Message fromthe PresidentDear Friends,

Happy holidays to everyone!

We’ve had quite a year and accom-plished much in 2004. We stretched ourresources (often negotiating low cost ortotally donated services) to take in 120dogs of all ages and medical needs sinceour start in August 2003. Since that time,we have placed at least one dog eachweek. This is a satisfactory adoption“pace” since we’re not concerned abouthow quickly we adopt, but how well weadopt. Each time one of our dogs “goeshome”—complete with a thorough dis-cussion about the dog including behaviorand training tips – we have done our bestto ensure a lasting adoption.

Our adoption success is directly attrib-utable to our wonderful volunteers whog ive up their Saturdays and many hours oftheir own free time to work with our dogsand present them at our weekly adoptions h ows. Our volunteers are so good thatt h ey can recommend dogs to potentialapplicants based on a realistic assessmentof their lives and needs. As if that weren’tenough, many volunteers also work withdog owners who are threatening to giveup their dogs, often saving the relation-ship and the dog from an unknown future.Our volunteers also help search for lostdogs. Each pursuit of a stray dog can lastdays or months. Our volunteers havehelped to develop and distribute posters,and search ex t e n s ively until the dogfound. Our volunteers are an amazingasset. T h ey make DAWG what it is.

Our thanks to DAWG volunteerswould not be complete without acknowl-

edging our incredible fosters. They takeon the task of integrating scared anduntrained dogs into their homes, knowingit could be months before the dog adjustsand will be placed in a loving home. It’swork that requires a big heart andpatience. We salute our fosters!

Lastly we thank you, our friends, forcontinuing to make our work possible.It’s a special pleasure when you visit usat adoption shows, and when our adoptersstay in touch with pictures and notes.

May you have a wonderful holiday!

Sincerely,

Joan MarshallPresident

Special Story: LEXI!How ironic and sad that the family

who adopted Lexi (born on Christmasday eleven years ago) chose the holidaysas the time they no longer wanted her.Why? Because they had their sixth childand decided Lexi was too much trouble.We also suspect Lexi’s slight but treatableincontinence had something to do with it.Not to worry, 11 year old Lexi will nowlive out her life with a loving foster whosays older dogs are the best dogs!

As for Lexi’s health, we are runningblood tests for suspected liver deteriora-tion. She also has an eyelid cyst thatmakes her eye “weep,” but it will beremoved as soon as possible. We willgive Lexi everything she needs to makeher life as comfortable as possible. As forher spirit, she is playful and enjoys hernew dog friends who love to curl up next

to her for a nap. She knows she’s lovedand appreciated just as she is.

If you can help us support Lex i ’s med-ical treatments, please send a contribu t i o nto DAWG at PO Box 34213, Bethesda,MD 20827. Thank you for helping a sweetolder lady dog who deserves your love!

SheilaHow could anyone want to shoot

Sheila? This lonely golden retriever led ahard life outdoors, rain or shine. Herowner, a farmer, bred her over and overuntil she started to grow old. When thefarmer decided she should be disposedof, we jumped on the chance to save her.We now have this sweet Sheila living

Best DAWG Rescue, Inc./Winter 2004/2005 1

Best Dawg Rescue, Inc. • PO Box 34213 • Bethesda, MD 20827 • 301-407-BEST • www.dawg-rescue.org

Newsletter of Best DAWG Rescue, Inc. Winter 2004/2005

with a wonderful foster mom who willnuture her through her recovery. OurSheila is truly a “golden girl” whose lifehas just begun.

Adult Dogs—Way To Go!By Moira Gingery

Getting warm and fuzzy thoughts thisholiday season? Envisioning a little fluffball running around your yard and play-ing with the kids? You may want toreconsider. Puppies are darling but havebeen called “pint-size cyclones” for a rea-son. They are similar to babies withintense needs, energy and vulnerability. Apuppy must be constantly supervised,learn house training, and be socialized tosights, sounds, other animals, and people.If that weren’t enough, breeder andpuppy mill puppies often have seriousmedical problems and have not had anysocialization at a critical time in thepuppy’s life. That little fluffball maygrow up into a Cujo! In fact, how big apuppy grows can be a surprise, evenwhen people think they’ve purchased apurebred dog.

