Peanut Pet Shelter

Oscar Today

2010-01-31T09:52:00.000-08:00

Oscar is now in a run with 5 girlies and enjoying life!

He is not a completely healthy dog yet, there are still issues with his skin and he needs to put on weight. As soon as he is well he will be neutered, which he might not be too pleased about!

It is amazing how much dogs improve once they realize they don’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, where they will find water (especially in a climate as hot as this) and when they know they have nothing to fear from humans and from other dogs.

Oscar received a lot of attention at dog wash and he enjoyed every minute of it!

Why Vote For Peanut Pet Shelter?

2010-01-23T15:55:00.000-08:00

* Peanut Pet Shelter receives no government funding

* Peanut Pet Shelter receives no official aid.There is no SPCA or similar organization that lawfully has the right to remove animals in danger due to neglect or ill-treatment. Animal control here exists only to dispose of dogs that are found wandering the streets and beaches in public areas especially those frequented by tourists. These dogs are killed within 3 days of capture. This is not mindless cruelty - this is the law.

* Peanut Pet Shelter has no employees

* Peanut Pet Shelter has no offices

* Peanut Pet Shelter has no reception area

* Peanut Pet Shelter has no clinic/examination rooms

* Peanut Pet Shelter has no on site vet

* Peanut Pet Shelter has discounted veterinary costs but no access to free or low cost veterinary care or free/low cost spay & neuter for dogs, only for cats as there are lower costs involved.

* Peanut Pet Shelter has no reliable vehicle for rescue, vet runs, etc. Some of our rescues through necessity are done on foot.

* Peanut Pet Shelter has no access to discounted animal food.

* Peanut Pet Shelter has no emergency budget/resources. Basic shelter running costs are in excess of $3,500 u.s. per month.

* Peanut Pet Shelter has a small, overcrowded rented lot which permanently houses up to and sometimes in excess of 100 dogs and cats.

* Peanut Pet Shelter has a small generously donated lot on which a much needed cat haven is being prepared. The amount of non-feral young and adult cats in need is increasing daily.

However.....

* Peanut Pet Shelter has a huge amount of the most wonderful supporters in the world, both within its own community (Mexican and ex-pat) and spread out over many different countries.

* Peanut Pet Shelter has happy, healthy, rehabilitated animals with bright eyes and wagging tails.

* Peanut Pet Shelter has more canine and feline love than anyone could possibly imagine!

* Peanut Pet Shelter has well-wishers with huge hearts who ensure that Peanut Pet Shelter animals are fed, medically treated, protected and loved and they are dedicated to the shelter's survival and growth.

Peanut Pet Shelter's Founders, Board, Friends, Helpers
and Supporters are passionately dedicated to the fight against animal cruelty, neglect and homelessness.

Are you a member of Team Peanut?

The Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter Challenge

2010-01-16T18:22:00.000-08:00

Vote every day until April 18th!

Folks - we need your votes!!

Peanut Pet Shelter only continues to survive and grow thanks to its wonderful supporters.

We have come so far in less than 3 years, but there is still so much work to do. Our streets are overrun with sick, starving, injured, sad and lonely dogs and cats. Disease and parasites which have virtually been wiped out in North America and Europe are surviving, flourishing and spreading here.

Our mission is clear:

Massive reduction in disease and parasites through large scale vaccination, worming and tick & flea programs.
The two biggest dog killers at the moment are distemper and hookworm. A huge amount of dogs are suffering immensely and dying due to this appalling disease and equally dreadful parasite.

Vastly reduced numbers of animals wandering the streets.
No matter how many individual dogs are caught and disposed of by the government, or rescued by Peanut Pet Shelter or other like minded individuals, the problem of the huge amount of dogs and cats roaming the streets of Plays del Carmen and the surrounding areas will not be reduced and will indeed increase whilst daily indiscriminate breeding continues. With on-going affordable and/or free spay and neuter programs, a reduction in street animals will be seen over the next few years.

Hand in hand with this, is Education.
It is our goal to help pet owners to become more responsible. We believe that owning a pet is a wonderful thing. However, allowing your pet to roam the streets, possibly causing accidents on the road, defecating in public areas, rooting through garbage, spreading disease and infections and breeding more litters is NOT responsible pet ownership.

All these things take money - a lot of money!
Add these costs to our normal expenses incurred by the dog shelter, the running of the cat haven and the building and development costs of our proposed new clinic (to help address the above situations) and you will see just how badly we need those votes. So please, click here and then click on the voting button to register your vote and to show you care!!

