Adopt a black dog today!

Ever hear of Black Dog Syndrome?

It is a phenomenon that rescue and shelter workers are all too familiar with; black dogs - big and small, young and old, all breeds under the sun - being passed up for lighter-coloured dogs.  Sound ridiculous? We agree! But the reality is, superstition and negative stereotyping asides, that black dogs just do not look as appealing to adopters in photos, and are easily passed by for dogs that are white, brown or cream, for example, and who have interesting markings. It is tough to capture the personality and beauty of a black dog in photos, and for this they suffer.

LOYAL has a number of black dogs currently in rescue, a few who have been waiting for quite some time for their forever homes. Wonderful, loving dogs that would make a fantastic addition to the right family, but who have been passed up for no other reason than that they are black.

Agnes is a 3-5-year old Cocker Spaniel being fostered in Peterborough. She is friendly with other dogs and with kids. While this happy, healthy girl has not been in foster care that long, she is such a sweetheart there is no reason that she should not have been snatched up by now!

Jackson is a 3-year-old Terrier mix (Rat Terrier, Chihuahua or Jack Russell mix, perhaps?) who has spent the last 2 years in foster care! He was adopted at one point and then returned through no fault of his own. This spunky, friendly boy gets along well with other dogs and with older kids, and would do well with an active family. PLEASE spread the word about Jackson and let's find this guy a forever family already! He is being fostered in Brampton.

Rocco is a special needs senior (approximately 8 years of age) who has spent the last 15 months in foster care. He is blind and at least partially deaf, and was rescued from a shelter where his owner surrendered him. Rocco is a sweet, affectionate boy who would ideally be the only pet in his new family as he can be fearful of other animals given his disabilities. Rocco may sound like he has a lot of demands but he also has a lot of love to offer the right forever family. Please don't discount Rocco, and please share his story! Rocco is being fostered in Brampton.

Trinket and her sister Teacup are an adorable pair of 2-year-old Pomeranians who came into rescue a few months ago. They are a sweet, affectionate pair who are house-trained, quiet, and who get along well with other dogs. it While they have always lived together, it is not necessary for them to be adopted as a bonded pair. They are both being fostered in Peterborough.

Little Whoopie is new to rescue, but has not had any applications to-date. This 3-month-old Chinese Crested Powderpuff mix is a spunky puppy who loves to give kisses, play with her foster siblings and cuddle with her family. With this sweet face and all the love she has to give, we cannot understand why someone has not fallen for her yet, so we can only imagine it is because of the colour of her fur. Don't let this adorable girl slip through your fingers, folks, as she's quite a catch and will make the right family extremely happy! Whoopie is being fostered in Uxbridge.

Please consider adopting a black dog when it comes time to add to your family, and please spread the word about these sweet souls who are waiting patiently in foster care!


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Weekly Rescue Round-up: February 27, 2012

Welcome to our Weekly Rescue Round-up where we update you on all the rescue happenings within LOYAL! Thanks for stopping by the blog, and be sure to share or like this on Facebook and tweet about it, too! Spread the LOYAL love!

{WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!}

Vet bills to-date for Max the Doberman-x, who was recently adopted (hooray!) reached a whopping $1,500 while he was in our care! Please read Max's story here and please donate if you are able. Every dollar counts!

Ariel the Havanese came into rescue very recently. She is only 2 years of age and has cataracts in both eyes! We are raising funds to get her to an Ophthalmologist for a consultation and then, hopefully, cataract surgery which can range from $3,000 - $5,000! Ouch!

Any and all donations for the above pooches, and for any of our foster dogs, are greatly appreciated. Information on how you can donate can be found above under the Donate tab, or you can send us an e-mail.

 

{EVENTS}

There are no upcoming events.

 

 
Please watch for Sanders' adoption ad in tomorrow (February 28)'s t.o.night magazine. This magazine is distributed during evening rush hour in the Toronto downtown core, and every month a LOYAL dog is featured as their Dog of the Month. You can grab your copy downtown from a "newsie" or read it online on their website after 3:30 p.m.

 

{SOCIAL MEDIA}

Are you one of the almost 600 LOYAL fans that has liked our Facebook page? Do you follow our posts on Twitter? Sometimes we post photos and information on these pages that doesn't make it onto the blog, so if you want to stay up-to-date on all of LOYAL's happenings, be sure to tune in!