If you talk to rescue volunteers andshelter personnel, they’d be quick to sug-gest adopting an adult dog instead of apuppy. Actually, many adults dogs arereally puppies in adult bodies – just a fewmonths older, bigger and better behavedthan that cute, squishy puppy. Often olderdogs are already somewhat trained andhousebroken. There is also no guessworkas to what the dog will look or be like.What you see is what you get!

Show visitors sometimes tell us theywon’t adopt an adult dog because theycan’t be trained as well or bond as deeplyas a puppy. Rescue and shelter personnel

know otherwise. Adult dogs can “hold it”longer and usually train far more easilythan a puppy. In fact, many adult dogs inneed of a home have had basic training.And a rescued dog’s ability to bond isamazing! Why? Because they are social,sensitive creatures who have been joltedfrom their prior lives and are desperate to“re-attach.” While some argue that dogscan’t feel gratitude, you will hear other-wise from adult dog adopters. Once anadult dog knows he’s safe and he trustsyou, you will receive intense and deepdevotion forever.

DAWG vo l u n t e e r, Kathy Rodeff e r,states, “Our dogs, Sheba and Bear, seam-lessly assimilated into our home fi l l e dwith birds, cats, children…it was like theywere always here. I’ll never get a puppya gain. These guys are plenty energetic at 7years of age. All the dumb puppy stuffwas behind them when we adopted them.T h ey didn’t eat the furniture, and sleptthrough the night from day one.”

Another volunteer, Michelle Astrin-Nawrozki, adopted an older dog, “Baby,”this year and has plenty to say on thetopic of adopting senior dogs. “I thinkmost dog lovers would hesitate if theyjust lost a dog (like I did) and couldn’tstand the thought of that happening againby adopting an older dog (compared toadopting a puppy who presumably has along life ahead). But an older dog meltsaway that feeling, especially when youknow they are less adoptable and need aloving home more than any other dog.

“Baby was a different dog as soon asshe stepped in my home. You could tellthat she just wanted to be good, so thatshe could stay. I remember when I tookher home just for the weekend, the pain Ifelt when I brought her back was almost

the same as when I lostmy dog, Lady. Some peo-ple think they are beingdisloyal to the deceasedanimal by adopting again.That is totally ridiculous.You don’t replace adeceased dog (that wouldbe impossible). Life isjust not the same withouta dog. I guess I didn’trealize that until I took‘Hoover’ (my nicknamefor Baby) home, and I’mglad I did!”

DAWG receives a constant stream ofrequests to take in unwanted dogs of anyage, but the saddest calls are from peoplegiving up their senior dogs. Call me self-ish, but I believe senior dogs can be thebest adoption choice. When you adopt an“old” dog, you get an instant, easy friend.An old dog shows not just personality,but soul. The eventual heartbreak of los-ing such a friend is always softened bythe knowledge that you were the luckyone to have had the last but best part ofthe dog’s life.

This article is dedicated to the memoryof our Cyrus, adopted as a senior withneurological problems, and in honor ofLexi, our new “virtual adoption” fosterwhose family gave her up at 11 years of

2 Best DAWG Rescue, Inc./Winter 2004/2005

Fostering—Give A Little, Get A Lot!

Would you like to help save a dog?Try fostering! Yes, you do getattached, but there’s a silver lining:you help to choose your foster dog’sfuture home, and you stay in touchwith the adopters — new friends forthe life of the dog. Another bonus tofostering is that, once the dog isadopted, your heart and home areopen to saving another dog in need. Ifyou can help change a dog’s life, takethe plunge and contact us atdawg@dawg-rescue.org.

age. We think Cyrus left this world a fewweeks before Lexi arrived to ensure wewould be there for her. Lexi unfolds moreevery day, showing plenty of life and loveyet to give.

Barkley: Big-Hearted BabyWho’s that big goofball playing with

a stuffed toy at adoption shows as if itwere a pacifier? Watch him as he rollsover, holding a toy over his head like acircus bear! That’s our Barkley! Whowould believe the close calls he’s encoun-tered in his brief life? Barkley, who hadbeen a stray three times, was so detachedat the shelter that he didn’t bother lookingat visitors. He was scheduled to be eutha-nized, but the shelter staff couldn’t do it

and called DAWG. We took Barkley,knowing he would learn to trust humansand show his sweet character over time.Today, he is a loving, focused dog who isbecoming more adorable each day. Whyhasn’t he been adopted? The only reasonwe can think of is that people think bigdogs are “too much.” But Barkley isattentive to commands and settles quick-ly. He’s smart, loving and sweet. If you’reintrigued by the thought of a loveablebear as your next best friend, Barkley’swaiting for you!