As always, thank you all for your support and above all thank you for caring!

Peanut Pet Shelter
www.peanutpetshelter.org
Your support means the world to us!

Moving forward into 2010

2010-01-06T13:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of Peanut Pet Shelter

As we move forward into 2010 we at PPS are committed to a year of more rescue, rehabilitation, medical assistance and loving care for animals in need. For almost 3 years we have taken baby steps, we want to make this the year of giant strides.

Our new Cat Haven is nearing completion and our proposed clinic site is being prepared. If you are looking for a tax break, then please consider a donation towards the building and running costs of the PPS Clinic. We need committed individuals and businesses willing to help us in our battle against disease, parasites, starvation and indiscriminate breeding. If you are interested in donating or raising funds towards this cause, please request one of our info packs by emailing info@peanutpetshelter.org

Rising costs mean that the monthly running costs for the shelter are now in excess of $3,500 u.s. per month:

$2250 Dog, cat & puppy food ($75 per day!)

$600 Shelter land rent

$500 (approx) Veterinary/medical costs

$200 (approx) Miscellaneous (shelter upkeep, generator fuel, disinfectant, water bill etc)

The survival of the shelter depends solely on general donation, fundraising and the sponsorship of individual animals.

Peanut Pet Shelter is a no-kill shelter.

Many of our animals will live out their whole lives never knowing a loving home of their own. They desperately need sponsors to ensure that the healthy stay healthy and the sick are able to receive the necessary veterinary care.

We are urgently seeking people willing to commit to collecting just $1 per month from their animal loving work colleagues for 'Workplace Sponsorships' of individual animals. If you live outside of North America, pesos, pounds, euros or any other currency will be just as gratefully received! All workplaces choosing to sponsor will receive regular updated photos of their chosen dog or cat (available to our current sponsors too) and as a thank you from us, every half-year, the workplace sponsorship 'collector' who has raised the most money will receive a gift of a selected item from the Peanut Pet Shelter online store.

If you and your colleagues are interested in becoming workplace sponsors, or would like to share any other fundraising ideas, please contact us at info@peanutpetshelter.org

Just $1 a month can help save a life!

You can help save lives in many ways. Why not check out our online store? http://peanutpetshelter.org/store.html As sales are made, so new items are added. We have super-warm hoodies to keep out the chill, mugs for your coffee or cocoa, cute beach towels - perfect for your vacation, coloring books for children, beautiful jewelry and the all new Peanut Pet Shelter Supporters bracelet which retails for just $5!

We want to hear from you!

We would love to see photos of your pets and read your stories and any animal or natural health items of interest. We welcome your tried and tested tips too and if you have a pet related question, ask us and we'll do our best to answer! We don't pretend to know it all but we have contacts with many experts who know a lot!

Send your photos, stories, tips and questions to http://www.peanutpetsheltergoespink.org/

Every day on our Facebook page and on our new blog site Peanut Pet Shelter Goes Pink you can see our featured PPS Pet Of The Day. Send us a photo and short write up about your beloved pet and we will feature them too!

Peanut Pet Shelter - Moving forward in 2010!

Your support means the world to us!

A Time For Change?

2010-01-02T22:32:00.001-08:00

The demise of our truck this week has left us having to walk to the shelter. While being without transport is inconvenient, especially as we rely upon it to be able to transport multiple big bags of dog food at a time and being unable to get to the vet (taxis won't take animals) is a huge problem, having to walk to the shelter is not that big a deal. It has however, served to remind us, once again, exactly why we do what we do.

We don't live in 'tourist' Playa del Carmen, we live on the 'other' side of the highway. We live amongst Mexicans, which means we also live amongst street dogs. A lot of street dogs. Over the last few days we have seen some truly awful sights. Skinny, starving, tick-ridden dogs abound. Most of them absolute sweethearts.

Take a look at the young Weimaraner in the photo. She is terrified of all human contact. She is filthy and every rib sticks out. Her hunger is so apparent as you watch her rifling through garbage bags in the hope of finding some small edible morsel. The food you can see in front of her is a can of meat we brought to her. This young girl brings tears to our eyes every day. More shocking still.....THIS DOG HAS AN OWNER. This is how her owner chooses for her to live. We have been told that if we try to take her we risk being arrested. We give her food when no-one is around, that's all we can do. We feel helpless and hopeless, but then, so does she.

As many of you know, we recently accepted into the shelter a puppy (vet checked) who proved to have distemper. Our walks have shown us why. There are dogs lying dying at the side of the road. Diseased, convulsing, horribly sick dogs. It is beyond upsetting, beyond sad.

