unfortunately our weather has limited her walk exposure. She is definitely understanding the point and is beginning to enjoy the experience.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

WHAT IS A TITRE AND WHY SHOULD I MEASURE ONE?


 By Dr Jodie Gruenstern    

Titre is correctly spelled titre or titer. It is pronounced tight-er. It is a blood test which measures the immune response to an antigen exposure. The number measured is an antibody level present at different titration or dilution levels of the blood. The antigen that the body has been exposed to in order to stimulate the immune response could have been present in a vaccination or the disease itself. If antibody levels are present in highly diluted blood, then that’s a high titre. A high titre level may indicate lots of exposure, lots of protection or perhaps long-lasting immunity. The titre level is one indicator of the body’s immune response to an antigenic stimulation.

A lot of research has been preformed on dog and cat serum to establish what antibody titre levels are protective against distemper/parvo and distemper/rhino/calici respectively. Comparable research does NOT exist to assert what titre levels are protective against the rabies virus. Challenge studies based on time interval since last vaccination have been performed for rabies. This is what dictates the 1 year initial, 3 year booster rule. There is an on going study to try to prove the 3 year vaccine for rabies actually protects for 5 years.

It is useful to understand that the titre measures antibody levels in the blood which is part of the body’s humoral defense system. In addition to this protection, our body has a cellular defense. This is at the mucous lining level. A body can stop an offending antigen as it enters your nasal passage or mouth for example, before it enters the bloodstream. This protection is NOT measured by a titre. So, if your pet has a low titre, that may increase his susceptibility to disease, but his cellular immunity could still afford him all the necessary protection.

With in the humoral defense are two levels: sterilizing immunity and memory immunity. If your pet has a high number of antibodies in the blood, it may be a sterilizing level. This means if he is exposed to the disease his body will neutralize it so easily, you won’t even know he was exposed! If your pet has a low level of antibodies in the blood, it may be a memory level. This means if he is exposed to the disease he may become somewhat ill, but will ‘remember’ and fight and overcome the disease.

Thus, you should realize it is your pet’s immune response TO a vaccination, NOT the vaccination itself that protects your pet from disease. There exists the phenomenon of no responders and low responders. Some pets simply don’t respond to vaccination. Some pets, even with repetitive vaccinations are low responders. It is important to be aware if your pet is a poor responder. You wouldn’t want to assume that just because your pet has been vaccinated that he is protected. Many dog enthusiasts have heard of someone who has lost a pet to parvo even though the dog was vaccinated.

There are many reasons for vaccination failure. A titre is a blood draw that serves as one tool to assure you that your pet companion is protected. Titre levels and recommendations based on them should be very individualized. A pet’s lifestyle should be considered when making titre/vaccination recommendations. If your pet has a high titre, he does not need to be vaccinated with that antigen. If he has a low titre despite a history of lots of exposure to that antigen, then another vaccination is not going to be boost him any further. In fact, repeating an unnecessary or ineffective vaccination could be harmful.

Vaccines have been associated with  vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, rashes, anaphylaxis, vaccine site tumors, seizures and immune mediated disorders.

A veterinarian who is experienced with utilizing titre information can provide you with guidance as to when to perform a titre and then based on that result, whether or not to boost.

I recommend vaccinating puppies with distemper/hepatitis/parainfluenza/parvo at 8 and 12 weeks. Do an in clinic titre at 16 weeks for rapid results. It measures only distemper and parvo. If it is positive for both then this means there is a sterilizing level of protection. I then give the rabies vaccine. If one or the other is negative there could still be adequate memory or even cellular immunity, however in a puppy who has not been “over vaccinated”, who has not had any reaction, and who could have had mother’s antibody present at time of prior vaccination, blocking the effectiveness of the vaccine, I would boost again with whichever individual vaccine was needed.

It is of notable interest that in hundreds of puppies/dogs on whom we performed hepatitis/adenovirus titre testing not one was unprotected. Therefore we no longer test for this antibody level.

At the dog’s annual wellness exam we perform a titre which delivers actual number results. This takes two weeks. There results tell me if the pet’s prior vaccinations have stimulated the pet’s immune system to a degree that he has either memory or sterilizing immunity levels. I decide based on the pet’s age, lifestyle, other disorders present, previous number of vaccines, guardian’s concerns about vaccine reactions, whether or not a booster is recommended. A technician calls the owner to report the results and recommendation.

The most a titre drops in one is in half. So depending on how high it starts the first time we check it, we can extrapolate and tell a client, a doggy day care, a boarding kennel, how often we feel a titre needs to be checked on an individual to assure that he is protected. Some dogs are checked annually to satisfy a kennel requirement, others have NOT been checked NOR vaccinated for several years and then have still been found to have protective levels. Obviously, this saves the pet a lot of vaccine-associated risk and the client a lot of money. Sometimes a new client whose pet has been vaccinated annually for many years receives his first titre test when older. Despite all that vaccine we determine he’s a low responder. This tells us to stop vaccinating! The client has been wasting money and taking unnecessary risk with his pet’s immune health. That pet needs to be careful where he goes, what he sniffs and what he eats (i.e. other dog poo).

