Dog Finds Missing Woman in Ditch, Alerts Owner

Suffolk, Virginia - What started out as a regular walk around the neighborhood, quickly turned into a rescue mission for Rebecca Burley and her dog Roxanne.

Burley, is a school teacher who spends much of her time off volunteering at the Isle of Wight Animal Shelter.

On Tuesday, Dec. 29, she was about to run out the door to go to the shelter, but her own rescued lab/hound mix, Roxanne, begged her for a walk.

"So we went out for a walk, right along our usual route around the neighborhood where we have been walking her since August," explained Burley.

However, there was something different about the walk this time. Burley says she noticed a heavy police presence in the area around Cambridge Drive.

"One of the officers pulled up and asked if we have seen someone walking around in a nightgown, and I said no, but assumed it was an elder person," remembered Burley.

Burley continued her walk with her dog. Within minutes, her dog drew her attention to a ditch off of Burbage Drive.

"She pulled me towards a ditch, and there was a woman laying down in a nightgown, it turns out she was in some kind of distress," said Burley.

Burley then alerted others in the area to Roxanne's find and paramedics were called.

Suffolk police tell us that the woman was transported to Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center by fire and rescue personnel.

Burley still does not know who the woman was or how she is doing, but says, if possible, she would like family members to update her through social media.

Roxanne, the rescued dog, was the rescuer that day. Burley says she hopes her dog's actions inspire others to give shelter dogs a chance.

For her good deed of the day, Roxanne was rewarded with an extra cookie at the end of the walk.

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Singer, Patti Page Rewrites Her Iconic Song To Find Out If People See That Doggie In The Shelter

Most of us are familiar with Patti Page’s classic song “(How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window?” Written in 1952, it tells the sweet tale of buying a puppy — the one with the waggly tail  — from the local pet store.

But most of us probably aren’t familiar with the fact that Page changed her tune in 2009 — literally. Together with The Humane Society, Page recorded a new version of the song, entitled “Do You See That Doggie In The Shelter?” with the goal that it would become, as Page put it, “an anthem for homeless pets and animal shelters.”

Page was hopeful that shifting the famous song’s focus would not only bring awareness to rescue shelters, but would also educate others about the plight of pet store puppies, who often come from harsh puppy mills. In Patti’s words,

“The original song asks the question: ‘How much is that doggie in the window?’ Today, the answer is ‘too much.’ And I don’t just mean the price tag on the puppies in pet stores. The real cost is in the suffering of the mother dogs back at the puppy mill. That’s where most pet store puppies come from. And that kind of cruelty is too high a price to pay.” – Patti Page

Although Page passed away in 2013, her powerful message lives on through the work of the SPCA Singapore, which is working hard to ensure that the new song becomes as well-known — if not moreso — than the original. The group also put together a companion book, “Do You See That Doggie in the Window?” which has been distributed in over 20 libraries and will (hopefully) become part of the curriculum in many schools throughout the country.

Help spread some rescue shelter ruv by listening to and sharing the new version of the song — which is just as catchy as the old one.

Video:

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Woman Finds a Dog that Was Thrown from Car in an Accident – Family Thought Dog Had Died: Dog is Reunited with Family

Kathy Wilkes-Myers was walking along the highway one day when she noticed something bizarre. It wasn’t unusual to see a stray animal wandering the open roads, but there was something about this Rottweiler that told Kathy she wasn’t a stray.

“I could just tell right away she was somebody’s baby. She just didn’t act like a stray dog to me,” Kathy told CBS. The dog, Ella, was emaciated, surviving only on the water from a drainage ditch.

Although it isn’t unheard of for someone to dump a dog in the middle of nowhere, Ella was communicating, somehow, that she wasn’t thrown away. Kathy did some digging.

  

She remembered there had been a terrible car accident right where she found Ella. When she returned to the accident site, she noticed something: It was a pile of wreckage and personal items.

Ella had been collecting what was left of the car accident — what was left of her family.

“She was hoping her family could come back. But they couldn’t. They couldn’t come back. It just breaks your heart,” said Kathy. “It was like she was sleeping with them — or waiting with them.”

It may seem unusual for a dog to remember its owners, but it happens all the time. In another story, veteran Jessica Gutierrez was separated from her dog for 5 years. When they reunited? The dog remembered her as clear as day.

Kathy assumed the drivers must’ve been dead, but she called the highway patrol anyway.

