The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is the smallest of the four tri-colored Swiss Mountain Dogs.  This group also includes the Appenzeller Sennenhund, Bernese Mountain Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.  The overall appearance of the Entle is that of a strong, compact dog of medium size.  This breed presents with a short, thick coat consisting of tri-colored markings that truly stand out.  The primary color is bright black with symmetrical, pure white markings on the feet, chest, muzzle and blaze.  Shades ranging from fawn to a deep mahogany are seen on the eyebrows and between the black and white markings.  This is a highly intelligent dog that trains easily.  He is as happy to play as he is to exercise his impressive work ethic.  This is an extremely self-assured dog of high energy and intensity.  This is not a breed that is recommended for the casual dog owner.

The Norwegian Lundehund is a small, Spitze type of dog that, as the name suggests, originated in Norway.  The breed was developed for the purpose of hunting Puffin (small birds) and their eggs.  This is a small dog with a unique blend of spitze type characteristics assuring that it has a great agility, prowess and range of motion that allows them to easily maneuver in tight places, including extricating themselves from small passage ways during their hunt. Thus making them perfect for their task.  The double coat consists of a harsh undercoat and soft outer coat ranging in color from fallow to reddish brown to tan with black hair tips and white markings, or, white with red or dark markings.  The black hair tips increase as the dog matures. This is an intelligent and playful breed that is very loyal to their people.  They are at times, however, wary of strangers.  But their small size and winning personalities make them ideal pets.

The Finnish Lupphund is medium sized and displays the temperament of a herding dog with a look common to northern type dogs.  The face of this dog somewhat resembles a cross between a wolf and a teddy bear!  This breed originates from north of the Arctic Circle and was, in fact, developed to live and work outdoors. Therefore it possesses an extremely thick and profuse double coat that is both warm and waterproof.  The color of the coat varies tremendously including white, black, red, brown, sable and wolf-sable.  However each dog should be predominately one color with markings of another color.  The breed was developed from hunting dogs but bred for herding.  They enjoy their work and while herding are very agile, noisy and active.  There interactions with people tend to be calm and friendly, bordering on submissive.  Lappies, as they are also known, require daily exercise and activities.

The Cesky Terrier is a small, terrier type dog that originated in Czechoslovakia.  It somewhat resembles the Miniature Schnauzer in appearance though it is actually a cross between the Sealyham Terrier and the Scottish Terrier.  It is a rather short-legged yet long bodied dog with a bushy beard, mustache and eyebrows on its elongated head.  It has a silky, wavy coat that can be seen in shades of gray-blue with tan, gray, white, or yellow furnishings or light coffee, drop ears and a natural tail.  Although most pups are born with black coats that change as they mature.  The Cesky was bred to work in packs and is considerably quieter and less active than most terriers.  Though this breed is extremely loyal to their family members they have a tendency to be quit reserved with strangers.  Therefore they should continually be socialized throughout their lives.

The American English Coonhound is a descendant of the English Foxhound that arrived in the U.S. and was used in the development of the 'Virginia Hounds.'  It is renowned for its excellent voice, tremendous speed and endurance.   The earlier stock dogs were bred to be able to hunt both fox and raccoon.  The American English Coonhound was developed to be a wide-ranging hunter capable of performing in tougher terrain than were his forbearers.  This is a very strong, athletic and graceful animal.  He is a medium sized dog with a hard, protective, medium length coat that presents in three types: red and white ticked, blue and white ticked and a tricolor tick pattern.  Given that he will be an avid hunter and athlete in need of regular exercise and activity to avoid behavior problems associated with boredom and frustration, this dog should be owned by active, experienced dog owners.

Xoloitzcuintli was previously known as the Mexican Hairless Dog.  It is bred in three sizes: toy, miniature and standard, and two varieties: hairless and coated.  The hairless variety will sometimes actually have short crops of hair on the top of the head, the feet, and the last third of the tail.  This variety tends to have smooth, tough, protective skin to compensate for the absence of a coat.  The coated variety is completely covered with a short, smooth coat of a dark, uniform color ranging from black, gray black, slate, red, liver or bronze, although white spots and markings are sometimes present.    The 'Xolo' (wow - that's so much easier to say) is native to Mexico where the breed is believed to have existed in access of 3,000 years and has served as both a guard dog and a companion.  the development of this breed is credited to evolution, not intentional breeding for form and function.  Xolo's make excellent companion dogs with their calm and tranquil personality and require minimal grooming.