Distemper has virtually been wiped out in the U.S., Canada and most of Europe due to immunization. Government sponsored Rabies vaccines given out to dogs living on the streets here, has virtually wiped out that horrific disease. Without a multiple vaccine program, diseases like distemper and parvo virus will continue to grow and flourish. This is just one of the reasons why we feel it is so important for Peanut Pet Shelter to get it's own clinic up and running. Basic preventative veterinary care needs to be affordable for low income pet owners. With sufficient funds we can vaccinate a huge percentage of the homeless population.

An end to disease on the streets - just one of the aims of Peanut Pet Shelter.

Peanut Pet Shelter Supporter's Bracelet

2009-12-29T14:53:00.000-08:00

Show your support for Peanut Pet Shelter by wearing a Peanut Pet Shelter Supporter's Bracelet.
Just tie it on and leave it on! Made of cotton yarn over a sturdy flexible base, each one is individually handmade in Playa del Carmen.

No need to remove when showering or swimming.

Available in 5 color options: Orange with blue lettering; Blue with orange lettering; Black with blue lettering; Pink with turquoise lettering and Pink with black lettering.

The bracelets will be for sale in our online store for just $5 u.s. or they can be purchased from the shelter for 60 pesos.

Show your support and help save a life!

Your support means the world to us!

For Liz

2009-12-23T13:03:00.001-08:00

It is with utmost sadness and heavy hearts that we say our final goodbye to a wonderful lady, a dear, dear friend and one of Peanut Pet Shelter's greatest supporters. Although far away, Liz has been with us every step of the way since the very first days of PPS. Her kindness, generosity and indomitable spirit meant so much to us, even more so when we found out how much she was suffering herself. We were so excited when she wrote to say that she would be visiting PPS for the very first time. Until she came through the gate, we were totally unaware that the person that wrote us the most lively, amusing, vivacious emails was so very unwell. To know Liz, was to love her and and her loving kindness towards animals and humans alike was overwhelming.

We were thrilled when Liz became one of our very first animal sponsors. Liz was 'Sponsor-mom' to many PPS dogs. As each one was adopted, another would take it's place, including a little brown puppy called Jorge. We were delighted, when as a fully grown dog, Jorge was lucky enough to be welcomed into his new, forever home with Liz and Bill in the United States. Liz was also the very first sponsor of our proposed new clinic. Her latest sponsored dogs are Juliette and Wendy and we are so very sad that they, like us, won't get to see her one last time.

Our thoughts right now are with Liz's lovely husband Bill in his time of loss.

Dearest Liz , you will be forever in our hearts and the memory of your loving kindness will live on. We are honored to have known you.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn's rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush

of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there, I did not die...

- Mary Frye

LIZ LEWIS (Pugmom) R.I.P.

A Christmas Wish

2009-12-18T21:18:00.000-08:00

A few days ago we received an email that so touched our hearts, we felt we had to share it with you.

I took a trip in April to Cherokee, North Carolina so my Foster daughter could visit with her Grandparents and Father. While we were down there my Foster Daughter had taken out my dog a Border collie lab mix, Marty, they were out of the vehicle for him to go to the bathroom. He had never heard Indian drums and they started to play, he was so scared he backed out of his collar and up the mountain he went. It was just my daughter and I. I was devastated we stayed an additional 3 days searching for my baby boy. Unfortunately he did not turn up. We printed up 500 missing posters and had them posted in every business in this town. We had to come back home to Waukesha, WI. I think that was one of the longest and worst 12 hr drives I have ever had to do. Since then we have a wonderful lady who lives there who decided to become his guardian angel, she walks the area at least 4-5 times a week and feeds something. Her family searches the area frequently apparently there have been sightings of him. People have taken photos of him and sent them saying they saw him. He was a very spoiled dog and stayed with me and no one else, I know now that was not a good thing because he will not go to anyone. We have gone back 2 different occasions but with no luck of finding him. I have never been so attached to a dog, I have his picture everywhere. I am afraid to get close to another dog, I guess I am still hoping by some miracle that he will come home. Anyway enough I am going to cry again, sorry I just wanted to share. I hope someone has helped out my baby boy like you help so many others. I am planning a trip to the beautiful area of Playa Del Carmen in early 2010 not sure when yet. But when I do come down I would love to visit your shelter. Who knows if I find out enough info I may have to find a wonderful dog in need of a great home and lots of Love. We do have 2 other dogs that I think were my saviors in staying sane through all of this. One is 5 the other is just a year, they are both rescue dogs and very happy and healthy.