“She gave me the mom’s name and the dad’s name and the mom’s name was Michelle. And I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is their dog,’ ” she said.

The full story? Ella was thrown from the car during the accident. The rescue crew didn’t see her and she spent 13 days scavenging and waiting for her family to return.

But there’s more: the family survived. They thought Ella was dead. Thanks to Kathy’s big heart and detective work, she was able to reunite Ella and her humans. Watch the sweet reunion below!

Please share this story if you think everyone should be as thoughtful as Kathy when they encounter a stray animal.

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Heartwarming Story: Owner of West Coast Animal Rescue Gets the Biggest Surprise of Her Life

Get your tissues!

Sherri, the owner of West Coast Animal Rescue, has dedicated her life to finding a home for dogs in need. However, she has been through a lot of stress lately and planned to organize a huge adoption event hoping to find families for the older dogs from her shelter.

However, what she didn’t know was that she was about to get the biggest surprise of her life. The Prank It FWD movement decided to help her a bit, but they had to bother her a little first. Watching this actually brought tears to my eyes. At the end they had all her older dogs adopted, but what is equally important they rescued Sherri and her animal rescue center. Wonderful!

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Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, Arlington, Virginia, Needs Your Help with an Urgent Puppy Situation – Please Share

From: Homeward Trails Animal Rescue, Arlington, Virginia

We have an URGENT puppy situation! We are trying to save this litter of 6 week old Border Collie mix puppies TOMORROW. Their mother was killed after being hit by a car and these little ones are stuck in a high kill shelter and have to get out tomorrow if we are going to save them! We are looking for 4 fosters to take 2 puppies each. (The puppies are young and must go out in pairs - much easier to care of for puppies in pairs as well, as they entertain themselves!) If you can help or send an email to HTARAlicia@gmail.com. We're in a time crunch and really want to save these lives! Please help!

Website: Homeward Trails Animal Rescue

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Man Scales a Four Story Building to Rescue a Dog

A dog was rescued from the roof of a four-storey building in a dramatic video posted online.

The incident took place in Russia and was captured on camera by a local resident, who filmed the dog barking anxiously from a rooftop in Saratov.

In the clip, a man can be seen bravely scaling the building in an attempt to get to the dog and rescue it from the huge drop.

While it is unclear whether the man is attached to a harness, he does appear to receive help from an additional two men who stand on the roof with him.

After approaching the dog, the man attaches a lead to it and begins pulling it away from the edge of the roof and towards safety.

But despite his best efforts, the frightened animal fights against the man and makes it difficult for him to complete his rescue operation.

Eventually the man is able to maneuver the dog towards his two accomplices who pull it to safety.

The video concludes with the rescuer lying on the roof as the other two men continue to tend to the dog.

According to video maker, it is unclear who owns the dog and how it was able to gain access to the roof.

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11 Pit Bulls Rescued from Harlem Dog Fighting Den: Owner Arrested

A group of pit bulls will get a fighting chance after cops rescued them from a Harlem owner who was conditioning them to do bloody battle, police said Sunday.

A series of 311 calls reporting the dog-fighting den on W. 112 St. at Manhattan Ave. led investigators to 11 malnourished pooches kept in “terrible conditions” in a cramped basement, cops said.

Authorities executed a search warrant Thursday and also discovered equipment often used in the brutal dog fights, police said.

“I was very happy to get them out,” said Sgt. Maria Sexton, an animal-cruelty liaison officer. “There were tails wagging all over the place.”

Brandon Baez, 41, was nabbed during the sting and hit with a slew of charges including 11 counts of animal cruelty and weapons possession.

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Washington Humane Society: 28th Annual Bark Ball Online Auction is Now Live! – Ready…Set…Bid!

Washington, DC – The 28th Annual Bark Ball is only two short weeks away on June 20, but the online silent auction is LIVE RIGHT NOW! You do not want to miss this auction. Bid from the comfort of your home, on your lunch break at work, or even on your phone! EVERYONE can bid, and ANYONE, ANYWHERE can win – you do not need to attend Bark Ball to participate.  

With more than 100 items available, we have something for everyone! Whether you’re looking for autographed sports memorabilia, limited pieces of art, exciting pet options, or one-of-a-kind getaways – this auction is a MUST SEE! Best of all, 100% of winning bids support the life-saving work of the Washington Humane Society! 

Bidding is as simple as 1, 2, 3! 