Specific canine titre parameters are as follows:

Michigan State University reports:

        CDV >  32                CPV >  80
       (Distemper)                 (Parvo)
These levels would be considered protective. Roughly equivalent to sterilizing immunity.


Dr Ron Schultz at the university of Wisconsin-Madison VMTH has explained that his research shows:

        CDV > 4                  CPV > 20
May also be protective, but roughly equivalent to memory levels of immunity.


Efficacy and legal guidelines for administration of rabies vaccine is based on duration of immunity to challenge studies, not on titre levels. Therefore performance of titre testing for rabies protection does not yield useful results. Keep in mind, vaccine manufacturers state that  a vaccine should only administered to “healthy dogs”. Efficacy could be affected by “stress, weather, nutrition, disease, parasitism, concurrent treatments, individual idiosyncrasies or impaired immunological competency”. Thus, the administration of a vaccine does not guarantee protection.

Ask questions before you consent to the vaccination of a pet with allergies, diabetes, otitis, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, hyperadrenocorticism, kidney disease, cancer or other disease.



       Dr Jodie is a holistically focused veterinarian at the Animal Doctor in Muskego, Wisconsin.
       You can contact her for an appointment or telephone consultation at:
414-422-1300


      



Monday, March 14, 2011

WHEN IS A DOG CONSIDERED FAT?

Veterinarians often use a 9 point scoring system to evaluate the body condition of pets. A point value of 1 means the dog is extremely thin to the point of emaciation. A score of 9 means the pet is grossly overweight. To determine body score, there are several specific areas of the dog  to look at.

Remember, these are guidelines!!

To perform the rating, first feel your dogs ribs. You should be able to quite easily feel the ribs. There should be a slight amount of fat over them, but each rib should be distinct. If you can see the ribs, your dog is to thin. If you can not feel them at all, your dog is overweight.

Next, check the area near the base of the tail. There should be a slight fat covering over this area and it should  feel smooth. If the bones protrude, your dog is too thin; if you can not feel any bones at all, your dog is overweight.

Third, feel other bony prominences on your dogs body such as spine, shoulders and hips. Again, you should be able to feel a small amount of fat over these areas. If these bones are easily felt or visible, your dog is too thin. If you can not feel the bones beneath the layer of fat, your dog is overweight.

Now look at your dog from above. Your dog should have a definite waist behind the ribs. If the waist is extreme, or again, bony prominences are visible, your dog is too thin. If there is no waist, or worst yet, the area between the ribs and hips is wider then the hips or ribs, your dog is grossly overweight.

Fifth, look at your dog from the side. Dogs should have an abdominal tuck,  I.e., the area behind the ribs should be smaller in diameter than the chest.  A dog who is too thin will have a very severe abdominal tuck. Overweight dogs will have no abdominal tuck.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

THE YIN AND YANG OF FOOD

One of the most important things that we can do for pets is to feed them properly, and while it is not that difficult to achieve a balanced diet, it is a bit more complex when we use food to help achieve optimal health. In Traditional Chinese medicine, foods are looked at much like herbs. Foods can heal. Foods can balance or unbalance the body. All foods have energetic properties, and the foods you feed your pet will affect their constitution, their affect, and can help to alleviate or exasperate personality traits, disease symptoms, and behaviors. Hot natured pets will tend to do better with cooling or neutral foods as cold natured pets will do better with neutral to warming foods. Thus the question of what foods are best to feed my pet is not a “one size fits all” answer. The first thing you need to do is to determine whether your pet is hot or cold natured.
The yin and yang of pets
Some characteristics of a hot natured, yang, animal ….
These animals are often nervous and on edge. They may have a red tongue, pant excessively and seek cool floors on which to lie. Often you will note that these animals have very poor energy in summer heat, and show signs of excessive thirst. They will avoid warm beds, couches or carpets. These animals tend to get more acute, sudden illnesses with intense symptoms which go as quickly as they came.
Some characteristics of a cold natured, yin, animal ……
These animals will be cool, calm and collected. They may have a pale tongue which is often wet. They may prefer warm places to sleep, or wish to be covered or cuddled for warmth. These animals generally do not like to be out in the winter but will bake themselves in the sun or in front of the fire place until you fear they may combust. Cold natured animals tend to be more slow moving and sleepy and may catch colds frequently.

