Meet Tuffy, and the Lost and Found Gang

MEET TUFFY; OUR SENIOR "SPOKESDOG"

If there were such a thing as Canine AARP, Tuffy would make a great representative -- facing the challenges that come with aging, living gracefully in his retirement, and being a spokesdog for the benefits of adopting a senior pooch.

Tuffy is a wonderful little Lhasa Apso,10 years old, and blind. But that doesn't stop him from enjoying life. He gets around well and will check every inch of a new environment so he can figure it all out. The AKC characteristics for his breed say that the Lhasa Apso has very keen hearing, which, for Tuffy, probably makes up for his lack of sight. AKC also states that the Lhasa Apso is a tough breed (that's maybe how Tuffy got his name!) and will be staunchly loyal to his family. In Tibet, where this ancient breed originated, the Lhasa Apso was known as the "little lion dog."

Tuffy is a sociable little guy who loves all kids, people, and dogs alike. He can sniff out food a mile away. If you offer Tuffy a treat, he will be your new BFF — FUR-ever! He likes to tag along after the younger dogs, following play-time as closely as he can. And he loves afternoon naps on his comfy bed close by our feet in the office. His gentle snoring gets all of us breathing in rhythm. 

Tuffy, looking snazzy in his OSU T-shirt

Tuffy came to us when his first family could no longer care for him. Like most senior dogs, he has the usual health issues in addition to his blindness — his digestion isn't the best, but he is on a special GI diet and some meds that help him a lot. And glucosamine helps keep him limber.

Costs of caring for older dogs can really mount up. We would so appreciate your help. But what they mostly need is love. As they enter their senior years, dogs are still devoted and charming companions, just slower and sleepier. They may not fetch a ball for hours or take long hikes with you, but short walks, a snuggle, a massage, or a good neck scratch does as much good for them as it does for the humans who take the time to share a lap or a corner of the couch. 

Won't you come and meet Tuffy? He would love to nap by your feet or snuggle on your couch, or better still, curl up on your lap.  What better therapy is there for Tuffy or for you?  

MEET LILY, NORRIS, CONNER AND FRANKIE

Currently, here at WagsInn, we have four other "more grown-up" dogs in our rescue program. Lori found Lily and Norris, our two Shepherd-mix rescues as pups when she was on vacation with her family at Norris Lake. These sisters were both so shy, sick, and fearful that it took almost a year to win their trust. But they have come a long, long way with lots of love and attention. 

Say hello to Norris who loves to be brushed!

Lily and Norris have grown into healthy, happy adults who love having their long blonde coats brushed and combed. Norris would love a family who would walk her in the woods and let her sunbathe in a big back yard. She is still shy with new people at first but gets along with everyone after a bit and is one of our greeters here at WagsInn. She and her sister Lily sleep together on cots in the same room and spend a lot of time with Lori in the house — they adore Lori and are so good in the house. Norris and Lily both love running and hunting in the fields here at WagsInn. Lily is also a bit shy when she first meets someone, but she warms up and is trusting and loving. She would do best if she could stay with her sister in a new home situation, but she certainly could thrive with the right family. She would love to go on long walks in the fields and woods with you. 

Lily out in the yard - her favorite thing to do!

Conner and Frankie are Lab-cross brothers that were found abandoned as puppies in the parking lot of East High Veterinarians. They were sick, timid and fearful when they first came to WagsInn, but with lots of love and care, they have grown into fine dogs, confident and playful. Frankie relies on Conner for companionship, but gets along with other dogs and people if introduced slowly. He would thrive best if he got all the attention dog-parents could give him and a big yard where he could run free. Conner would do best with older children in a family that would throw a ball for him and run around. He would be a loyal best friend to a family that loves him.

Here's Frankie, ready for play time! 

And Conner, who loves to play ball!

Our Lost and Found Gang are currently living here with us. We would so appreciate your support to help us provide them with the most comfortable life we can. We love them like family, but we would be even more delighted to see these dogs find families of their very own. 

