Thursday, November 19, 2009

A Second Leash on Life

Unlike cats, dogs don’t typically have more than one life. Luck and the right circumstances, however, can make the difference between losing an animal and finding him a foster home on the way to his forever family. Fate may be fickle, but for Derby fate found him the right people at the right time.


Derby’s story began, when he was found, late one night, lying unconscious in a ditch, perhaps hit by a car, dehydrated and barely breathing. He was taken immediately to the Georgia Veterinary Specialists in Dunwoody, GA. While at GVS, Derby was given tests and medications until his condition stabilized.

After his night at the hospital recovering, Derby was subsequently pronounced to be in good health overall - despite the welts and fire ant bites he sustained while lying on or near a mound, unable to move. Unfortunately, he wasn’t wearing tags nor was he micro chipped and no one came to claim him so animal control was contacted. He left for Fulton County Animal Control with his favorite stuffed animal in his mouth. But he wasn’t in ‘doggy jail’ for long. After the ‘stray hold’ expired, Atlanta Lab Rescue sprung the big, good natured, yellow lab and found him a foster home. That, however, was a short-lived stay. While the foster family walked Derby one hot August day, he simply collapsed at their feet.

Rushing him to the Animal Emergency Center of Sandy Springs, with a temperature of 107°, Dr. Dempsey gave Derby oxygen in an attempt to revive him. Unresponsive for more than 4 hours and found to have laryngeal paralysis the vet’s recommendation, to Atlanta Lab Rescue volunteer Karen O’Brien, was given his age of 10 years old, to “let him go.”

As the vet left to make the preparations Karen went to check on Derby to “hold his paw.” What a surprise when the vet returned to find Derby awake wagging his tail and acting as lively as though nothing happened. Clearly, time wasn’t up for Derby. Remaining at the vet overnight, for observation, the phone call from the vet first thing in the morning was to come and pick-up Derby as he was barking loudly and raising a ruckus at the clinic.

Now, Derby is in a loving foster home waiting for his forever family to give him his second leash in life.

Maybe this is the dog for you and your family to love. If you think Derby could be a fit for your family, check out: Derby on ALR's webiste

Top 10 Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog


"Why on earth would anyone want to adopt an adult rescue or shelter dog? After all, aren't they like used cars? Who wants someone else's problems? If the dog is so wonderful, why would anyone give him away? If he was a stray, why didn't someone try to find him? I'd rather buy a puppy so I know what I'm getting, and besides they're so cute!"

Rescue groups often hear a variation of this conversation. Many prospective adopters are just not convinced that bringing an older (i.e, 4 yrs +) dog into the family is better than getting a puppy. But there are a number of reasons why adopting an older pet from a rescue that carefully screens and evaluates its dogs can provide an even better alternative.


1. Housetrained
Older dogs are housetrained. You won't have to go through the difficult stage(s) of teaching a puppy house manners and mopping/cleaning up after accidents.

2. Won't chew inappropriate items
Older dogs are not teething puppies, and won't chew your shoes and furniture while growing up.

3. Focus to learn
Older dogs can focus well because they've mellowed. Therefore, they learn quickly.

4. Know what "no" means
Older dogs have learned what "no" means. If they hadn't learned it, they wouldn't have gotten to be "older" dogs.

5. Settle in with the "pack"


Older dogs settle in easily, because they've learned what it takes to get along with others and become part of a pack.

6. Good at giving love
Older dogs are good at giving love, once they get into their new, loving home. They are grateful for the second chance they've been given.

7. WYSIWYG
What You See Is What You Get: Unlike puppies, older dogs have grown into their shape and personality. Puppies can grow up to be quite different from what they seemed at first.

8. Instant companions
Older dogs are instant companions -- ready for hiking, car trips, and other things you like to do.


9. Time for yourself
Older dogs leave you time for yourself, because they don't make the kinds of demands on your time and attention that puppies and young dogs do.

10. Save a Life, Be a Hero
At shelters, older dogs are often the last to be adopted and the first to be euthanized. Saving an animal’s life offers an unparalleled emotional return on your investment, and you’ll feel the rewards every day you spend together.


*Adapted from Labrador Retriever Rescue's "Top Ten Reasons to Adopt a Rescue"

The Real Labs of Atlanta

"Two thousand ten (2010) is oh so near –
And you’ll want to remember dates that are dear.

A calendar! A calendar is what you’ll need
And the money will go for dogs to feed;


You’ll help the labs and placate the vets
Find forever homes with no regrets.
Photo’d labs throughout the town
Will make you smile – not bring you down.

Adopt a lab that fancies your heart. You’ll have a photo – and that’s a grand start. A gift for you or family or a friend. For $15 what a treasure to send!


Quantities are limited so don’t wait in vane. You can pick up your order on Woodmont Lane

If you’d rather wait for adoption day
On December 13th, we’ll bring them your way.
Postage and handling is a wee bit more
When you order on-line, ‘cause they’re not in a store!"
* * *
A fun gift for any age, featuring fantastic photos of ALR dogs taken at various landmarks around Atlanta. The calendar also includes a biography of each rescued dog.  It makes a great gift for loved ones, coworkers, and friends to display at home and at work.

Order Online Now
Free Gift Wrapping Available by Request for Online Orders.

Calendars will also be available for pick up at the ALR office and various locations around Atlanta. Please call ahead for pick-up. To find a location nearest  you -->Click Here

Local Businesses Support Atlanta Lab Rescue



The Real Lab of Atlanta calendars can be purchased at the following locations. Please check back with us as new locations will be added soon.

