T a y l o r , The Delaware Puppy Rescue and my friend, Dee Hess

SHORE HEARTS NEWS

Volume 4, Issue 2

Summer/Fall 2008

SHORE HEARTS GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE

IN MEMORIUM Dakota Urquhart

Tara Johnson James Alford

Ellen Perciaccanto Joan Seffer Rusty Dato

Alice Connett Henry Lacey Constantin

It was the call I had been secretly waiting to get. Now being a pregnant dog and puppy rescue, we take in all types, colors and sizes. If we have the foster room than they have a safe place to go. Our favorites are always the mutts and mutts are what we get 99% of the time. Now with that being said, when I got the call from our good friend and fellow rescuer Aunt Lana, I could barely contain my excitement. She had a rescued Golden and to their surprise she was well into her pregnancy. Lana knows the hours around the clock it takes to get these moms and babies through and knew she just did not have that time with all of her others that needed her. So she posed the question – do you have room? Do I have room!!! A beautiful young purebred Golden. You bet I have room!! Now remember, our favorites are the mutts, mostly lab mixes because that is what we receive most of the time. Did you know that a black lab’s sperm lives 2 days longer than any other dogs? Well I can tell you it’s a fact because those suckers hit every in-heat female there is out there. So though I have no preference on a mom I was getting a GOLDEN who was going to give me beautiful GOLDEN BABIES!! The following week Aunt Lana came arms full of food, toys, sterile pads, purified water, towels and our beautiful girl named Taylor. She was gorgeous! Beautiful Golden coat (not so much flowing due to her previous neglect) but beautiful. I could just picture in my mind the little wheat colored fluff balls that would be running around my living room in a couple months time. All the pictures that would be taken! Lana warned us that Taylor was carrying at least 8 pups, maybe as many as 10. The thought seemed to horrify her but over the years it’s rare that we have a litter less than 8 puppies and most are typically around 10 to 12. Unfortunately, an in-heat female can have two fathers to one litter. It makes for some interesting litters. Well Taylor got herself settled right in with all the other dogs and she seemed to like her nursery that was set up in the living room. She had plenty of privacy and a soft cozy spot for the birth. The big event took place about two weeks after arriving. She seemed anxious all day long and didn’t want anything to eat – a sure sign. As I sat by her, I took just a short quick break to get something for myself to eat. Upon return-ing 10 minutes later, there he was – her first arrival. But there was a problem. He was lying next to her untouched. She looked up at me with that question I’ve seen before “what the hell is that?” I quickly went to work and broke the sack, cut the cord and started rubbing. The little guy responded well and I finally coaxed Taylor into doing some licking and cleaning. I wasn’t in a panic. Lots of new moms didn’t know what to do with the first pup but they all catch on quickly. Number two pup arrived about 20 minutes later. Again – I got that look with the question now being “another one?” I again went to work growing just a bit concerned but knew she would be right on top of the next one. WRONG. Thankfully by number 5 our girl caught on and did her motherly duties of cleaning the pups but this whole situation was not sitting well with her. There were pups coming out of unknown parts while others were trying to suck on other parts. She was so mesmer-ized when they squealed. Her head would turn listening. They were like aliens to her. Well by the early morning hours of the next day, Taylor had a beautiful litter of 8 pups. There is a very good reason why Taylor’s name isn’t Grace. The many days that followed I would constantly be trying to get a puppy out from underneath our girl. I would be sitting in the next room, hearing the yell for help. It always seemed to surprise Taylor that the yelling was coming from right underneath her. She would just lay there, listening to the yelling, not a care in the world. The days that followed were exciting as always and amazing to see the puppies change and grow with each day. In all honesty, Taylor grew along with her pups. By the time they were eight weeks old I would find her stealing their toys or laying on the floor while they crawled all over her. She was finally having her first carefree puppy days along with her own babies. Taylor and all her beautiful pups are now in homes of their own. Taylor now has a Golden big brother who is show-ing her all the ways of the world and her pups are in their loving forever homes. My summer had been spent with the litter I had been waiting for – a Golden litter, except for one thing. Dad was a black lab and the pups . . . . . the blackest pups we have ever raised. Solid black. Black, black. Not a spot of any-thing on them except black. Like ink black. Tar really. Black. Aunt Lana said she saw a spot of gold on one of them under an armpit but I think she was lying. Maybe next summer.

