News for Dogs
and their People

Hello,

Rescue Paws is the monthly newsletter for dogs and their people published by Black Dog Rescue Project. Each month, Rescue Paws will be delivered to your inbox. You will find dog news, information on what’s happening at Black Dog Rescue Project and tips on how to better communicate with your dog

If you like what you find here, please help us spread the word and forward this to your friends and family. If this was forwarded to you, please take a moment to subscribe to Rescue Paws.

In this Issue

Headlines : Giving the gift of Life
Black Dog Rescue Project : Blue Christmas Video
Favorite Things : Holiday Greenies!
Remy’s World : Let is Snow!
Dog Speak : Simple Temperment Testing when Selecting a Shelter Dog

Headlines

Giving the gift of life this Christmas
Many holiday commercials show images of an adorable puppy with a bright red bow being given as a gift to a child or family. Sometimes a dog can be the best gift ever received and some times the gift of the dog can be a nightmare for both the recipient and the dog. If you are considering giving a dog as a gift this Christmas, please consider carefully and keep the following in mind…

1. In every case, DON’T BUY your dog your puppy, please choose to adopt from a local shelter or rescue group.

2. Do NOT adopt a dog or puppy to give as a gift to someone outside of your immediate household. Even if you know the person wants a dog, the dog that you fall in love with may not be the dog that would be the best fit for them. A dog is a long time commitment and is a decision that must be considered carefully. Instead of selecting the dog and giving the dog as a gift, purchase a gift certificate. Most shelters and rescue groups will be happy to provide you with a gift certificate that will allow the recipient to select the dog or puppy they feel is best suited for them.

3. If you are getting a new dog or puppy for your household for Christmas, Christmas Day may not be the best time to do so. There is so much going on with friends and family stopping by and new toys to play with that the new dog or puppy may feel overwhelmed with all the commotion. Instead of giving the dog or puppy on Christmas day, consider going to your shelter or rescue group the week before Christmas or the day after Christmas so that your new dog or puppy can adjust to his new home without the distractions of Christmas Day.

4. A new dog or puppy can be a wonderful gift for your children. However, please do not give a dog as a way to teach responsibility to your children. Children can certainly help take care of the new dog, but as the adult in the household, you are ultimately responsible for the well being of the dog.
A dog may be the best gift that you give to someone you love or to yourself. But please make sure that the person you are getting the dog for is willing to make a lifetime commitment to the dog.

Shelters see an increase in the number of purebred puppies being dropped off around the holidays. These puppies were given as gifts with the best intentions, but the recipient was not willing or able to make the commitment to the dog. This is an unfair burden to put on both the person and the dog.

If you are certain that a dog is the perfect gift for someone on your Christmas list this year, we highly recommend that you give a gift certificate from your local shelter or rescue group instead of the actual dog or puppy. This will allow the recipient to select the best dog or puppy for them when they are ready to take on the commitment.

With careful thought and consideration, Christmas time is a wonderful time to save a life and find a new best friend!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
The Black Dog Rescue Project website was created in June 2009. We are very thankful to have the support of so many dog lovers across this country. The word is spreading and lives are being saved and we have you to thank for it! We know that you will continue to help us spread the word and even more dogs lives will be spared in 2010. THANK YOU!

Black Dog Rescue Project - Blue Christmas

Blue Christmas Video: We’ve created a video just in time for the holidays. Our Blue Christmas Video is available on our home page and on Youtube. The video highlights a few of the black dogs across the nation that are waiting and hoping to find homes for Christmas. Take a look and share with your friends and family. You just might find your new best friend!

Rescue Me : Since publishing last month’s newsletter, we suffered the heartbreaking loss of Daisy, but we were able to help find homes for Annabell, Dash and Bolt. Hugo is our current profiled dog and we know that a couple families are interested in him at the moment. We hope to be sharing his successful adoption story with you very soon!

Rescue Dog Stories: If you haven’t looked at our Rescue Stories section in a while, then you’ve missed a couple of fun and inspiring new additions. Last month we added the story of Roscoe and just this week we’ve added the story of Bambi, a tripod lab in Oklahoma who found her forever home in time for Christmas this year.

Favorite Things

At the top of most Christmas lists for our canine companions, are Greenies. I have yet to meet a dog that doesn’t absolutely love em! There is still time to get great savings on holiday boxes of Greenies at dogs.com. Ordering through the link (click on the picture) will help support the efforts of Black Dog Rescue Project.

Remy's World

It’s December in Utah and that means it’s time for Snow! We’ve had an inch of snow here and there over the last month, but last weekend we got dumped on! With nearly a foot of snow on the ground, I was curious how Remy was going to react since this is the first snow he’s ever experienced.

Remy found it challenging to run about at first. He’s not quite sure why he keeps sinking up to his nose every couple of steps, but he still keeps trying to get through it all.. Despite the challenges, it didn’t take long for him to figure out that snow is fun! He loves the cold and running about in the plowed spots and then leaping into a bit pile of it and sinking in, only to dig his way out and do it all over again. He also loves biting at the snow and chasing snow balls! Looks like Remy will be having a great time this winter.

Remy has asked Santa for an “empty” peanut butter jar for Christmas and with all the baking we have planned in the next week, I think he just might get his wish!

"Woof, Woof" and Tails Wags = Merry Christmas to our Furry Friends Everywhere!

Dog Speak

When visiting your local shelter, it is often overwhelming. Many of the dogs may start jumping and barking as you walk by. Others may be hugging a back wall or corner. Shelters are high stress environments for any dogs and sometimes it can be difficult to determine which dog will be the best fit for your family.

The Ameriacn Humane Organization has published some tips that can help you determine the dogs’ temperament and see what the dog may be like in your home.

Please keep in mind that the dogs’ behavior at the shelter is often quite different from how he will be once he settles in to the life and routine in your home. If you plan on adding a dog to your family this Christmas, bring the dog home the week before Christmas so he has time to adjust before the commotion of Christmas. You may also choose to bring the dog home immediately after Christmas, especially if the kids are home from school and you are off of work. Use this time to bond with your new best friend.

Choosing a dog carefully and planning the first few days after you bring him home will help make the transition easier for the dog, and help ensure many years of happiness for every member of your family.

Spread the Word… Save a Life!
Black Dog Rescue Project