1. Visit the Bark Ball Auction website at www.washhumane.org/BBAuction. 

2. Preview all of the fabulous items. 

3. Register and start bidding today!

Auction Highlights Include: 

• Collection of fine wines and champagne  

• A variety of hotel packages and getaway excursions from across the country

• Ticket packages to see the Washington Nationals, Washington Wizards, and more 

• Kennedy Center tickets 

• Luxurious salon, spa, and fitness club packages 

• Exclusive behind the scenes tours at prominent DC landmarks  

• Fine art pieces 

Don’t delay – start bidding today! The Bark Ball Online Auction is LIVE and EVERYONE can bid. The auction will close at 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 20, 2015. You do not have to be present at the Bark Ball to bid and win. 

Event Information: Date:  Saturday, June 20, 2015 Time:  6:00 – 10:00 PM Location: Washington Hilton   1919 Connecticut Ave NW   Washington, DC Tickets: www.barkball.org   

 

For more information, visit us online at www.barkball.org, call 202-735-0324, or email events@washhumane.org.  

A limited number of Bark Ball Press Passes are available. Please contact Rachel Thaler at rthaler@washhumane.org or 202-735-0323 for information. 

About Washington Humane Society: The Washington Humane Society (WHS) is the only Congressionally-chartered animal welfare agency in the United States and has been the leading voice for animals in the District of Columbia since 1870. WHS provides protection and care to more than 51,000 animals each year through its broad range of programs and services including: sheltering, adoption, humane law enforcement, spay and neuter, humane education, human – animal rehabilitation programs, and lost and found services. For more information, please visit www.washhumane.org.

Below are some of the items up for auction. To see the full on-line auction, click here: 

#115 - Beautiful Cherry or Maple Tree from Wheat's Lawn & Custom Landscape, Inc.

Details: Highlight your home with a beautiful tree. Wheat's Landscape will provide and deliver a 7-8 foot Maple or Cherry Tree to your residence.

#130 - Black and White Professional Pet Drawing

Details: Black and white professional pet portrait of cat.

#182 - Cynthia Howar Fine Art

Details: 2007 piece: "Students in Class" - 30" x 40"

#116 - Two Tickets to "The Guards" at Ford's Theater

Details: Enjoy two (2) tickets to 'The Guards' at Ford's Theater in Washington DC (September 25-October 18, 2015)

#112 - Seven Days in Big Sky Montana

Details: Take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the biggest skiing in North America. Schedule a one week stay in the Big Sky Flakes condo in beautiful Big Sky Montana. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath condominium has a full kitchen, gas grill, Sauna/hot tub, an additional sleeper sofa, dining table for 8, free Wi-Fi, multiple cable TV's and a fireplace with wood included. There are free shuttles to and from the ski-lift (10 minute ride). This is also a great Summer Getaway to explore the Northwest location a short drive to Old Faithful and the northern entrance to Yellowstone.

#199 - Harvey Bone-a-Part Cat Basket

Details: This is the gift basket for the ultimate cat lover and includes a pet brush for cats, treats, collar, laser pointer to play with, scratch mat and pad, framed cat picture, 15% of any purchase coupon and a plush Petlinks System cat bed.

#101 - VIP Redskins Package

Details: This package is for the ultimate Redskins fan and includes 2 Club Redskin tickets with access to the StubHub Club Level, premium concessions and leather padded seats; 2 pre-game tickets, and a VIP parking pass.

#146 - Washington Nationals vs LA Dodgers Tickets for Four

Details: Four (4) tickets to the Nats vs Dodgers game on Friday July 17, 2015 at 7:05 PM. Seats are in section 117 Row U between third and home plate.

#209 - Crab Dinner for Two from Harbour House Crabs

Details: This gift basket is perfect for a summer dinner on the porch and includes glasses, mallets, and a $150 gift card to Ilovecrabs.com

#169 - Ronald S. Perlman, MD - $1,000 off Surgeon Fee

Details: This certificate entitles you to $1,000 off any surgical procedure regularly valued at $2,500 or more with Ronald S. Perlman, MD Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Laser and Cosmetic Surgery.

To visit the online auction, click here:   

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Teacher Could Have Stayed in Emergency Housing, But Refused to Surrender Her Dogs in Order to Do So

When English teacher Hillary Barrows couldn’t find work after returning to her native land, the UK, she was forced to live in her car.  She could have stayed in emergency housing, but she refused to surrender her dogs in order to do so.  Out of sheer desperation, she started a fundraiser and lo and behold – it was a smashing success.  She was even offered a home in a cottage on a 10-acre dog sanctuary!