(link to Canine Charities page: www.wagsinn.com ) 

Please come meet our rescues! They need good fur-ever homes to make their lives complete!

Meet Tux, PLUS: Finding Lost Dogs, and Finding Foster Families!

We have no idea where Tux came from. He's our "international man of mystery", all dressed up with his white shirt and tuxedo jacket, looking like a canine 007 on a spy mission or going to a swanky cocktail party. But on the day we found him on October 21st, he wasn't on his way to a fancy soirée. He was strolling up the WagsInn driveway! We don't know if he was on a secret mission far from home or if he had been dropped off by his own "personal taxi service." But there he was, nonchalantly following his nose up the drive.

Tux is such a dapper dude. He is in great shape, muscular, firmly built, and it looks as though he had been well-cared for in his last place of residence. We found no signs of abuse, neglect, or long days on the road. As well, it was clear that he had some basic training. He knew his commands, and he probably had been crate trained. But no chip and no collar (a bow tie wouldn't have surprised us!) So we went to work to try to find his owners. 

Handsome, dashing "Secret Agent" Tux

Whenever we find strays, we do our outmost to locate their families. We list them with Springfield and Dayton Lost Dogs and we post notices in the newspapers. We share information with other rescue sites. We call local vets and the Humane Society to ask about recent reports of lost pets. We post on social media. Word gets around. But after 10 days of trying to find where they belong, we will then take them to the vet for that all-important spay or neuter procedure, if they haven't already had it, for vaccinations and a heart worm test. And then we'll start the process of finding them new families. 

Next, we assess personalities of our "foundlings" and work with them on any specific issues they might have. Professional trainer, Katie Schalk, who owns "Life with Pup," helps us address any behavioral concerns. Our goal is to prepare dogs to become great family members. If an adoption doesn't happen right away, we might place a pooch with a foster home to help him or her socialize into a family setting. Foster situations also allow us to learn more about how they get along in a home environment.

(We could really use MORE FOSTER HOMES!! If you can foster, please call us! We've included links with our foster and adoption applications. Bringing a foster dog into your home could help you see if you wish to be adoptive "parents" — or you will be helping tremendously in preparing the dog for another family to adopt.)

Tux is showing us that he is smart and eager to learn. We've taken him on leash walks with other dogs and will soon integrate him into dog play groups. Tux needs an owner who loves and understands the American Pit Bull Terrier and will know how to nurture his sweet, loyal disposition. 

Tux spends time with Lori in her home and in the office. He likes to look out the window. We aren't sure if he is watching the dogs at play or looking for the family he is separated from. Or is he hoping someone will come to adopt him one day soon? He is our man of mystery. Let's write a happy ending for his story.

Maybe YOURS is the family he is hoping for. 


Please go to our Facebook page and scroll down to see a special video on our post called, "Our Promise to Tux." It'll melt your heart! https://www.facebook.com/wagsinn/

Here are our Fostering Guidelines. Can you help out by fostering a dog?https://wagsinn.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/fosterapp_wagsinncaninecharities_0516.pdf

And here is a link to our adoption application http://wagsinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/AdoptionApp_WagsInnCanineCharities2017-1.pdf.

Meet Bud, Josephine, Scarlet and Fern

Welcome to our Dog Blog where you will meet our WagsInn Canine Charities rescues. We'll tell you their stories, how they come to us, what we do to get them ready for family life, and about adoptions into loving homes. First up: 

Meet Bud. 

To meet him is to love him. Bud is such a sweet old guy. When we brought this abandoned, elderly dog to WagsInn in late November, he had been found wandering on the outskirts of Springfield by Clark County Animal Control. He was taken to the Springfield Clark County Lost and Found Pets where he was dubbed "Lucky" and they sent out a notice asking for a rescue organization to take him in as their vet thought his time was limited. And so, we brought Lucky, renamed "Bud", to come live with us. We weren't sure what age he was, but it was abundantly clear that he was of advanced years and having some problems. (Clark County located Bud's owners who are being charged with cruelty and neglect.)