P A G E 2 S H O R E H E A R T S N E W S

Linda London The Bunch Family The Nuneviller Family Geoff & Sam Hendrickson Joan & Al Hemmendinger Vivian & James Sheerin Emma Arnold-Haigh Fife Family Sandy & Howard Hoffen Noah, Shane & Emma Arnold-Haigh Joseph Monti Pet Valu VVA/AVVA # 855, NJ for Lexi The Ferracane’s for Tara Johnson Mary Boyle Paula & Denny Johnson in memory of Tara Karen Shaw Rita Williams—Zanesville Ohio friend Chris Chandler—Zanesville, Ohio friend Joanne Vargas & Billy Landale Winter family in memory of Tara Dolores & Jim Drake in memory of Tara Dorothy and Orlando Dato Abbott Williams and Parents Joan, Mike & Michele Romano Melissa & Ed Emde Betsy & Steven Kowal Carol & Skip Free Evelyn & Peter Ongaro The Cochran-Carney Family Dorothyann & George Condoleon Beverly Bauchert Virginia & Peter Ricca Alison Cioffe-Brown in memory of Alice Henry The Geriatric Cabin at Goldstock Eizabeth Dillon Ruth Human Michele Constantin in memory of Lacey Marybeth Whitney The Stanley Wagner Family The Gagiardi’s, Bears Family Stacey Dickenson My Very Own Vet

Karen & Alex Perrone Sharon & Cy Plate in honor of Rayne and Stella Denny Johnson Meg, Scott & Abbott Williams Raymond Orsini Barbara & Al Boorman The Henshaw Family Lee Forlaw Hoff & Chuck Hoff Joan Fantozzi Diane Burns George (#137 NJT Bus) Bea Jailer Gerry Sprague in memory of Meghan Mary Hindes Dorothy Ninneman Joan Morano in memory of Jenny Kimberly Pepenella, from her X-mas money Susan & George Smith Nancy Mezey & Karen Diehl Bill & Lily Gardiner in memory of Scott Rydzewski Dolores & Jim Drake to honor SHGRR volunteers Joyce Hackenberg Lois & John DeMarzio PJ Widerman & Vickie Sjolander Cathi & James Merrell The Paraska Family Uta Bornemann Erin & Matt Lindenberg Paula & Denny Johnson Beverly Wade Marilyn Smith Winter kids Groundwater Kristines X-Mas Store Peggy & Bill Moy Joanne Croes Greg lLandale Americn Eagle Flag Store Carol Morano Mabel Zamoznick Linda Copeland Circle Dodge Shop Rite of Lacey Township Romano Family Susan Shock Geico Philanthropic Steven & Stephanie Paul Elaine & John Incorvaia Source M Shura Arnold & John Haigh Prudentail Philanthropic Headz or Nailz Salon Dolores & Jim Drake Sheila & Gordon Urquhart Donations received in honor of Woodfin - Barbagelata wedding Alma Falkenberg Marilyn Smith Jean & Bill Manigold Susan Byram & Aicardo Roa–Espinosa

2 0 0 8 D o n o r s — W e T h a n k y o u s o M U C H ! ! !

Tara # 124 (dec’d ) and her Mom, Paula Johnson

Star # 127 with his Mom, Lois DeMarzio after winning his Rally Novice Title

Tuckerton Decoy Show—September 2008 Luke # 171

IN MEMORIUM (cont) Snuggles Hackmann

Angel Hackmann Meghan

Moose Urquhart Sampson Hackman

Mack Loomis Casey Lucas

Fostering - Author Unknown

There I sat, alone and afraid, You got a call and came right to my aid. You bundled me up with blankets and love. And, when I needed it most, you gave me a hug.

I learned that the world was not all that scary and cold. That sometimes there is someone to have and to hold. You taught me what love is, you helped me to mend. You loved me and healed me and became my first friend.

And just when I thought you'd done all you could do, There came along not one new lesson, but two. First you said, "Sweetheart, you're ready to go. I've done all I can, and you've learned all I know."

Then you bundled me up with a blanket and a kiss. Along came a new family, they even have kids! They took me to their home, forever to stay. At first I thought you sent me away.

Then that second lesson became perfectly clear. No matter how far, you will always be near. And so, Foster Mom, you know I've moved on. I have a new home, with toys and a lawn.

But I'll never forget what I learned that first day. You never really give your fosters away. You gave me these thoughts to remember you by. We may never meet again, and now I know why.

You'll remember I lived with you for a time. I may not be yours, but you'll always be mine.

P A G E 3 V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 2

BANDIT’S THEME SONG The wonderful thing about tiggers Is tiggers are wonderful things! Their tops are made out of fuzz; Their bottoms are made out of springs! They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy, Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is I'm the only one! Oh the wonderful thing about tiggers Is tiggers are wonderful chaps! They're loaded with vim and with vigor; They love to leap in your laps! They're jumpy, bumpy, clumpy, thumpy, Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is I'm the only one! Tiggers are cuddly fellas. Tiggers are awfully sweet. Ev'ryone else is jealous. That's why I repeat and repeat: The wonderful thing about tiggers Is tiggers are wonderful things! Their tops are made out of fuzz; Their bottoms are made out of springs! They're bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy, Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! Fun! But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is I'm the only one!

