Dakota Rescue is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that rescues furry friends from life-threatening situations and finds them forever homes. The Rescue also prevents overpopulation by spaying/neutering abandoned pets and educates primarily low-income pet owners who need help providing these and other vetting services, along with proper nutrition, for their pets.
| Letter from Dakota |
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Quick Calendar |
Dakota
Mascot &
First RescueWelcome to the first edition of "Paw Prints," our quarterly newsletter. We're excited to launch our newsletter so that we have the opportunity, from time to time, to share with our supporters and all animal lovers some of our heartwarming stories of life-saving rescues and adoptions. Each edition will include educational articles, as well, that will further our mission to empower people to better the lives of the pets in our community. "Paw Prints" will also provide a forum to announce our upcoming events and highlight some of the amazing generosity of our contributors. These bighearted, compassionate souls open their homes to homeless, abandoned animals, fund crucial medical services for some of the most desperate, abused and neglected animals in our communities and volunteer their time to support our organization so that we can continue to serve these precious pets. As always, we thank all of these volunteers and contributors for making our rescues, adoptions and other services possible. If you would like to join our family of animal advocates, please visit our Dakota Rescue Web site to learn more about how you can help. |
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Adoption Days
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Natural Pawz - West U
4032 Bellaire Blvd 77025
Whole Foods Center on Bellaire
Houston, TX 77025
713)665-pawz (7299)
11:00AM to 4:00PM
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Elkins Kennels
19402 Kuykendahl Rd
Spring, TX 77379
(281) 353-4835
1:00PM to 4:00PM
More Detail |
| Rescue of the Month |
Bingo Hangs Twenty at Our Beach-Party Old Town Spring Themed Adoption Day |
"Beach Party Bingo"
Here’s a special rescue who still needs a loving home. Do you have room in your heart for this sweet, funny boy? Our Bingo is a super friendly mix of American Staffordshire Terrier and Lab. He is a lover boy with beautiful black and white markings. He weighs around 56 lbs and is about 2 years old. Bingo is an easy going, very happy dog that is eager to please. He loves attention, quickly rolls over for a tummy rub and will rest his head in your lap – and as you can see, he’s mastered surfing!
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| Adoptions |
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Lola (Ginny)
We are so pleased that Ginny, one of our very first rescues, was adopted. So are her new parents:
Ginny came for a house visit almost 2 months ago. And despite the fact that she was much bigger and hairier than anticipated, we fell in love with her anyway. She was quickly renamed “Lola” – for the rock and roll dog that she really is – by the end of the first weekend. She is a rambunctious dog by day and a calm and loveable dog by night. She likes to assist the kids in the pool by standing on the top two steps and barking at them if anyone does something that looks dangerous.
Her mommy was looking for a dog that would bark if someone came too close to the house or looked suspicious. Lola has decided that also includes any squirrels within a half mile distance, any neighbors outside walking with their dogs or children, or anyone deciding to move their trashcans or deliver the mail. She has a great sense of humor and likes to play chase, peek-a-boo and anything involving a ball. She is also constantly eyeing the childrens’ slide and play structure and has on more than one occasion tried to figure out how to go down the slide with them. That coupled with her ability to jump over things more than four feet high has convinced her parents to sign her up for some agility classes soon. Hopefully, it will harness some of her amazing energy.
Her new family adds, “We are very happy with Lola and are amazed by her progress in the last few months and can’t wait to see the dog she will become with a little more love and training. Thanks Dakota Rescue and Brie Garcia for pairing us up with such a great girl!” |
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Seamus (Prince)
We are so happy that our rescue, Prince, was adopted, too. According to his new mommy, he won the puppy lotto because he sleeps in the bed every night and gets to laze on the couch often. He loves chewing on bones and really loves his special Blue Dog bakery cookies. He has gained about 10 lbs of muscle from chasing his soccer ball and looks healthy! His mommy has renamed him Seamus because it seemed to suit him better.