If anyone lives in or is visiting this area, please, please, be on the look-out for Marty. Losing a beloved pet is such a heartbreaking experience. If you have seen Marty or know of any way to help, please contact us at info@peanutpetshelter.org

We would love to see Marty and Michelle reunited.

Miracles can and do happen. This miracle is on our wish list this Christmas.

2009-12-18T13:07:00.001-08:00

On Wednesday, we visited Ak Lu'um School here in Playa del Carmen to give out Peanut Pet Shelter coloring books and crayons to the younger children. We hope our gift bearing visit was as enjoyable for the children as it was for us!

The coloring book is also a child's simple guide to basic pet care, with all wording in both English and Spanish.

All the children were eager to tell us how much they love animals which was wonderful to hear.

We were so impressed by this beautiful school, the dedicated staff and of course the amazing children.

Many thanks to everyone who donated crayons and other school stationery items. Our resident Playa 'Santa' will be taking more coloring books and crayons to other schools in the area.

Christmas Greetings

2009-12-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of Peanut Pet Shelter

As the year draws to a close, we started to compile a list of all the people we would like to thank for their wonderful help and support throughout 2009. However, as the list grew longer and longer, we realized what an impossible task it would be. Our list of Peanut Pet Shelter friends is over 800 strong. The warmth, kindness and generosity of our friends keeps the shelter running and the animals alive - fed, wormed, vaccinated, medicated, medically treated and sterilized.

This year has brought huge and exciting developments:

>The launch of our new website http://www.peanutpetshelter.org/

>The set up of the Peanut Pet Shelter Board

>Becoming a registered Texas non-profit

>The first Cat Cafe´project in the Riviera Maya

(in conjunction with The Humane Society of Cozumel)

>Dream Vacation prize draw

>Peanut Pet Shelter Pub Nights (through the generosity of PG Sandbox Bar & Grill)

>Donation of land for our new Cat Haven (opening soon) and our proposed new clinic/educational facility

>Visit from the MARVET 2009 Workshop and our subsequent inclusion in the agenda for MARVET 2010 http://www.marvet.org/workshops/focus/15

>The opening of the new Peanut Pet Shelter on-line store

http://peanutpetshelter.org/store.html

>Leave Your Wallet At Home vacation giveaway (and a great finale party!)

>Peanut Pet Shelter Children's coloring book

At Peanut Pet Shelter we never stand still. Every day is alive with hard physical work, together with new projects, ideas and fresh approaches.

Our vision for the future is very clear. Everything takes time, but by constantly moving forward, day by day, inch by inch, there is so much that can be achieved.

Our passion for what we do never wavers and the constant good wishes and positive vibes that we receive via emails, forums, Facebook, telephone calls and face-to-face meetings, buoys us up during difficult times.

We are extremely grateful to those local people and tourists who give up their precious time to visit and participate in our Saturday dog washes and those of you who are always willing to pick up a shovel, rake or hammer to help out whenever needed.

2010 will inevitably bring its own new set of challenges, headaches, highs and lows, smiles and sorrows, but we are ready to meet them head on and hope that you will continue to walk by our sides - for you,our friends, are the beating heart that keeps the shelter alive.

Very special thanks to you all from:

Thor, Spud, Adelaide, Amber, Angie, Artura, Athena, Aurelia, Bernie, Beanie, Becky, Belle, Ben, Bethany, Candy, Canela, Chaya, Cleopatra, Daisy, Delilah, Dizzy, Eden, Elliot, Flaca, Flora, Finn, Frodo, Gemma, Gina, Ginger, Grace,Grizelda, Hayley, Hope, Horace, Houston, Itchy, Scratchy, Juliette, Juno, Katya, Kayley, Kaiser, Kira, Kitty, Lexi, Louisa, Mami, Margaret, Maria, Nia, Oz, Pedro, Pinky, Pepino, Pilot, Pippa, Pinta, Piper, Romeo, Sabrina, Sage, Sara, Sacha, Sassy, Seamus, Shaila, Sherry, Shona, Sienna, Spike, Siesta, Simon, Sophie, Stig, Tara, Tatum, Tessa, Tilly, Trevor, Trina, Vero, Wendy, Wilma, Yasmin, Zena, Zoe, Laguna, Cielo, Brook, River, Celeste, Jester, Smoke, Scooter, Maricela, Dancer,Tabitha....and the 5 puppies not as yet named.