Bouncing Bandit #153 and Stella—Goldstock 2008

A M B E R # 1 6 6

Did you know the design of a dog’s nose print is as unique

as your fingerprint? Annual Yard Sale—Memorial Day Wkend was our BIGGEST. Many thanks to the people who donated their treasures and to the Volunteers out front and behind the scenes for giving of their time and effort.

P A G E 4 S H O R E H E A R T S N E W S

Marilyn Smith and I recently had an unplanned adventure, revolving around a lovely yellow lab boy named Oliver. Oliver had a very important lesson to teach me, and I believe we can all learn from him, as well!

Oliver’s family moved to our neighborhood a month or two ago, and installed an Invisible Fence. Mom went running yesterday and Oliver decided to make a run for it. He ended up at the very end of our street, extremely stressed and not very trusting. I found him as I was driving to our new house; I left the car running and tried to catch him before he ran toward Route 70. Marilyn, the Reilly boys and I managed to calm him down once he crossed a very busy street. Marilyn also turned off my car and brought me my keys; she’s a terrific partner in any adventure.

I looked at Oliver’s tags and couldn’t read his name or address. I found his 2007 Rabies Vaccine tag, but the vet couldn’t find his

owner’s name or address. Oliver had a valid dog license with Wall Township, and the lovely folks at Wall called his home number and found it to be disconnected. There was a plethora of identification on Oliver, and not one piece of it was worth anything because his family had moved and not updated his information.

In the 30 minutes it took to find no owner information for Oliver, the boys and Marilyn calmed him down and discovered he loved

stomach rubs. We couldn’t leave him on a busy street, so I opened the back door of my car and in he went. In fact, he went right for the driver’s seat, apparently attempting to prove a male stereotype by insisting he drive. He understood “Move over, Buddy!”

I called Guy who moved our girls, Abby and Katie, into the house, and Marilyn and I drove this sweet boy home. He went right into

the backyard, drank some water and then wanted to come inside with me. While Guy and I were deciding what we could do, including finding the owners by visiting their old address (which the Township had provided) we noticed a black SUV with an upset driver. Sure enough, Oliver’s Mom had returned home and was now looking for her beloved boy. The reunion was wonderful, and Mom promises to update Oliver’s information immediately.

So thank you, Oliver, for reminding me before we move, how important it is to notify the Township and our vet of the new address.

Also, before we move, both girls will have the new address on their collars. In fact, it makes sense to use the heartworm reminder on the calen-dar as a reminder to check their tags and make sure the address and name are clear. Abby and Katie are two VIPs in our family; taking any chances with them is not an option. Karen Barbagelata

Adventures with Oliver, Or why do all the important lessons come

from critters with 4 legs and a tail?

Katie #42 and Abby’s #28 New Digs

Ah moving. What a nightmare. We needed more room for our family, (Guy's Mom is with us) and wanted the girls to have some room to roam. You should see Katie, our breeding Mom!!! She walks the corner of the property like a night watchman, and knows every strange visitor! She made a bunny run from hiding last week and made me laugh out loud because the rabbit was hop-ping across the lawn and Katie was hopping just like a slightly bigger rabbit. Of course, the bunny man-aged to get out of the fence and Ka-tie just wagged and smiled. Abby, no big watch-dog, was trying to find someone to play ball during this event!

GOLDSTOCK 2008 Once again we met up with old friends and some new friends. I just want to thank people who helped us raise so much money this year. There was Geoff along with Sam and Bandit. Lois and John with Rosie and Star. Lynn Grenier, Ruth Human and Sue Brown who took turns manning the tables, o.k. Geoff too !! John for his Mar-garitas !! The Geriatrics for their generous donation and all that Sex on the Beach. Carolyn Zagami and her friend, Karen Kelly who donated jewelry for the silent auction. Dee Hess and her sister for golden walking. And Blake Brehl and Rachels Hayes for golden walking. and table watching. Aunt Marie and Aunt Pat for early morning walks and those awesome golf cart rides down to the lake—just ask K.C. Aunt Gail and Uncle Buddy for inviting us, and last but not least a big thank you to Aunt Carol and Aunt Millie for loading and unloading the van and getting us ready to go. Oh yes, thank you to whichever rescue made up those jello shots !!!

