Help Them Heal Fund

Brother Wolf spends a fortune each month caring for the animals who have found a place at their shelter.  Even if nothing is medically wrong with the animal, each cat and dog must be vaccinated and spayed.  Unfortunately, many animals require care far beyond the basics.

They currently have two special cases.  Tyson is an Old English Sheepdog.  He is gorgeous.  His owner showed up at the shelter with the dog in the back of his pickup truck.  He said he was moving and could not take the dog with him.  Tyson tested positive for heartworms.  His treatment is estimated to cost at least $500. 

Sassy is a Jack Russell Terrier mix.  She has previously undergone hip surgery.  Now, she may have additional medical issues.  We will find out what’s happening sometime this week.

Brother Wolf does not receive any funding from the government.  They rely strictly on donations from the public and grants from organizations like the ASPCA and PetSmart Charities.  They need funds for the daily management of the shelter.  They also desperately need money every month for the medical needs of the animals in their care. 

You are a responsible pet owner.  You know how expensive the vet bills can be.  If you could spare a little money for Brother Wolf’s “Help Them Heal Fund,” they would greatly appreciate it.

Don’t have spare funds to give?  Your time is valuable.  The dogs and cats at the shelter could always use a cuddle – and that does not cost a dime.

What if you do not live in the area?  I am sure a shelter or rescue group in your area could use your support too.  All charities struggle with these issues; sadly, they are not unique to Brother Wolf.

Good luck to Sassy and Tyson – and thank you to Brother Wolf for being there to care for the thousands of animals who need a little TLC.

Rescue Mommy

An Experiment

Gracie has been acting rather depressed lately.  I wondered if it was indeed time for another dog.  I have asked this question so many times that Gracie and Kiki usually leave the room – and Rescue Daddy’s patience must be wearing thin.

I constantly preach about the need to provide your furry friend with lots of exercise.  It occurred to me that this could be the problem.  It rained for many days then we had an ice storm on Friday.  We have had frigid weather too. 

Yesterday, the weather was tolerable, meaning it was not raining or snowing.  I spent as much time outside with Gracie as I could.  We took several “walkies” instead of a couple of long walkies, as we normally do on weekends.  Rescue Daddy tossed toys and played tug with Gracie.  We both talked and cuddled with her.

Gracie seemed more engaged and excited than she has been in a while.  We think Gracie’s “depression” is just plain old cabin fever.  She is sick of being stuck in the house during this dreary winter, just like us!

If your buddy is acting differently, be sure to look at the whole picture.  Gracie’s appetite has been fine.  Her ”potty breaks”  have been normal.  Her coat looks good.  Her gums are not pale.  If she had anything out of the ordinary occurring, we would have taken her to the vet. 

Gracie just informed me that it is time for a trip to Kiawah.  Well, Gracie, use that keen sense of smell to find us some money, and we will go!

Rescue Mommy

Brother Wolf Online Auction

Brother Wolf is holding an online auction of items donated by local artists, gift baskets, and stays at hotels.  Proceeds benefit the “Help Me Heal Fund.”   Brother Wolf spends thousands of dollars each month on care for pets that are surrendered to them.  Remember, they turn away no animal, so they have seen some very, very pitiful creatures.

If you are interested in the auction, please visit their website:  www.bwar.org.

Rescue Mommy

Trial Adoption at Brother Wolf

On Saturday, I visited Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.  I found a great deal on Christmas clearance toys.  I thought the little bribe might help me if I spotted a dog I liked.  (That is a joke.)

I spent some time with one of the dogs, a Poodle mix named Maggie.  As I was exiting the meet-and-greet room, a couple approached me.  It turns out they had looked at her too when she was in her kennel.  Long story short, they decided to take her home for a trial adoption.

When I spoke with them, they did not appear to be aware of the free trial.  I thought it worth mentioning in the blog.  At Brother Wolf, they want to place animals in a forever home.  It is very difficult to know if a potential pet will be the right fit.  Animals in shelters are usually frightened and confused.  When you take them home, the true personality emerges. 

You must complete an adoption application and go through the same approval process as if you were adopting the pet.  In most cases, they let you keep the animal for about five days.  At that end of that period, you must either return the animal or complete the adoption process.

