RESCUED DOGS: We love ALL dogs, but have a special place in our hearts for dogs that have been rescued. We especially love whenever we can share their stories and feature them on our greeting cards.
RESCUE COMMUNITY: We joined the dog rescue community in 2006 when we decided to become foster parents for Central Texas Dachshund Rescue. We’ve learned so much from CTDR, and continue to learn about all aspects of dog rescue; fund raising, fostering, training, and so much more.
DOGS FEATURED ON OUR CARDS: By far the majority of the dogs featured on our greeting cards were rescued. By sharing their stories we hope to create awareness for all the wonderful, volunteer run rescue organizations that need our never ending support. Some of our more popular rescued dogs we’ve featured are: Art, Buster, Elvis Puglsey, Cassidy, and Clifford. But wait, we love ALL dogs and don’t discriminate. Dogs can’t help where they came from, plus responsible breeders are a true necessity! Some of our most beautiful dogs we’ve photographed have come from reputable breeders. Check out Alobar, Bonkers, Dash, Maddox and Teddy Bear!
OUR FAMILY DOG: Martin is our boy. He was our foster dog that we decided to adopt. (Actually Allan said he couldn’t live without him, and he and Martin eventually wore me down.) Martin is a very important member of our family, he’s a great host and mentor to all the foster dogs that have come through our home. (We still miss our other dogs, Scooby Doo and Wenge, and think of them nearly every day.)
OUR FOSTER DOG: Currently Martin is graciously sharing his home with Captain, our 9th foster dog.
DOG BREEDERS: We understand that reputable dog breeders are a necessity. They maintain the genetic diversity and health of each dog while showing deep love, caring, and respect for their breed. Never assume that someone is a reputable breeder, always evaluate them. Good breeders are not just about the money, they don’t sell their puppies to the first person who shows up with cash in hand. They always have dogs’ best interest at heart. The best way to find reputable breeders is by asking for referrals from your veterinarian or trusted friends. Finally, most reputable breeders will have several old dogs in their care. Beware of the person who sells off their adult dogs that are retired from showing and breeding. You want a breeder who loves the breed, (a true lover of dogs) and not someone who just loves to breed.
GETTING A NEW DOG: If you’ve evaluated your lifestyle and know exactly what sort of dog you’re looking for, then you are ready to begin the search for you new family member. And let’s not forget that you’ll have to feed, exercise, train, clean up after, work through problems with, and love a dog every day for the next 10 to 20 years, this is a long term commitment.
Helping a homeless dog is the right thing to do. Most dogs lose their homes because of “people reasons” like cost, lack of time, lifestyle changes (new baby, divorce, moving, or marriage), or allergies, and not because of something the dog has done. If you have your heart set on a particular breed, please check out the purebred rescue group in your area. Since one in every four dogs in U.S. animal shelters is a purebred, it makes sense to look there first for your new family member. Many people don’t realize that there is a purebred rescue group for every single breed! That being said Mutt and mixes make some of the most lovable dogs, and are often unfortunately overlooked.
Whatever you do, don’t buy a puppy from a pet store because most of those puppies come from mass breeding facilities better known as puppy mills. Many times these dogs end up with genetic health problems or develop significant behavior problems due to a lack of early socialization.
If you feel you must go to a breeder, please download this important checklist provided by The Humane Society of the United States. It has all the questions you need to know to make sure the breeder you work with is reputable. The only way to stop puppy mills and disreputable breeders, is to stop supporting them.