“Play Misty For Me”…Or isit “Misty, Play For Me!”

With her lustrous fur gleaming and abig grin on her face, Misty stands out atadoption shows. Who wouldn’t chuckleas Misty flops down at the water bowl(frequently playing in it), and rolls overon her back, legs splayed and tonguehanging out sideways, waiting for a bellyrub. Misty is a happy dog who adores

being with her people. She also loves toplay with dogs. So why hasn’t she beenadopted? Beats us! She’s a normal twoyear old dog with a passion for life that isinfectious. So get the “bug” and contactus for more information about our Misty!

HEALTH…Caring for AnimalsBy Joan Marshall, Medical Director

The holiday season presents specialdangers to pets. Please be sure to tellfamily and friends about these risks andavoid a holiday disaster.

Chocolate’s Dark SideDid you know that even a small

amount of chocolate can kill a dog? Keepchocolate away from counter-cruising and

gift-sniffing dog noses! If you find thatyour dog has eaten chocolate, contactyour regular vet or after-hours emergencyvet immediately.

Emergency Treatment for GlassOrnament Ingestion

Dog owners know that dogs eat any-thing. . . even glass ornaments. Be pre-pared to respond to this emergency. Keepa box of cotton balls (not manmade) anda quart of half-and-half cream (which canbe frozen) on hand. If your dog eats aglass ornament, dip cotton balls into thecream and feed them to your dog accord-ing to the following: Dogs under 10 lbs. should eat 2 torn-up

cotton balls; Dogs 10 to 50 lbs. should eat 3 to 5 torn-

up cotton balls; and Larger dogs should eat 5 to 7 cotton balls

(no need to tear up). Luckily, dogs like the cotton ball

“treats’ and eat them readily. As the cot-ton balls work their way through thedigestive tract, cotton fibers will attach toeven the smallest shards of glass, protect-ing the digestive tract from damage. Vetsrecommend this method of treatmentimmediately after glass ingestion, but it’sbest to take your dog to the vet after-wards to ensure all “goes” well!

Best DAWG Rescue, Inc./Winter 2004/2005 3

Please support us TODAY, so we can help dogs when they need us!Donation of:

❏ $25 ❏ $50 ❏ Other: $ ________

❏ Annual pledge of $________ payable (select one) monthly or quarterly

❏ Credit donation of $________ (go to www.networkforgood.org and select BestDawg Rescue/DAWG).

❏ Gift of a security (please contact us at dawg@dawg-rescue.org to provide addi-tional information)

❏ Other: Please explain: _____________________________________________(please print)

❏ In (Circle one) memory or honor of:______________________________________Notification to:______________________________________________________Address:___________________________________________________________

Your name:_________________________________________________________Address:___________________________________________________________Telephone: ________________________________________________________

I n t e rested in helping in other ways? Don’t fo rget purchasing online thro u g hi G ive.com. If interested in volunteering, please contact us at dawg@dawg-re s c u e . o rg.

4 Best DAWG Rescue, Inc./Winter 2004/2005

Dear DAWG Adopters

Letter from Cupid’s adopters:What a love affair!!! We couldn’t love

this boy more. Don is so impressed abouthow smart he is. He is just wonderful,

and I love him to pieces. He follows mearound and at this moment he is lying bymy feet. I just feel that he was met to fillthat big hole in our hearts left by Henry.He is doing a very good job of that. Ihave felt many times in the past that wewere destined to have certain animalsappear at our door or come into our lives.Imagine that after I looked at so manylabs, and lab crosses on the internet andhad inquired about a few, but none struckme like Cupid did. He was just sittingthere looking so much like Henry andseemed to have the same disposition.Guess what? He has not let us down!

We think that he is very happy and

well adjusted. He has completely settledin and in just a week’s time. He is a goodeater and a good companion. We haveonly heard him bark about once and thatwas the first time he saw a horse! He andthe cats are at peace. Baxter has discov-ered that if he growls under his breath alittle bit, Cooper walks away.