{NEW ARRIVALS}

 

The below dogs are new to rescue this week. We have dogs arriving weekly, so please keep an eye on our website for new additions.

 

LOYAL will be getting another wave of dogs from a breeding facility in Missouri over the next few weeks including Yorkies, Spaniels, Bichons and more, both male and female, young and old. Please keep an eye on our website for new arrivals, and please consider donating to our rescue to help cover the mounting vet bills that we face by rescuing these needy souls.

Aries is a 5-year-old, female Shepherd-Whippet mix, a very sweet family dog who loves other animals and kids, who is being fostered in Uxbridge.

Peaches is a 5-year-old, female Beagle, a sweet and gentle girl who gets along with other dogs and with kids, who is being fostered in Scarborough.

Sanders is a 3-year-old, male Lab mix, a sweet and gentle cuddle bug who enjoys the company of other dogs and kids, who is being fostered in Toronto.

{ADOPTED}

The following dogs found their forever families since the last Round-up:

Chance, Maude, Rocky, Doodle, Max, Cece, Roo, Ezzy, Toby and Honey!

Congratulations to all the adopted pooches and their new forever families!

{PENDING}

The following dogs have pending adoptions and we are no longer accepting applications for them. Thank you for your interest!

Angel, Gracie and Maxie.

Are you a previous LOYAL adopter that has a Happy Tail to submit? Send an e-mail to our Social Media Coordinator and it will be posted in our Happy Tails Facebook album!

As always, any and all rescue and adoption-related questions can be submitted via e-mail to one of our volunteers.

 

Happy adopting!

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Dog of the Week: Missy!

Meet Missy!

Missy is a 5-year-old Shih Tzu mix that has found herself on the hunt for a forever family to call her very own.

This happy, healthy girl was surrendered by her owners through no fault of her own. She is house trained and responsible when left by herself. As she has not been exposed to young children or cats, so we would not recommend a home with either. She would do fine with larger dogs, but tends to be a bit bossy with ones that are smaller than her. Ideally Missy could soak up 100 per cent of the love and attention in her new home and would, therefore, love to be an only pet. Homes with other dogs would, of course, be considered on a case-by-case basis.

While Missy did not have many rules in her first home, her foster home has been working extensively with her and are pleased to report that she now walks well on a leash and no longer barks at squirrels and dogs while out. Progress!

As you can see, Missy is missing one of her eyes. Due to an infection as a puppy it had to be removed, but Missy gets along well and you would never know she was "special needs", especially when you see her tearing around the back yard with her foster siblings!

Missy would make a great companion for a family who could continue her training and remind her who rules the roost from time to time. If you are looking for an affectionate, snuggly but active girl, Missy might be the pooch for you!

Applications for Missy or any of our rescued dogs can be submitted through our website.

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Weekly Rescue Round-up: February 20, 2012

Welcome to our Weekly Rescue Round-up where we update you on all the rescue happenings within LOYAL! Thanks for stopping by the blog, and be sure to share or like this on Facebook and tweet about it, too! Spread the LOYAL love!

Happy Family Day everyone! 

{DONATIONS FOR MAX AND ARIEL!}

Vet bills to-date for Max the Doberman-x have reached $1,500! Please read Max's story here and please donate if you are able. Every dollar counts! Please spread the word about this brave pooch!

Ariel the Havanese came into rescue this past weekend. She is only 2 years of age and has cataracts in both eyes. We are raising funds to get her to an Ophthalmologist for a consultation and then, hopefully, cataract surgery which can range from $3,000 - $5,000!

Any and all donations for the above pooches, and for any of our foster dogs, are greatly appreciated. Information on how you can donate can be found above under the Donate tab, or you can send us an e-mail.

{EVENTS}

There are no upcoming events.

  

{SOCIAL MEDIA}

Are you one of the 500+ fans that has liked our Facebook page? Do you follow our posts on Twitter? Sometimes we post photos and information on these pages that doesn't make it onto the blog, so if you want to stay up-to-date on all of LOYAL's happenings, be sure to tune in!

{NEW ARRIVALS}

The following dogs are new to rescue this week. We have dogs arriving weekly, so please keep an eye on our website for new additions.