Using WagsInn Canine Charities emergency funds, we got Bud to the vet right away. Our vet thinks that Bud is probably around 17 years old — a very great age for a large dog — and, as you would expect with such a senior canine, he has some health issues, including a large tumor in his abdomen. Considering his age, we decided that we wouldn't put him through the trauma of surgery, but would keep him comfortable with meds for his stomach, a special diet, and medication to help with arthritic hips and legs. Bud soon settled in and got some rest.

Well, you should see him now! Bud has perked right up! He has a couple of senior-dog buddies that he greets with a wagging tail when they come to board, and he has a bit of pep in his step that says, "Come on, Guys, let's play!" He smiles all the time now and his tail will not stop wagging. Bud seems to be so grateful to have love and good care, and we are so glad he is spending his sunset days with us. 

If you can help us with Bud's medical and food costs, please let us know — we would be so grateful and so would Bud!

Dear darling old Bud -- home at WagsInn

Meet Josephine

Josephine is one little Southern gal who had an amazing, harrowing adventure that turned out to have a very happy ending!  

Josephine -- our Southern Belle

Josephine is a Tan/Black Catahula Hound Mix, approximately 4-5years old. A WagsInn neighbor spotted her one day lying by the side of the road. She was clearly, considerably pregnant and next to her was a puppy (from a previous litter) that sadly had not survived being hit by a car. Our neighbor knew where this poor, scared mama dog needed to be and raced her to us. We took Josephine immediately to the vet who told us she had at least 4 puppies on board and that they would be born very soon. Sure enough, that same night Josephine began to give birth, to four, then five, then six — and wasn't done until morning when she had produced 10 puppies! 

Josephine's pups -- count 'em! 10!

Normally we house a maximum of 16 rescues at WagsInn, but with Josephine's litter, our numbers grew to 26! Over the weeks of nursing, nurturing, and weaning them, Josephine was such a loving and trusting mom, letting all of us at Wags do whatever we needed to do for all her puppies and herself. She behaved like she never met a stranger, accepting every one of us as though we were her own family, never shy or defensive in protecting her pups. Of course, Josephine made her way  firmly into our hearts — she may well be the sweetest, kindest dog we have ever seen. 

As for the pups, they were adorable, and we had such a fun summer of puppy breath, puppy tummies, and puppy pandemonium! We will never know who the pups' dad was, but they looked like they might have some Lab going on in the mix. We'll also never know how Josephine ended up on a road side about to give birth — but we do know it was just in time before her story might have had a much more tragic ending.

We are happy to report that we found adoptive families for everyone in Josephine's litter of ten! And Josephine herself went to live with a family where she had been in temporary foster care — a test run prior to making it her forever home — and that family officially adopted her on December 13th. Congratulations, Josephine!

Meet Scarlet and Fern

There's more to the story! The day after we got Josephine, two female pups from her previous litter, sisters to the pup that was killed, were found in the same spot as their mom! We brought them to WagsInn as well and named them Scarlet and Fern. 

Scarlet met a dog pal that comes to board at WagsInn that she loved to play with and the dog's family took Scarlet home on our foster care program to see if she would fit in. Well, she did! They adopted her just before Christmas and Scarlet now has a wonderful new home. Her owners, their two small children, and her doggy BFF, Vinny, love Scarlet to bits. Lucky Scarlet — how could it get any better? We are so happy for her.

Scarlet's little sister, Fern, is still here at WagsInn and still hoping for a forever family. Fern is a sweet girl, a bit shy about new people and places, but gets braver with each trip to a new place and with each new experience. We are confident that the right owner will come along one day soon. Call us if you think you might be that owner! Fern would love to meet you!

Sweet Fern waiting for her forever family