July 20, 2012

Meet my Sweet (and Smart!) Adopted Pups!

I've had three dogs in my life, all of whom have been adopted. When I was younger and single, I had cats, so I am fond of cats, too. My cats passed on many years ago and are now in that Great Catnip Garden in the Sky. Now I'm very happy with my dogs, and my very first one, adopted in 1999 and still with us, is Roscoe. In 2009, we adopted Coco as a companion to Roscoe (and us!) when our husky-mix Princess passed away. I am joining in Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue and sharing photos and stories of each one.

This Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue event is on July 23, 2012, but every day a dog or cat is in need of a forever home, so please check this link for information anytime. The heart you save adopting a pet may be your own!


Roscoe

Roscoe is a collie/shepherd/chow mix adopted as a puppy from an animal shelter in 1999 after he was found abandoned and crying in an alley. Even though he was a puppy, he had already been returned once to the pound before we adopted him. The previous adoptive couple returned him because he was so scared of everything, all he did was shake and cry, and they didn't know what to do. Roscoe just needed lots of love, patience and quality time, and that's what my husband and I have given him. In return, he has given us years of love and companionship, and taught us how to play and have fun!

When Roscoe was a young pup, he chased squirrels all over the yard, loved to play ball, liked to dive in his water bowl tossing the ball and splashing the water (so entertaining!), and once ate half a Frisbee...lol! Now Roscoe is 13 years old with arthritis and some health issues, and although he can't chase squirrels around the yard the way he used to when he was young, he gives them a good stare and a bark just to let them know he's still boss of the yard! He will always be my sweet baby!
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Coco

Coco is a German shepherd mix and was adopted at age 7 from the animal rescue group, PAW (Partnership for Animal Welfare) at a Petco Adoption Fair in February 2009. She had been found abandoned in the yard of a vacant home and lost nine teeth trying to gnaw her way out of the wooden fence surrounding that yard. Someone heard her cries and took her to the PAW rescue group. She was very malnourished and ill with digestive problems and Lyme disease. When we saw her at the adoption fair, she was very skinny and withdrawn. We looked in her sweet eyes and knew we wanted to take her home. Plus, we had brought Roscoe with us to the Petco adoption fair and he liked her right away. We were looking for a companion for him after our Princess (see below) had passed away.

Within a short time, with love, good nutrition and veterinary care, Coco gained weight, joined Roscoe playing ball and running around the yard, and she started to trust again. We could tell she had been abused because when we first got her, she would cower whenever she saw anything with a handle like a mop or broom. Now long-handled objects don't frighten her anymore. All she needed was a forever home to bring out her good-natured, affectionate and playful personality.

Coco is thriving, a real sweetheart, and I call her my "Happy Dancer" because she jumps around and wags her tail whenever I turn on music. Oh, she is a big fan of Bruce Springsteen, of course!
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Princess

RIP my sweet Princess! She was special. Princess was an Alaskan husky-mix rescued at age 8 when I spotted someone apparently dumping her off at the cul-de-sac where I live! From my kitchen window, I saw a man leading a dog out of his truck and she had no collar or leash. I went out there and he looked at me sheepishly and said he was just letting her out to do business, and that he was on his way to the pound with her because he had to move. When I looked at her, I could tell she was an older dog, her fur was matted, she was full of fleas and ticks, and seemed lethargic (and where was her collar?!). Being taken to the pound in that condition, she would have never found a home to live out her days (plus I had my doubts that he was really taking her to the pound at all). So I asked her name, he said it was Princess, and I told him to leave Princess with me. I believe he was grateful that I was taking her (at least I hope so).

Princess got a good flea bath, a new pretty red collar, and she was taken to the Vet where she was treated for Lyme disease, arthritis and Cushing's disease. We gave her lots of love and had five wonderful years with her! Princess was a gentle, free spirit and she could run like the wind (and boy, did she love chasing rabbits and squirrels)! In December 2008, at age 13, she passed away and is now running around and having fun in the Great Doggy Park in the Sky. We miss her big time!
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Please support  Bloggers Unite for Dog Rescue. This link has resources and a community of bloggers who love dogs and animals. Every year, millions of dogs (cats too) are euthanized or die of starvation or just plain heartbreak after being abandoned because not enough people are adopting pets through shelters and local rescue groups.

Some pets are brought to shelters because, even though their owners may have loved them, they are unable to continue caring for them due to illness, moving, or other life events. Others are brought to shelters and rescue groups after having been abandoned or abused. Please remember that rescued pets may have had a hard life and will need extra TLC. In return for your love and patience, you will receive joy, companionship and unconditional love.

Big Thanks for stopping by and Four Paws Up from Roscoe and Coco!

©2012 JerseyLil’s 2 Cents.
Dog photos (and text) are properties of JerseyLil's 2 Cents. Please do not copy without permission. Thanks!


42 comments:

  1. What very touching stories and beautiful dogs. Brings tears to my eyes because I have a soft spot for animals. Our two dogs were rescued, too. I wouldn't have it any other way. Our black cat was rescued (from under our house and from our dogs. They really like cats! lol) We have been very fortunate not to have lost any pets yet. Our first cat (Kitty)is over 20, Jack is 13, Cookie is 11, and Thunder is 3. I hope the dog rescue event is a success.

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    1. Thanks so much Kristina! How wonderful that your dogs (and cat too!) were rescued. I wouldn’t have it any other way either! Wow, your Kitty is over 20 years old, that’s incredible! Your Jack is the same age as my Roscoe, 13. You have quite a houseful with the dogs, cats, kids, and your son’s chickens and rooster! Loved your Tales from the Henhouse!

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  2. Awwwwww......So sweet:))

    Peace!...with 2 fingers;)

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  3. So glad there are people like you around who are willing to take on these abandoned dogs. I just love dogs but don't have the right type of home to keep one at the moment. If I had the space and time I would have several dogs running free in the garden. Great post and hope many more like you will visit the Dog Rescue Centres and pick up a pet.

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    1. Thanks Rum-Punch Drunk, I really appreciate that! You are right about needing the right type of home. When we adopted our first dog, Roscoe, someone from the animal shelter actually came over to see our place, make sure we had room, etc. Having a yard is a plus. I hope one day you’ll have a place where you can get a dog, I can tell you clearly love them! :)

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  4. Wow! Looks like you got all winners. How much did you pay to adopt them>

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    1. Yes CrazyMama they are all winners, thanks! :) I don’t recall offhand the adoption fees (I can look that up and email you later) but it was not too much and I don’t mind b/c adoption fees help shelters and rescue groups stay in business. For Roscoe in 1999, the fee to the shelter included the cost of getting him fixed, I remember that. With Coco at the Petco adoption fair in 2009, the fee was paid to PAW, a local rescue group. In both cases, had the adoption not worked out, fees would have been refunded.

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  5. My first post read of the day. So much love here. Really beautiful. Your dogs are sooo lucky to have you. Thanks for sharing. :)

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    1. Thanks so much Robert! The dogs may be lucky to have me but I feel even luckier to have them. And, yes, they are beautiful! :)

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  6. You have a big and kind heart! I so love amazing and soulful dogs, they are more humans than the people are....

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    1. Thanks, Eva! :) Dogs are amazing and soulful, and sometimes nicer than humans, you are so right! They will never criticize or be unkind, and they give you unconditional love!

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  7. Aw, what sweet dogs! They are lucky to have a Mama like you, Madilyn!

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    1. Thanks so much, Kris!! I am proud to be their dog mama!! :)

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  8. Hi Jersey Lil! I'm a fellow Jerseyan...or is that Jersian? I found you on Crazy Mama's site and I wanted to come on over sand say hi to a fellow Jersey girl. I see you are also a fellow dog lover! I am a pug mama of three little fur balls of loveliness. Glad I found you and I'm followin' ya!

