Saving one dog does not change the world but it sure changes the world for that one dog!! UPDATE: This website is currently inactive. Please visit Michele's website www.rescuetheunderdog.com
If there is ever a perfect playmate…doggie playmate that is, it is certainly Cowboy Niram. This 2 year old boy came to us from the shelter shy and very scared. He didn’t know how to walk on a leash nor did he understand what exactly to do with his new found freedom. He sure has come out of his shell and is such a ball of fun. First of all, Cowboy Niram is not only man’s best friend but he’s dog’s best friend too!! It’s amazing to watch this crooked eared boy play with pure joy on his face. He is buddies with every dog he meets. Cowboy Niram is also quite a cuddler. After the day of wrestling is over, he cuddles up nicely on the couch and is very happy watching the NBA finals. Yes, he’s a Warriors fan!! He is potty trained, is great on a leash and is an all around great dog. Cowboy Niram was rescued from death row at a high kill shelter and is now up for adoption. He’d be best in a home with another dog where he can thrive.
Miller is a 2-3 year old loving, cuddly, smart Zen Master…What?? Yep! That’s right!! This boy just loves to do yoga – ironically his favorite pose is his version of Downward Dog where he as he uses you as the floor!!! Paws placed gently up on your belly and then yoga pose, and s-t-r-e-t-c-h! Namaste! For Miller it is “nah-ma-stay in-bed!!” He is a cuddly boy, loves Netflix and is quite the good kisser!! I hope you’re in the mood for love because he is all about loving you!! Miller's foster mama loves him sooooo much! Want to adopt him? Give her a call @ 650-213-6541 or click on the orange box to the right and a volunteer will get in touch with you ASAP! Scroll down to see what Miller has been up to!! Remember what we said about kisses......he's a lover-not a fighter!!
And here is a really funny video of Miller LOVING the water from a hose!
5/27-Boy does he love to play!! Funfest!!!
Miller and Belly (his foster sister)
He is crate trained, potty trained, knows Sit, he walks great on leash but when other dogs pass by he does pull and needs additional leash training. Miller is a playful, joyful goofball who loves belly scratches and to fetch balls. One of many Miller-isms.....5/25--During his morning cleaning session, he became so Zen that his tongue got stuck....
Miller forgot mid lick that he was actually licking.
He is friendly with other dogs off leash (best buds with his Lab mix older sister in his foster home), but prefers a slow, gentle introduction to new ones before they become BFFs. He is learning to love those of the kitty persuasion with time, and would do best in a home with kids over 8 because of his size.
If you’re interested in meeting Miller and would like to start the adoption process, please click on the Orange Box on the right and fill out the Adoption Inquiry form or you can call/text his foster mama Ally directly at 650-213-6541!
He was rescued from a high kill shelter by a rescue group called the Friends of Madera Animal Shelter. Miller is up to date on shots, neutered, microchipped and is looking for his forever home.
You can see a video of Miller, here.
If you're interested in Miller, please fill out the adoption form (click on orange box) on the right side of the page. Thanks!
Yes, Delores is your all too common chihuahua mix. Even worse, she's 8 years old. And if that weren't bad enough, she had an injury to her eye years ago that makes her one eye look cloudy.
But forget about preconceptions. This little girl has so much love and determination, nothing will stop her! As her foster parent, I quickly learned that this little girl loves to be around her human as much as possible. So much so that I've taken her almost everywhere I go; and she loves it!
Delores at the dog park
At the lagoon
A while back, we happened to be out and about and I got the urge for some coffee. Since I was just running in to get a cup and then returning back to the car to continue our planned trip, I left Delores in her carrier, cracked the windows, and went to grab my coffee.
Minutes later, I find Delores gone! She was nowhere to be found. Only later did the pieces start to come together to tell her story. After I left her in her carrier, that little scamp managed to knock her carrier over causing the carrier door to open. She wanted out and a carrier was not going to stop her. After getting out of the carrier, she somehow managed to scale the window and pry her little body through the opening at the top, in order to get out of the car to search for me. She was spotted making a mad dash in search of me as one witness said that she was definitely looking for someone.
And while Delores is unmatched in her determination to find the one she loves, her ability to smell which direction they went did not live up to the challenge. She went the wrong way!
It turns out she went through a housing development that was being built and then came to the edge of a lagoon that opened up to the Bay. What did she do? That girl with one bad eye swam across the big lagoon!!! This was not a pond. This was a good sized body of water. But Delores crossed it and came out on the other side wet and muddy. She found a woman suntanning on her back deck and went up to her and started licking her face. By that time, I had already started posting fliers in the neighborhood searching for her and thankfully, this bundle of love found her way back to me. She was overjoyed.