Barb, Don & Cooper

Editor’s note: Six year old Cupid, nowCooper, was a backyard dog who wouldhave been doomed to a horrible life. Heoften was without food and water.Eventually Cupid escaped, and later wastaken in by DAWG. After almost a yearof healing from a metabolic disorder,Cupid was healthy and ready for adop -tion. However, Cupid was older and alsodidn’t care for cats or other dogs.Obviously his adopters didn’t considerthose “issues” problems whatsoever, andit turns out he’s best friends with theircat! It’s smooth sailing now for a dogwho deserves and got the best.

Letter from Buddy’s adopters to his foster mom:

I wanted to let you know Buddy’sdoing GREAT! I know he was lookingfor you for the first couple of days, butthen he quickly became interested in us,and he seems to be enjoying himself. Heseems more and more comfortable all thetime, and we’re getting to see some of hisplayful side. He’s a wonderful, wonderfuldog, and we’re so glad we found him

(and you)! Again, thanks for everything.You DAWG volunteers are awesome.Buddy is loving, smart, well-behaved,interested, interesting, and sooooo cute.

Liz

Editor’s note: Buddy was a scared andconfused dog when taken into DAWG.Thanks to his loving and patient fostermom, Buddy took his first steps towardconfidence. These days, he’s making upfor lost time, thanks to adopters who sawhis potential. Lucky Buddy!

Letter from Rosie’s adopters:Here is a picture of cute Rosie! Notice

the black fur coming in around her face.She will be 10 months old tomorrow and

she weighs 21lbs. Rosie is so much fun!She loves everybody, even strangers. Shealways wants to play and follows meeverywhere! We have taught her to ring abell when she wants to go out. She lovesthe outdoors! She has turned out to be agreat dog...we all love her to pieces!!

Wendy

Editor’s note: Rosie was surrendered asa puppy at a shelter because she was nolonger wanted. She would have beeneuthanized because there was no room atthe shelter at that time. We welcomedRosie into DAWG and she was adoptedsoon after.

Missed the Howl-o-ween adoptionshow? Then go to “DAWG Pics” on our website and click on the Howl-o-ween pictures!

Best DAWG Rescue, Inc./Winter 2004/2005 5

HONOR/MEMORIAL GIFTSG iven to Best Dawg Rescue over the lastsix months. Please note that donationsmade in the name of a person or pet notlisted in this issue will be listed in af u t u re issue. Donations are a wo n d e r f u lway to pay tribute to a special person oranimal, and a great gift for the holidays!

In Honor of PeopleJoe Graves, by Chris GravesJoan Marshall, for her tireless efforts on

behalf of animals, by Amy BleichJoan Marshall, by Judy and Roger

McClain Joyce Richardson, by Doris EpsteinSt. Francis and my daughter’s 25th wed-

ding anniversary, by Mary Ann KilbaneRoger and Judy McClain for their ongo-

ing efforts to find Mimi, by MoiraGingery and Joan Marshall

Aino Hunter, and Coalition to ImproveAnimal Control & Welfare, from JoanMarshall. Thank you for your generoussupport!

In honor of our fosters and loving han-dlers, from the DAWG dogs

In Honor of DogsLark, by Halley Ascher, Michelle Astrin-

Nawrozki, Liz Dietz, Frank and LucilleGreenwell, and Catherine Kates,

Nikki, by Marilyn Marquart, thePettigrew Family, Lou and JenniePilato, and Karen Yegen

Gabriel, by Barb and Bob AwtreyBonnie, whom we helped to rescue,

by Judy Hopkins

In Memory of PeopleRebecca Hurwitz, my mother, for a life-

time example of compassion to ani-mals, by Bonnie Hurwitz

Debbie Breuer, whom we greatly miss, by Joan Marshall

Mattie Stepanek, by Michelle Astrin-Nawrozki

Ninie Murray, our greatest teacher, fromJoan Marshall

In Memory of Dogs (and other pets)Casey Weinberg, beloved dog of Stu and

Patti, by Michelle Astrin-NawrozkiKendall Bear Maurer, by Roger and Judy

McClain, and Joan MarshallPuppy Gingery, by Lisa Astrin, Michelle

Astrin-Nawrozki, Roger and JudyMcClain, and Joan Marshall

Violet Gingery, by Roger and Judy

McClain, and Joan MarshallCyrus Gingery, by Roger and Judy

McClain, Mary Ann Kilbane, AmyBleich, and Joan Marshall

Maggie Moritz, by Lisa AstrinWednesday Corwell, by Lisa AstrinCicero Staiman, by Michelle Astrin-