The Gulf Oil Spill was 22 months ago and “old news” to most everyone but us.  That is when our troubles started.  Many of our large donors lost their businesses or had to cut down just to survive, other individual donors lost their jobs and moved away or moved in with family while others just couldn’t donate anymore to survive.  When the donations stopped, we had over 149 dogs at the shelter.  We went to BP for help.  They gave us 1/3 of what they were supposed to give us and that is how we stayed open 8 of the 22 months.  When we asked them to please give us the amount due to give us time to get our dogs adopted, they stated that we should be glad we got what they gave us and that we should just put our dogs down since most of them are over 5 years old.  In their words, “why don’t you just put them out of their misery and you out of yours”.  

Our shelter is very large and we have adopted all the dogs except 34 and we are trying to keep our shelter doors open long enough to at least find homes for those we have left.  Our power bill, water bill, food costs, etc. haven’t gone away even though we have lowered the number of dogs.  The power, water, phone, internet access, gasoline for the van that we take the dogs to the vet along with auto insurance required by the state, cleaning supplies, medication for the senior dogs which includes medication for joints & arthritis and for the thyroid & diabetic dog, vaccinations, monthly heartworm & flea preventatives, are still there along with our dogs have no way to relieve themselves without being physically taken outside to potty.  We are fortunate that they are all potty trained and they must go out every 4 hours from 6am until 10pm 7 days a week… so we have to have kennel techs to not only take them out but to clean their stalls, feed them and keep clean water down for them and to answer phones & show the dogs to people who come to possibly adopt them.  Dogs are no different than people.  They need to relieve themselves several times a day as well as drink water and eat.  There are 4 kennel techs who are not there at the same time but one is there at all times from 6am to 2pm another from 2pm until 10pm and we have to have them there 7 days a week so they work shifts and change out to always have someone there with the dogs.

We are out of funding.  Our dogs only chance for a home is to keep the doors open long enough for them to get a home.  Since most are over 5 years old, it is much tougher to find them a home. It breaks my heart for someone to come in and enjoy playing with one of them and then saying “well, I’m going somewhere else because this dog is too old”.  We had someone do that very thing last week.  The dog they looked at was so proud to have a chance for a home that she played just like a pup with their 2 year old lab.  She put her front paws and head down with her rear end sticking straight up and played with this younger dog to the point that we couldn’t believe our eyes.  The husband wanted to give her a chance but the wife did not.  Princess would have given them all she had for a chance at this home.  She hasn’t had a chance for a home before this.  

If we could get monthly donations of $10 or $20 per month that will allow us to know how much we will have each month and if there are enough of them, it would allow us to keep the shelter open and we can at least save the dogs we have by buying time for them to get a home and if enough was donated monthly we could take in new dogs as we adopt out those we have and save more.  There is no where for our dogs to go other than the local pound if we can’t keep the shelter open and since they are mostly over 5 years old, they will be put down because they are harder to adopt.

Meet Lucky.  His rescue and foster family nicknamed him "the perfect'dog.'  He is a large, male, neutered Lab mix.  He is one of the 10 Adoptable Dogs in Blue Springs, Mo who is desperately looking for a home.   

Hmmmm - so why is he so perfect.  Well let's see.  He's housebroken, obedient, gets along great with kids, dogs and cats, and is said to happily adapt to any situation.  That means if you bring him home and pay a bit of attention to him he will probably be perfectly happy to be there.  He is unlikely to go through much of the stress and confusion that some newly adopted pets go through.  Can I guarantee that - NO - but chance are good.  And even if he's just a little nervous for a day or two, he will settle in nicely.  

What else might you like to know.  Well, is very sweet and playful and loves car rides. He is current on all vaccinations, neutered, and currently on heartworm and flea preventative and is even micro-chipped. He has been fostered with 2 young kids and several dogs and has been fantastic! A foster favorite for sure!  

If you are interested in learning more about Lucky please attend the 
Blue Springs PetCo Adoption Event on Saturday, Feb 04 or 
contact Pawsibilities at pawsibilities@ymail.com.  

These six Boston Terrier Puppy Mill Dogs were rescued from an Indiana Puppy Mill. Their medical bills are piling up and are huge! We have already put one female in Emergency Surgery due to a herniated uterus that was found to have a dead pup inside. 

These six dogs have suffered severe neglect and abuse.  The pictures are gut wrenching.  The medical problems are severe, overwhelming and costly. 

Please visit Friends of Homeless Animals to learn more and to donate and help these neglected puppy mill dogs. 

Here is a little more information about each of them.

