Shamrock Rescue Foundation Quarterly Newsletter

Quarterly Newsletter Winter 2020 Issue

Magic Bear loves the snow! And now he can enjoy it his whole life. Read his story on page 11.

Your Donations At Work Thank you for supporting our mission to give second chances to those who need them most. The support of our generous donors has allowed us to save dogs who are in dire situations and provide medical treatments, food, and shelter until forever homes are found. 100 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the rescue and care of the dogs. Since our last newsletter, we have successfully placed over 22 dogs, rescued 11, and cared for over 45. We also had to say tearful goodbyes to several Shamrock dogs, whose stories you can read more about in this issue.

As a rescue, we are often inundated with heartbreaking stories of neglect and abuse, which can be overwhelming. While we are unable to save them all, we are grateful for your support that allows us to save those that we can and help them find the love of the happy home that they are deserving of.

Lightning is one of the sweetest boys we know. He’s always happy and loves to make new friends.

A heartfelt thank you.

Ron & Charice King Founders

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Rescue Spotlight Name: Cheeto

Name: Stewie

Age: 10 years

Age: 11

Breed: Pekingese Mix

Breed: Chow Mix

Gender: Male (Neutered) Cheeto is a funny little guy. He loves to chase balls and run around with them, squeak toys, and get belly rubs. He loves attention, though he does like a break from it now and then. He walks nicely on a leash and rides well in the car. He does have one quirk: He hates being picked up. So he needs a home where his people will let him get comfortable at his own pace and not try to force too much love on him too quickly. He’s a healthy little man, and those unique eyes – one brown, one blue – give him a striking appearance.

Name: Diva and Pixie Ages: Diva, 15; Pixie, 11 Breeds: Diva, Chihuahua; Pixie, Chihuahua-Pug Mix Gender: Females (Spayed)

Gender: Male (Neutered)

Stewie loves everyone and everything – people, other dogs, the world in general.

He’s a happy, friendly guy who’s anything but a typical chow. Whereas chows often take awhile to warm up to strangers, Stewie is everyone’s friend from the start. His tail is always wagging, and he loves – no he adores – hanging out and getting a few treats. He’s a nice, easygoing leash walker. He’s housetrained and knows how to use a dog door.

He’s a homeboy who is looking for someplace to chill. A canine buddy would be a plus, as far as he’s concerned.

Diva and Pixie are the sweetest girls. They’ve been together all of Pixie’s life – Diva is her mom. They like to sleep together, but they do all right when separated. Both love nothing more than to cuddle up in a lap and fall asleep. They would make wonderful companions for someone looking for some pals to curl up with on the couch.

(Diva is the smaller tan and gray girl standing behind Pixie in the picture to the left.)

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Saving a Senior: Fanny’s story By: Maryanne Dell, Rescue Coordinator and Adoption Counselor Who could resist this face?

At the age of 15, Fanny found herself alone. All alone. Very much all alone.

Fanny’s owner had just died, and the Tibetan spaniel was left in her San Fernando Valley home.

Fanny, a champion in her younger days, was left by her owner’s relatives without food or water.

They took the furniture in the house but evidently decided that a living being wasn’t worth saving.

Can you imagine being a very senior citizen whose nice life has been turned on its head? Being abandoned without so much as a bowl of water? That’s what happened to this sweet, gentle old girl who was left by “family” to – presumably – starve.

Her breeder, Pat, wanted Fanny returned to her. But Pat lives in New Jersey, and a five-hour, 3,000mile plane ride in cargo simply wasn’t going to happen for this little girl with the adorable white face.

Pat contacted Susan Miccio, the national rescue coordinator for the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America.

Susan contacted me.

Susan and I have worked together through the years to get homeless Tibetan spaniels back on their paws. Just a few months ago, Shamrock took in PingPong and Pepper, two young ladies whose owner had died suddenly. We were alerted to them by Susan. Before we retrieved them from their owner’s family (who in this case was more than happy to step in for them but was unable to give them a good home), we had a new owner in mind. The girls are now happily ensconced in Orange County with their new mom and Cavalier King Charles spaniel brother.