We love the idea of trial period and have used it with two of BWAR’s dogs.  The experience was enlightening.  The first time, we learned that Gracie absolutely did not want a puppy.  The second time occurred about a year later, and we realized that Gracie still was not ready for another dog.

I noticed that the Avery County Humane Society has also begun offering trial periods for adoptions.  If you do not leave in the Asheville area for BWAR or near the Avery County Humane Society, check with your local rescue group or shelter.  They may offer a trial for their available animals.

Good luck to the couple who took Maggie for a trial.  I really hope things work.  She is a frightened dog desperately in need of tender loving care.

Rescue Mommy

Bark and Wine Fundraiser

On Saturday, Saint Paul Mountain Vineyard in Edneyville will host an fundraiser, "Bark and Wine."  The event will benefit Animal Compassion Network.

Cats and dogs for adoption will be available at the event, which is from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The Bill Altman Trio will perform from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The vineyard is located at 588 Chestnut Gap Road in Edneyville.  To learn more about the promotion, call 828-685-4002 or visit saintpaulmountainvineyards.com.

Purebreds Galore

Much to Gracie and Kiki's disappointment, I regularly visit various rescue group websites.  I have been surprised at the number of purebred dogs on the sites lately. 

At Brother Wolf's shelter, they have a Giant Schnauzer (unless someone has scooped him up by the time you read this).  In the last few months, they have had an Eskimo Spitz, Cocker Spaniel, and Pug.  At the Avery County Humane Society, they had two Boston Terrier mixes that sure looked like the real deal to me.  At the Yancey County Humane Society, they had a cute Pug over the Christmas holiday.

The point is, if you are determined to have a purebred dog, cruise rescue group websites.  You might be surprised. Also, visit akc.org for breed-specific rescue groups.  With patience, you can find the purebred dog of your dreams and provide a wonderful home for a dog in need.

 

Rescue Mommy

Dine to Be Kind Coming Soon

Animal Compassion Network's Dine to be Kind Event is coming on February 26.  More than 50 Asheville-area restaurants will contribute a portion of the day's proceeds to the Network's spay and neuter assistance program event.

Local restaurants who are interested in participating should contact Ann McMartin at 828-647-9722.  If you would like to learn more about the event, check ACN's website at www.animalcompassionnnetwork.org.

Rescue Mommy

Photo Contest

“Bark!  The Musical” begins its run in Asheville from February 15 to March 10 at the Asheville Community Theatre.  The Asheville Humane Society, Animal Compassion Network, and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue have an interesting fundraiser tied to the play.

On January 12 and 13 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the three organizations are holding a photo contest.  The contest will be held at the Asheville Humane Society’s Education Room, at their adoption center on Forever Friends Lane, off Brevard Road, in Asheville.  The entry fee is $15, with proceeds equally benefiting the three organizations.

Your dog’s portrait will be taken by an Asheville photographer who has generous donated his/her time for the event.  Celebrity judges will choose 20 dogs to have their photos mounted in the lobby of the theater during the play’s run.  The grand prize winner will be featured on a 5-foot tall poster in the theater.  The owner of the winning pooch will receive four tickets to the opening night of the musical.

While I encourage everyone to attend, please be ready for disappointment.  If I decide to take Gracie, we all know she will be the winner.  ;-)

For more information call, 828-808-9435 or e-mail director@bwar.org. 

Rescue Mommy

Subaru Raffle

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue held its first Subaru raffle at Thanksgiving.  If you missed a chance at participating or would like another try, you are in luck.  They are currently selling tickets for a chance to win either a 2013 Subaru Outback or $10,000 in cash.

Only 500 tickets will be sold.  If they do not sell 500 tickets, the winner will be awarded an alternate cash prize.  See their website for further details.

Tickets are $100.  The drawing will be held on January 21, 2013.  They have plenty of tickets left.  With only 500 tickets being sold, your odds are certainly better than the gazillion to one chance you have of winning the lottery!

For more information, call 828-505-3440 or visit Brother Wolf’s website at www.bwar.org.  You can also purchase tickets via the website.

Good luck!

