November 2015 – March 2016 Success Stories

BallIt’s been way too long since we checked in with our kind and generous supporters. That’s what happens when you are an all-volunteer rescue. You can rescue animals, or you can do office work. We hope you enjoy all of these uplifting stories that YOU made possible.

We love and thank you. Enjoy!

Dogs on the Move – Pawsitive4LIFE

“Happy Howlidays” Transport #146

We’re always happy to help Dogs on the Move Pawsitive4LIFE deliver another deserving group of doggies from the overcrowded shelters of Miami Dade Animal Services (MDAS) to cities where there are waiting homes. This past Christmas they rolled out strays and owner surrenders to Salem Animal Rescue League (SARL) in New Hampshire and Broken Dobe in Massachussetts. Before their trips, all dogs were vetted and quarantined, fostered and made ready for adoption. The lives we helped save this trip? Dodge: 1 yr old black Lab mix, Knight: 4 yr old Wheaten Terrier mix, Lance:  2 yr old Terrier mix, Jazmin: 2 yr old Terrier mix, Chulo: 4 mo old Chihuahua, Scooby: 1 yr old GSD/Lab mix, Terry: 2 yr old Wheaten Terrier mix, Jed-I: 1 yr old Husky/GSD mix, Pietro: 2 yr old English Bulldog, Jack: 1 yr old Schnauzer/Maltese mix, Jill: 2 yr old Schnauzer/Maltese mix.

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Transport #149

We love Pawsitive4LIFE Dogs on the Move Transport. We help whenever we can, as every donation saves so many lives. Here we helped fund Transport #149 to get these dogs from overcrowded Miami Dade Animal Services (MDAS), to New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Every dog on this transport had a story and every one of them was urgent. There were  dogs who had MDAS adopter holds that did not show, dogs who were returned after being adopted, URI dogs, a dog who was extremely underweight and had a bad neuter, an injured dog who required stitches, a big black dog passed up at adoption events, a dog whose breed (Pit) made it impossible to get him adopted in Miami, one who was matted right down to the bone, one who was groomed and then ended up in the shelter and another who was surrendered by his owner and sat at the shelter depressed for weeks on end. On to new happy lives!

Dogs on the Move

Transport #151

We also helped fund Transport #151, taking these great dogs to the Jackson County Humane Society (JCHS) in Iowa: Butch the smiley Pittie, Dino the goofy HW+ GSD/Hound mix (now treated!); Kim the 10 year old with many medical problems including teeth so rotten they are hanging by a thread!; Jake and Lana whom ACO deemed as aggressive but who clearly are not as evidenced by the videos we took; Niva, the dog with burns along her back and a hernia; Bella, the frightened owner- surrendered American Bulldog, Nuddy, who has a severe luxating patella that will need surgery; Dina who was very overweight, tick & flea infested and walks with a limp; Chetto the black dog in the widespread video that saw potential adopters walking right by him without even a hello; Joe & Cherry, both Ehrlichia positive; Remy, found huddled in the corner of a dirt lot in Miami, and others who all have had heartache.  There are dogs who had adopter holds that never showed, dogs with URI, dogs who sat in the shelter unnoticed, owner surrenders, strays and returnees to the shelter. And now on to loving homes.

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The Tail of Joy for “Big H”

Macon, Georgia — December 9, 2015

Every once in a while a photo and story appear on Facebook that just grab everyone’s hearts, and our community comes together to save that face. Such was the case of “Big H”, now adopted and renamed “D’Artagnan”.

Check out The Tail of Joy for “Big H” Facebook page.

“Big H is very lucky to have the support, not only of his new family and volunteers, but contributions made to him for his rehabilitation. His largest sponsorship came from Elayne Boosler’s Tails of Joy. Together with a full rehabilitation rescue in the Atlanta area, Laskey’s Lucky Ones & Volunteers, he is on his journey to overcome the abuse and neglect he received in his previous life. None of this is possible without the in-kind donations from people just like you. For that, we thank each one of you.”

Photos: Volunteers Allison and Lizz with Big H

When Tails of Joy commits to sponsor any animal, we stick with it, no matter how long it takes. Though this rescue was in December, just this week (April 1, 2016), Big H’s initial rescuers emailed us hoping we could donate again, for more training. Of course we did, along with some extra help for more cookies! The people who took this sweet giant on have stood by him, despite behavioral quirks left over from his previous hard life. They will not abandon him, and neither will we.

Kern County Dog Houses

To: Tails of Joy
Subject: Dogs are freezing cold in rural CA towns. Animal Control Officers ask for help.