NawrozkiHobey, a good boy, by the Pettigrew

Family Jessie James Pettigrew, by the Pettigrew

FamilyBassey Daugherty, by Bonnie HurwitzStormy, our beloved boxer fostered by

Joyce Richardson, by Roger and JudyMcClain

Oogie Goldman, by Moira GingeryMargaret Thatcher (Maggie) Enslow, by

Barbara and Chris Graves Kohl Foster, by Lisa AstrinSweet Pea, a sweet 7 year old lab mix

who wasdumped at ashelter becauseshe no longer fitinto her owner’slife, by all of usat DAWG.

One by one, they pass by my cage,Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.Way past his time, he can’t run and play.Then they shake their heads slowly and goon their way.

A little old man, arthritic and sore,It seems I am not wanted anymore.I once had a home, I once had a bed, A place that was warm, and where I wasfed.

Now my muzzle is gray, and my eyes slowlyfail. Who wants a dog so old and so frail? My family decided I didn’t belong,I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.

Whatever excuse they made in their head, Can’t justify how they left me for dead. Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,The younger dogs get adopted away.

When I had almost come to the end of myrope,You saw my face, and I finally had hope.You saw thru the gray, and the legs bentwith age,And felt I still had life beyond this cage.

You took me home, gave me food and a bed,

And shared your own pillow with my poortired head. We snuggle and play, and you talk to melow,You love me so dearly, you want me toknow.

I may have lived most of my life with anoth -er,But you outshine them with a love so muchstronger.And I promise to return all the love I cangive,To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you for a week, or for years, We will share many smiles, you will nodoubt shed tears. And when the time comes that God deems Imust leave,I know you will cry and your heart, it willgrieve.

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brandnew,My thoughts and my heart will still be withyou. And I will brag to all who will hear,Of the person who made my last days sodear.

— Leslie Whalen

Don’t lose your dog this holiday season!A stream of holiday guests can scare a dog, and open or improperly closed doorsare a “come hither” to a scared or adventuresome dog. To be safe, crate your dogas guests arrive and leave, and make sure your front door is always securelyclosed. In addition, crating will provide your dog security and comfort asstrangers invade his home! If your dog is overexcited or stressed, give him thebest toy waiting for him under your Christmas tree to distract him in the crate. Be safe and keep your dog safe this holiday!

Our grateful thanks to…PETCO (Beltsville, Bowie, Ellicott City,Columbia, and Rockville stores) forsponsoring our weekly adoption shows;and College Park Animal Hospital andPreston Country Club for Pets, forextraordinary care and services atreduced rates that help DAWG dogs getwell and live well until adopted.

STUMPED FOR A GIFT THIS HOLIDAY? Give a gift of life to a dog by donating in honor or memory of a loved one. Please contact us atdawg@dawg-rescue.org for fur-ther information.

Visit us at www.dawg-rescue.org

Best Dawg Rescue, Inc.PO Box 34213Bethesda, MD 20827

Remember that United Way/CFC has a moratorium on approving nonprofit organizations in 2004. We need your help more than ever!

DAWG TALES—Published by Best Dawg Rescue, Inc. (DAWG)A nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to rescuing and adopting ove r-l o o ked and medically needy animals inthe Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Editor: Chris GravesDesigner: Karen EskewBest Dawg Rescue, Inc. PO Box 34213, Bethesda, MD 20827 301-407-BEST • www.dawg-rescue.org

2004 Board of DirectorsJoan Marshall, PresidentMoira Gingery, Vice PresidentKaren Eskew, SecretaryLisa Astrin, TreasurerJudy McClain, Member-at-LargeLisa Astrin, Promotions and

Marketing DirectorJoanne Goldman, Application

Review DirectorJoan Marshall, Medical DirectorChris Graves, Communications Director

Pets are NOT holiday gifts! A pet shouldn’t be acquired when holiday preparations and visitors might dilutequality time and attention. And no pet should be purchased or adopted unless alladult members of the family are in agreement and prepared to assume the responsi-bility of the pet’s care. Instead of a pet, a better gift might be a book on the intend-ed pet’s behavior or training, or a gift certificate from PETCO to be redeemed afterthe holidays. Better yet, if you’re looking to give a gift that counts, support yourlocal rescue group or shelter in honor of the person.