Rescue Mommy

Run for the Paws

This time of year, many people resolve to begin an exercise regimen.  It is difficult to keep it going, though.  Well, I found an interesting event that might give you the incentive you need.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue will host the 3^rd annual “Run for the Paws” on Sunday, April 7 at Fletcher Park in Fletcher, North Carolina.  You have a choice between a 5K run or a 1 mile walk. 

Registration is $25 until March 31.  (The fee is $30 from April 1-5.)  The fee includes race entry, a t-shirt, and light refreshments.

The run/walk begins at 1:30 p.m.  It will be followed by a free Wagging Wellness Fair.  Enjoy live music and food.  Vendors will be onsite to show all the great products you find in our area.

Feeling a bit rusty when it comes to running the race?  Brother Wolf has 6-week training program leading up to the run.  No excuses!

For more information, visit their website at www.bwar.org.  Go to the Events page.  Scroll toward the bottom of the page to get more information. 

Please note that, as I write this post, the link to sign up for the race was not working.  I am sure it will be fixed.  You can always call Brother Wolf directly at 828-505-3440.

Rescue Mommy

Inspiring Brother Wolf Video

Whenever I hear a Sarah McLaughlan song in a commercial, I switch the channel.  I know that a devastatingly sad video from an animal organization is about to appear on the TV. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I am not insensitive to the plight of abused, neglected animals.  I am well aware of the horrors that occur all over the world, and the evil things humans do to animals (and other humans).  However, watching one of those videos will not inspire me to take action.  I am already active, thank you very much.

As you know from reading this blog, I am a big supporter of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue here in Asheville, NC .  They produced a wonderful video as part of their year-end thank you to supporters as well as a way to raise funds. 

This video will inspire you because it shows you exactly what your support does – saves lives.  I find this type of video to be far more motivating than those produced by other organizations and hope you enjoy it as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMuCaiJHiYM&feature=youtu.be

Keep up the good work, Brother Wolf!

Rescue Mommy

Land's End Squall Jacket

Available at www.landsend.com

For Christmas, we bought Gracie a squall jacket from Land’s End.  I know, I know – Gracie has more clothes than we do.  I was intrigued by this jacket, though, because it has a cutout for a harness.  It is the first jacket I have seen like that.  Most jackets have cutouts for collars.

I ordered a size medium based upon the length of the jacket.  It fits well.  It easily extends from her collar to her tail.

As with most jackets, it does not fit as well around Gracie’s middle.  I intend to remedy this by adding a Velcro strip at the end.  There simply is not enough Velcro on the existing strap to secure it to the jacket.

The description states the jacket is water resistant.  I have not tested it in heavy rain, only light drizzle.  The jacket was dry.  Gracie prefers this jacket to her rain coat.  (She really hates the rain coat.)

As others stated in reviews on the company’s website, the jacket is thin.  I would consider it to be more of a spring/fall jacket.  Gracie has worn it when the temperatures were in the 30s, but I switched to a more heavy duty jacket when the temperatures were colder.  It provides adequate warmth but not something I would count on in extreme temperatures.

I absolutely love the harness cutout.  Gracie has always worn a harness.  Jackets without the harness cutout do not fit securely to her body as a result.  Her leash always lifts the back of the jacket.   With the Land’s End squall jacket, the coat fits well to her body, never lifting in the back.  I do not know why more companies do not make jackets with a harness cutout, especially for smaller dogs.  Most of the small dogs I see wear harnesses.

I scored a good deal on the jacket during Black Friday madness.  If you watch the Land’s End site, they sometimes offer free shipping.  Also, if you have a Sears store in your area, you can return the jacket there.  Buying pet clothes online is always tricky, so that is a nice convenience.

Overall, I am very pleased with the jacket.  Sure, it could be thicker for extreme cold, and maybe they will make a warmer jacket for that.  If you are looking for a lightweight, water -resistant jacket for your buddy, this one does the trick.

Rescue Mommy

Happy New Year!!

We wish all of you a safe, happy new year.  Let's all try to be better pet parents this year.  Let's also work to find homes for all of those animals out there who are not as lucky as our precious pets.

Happy New Year!!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy