The Twelve Pets of Christmas

THE TWELVE PETS OF CHRISTMAS

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the shelter,

The Twelve Pets of Christmas were in need of a helper.

For although these Twelve Pets have so much to offer,

These groups are ignored when it comes to adopters.

Charlie:  Male, Orange Tabby, Approx 1 year old

Group One is adult cats, aged nine months and up.

Why adopt only kittens? They’re cute, but grow up!

Fully grown cats need forever homes too,

Could one of these cats make its new home with you?

Harvey: Male, Hound mix, approx 3-4 years old

The next group of pets (and this one astounds):

Big, lovable dogs weighing forty-plus pounds.

A cuddly pooch you can squeeze on and hug -

Couldn’t your family welcome an affable lug?

Zeus:  Male, American Pit Bull Terrier, 3-4 years old

Group Three is made up of the much-maligned pitties.

(I know one named Rufus with a soft spot for kitties!)

“Pit Bull” type breeds can make loving pets too,

Why not meet one yourself – see if they’re right for you?

Finn: Male, Smooth Coat Collie, 8 months old

The next group of pets – give a shout-out (or yelp!)

Have some medical needs that require some help.

Just a pinch extra care (and sometimes a head cone),

Please, give them a pill and throw them a bone!

Jolie:  Female, Catahoula, approx 6-7 years old

Oldies but goodies – pray, how old are you?

People are ageist towards older pets, too.

Though a pet may be older, there’s still love to give,

Take a senior pet home with your old self to live!

Liliana: Female, German Shepherd, approx 2-3 years old

The pets in Group Six are a bit – ahem – plump.

Who among us does not have some junk in the trunk?

If you haven’t gone big, you may as well try it –

Adopt a plump pet – you can both start a diet!

No current bonded pairs

Two adorable pets are better than one.

Our next group of pets is double the fun!

Bonded pairs that want only to be kept together,

Can you give them a home that will last them forever?

No current bashful pets

Kitties with sass, dogs with raw puppy power,

Are first to be picked before a wallflower.

Pets in the shelter who act bashful and quiet,

Once settled at home can be quite a riot!

Melrose:  Female, Chihuahua mix, approx 2 years old

The pets that make up Group Nine may surprise ya.

They’re dogs, not accessories – aye Chihuahua!

Such cute little pups to be left all alone,

Can’t you take one or two or three of them home?

Indigo:  Female, Lab/Terrier mix, approx 1-2 years old

The next group of pets is happiest single.

Not suited to other pets’ party and mingle.

Much better for you, you will bond that much quicker,

Take an ‘only pet’ home; be like thieves, only thicker.

Murray:  Male, Lab/Boxer mix, approx 1 year old

Group Eleven is made up of pets that are black.

Hard for me to believe - I have a whole pack!

Black pets are so handsome and shiny and sleek,

Why not adopt one for each day of the week?

Max:  Male, Hound mix, approx 10 month old

The Twelfth Group of pets, through no fault of their own,

Have had longer than average waits for a home.

They sit and they sit and they wait, wait, wait, wait.

Go ahead, go and meet – fall in love! It is fate!

***

So this Holiday Season, won’t you please share the love,

With one or more groups of pets mentioned above?

Let’s all spread the word of these under-served pets,

And make 2015 the most hopeful year yet!

Throughout December,

all pets that fall under the 12 Pets of Christmas categories will have reduced adoption fees.

Meet our pets here.

Spread the word and share on social media using:

@rockcityrescue | #12PetsXmas

Happy Holidays from all of us at

Rock City Rescue!

By: Estelle W.

#GivingTuesday

After three days of consumption and shopping, it’s time to kick off the giving season! If you didn’t know about GivingTuesday, it is the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, dedicated towards bringing the giving community together.

Please support Rock City Rescue this holiday season by sharing our adoption messages. We have many playful, cuddly dogs and cats looking for their forever homes. As a non-profit rescue group, we rely heavily on our supporters, donors, and volunteers to spread the word about our organization so we can reach as many potential adopters as possible.

To help, simply:
Donate to our CrowdRise Fundraise here.
Like, comment, and share our adoption posts on Facebook.
Retweet and favorite our Tweets on Twitter.
Read and share our blog posts.

#GivingTuesday follows two of the biggest shopping days of the year: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We are hoping to parlay these traditional spending days into a day of donations for the animals. Rock City Rescue plans to promote our #GivingTuesday event throughout our community as a way to raise awareness for homeless dogs and cats during a time when many people are already focused on giving. We want the residents of Central Arkansas, as well as our supporters in the Northeastern United States, to factor in the animals when they think of giving. By giving to RCR, donors help give animals the gift of life, hope and happiness.

ALL of the funds we raise will go directly towards helping shelter animals - including cats and dogs being cared for in our many foster homes. In addition to this, our rescue also helps pay for owned animals in our community to receive food, shelter, and veterinary care that cannot be provided by their owners. We also encourage volunteer participation, educate the public about adoption, vaccinations, spay/neuter, and other animal welfare issues. Being no strangers to hard work, we often make great effort to raise funds for the benefit of specific animals in need.

Rock City Rescue was created to support the animals of Arkansas. Being an independent, non-profit organization, RCR does not receive funds from the government - we are rely solely on your donations to continue saving hundreds of animals' lives every year. 

No, A 'Dog Year' Isn't Equivalent To 7 Human Years

Dogs age at different rates compared to humans, but the simple rule of 7 dog years to 1 human year is far from accurate. If humans aged seven times slower than dogs, then many of us would be able to reproduce at age 7 and live to be 150. Obviously, that's not the case.

The reason that dogs can reach full sexual maturity after only a year is that our canine friends age faster during the first two years of their lives than humans do. Even this general statement is slightly off since smaller breeds tend to mature faster than larger breeds.

Compared to humans, dogs age more quickly at the beginning of their lives and slower toward the end. Therefore, calculating your dog's age relative to yours is a bit tricky, but luckily it's possible.

Since smaller breeds tend to live longer than larger breeds, it's important to calculate your dog's age, according to the right category: small (20 pounds or less), medium (21-50 pounds), large (51-90 pounds), or giant (over 90 pounds).

Although the origins of the seven-year myth is unknown, people have been trying to find a good way to calculate dog years in human years since the 1200s. One of the earliest examples of this is an inscription at Westminster Abbey that dates to the year 1268 and calculates that one human year is equivalent to nine dog years, which was part of some strange way to calculate the end of the world in the 1200s.

The seven-year rule is thought to much more recent. A veterinarian at Kansas State University told The Wall Street Journal: "My guess is it was a marketing ploy. It was a way to encourage owners to bring in their pets at least once a year."

We originally learned about the information in this post through an article in Pricenomics.

Whole article found here: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/no-dog-isnt-equivalent-7-233457570.html

Let Your Vote Go To The Dogs

Frequently there's legislation related to animals up for a vote. Sadly, here in Central Arkansas the "pit bull" breed, along with "pit mixes" are outright banned in many cities and killed in large numbers simply because of the way they look. It doesn't matter how great their temperament, it doesn't matter if they love people, dogs, and cats..... but because they look a certain way, they are deemed "less than" and are killed in staggering numbers. 

Here at Rock City Rescue, we have quite a few pit bulls and other breeds that have been deemed "dangerous" in the past. We love the underdogs. They have a special place in our heart because we know how insanely amazing they truly are and we pity anyone who looks at our Pit Bulls or Chows and reacts in fear, or even worse, disgust. 

Aurora, Colorado voters will soon decide whether to keep or repeal the city's 2006 pit bull ban, and it could be the most controversial issue on the ballot in that city. We're asking that If you live in Aurora, CO make sure you are voting YES to 2D on Nov 4th!!

Aurora's vote, the first in the nation on a general-election ballot, could presage other public votes on so-called "breed-specific legislation," laws that either ban some types of dogs or require they be sterilized.  This can be a passionate issue on both sides, but please don't engage in Internet debates, especially with haters. It's counterproductive and plays into the drama they are trying to create. If you want to be heard, then vote and get others to join you. For people that can't vote, responsible pit bull owners like us can show our support by posting pictures of us with our good dogs on our profiles followed by ‪#‎coloradogs‬ and ‪#‎mollywouldbanmetoo.

‬ Let's light up FB with a bunch of great people and great dogs!

Aurora, the eyes of the nation are upon you. What you choose to do on November 4th can dramatically chance the landscape of legislation regarding pit bulls, so please, make the right choice.

What's Behind Rescuers That People Don't See

Just because we rescue animals doesn't mean we sit by the phone waiting for it to ring so that we can jump up and save the next dog or cat in need.

Just because we rescue animals doesn't mean that we have more time and money than the next person.

Just because we rescue animals doesn't mean that we can perform miracles and turn that horribly aggressive or horribly abused dog around into beautiful family dogs like they were born to be.
Sometimes we can't save the dog and the outcome isn't the outcome we all dream about.
What people don't see about animal rescuers is:
A house that needs cleaned
Laundry that needs done
Bills that need to be paid
A full time job that is extremely demanding
Errands that have to be run
Our own animals that take the back seat to all the animals in need
Our family who takes a back seat to all the animals in need
Health issues, either ours or a member of our family
Financial struggles
Cars that need oil changes, new tires, etc.
Dentist appointments
Doctor appointments
The lawn that needs mowed
The friend's wedding we are in
The baby shower we're planning
The close family member or friend who has passed away

We are JUST LIKE YOU!!! The only difference is we have an overwhelming calling that we can't ignore to help those who can't help themselves. So when someone calls and says "COME AND GET THIS DOG NOW," that means we are leaving our significant other sitting alone in a restaurant with a 1/2 eaten meal in the empty seat next to them while we rush to help whatever animal needs us next.

That means we have to NOT piss off our paying job by finding someone to help while we are at work and then RUSH out of work right at 5pm to step in. It means that we don't get our laundry done, we don't get our house as clean as we want it, we don't eat dinner until 10pm at night and we go to work tired the next day. All because we have to COME RIGHT NOW!

And to top it all off WE ARE NOT PAID ONE DIME! NOT ONE CENT! And, in the long run we usually lose more money than some people make in a year!

So the next time you are angry because a rescue person can't help, or needs help, or the outcome of an animal that you donated money to doesn't come out with a fairytale ending that you hoped for stop and think COULD YOU DO WHAT WE DO?

COULD YOU SACRIFICE EVERYTHING WE SACRIFICE?
I've heard people complain, "Oh, that poor dog shouldn't be in a kennel for 8 hours a day while the foster is at work or that dog shouldn't be in a foster home for so long; it should already be in a forever home". Think of it this way. Someone sacrificed A LOT so that "poor" animal could be there, alive! And NO it isn't perfect, but it is temporary and necessary.
The alternative is certain death....Which do you think the dog would prefer?

(Adapted from an Animal Anarchy Rescue's FB post)

4 Simple Ways You Can Help A Dog Find A Forever Family

Four Simple Ways You Can Help a Dog Find a Forever Family

Even if you can't foster or volunteer, there are still ways you can help rescues like us out!

• Buy an extra bag of food, treats, or a toy for rescue – many stores have a bin to collect donations for rescue; it doesn’t have to be a lot, just what you can afford. We frequent Hollywood Feed in North Little Rock, AR and they would be happy to hold on to donations for us, OR we also have things listed on our Amazon Wishlist

• Donate old towels and blankets to rescue – towels, blankets, comforters, etc. are ALWAYS in need at our rescue. 

• Share images of adoptable dogs on social media – I’m not talking about all the horror stories you see frequently on Facebook, I’m referring to the ones that help a dog find a home. Sharing our dog's photo albums can help tremendously in finding them forever homes. 

• Inquire about sponsoring an event to promote rescue – Any help we can get in setting up events and fundraisers helps us out greatly! 

Top Ten Reasons to Foster a Rescued Dog!

Top Ten Reasons to Foster a Rescued Dog!

Lots of Choice

Whether you go to the local shelter or a rescue organization, there are many dogs to choose from. Big, small and everything in between, between 20-30% of the dogs you will find here are actual pedigreed breeds. There is bound to be a dog with the personality to match your lifestyle.