In January, we received an urgent plea from animal control officers in rural Kern County, CA, asking us for dog houses and bales of straw.

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These were not for shelter animals. These were for dogs who were being kept outside by their owners in freezing temperatures. Exposed to the elements, sometimes chained, there was no law against this treatment, so the officers could not force these owners to bring their pets inside. Instead, the dedicated officers hatched a plan to “loan” the dog houses (insulated with straw to keep dogs warmer and dry) to these owners. This way, the officers would have a way to check up on those pets from time to time. We made a Little Guy Grant, and our amazing Facebook Peeps came up with many donated dog houses, and even a shed, as well. Sadly, we could not take advantage of all the offered items since there was no transportation available to handle and transport it all, but once again, our dedicated and kind hearted friends on Facebook came through for the animals.

Kinder4Rescue

image2We always help the very excellent Kinder4Rescue whenever we can. In this case, the owners of this sweet cat with an intestinal blockage could not afford to save her life. We believe keeping a pet in a home is as good as putting a pet in a home, so we helped her get surgery. Here is the little girl during her operation, which went purringly.

And available for adoption right now at Kinder4Rescue are Kirby, Macy, Monty, and Radar, plus many more great cats and dogs.

D.A.S.H. Dog Rescue (North Dallas Dog Rescue)

D.A.S.H. Dog Rescue is an independent rescue organization sponsored by private foundations and the generous donations of friends, family, previous adoption clients and Dallas-area herding breed lovers.

Charlie the Chow

Charlie the Chow was clearly a beloved pet before he was dumped at the pound with a large lymphoma. His previous family probably could not provide the surgery he needed. As we say, we help the smallest, neediest rescuers across the country, and so we helped D.A.S.H. rescuer Sara get Charlie the Chow the surgery he needed. He was just so loving and gentle, we knew he deserved a second chance at a forever home.

Charlie the Chow-Chow

Babu

We again answered the call from one of our most diligent small rescuers for this sweet little guy. He had been found by Sara nine years earlier, before she founded D.A.S.H. She took him in, got him vetted and adopted into a good home. As sometimes happens, a messy divorce landed Babu back with Sara, and he was having grand mal seizures. He needed medical tests before a treatment could be decided on. We know how it feels to see one of our original rescues in need, so we of course helped.

Lily

We also helped D.A.S.H. get Lily, this gorgeous Catahoula/Pittie mix, all the way from Texas to her new forever home in Salt Lake City, Utah. What a beautiful girl.

Gingi and the Tooth Fairy

Gingi
The parents of this sweet senior asked us for help in getting her to a doggie dentist. She is such a trooper but she was in real pain. We sent her to the affordable, excellent pet dental clinic run by Kinder4Rescue, where they removed twenty three teeth and ten cysts. Owie! Much better now.

Baja Animal Sanctuary

We are always happy to answer the call when it comes from our miracle working friends at BAS. In November, this cutie was hit by a car on the free road in Tijuana. Fortunately, a friend and volunteer of Baja Animal Sanctuary saw it happen and rushed her to BAS’ vet. Her leg was broken. We helped pay for her successful surgery. The Vet also noticed that she was blind in her left eye, probably from an old injury. So happy we could help get her healthy and on the road to her forever home.

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Again, our friend Judith Ayn Sobel of Baja Animal Sanctuary asked us for help with an emergency surgery. Another dog was hit by a car and left in the road. Of course we helped. Faith’s leg had to be amputated but we know it won’t slow her down.

Faith

In the meantime, rescuing dogs in the desert is a grueling task. Look at the difference Baja Animal Sanctuary makes. Here is a typical story of the good they do:

On November 6, 2015 we got a call about a pit bull that someone had dumped in an empty lot in Rosarito. BAS Director Jaime went to check on it and found “LT” laying in the middle of a pile of trash. He was in very bad shape. He was about 6 years old and had obviously been recently retired from a dog fighting ring. He was brought to the Sanctuary and given treatment and love.
He is trying so hard to be a good boy but sometimes he has what we can only think of as flashbacks from his previous fighting experience and he gets defensive. This categorizes him as “unadoptable”. We are not looking for a home for him; BAS is his home. We just want you to know about him, because he is no longer a nobody…. His name is “LT”.

LT Before
LT Before
LT After
LT After

Susie’s Senior Dogs

We absolutely LOVE Susie’s Senior Dogs. Because we love the seniors. And because Susie finds second, third, and finally forever loving homes for so many. We were delighted to be able to contribute to this great organization. Seniors rule!