P A G E 5 V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 2

*** What is a puppy mill? Why are they bad? Are they regulated?***

A puppy mill is a volume producer of puppies. Some produce puppies for the wholesale (pet store) trade and some sell directly to the pet buyer. Puppy mills are bad for many reasons. Here are some of them: the breeding dogs are usually kept in very small cages • the breeding dogs are undersocialized • Health care is poor Grooming and exercise are often nonexistent since the kennel is a commercial enterprise, corners are often cut and care is compromised • the breeding dogs are unlikely to be good representatives of the breed • the puppies are undersocialized • the puppies live in and must defecate in cages, making them difficult to housebreak breeding females are usually bred every heat and quickly "wear out" • breeding dogs are not tested for genetic defects • breeding dogs that no longer "produce" are killed • puppies are weaned very early, leading to many problems • disease is often rampant in the crowded conditions Commercial pet sellers are "regulated" by the USDA. However the standards are very minimal. It is perfectly le-gal to keep dogs in tiny cages and never take them out, breed them every heat, wean the pups very early, and shoot the dogs when they get "too old". Breeders advertise as being USDA-registered. No federal regulations exist for kennels that sell directly to buyers. In general, however, it is wise to be suspi-cious of any kennels housing many breeds, for all of the reasons mentioned above. **** On September 20, 2008, I along with members of the Delaware Valley Puppy Rescue attended an annual event in the heart of Lancaster County. The event is called “Puppy Mill Awareness Day”, and these events are held throughout the country. It was an eye opener. I met people, most of whom had puppy mill dogs that they had adopted from various rescues. Heartwarming. Tearful. Watching these dedicated people off to a march in the middle of Amish Farms– being escorted by a group of men/woman called Rescue Ink to keep them out of harms way. Adults, children, dogs of all breeds. You would be amazed. Next year SHGRR will be well repre-sented, see page 12 for Chanel’s story. Chanel was the only rescue that day—not turned in but rescued by one woman who had the nerve to drive up a farmers driveway and inquire whether he had any mill dogs to turn in..

P A G E 6 S H O R E H E A R T S

As part of my Think Dog Lecture, one of the topics I speak about is the Dog’s Social order. I speak about how dogs develop placements within the order. They all have roles and communal jobs designed to keep the pack stable and functioning, just as we do in our families. In that, there are leaders and followers. Those dogs with the best skills for a specific task will lead in that task. The best hunter, those most suited to protecting, or even the ones most able to raise the young all have their place and lead the other pack members in task or are just left alone to do their jobs. Every pack has to have a definitive leader, the one who creates calm, stability and purpose for all others; we refer to them as Alpha dogs. An Alpha is not one to start fights, they lead by presence. They control by calm confidence which has an underlying statement of “I can and will take this behavior to whatever level but am giving you the option of backing out!” They control simply by a look, a body stance, a head move-ment or eye set, which all have immediate understanding to the other pack members. So are you a leader or follower? Here is a typical example of both using the same scenario, the door bell ringing. The leader. The door bell rings, the dog barks and runs to the door. The leader moves to the door, tells the dog to “quiet” and “sit”, the dog does. The door is opened and guests enter. The follower. The door bells rings, the dog barks and runs to the door. The follow begins to shout orders, get the dog, grab the dog, get the leash, stop the dog, someone get them back, quiet, quiet, quiet…. In the first scenario, the dog knew the owner was the leader and accepted their role in answering the door as being quiet and remaining calm. In the second scenario, the owner was following the dogs’ behavior and the dog heard the owner as barking and following its lead in the activity. Are you the leader or follower? Are you giving direction or being directed? Does your dog follow you on walks or lead you down the street? Ultimate Dog Training 732 232 3983

Emergency Supply Kit for Pets

A three-day supply of food and drinking water, as well as bowls, cat litter and a con-tainer to be used as a litter box. Current photos and descriptions of pets. Up-to-date identification, including an addi-tional tag with the phone number of some-one out of the area in the event the pet be-comes lost. Medications, medical records and a first aid kit stored in a waterproof container. Sturdy leashes, harnesses, and carriers to transport pets safely as well as blankets or towels for bedding and warmth. Carriers should be large enough to comfortably house your pet for several hours or even days.

Dear Lana, I do not have much of a story to tell BUT I learned something new. Recently, my Goldens were out playing on a warm day. When they came inside, the air conditioner cooled them down. But one of my babies was still panting a lot. I called my Vet and asked her what I could do to relieve him. She said to put some rubbing alcohol on a cotton circle and lightly rub in between my dogs toes. She, also, suggested a frozen bag of vegetables placed on the inside thigh area near the genitals. I never knew this but it worked. I just wanted to share this information with fellow golden owners. It put me at peace to see that I provided relief for my furry buddies. Sincerely, Pam Wagner (Annie #85)