Maxie is a 10-year-old, female Bichon-Poodle mix being fostered in Mississauga.

{ADOPTED}

The following dogs found their forever families since the last Round-up:

Stuart, Rumer, Daisy, Webster, Tidbit, Lilly, Hope, Scooby and Marlow!

Congratulations to all the adopted pooches and their new forever families!

Are you a previous LOYAL adopter that has a Happy Tail to submit? Send an e-mail to our Social Media Coordinator and it will be posted in our Happy Tails Facebook album!

As always, any and all rescue and adoption-related questions can be submitted via e-mail to one of our volunteers.

Happy adopting!

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Weekly Rescue Round-up: February 13, 2012

Welcome to our Weekly Rescue Round-up where we update you on all the rescue happenings within LOYAL! Thanks for stopping by the blog, and be sure to share or like this on Facebook and tweet about it, too! Spread the LOYAL love!

{DONATIONS FOR MAX AND ARIEL!}

 

 

Vet bills to-date for Max the Doberman-x have reached $1,500! Please read Max's story here and please donate if you are able. Every dollar counts! Please spread the word about this brave pooch!

Ariel the Havanese came into rescue this past weekend. She is only 2 years of age and has cataracts in both eyes. We are raising funds to get her to an Ophthalmologist for a consultation and then, hopefully, cataract surgery which can range from $3,000 - $5,000!

Any and all donations for the above pooches, and for any of our foster dogs, are greatly appreciated. Information on how you can donate can be found above under the Donate tab, or you can send us an e-mail.

 

{EVENTS}

 

LOYAL Rescue participated in a PetSmart Adopt-a-Thon in Brampton this weekend. Sweet little Doodle the Poodle attended with human helper Ewan to strut his stuff and represent LOYAL. 

Hopefully Doodle generated some much-needed interest in the rescue (and himself)! The next Adopt-a-Thon is taking in Toronto over the May 4-5 weekend. Stay tuned for details!

 

A new Helping Lost Pets Click Challenge has begun! 

 

LOYAL is in the running to win $1,000 for our rescued dogs! All you have to do is register on the Helping Lost Pets website and then vote daily.  Simple! Your computer will remember your vote, so daily voting is simple! Please share this opportunity far and wide and get as many people voting as you can so that we can win these much-needed funds for our dogs! You can vote until February 19, 2012.

(click to enlarge)

{SOCIAL MEDIA}

Are you one of the 500+ fans that has liked our Facebook page? Do you follow our posts on Twitter? Sometimes we post photos and information on these pages that doesn't make it onto the blog, so if you want to stay up-to-date on all of LOYAL's happenings, be sure to tune in!

{NEW ARRIVALS}

 

Due to the recent closing of a Missouri breeding facility and a number of dogs arriving from Mexico, LOYAL has taken in a high number of dogs in the last week. We currently have dogs of all breeds, mixes, ages, sizes and personalities in our foster program. Please visit our website to view these adoptable dogs, and stay tuned as more dogs are arriving and being posted to Petfinder by the day.

 

{ADOPTED}

The following dogs found their forever families since the last Round-up:

Pearl, Tacoma, Pippin, Isabella, Benji, Carter, and Zorro!

Congratulations to all the adopted pooches and their new forever families!

Are you a previous LOYAL adopter that has a Happy Tail to submit? Send an e-mail to our Social Media Coordinator and it will be posted in our Happy Tails Facebook album!

As always, any and all rescue and adoption-related questions can be submitted via e-mail to one of our volunteers.

 

Happy adopting!

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Weekly Rescue Round-up: February 6, 2012

 

Welcome to our Weekly Rescue Round-up where we update you on all the rescue happenings within LOYAL! Thanks for stopping by the blog, and be sure to share or like this on Facebook and tweet about it, too! Spread the LOYAL love!

{DONATIONS FOR MAX AND ARIEL!}

Vet bills to-date for Max the Doberman-x have reached $1,500! Please read Max's story here and please donate if you are able. Every dollar counts! Please spread the word about this brave pooch!

Ariel the Havanese came into rescue this past weekend. She is only 2 years of age and has cataracts in both eyes. We are raising funds to get her to an Ophthalmologist for a consultation and then, hopefully, cataract surgery which can range from $3,000 - $5,000!