All of the above animals are currently in the care of Peanut Pet Shelter and each one has cause to be eternally grateful to you, as do the ones who have already been lucky enough to find their forever home with loving new owners.

Jen & Andy Macdonald, Ciaron & Nikki Lewis, Rick Cole, Linda Greenan, Gary Forsythe and Adam Bolton would like to extend their warmest wishes and heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you.

Merry Christmas & a Joyful and Prosperous New Year!

Peanut Pet Shelter http://www.peanutpetshelter.org/

Your support means the world to us!

2009-12-04T11:27:00.000-08:00

The Peanut Pet Shelter Coloring Book!

If we say so ourselves it's extremely cute! It's available for purchase NOW in Playa del Carmen for just 50 pesos or by mail order from our on-line store for just $4.99!

This is not a fundraising project - This is for the kids!!

We will be donating a whole bunch to schools and to some very special children along with crayons, pencils and other cute stuff that has kindly been given to us for this purpose.

As well as being a coloring book, it is also a child's simple guide to basic pet care.

All wording is in both English and Spanish.

The coloring book/teaching guide has been a long-term idea, so we are happy to see it come to fruition.

Merry Christmas Children!!

Bernie the blood donor

2009-11-29T15:01:00.000-08:00

Bernie was one of the puppies from our very first rescue litter. He and his four siblings were found lying in full sun on the edge of a construction site. The litter's mother was very sick and a broken jaw meant that she couldn't eat and was slowly starving to death. Due to the nature of her illness, the mother had to be removed from the pups (to a wonderful local lady who has given her a permanent loving home) and the puppies needed to be bottle fed. They all did well and with the exception of Bernie, they were all quickly adopted, with Bernie's brother Tommy becoming our very first cross-border adoption!

Bernie is a truly gentle soul, with a long face, droopy ears, lugubrious eyes, and strangely monkey-like curled tail. Holding his ears up straight makes him look almost equine, earning him the affectionate nick-name 'Donkey-face'.

Unfortunately, Bernie would be a challenge to adopt as he is scared of everything outside the shelter. It is the only place where he feels secure. Taking him for a walk is a nightmare - he hates every minute of it and just wants to go home. Sadly from a tiny pup, Bernie has been afraid of life - clearly a challenge for Cesar Milan!!

However, we all of us, human and animals alike have our own unique gifts and by our very differences we breathe life into this multi-faceted world.

Bernie's gift to the world? He is a big, strong, healthy dog which has made him a perfect candidate for canine blood donation. Perhaps there is a reason why Bernie has never been psychologically strong enough to face the world outside the shelter. Maybe life had an altogether different purpose for him?

To date, Bernie has helped save 4 doggy lives through the gift of his blood.

We are proud of him, we hope he is proud too, he certainly should be.

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright

2009-11-29T09:55:00.000-08:00

So begins the famous poem by William Blake, but for us it marks the end of the shelter stay of our own sweet 'Tiger'. Still a puppy, but already larger than the average Mexican street dog, Tiger was so named due to the beauty of his golden, striped coat. But what of his nature? Sweet, gentle, loving and endearing are just a few adjectives that apply, but we could find many more just as nice. To know him is to love him, and without a doubt he stole our hearts. Parting with him is the sweetest sorrow, but we are thrilled that he now has the opportunity to experience that permanent, one-to-one love that sadly shelter dogs are deprived of. All our animals are loved, all are stroked, kissed, cuddled, but each one craves so much more than we can possibly give when there are so many. There is plenty of love to go around but unfortunately just not enough time.

Peanut Pet Shelter provides a safe, secure environment. There is food to eat, water to drink, shade and shelter from the sun and rain. There is room to play and certainly no shortage of canine playmates. Visitors to the shelter know that it is not a place of sadness but of happiness, where doggy grins and wagging tails abound.

Yes, of course, there are sometimes heart-wrenching cases.

Peanut Pet Shelter exists for needy animals and the process of becoming strong and healthy can take a long time....a lot of our energy and of course, a lot of money! For some, their condition is too far advanced and no amount of money or energy can save them. The struggle is simply too much for their broken, defeated bodies to bear and for them, sadly, time runs out. We rarely tell people about the truly heartbreaking sights we see and the deaths we deal with as we prefer to focus on the positive, but they exist....all too often.