“I can’t believe it. In three days I’ve gone from sleeping in an Asda car park to living in a bungalow in the middle of a country kennels. It’s wonderful.”

Hillary is from London, but lived in Europe for seven years as a private tutor, teaching people English.  She rescued her dog Robbie from Mallorca, Spain, where he was very badly treated.  Cleo was only three months old when she found her wandering the streets of Italy.

The tutor faced difficult times in France; clients refused to pay Hillary, forcing her to sell her jewelry to get back home to the UK.  But she had no money and no place to go.

Hillary applied for government assistance, but because she had been out of the country for so long, she was ruled ineligible.  The Canterbury City Council told her she could be put in emergency housing, but she would have to surrender Cleo and Robbie.

She could never do such a thing – those dogs are the most important things in the world!  It was January, and she and her dogs had to live in her tiny Alfa Romeo, slowly bleeding her meager savings dry.

“My life was so miserable.  If it hadn’t been for Robbie and Cleo, I don’t know if I would have been able to carry on,” she said. “There were nights when I would sit in my car and cry and my dogs would put their heads on my lap and comfort me.”

After months of living in a grocery store parking lot, and not knowing what else to do, Hillary started a GoFundMe page.  Last week it went viral, bringing in over $15,000.  But in the meantime, while she was at a McDonald’s where she would go to take sponge baths, a dog trainer approached her and gave her the offer of a lifetime.

“Perry walked up to me and said that he had been told about my plight.  He’s generously let me and the dogs move into a cottage in the middle of his estate, and he’s even said that I can start working for him if I want,” Hillary said.  “I couldn’t believe it, he’s just been so kind to me.  Everybody has, I can’t thank people enough for the generous donations or kind messages of support.”

Perry has 10 acres of land in the country that serves as a dog-walking center and sanctuary.  It’s ideal for Cleo and Robbie.

“Now everything has turned around and I’m on top of the world. I’ve been here since Sunday – it’s been unbelievable sleeping in a proper bed again,” Hillary gushed.  “Of course, the dogs sleep on there with me, but it’s brilliant. I really feel like I’ve won the lottery.”

“There are loads of best bits about being in a house again, but the bed is definitely a wonderful thing.  Also, having hot showers is brilliant. And I’ve finally been able to clean my car.  The dogs are happy, too – you can see it in their faces.”

Because she was given more money than she could have imagined, Hillary wants to make sure she pays the kindness forward.

“One thing that struck me is that I was not alone in my struggle.  So many people left kind messages about wanting to help because they themselves were in the same state I was in.  We couldn’t get rid of our dogs – they are our children. So now I want to help others, as much as I can.”

To donate to the fundraiser or read more of Hillary’s story, click HERE. 

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Texas Tornado: How to Help Animal Victims

(EMERGENCY ANIMAL RESCUE) TEXAS — On Sunday, a tornado struck Van, a town in eastern Texas, killing two people and injuring 43. This disaster not only resulted in human casualties, but it also destroyed a large percentage of the land, flattened homes, and led to flooding.

Efforts to recover the tornado victims have been ongoing. Texas Game Wardens from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, along with their K-9s are actively searching the Van area for people and pets who may be stuck under debris or in need of care.

Game Warden John Thorne recently stated:

“It’s very deliberate work in the sense that we’re trying to clear each and every one of these brush piles. There could be a victim in here that we wouldn’t be able to detect without the use of one of these dogs.”

Although search-and-rescue dogs are critical in helping people affected by the tornado, efforts have also been made to rescue animals who were tornado victims. While some families evacuated the area with their beloved pets, other pets were separated from their guardians in the midst of the disaster.

To read more on this story, click here: Texas Tornado:How to Help Animal Victims

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Adopt a Golden Organization: Now Accepting Adoption Applications for 36 Golden Retrievers from Turkey Rescue

Dozens of abandoned golden retrievers are adjusting to their new lives in metro Atlanta after a rescue took place in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Adopt a Golden organization helped bring 36 purebred golden retrievers to Alpharetta, Georgia last weekend. This is being called the largest international golden rescue ever.

The dogs arrived at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport late Saturday night. They were taken to Pet Lodge pet resort.

According to Adopt a Golden, the dogs range from 6 months to 10-years-old.