Who is the Leader? By Jeanne Perciaccanto

P A G E 7 V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 2

Let me preface this by stating that I am dictating in dog speak and the human is translating this into human-speak…. Since I am not sure she does such a good job understanding dog-speak (Aunt Jeanne can verify this I am sure) ... much could be lost in the transla-tion! My whole world was turned upside down on March 13th, 2008. 2 women came to my home late at night and I knew something scary was going to happen. They talked to my human for a little while and then my mother up and gave me away. She didn’t ask me if it was OK. She didn’t explain anything to me, she just gave me away. She didn’t even cry!!! All of a sudden I found myself in the back of a car driving into the night. We drove far from the only home I knew. I watched out the window but I knew I would never find my way back. Finally, around midnight, one of the women named Lana, took me to a new house. THAT was REALLY scary. A CRAZY dog lived there. I could hear her before I even got into the house. Where was this woman taking me!! I hoped she wouldn’t leave me there. I thought I was going to be dog meat!!! We got into the house and this black fur ball with teeth and the loudest obnoxious voice I ever heard ‘greeted’ me at the front door. Ah geez… a crazy female lives here. I wiggled and waggled and tried to look ingratiating. We went outside to do our business. STONES!! I have to walk on stones to pee!!! No comforts of home here. OUCH.. OUCH…OOCH ….OUCH… I had to tiptoe to walk. Not liking this so far, but don’t let them know! (of course the crazy female – I found out her name is Rikka – was running all over the stones… another sure sign she was crazy). I finally limped back into the house and Lana was giving the lady instruc-tions about what to do with me so I guess she WAS going to leave me here. They talked about how bad my coat was and how I walked funny and they REALLY did not like my dreadlocks! My ego was certainly not being helped here! Lana wanted me to be renamed and this new lady decided on Bruce. BRUCE!!!! What the heck kind of name is THAT! (She said what the heck did I expect at 1am!) Buddy was a perfectly respectable name wasn’t it???? Bruce is so gay sounding! BUT.. Lana liked it cause of that Springsteen guy so that made it ok. As soon as Aunt Lana left my foster mom grabbed her scissors! Holy Smoke.. WHAT was she going to do with them? I just got here for pity sake. Chop , chop, chop , chop… for an hour she chopped… stopping only long enough to put band-aids on her fin-gers she had cut up trying not to cut me up… serves her right! All my dreadlocks were gone! I thought they were the fashion but apparently not in this part of NJ! I must admit it felt much better. She cut off most of my manly chest hair too!!! Apparently she didn’t like all the clumps of hair there either. Thank goodness she didn’t wax my chest! I saw that in a movie once! OUCH! I was beginning to think I WAS NOT going to like it here. It was only 1a.m. on my first day here and no one to help me! I paced and paced for several days and nights. Lots of rules here. Not allowed to poop in dining room; got yelled at for lifting my leg on the baby grand piano; can only eat 2 times /day; can’t have the run of the house when this mom is gone; not allowed to sleep on Rikka’s bed.. or the couch… or my foster mom’s bed.., can’t eat the teddy bears and so on and so on and so on. I was used to making my own rules. I had always decided what I wanted to do and when. So….I decided I was going to take over! “OK, YO!!… Rikka!!… listen up!!! Attention!!!!…. Food is mine! Water is mine! Toys are MINE! You may not even look at food or treats or your bones…. Ever! Don’t like it?? See these teeth!!! Feel these teeth!!! OK Foster Mom…. Listen up!!… I will not sit down or lay down!…… EVER! If something good is on the counter - it is mine! If I want to jump and knock you over I will. If I want to be petted - you better do it or I will just climb all over you and get into your space and jump on you til I knock you over. I determine what Rikka can and can’t have! I lead the way everywhere! In other words I am the boss!!!!” And by the way, I LIKE the ‘thupt, thupt, thupt’ tongue action I have. I worked hard to get it right! Han-nibal has nothing on me when it comes to that! Of course that is all we have in common! =:0 UH OH! Crapsiola!!! ...... I didn’t realize this human mom would not agree to me taking over. She REALLY didn’t appreciate it very much when I gave ‘what for’ to Rikka when she tried to eat her food without my permission, or touch her toys or walk by the bones lying all over the house. Rikka was a real wuss for all her bark and noise but her human mom can sure give it right back when she needs to. At least I made them change their whole way of life just to accommodate ME when they realized I was not shy about making sure I got my way! I was going to show them! Unfortunately that backfired on me too. No toys, no bones, nothing to play with unless I had this new mom’s permission. Well! I won a small victory. Rikka still won’t play with her toys and she won’t eat any bones unless her mom is right there with her. Life in this new home was really rough for while because I was so sure I could take over. Aunt Lana even tried to find me a new foster home but no one could take me. (She told my foster mom afterwards) Every day my foster mom and I went a few rounds together. She kept telling me I am just a dog and she is stronger than I am and she is going to win! She kept telling me I am NOT the boss! HA! HA! Fat chance of that if I had my say but she certainly is persistent!!!

