The dogs below are in the Manhattan Animal Control, on 110th Street --

-- when I lived in Manhattan, I walked up there one day with Spud, from 30th and Madison to 110th Street --

-- that was something I would do only once. Not only because of the walk, but because of the heartbreak in the shelter.

As I waited to speak to a volunteer, there was a steady stream of surrenders, for reasons I couldn't begin to comprehend --

-- and in the past two years, I have had the absolute pleasure to know Renee at the shelter, a coordinator there with unending faith in good people wanting to adopt great dogs.

She sends me the pictures and stories below, prefaced by the following --

"Hi Eric, These are the dogs that we spoke of yesterday. 

Christy the 9 mo female, listed last, absolutely has to leave.  She is young & healthy now, thanks to the vet, so it would be a shame to see her euthanized... If you can only help with one, please let it be her.

We need our vets to take the initiative at treat these animals.  Anything you can do would be greatly appreciated.

I'll give you a call tomorrow or please call me on my cell. Thanks, Eric."

The following pit bulls were seized by the police after a report that they were being abused.  The adults came in tranquilized. This all occured way back in January.

After an extensive investigation, abuse could not be proved.  But there was no doubt that they were being used for breeding...over and over again.  They never had any  affection displayed to them and were extremely wary whenever you approached them.  The outside world was something even more troubling to them.  After spending their lives literally being "stored" in a cellar, the sunshine and fresh air were completely alien to them. 

They stayed here so long because the owner went to court trying to keep us from altering them, stating that the seizure was illegal.  After all these months, the judge felt that the seizure was in fact legal and that the dogs were to be altered or not returned to the owner.  Thankfully,  they remain with us.  This to them, I'm sure is an improvement over the conditions to which they knew. 

We have had these dogs here so long, that it would be a shame to euthanize them.  We have worked with them quite a bit and they are all progressing nicely.  Some more than others, but they are all good dogs.  They simply need to be shown that life is beautiful.  Isn't it?

Christy

Christy is a special case to me.  It is so often that veterinarians in the shelter are limited as to the extent to which they are able to treat injured animals.  

In this case however, one of our vets who has an extensive tenure here, (and I'm sure can easily recall the days when an injured animal such as this would be euthanized)  took a particular interest and treated this dog from the day she came in to her present condition.  She had a gaping wound in the very tender area of her right rear leg.

The vet performed surgery, repaired her tendons, spayed her and gave her the extra TLC she needed to heal.  She has been through it all.  Injury & sickness.  She has even had the dreaded kennel cough and recovered from that as well.  Christy is now extremely active and would surely benefit from a little more nurturing and training to make her the perfect companion for someones family.  

Please help me place her so that the shelter veterinarians can share the same feeling that we have,  when we work extra hard to get a special case a home.

Safer Test
Stare:B-Mouths handler's hand and arm with moderate pressure before settling down and getting into position. Then offers soft eye contact, ears back, tail low and relaxed.
Sensitivity:A-Leans into handler, tail low and relaxed, ears back, "enjoying" touch
Tag:C-Becomes highly aroused, jumping up repeatedly and mouthing handler before grabbing rope. Growls as handler reaches towards rope.
Pinch:A-Gently pulls back paw.
Pinch2:A-Same
Food:D-Growls and eats slightly faster when handler pushes face out of food dish.
Rawhide:D-Takes rawhide away quickly, slight stiffness, keeping firm hold. Grabs at hand as handler reaches for rawhide at the same time dog is going towards rawhide.
Dog/Dog:B/C-Approaches helper dog with pushy posture, rushing forward slightly.

Cage:A-Approaches handler, wagging relaxed tail, ears back.
Toy:C-Shows interest in toy, jumping up to grab toy, grabbing handler's hand with moderate pressure, not hard enough to leave marks.
Toy guarding:D-Growls and grabs at hand when handler touches toy as dog is tugging. Takes toy away and keeps firm hold, body blocking when handler reaches for toy.
Push into sit:Not conducted due to injury
Stranger:No barking at all.
Response to stranger:B-Shows little interest in stranger, but responds positively when stranger tries to make friends.

Moderate hyperarousal/mouthiness
mild/moderate resource guarding (food, rawhide, toy)

Pammie

4 yr female  34 lbs. When a staff member went to Pammies cage to show her to me...she reached in, wrapped her arms around her center and pulled her out upside down.  The dog wagging her tail, loving every minute of it.  She initially came in with a terrible ear infection.  She is now healthy and looking for someone to give her hugs on a permanent basis.

Tommy

Neutered 1 yr old 46 lbs.   He is also mild mannered, but certainly not shy.  He is starved for affection.  He loves other dogs and will play tirelessly for hours in the yard. 

What I'd like to do --

Well, I am a believer that great pictures help get dogs adopted -- -- they spur someone's emotions to push a little further, to fill out that adoption application, and to go see that pup. I would like to get Renee her own camera, a PowerShot A540, to use with the dogs -- -- it's $220, and together, we can get that for her. If you're unable to help these dogs, but would like to help otherwise, this is a great opportunity -- just donate using the PayPal button in the lower left of this screen, and I will email you the presentation when she gets her camera!

Most importantly...

I would like to get Christy, Pammie and Tommy in homes -- great homes.

You could be the one for one of these pups -- they have seen nothing but bad in the prior lives, and they have still turned out great --

-- especially Christy --

-- if you're interested in adopting, or even fostering, please fill out an adoption application above --

-- though please, no fair-weathered fosters or adopters -- we need committed adults folks, okay?

Again, don't forget, if you're unable to help, but would like to donate to the camera fund, make a donation below!

THANK YOU, Renee and crew, for doing work we appreciate so much!