I have experienced my most satisfying moments in life, aiding both dogs in rescue/shelters, & dogs that belong to homeless humans.

For shelter and rescue dogs, as well as dogs owned by homeless humans, I collect blankets/beds, toys, bones, food, collars and leashes. I’m always looking for donated PAW MARKS training martingale collars, of all sizes / particularly chihuahua size, and small dog sized) You may call me directly for contributing donations. I prefer grain free processed foods and treats, as well as natural bones (femur, hoof, antler, ear, etc)  I also collect bandaging supplies, topical Neosporin (NO PAIN ADDITIVE PLEASE: dog kidneys will go into acute failure with this pain additive) calendula gel (from CVS) and either senior low dose aspirin, or baby aspirin (IMPORTANT NOTE: aspirin overdose is certain, if not given in a specific protocol- do not give your pet aspirin without consulting a veterinarian)

I also donate time and expertise. My donated training includes: resolving behavioral issues, like fear and aggression, food-aggression, resource guarding, cage-aggression, anxiety around people or other animals, and being indoors. I also solve problem behaviors, on otherwise emotionally balanced dogs, that lots of owners face, like inappropriate chewing, rooting through trash, counter surfing, chasing cars or critters, indoor elimination, digging, and excessive barking, etc.

I also donate grooming to animals ready for adoption events, helping them look their best while being viewed by potential owners. I want to do what I can, to help them find their forever home. Donated grooming, also includes healing skin maladies, cleaning teeth & ears, trimming nails, and expressing anal glands. These are the health aspects vs aesthetic aspects of their grooms.

As well, I provide first 24-hr critical care, when these animals first come off the street. Very often, they are in need of wellness, grooming, & training help, immediately

The first ways we handle animals from the streets, has the biggest impact on their ease/ lack of ease, of adapting to life with humans, other pets, and living indoors. A dog handling error, in which panic ensues, can create a great fear of humans. The unknown is scary until known. But if we insert the “known” as a good reason to panic, dogs adopt self-defense mechanisms, that can carry over into new homes with families. Careful handling while catching, and in the first 24 hours, can ease dogs into knowing that a relationship with humans can be beneficial. Gaining trust is imperative.

Dogs from the streets are often plagued with chronic skin infections, both from parasites and microbes. Itching, bleeding, burning, and oozing skin with open lesions, not only is a great health debilitator, and immune suppressor, but also reeks havoc on a dogs ability to rest or sleep. Lack of rest and sleep, create emotional unbalances. I ’ve developed a feed protocol, herbal and homeopathic supplementation, plus shampoo & topical treatment protocol, that yields the best success with chronic skin maladies, that I’ve ever witnessed.  I’m so happy to be able to resolve this complex problem for stray dogs.

The last project dog of mine is a dog named Bandit. He’s a Blue Heeler and owned by a homeless veteran, Travis.

Another homeless gentleman, gave Travis my card when he noticed Bandit limping. Upon my inspection, I was relieved to see that the initial injury, was a torn toenail, from getting his nail caught in one of Travis’ crutches. Travis, at that time, had a lower left leg, that was swollen to twice the size of normal.

Bandit had a severe secondary bacterial infection. Treatment included removing the hanging ripped nail, cleaning the wound, applying topical antibiotics and administering oral antibiotics and pain relief, bandaging, and a daily repeat of these protocols, for 10 days. Travis made the commitment, to show up at the same location (a Mobil gas station: thank you Mobil) at a pre-designated time, daily, for me to help Bandit.

Here was the extreme challenge:  Bandit was fearful-aggressive! In being chased, harassed, robbed, and screamed at, the pair (Bandit & Travis) were both hedgy around humans. Bandit took a leading role, in warding others off from them both. The pair were tightly bonded, and very reliant on each other for daily survival. There was a closeness between the two, that I hope for all dogs,  with average non-homeless,  owners.

Once Bandit was infection free, and non-limping, I drove him to animal control, for neutering, microchipping (using animal control address and Travis phone #), & vaccines. (Thank you animal control)

But Bandit’s recovery revealed yet another problem. Once sound in all 4 limbs,  Bandit was then running across 6 lanes of traffic, in anticipation upon approaching a daily stop for the pair, at a pizza restaurant. Bandit was in anticipation of their daily find of food in the pizza place’s dumpster. Travis, on crutches, could not hustle after bandit. Travis could not navigate walking on crutches, and holding bandit on his rope, with Bandits excessive leash pulling. Travis had been pulled to the ground on these 6-lanes of traffic, on a number of occasions.

So, after all medical needs were cleared up for Bandit, and Bandit was now receiving regular meals dispensed by me, of both quality grain-free kibble in a gallon ziplock bag, and quality grain-free canned food  (only what Travis could fit in his back-pack) I addressed Bandit’s training issues.

Bandit was first trained for leash walking, with a proper training martingale collar, and 4’ lead. He learned to only walk when Travis walked, and stop when Travis stopped. He looked at Travis for directions, vs making his own decisions, regarding walking in areas containing public & vehicles  (he’d also bitten 3 people that were not harassing the pair)  This “waiting for directions” was also the key to stopping Bandit from fraternizing (biting and aggressing) with the public.

Lastly, I trained Bandit to stop at all curbs, on and off leash. So he could excitedly run to a destination on impulse, but then found “impulse-control” through memory created by repetition, and triggered by the sight of a curb.

Travis, couldn’t have been more grateful. I didn’t charge Travis a dime, but he offered to raise money to take me for a meal! We went for a meal together, INSIDE the pizza restaurant! Travis wore a brand new T-shirt at dinner, that he bought at Walgreens, for $3. I believe the work the 3 of us did together, also showed Travis, that the whole human population, could not be judged, by the behaviors a few.

Since our concentrated time together, I visit Travis and Bandit for dog supply delivery. I’m happy to report, Bandit excels with his new skills, learned in training. But I’m even happier to report, that Travis, inspired by my caring for Bandit, sought help at the VA hospital  & is now on a prosthetic leg, vs crutches. He’s also pain- free, and no longer “self-medicates”. He’s gotten a girlfriend, and they live together INDOORS, with Bandit. He’s working on finding employment.

Happy trails, Bandit and Travis!

Happy trails to you all 💜