Continued on page 8

“BRUCE”

S H O R E H E A R T S N E W S V O L U M E 4 , I S S U E 2

I would stand there and just STARE at her when she told me to do something. I knew what I was supposed to do but I had NO in-tention of listening. I could stare forever if I had to. Unfortunately she didn’t let me stare for long. She would make me do what-ever she said. The war was on! THEN she changed her tactics. She decided to just ignore me. No matter what, she pretended I wasn’t there unless I was doing something really bad. NOT nice! I didn’t like that very much at all! I wanted to be petted and talked to. She would walk me but wouldn’t let me lead there either. I do love to walk. Thank goodness she didn’t stop doing that. My 2nd or 3rd night in this new home, I had one of those things that happens to me that makes me not remember what happened for about 5 minutes. They call it a seizure. I used to lie down somewhere and I then would wake up with water all over my chest from drooling and my legs would be all stiff and I couldn’t think straight for a minute or two. VERY disconcerting. My foster mom sat with me during the 1st one late at night (after Rikka made her get out of bed). She called Aunt Laura and Aunt Lana the next day and they gave me medicine and the blank spaces got less and less and now I don’t lose any more time or memory. Now they changed to my not being able to get up for few minutes and even that hasn’t happened for a long time. It is so much nicer now. I am not sure why my 1st mom didn’t take me to a doctor to fix me. It was so easy. My foster mom sat next to me for the 2nd and 3rd seizure too when I didn’t understand yet that I just had to wait til I could move my legs. I just kept watching her and she kept petting me even though I gave her such a hard time every day. Maybe it really isn’t so bad here. Hmmmmmm. I had to think about that. This could be a very long story but I will make it short. It took me quite awhile but I finally decided to give up and behave myself. I can’t be boss in this house. Foster mom still watches me like a hawk. I know, I have had a couple of slips but for at least a month now I have been really good. I can even eat my food in the same room with Rikka and leave her alone if she is still eating when I am done. Rikka can finally eat her bones but I still need foster mom there to help me control myself. I don’t try to tear them away from her but I do try to sneak them. J I even learned that if the toys or bones are on Rikka’s bed that I need to leave them there. I have lots of other things to play with and chew on here. I can sit (or no food), lie down, go back, move away, walk nice on the leash and all kinds of stuff. I like to play fetch… but of course I still don’t like to give back the ball! OK…ok….. a work in progress. I am trying to be less domineering. I even try to play with toys with Rikka. I grab the braided ropes and whack her on the head with them. .. I need to do that cause she is too busy paying attention to what is happening out the window than to me. Sometimes she will grab the end and pull but most of the time she ignores me. I guess she hasn’t forgiven me for ‘putting her in her place’ so many times. Females.. They NEVER for-get! She does play roughhouse with me though…. you know…. Chase and grab the throat kind of play with teeth on teeth. She is really good at that. Foster mom used to get a little nervous about it but she knows I hold back and let Rikka win. She is such a skinny little thing I could sit on her and crush her if I wanted to but I have learned to play and have fun with my foster sister instead of ruling over her. It is so much nicer. The other nice thing is foster mom doesn’t let Rikka rule over me either. I learned a lot here. A couple of other things to mention… I used to have a scraggly coat with hardly any hair on my back and a tail that looked like it belonged to a whippet! So embarrass-ing!!! Now that I get good food I have long curly hair and some brush on my tail. Oh… I lost my fat belly too. I am now sleek and ALL muscle. … well, as sleek and ‘muscley’ as I can be. :-} I do have to say… my little doggy pads finally got used to the stones. I no longer tip toe and rush to do my business. Thank good-ness for THAT! You know guys and their business meetings! - we like to take our time and be comfortable. J Thanks Aunt Lana and Aunt Jeanne for rescuing me! Now that I am out of there I realize just how much I was missing! I certainly hope I can find a brand new forever home since I am a now brand new dog.

