Finnegan

Beagle as Personal Flotation Device

By Posh Pets Rescue Adopter, Sean Maloney

It was a little over a year ago that my girlfriend, Maya and I decided to rescue a dog. I remember spending countless hours online (when I should have been working or eating lunch) scouring 1-800-save-a-pet.com for cute corgis, pernicious pugs, or the ubiquitous mangy mutts. Pitbull-mix is the easiest dog to find on these sites, but that was out of the question for us since our silly building does not allow breeds considered to be “dangerous.” Clearly, these people have never met a daschund with an attitude problem. While searching for a rescue, I’ll admit that I considered the less morally correct choice of buying a puppy, not because we wanted a specific breed (though we do have a thing for labs and frenchies), but because I didn’t feel like filling out an application and sending my resume and bona fides to some dog rescuer. And despite my overconfidence in my own Caesar-esque abilities to properly master a dog, I was very nervous by some of the descriptions of the orphans’ personalities and needs—”needs constant supervision and insulin shots,” or “cannot be around other dogs or small children”—were just a couple of common traits.

One year and two weeks later, as the title of this article suggests, Maya and I could not even survive in New York City without our precious beagle, Finnegan. Finn keeps us grounded in reality. He is a constant reminder that there is more to this city than stress, fancy bags and difficult bosses. His loyalty and sheer cuteness warm our weary hearts the second we walk through the door. If Maya goes to bed before I’m home, Finnegan will spurn his ridiculously comfy bed at the foot of ours, and sleep prostrate in front of the bedroom door so that no intruder could get to her without stepping over him. None of the beagle horror stories have proven true in Finn’s case. Sure he barks, sure he bays—he’s a beagle. But he never howls for no- reason, and he shuts up almost on command. Finnegan has made us enjoy our neighborhood more. Supermodels and homeless guys stop us in equal numbers to ask about our handsome boy. Our neighbors and doormen know us by our dog. Police and firefighters crack a smile when we walk past. And yes, since we live near the Empire State Building, we now know how to say, “What a cute beagle” in a least seven languages. And that was all before Uno won the Westminster dog show! Since then I’ve had a guy roll down the window of his huge SUV and shout “UNO!” at us, as well as a pedestrian shouting from the other side of the street that beagles kick butt!

Lots of folks think the City is no place for dogs. I couldn’t disagree more! New York is awesome for dogs. Finnegan has met just about every breed and mix of dog on the planet. He has two dog parks within a 20 minute walk. He has more smells on a one-block radius of sidewalk than exist in all of Canada! He could not possibly be happier. Sure he loves when we take him out to the country. He recently discovered his genetically hard-wired arch nemesis—the bunny rabbit. But he is just as happy in our small apartment (in one of his two oversized beds that take up half our floor space), or out cruising Madison Square Park as he is in the country. Furthermore, the only store we can’t take him into is the grocery store (and restaurants, or course). Finn regularly shops with us on the weekends and is highly skilled at obtaining treats at every stop. We get better customer service when we have the dog with us!

Some would argue that small apartments are not good for dogs. Again, I say nay! Dogs could care less how big your apartment is. Dogs care about how big outside is. You shouldn’t be afraid to rescue a dog because your apartment is too small. You shouldn’t worry about the dog’s past or any “baggage” he or she might have because you can get some of that information from the rescue agency and make a fairly well-informed decision. I don’t think Finnegan realizes how close he was to being euthanized, so I don’t believe a dog loves you more just because you rescued her, but I do believe that if you’re the kind of person who rescues a dog, then you are going to love that dog more, and she will love you more in return.

In considering whether or not to adopt a dog, there is really only one thing you need to know: are you ready to give that dog a stable, healthy, and loving environment so long as you both shall live? We are happy to say that we are totally committed to Finnegan, and in return, he keeps our heads above water and our hearts aglow—a good deal for all involved.

Learn More About Finnegan

Chauncey/Walter/Margaret

Name: Kevin

A little about yourself:
32 y/o M from NY, varied interests.

Adopted animal(s) names:
Chauncey, Walter, Margaret, Willow (senile cat)

Why did you decide to adopt?
Completely dog-obsessed girlfriend sold me on the idea of dogs- I had little previous experience with their wonders, but have since been born again.

How did you choose your dogs?
Willow was aforementioned girlfriend’s dowry, Chauncey and Walter came from petfinder.com, Margaret sort of just showed up and attached herself.

