Clifford & Rocky River Seniors - A Perfect Match"Clifford"

If you haven't heard about "Clifford" and the Rocky River Senior Citizens, you're going to love this story!

"Clifford"

http://www.woio.com/story/16973751/rocky-river-senior-citizens-help-neglected-dumped-dog 

I'm proud to say that Sure Thing Gordon Setters Kennels, made a small donation to help Clifford. We received a thank you card and an invitation to his "Welcome Home" party. Unfortunately, it was in Ohio. But we're sure it was a great party! We love you Clifford! And we love the seniors at Rocky River Senior Home.

Clifford also has his own web page: Clifford's Adventures @ http://www.cliffordsharborcourtadventures.com/

 And a Twitter act: https://twitter.com/#!/cliffordhcourt

Originally posted at 19 Action News http://www.woio.com/

Panhandle Animal Shelter: A wonderful Experience - BY:DWT

 I spent the past two Fridays working at Panhandle Animal Shelter and want to  let all our readers know what a wonderful experience it was. The shelter is extremely clean and well organized. I met some great folks who are dedicated to dogs in need. Pat,  in the office, is a very friendly lady who loves dogs as much as I do. Brian Welch, the Kennel Technician, hunts grouse and ducks with his Pointing Lab. We obviously hit it off immediately.

Brian with "Ian"

"Ian" was found wandering the streets of Sandpoint, Idaho, and was never claimed. Brian said when they first got him in, he tried to bite him.

Brian had a little talk with Ian and they came to an understanding.

It's all about love.

 Not only did I meet some great people, I met some wonderful dogs. Tikka is a black lab who was left at the shelter because she chased deer. Lady chases cars and Robby is a pit bull who was used in the fighting ring. Robby's ears are shredded and someone surgically removed his lips so his opponent could not get a grip on him. It's very sad.

"Robby"

 Panhandle Animal Shelter, is a "No kill" shelter and has provided a home and care for Robby for the past seven years. Robby has won my heart and I never thought I would be sitting on the road during our walk, hugging a pit bull and letting him lick my face. Tucker is a yellow lab mix who was adopted by Panhandle from another shelter to prevent him from being euthanized. He is very friendly and has a tail that wags from the neck on down.
  

Many of the dogs at the shelter are there because of behavior problems that were caused by owners and can easily be corrected with proper training. Many others are at the shelter because of the current economy. Owners have lost jobs or homes and can no longer care for a dog, and the problem is escalating. Our canine friends need help as much as many people do.

Volunteers walking "Belinda" & "Boomer"

Panhandle has a sponsor program. If you can't adopt a dog, you can sponsor a kennel. I was surprised that it was only $150 per year. The donation is tax deductible and a plaque is placed on a kennel naming the donor. It was a no brainer for us. We sponsored a kennel and the plaque will read, "Sponsored by Surething Gordon Setters, Dan and Karen Thomason, in memory of Peat and Happy".  A good way to help if you don't have time to volunteer.

Each kennels displays information about the dog, along with their age, breed, and name

If you should choose to adopt a dog, there is a small fee which covers the costs of neutering and vaccinations. The cost is insignificant, compared to the love one receives in return from a rescued dog. If you can't adopt a dog you can always stop by your local shelter and take a dog for a walk. I walked four dogs each visit. The walks were a mile long, so I got in four miles myself which is good for my heart condition and high blood sugar, A  win win deal for both me and the dogs.
 
Stop by your local shelter and lend a hand. I mopped the floor and washed windows on my first visit. (Please do not tell Karen I am capable of such tasks. She might expect me to do this at home!) If you have skills as a carpenter or electrician make yourself available. Or just stop by to give a dog a walk or a hug. It will do you heart good in more ways than one.

To see their adoptable animals, (dogs & cats) Click Here : Panhandle Animal Shelter List

Attention: Calling All Dog Lovers

 If you're a dog lover, or especially a Gordon Setter lover, there is a way for you to volunteer to help with the Gordon Setter Rescue Program, with the Gordon Setter Club of America. The G.S. Rescue sets up adoptions all over the country. Sometimes a dog is matched with a person who is 2 or 3 or more, states away from the dog who needs to be rescued. Being responsible and caring, The GSCA doesn't like to ship or send a dog into a home that they have not had an opportunity to visit. 

The G.S. Rescue Program needs people to be available, for their area, to visit a possible Gordon Setter home. They would like to know that the person who wants to adopt, has the facilities needed for a Gordon Setter and that the person would give the Gordon a good, safe home, before shipping a dog so far. 

They are always looking for volunteers to assist with the home visits. 

If you would like to sign up to volunteer, help with adoption, or if you'd like to adopt one of these amazing dogs, please contact: 

Wendy Abelman at :gscarescue@hotmail.com

For more information:

You can also visit the Gordon Setter Club of America,  and  Gordon Setter Rescue Program

 Have a great day and don't forget to hug your dog!