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    1. Hi Mod Mom, Jersey Girl! :) Thanks for coming over to my site and following!! Pugs are so cute, I love them. I will be checking out your site and following too! Glad to meet you!

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  9. When I saw your profile pic, I knew that you like your pet dog, but didn't know that you are such a bigggg dog lover... :)

    -Dhaston.

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    1. Yes Dhaston, I am a bigggg dog lover!! LOL! :)

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  10. They are beautiful. My babies are both adopted too. They are the best ever. It is like they know they have been given a second chance.

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    1. Thanks, Ana! Adopted dogs are the best and they are so grateful to be given a second chance, you’re so right about that. Your two adopted babies are beautiful too! :) Btw, congrats on your big news and I left a comment for you!

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  11. jerseylil, I wrote about your dogs and posted these 2 pics, please don't worry about offending me, if you prefer i can take it down. It does link back to you.

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    1. CrazyMama, I am delighted and honored that you included my dogs in your post. Big tail wags from Roscoe and Coco!! Thanks for the link back to my post. :)

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  12. You are such a good "Mommy" and you babies look so cute and smart, not to mention snugly :)

    Hugs to all

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    1. Thanks so much, Petro! Yes, they are smart and sweet and I am proud to be their dog mommy! :)

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  13. You have nice dogs....we adopted a stray lab 10 years ago and have loved her ever since.

    I found you thru Mod Mom Beyond Indiedom....I like what I have been able to see of your columns, but would follow you anyway just for knowing who Lily Langtry was.

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    1. Hi Meg, thank you and you made my day! You are the first person to comment on Lily Langtry, I am just delighted! :) I find her life so interesting and I guess you now know how this blog got its name (I don't think most folks ever read that page). So glad to meet you and I’ll be following you. My dogs thank you for the compliment, too. Wonderful that you took in a stray Lab!

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  14. Madilyn, what a big heart you have, as big as your gorgeous canine friends. It's a pleasure to know you.

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    1. Marty, you are too kind, thank you, I really appreciate that! The dogs have given me more than I’ve given them, definitely. And, yes, my dogs are gorgeous...a big thanks from Roscoe and Coco, too! :)

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  15. I'm visiting from the blog hop. I too had a dog named Princess, she's no longer with us and I miss her so. I'm glad you were there and able to take her in. You have a big heart and some wonderful dogs.

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    1. Thank you Inger! I visited your blog and loved your story and pictures of Solider. How wonderful that you gave him a second chance and forever home. And how nice that you once had a dog named Princess too! You wrote an excellent post with good info on the lifetime commitment of pet adoption. Glad to meet you!

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  16. Thanks for rescuing these three sweethearts, and thanks for telling others what adoption is all about. :-)

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    1. Hi Donna and thanks, they are sweethearts! Pet adoption is so important and I hope the dog you featured, Simon, will get his forever home soon. :)

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  17. Hi Madilyn,
    So awesome to read your dogs stories. I hope all in shelters are so lucky to find wonderful homes like yours did.

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    1. Hi Jayme and thank you! I would adopt them all if I could, and I wish good homes for all the rescued dogs and cats. :)

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  18. Beautiful babies...and so lucky to have you!

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    1. Thank you, Kim! I am very lucky to have them too! :)

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  19. I think I already commented on this post but I just wanted to stop by again and thank you for commenting on mine again.

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  20. Hi Madilyn your adoption stories are so touching. Some day in the near future we plan on getting a dog, and I will for sure adopt one that is in need of a good home, love and support. Just wanted to mention how great it is the things you do, the world needs more great people like you.

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    1. That’s so kind, thanks Alessandra! I’m so happy you will be adopting a dog too!! Adopted dogs are so grateful to have a good home. :)

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  21. Both my pups are adopted and they make the best family member ever.

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    1. Thanks, Ana, they do! Your pups are very cute! :)

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