Atlanta
C3 Marketing - Midtown
1422 Woodmont Lane, Unit 2
Atlanta, GA 30318
404-351-5858
M-F  10am-6pm

1456 Northside Drive
Atlanta, GA 303018
404-350-7877


2909 Peachtree Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-812-9880

Dog Days Atlanta
3225 Cains Hill Road
Atlanta, GA 30305
404-266-8668



Chamblee
Dog Days Atlanta
3571 Broad Street
Chamblee, GA 30341
770-451-0461
Decatur
Dekalb Animal Hospital
4070 Lawrenceville Hwy
Tucker, GA 30084
770-938-3900

Pets Playhouse on Ponce
2959 E. Ponce De Leon
Decatur, GA 30030
404-378-1680

Johns Creek - Suwanee
That Dirty Dog
2615 Peachtree Pkwy #220
Suwanee, GA 30024
770- 886-8787

Norcross-Duluth
Camp Woof
4950 Buford Hwy
Norcross, GA  30071
770-558-6100

Roswell
Choi Kwang Do Martial Arts
Suite 450
4561 Woodstock Road
Roswell, GA 30075
678-925-1553
404-374-2193

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Rescued Dog


by Arlene Pace

Once I was a lonely dog, just looking for a home.
I had no place to go, no one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets, in rain, in heat and snow.
I ate whatever I could find, I was always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore, my body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat or to gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance, I was always on the run,
for people thought that hurting me was really lots of fun.

And then one day I heard a voice so gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me and took me off my feet.

"No one again will hurt you was whispered in my ear."
"You'll have a home to call your own where you will know no fear"
"You will be dry, you will be warm, you'll have enough to eat."
"And rest assured that when you sleep, your dreams will all be sweet."

I was afraid I must admit, I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let a human come so near.
And as she tended to my wounds and bathed and brushed my fur,
she told me about the rescue group and what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle, a line that never ends".
"And in the center there is you protected by new friends".

"And all around you are the ones that check the pounds,
And those that share their home after you've been found"
"And all the other folk are searching near and far.
"To find the perfect home for you, where you can be a star".
She said, "There is a family, that's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them, just you wait and see".
"And then they'll join our circle they'll help to make it grow,
so there'll be more room for more like you who have no place to go".

I waited very patiently, the day they came and went, today's the day I thought, my Family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think it wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heartbeat, I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We have been waiting for a special Dog like you.

Now every night I say a prayer to all the Gods that be.
"Thank you for the life I live and all you've given me,
but most of all protect the Dogs in the pound and on the street,
and send a Rescue Person to lift them off their feet".

Arlene Pace September 18, 1998

Low Cost Vetting Resources

Atlanta Animal Alliance - Chamblee, GA
Contact Info: Atlanta Animal Alliance -5342 Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341- (770) 455-1011
The Atlanta Animal Alliance is a Georgia nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization. It was formed to alleviate animal pain, suffering and pre-mature death. The Atlanta Animal Alliance serves to relieve animal pain and suffering by operating low-cost medical services thru it's PetWell Humane program targeting indigent animals and low-income owners.

The mission of WellPet Humane is to offer low-cost medical services to stray or abandoned pets or to those pets whose owners are experiencing financial difficulty. The staff sets appointments based on financial capacity.
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Atlanta LifeLine Project - Decatur, GA  
Contact Info: Atlanta LifeLine -129 Lake St, Avondale Estates, GA 30002 - (404) 292-8800
LifeLine Animal Project is a non-profit organization working to reduce pet overpopulation. By only offering spay/neuter services at our clinic, they keep overhead costs low in order to keep prices affordable.

LifeLine's Spay & Neuter Clinic provides low-cost, spay/neuter services for metro Atlanta since 2005. Performing more than 25,000 spay and neuter procedures, the LifeLine Spay & Neuter Clinic is vital to reducing the number of unwanted pets entering Atlanta area shelters.
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Fulton Spay/Neuter Assistance Program - Atlanta, GA
Contact Info: FCAS - 860 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 - (404) 794-0358 
Fulton County Animal Services (managed by Barking Hound Village Foundation, Inc.) It is committed to decreasing the number of unwanted pets in Fulton County . Low cost spay/neuter is available as well as vaccinations. If you cannot afford to contribute a portion of the cost of those services, and need free services, they will assist you anyway.

To obtain services an online application can be located and submitted here. They will also process applications  quickly over the phone at (404) 794-0358. (Applicant must be a resident of Fulton County).
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Crossroads Veterinary Services - Lexinton, GA
Contact Info: Crossroads Veterinary Services - 210 W. Main St., Lexington, GA, 30648 - (706) 743-7614
Crossroads Veterinary Services, LLC, established in 2008, is a mixed animal practice located in Lexington, GA.  The practice is owned and led by Nicole Ferguson, DVM, MS. Dr. Ferguson is intent on providing valuable veterinary services to the community and educating clients as well as diagnosing and treating their animals. Her goal is to promote preventive medicine in all species and provide early detection and treatment of disease.

Crossroads Veterinary Services offers low cost vaccination and spay/neuter programs to reduce pet overpopulation every Wednesday from 8 am until 5 pm. They are located approximately 14 miles past the east Athens Wal-Mart in downtown.
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Peach Pets Animal Hospital - Johns Creek, GA 
Contact Info: Peach Pets - 6955 McGinnis Ferry Rd, Johns Creek , GA 30097, (770)814-9000

Peach Pets Animal Hospital is a high quality, affordable place to bring your pet for annual visits, surgery, medical conditions, and preventative care. We have seen a need in the community for a low cost alternative in veterinary medicine. The hard economic times have made it difficult for many pet owners to provide the care needed for their pets. We believe that no pet should have to suffer or be denied medical care due to an owner's financial status. We receive no funding from the government or grants from individuals, as such everyone qualifies for our prices.



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Other Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinics 
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© 2009 Atlanta Lab Rescue