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I Rescued A Human Today - A Dogs Tale

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY
 
 Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels.  I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.  I wagged my tail, but not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.
 
As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage.  I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today.  Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly
of them.
 
As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past.  I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.
 
She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me.  I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.  Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.
 
A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.  Soon my kennel door opened, and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.  I would promise to keep her safe.  I would promise to always be by her side.  I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.  I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.  So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors.
So many more to be saved.  At least, I was able to save one.
 
I rescued a human today.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

My dear friend Michele, in Missouri sent me this in an email. I think it's the sweetest thing. 

I can imagine some dogs might really think this, in a more simple form of course. But it's hard to say if we need them more, or they need us more. We certainly bring value to a dogs life and I can't imagine my life without a dog. I guess we're lucky to have each other.

Hooking Up Veterans With Dogs

War Dog Memorial in Guam- A soldier and his canine partner stop to pay their respects.

Rep. Michael Grimm, R-NY, spent 8 years in the Marines serving his country, before he started representing NY. He knows a little something about Veterans and their needs and has a wonderful idea on how we can help them.

His idea also includes saving shelter dogs. Pairing them with Veterans who will train the dogs to help other veterans. Many Veterans who are dealing with Post Traumatic Stress have trouble with a lack of focus and purpose in their life. Something we all need, every day. Training the dogs, is suspected to give them focus and purpose, by the fact that the dog they are training will go to a another Vet to help make his life easier.

It's not known for sure if training the dogs can help reduce Post Traumatic Stress, but Grimm would like to launch a pilot program to find out. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Peter King of New York, Leonard Lance of New Jersey,  and  Michael Michaud D-Maine.

The Human Society has endorsed the idea, and has already implemented a program of their own in D.C. called,  Dog Tags.  Camp Pendleton in California, also has a similar program called Operation Heroes and Hounds. Both programs use homeless and shelter dogs.

This is a no brainer - a true WIN WIN WIN situation. A soldier saves a dog, who saves a soldier, who saved the first soldier.

God bless the soldiers who protect us, they are our Heroes. And 

God bless the dogs who are their Heroes.

This article was originally posted on the web site Army Times, by Rick Maze.

Photo courtesy The Blog Of Record

Old Friends and New Dogs

Old Friends.........

Steve, Dan, Michael and "Happy" our Gordon Setter......Good times!

Steve, Dan and Happy

For the past 5 years, my husbands best friend Steve, from California, has come to Montana for the opening day of Grouse Season. Dan and Steve met years ago when they were both young. They remained friends through the years as they made a living and raised their families, living in different states.  It was just in the past 5 years that they were able to see each other more often and enjoy the fact that they were both now retired. Steve really enjoyed the bird hunts and fell in love with the Gordon Setters.

Steve with Happy and 2 grouse

Last year, we got together with Steve and his wife Deanette, and another couple of good friends, Ron and Cindy,  and rented a houseboat on Lake Powell. For 5 days we fished and explored, soaked up the sun and went swimming,  all while enjoying good food and drinks, and having a great time visiting and relaxing. It was the best!   

 
New Dogs.............

This summer we got a call from someone who had a 2 year old, neutered male Gordon Setter and he was looking for a home for him. After speaking with him on the phone, Dan called Steve and told him about this Gordon Setter who needed a home. Steve decided he wanted the dog. He asked Dan to keep him until he could get here, Sept. 1, for grouse season. He sent a check to the owner, and changed the dogs name to "Sport". Dan and I spent the next few weeks getting to know Sport. He is a wonderful dog. Not one single problem. We thought Steve had gotten lucky with this one.

"Sport"

Dan spent time with Sport and put him on birds. I did a post, or two on Sport - the "guest" dog. He needed a little "steady up" but he was doing really well for a 2 year old. He's a beautiful boy and weighs in at about 65 pounds.

I sent Steve pictures of Sport learning and hunting and kept him informed.  We were looking forward to him getting to know his new Gordon Setter and going hunting. Steve was even more excited as he was getting his first bird dog.

Delays........
In late July or early August, Steve called. It wasn't the usual call to schedule his flight to Montana. This was a call to say he may be delayed. He told Dan he was having a little stomach problem, nothing serious....but he had to go to the doctor and get checked out.

Only a few short weeks later, Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It was obvious he was not going to make it to Montana this year.  He was worried about Sport, even with what he was facing. We assured Steve that we'd take good care of Sport and even bring him to California if he wanted. All that mattered was for him to get  better.

Sadly,  with all the love and prayers that was around him, Steve passed away on Sept 10, 2010.

Cancer is a wicked disease. 

Steve was a good man, a good friend, and a damn fine human being. It was a pleasure to know him the short time I did. I know Dan will always be fond of their friendship and these past few years they had together running bird dogs all over Montana. Steve will truly be missed.

