Meet: Two Very Lucky SDA alums

I received this absolutely brilliant photo and caption from one of our very dedicated adoptive families. I know the feeling guys. Keep up the good work!

"Maya (chin in Ben’s hand) listens carefully to instructions that she will forget immediately, while Demon waits to eat the book."

2008: The Year of the Dog

Admittedly, 2008 is not the official year of the dog. But for all of us here at Sophie's Dog Adoption we've got big plans for Montreal dogs in the New Year.

We will be not only working to better serve the dogs and families that come through our rescue, but we'll be working hard to help ensure greater safety for all the dogs in Montreal.

What's on the docket:

Education, education, EDUCATION
As a tiny grassroots rescue with incredibly limited resources we can only help the tiniest fraction of the dogs in need. In 2008 we estimate that we will place 80-100 dogs with their forever homes. But so many more will die needlessly because of widespread overpopulation and an attitude of "disposablity" when it comes to companion animals.

Our hope is to start and implement an educational program in order to prevent the proliferation of pets, encourage people to work with their dogs instead of giving up on them and to make people aware of the commitments of dog ownership before they take on a dog.

We'll be tackling issues like spay and neuter, positive training and companion animal care.

Registered Charity Status
For 2008 we are keeping our fingers crossed that our application for Registered Charity Status will be approved!

With the ability to solicit tax refundable donations we hope to have more resources to draw from with the ultimate goal of creating broader outreach and education efforts.

Adoption Pamphlet
This is a little something I've been working on: an adoption pamphlet that each adoptive family will receive before or during their adoption. It's full of great information for first time and seasoned dog owners alike and covers everything from when to feed your dog to preventing and correcting problem behavior.

I'm so grateful to everyone who has helped me with this project, especially Alex my positive dog training guru!

Hopefully we'll have the pamphlet available on the website for general use as well! Keep your eyes out, it should be done within the month!

Spay & Neuter Programs
This is a long term goal, but Montreal desperately needs an affordable spay and neuter program and Sophie's Dog Adoption wants to help provide it!

It will take a lot of logistical work and relationship building, but if we can help 10 people spay their dogs in 2008- that could mean 60 less dogs searching for homes in 2009!

Affordable and accessible sterilization is the only way to curb companion animal overpopulation and end the needless deaths and sufferings.

So Happy New Year everyone! Here is to the Year of the Dog and all the positive changes our best friends deserve!

Gracie's (Foster)Homecoming

While Scott and I went back to our respective family homes for a little holiday cheer, Gracie, our only remaining foster dog had to check in to puppy prison.

Poor girl spent almost a week at a boarding facility. But, don't those puppy eyes fool you. She was at a reputable kennel where she got lots of daily walks, play time and a good dose of lovin'.

Still, there's nothing like (foster)home... well, except that (forever)home she's looking for!

Welcome back Gracie! We missed you.

(Isn't this picture hilarious? After giving us lots of calming signals for a behavior she hadn't seen from Scott before, Gracie gave up, crawled under the blankets and promptly fell asleep cuddling Scott in a rather creative and calming way. See why we missed her so much?!)

Angie Wiggle-Butt Finds a Great Home!

When a foster dog is adopted I go through this insane flurry of emotions. Firstly, I'm dance-around-the-house-with-the-puppy-in-my-arms thrilled. All of my foster dogs have had heinous pasts of abuse and neglect. Knowing that they are officially retiring into the good life, that they'll have love, comfort and respect for the rest of their lives, that there will always be enough food, it makes me cry with relief. And dance a little too.

But, ensuring this future for them, also means gracefully bowing out. And when you've shared so much with them, including watching their transformation into delightful canine citizens, it can be so hard. And of course you worry about them, no matter how great of a home they're going to.

When they go, you miss them and their antics.

And, if you're me, you cry.

But, soon enough, another needy dog, with her own sordid past is looking to you for guidance, love and assurance; You're busy with a new set of training obstacles and you always have the wonderful updates from the adoptive families to look forward to.

Someone once told me that the best and worst part of fostering is letting your dog go to their adoptive family. Dropping Angie off with her amazing new family was so hard and so wonderful. But, knowing her wiggly-butt is safe for the rest of her life means I can start rescuing someone else.

The Adventures of Gingy-Poo

Our very own little Ginger has become an expert blogger!

In her profile this reigning canine queen tells us:

"I also spend lots of time on my dad’s laps when he is on his computer and
he spends a shit load of time in front of his computer, so I just look and
learn. Whenever he leaves me on his chair to protect his computers (since I’ll
attack anyone I don’t know, and even the ones I know but don’t like) I jump on
his desk and start blogging away when no one is looking."

Check out her hilarious take on life with her human Rick, stealing food, dealing with all her foster buddies and occassionally snacking on all the people she doesn't like here.

Santa and his Mutts help Sophie's Dog Adoption!

Despite the most insane snowstorm ever, Santa showed up last weekend to help Sophie's Dog Adoption raise some much needed funds! What a trooper!

HUGE thanks go out to everyone who braved the North Pole-esque storm to get their best friends in for some face time with the big jolly guy.

Over the two days we raised a kick-ass $230 bucks, every penny of which will help pay off our vet bills! Thanks again guys, we couldn't rescue a single dog without you!

Check out all the cuties below. I hope they get everything on their wish lists this year!

Gracie & Angie respond to PETA's dangerous anti-dog remarks

After sitting on the news that PETA's leader Ingrid Newkirk had publicly denounced all pit bulls as dangerous, unworthy of rescue resources and better off dead for a good week or so, Scott and I decided it was time to round up the girls and have a little talk.

At first they were all like PETA what? Ingrid who? We don't care...

Just give us that damn cookie we see in your hand!

Wait, she means me?

But then the bad news sunk in.

You see both Angie and Gracie are rescued pit bulls. And if Ingrid had her way, instead of playing at the park, charming everyone in the neighborhood and just being great dogs, both of our girls would be dead.

So, Scott sat down with the girls and explained that while it's hard being a pit bull (and a pit bull advocate) in today's hysterical society, it wasn't the girls' fault that PETA was letting their ignorant leader make dangerous and untruthful anti-dog remarks.

Still, knowing that the head honcho at the world's best known animal rights group wants you, an animal, dead for absolutely no real reason can make you feel pretty low.

So the girls rolled around with some ideas...

And even consulted honorary pit bull member, Viper.

Because three heads are better than two.

And they all decided to just laugh it off.

Because acting this good and looking this darn cute in their winter apparel will have Ingrid eating her words in no time!