BRUCE continued

“Answers from the Heart” S H O R E H E A R T S N E W S

Dear Heart, I have a problem, I hope you can help. For a long time, I was in this wire place with two girls. We had a lot of pup-pies. We didn’t have much care from those dog food people. They gave us food but nothing else. Then one day, we were taken to a scary place. They poked us with needles and I don’t remember some of it. When I woke up, I hurt between my back legs, for a while. I was scared because there were lots of dog food people but they tried to touch me and I didn’t know what to do. I walked in circle to stay away from them for a while. Then I was in this thing with seats and fresh air blew in my face. I was still scared. The dog food people took me to a place where there were lots of other dogs. I didn’t know how to be a dog like them. They wanted me to play and I didn’t know how. The dog food people there were nice. They let me get used them slowly, and then I de-cided that they were not so scary. I started to follow them around and they started to touch me. THAT FELT GOOD! But I was still scared of anything new. Some new people came and took me in another thing with seat and fresh air. We were in it for a long time. Then I had to get out to another scary place. There were more people and those things moving around. The ground was hot. I met more dog food people. They touched me and tried to give me some water and something that smelled good. I was too scared to do anything but walk in circles. Then I went in another thing with seats and fresh air. A person sat near me but I was still afraid. We were in this thing for a long time. I let the person touch me but I was still scared. We got to a place and they lifted me out of the car because I was afraid to jump out. There were lots of other dogs that looked like me! They all greeted me and wagged their tails. We went into a big kennel. The other dogs came in. I was scared and walked in circles. When it was time to eat, all the other dogs went down this tunnel with bumps but I was scared. I stood at the top and looked down. I walked in circles. Then the dog food person brought my food to me. WOW! I ate fast but I watched the people because I was still scared of them. I burped loud because I ate so fast. They wanted me to go out this opening to the grass but I was scared. They put a thing on my collar and talked to me nicely so I went out with them. I was still scared but I went potty. The dog food people didn’t make me do things I didn’t want to do. I watched the other dogs and learned from them. I saw that they got good stuff like treats and were touched if they went near the dog food people. I de-cided it must be a good thing so I went to the dog food people to be touched. After a week, I decided if the other dogs, who are old, could go down that tunnel, I could too. So I did and my people cheered and clapped and that scared me but I can go up and down the tunnel now. I have been in this new place for a little while now. I love my people. I crawl in their laps and want to be touched all the time. At night, they go on this big dog bed and go to sleep. When I see they are awake, I crawl up on the big dog bed and want to be touched. The other day, I laid my chin on my mom’s cheek and lay snuggled with her for a long time. I love to be touched and I love my mom and dad to touch me. My problem is, new things, especially new people, still scare me. Mom and Dad went away for awhile and a differ-ent dog food person was feeding us. I was scared of her. I didn’t want her to touch me. She slept in my Mom

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P A G E 1 0 S H O R E H E A R T S N E W S

Subscription/Donation/Sponsor Application What does it take to become a subscriber of Shore Hearts Golden Retriever Rescue (SHGRR)? A desire to help homeless or displaced Golden Retrievers and Golden Hearted! Your subscription and/or donation goes directly to helping a Golden Hearted in need, through providing veterinary medical/surgical care, hospice care and foster care. In return, you will receive a quarterly newsletter with rescue stories and pictures, tips on how to care for and train your dog, and heartwarming stories of our adopted Golden Hearted. You will also receive invitations to all of our group events. We welcome everyone with a desire to help! You are welcome to volunteer with our program whether it be for fostering, home visits, fundraising, or information tables. Thank you for your interest in SHGRR! Subscription dues are $30 per calendar year, subscribers receive newsletters, as well as a subscription card, and a 15% discount on any product from the Shore Hearts Golden Store. . Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ State/Province; ZIP/Postal Code___________________________________________________________________________ Subscription $ 30.00 ______________________________________________________________________________________ Donation $ ___________________(Birthday, Anniversary, In Memory of) _____________________________

Sponsor $ ____________________________(SHGRR Golden Hearted Name)_____Total Enclosed ____________

Please make check payable to: Shore Hearts Golden Retriever Rescue PO. Box 607, Lanoka Harbor, N.J. 08734

“Answers from the Heart” and Dad’s dog bed but I was scared of her. The other dogs wanted her to touch them but not me. To show how scared I am of new things and people, my Dad came in wearing a hat and I barked at him. My Mom came around the corner carrying a box and I barked at her. I don’t want to be scared any more. What can I do? Jittery in Jasper Dear Jittery, I can certainly understand why you would be so scared. At a time when most dogs are living with a family and being so-cialized, you were isolated. Most people are nice and can be trust. As far as the new dog food person is concerned, if you Mom and Dad trusted her to take care of you, you should be afraid. They would only do the best for you. Watch and learn from the other dogs. If a stranger comes into the house and the other dogs bark, you can bark too. But if they greet the per-son and want to be touched, you are safe. It may take some time and a lot more experience with people and the world before you have the confidence that the other dogs obviously have. My advice is, be patient, watch and learn. Trust your Mom and Dad to do the best for you. They must love you and they will take good care of you. Woofly yours,

Heart

Heart was rescued from a high-kill shelter on Valen-tine’s Day several years ago and got her name Heart. She, through no fault of her own, had many life ex-periences, good and bad. She is now in a loving home and wants to dispense her wis-dom.

