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

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In this Issue

Headlines : Love is Hard...
Black Dog Rescue Project : Thank you Facebook Fans!
Favorite Things : Swag the Dog Boutique
Remy’s World : Remy and I say goodbye...
Dog Speak : Mmmm, Chocolate!

Headlines

February is the month of Valentine's Day and the month that may people are focused on Love. Love is most certainly a splendid thing. Love is that quickening of your heart beat when that special someone enters the room. Love is chocolates and roses and poetry. But love can also be very hard.

Love is allowing the doctor to give your child a shot even though you know it will hurt for a short while. Love is saying goodbye to your child as they head off to the first day of kindergarten. Love is tears of fear and pride when your loved one heads off to war.

When it comes to our canine companions, love can also be quite hard. It can be hard to say no when those sad eyes continue to beg for yet another treat. It can be hard to say goodbye for the day when having them spayed or neutered. It can be hard when you come home from work to discover your favorite pair of shoes or the TV remote became the perfect chew toy. I can be hard entering a shelter and seeing all of the wonderful souls in such desperate need of homes. And it can certainly be hard having to make the decision to bring just one of them home, knowing that several of the ones you leave behind will not make it out alive.

But without the tears and fears and sadness, we would not be able appreciate the true joy and happiness of love. While it may be difficult to sign your dog up for surgery, spaying and neutering every pet is the only way that we may possibly address the overpopulation problem and stop the euthanasia of millions of dogs each year. Spaying and Neutering your pet will also result in a happier and healthier companion. Even though it may be difficult to enter a shelter, it is what needs to be done to save a life. And even though, you alone, cannot save every one of them, you have changed the world for the one that you do save.

The friendship and love between humans and dogs is a legendary one. No matter how much love you have for your dog, it seems your dog has so much more love for you. The tail wags and kisses that meet you at your door make you forget any bad day you may have had. Your dog does not need anything more than the very basics in life (food, water, shelter, exercise, and a ball or a stick) in order to be a happy pup, filled with love, loyalty and devotion to the one who provides him with these essentials.

The love between a husband and wife is deep and fulfilling. The love between parent and child is never ending. The love between human and canine is simple and pure.

Hug your spouse, your parents, your child, your friends and your dog. Take care of those you love and wear a smile on your face and in your heart.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Rusty is currently our profiled dog. He is such a joy! He is only 5 month's old and technically his time at the shelter is up, but they have agreed to extend his time in hopes that we can find a match for this wonderful boy.

Rescue Dog Stories: This month we published the story about Jester. Just after Becky and her husband were married, they decided that their yard would not be complete without a dog in it. Read their story to see the joy that Jester has brought to their lives.

Facebook: We have seen a recent surge in our fan numbers on Facebook and we want to thank each of you for your support. Education is the key to changing the odds of homeless black dogs and with your help in spreading the word, we are doing just that. Thank You!

Coming Soon: Have you always wanted to create your own website? Are you passionate about a cause and you want to share your passion with the world? Are you considering starting your own business? Black Dog Rescue Project was created with Site Build It and we will soon be creating a page to explain why we chose Site Build It and what it can do for you.

We will also be working hard to add additional state pages to our directory in the coming weeks.

Favorite Things

Swag the Dog is the perfect place for you to find high quality unique items for you and your furry companion. Amy and Paula have created a terrific online boutique and they are also fabulous supporters of Black Dog Rescue Project. If you are in the market for a new leash, collar or just about any other item you can think of for your pooch, please check them out. Help us thank them for being such wonderful advocates.

Remy's World

In last months issue, I told you a bit more about me and and how being unemployed and adopting Remy lead to the creation of Black Dog Rescue Project. This month, I wanted to give you and update on additional changes for Remy and my family.

I have been very blessed to have received a job offer and I am grateful to be entering the workforce once again. However, the job is located in the Denver metro area, which means another move for me and my family. When the offer came through, I had just about a week to get myself to Colorado. I also had some difficult decisions to make.

Because of my daughters ages and the school differences between Utah and Colorado, we all decided that it would be best for my daughters to remain in Utah with their grandparents until the end of the school year. This was a very difficult decision to make and made my move to Colorado bittersweet. But, I also know that it was the right decision for my family and I know that in a few short months we will all be together again here in Colorado.

I had a similar decision to make about Remy. As I've mentioned before, Remy is extremely attached to me and I have been trying to lessen his dependence on me and help him form the same type of bond with other members of our household.

Remy was making progress in this area and it was enjoyable to watch him sit with my father for massages and loving. He began to seek out my mother for his daily treat. He began to curl up with my daughters instead of me, while watching our Friday night movie. Even though his bond with me seemed to be stronger than with others, he was forming strong bonds with my daughters, my parents and especially Zenna (my parents dog). We thought long and hard about what would be best for Remy.

The decision was made to let him stay in Utah instead of bringing him to Colorado with me. Even though it is a big change for him, losing me is the only thing that has changed in his world. He is still in the same house, same yard, same routine each day, same people that he loves (except me) and of course the love of his life, Zenna, is still by his side.

I have been gone a couple of weeks now and knowing that Remy has adjusted much quicker than any of us thought he would, helps my heart. I know that we made the best decision for him. I was told that he sat by the door and went looking through the house for me only for the first couple of days. Very quickly, he stopped searching for me and simply enjoyed being with everyone else that he loves. He now sleeps with Zenna each night and he is happy.

As I begin to settle in Colorado, I am without a dog by my side for the first time in my life. I miss him terribly. I still find myself waking up in the morning and feeling the need to let him outside. At night, my hand reaches to pet the dog that should be laying by my side, but isn't Now and again, I can still hear his little bark, but quickly realize the sound is only in my head.

I will be going back to Utah in a few weeks for a short visit and I will keep you updated next month on how that visit goes and if I'm able to say goodbye to Remy once again.

Dog Speak

Many homes have boxes of chocolates around Valentine's Day. Most everyone is aware that chocolate can make your dog sick and could even cause death. But did you know that certain types of chocolates are more harmful than others?

The reason that Chocolate is dangerous to your dog is because of the ingredient, Theobromine. Difference types of chocolates contain different amounts of Theobromine and the affects on your dog will vary depending on the size of your dog and the concentration of the Theobromine. White chocolate has the least concentration and bakers chocolate has the most. 2-3 candy bars can be poisonous for a 10 lb dog. The smaller dogs are at greater risk of being poisoned by Chocolate, but Chocolate is never good for any dog.

Once your dog has a taste of Chocolate, he will crave more. So keep your dog safe and keep all Chocolate away. Never give your dog a piece of chocolate.

If your dog has gotten into the box of chocolates or munched on the chocolate cake, please contact your veterinarian to determine the best method of care.

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