Delores might come from a common dog breed, and she might be of a certain age, but if she can love her foster parent this much, imagine how much she will love you?
Delores loves to go for walks, gets along with other dogs, and is spayed, up to date with shots, and microchipped. The only thing she doesn't yet have is the person who will love, cherish, and spoil her rotten for the rest of her life. Not a bad deal if you think about it.
But trust me on this: Delores has to be adopted by someone who knows how lucky they are to get her, and will give her the full rich happy life she deserves. She's really that good! Find out for yourself...
Just like there are wines, and then there are fine wines, there are also dogs, and then there are Hard Luck Dogs. For those few who still don't know, Hard Luck Dogs are simply the finest mixed breed mutts available on the market today!! We guarantee you will not find a single inbred purebred among these beauties. Each Hard Luck Dog is certified to be a unique, one of a kind specimen you will find no where else in the world! And for those connoisseurs who look for only the very best of the best, the answer is YES!! We will be opening the vault and offering several exclusive finely aged models as well!! Hard Luck Dogs are available in a limited supply and once they are gone, they are gone forever.....
Thank you to PetSmart for hosting our monthly adoption events. We are grateful for all that you do in helping at risk shelter pets find their forever homes.
Meet Florence, a 12 pound outgoing, outwardly friendly and quite comical 8 year old Pug mix. She found herself at a high kill shelter in the Central Valley after surviving an attack, leaving her with an ulcerated eye. Because of her age and medical condition, she was quickly placed on the list to be euthanized. Florence needed foster home and needed it fast. Volunteers from the Friends of Madera Animal Shelter Bay Area saw this photo of precious Florence and just had to do something to save her.
5/24 FLORENCE ON DEATH ROW HOPING FOR A MIRACLE
A lovely Bay Area family contacted FMAS Bay Area and offered to foster her. Seems they too have an adult pug mix, heard Florence's story and just couldn't let her die in the shelter. They agreed to give her all the love that she needs, support her throughout her recovery and get her ready for her "fur"ever home.
5/25 Florence's first night of freedom!!! Note her slightly crooked nose!!
Florence was delivered to her foster home, and quickly felt like she owned the place. She acted as if her life thus far had been the the perfect life. She put her "death row" life behind her as she prepared to meet the family dog, 2 kids, mom and dad. She walked into the house and felt "Ahhhhh. Now this is the life!!" She quickly charmed them (as she does everyone she meets) and took full advantage of her second chance. Florence really does love life!!!
5/27 All packed up and ready to go to the vet for her spay/eye exam, she was dropped off at the vet only to get a call saying that her eye was so badly damaged, it couldn't be salvaged. The spay was cancelled and the vet recommended an eye removed. The FMAS volunteer who got the call agreed to the surgery and took it upon himself to pay for the eye removal out of his own pocket. He took Florence home that night feeling a little sad for her but Florence didn't seem to care one bit! She was as happy as ever, felt well enough to eat and even remembered to use the doggie door. Yay Florence.
Florence sitting in the sun enjoying the day!
5/27 She's a trooper!! Eating and drinking on her own!!
She then perched herself comfortably on her bed and acted as if it was just a normal day in paradise. She was happy to be back in a loving home & it didn't bother her one bit to have lost an eye. She spend the night cuddling with her kid friends and enjoying all of the extra love. Florence does not sweat the small stuff and to her, losing an eye is SMALL!!!
5/27 Florence proudly wearing the cone of shame
5/28 Florence still knows where the treats are!!
Having one eye has not slowed this girl down!! She greets her foster family by the door when they come home from work and is full of love and kisses. She's enjoying her cozy foster home but she knows that after she's healed and spayed, she will be ready to make one last move to her "fur"ever home.
Resting comfortably on her cozy bed!
6/1 Florence enjoying the company of Bailey, her foster sister
6/3 Florence is recovering nicely. She's going to have a recheck at the vet soon. Her foster mom has so many nice things to say about her!! She's fantastic on a leash, is great with potty training and LOVES everyone she meets!! Once she is healed and spayed, she'll be up for adoption! Stay tuned for updates!! If you've already fallen in love with her and would like to inquire to adopt her, click her link below!! 6/6 Florence was a champ at taking her antibiotics everyday. Her redness and swelling has decreased and she's on the mend!! Her next vet visit is 6/10 so stay tuned for her progress!!
Update 6/10: Florence got a clean bill of health. This girl is just so fun and outgoing that she had everyone at the vet swooning over her!! She was spayed today and got her (purple) stitches out! She's doing great, eating and drinking like a champ. She just loves the sunshine and hanging out with her foster sister! The vet said she is healing perfectly.
