I saw one of the too-frequent desperate emails "can someone pick up this dog from Animal Control or it will be euthanized tomorrow?" I had been without a foster dog for a week or two, definitely overdue for a new one. Little Cassy was a 12 year-old bichon, surrendered by owner, with rotting teeth, infected ears, and ulcerated eye. I nearly gagged from the smell of her breath as I drove her straight to the vet's office, an angel who discounts all his services to CPR dogs.

Cassy went on antibiotics immediately and had dental work done a few days later, leaving her with five teeth. This poor little dog must have had pain in every part of her head, eyes, ears, mouth. She tried to bite when I had to use eye and ear drops. She regained health very quickly and got better about allowing me to use artificial tears twice a day. She was groomed by another angel who donates her time to foster dogs and looked so cute with her little pink scarf.

For the first two weeks, Cassy wanted to stay in her crate. Gradually, as she felt better, she started exploring the house. I finally got rid of the crate and just left the pillow on the floor. She soon had her favorite spots on the loveseat in the living room, and on our bed, eventually deciding she'd rather sleep on our bed than hers. Oscar, our standard poodle, also a rescue dog, had his nose a little out of joint, but he got brave enough to claim his usual spot on the bed too. After a month, Cassy was healthy enough for adoption. Unexpectedly, one day she was clearly in pain, holding her head down and crying in pain. She bit both me and my husband when we had to pick her up. The diagnosis was a herniated cervical disc, and a shot of cortisone and some prednisone tablets fixed her up pretty quickly. Once again, she was active and smiling and a lovable lap dog.

We had an adoption application that seemed ideal, a woman with a rescue bichon of similar age who had just lost a bichon at 16 1/2 years old. We had a date on a Tuesday to turn Cassy over to her new family. The Friday before, I noticed her rubbing her ears and groaning. The inside of the earflaps of both ears was really a mess again. She had also been having trouble eating for a few days, awkwardly holding her head up and chewing with difficulty. I thought she had not been feeling well, sleeping a lot, not enthusiastic at mealtime. Her eyes looked red too. She would not allow the vet to examine her, so we planned anesthesia for possible removal of more teeth. Once he could get a good look at her mouth, ears, eyes, and vulva, all terribly inflamed, the vet said she most likely had auto-immune disease and recommended euthanasia, which was done.

Cassy's story is sad, but she had some happy time and comfort in foster care. Despite our best efforts, not all rescue dogs can be saved. We do our best for them, care for their needs, love them. And then we make the best decision we can so they do not suffer. Your contributions help CPR to care for dogs like Cassy and the many more that go on to happy permanent homes.

An adopters story. I am proud to announce that our dog Scout, who was rescued by your organization and then selected to be our pet is a Movie Star - well sort of anyway.

Yes it is true, our little poodle with the right paw that has toes cut off (we call it his Nemo Paw), and the goofy eye appeared in a major motion picture. My wife and daughters work as "extras" for movies, television, and print ads. My wife was called to work on the set of the new Beethoven movie due to be released December 2008. While on the set working, her agent asked if she had a dog that she could bring to the set. It was agreed that my wife would bring Scout to the set to work with her as an "extra".

The scene, as it was scripted, was for the pet owners to be in line for a pet / owner look alike competition. Because this is how the original script was written, My wife's hair and wardrobe was made to match Scout. In the final cut, the script was changed to where the extras and their pets were waiting in line to try out for the new lead dog role to replace the kidnapped star Bichon Frise.

The movie was released directly to video on December 26,2008 and is titled "Beethoven's Big Break". My wife and Scout show up in the movie two times.

It is truly awesome that this little neglected and abused poodle has not only found a loving home but he can also now say that he was filmed in a motion picture, how many dogs can say that!

Thank You again Coastal Poodle Rescue for helping us find this wonderful pet.

Here is what Scout went through before being adopted: Was number one dog in the house until another was introduced. Then he was sent outside because he started to pee in the house. Has been kept outside ever since. Was neutered, had dental, cleaned ears and medicated, microchipped, treated for tape worms, will be on ear meds for 10 days minimum. Checked front right foot which is missing the 2 middle toes and first joint of each. Said they had been amputated

An adopters story. It's hard to believe it's another year - Bogie has been here for 2 years now!. He sees less, hears less, but is still wonderful and loving. He loves to walk and runs like the wind down the sidewalk - you'd never know how old he is. His back legs are a little stiff from arthritis (mine, too), but it just makes his run cuter - especially from behind ... his back legs go straight out from side to side. So cute. And his eyes and ears may not be too sharp, but his nose sure works! He can smell chicken 50 feet away. His nose is remarkable. He likes all people, all dogs, all cats, very easy to get along with. He is still a cuddler at night in bed, too. He's everythinig you'd want a dog to be, and more. Thanks again for delivering my little angel. Alice

Here is what Bogie went through before being adopted: Age estimated at 10yrs: Recovered beautifully from surgery (multiple tooth extractions, 2 sebaceous cysts removed from back, anal gland growth cauterized, neuter).

came to us in April of 2006. He was loved but neglected so his health was taken care of, a neuter, microchip, meds for skin and ear issues. We found out he was allergic to smoke and was moved to a second foster home. He was not a happy boy at first, he also had one heck of a temper. We think he was the dog of a disabled or elderly person that was wheelchair bound. He always liked wheelchairs when he saw one, would go and sniff around like he was familiar with it. We think he was sent the shelter because he became over protective of his owner (maybe an abusive situation). He chilled and adjusted to life with other dogs and learned about doggie toys, walks and doggie beds! He was happy and ready for adoption. He was adopted and returned then adopted again and returned. Both times because he became over protective of his owner and would bite or go after others in the house or visitors.

[Home] [Information] [Shelters] [Search]