Why did you name your dog Chauncey/Walter/Margaret?
Said girlfriend has what I consider to be a unique gift for naming animals.

What’s your favorite thing about your dogs?
They’re at least as effective as SSRI’s and cost about the same.

What’s the funniest thing your dogs have ever done?
It’s non-stop physical comedy. There’s no way to choose a single instance.

What would you say to someone considering adopting?
Well, buying animals is ridiculous. And, at least under most circumstances, not having them at all means missing out on one of the small handful of things that make life bearable.

Is there anything else you want everyone to know about you and your dogs?
Two of them are sitting on me.

Learn More About Chauncey/Walter/Margaret

Bethany

Foster Success Story

Name: Bethany

A little about yourself:
BFA photography Rhode Island School of design, 25

How and when did you start fostering?
Started in march 2008 – I met another foster Anna on Atlantic Ave in Brooklyn while walking our Chihuahuas.

What’s the best thing about fostering?
Watching the animals begin to trust and love and become happy doggies. Also, meeting their new family, and making sure the dog is going to a happy, healthy home.

What’s hard about fostering?
Dealing with all their baggage - training them to become the best dog they can be. Nursing them back to health, and sometimes, dealing with the sadness sickness brings, and potentially losing dogs that have become close to our hearts. Its also hard to say goodbye.

How many animals have you fostered?
Three

Have you had a favorite (and why)?
Nope. they are all different and awesome in their own ways. Some are harder than others.

Have there been any big surprises while fostering?
How quickly the little guys are to fall in love. They are all so eager to be given kisses and a great environment.

What’s the funniest moment you’ve had with your foster pets?
I found myself laughing while I was reading a magazine in bed, and found myself with all 4 pups (2 fosters and 2 of my own) at once!! Of course, they didn’t leave much room for me to sleep. It was a big slumber party, I’ve got to say.

What would you say to someone considering fostering?
It changes your life - it forces you to be less selfish. fostering is not only rewarding, but therapeutic.

What makes it all worth it for me is:
Knowing that my little pups have great homes with people that love them, and give them the homes they have always deserved, but were not lucky enough to be born into.

Is there anything else you want to say here about fostering?
Posh Pets is awesome??

Learn More About Bethany

Liberty

Adoption Success Story

Name:Rhoda

A little about yourself:
Animal welfare junkie. Doing it for years and don’t know how to stop.

Adopted animal(s) names:
Liberty (Libby)

Why did you decide to adopt?
Just always have. Every dog I’ve ever had has been a rescue. They know you’ve saved them, and they show their gratitude every day.

How did you choose your dog?
Actually, she chose me. My dog had just died, and I cried a lot. I called friends in Florida and said I just had to get away, sit in the sunshine by the pool and dry my tears. The rescue group from my last dog called me upon my arrival to sympathize on her loss. They told me they had one that had been confiscated by the country from a backyard breeder and really needed me, so I went to get her, brought her home to NYC with me, and have never been happier.

Why did you name your dog Liberty?
Her name is Liberty, because she was liberated from a terrible situation, and the night before I picked her up I was watching TV with my friends and one station was going off the air. They played the national anthem and showed a beautiful shot of the Statue of Liberty, my favorite since I was a little kid, and the name just came to me. It said everything about her.

What’s your favorite thing about your dog?
In the 4+ years I’ve had her she’s still always trying to please me. She stares into my eyes and seems to anticipate exactly what I want. She then comes over, puts her head on me and looks lovingly at my face. How could that NOT be my favorite thing?

What’s the funniest thing your dog has ever done?
She doesn’t do funny things, she just loves me.

What would you say to someone considering adopting?
The best thing about adopting is not getting a puppy. Getting a dog who’s older and wiser, and who is just content being by your side, who wants to drag you down the street to show you her favorite spots, and who’s excited about what mystery lies just around the corner.

Is there anything else you want everyone to know about you and your dog?
She is an extension of myself. She has become so bonded and so important to me that I consider her part of me. My kids always complain “you love that dog more than you love me”, and my response always is … SO WHAT’S YOUR POINT!!

Learn More About Liberty

Jean

By Jean Olivier-White

I have been a foster parent with Posh Pets Rescue for about 3 1/2 years now. During this time, I have fostered and helped place about two dozen dogs including our long term rescue Theo, who was my first foster with Posh Pets and after 2 years and brain surgery finally found his forever home and is doing well. Theo required countless visits to specialist, had a rigid medication schedule and a demanding personality to at times complicate things but no one in our rescue group gave up on him.