Fixed and Ready to Go

Any county-run shelter or certified rescue group will have given all of the necessary shots to the dog as well as spayed or neutered it. Some shelters will have your dog microchipped and treated for fleas, as well. Normally these are all additional fees on top of the fee to purchase the puppy if you were to buy from a private party or breeder.


Puppyhood

Anyone that has ever gotten a new puppy knows that you are in for some sleepless nights. The new puppy, away from its litter is extremely lonely, and it shows this by howling all throughout the night. It has no idea where an appropriate place to do its business is, and it likes to chew on everything. A grown dog has already gone through the trials of puppyhood, and gotten a lot of its mischief out of its system.


Easier to Train

You don't have to take the time to train them and discipline them because many times they've already been through it in their foster care, or at their previous household. If they have not been trained in certain ways, then the amount that they take to pick things up is greatly reduced due to the socialization that they go through.


Find an Instant Companion

Many of these dogs have had a less than stellar life, ending up in shelters or rescue groups due to neglect or worse. A dog with a poor start in their life experience is more eager to be a part of a loving household and will be more apt to bond with its new-found owner, much more quickly than a puppy.


No Surprises

With a puppy, there is always somewhat of a mystery as to how they will age into a grown dog. Many are surprised at how large they can get, others by how they appear as a puppy compared to how they look as an adult. With a rescue, you already know what your dog's personality is, right off the bat.


Not Supporting a "Puppy Mill"

When you adopt from a shelter or rescue organization, you support an effort to put puppy mills out of business. A puppy mill is a strictly for profit, inhumane breeder that have their dogs in deplorable conditions in small cages. They breed pedigrees that are genetically defective and unhealthy.


Good Life Lesson


Adopting a rescue dog is also a great opportunity to teach any children that you may have in your life about the importance of getting a second chance. Being compassionate towards an animal that didn't have a great start in life is a great life lesson to learn.


Save a Life

Many of the shelters just don't have the capacity to let their animals live out their lives within their care. After a set amount of time, these shelters will put their animals on what some call the "Red List," which means that they have a short time left before they must euthanize them. Rescuing a dog saves two lives--the dog you rescued and the dog that can take your dog's spot at the shelter.


Improve Your Mood

Knowing that you have done a good thing by supporting adoption is excellent in itself, but your new dog will also have an effect on your physical, emotional and psychological health. Your new furry friend will undoubtedly improve your mood.


Read more: Top Ten Reasons to Adopt a Rescue Dog | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6848561_top-reasons-adopt-rescue-dog.html#ixzz2QkIWiQKg

Why Crate Training is NOT Cruel

Crate training is in our opinion one of the best things you can do for your dog and your peace of mind. It gives them and you a safe option if there is stress or too much activity in your household. Start early and at bedtime every night. They will thank you for it and so will your bed partner!

"For thousands of years dogs have sought out small, enclosed spaces for shelter and security. These dens have functioned as dog safehouses for the newborn and ailing, as well as resting places for the weary.

With the den boasting so many advantages, why do we humans debate the idea of putting a dog in one? Whatever the reasons, our dogs—if they could—would surely beg for a crate of their own. If you’re one of those people who are still on the fence about whether or not to crate your dog, here’s what you should know.

For the young dog
For puppies, the crate functions as a sort of babysitter when you can’t be there to monitor unsafe or undesirable behavior.

For the traveling dog
For the dog who travels often with his family, the crate can be a constant and familiar haven, from car to weekend retreat—a place to feel secure when the world around him changes.

For the insecure dog
Because dogs feel responsible for their own territory, the insecure dog should have less space to protect, not more. A crate (rather than the whole house) means less territory to patrol, making it easier for the insecure dog to settle down and relax.

For the rescued dog
To the rehomed dog, a crate is sometimes the only consistent environment he has ever had. A crate gives this dog time to safely adjust to new surroundings, as well as the luxury of not having to fight for his own space in new territory. It can ease the transition from one family to another."

From: http://www.woofipedia.com/articles/why-crating-not-cruel

HOWEVER, a crate will NOT teach a puppy to "hold it." Puppies' bladders aren't fully developed until they are 4 to 6 months old, so trying to force them to learn something that they are incapable of learning can backfire. Crate training for long periods of time can cause separation anxiety, depression, and/or hyperactivity.

