Friday's Feature: Cindy Lou

June 21, 2013/ Debby

Kirby's heart beats for shelter dogs who need a little help which is why we foster. It's our way of helping one needy dog at a time. Another way to help is spotlighting one dog who's searching for his or her forever home. So if you are looking for a new furry member to add to your family, consider checking your local shelter or PetFinder!

WHO: Cindy Lou

WHAT: Cairn Terrier Mix

WHERE: Madison, Mississippi

Meet Cindy Lou, a precious little gal with a sparkling white coat who loves snuggles and LOVES playing and running. Her mom is a cairn terrier mix, and daddy... well your guess is as good as ours. Cindy has a big personality and can be a bit bossy with other pups but she loves children. She has not met a cat yet. Cindy Lou would do best as an only puppy and would love to have some kids to play with her. She is crate trained, 15 weeks old, up to date on shots, and working very hard on house training. The vet guesses full grown she will not weigh more than 20 pounds, but that is a guess. Cindy Lou will need to be an indoor dog and have a fenced yard to romp and play.

Cindy Lou is currently at the Madison Ark. For more information about Cindy Lou, or their other adoptable pets; please call 601-790-1PET or visit their website.

Home of 319,766 adoptable pets from 13,743 adoption groups.

Please email me at [email protected] if you have a rescue or shelter organization, or an adoptable dog that you would like to have featured.

Friday's Feature: Ranger

June 06, 2013/ Debby

Kirby's heart beats for shelter dogs who need a little help which is why we foster. It's our way of helping one needy dog at a time. Another way to help is spotlighting one dog who is searching for his or her forever home. So if you are looking for a new furry member to add to your family, consider checking your local shelter or rescue!

Today’s feature is from Pets for Patriots, an organization dedicated to bringing rescue dogs and veterans together. I normally feature little dogs like Kirby but when I received their Wet Nosed Blog e-newsletter and read about Ranger, I knew I needed to share him in hopes of finding him the forever family he so richly deserves.

WHO: Ranger

WHAT: One year old AKC Registered German Shepard

WHERE: Washington

At eight weeks old Ranger was adopted by a family. At ten months old he was donated to Independence Guide Dogs (IDG) who trains dogs to become guide dog for a visually impaired individual at no cost to them.

Ranger traveled from California to Washington where he learned new rules quickly and bonded with his temporary family. Next he was placed with a puppy raiser and professional dog trainer where he continued to make up for lost time. He learned more obedience skills and became better socialized.

Sadly he failed as a guide dog because he lacks the needed trait called “intelligent disobedience” which allows a dog to defy their handlers when asked to do something that may be dangerous. Ranger is just too eager to please and seeks direction from his handler.

The staff at IGD firmly believe Ranger would be an awesome companion for a veteran in need of an intelligent, loving and loyal best friend. He isn't fearful or aggressive, not innately protective and doesn’t guard his handler. He adores people, is friendly around both adults and children and is playful with other dogs. Because of his intelligence and activity level, they think he could make a good agility dog. Ranger bonds tightly with his handler, wants constant companionship and needs a real, forever buddy – ideally a veteran in need of the loving companionship Ranger is so eager to give.

Ranger is AKC-registered, up-to-date on all relevant vaccinations and celebrated his first birthday on St. Patrick’s Day of this year.

While the preference is for Ranger to go to his forever home with a veteran, he is available to any qualified home. Those interested should inquire directly with IGD at [email protected]. Individuals interested in adopting Ranger may do so through IGD directly or, if a qualifying veteran, through a special, one-time partnership between IGD and Pets for Patriots. If approved by our charity and by IGD, all of our program benefits would apply, including ongoing discounted veterinary care – like the generous 20% discount offered through ACCES – contributions to help with the startup costs of a new pet, and sponsor-provided pet discounts. Veterans interested in qualifying for Pets for Patriots must apply and be approved before executing a final adoption contract with IGD.

Any veterans who apply to and are approved by Pets for Patriots for companion pet adoption can visit any of their three area adoption partners - Seattle Humane Society, Kitsap Humane Society and Tacoma-Pierce County Humane Society.

Can't adopt but still want to help a shelter dog or a veteran? Donate today!

Please email me at [email protected] if you have a rescue or shelter organization, or an adoptable dog that you would like to have featured.

Friday's Feature: Marcy

May 17, 2013/ Debby

WHO: Marcy

WHAT: Young female Terrier/Chihuahua mix

WHERE: Tuscaloosa, Alabama

Meet Little Miss Personality! Marcy is a three year old with a white smooth coat with reddish brown markings. At only 7.5 pounds, this little cutie is packed with personality plus!

Marcy was pulled from the local animal shelter where she had been picked up as a stray and no one came to claim her. She is very loving and sweet and will make a wonderful companion pet. She has some energy and will need exercising but she would be fine in an apartment. Please note she must be an inside dog.

Marcy is ok but nervous around other dogs. Because she is rather fragile, she won't be adopted out to families with children under 12. We don't know how she is around cats.

Marcy is up to date on her vet care, heartworm negative, microchipped and will be spayed prior to her adoption. She is on heartworm and flea/tick prevention and has started on her crate training.

Marcy is currently at the Humane Society of West Alabama. For more information about Marcy, or their other adoptable pets; please call 205 554-0011 or visit their website