So, when Susan reached out to me about Fanny, I didn’t hesitate. Of course I would help her. I spoke with Pat, telling her I already had fosters in mind, my friends Lisa and Andy, who have cared for little fuzzy Shamrocks many times. She agreed that if we could find a good home for Fanny, that would be best.

And, although the relatives of Fanny’s mom didn’t care, friends of hers did. A wonderful couple rushed to the house where Fanny had been abandoned and picked her up. They kept her overnight at their home in the Valley, where I got her the next day. Then it was off to LA, where Andy and Lisa’s vet examined her, cleaned her teeth, and proclaimed her very healthy for her age.

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I had barely posted her information on Facebook when Nancy Clark, who adopted sweet Merry from Shamrock last year, posted that she would like her.

“To foster or adopt?” I asked.

Her answer: “Adopt.”

Just eight days after coming to Shamrock, Fanny arrived at her new home. She fit right in, and, Nancy says, she and Merry have become best buds. They’re the Golden Tibbie Girls. (We think Merry might have just a little Tibbie in her, and even if she doesn’t, we’re making her an honorary one.) Watching Fanny wander around her new backyard, my heart filled with light and happiness. I can’t bear to see any creature suffer, but an old, abandoned dog just breaks my heart.

Fanny relaxes at her new home.

But, thanks to the village that helped Fanny, the break of a week earlier had been healed.

Our Fosters Shamrock Rescue couldn’t do the work we do without our fosters. We have several who have been instrumental in helping us save dogs.

Fosters let our dogs live in real homes, enjoying the atmosphere and comfort that brings. We place our neediest – the sickest, oldest and most shy, along with some who for some reason touch a chord with someone – in our foster homes, and there they receive love and, if needed, medical support until they find their forever homes. A few have even found their forever homes with fosters.

Anna gets to live in a real home thanks to one of our fosters.

So thank you so much to our foster families, including those who have become “foster failures,” who go above and beyond to ensure that needy dogs get the care and love they need.

If you are interested in fostering a dog, please feel free to contact us at (714) 270-4187 or shamrockrf@gmail.com and/or visit our website to complete our Foster/Adoption application.

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So you want to adopt a rescue dog … now what?

By: Maryanne Dell, Rescue Coordinator and Adoption Counselor “My dog is rescued” has become a badge of honor of sorts. It’s a matter of pride for many people to let the world know that their pup was in need of a home and they gave him one. And that’s a very good thing.

We love all of our adopters at Shamrock because they give our dogs a second (sometimes third or even fourth) chance at a new life, a good life, a life without fear or suspicion, neglect or abuse. We do our best to match family and dog so the situation is ideal for all. Sometimes, none of our dogs is the right companion for a potential adopter. And that’s OK. We want to make sure everyone who hopes to add a dog to their family educates themselves beforehand. You aren’t buying a new appliance, after all. You’re bringing a living, sentient being into your home and making him or her part of your life. It’s a commitment that, depending on the age of the dog, could last 10 or 15 years. We want you to be ready for it.

We try to make sure we answer these questions before adopting, even if you didn’t think to ask them. But they’re good to have on hand before you commit to adopting a dog (or any animal, though some of these are dog-specific) from a rescue. (We’d love you to ask these questions if you’re adopting from a shelter, too, but some shelters don’t have the resources to answer them all.

Still, asking is good.)

What are the characteristics of this dog’s breed?

You’ll get a far different answer if you’re considering a Pomeranian vs. a border collie. Dogs are bred for different behaviors and temperaments, and they’re pretty consistent among breeds. Pomeranians can be barky, and they are generally happy to accompany you anywhere – or nowhere. Border collies need – they don’t want, they need – a job. That job could be herding sheep (even just for fun); running agility courses; or fetching your slippers, keys, or cellphone. They need to use their minds.

Don’t get a border collie if your ideal dog is expected to sit on your lap and watch TV nightly.

What is this dog’s temperament?

Does he like kids? Older people? Men? Women? Is he afraid of anything (say, people wearing hats, garden hoses, fireworks)? What does he do when that happens? Does he like to play? Will he willingly give up toys if he’s playing with them? Does he like other dogs? Does he play with them? Bully them?