Susie's Seniors

Death Row Dogs

Death Row DogsIn January, we donated to Death Row Dogs in Sherman Oaks, CA.

Death Row Dogs Rescue is a 100% all-volunteer, No-Kill rescue 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. They are run solely by volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to rescuing homeless pets from the streets and animal shelters who are often moments away from being euthanized. They provide housing, medical care and training to these neglected, abused and often severely injured animals.

Friends to the Forlorn Pitbull Rescue

Friends to the Forlorn Pitbull RescieWe helped Friends to the Forlorn Pitbull Rescue continue to do their great work.

Friends to the Forlorn Pitbull Rescue is a volunteer-based 501(c)3 rescue and community outreach organization. Their mission is to promote responsible pitbull ownership, provide breed education, combat pet overpopulation, fight unfair legislation, find qualified homes for sound pitbull-type dogs and other dogs in need in Georgia, and help people and animals within their communities.

Rock and Rescue

Rock and RescueWe helped Charlie the deaf pitbull puppy, a happy floppy guy, get the lifesaving heart surgery he needed. Rescued by Desert Dogs Rock and Rescue, he came through with flying colors.

Rock & Rescue, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, is a unique, national humanitarian ven­ture designed to combine musical talent and public awareness of dog rescue. The result? An inspiring experience geared toward making a difference.

Angel’s Heart Dog Rescue

Tails of Joy helped Angel’s Heart Dog Rescue with Little Jenny’s eye-saving surgery. Little Jenny’s case was quite rare. She had eyelashes growing towards and touching her eyes on both the top and the bottom lids. Thankfully, due to her young age, there was not yet any cornea damage, just a lot of discomfort and irritation.  After surgery, a three week recovery period of cage rest, ointments and meds, little Jenny was good as new and looking forward with clear eyes to finding her forever home.

911RUFF

911RUFFRescue Unwanted Furry Friends (911RUFF) in Graceville, Florida, hit some really trying times around the Christmas holidays. We were happy a Little Guy Grant could help see them through and keep them going.

“Dear Friends of Ruff,

We want to thank everyone who has been so kind to help us keep our shelter doors open these past years. Without your help over 2,300 dogs would not have lived and found a loving home.”

Walley

This little guy’s “before” pictures are too sad. A volunteer in northern CA put out a plea and we answered. This boxer boy is gorgeous now. He’s been getting socialized and is totally healthy. He could use a foster, or an adopter who is good with socializing abused dogs. Tails of Joy will pay for training for as long as it takes, if you can find room in your home and your heart for this beautiful young boy. Let’s get him out of boarding and into a home, even a foster home, where he can learn to be a real family member. Email elayne@tailsofjoy.net for info.

Devore

Devore Animal Shelter is a high-kill pound in San Bernardino County, California. We helped six year old Corbin (photo below) get out of Devore, and into a loving foster home, while rescuers lined up his new forever home. We also helped Alpha Dog Rescue get seniors Amber and Grammy off death row five minutes before closing. If we hadn’t, their cages would have been empty when Devore opened the next morning, and not in a good way.

Corbin
Corbin

Edith and Julie’s Spay and Neuter Fund

image7Our Edith and Julie’s Spay and Neuter Fund at Tails of Joy helped get a new independent rescuer started in Ashville, North Carolina. We got an email from a lovely woman who, at her own expense, had been feeding, trapping, neutering and releasing (TNR) feral cats all on her own. We were able to verify her bills with her local vet, and a Little Guy Grant paid them off so she could continue this important work, preventing stray cats from constantly reproducing offspring doomed to terrible, short lives in the streets.

Thank you Edith and Julie!

Be Kind to Animals Rescue

We helped the very excellent Be Kind to Animals Rescue in South Florida twice this period. Once in early February, and then again in late March. Elayne performed at the Boca Black Box theater, and sold our after-show merchandise to help this very dedicated rescue organization.

Be Kind to Animals Rescue

With our friends from Be Kind to Animals. Founder Elizabeth Bressack far right.
With our friends from Be Kind to Animals. Founder Elizabeth Bressack far right.

Paws in the City

image11Paws in the City is a 501(c)(3) all-volunteer, no-kill organization with the commitment to ending the overpopulation, abuse, and neglect of Dallas-Fort Worth area dogs and cats. They have no paid staff — 100% of all funds raised go directly to the dogs and cats in need (primarily for medical care). Their goal is that every adoptable dog and cat get a loving home.