So now, Back to "New Dogs"...........

Sport

Steve's wife Deanette, asked us to keep Sport or find him a good "hunting" home.  We really weren't looking for another dog. This all happened just after Happy died. I wasn't emotionally ready for another dog.  He's neutered, so he can't be bred. We have 4 dogs already. He'd be an expense that was not part of the "business". We don't need another dog........BUT..............We HAVE to keep him. He's been here since June. Just look at him for goodness sakes! He's beautiful.....and HE thinks he belongs here.

He's fallen in love with Dan. And I mean serious love! He follows him all over the place. He looks at him with adoring eyes.....literally! So I can only conclude,  it was meant to be. Sport obviously wants to be here.  Dan wants him to be here. And yes, I want him to be here too. I think that would make Steve very happy. I know it does Sport.
   

So Sport..........

Welcome to the family!

Adopting A Gordon Setter

Have you ever thought about adopting your next Gordon Setter? Or, maybe your first one? Most Gordons in adoption are not like a lot of the dogs who end up in adoption situations. Most people who have Gordons, love them and have every intention of giving them a wonderful life that most of the time includes bird hunting, what they were bred to do.

But sometimes in life, things happen that interrupts and changes the course of peoples lives and sometimes this means having to part ways with their pets. Sometimes it's a change in jobs or homes, or a person's death. These dogs have had their lives interrupted by unexpected circumstances. They need someone to take them in and lovingly give them a new home and a new life.

Adoption dogs are almost always neutered or spayed, as a condition of adoption. This is a good thing, if you are not planning on breeding. If you want to breed, don't adopt.

Adoption dogs always have their shots up to date, have been wormed, and have had an exam by a qualified veterinarian. If there are any health problems, now or anticipated, the agency will tell you.

Adoption Agencies will try their best to match the right dog, with the right owner. That is very important for the owner and dog too, for a successful adoption.

 Adoption agencies (mostly) are made up of volunteers who do the job out of love for these dogs.  They have their best interests at heart.

Most agencies have ways and means to get the dog to you, or at least help, if you are in another state for instance. There are even people standing by, ready to help in getting the dog to a new home. They do everything they can to adopt out all adoptable animals.

Adopted dogs  are usually very grateful, loving and devoted once you have taken one in.

Below is a picture of my new friend, and friend to Gordon Setters everywhere, Jan Ryckman and her newly adopted Gordon Setter, "Freddie" Is that little guy handsome, or what?! And Jan looks pretty happy to have Freddie join her family.

Freddie with his new house mate, Molly.

Jan found Freddie through Wendy Abelman with the Gordon Setter Club of America and Cindy Baatz chair of NODROG, the Gordon Setter rescue for Michigan. Jan lives in Montana, but Freddie was in Michigan. A hunter, out of the goodness of his heart, brought Freddie all the way to Montana where he was coming to hunt, and met Jan to deliver him.

This is not the first Gordon Setter that Jan has adopted and she has vowed to be there when another one needs her.  Thanks Jan. (: 

There are quite a few Gordon Setter Adoption Agencies around the country, but not one in every state. I am including links below for a few of them, if you are interested. The Gordon Setter Club of America's website is really cool. You can actually see a picture of the dogs up for adoption and a detailed description.

If you ❤Love Gordon Setters, and have a big back yard that is fenced and empty, like to bird hunt, or not, have kids, or not, and have energy for playing fetch, I encourage you to adopt one of these magnificent creatures known for their beauty, brains, and bird sense.

  Adoption Agencies Links         

 Gordon Setter Club of America
NODROG Michigan Rescue
High Plains Gordon Setter Club Rescue
Columbia River Gordon Setter Club

Click HERE for an extensive list at GSCA
that includes the South and East.

LOST DOG in Minneapolis, MN.

LOST: Male Gordon Setter — lost October 25 from Girard Avenue, Minneapolis, MN. Main cross street is Plymouth Avenue, just off Interstate 94 West. He was wearing a red nylon collar with tags and is microchipped. Contact owner: LM Buirge, 612-817-0030, with any information.

Win a Years Worth of Food For Your Favorite Breed's Rescue Org.

Native Performance Dog Food has partnered with Wingshooting USA to give away a years worth of Native Performance Dog Food to your favorite breed. All you have to do is go to their website by clicking on the title above, and vote for your favorite breed. Gordon Setters are there. You can only vote once, so make it good! The breed that gets the most votes, wins the dog food.

Give me a G.....Give me a O......Give me an R.....DON!

Adopt A Gordon Who Needs to be Loved

To adopt a Gordon Setter who needs a good home, please go to the Gordon Setter Club of America's web site and click on "Rescue A Gordon". Rescue a life today! http://www.gsca.org

posted by Karen Thomason on Jul 9 6:45 PM