Up With Mutts

The weekend of September 23rd was Puppy Mill Awareness weekend in Austin. My friend James came down from Dallas to help me along with his sidekick Morti, a sweet old husky mix. I managed to get my latest Catahoula rescue, Simon to acclimate and be cool with a furry dude dog visitor. He’s still kind of a wild one and in training to learn how to share his space as the man of the pack.
James and I ventured North Friday night to the Westin Hotel at the Domain for a fabulous cocktail party and auction benefitting the cause to end puppy mills. Several puppy mill survivor dogs were on hand and had done some spectacular paintings dipping their paws and tales in paint and glitter.
(tempted to try this at home. I am crazy like that)
These doggy masterpieces took in some serious cash. A profound moment came when we watched a personal video message Victoria Stilwell had made for us urging us on to keep up the good fight. I learned a lot from everyone speaking there and I was pretty enraged at the state of affairs when it comes to this irresponsible breeding.
One of the founders of Puppy Mill Awareness Day for the whole nation, Carol Araneo-Mayer flew in from Jersey to help our Austin coordinator Courtney and they were both inspiring hosts.
I have to say, I found my place in this dog activism world. Many of the women I end up working with have no human kids, and find their mothering outlet through this cause like I do.

The big event Sunday brought 40 plus booths, including mine to the Backyard in the Hill Country as well as live music, celebrities, speakers and dogs dogs dogs. They had their own floats, strollers, and parades. I saw a bunch get adopted. (James drove a Great Pyranese named Zeus home with him to Dallas with Morti)
Extreme sun and wind made it a little challenging but we all hung on to our tents and hung in there.
Rikki Rockett from Poison spoke and played drums on a version of Purple Rain, Chris DeRose gave us insight and hope, Kinky Friedman walked the premises, and the big dudes from Rescue Ink flexed their muscles and humor.
I met the ladies from the Texas Humane Legislation Network there and agreed to bring my rescue leashes and UpwithMutts.com booth to the Lone Star Vegetarian Chili Cook Off in Round Rock benefitting them Sunday November 13th. It’s good to know who the groups are working with the government to change these laws. Calling all dog loving veg friends and especially you Northerners I never get up there to see…
Sidenote: A week later at a work event, PMAD organizer and puppy mill buster Courtney called me and said that just a day later, the money raised from the weekend went to a huge bust in West Texas where many, many dogs were rescued and transported to Dallas. THAT gave me chills. Makes me want to buy a pair of combat boots and join Courtney.

Here is a photo of my beautiful mutt. Her pregnant mama was abandoned up at the boundry waters. The mama was rescued and Sophie and her sister were born in foster care.
My childhood dog had passed away that June and I was heartbroken. I was turning 30 in August and all I wanted was a puppy. No one else thought it was a good idea so I didn’t get one.
Finally in October I had had enough and went to a rescue event. My mother, sister and I fell in love with Sophie the minute we laid eyes on her.
I found out later that she was born the day before my 30th Birthday. My birthday gift from God!

We found Ginger in a grocery store parking lot the summer of 2002 in St. Petersburg, FL. At only 8 months old she had seen a lot in her short life.

When we found her the heat index was 104, she was very thirsty and had been badly abused with cigarette burns on her ears.

When we spotted her my heart went out to this poor dog, so I grabbed a package of hot dogs and a big bottle of water and she trusted me enough to get into my car.

It took 3 baths to get her fully clean..the bath water kept turning black! She also had every worm you could think of including heart worm. In two weeks time we were packing up our college belongings and moving to Seattle. We knew if we would had found a shelter for her she would have most likely died of the worms surrounding her heart. So we decided to get the worms removed, and we have found ourselves a best friend.

She now lives aboard a 53′ sailboat with my husband and I where she has taken to the water. She spots seals and sea life before we do! She travels to my office where she goes from cubicle to cubicle for treats and love bringing smiles to everyone. She also makes appearances at nursing homes getting love from all the residence.

She went from being a beat up, shy, overprotective, co-dependent dog to happy dog whom loves and excepts everyone. This includes humans, cats, rabbits and all dogs alike. Also since the worms were removed back in 2002 she has never had any medical problems, just a yearly check up! We have been so blessed to find this bundle of love and joy!

This post was submitted by Beth Miller.

Batman was found running loose (unneutered as well) by friends. No one responded to ads or posted ads looking for this little cutie. I said I’d foster him. I failed at fostering. Batman is now a permanent fixture in my home. He has a brand-new sister, Nayru. She’s a rescue well but she’s a purebred. Batman loves her anyway.

This post was submitted by Arwen.

Kafka is our sweet 14-year-old husky-mutt. She was rescued as a six-week old from a shelter in San Antonio. She had already been spayed when we got her and had worms like you wouldn’t know. She must have had a traumatic separation from her mother, as she had suckling dreams well into her fifth year of life.

Kafka is very sweet, if a bit skittish, and is always ready to eat dinner and snuggle on the bed.

This post was submitted by Tom.