Chia could be a handsome little boy.  Unfortunately he is suffering from numerous medical problems effecting his skin, hair, eyes, teeth and gums.  He also has an irritated scrotum and mild interdigital irritation of one back paw.  Recommended treatement for Chai includes oral antibiotics, dental cleaning, neuter and an Ophthalmologist consult. But his dental and eye problems will probably require significant medical treatment once completely diagnosed.

Chamomile is a little girl with dry skin, mild hyperemia to her face, and moderate dental plaque.  Not so bad - right.  But she also has what we thought was a huge mammary tumor. Actually it is a inguinal hernia that her uterus has fallen through.    The uterus appears to have a dead puppy in it, and she's in the beginning stages of pyometra.  It is the vet's opinion we need to spay her and repair everything immediately. She goes into surgery tomorrow.  Additional medical recomendations include oral antibiotics, anti inflammatory, fine needle aspirate with cytology, spay, dental, mass removal with or without histopath.

Meet 'Earl Gray.'  Somehow this name fits him. Earl Gray has dry and unkempt hair with mild flaking, alopecia and crusting.   He also has mild facial hyperemia and other skin issues. He also siffers from severe dental plaque and gum recession causing severe oral odor, not to mention likely pain! His additional problems include mild irritation to the scrotum, prostate enlargement and mild anal enlargement due to chronic irritation.  Recommended treatments include neutering, oral antibiotics and dental cleaning.

Ginger suffers from a dry and unkempt coat, multiple areas of focal alopecia, mild hyperemia to her face,  and an eyelid tumor on the right lower lid. Like most dogs that have not had proper care she also suffers from dental plaque. But the most overwhelming and obvious condition for this poor little girl is the presence of multiple pendulous mammary teats, some enlarged and firm (mastitis or mammary carcinoma or chronic irritation).  You think maybe she's been over-bred? Recommend treatments include oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory, possible fine needle aspirate of mammary chain, spay.

Ginsing is a beautiful little girl for one who has had no love and tremendous suffering in life.  She suffers from dry skin, mild hyperemia to her face and multiple "ring like" areas of alopecia. She also has thickening of both front pads (likely achronic irritation) and a skin tag on the right thigh.  She has a mild mucus discharge of the right eye and moderate to severe plaque with moderate gum recession to molars and premolars. Her jaw is unbalanced and tilted down and to right.  Pendulous teats and multiple teats enlarged and firm (mastitis, carcinoma or irritation).  Fungal culture started 1/22/12.  Recommended treatments include oral antibiotics, anti inflammatory, fine needle aspirate of mammary chain, spay and ringworm treatment.

Thai is a pretty good lookin fella! And right now his problems don't seem as serious as some of the other recent rescuees! But he still needs out help.  He does have dry skin, alopecia on  his rump, a mild irritation on his back right paw and moderate dental plaque. Most of his teeth are ground down and all four canines have pulp exposure.  OMG - that's painful!  And like the other boys has a mild cutaneous irritation to the scrotum.  Recommended treatments include oral antibiotics, dental and neuter.

These precious dogs will be in medical care to correct the horrible neglect their owner inflected on them. The medical care is just the beginning for these wonderful dogs. They still have to learn how to trust people again and rehabilitate into being family dogs.

At the risk of repeating myself
Please visit Friends of Homeless Animals to learn more and to donate toward helping these neglected puppy mill dogs. 

Looking for a new pet?  Adopt - don't shop!!!  The Animal Foundation has hundreds of dogs looking for new homes.  Stop by - one of them is sure to choose you!

Here are just a few.

This Sunday, January 29, 2012 the Animal Foundation will host an adoption event at Tivoli Village between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM.  These adoptable dogs will be located outside of the Dog House and Land Rover store.
The dogs are coming out of their kennels and heading to Tivoli Village in search of new homes. Join us at The Dog House and Land Rover store locations to meet your new best friend. All dogs are already spayed/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated, and will be sent home with a starter bag of pet food and a voucher for a complimentary wellness exam.

Not in the market for a new family member? That’s ok! Stop by to learn about The Animal Foundation and get your free Jamba Juice or Coffee Bean gift certificate!

If you’d like to preview some of the adoptable dogs visit The Animal Foundation website or click on the slie show in this article.
Not all dogs seen in these pictures will be available at the adoption event. So if you see one that’s calling you call (702) 384-3333 Ext: 131 or visit the Animal Foundation at 655 North Mojave Road, Las Vegas, NV.

Tivoli Village is located at:
440 South Rampart
Las Vegas, NV 89145