How about cats or other types of animals (especially any you might already have at home)? What is his energy level? Will he require a lot of exercise?

What is this dog’s level of training?

Does she know cues like sit, down, come, stay? How does she walk on leash? Does she pull or does 6 | Shamrock Rescue Foundation

she walk nicely next to you? Does she like to learn new things? What is the easiest way to train her?

Do you know how she’s been trained? (A dog who has been trained using methods that reward good behavior rather than punish unwanted behavior will enjoy learning and be an “eager to please” dog, as opposed to one who shakes and cowers the instant your raise your voice. The latter dog also will be much more prone to aggression when she feels so scared that biting feels like her only option to get relief from her fear.)

Is this dog house-trained?

Crate-trained? We all would like our dogs to know where their bathroom is, of course. A dog who enjoys resting or sleeping in a crate comes with a built-in safety zone that will help him to acclimate to his new home more easily. A dog who isn’t wandering the house at night won’t have accidents or destroy things he shouldn’t. Although some people believe crates are cruel, they are far from it. Dogs who like their crates have a safe space for themselves. And crates prevent a world of damage to our belongings. Just don’t use a crate to punish your dog. Then it can and will become cruel.

How much grooming does this dog need?

Will she require visits to a groomer? Since most dogs shed, it’s good to be forewarned. The secondary question is, how easy is it to groom her? Does she enjoy it?

How healthy is this dog?

Because Shamrock rescues a lot of senior dogs, we send medications and instructions home with some of them. A dog who has heart problems will likely be on several medications. A dog who has seizures might be on a medication to stop them from occurring. Some dogs might require supplements. Can you afford these, and will you be willing to buy them?

There are no right or wrong answers to these questions. They are all a matter of preference. Only you know how much energy is right for your home. Grooming may not be an issue for you. For someone else, a dog who requires nearly daily brushing might not be a good idea. Know the answers you would like to these questions before you fall in love with a fuzzy face. Knowing what kind of dog you’d like will go a long way toward ensuring that you get the dog of your dreams. And it will ensure that dog has a home for life.

How to Help Thank you for your support! Without our donors, fosters, and adopters, we wouldn’t be able to continue to save dogs that are facing death in area shelters. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. We have no paid employees. All rescues, adoptions, animal transports, media, administration and other work is completed by volunteers. 100 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the rescue and care of the animals. All other expenses are absorbed by caring people.

To donate, please visit:

Or Mail a Check to:

www.shamrockrescue.org/info/donate

Shamrock Rescue Foundation 13882 Hewes Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92705 Shamrock Rescue Foundation | 7

Saying Goodbye By: Maryanne Dell, Rescue Coordinator and Adoption Counselor Wookie

Yogi

Wookie: Our Funny ‘Pekinard’ He was, like so many Shamrock dogs, hours from death. The red and white dog – part Pekingese, certainly, but what the heck was the rest of him? – sat in the shelter in Lancaster, about two hours from Orange County. Facebook messages pleading for someone to save him had been circulating for days. He was snappy, unavailable to the public, and in danger of being euthanized. A Los Angeles rescuer said she would get him out of the shelter if someone could take him in.

A woman I didn’t know, Ellen, responded that she could help get him to Shamrock. Ellen lived in Redlands. What the heck? I told both women Shamrock would help them save this funny-looking little guy.

On Christmas Eve 2012, Wookie took a circuitous ride from Lancaster to Orange County. His rescuer’s car had broken down in Los Angeles, but she and Ellen connected. Later that night, Ellen and I met in Huntington Beach, and Wookie came home with me.

Wookie was an excellent passenger. He rode quietly in his crate, watching the world go by. He wasn’t quite as excellent when it came to getting along with others. At Crossroads, the board and train facility at which some Shamrock dogs stay, he was picky about trust – basically, he didn’t trust many people.

He didn’t do as well there as some of our dogs, so I asked Ellen if she would consider fostering him.

She had a soft spot for Wookie from the start, and his unusual looks, his funny little waddle, with a bouncing butt and swinging tail, and sometime grumbling melted her heart. We decided he was a “Pekinard” – a mix of Pekingese and St. Bernard. Probably not, but it gave us – and everyone we told – a chuckle.