The work is endless, tiring and very time consuming and the pay is incredible (a big lick and thank you from a dog is all you get in the end and we would not trade it for anything in the world). There is nothing more satisfying than to bring home a sick, scared or abused dog nourish him/her back to health and then have the control to place it with an appropriate family that will love him or her unconditionally. It’s always hard to hand them over to their new forever families but the people we have met are truly dedicated to rescue and knowing that so many folks make the effort to adopt first is amazing.

Each of our dogs leaves us knowing that we cared enough to give them the very best. The dogs that come into my home leave in good health, housebroken and more importantly confident and ready to take on the world and love and trust their new family. All Posh Pets rescues live in foster homes with an incredible network of people that make them part of their daily routines. The dogs that come into my home eat, play and sleep with us- they are never treated any less. My husband and I are never in a hurry to make a placement we truly believe there is a family out there for each dog that we bring in.

Linda gives 150% to make sure that each adoption is a good match; she makes sure that the dogs are up to date with shots, spaying, neutering and groomed appropriately. When asked why we do this- the answer is simple- “Why don’t you try it and see how it feels?” My reasoning behind all this is that we live in a disposable society- a world that throws away infants, senior citizens and just about anything and everyone around us is too busy talking about making a change. So I decided to step up to my own challenge and attempt to make a change- albeit small and maybe insignificant to others. Every time an adoption is made it’s more than just placing a dog- it’s making a family whole, it’s finding that missing link and saving a life.

Learn More About Jean

Pippen

Name:
Sara Altshul & Frank Ruscitti

A little about yourself:
I’m a writer, Frank’s a teacher

Adopted animal(s) names:
Pippen, a poodle terrier mix

Why did you decide to adopt?
We’d just had to put down our 17 yr old terrier-mix, Jonah, who I rescued when he was found wandering in Central Park back in 1991 or so. Bella, our little rat terrier, who we rescued 6 years ago, became inconsolable and developed a terrible separation anxiety–so we figured it was time to adopt again.

How did you choose your dog?
We saw his picture on 1-800-save-a-pet.com and we knew he was the one for us

Why did you name your dog Pippen?
He came named “Pippen” and he seemed to know it & it suited him, so we kept it.

What’s your favorite thing about your dog?
He’s always ready to play, he’s very loving & cuddly, and has a terrific sense of humor.

What’s the funniest thing your dog has ever done?
He has a penchant for stealing things and hiding them behind the couch. He doesn’t chew or destroy (oh, except he does shred stolen paper napkins) but he hides things. So now we know where to look when we can’t find our shoes, sunglasses, etc.

What would you say to someone considering adopting?
JUST DO IT! Sign up for www.1-800-save-a-pet.com which sends you daily emailed pix of dogs that meet your needs for size, age, etc. You’ll save a life and you’ll never regret it.

Is there anything else you want everyone to know about you and your dog?
We never thought we could replace our beloved Jonah–but we got the dog we absolutely needed.

Learn More About Pippen

Rhoda

Name: Rhoda

A little about yourself:
I’ve been working in animal welfare for about 30 or more years, and am very proactive with animals. I’ve nearly walked into the jaws of hell to pull out a creature from the pit. I’ve been screamed at by horrible people, and seen terrible things done to poor little creatures, but I’m still going….still saving….still loving those beautiful 4-leggers….

How and when did you start fostering?
Met someone in the street with a few dogs, we talked, she fostered, gave me her card, I called….and the rest is history.

What’s the best thing about fostering?
It’s just like being a grandmother, you can love them to death, and then glow as they go to their wonderful forever homes knowing it was you who gave them that chance.

What’s hard about fostering?
Obviously it’s parting with some of the extra special ones…where you keep saying “if I wanted another dog, this would be the one”, and then letting go, knowing you’ve done what needed to be done to give them back their lives.

How many animals have you fostered?
Probably hundreds over the years.

Have you had a favorite (and why)?
They’re all my favorites, but the foster I have now is absolutely the best and most gorgeous. Sad story gone good, with a face that’s to die for.

Have there been any big surprises while fostering?
Many surprises, and I’ve stepped in some big ones early in the morning. Well, not that many surprises, just sadness at first because of what’s been done to them, and then joy at seeing them turn around under your nurturing.