“Our guiding motto is that we never say no to a Golden Retriever in need. These dogs are in need because the novelty of having a Golden Retriever in Istanbul, Turkey, as a status symbol wore off, they were abandoned and are now living in crowded shelters, in the forests or in the streets,” explained Lauren Genkinger, founder and president of Adopt a Golden Atlanta, Adopt a Golden is calling these dogs “Freedom Goldens.” Each dog has been given a patriotic name, such as “Liberty” and “Glory.”

“I want these Golden Retrievers to be happy and have a better life,” explained Yasemin Baban, the lead shelter volunteer in Istanbul who was instrumental in helping Adopt a Golden Atlanta rescue the dogs. “I want them to find love and affection, a home to live in, and a cushion to sleep on,” she added.

The dogs have never heard English and have their own interpreter in Fulton County. The only commands they know, if any, are in Turkish.

"From a behavior standpoint, we didn't really know what we were getting in to," Genkinger told FOX 5 Atlanta. "They're very social though, since they're used to begging for food on the streets."

The dogs will be medically screened, taught to walk on a leash, be housebroken and of course will receive lots of TLC.

Adopt a Golden is now accepting applications for adoption.

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Frightened Stray Dog Gets Rescued…Then Gets a Kiss from Betty White

When Eldad Hagar of Hope For Paws went to rescue this dog, the poor pooch was so scared he hid his head. Eldad and Lisa Arturo had to use a soccer net to coral him into a small area so they could get a leash on him.

They named him Einstein. After treatment and a cleanup he looked like a different dog. Happy, loving and playful!

Einstein got adopted by Actor/Director Emanuele Secci; the two of them are now inseparable. He has a Facebook page too.

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Association Four Paws, Swapped Dogs Available for Sale in a Pet Shop with Unwanted Dogs that Were Rescued from the Streets

An animal shelter in Brazil found the perfect way to show rescued dogs in a positive light in a bid to get them adopted.

Associacao Quatro Patinhas, which translates into Association Four Paws, swapped dogs available for sale in a pet shop with unwanted dogs that were rescued from the streets.

The experiment was staged to change people’s perceptions of rescue animals and prove that they are as loving as any other dog and in fact, in more need of a home.

Many families tend to bypass animals shelters in Brazil and as a result they are overcrowded and under-funded places.

Setting up hidden cameras around the shop, the film crew capture the moment a number of people came in and asked about the price of a puppy.

The reactions range from shock to confusion, and every person involved questions the shopkeeper and cannot believe it when he tells them that the animal is free.

Christianne Duarte Garoiu, the president and founder of Associacao Quatro Patinhas, said, "The shelters are usually in bad conditions. Animals die of diseases and maltreatment or due to overcrowding. Some people abandon animals in shelters thinking they’ll get adopted and receive proper care. But they usually end up dying from many diseases and depression. People still pay a lot of money buying animals in pet shops."

He added, "But there are many other pets that would bring them so much love for all their lives and people don’t need to spend a cent for it."

Christianne said, "it doesn’t matter whether a dog is pure bred or not, all that matters is its owner's connection with it."

The video concludes with a message that reads: 'Better than buying a life is saving one'.



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Dog Found Living Inside Tree Trunk Looking For 'Very Patient' Home

A tiny dog found living inside of a hollowed-out tree trunk now needs a “very, very patient person” to give her a forever home.

“She thinks the world’s out to get her,” Shirley Zindler, a Sonoma County animal control officer and the author of The Secret Life of Dog Catchers, told The Huffington Post.

Zindler said her department received a call a couple of weeks ago from a resident of a rural area in Sonoma County, California. The caller said that a small stray dog had been there for at least a week and appeared to be living inside a large tree. The tree was located near what Zindler described as “common dumping ground” -- place where people frequently drive to abandon their dogs.

Zindler said it took a few hours for her and other officers to coax the 7-pound, underweight dog -- which she described as looking like a “generic chihuahua” -- out of a knothole in the trunk. Another officer on the scene named the dog “Boo” after Boo Radley, the character in To Kill A Mockingbird who left gifts for children in a tree knothole.

Estimated to be less than a year old, Boo was pregnant, but none of her puppies survived.

Boo probably hasn’t had many positive interactions with humans, Zindler told HuffPost. As a result, she was very wary of people. Zindler said she is making progress, but “it’s very, very slow.”

To read more on this story, click here: Dog Found Living Inside Tree Trunk Looking For 'Very Patient' Home FOLLOW US!