Ellen and I became good friends, and when she moved to Orange County with Wookie (and a few other dogs), I was thrilled. We got to see more of each other, and I got to spend lots of time with Wookie.

We tried several times to find a home for him, but each time he came back because adopters didn’t do what we asked and give him space.

Wookie loved Ellen, and we realized that he wasn’t likely to find a home with anyone else. People want dogs who are instant love bugs – and that wasn’t Wookie. But Ellen understood that he needed 8 | Shamrock Rescue Foundation

space and time and the ability to feel safe. She gave him all of that, and more.

Way more: When Wookie was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, she knew how to nurse him.

She nursed him and loved him for three years, through countless echocardiograms, blood tests, doctor visits ... She administered drugs, IVs, injections ... She sat through sleepless nights as Wookie paced and barked, unable to sleep, for what reason we didn’t know.

We rode a roller coaster with Wookie, some days thinking it was his time to go, on others knowing it wasn’t. Ellen would call me, panicked, sure it was time for that last trip to the vet. I’d run over to her house, and there Wookie would be, greeting me with his trademark waddle, ready for treats.

We never thought he’d endure the two-week boarding stay at the vet while Ellen was in Europe. He did. We never thought he’d make it to Thanksgiving. Or Christmas. He did.

But, shortly after the new year began, he let us know it was time. He couldn’t walk without stumbling, he was coughing heavily, and he was uncomfortable. So we did make that last trip to the vet, and bade Wookie farewell.

I have a friend in my nose work class whose dog is part Pekingese. He has the same bouncy trot as Wookie. Every time I watch him hunt for odor, I’m reminded of our little “Pekinard.” And I smile, bittersweetly.

Yogi: The Lovable Grump Pasadena Humane Society asked my friend Anna, one of the principles of Alura Always and Forever Pekingese Rescue, if she could take a 6- or 7-year-old Peke who came there as a stray. He was doing terribly in the shelter environment, and he wanted to bite everyone. Never one to say no to a Peke in need, Anna agreed.

Shamrock and Alura work closely together, sometimes finding homes (temporary and permanent) for one another’s dogs. When Yogi proved difficult in his foster home, Anna asked me if Shamrock could take him. Of course we could. He was a grump. He didn’t want to be picked up, he barked at strangers, and he was suspicious of anyone entering his space.

But he was so darn cute and appealing, with his big eyes and smushy face. I couldn’t help falling in love. There was no way Yogi was going to find a home with his attitude, so I worked with him, sitting in his run and feeding him chicken, trying to get him to trust me. It didn’t entirely work. I was able to come and go without him grousing, but he still didn’t want to be touched.

Then, he got sick. Really sick. We knew he couldn’t see, but his eyes seemed to have something wrong with them. And he was very lethargic. When we took him to the vet, he was diagnosed with pancreatitis – severe pancreatitis. We tried for three days to make him comfortable, hoping to get him better. But we couldn’t. So we made the hard decision to let him go to the Rainbow Bridge and be happy and healthy.

He was ready. He gently took the hamburger Anna and I fed him – the first time he hadn’t snapped for food, so we knew he was ready to move on – and peacefully drifted off. I’m sorry we couldn’t do better for you Yogi, but we’ll never forget you. Be happy now, little guy.

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Keep Your Dog Healthy By: Maryanne Dell, Rescue Coordinator and Adoption Counselor Dog lovers all agree: Our canine kids don’t live long enough. They’ll never live as long as we do, but what can we do to help them stay around for longer than the average 10-12 years or so?

A healthy diet and veterinary care can help prevent or fix skin problems like Milo had when he came to Shamrock in late 2018.

Today his fluffy coat shows how much healthier he is.

example, are prone to hip dysplasia. Bad hips aren’t a death sentence, but the debilitating effects, including severe arthritis, that result can shorten an animal’s life. If getting your dog from a breeder, be sure that he or she has screened for common problems to which the breed is prone.

Realize it starts with genetics. If your dog is wellbred, chances are it could live longer. But even good breeding can’t guarantee against accidents that could be life-threatening. And even the best- It’s not all about medicine, however. You can bred animals can be prone to certain illnesses. do many things to help your pet stay healthy without the help of a veterinarian.