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After Elayne’s show at the Kessler Theater in Dallas, we sold our after show merchandise for the benefit of Paws in the City rescue. We also let them sell a block of show tickets and keep all proceeds themselves. And of course they got to sell their own merchandise too. It was a banner night of fundraising for rescue.
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Kessler Theater Dallas

Florida Boxer Rescue

image14We sold our after show merchandise after Elayne’s Sarasota shows to benefit one of our favorite rescue organizations, Florida Boxer Rescue.

Florida Boxer Rescue

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Rutland County Humane Society

We’re currently helping the Rutland County Humane Society in Pittsford, VT. And so can you! We’ve donated some gorgeous Tails of Joy jewelry for their auction, which begins in mid April, with all proceeds going to them. Let the bidding begin!

By donating auction items you help us to provide medicines and vaccines, veterinary care and other life saving services to animals in need. Each year we provide shelter and care for more than 1,300 animals, giving them a second chance.

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Dogs and Health

Ten years ago a dear, 73-year-old friend of mine lost her dog. My friend started to go downhill quickly. She didn’t want another dog, and one day as I watched her struggling to walk, she said to me, “I won’t make it ‘til Christmas”. That was all I needed to hear. A rescue group had just taken a horribly abused dog out of the pound and needed a foster to nurse him back to health. I begged my friend to care for him for just a week, and Tails of Joy would pay for everything. I am happy to say that was ten years ago, and we all got to enjoy Helen’s 83rd birthday with her recently, including her beloved Henry the dog. Notice our beautiful Tails of Joy birthday card, which can be purchased here.

@QuiltingMuriel

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We are so sad to report that we said our last good-byes to dear Muriel in March. A Twitter darling, she was 97 years old and left her dear 10 year old Tiger behind. Muriel made gorgeous quilted pieces and more for Tails of Joy fundraising, and we and the animals will miss her so much.

And smartly, she made specific plans for Tiger in her will. That is the only way you will know  your pets are going to be cared for after you are gone. Please everyone, do it. To see Muriel’s kind, loving, hilarious body of work on Twitter, @quiltingmuriel.

Beau

We networked him on Facebook for a friend. He got adopted. It didn’t work out. He ended up at Elayne’s house, and it looks like he’s not going anywhere. He’s a good boy.

Beau
Beau
Beau and Elayne
Beau and Elayne, both wearing Tails of Joy bling. Find it here.

After-Show Sales

We want to thank everyone who came out to Elayne’s temple show in Northridge, CA and bought so much after-show merchandise to benefit the animals. You rock! Huge thanks to Bonnie Covelli for making it all possible.

Northridge Temple

Lick Magazine

You know you’ve arrived when you’re featured in Lick Magazine! We’re always happy to talk about rescue and Tails of Joy. Read the full article on Issu.

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The Pet Press

Tails of Joy and Elayne were extremely honored to be the featured cover story in the holiday, year end edition of California’s only free magazine for pet lovers, The Pet Press. Read the full article here.

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How We Can Help You: Get Your Money Back!

So many Facebook and Twitter peeps have been having financial pet emergencies and coming to Tails of Joy for help. We always do what we can, but the first thing we do is this: If you need financial help for your pet, we refund every donation you ever made to us for starters. So in essence, you can use us as your pet savings account. We’ve been here for fourteen years and we will be here if you ever need help for your animal in the future. The more you help others, the more help there will be for your pet if the need ever arises.

How You Can Help Us for Free!!

 Ralph’s Markets in California

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If you live in California, please link your Ralph’s market card to Tails of Joy as your chosen charity, and we get a little piece of your grocery bill from Ralph’s every time you shop. This costs you nothing extra — Ralph’s makes the donation. If you sign up now, you will be enrolled until September, 2016.

We could really use more signups, thanks!

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Join

Join our Tails of Joy Group on Facebook and fill your day with smiles, laughs, caring, sharing, and everything wonderful about having pets and loving animals.

Thank You!!

We want to thank everyone who donated over this period. I know we are horribly guilty of being way behind on personal thank you notes. We do see every penny that comes in, and from whom, but because we are all volunteer and pay no salaries (every penny goes to rescuing animals), it causes us to be way behind on our thank you notes.  We’re trying to catch up (and we will!). But for now…

THANK YOU!!!!!!

We can only save animals and make lives better for people and pets with your help. We also want to truly thank our monthly donors, who make it possible for us to plan ahead and keep going. We love you. If everyone signed up for five or ten dollars a month, we’d be able to save and plan and save and plan and… well, you get the idea.

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Shop

Shop Tails of Joy first. We’re always listing new items, and 100% of the price goes to rescue animals. Again, thank you so much for loving, and being kind to, animals. Wishing you and yours a happy and wonderful spring.


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