She no longer needs the cone of shame!!
What you can't see about Florence is her amazing attitude. Once you meet her, you do fall in love with her in a way that you'd never expect. She has a love for life that is rare. She's completely endearing and will love you as deeply as a dog ever could (and then even more). If you let this girl pass you by, you've really missed out. 6/14 Florence is getting ready for bed, all snuggled and cozy. She could be on your couch by Saturday!! Come and meet her at the San Carlos PetSmart Event
6 year old Doxy mix Stella aka Ms. Wigglebutts came to us battered, broken and terribly afraid. She was on the wrong end of a vicious dog attack and needed surgery. A large dog had bitten sweet Stella in the back of the neck and shoulders. She was so badly attacked that she needed staples to put her back together. Stella is just a quiet little girl looking for love and yearning for a warm lap Upon rescuing her from the shelter, she asked gently if she could cuddle up in the driver's seat. She wanted so badly to be close to someone but didn't want to be pushy.
Just rescued from the shelter & wanting so badly to cozy
Her patience is to be admired. Finally pulled over and let her cuddle.
Stella adjusted quickly to the 3 other dogs at her foster home. Although she prefers more 1:1 attention, she is still having fun. Her sisters have taught her how to walk on a leash, how to go potty outside every time (which she pretty much knew already) and they opened their bed for snuggles!! (Note the white patch where hair is missing from her attack.)
Cuddling with her foster sisters. Note the white patch and missing hair from her back where she was attacked.
***Sweetness alert***
Watch Stella in action. Your heart will melt with how precious she is!
We took her to the vet for her spay and the vet said said she's not 8!
He thinks she is closer to 6! Yay Stella for getting younger!!
She just loves the warm patio! Begging for belly rubs!!
Stella has been a perfect sweetheart in her foster home. She's always a lady and has no bad habits!! She's a little shy with new people and we get the feeling her previous home didn't show her as much love as she deserves. She goes with the flow, loves to give kisses and even though she has no tail, she sure can wag her heinie!! She hasn't quite learned that it is ok to eat inside and that she doesn't have to stay on the back steps. She's slowly coming out of her shell and learning that life is good!!
Her legs are a little small to fit the desk but Stella lap warmed for over an hour while her foster grandma worked hard!! She was a great moral support and would be an amazing office buddy!
Stella loves her 2x a day walks with her sisters and is getting more accustomed to the sights and sounds of everyday life. Her neck and shoulders are healing and her hair growing back. She's perfect on a leash and never pulls. If she could, she'd roll her eyes at the leash manners of her foster sisters!!
Milo is a very very friendly 20 pound mutt. He is about 2-3 years old and our best guess is that he is a corgi/lab mix but we just don't know for sure! Before being brought to the shelter, Milo was attacked by a larger dog and aside from gnarly wounds, his front left leg was dislocated. His leg was put in a cast but due to his medical issues, he was quickly put on the "list" to be euthanized. We thought he was just too cute (and happy) to be destroyed so we arranged for him to be rescued, evaluated and placed into a loving foster home. He is a very very good boy who is using his second chance to do two things...eat and go for walks! Yep! He quickly realized that table scraps only come from living in a loving home and that long walks happen when you stand by the front door and jump around asking to be taken out!! He is great at "hinting" that it's time for a walk already!! Milo is also known to be a bit of a hoover, eating everything that drops on the floor. No need for a Roomba here!! Milo fills that void! He really has had a rough couple of months but has transitioned well. Although battered and torn, his spirit was never broken. He's in a foster home right now but is looking for his forever home as he can't stay there forever.
Milo playing with his foster brother. You can see his healing wound on his left arm.
It’s amazing to watch this crooked eared boy play with pure joy on his face. He is buddies with every dog he meets. Cowboy Niram is also quite a cuddler. After the day of wrestling is over, he cuddles up nicely on the couch and is very happy watching the NBA finals. Yes, he’s a Warriors fan!! He is potty trained, is great on a leash and is an all around great dog. Cowboy Niram was rescued from death row at a high kill shelter and is now up for adoption. He’d be best in a home with another dog where he can thrive.
It’s amazing to watch this crooked eared boy play with pure joy on his face. He is buddies with every dog he meets. Cowboy Niram is also quite a cuddler. After the day of wrestling is over, he cuddles up nicely on the couch and is very happy watching the NBA finals. Yes, he’s a Warriors fan!! He is potty trained, is great on a leash and is an all around great dog. Cowboy Niram was rescued from death row at a high kill shelter and is now up for adoption. He’d be best in a home with another dog where he can thrive.