According to the National Canine Cancer Foundation1, 1 in 3 dogs will be diagnosed with the Feed healthy food. Whether you make your disease during its life. own or buy commercial, do some research. Be sure you aren’t feeding low-quality food that is Cancer is just one illness that can plague our mostly grains and fillers. Dogs are omnivores, like pets. Kidney, liver and heart disease occur in humans, and can do well on vegetarian diets, but animals just like in humans. Heartworms2 can kill those diets must include proper supplementation, dogs by destroying heart, lung and other organ holistic veterinarian and author Shawn tissue.

Messonnier3 writes in AKC Family Dog4.

The list goes on … so what to do?

When you get your dog, have it checked out by your veterinarian – immediately. Have blood drawn and tested to establish a baseline for your animal’s health. Blood work will indicate whether any organs are functioning improperly, allowing you to act quickly to overcome any potential or existing problems.

Do some research and determine which diseases or other issues are likely to affect your dog’s breed or mix of breeds. Labrador retrievers, for

Speaking of supplements, there are as many for pets as for people. Vitamins and minerals, fish oil, glucosamine, pre- and probiotics, and more can be added to the diet. Again, do some research before adding them willy-nilly, and be sure you know what and how much you are giving your pup.

Now, back to your vet. Regular checkups should be for more than vaccines. Regular blood work will let you know if your pet has strayed from its baseline and whether that is cause for concern.

Your vet can check your dog’s teeth and work

1 https://wearethecure.org/ 2 https://www.heartwormsociety.org/ 3 http://www.pawsandclawsanimalhospital.com/dr-shawn.php 4 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/mythbuster-monday-do-dogs-need-meat-in-their-diets/

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with you to create a dental hygiene program. Yes, their teeth need to be cleaned just like ours.

Brushing at home is great, and there are supplements you can add to food or water to help them stay healthy. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore regular checkups.

Nor should you ignore vaccines. They are important, especially for puppies. Dr. Jean Dodds, owner of Hemopet in Garden Grove, California, cautions against over-vaccinating but acknowledges that the immunity they offer is vital for puppies and kittens.

Keeping your pet healthy is a holistic practice; much thought – and more than a little money for care and feeding – goes into it. But it’s worth it to be able to hear that woof for many years.

Everybody Needs a Magic Bear By: Maryanne Dell, Rescue Coordinator and Adoption Counselor

Eric and Magic

Magic surveys his kingdom from his backyard.

At the shelter in Sacramento, he was known as Mac – a 12-year-old chow mix who was on the downslope of his life.

Except he wasn’t.

Shamrock friend and foster Goli Mohammadi asked if we would save him if she gave him a forever foster home. We said of course, because we’re always eager to get a dog out of a shelter and into a loving family, and Goli does such a wonderful job saving and caring for older chows who otherwise wouldn’t have made it out of the shelter.

The first thing Goli did was change Mac’s name to Magic Bear. (Her chows always have “Bear” for a last name.) And, like magic, Magic became something other than what the shelter stated.

By the way he ran around, played, and romped on long woodland walks, Magic let Goli know he was no senior. At the vet, his age was put at 4 years. That’s more like it, Goli told me.

Unfortunately, Magic didn’t like one of Goli’s senior chows, and he made it obvious that there would be little peace with both there. So, we began the search for a forever home. One day I got an email from a man named Eric asking about Magic. I connected him and Goli. Eric had lost his chow-Newfoundland mix in December and was desperate for a new friend.

So Magic was off to Sparks, Nevada, to see how he and Eric would fare. Things were a little up-anddown at first, but ultimately Magic made himself very much at home. We’re so happy to see that this wonderful guy is now loving his new life. And we’re especially glad he gets to live near the mountains, because he loves the snow. And since he’s only 4, he and Eric should have many happy years together.

Happy life, Magic Bear.

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Currently Seeking Forever Homes ... Click the picture (if viewing the digital version) or visit www.shamrockrescue.org to learn more

Cheeto

Diva and Pixie

Peekaboo

Lightning

Koa

Amos

Jasper

Peanut

Harley

Stewie

Chico

Milo

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