What’s the funniest moment you’ve had with your foster pets?
I had a foster who took all the toys out of the toybox and lined them up in a perfectly straight line, from one wall to the other, then looked at me as if to say….well, what do you think of that? I still have a picture of it somewhere.

What would you say to someone considering fostering?
I would say, go for it, It’s one of the most gratifying things you can do. Saving a life and nurturing it, and bringing it back from the brink of something terrible. Nothing could be more fulfilling.

What makes it all worth it for me is:
Seeing all my babies going to homes where they’ll have love and attention, and getting those Christmas cards, pictures, and little stories every several months for years and years.

Is there anything else you want to say here about fostering?
What you’re doing is actually saving those lives. Most of these little creatures have lost the homes they’ve loved, even if they were awful homes. They’ve been battered and then thrown away, they’ve wandered the streets hungry and scared, been picked up by animal control and thrown in the back of a truck, then taken to a shelter and poked, prodded, and then thrown into a cold steel cage. Their fear knows no bounds. We, the fosters, are their first link to love and trust. We are the ones who mend their wounded bodies and broken spirits, and get them ready to move on into a happy and loving life.

Learn More About Rhoda

Minnie Mush

At over 100 pounds, Minnie Mush had a lot of trouble just walking. With hip problems and the need for a diet, the owners were giving her up. We took Minnie into our rescue, slimmed her down, and found that she just loved playing with small dogs! Minnie found a loving home with other dogs – all small!

Learn More About Minnie Mush

Sweetie

Sometimes it is just love at first sight! This was the case with one of our shih tzu’s Sweetie and his foster mom. Although Sweetie had some behavioral issues, the foster mom felt that she could deal with them – no problem. We usually don’t encourage our fosters to adopt the foster dog because we want them to keep fostering, but in this case, sometimes you know and the dog knows that he has found his new forever home! Sweetie, foster turned adopted dog never had to leave his mom!

Learn More About Sweetie

Little Cookie

Little Cookie is a big Jack Russell terrier mix that just could not find a home. She is very energetic and even with regular walks, needed more exercise. She was running around her foster’s large apartment and the two older dogs there were not too happy about it! Finally, with new photos sporting her pink bandana, Cookie got a new loving home in 5 days!

Learn More About Little Cookie

Rufus

Rufus is a very high energy black Labrador retriever mix around age 2. Black dogs always have a more difficult time getting adopted even in a rescue group as they are often just overlooked. Rufus was in a very good foster home and he attended adoption events but no takers. Someone saw him on our website and he had a house and a large yard. Rufus after almost a year finally found his forever home and is a really happy dog now! He has the run of the place!

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Melanie and Patches

I lost my beloved Cocker Spaniel and Shih tzu within 2 and half years of each other. I couldn’t bear the idea of not having a dog in my life. I looked at the Petfinder.com website. I clicked on Shih Tzus and there he was on Posh Pets rescue site. I fell in love with his sweet little face and knew we were meant for each other! I called Linda, filled out the application..and the rest is history!

Patches was retrieved from his foster mother Zita (RN) who was nursing him back to health from neglectful owners. Linda first took him to her vet . He was given antibiotics and was neutered. I made plans to meet him and Zita (who was to check me out to see if I would be a suitable It was a match made in heaven! He was released to me early (I am also an RN) and I continued his care. Within 7 days he was taken to my vet for examination as requested by Posh Pets. The vet extended the antibiotic treatment, added some drops for dry eye.

Within 3 days of him being in his new home with a doting granny and mom, he was eating, smiling and decidedly friskier. He has been with us for 5 weeks now and we could not be happier! He has the sweetest personality, is very smart and was house trained quickly! He gets invited to play with his 2 year old neighbor and they too love each other to bits.

SO thanks to Posh Pets for rescuing him ……. thanks to Zita his foster mother for the good care she gave him …….. Linda for coordinating it all……….. and the biggest thanks of all is for making this possible and making a little dog and his new family so happy!

— Melanie and Patches

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Jane and Dozer

This is Fluffy (now called Dozer) with Jane, his new mom. I saw the owner bring him back into a shelter. She had adopted him a year ago and was moving. I took him right away. Look at him now! What a happy dog!

- Jane and Dozer

Learn More About Jane and Dozer