P A G E 1 1 2008 Adoptions 150 Scooby Patti & Gary Murdock 138 Leah Marla & Barry Beckmann 143 Tara Lee Forlaw Hoff & Chuck Hoff 146 Cash Nancy Mezey & Karen Diehl 151 Hana Susan & George Smith 152 Noele Joan & Al Hemmendinger 156 Morgan Kim & Edgar Bunch 56 Snuggles Patch Winter 153 Bandit Geoff & Sam Hendrickson 155 Bonnie Angela & Michael Hornsby 158 Rose Angela & Michael Hornsby 159 Sandy Karen & Stew Fife 160 Oliver Janice & David Broker 157 Wilson Kristin & Peter Nuneviller 149 Cody Millie & John Lazarus 150 Bodie Jill & Michael Paraska 161 Sonny The Cochran-Carney Family 171 Luke Betsy & Steven Kowal 168 Jesse Melissa, Ed and Eddie Emde 172 Jasper Evelyn & Peter Ongaro 173 C.J. Carol & Skip Free 164 Cinnamon Beverly Bauchert 165 Molly Dorothyann & George Condoleon 170 Aaron Virginia & Peter Ricca 111 Lexi Lana Winter

Little Egg Self Storage Rte 539

Tuckerton NJ

AMERICAN EAGLE FLAG CO. LACEY ROAD,

FORKED RIVER, NJ

Headz or Nailz Lacey Road

Forked River, NJ

PET VALU Lacey Mall

Lanoka Harbor, NJ

David Zamoznick Dirty Paws Grooming

Tuckerton, NJ 609 296 0088

We were going to write about the 9 dogs we brought out of Missouri the end of June but we thought you would want to read about Chanel and see her pictures. Some day, she will make a lucky fam-ily a wonderful compan-ion. Next issue we write about Cha Chi and how he came to Shore Hearts.

P.O. Box 607 Lanoka Harbor, N.J. 08734 Adoptions@shorehearts.org A 501 (C)(3) Nonprofit Organization

With Spirit

SHORE HEARTS GOLDEN RETRIEVER RESCUE

We’re on the Web! www.shorehearts.org

Visit Us At The Cranberry Festival

Rte 532 Chatsworth, NJ

October 17 and 18, 2008

September 22, 2008 Hello Lana, I was thrilled to hear from you today about "our chocolate lab, Chanel". It brought tears to my eyes to hear that she is doing so well already. About how I got the little girl.........there is so much I could tell you. I will say that it was an answer to prayer, though. I was just driving along one of the back roads and "something" just told me to turn into that farm. I wasn't looking to res-cue any dogs at that point but I am always open to the possibility. A lot has happened this summer and I have had contact with a few Amish farmers trying to make inroads to be able to get the dogs they would "get rid of" when they could no longer breed . So on Friday night, I drove in and got out of my car and went to the store they had that was selling crafts and home baked goods. It was a picture perfect looking farm......could have been on a postcard. Little did I know that that beautiful lab was cowering in a corner of the filthy barn. Usually I ask if they have any dogs. This time , he approached me and pointed to my bumper sticker that said....No More Puppy Mills. I asked him if he understood and he nodded yes. It was then that I told him that if he had any dogs that he did not want that I would take them. He hesitated a moment and then said that he had one dog that could not give him puppies any more. I asked him if he would let me have her ........no questions asked . He said "yes, come back in the morning". I usually have a crate in my car, but didn't this time, so I went to Petsmart and bought a crate and some supplies. I could hardly sleep that night thinking about this dog that was going to get her freedom in the morning. When I went back in the morning, he was in the middle of doing a chicken barbeque and there were buses pulling up to the farm. Everything looked so perfect to these tourists. Only I knew what was behind the scenes. He told me to pull over to the barn and wait for him. I waited for about 15 minutes and he came over and told me that this dog is very fearful and is very hard to catch. He asked me to go into the barn with the crate and then opened a horse stall where he kept her. It was dark and at first I couldn't even see her. The stall was filled with feces and garbage and debris. She was cowering in the corner and I saw the fear in her eyes. He grabbed her and shoved her into the crate and she was so scared that she just had diarrhea all over the place. She was scrambling around the crate trying to get out and my heart was break-ing and I was trying not to show any emotion in front of him. We lifted the crate into the back of my car and she just shook and shook. I asked him once again before I left if he had any other dogs and he said NO. He said he was glad to get rid of her because she could not have puppies. No puppies.....no money ! She was just a piece of trash to him. I shudder to think of how he may have gotten rid of her if she was not released that day. But it was her lucky day.... her first taste of freedom. As I was driving her to the park, the only thing I could think to do was to sing to her to try to calm her. I watched her in the rear view mirror and she never stopped shaking. We got to the park and Kathy and Mike were the first people she met. She wouldn't come out of the crate and they went in and gently coaxed her out, gently gave her a bath and tenderly dried her. They put her on a soft blanket and let her rest. This little girl had never known the gentle touch of a human hand, she only knew fear and terror and pain. I will never forget her eyes....the pain and worry behind them. She touched my heart on a level that no other dog had ever done. I will cherish the memory of that short time with her forever. Knowing that she will have a good life now is the fuel to keep going to try to get more dogs out of their prison. We can only pray that one day this pain and suffering will end for all these precious dogs. Please keep me up to date on her progress. Thank you and thank SHGRR volunteer, Laura Taylor for fostering her. Denise DeMarco