Seamus was found roaming the streets of Northside Houston, obviously homeless with no collar or tags. He came into our program with a buddy named Chance whom we also took in, but Seamus was a little luckier. He was adopted shortly after joining in the program. In his new home, he is doing fantastic! He has an older dog sister, Mikey, who LOVES him. He is loved and adored by his new family and has the forever home that he so deserves. |
| Upcoming Events |
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Natural Pawz
Visit our indoor Dakota Rescue Pet Adoptions at West University and Sugar Land, TX. The next one will be at West U on June 28 and Sugar Land on July 11. Please check out our events calendar for more events to come.
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Old Town Spring
We love Old Town Spring! We had a bash with our Beach Party Pet Adoption back in May, but due to the hot Summer months, we won’t be back until September. |
| Training Tips |
by Brie McLean-Garcia |
Master the Walk - If a dog controls the walk, then he sees himself as pack leader. Take the lead and make sure your dog walks either beside you or behind you, and don’t forget to be the first one out the door and the first one in.
Get on a Schedule - Try and set out a walking schedule (30 minutes to an hour a day) and stick to it as best you can. An exercised dog is a happy dog!
The Right Tools - Use a leash that tightens and releases (slip leash). This gives a clear message to the dog. The leash remains loose when the dog behaves but tightens when the dog pulls away. Attach the leash at the very top of the neck to improve communication and ease corrections. |
| Educational |
by Jennifer Washam |
Summer Safety Tips for Pets
Travel
If your dog suffers from severe motion sickness, a new drug, Cerenia, might help. Cerenia works better than earlier medications that are either ineffective or put dogs to sleep. If your dog doesn’t suffer severely, doggie ginger cookies also ease queasiness. For pups that get stressed out by car rides, a Dog Appeasing Pheromone collar (like aromatherapy for dogs) or lavender hanging from the rearview mirror can help.
If you are looking for accommodations for you and your pets, you can find some listed and even reviewed on Web sites such as PetTravel.com, petswelcome.com, Doginmysuitcase.com, 1clickpethotels.com and TravelPets.com. However, make sure you check with the hotel before booking, as policies can change.
In the Heat
In the heat of the summer, the temperature in your car rises rapidly. In the sun, your car can reach up to 160 degrees in just a matter of minutes. Dogs don’t sweat efficiently, so they overheat more easily than people. Watch for signs of overheating, such as vomiting and excessive panting. If you think your pup might be overheated, immediately take him out of the sun, cool his paw pads with water and take him to the vet.
FUN RECIPE FOR YOUR PUP
Breath-Sweetening Biscuits
The parsley or mint provides the freshening ingredient in these enticing pup treats
Ingredients
3 cups unbleached all-purpose white or whole-wheat flour, or a combination
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup vegetable shortening
1 cup buttermilk or low-fat yogurt
1 tablespoon honey
¼ cup chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley or mint leaves
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the flour, baking powder, and baking soda in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade and mix to combine. While the processor is going, add the shortening, a few pieces at a time, and process until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, add the buttermilk, and mix by hand until combined. Mix in the honey and parsley or mint. Divide the mixture into 24 pieces, flatten them, and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Place the sheet in the oven and bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature. |
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| Amazing Animal Stories |
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Skidboot
If you have not heard of Skidboot, you are in for a treat. He is at rest now, but what a wonderful 14 years of life this special pup lived. He appeared on Oprah and even David Letterman.
Christmas Eve 1992 blacksmith David Hartwig was shoeing horses at a nearby ranch when the owner offered him a puppy as a last-minute Christmas present for his wife.
The puppy, which was half Australian cattle dog and half Heinz 57, was initially unruly, chasing livestock and pets. Hartwig said in later interviews that he almost gave Skidboot away but instead, Hartwig decided to keep the dog's mind occupied by teaching him tricks.
–He eventually taught Skidboot some amazing tricks that showed the pup’s remarkable intelligence, including his signature "stuffed-ball trick." Hartwig would tell Skidboot to grab the ball on the count of three. While Skidboot waited in suspense with his nose poised a mere inch above the ball, his owner would count "one ... two ..." and then throw out a long series of unrelated numbers, until casually adding "three" – and Skidboot would instantly sink his teeth into the stuffed ball.
Check out the video of Skidboot’s unbelievable feats of discipline and brilliance.
View the Skidboot Video. |
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