So, we recommend using a crate or kennel with a new dog for at least the first few weeks until they get comfortable with their new home and slowly allowing them to be out of the crate for longer periods of time. Some dogs will prefer the crate to being left out and some will prefer to be left out in the house. If you have a new puppy, we recommend a puppy play pen or gating off a puppy in a room with easy to clean floors, since puppies are incapable of holding their bladders for too long.

How To Pick Out a Healthy (And Safe) Dog Food!

When buying your next bag of dog food ask these questions (The more yes answers the better):

1. Does it contain Named Meat sources?
2. Is it Completely grain free/ OR One named grain only?
3. Does it have Fresh Fruit/Veggies?
4. Is this free of Chemicals?
5. Is it Corn/Soy/Wheat Free?
6. Is it GMO Free/antibiotic free/hormone free?
7. Is this free from By-Products?
8. Is it free of artificial colors

Also check for recent recalls and/or contamination reports and what has been done to correct the problem.

Make sure that the company does not use any ingredients from China.

Check your label out and see how many yes answers you get.  (More is better)

Recommended websites:

Worst Dog Food Brands

Beneful by Purina

Alpo by Purina

Ol' Roy

Kibbles and Bits

Purina Dog Chow

Pedigree

Hills Science Diet Original

Choosing the Best Commercial 

Dog Food

Dog Food Analysis

Dog Food Comparison Chart

Recommended books:

Food Pets Die For

Shock to the System: The Facts about Animal Vaccination, 

Pet Food and How to Keep Your Pets Healthy

Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats

Welcome To My Rescue Blog!

My name is Casey and I'm an animal rescuer in the South.....

I was born an animal rescuer; it's truly the reason I was put on this Earth.

As a little girl, I'd try to get my mom to let me bring home every stray dog and cat in sight.

I raised kittens, dogs, a baby squirrel, a baby bunny, countless turtles. I loved every being that would let me. Back then, I remember how devastated I was the first time I realized that not everyone was like me. I witnessed a neighbor that lived behind us kick a small Dachshund and I became unhinged. I ran into the house, screaming for my mother and we called animal control.

As I've grown older, I realize just how few people here in the South actually are like me.

It’s not difficult for me to explain the way I feel to someone who doesn’t share my passion, but it's difficult for most people to understand where I'm coming from. The vast majority of people can see a dog in need, resolve to themselves that they cannot help the dog, and go about their lives as if they never saw the dog in the first place, but I stopped allowing myself to be blind to the suffering long ago. I rescue 24/7, early mornings, late nights, my state, other states, unsafe neighborhoods, etc. If there's an animal that needs me, I will be there..

I've helped placed countless animals since becoming involved in rescue and personally have adopted out around 250 animals since November 2011. I stay in contact with many of my adopters via Facebook and email and get to watch these dogs and cats grow up in a loving family.
This is what I rescue for: I get to help heal broken hearts; I get to help save dogs from ever entering a shelter and find them homes that are beyond amazing. I get to make houses feel like homes again. This isn't a job; it's my mission, my calling in life.

Rescuing animals is something that I truly know I'm good at doing and that I love doing. I know I have a lot of Facebook friends that rescue/foster, but I also have a lot of friends with "normal" lives too. For those of you that don't rescue or foster, PLEASE hug someone that does! This job is not easy, this is the hardest job I've ever chosen to do. It's relentless, the amount of animals that need help never ceases, and I constantly feel like I'm burning the candle at both ends.

People always tell me they could NEVER do what I do. That they are too sensitive, couldn't handle it. Please remember I have no special skill to separate my feelings from my rescue work, no button to push to numb my feelings. I deal with pain and loss frequently in what I do. But I have to give myself a small time to grieve and move on to save more dogs. That is the life of a rescuer.

The pain I've experienced as a rescuer can come nowhere near the joy that rescue has brought to my life. I see these animals grow, move on, and forget the horrible circumstances they came from. There's no self-pity, no resentment, and I can't help but believe that animals are so much more highly evolved than human beings. All they desire is to be loved and to be allowed to love you with all of their being.

"In rescuing animals, I lost my mind, but found my soul."

"In a world older and more complete than ours, animals move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth."

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