For many shelter dogs, learning to play and to give and receive love can also take time. If an animal's life has been one of only harshness, deprivation and despair....when the sum of their previous existence has been only the scavenging for the next morsel of food to ward off starvation, the search for a drop of water to drink and the seeking of shade from the glare of the sun, when they are carrying a bellyful of parasites (roundworm, hookworm, tape worm, amoebas, coccidias etc)....how do they find the energy or inclination to play?

When they have been kicked or pelted with rocks, when they have never heard a kind word, only shouts and curses....for often, in Mexico, street dogs are considered vermin....when they have never felt a hand gently stroke their heads or scratch behind their ears or been held in protective arms, can we truly expect them to love us and believe that we love them? And yet, they do. In a very short space of time, they do. That first, tentative, hand-lick from a cowering, terrified dog can feel like the greatest gift you have ever been given. That moment when they first look into your eyes with the confidence of knowing they are loved, is a precious memory to be cherished. Could we humans ever be so trusting and forgiving?

Tiger was one of the lucky ones. He arrived at the shelter at a very tender age and the gift of loving and being loved was his almost from the start. Parting with him was a wrench, but his new owner is wonderful and one of our 'dog-wash day' locals. He is going to bring him for wash-day visits and of course we know where he will be.

We look forward to watching beautiful, sweet, gentle Tiger, grow and develop.

When the stars threw down their spears,

And water'd heaven with their tears,

Did He smile His work to see?

Did He who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright

In the forests of the night,

What immortal hand or eye

Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

--William Blake

Tiger, you are one of the lucky ones - may you continue to burn bright.

GOODBYE MAX!

2009-11-22T21:28:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we said goodbye to our beloved Max with very mixed emotions. Happiness that he has finally found a new, forever home with a loving owner, and sadness because our shelter has lost one of it's most endearing residents. All of our dogs (and cats) are eminently loving and lovable. They all have their own personalities and every individual adds their own stamp. Some of them though, have an indefinable something that sets them apart. Max, most definitely is one of those.

For over a year, we'd actually resisted taking Max into the shelter. A wonderful lady, Lucy, who is now a firm friend, called us one day to say that there was a Shar-Pei mix, male dog living on the streets of her village. She had found the dog in a horrible state, emaciated and with one leg infected, twisted, and swollen to the size of a tree trunk. The rest of his body was also somewhat battle-scarred and added to that he had a very dominant personality. She had taken the dog to the vet and had him neutered and his leg amputated, he was now healed but there was nowhere for him to go although she was ensuring that he was fed regularly. Our shelter, is permanently full to overflowing, with the cute and not so cute. Several of our dogs are adults that have been with us since they were small pups and have never been adopted. All the dogs that have come to us as adults have been sick or needy in some way. The streets of our busy, tourist town are overflowing with literally thousands of homeless, starving and needy dogs. We were forced to say - 'Sorry, Lucy, but there is no way we can find room for a well fed, dominant male dog in our overcrowded shelter. Realistically, if we can't adopt out sweet, gentle, attractive adult dogs, what are the chances with a 3 legged, battle-scarred one?'

The day finally came when Lucy contacted us as a matter of urgency. Max, never popular in the village had attacked and killed a child's pet rabbit. Lucy was adamant - if Max didn't 'disappear' that day, he would be dead within 24 hours, and rather than have him be poisoned or killed with a machete, she would have him euthanized herself. What could we do? Clearly, the time had come when we had to step in and save him, cross our fingers and toes and hope it would all work out for the best. With one look at Max's sweet wrinkled face, big brown eyes and lolling purple tongue, we were hooked. This dog was coming 'home' with us!

I won't pretend there weren't initial problems. Our shelter dogs are not kept separately, they live in small packs. He was very dominant (not aggressive) which led to 'stand-offs' with a few of the other male and more dominant female dogs. However, we managed to find the right mix of females for him and he lived very happily with his little harem - Delilah, Dizzy, Artura, Margaret and Juliette. His only 'fault' being his ability to open bolts and locks with his teeth, let out his pack and cause general mayhem! Max is a real 'people' dog. He is gentle and loving with everyone and bliss for him is being kissed and cuddled. Judging by the the scars on his face and the previous problem with his leg, we feel fairly certain that prior to his life on the streets, he was being used as a 'bait' dog for organized dog fights. Certainly he shows every sign, like many of our dogs of having had a very hard life. How wonderful then, that this noble animal should have turned out so gentle and loving. We hope he will have a wonderful life, the life he deserves, with his lovely new owner.

Max, we love you, we miss you, but we'll visit you very soon.
Link: http://peanutpetshelter.org/adoptiondogs.html