The temperature of foods
Food also has tendencies toward yin or yang. The temperature or thermal nature of foods does not refer to the temperature at which the food is served, but the way the food makes the body feel once consumed. Cooling foods can cool both the body and the psyche. Conversely warming or hot foods will affect the entire body as well. Foods, like bodies, all have BOTH yin and yang properties, but some have more of one and some more of the other.
Warming foods are often used to aid digestion. They can also improve circulation and may help ease the pain of arthritis if it is worse in cold weather.
Cooling foods will calm the mind and cool the body. They can also be useful when inflammation is a problem.
Neutral foods are the harmonizers of the diet and are often added to balance or temper the more extreme qualities of other foods.
EXAMPLES OF WARMING FOODS
tuna, turkey, salmon, lamb, venison, chicken, chicken liver, shrimp, trout, oats, cabbage, squash, kale, quinoa, dried ginger
EXAMPLES OF COOLING FOODS
clams, duck, egg, tofu, pork, millet, barley, wheat, whole wheat bread, lettuce, celery, broccoli, spinach, tomato, kelp, banana
EXAMPLES OF NEUTRAL FOODS
beef, beef liver, chicken gizzards, rabbit, sardine, string beans, aduki beans, kidney beans, yam, polenta, rice, corn, rye, potato, beet, turnip, carrot, eggs, cod, brown rice
In addition to their thermal properties, foods can moisten or dry, clear excesses or stimulate in cases of deficiency.
FOODS THAT MOISTEN
potato, sardines, tofu, wheat, pork, mussel, citrus, barley, , string beans, dairy
FOODS THAT DRY
lettuce, turnip, asparagus, amaranth, rye, mackerel, celery, garlic
This is only the tip of the iceburg so far as the true qualities of foods go. Before choosing or changing a diet for your pet always consult with your veterinarian for recommendations and understand that each body is different. The simple question…what is the best diet for my pet???…. may not have a simple answer.
Dr. Tracy Lord D.V.M. on 03 Aug 2007
(Reprinted with Permission)

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

SUNNY & TEX UPDATE

Sunny & Tex are now available for adoption, take a look at them on the website on the 'Available Aussies' Page. Both are wonderful little dogs needing that 'Forever Home' they so justly deserve!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

SUNNY & TEX

Tex
Sunny
 2-4-2011: Sunny & Tex are two aussies that were in a shelter near Dallas Texas. Tex had been living outside since June of last year at this shelter and had minimal coverage when winter set in.
Sunny was a 'Breeder' dog and was no longer useful to the person using her and was dropped off at the shelter. When Dallas was hit with sub-zero temperatures, we were contacted to see if we could help. Over 100 DOGS were in the same situation. With the help of a fellow Aussie owner - Linda Martin, we were able to get Sunny and Tex to her vet for much needed care. They had internal parasites, ear infections, were matted and dirty and smelled.

2-17-2011: Sunny and Tex are being released from the vet clinic and are being placed into foster care while we start looking for homes for them.
A HUGE Thank You goes to everyone, especially Linda Martin that helped save these two wonderful little dogs!!
If interested in either dog, please contact ATR through the website, 'Inquiry' page

BONZER UPDATE

David and Bobbie here in Atlanta that I placed rescue dog Teddy with 5 years ago for the first time looked at the rescue facebook listing last night while watching Westminster and saw Bonzer. Their first Aussie, now gone, was diabetic and ...they are familiar with diabetic care. As long as Bonzer gets along with Teddy, and there is no reason to think he will not, they will take him next week. The owner is very very relieved, as I am. When a door closes a window always opens for these dogs. Thanks to facebook and to our friends who have one rescue dog and have opened their hearts for another one.
Susan S - Coordinator ATR, Inc

Monday, February 14, 2011

BONZER

Adoptive retirement home needed for a ten year old well managed diabetic dog. His owners are in poor health themselves-- the wife has had a severe stroke-- and can no longer care for the dog.

They are in the process of moving to a location where they can get more care and the dog cannot go with them.
His vet records are current and he last saw the vet in Oct.
The dog is crate trained and a loving companion.
He has diabetic related cataracts and is on a joint supplement.
This dog is located in Alabama and cannot be shipped, so any new owner would have to be in driving distance.

This is a heartbreaking decision on the owners part to let this
wonderful dog go, please
consider adopting Bonzer

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Rescue Dogs in TX

These two dogs were dropped off at a shelter. With the help of a fellow Aussie owner, we were able to get them out of the shelter where they have been living outside since June of last year. The temperatures around Dallas TX have been below freezing lately, and both of these guys were with about 100 other dogs in the same situation.
This is the boy, he is 20 lbs and neutered. He has been named 'Tex' as he has the Texan spirit to survive against all odds.

This is the little girl, she has been named 'Sunny' due to her happy disposition.
She is very friendly and just wants to be loved on and cuddle with anyone who will let her.
She is 15 lbs, spayed and as you can see, soaking up all the attention!


WELCOME!

Welcome to ATR's blog page!
Our goal in creating a blog is to increase the information we want to share with people in regards to Australian Terriers in need.
With our new website, joining Facebook and as of recently, creating a blog page, we can raise awareness of Australian Terriers in need
Join us in helping these wonderful little dogs!