Any and all donations for the above pooches, and for any of our foster dogs, are greatly appreciated. Information on how you can donate can be found above under the Donate tab, or you can send us an e-mail.

{EVENTS}

 

A new Helping Lost Pets Click Challenge has begun! 

 

LOYAL is in the running to win $1,000 for our rescued dogs! All you have to do is register on the Helping Lost Pets website and then vote daily.  Simple! Your computer will remember your vote, so daily voting is simple! Please share this opportunity far and wide and get as many people voting as you can so that we can win these much-needed funds for our dogs! You can vote until February 19, 2012.

(click to enlarge) 

{SOCIAL MEDIA}

Are you one of the 500+ fans that has liked our Facebook page? Do you follow our posts on Twitter? Sometimes we post photos and information on these pages that doesn't make it onto the blog, so if you want to stay up-to-date on all of LOYAL's happenings, be sure to tune in!

{NEW ARRIVALS}

Due to the recent closing of a Missouri breeding facility and a number of dogs arriving from Mexico, LOYAL has taken in a high number of dogs in the last week. We currently have dogs of all breeds, mixes, ages, sizes and personalities in our foster program. Please visit our website to view these adoptable dogs, and stay tuned as more dogs are arriving and being posted to Petfinder by the day.

{ADOPTED}

The following dogs found their forever families since the last Round-up:

Truman, Sherman, Mika & Mitsou, Charlie, Milo, Sheamus, Satin, and Simon!

Congratulations to all the adopted pooches and their new forever families!

Are you a previous LOYAL adopter that has a Happy Tail to submit? Send an e-mail to our Social Media Coordinator and it will be posted in our Happy Tails Facebook album!

As always, any and all rescue and adoption-related questions can be submitted via e-mail to one of our volunteers.

Happy adopting!

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February is Dental Health Month!

SMILE, February is Dental Health Month!

Dental health is extremely important for dogs, so below are a few vet-recommended tips for keeping your canine's canines pearly white.

Catching teeth problems early will help avoid severe dental disease. The simplest way to keep track of your dog’s teeth is to look at them on a regular basis and be aware of signs that may indicate a problem. Your veterinarian will also take a look at your dog’s teeth during routine examinations, so make sure you keep up with these; visit your vet every 6-12 months for wellness check-ups. 

Some signs of dental issues include:

• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Reluctance to chew / crying out when chewing
• Increased salivation
• Red and/or puffy gums
• Bleeding gums
• Tartar / Calculus (hard coating on teeth that is usually brown or yellow; results from plaque build-up)
• Missing and/or loose teeth
• Anything else about the mouth that appears unusual

There are several things you can do to help keep your dog’s teeth in good shape. Start a dental care routine as early as possible in your dog’s life so he get used to the feeling of having his teeth brushed and inspected. If you decide to brush your dog’s teeth, here are some important tips to keep in mind:

1. NEVER brush your dog’s teeth with human toothpaste – it can make your dog sick! Use special enzymatic toothpaste made especially for dogs. The same goes for oral rinses.
2. Plaque begins to turn into tartar / calculus within 24-48 hours, so daily brushing is recommended. Work your dog’s tooth brushing into your own routine – consider brushing his teeth around the same time you do yours so it will be easier to remember.
3. Use a “finger brush” or special long toothbrush designed for use on dogs. When starting out with brushings, the finger brush can help ease your dog into it, as these do not feel as awkward as hard brushes.
4. Before you begin, ask your veterinarian to show you some techniques to make tooth brushing easier on you and your dog.

If you are not able to brush your dog’s teeth, there are other options. Consider using oral rinses made especially for dogs. You can also purchase special dental treats. Avoid real bones – not only can they lead to gastrointestinal upset, they may also cause tooth fractures. 

Here is a Flyerland coupon for some dental health-related products offered at your local Pet Valu, including $3 off Greenies, yummy dental chews for dogs big and small. 

Have additional questions relating to the dental health of your pet? The Internet has a wealth of information, and never hesitate to contact your vet about any concerns you have.

* Note: I was recently informed by my vet that the green colouring in Greenies can cause skin issues for allergy-prone dogs, so check with your vet before switching your dog onto this product.

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