Five Years and Looking Forward

I consider myself a fairly prolific wordsmith. There. I did it. I tooted my own horn. But I must say, I am having trouble articulating the emotions I feel when I sit down to write about the past five years. So I will not tarry long over my sentiments.

Five years ago, after several years fostering and volunteering for Arizona Poodle Rescue, an amazing organization filled to the brim with dedicated human beings, I branched off on my own, with a mission to take in "death row" dogs -- that is, dogs out of time, and out of options, at high kill shelters. After three years of working independently and funding my little enterprise out of my own pocket, I decided it was time to expand my vision and get seriously organized. In the summer of 2011, Tough Love Pit Bull Rescue officially was born. We incorporated on September 7, 2011. The journey has been an incredible team effort: one of highs and lows, tears and laughter, defeat and triumph. But by golly, we did it. We made a difference. 

And just a few words more: 

Over the past five years, I've had the pleasure of working with some truly inspirational and selfless human beings. Every day, I am humbled by their sacrifices. I am honored to call these people my friends. I cannot fully express my gratitude for what they've given this rescue. Were it not for them, I would not be writing this today.

Over the past five years, I've had the privilege of sharing my life with some truly lovely and wonderful animals. Every day, they teach me something new. I am honored to have the ability to touch the lives of so many special animals. 

It is not easy to run a dog rescue. There exists an inherent and constant balancing act between relentless demands for assistance, the opinions of well-meaning but strong-minded individuals, the financial needs of the organization, the well being of volunteers, and myriad other random and complicating factors. Every day brings a new challenge. A new adventure. 

But what makes it all worth it, what makes us do it just one more day is the hope, the love, and difference we can make. One dog at a time. Without rescue, none of these dogs would have a name. None of these dogs would have someone to tell his or her story. None of these dogs would have a future. Rescue is about the future. Thank you to all who have supported Tough Love. It means the world to me. 

And on a final note, please enjoy our anniversary multimedia tribute, compiled by the amazing Mike Beard, who also provides a wonderful permanent home to Duke, one of our former rescue dogs:

VIDEO: Celebrating Five Years of (Tough) Love

Cuteness Overload: pups and buns!

I consider myself an academic and I've crafted many intellectually-minded posts for this blog. But this one is a simple photo essay. Sometimes we all need a bit of cuteness to brighten our day, so here are a few of our favorite photos of rabbits with their canine pals. These photos speak for themselves, I'd suggest. Enjoy. 

Big Bunny and her foster dog, Spotticus

Aponte, a rescue dog, and Juniper relax in the yard. 

Mathilda, a rescue dog, and Juniper couch surfing  

Jade, a Tough Love rescue pup adopted in 2011, and Tevyn the bunny.

Anubis, a brittany, and Carver the bunny. 

Rescued greyhound, Baron, and Tevyn. 

Brayden, Dylan, and Big Bunny, just hanging out. 

Brayden, a Tough Love rescue pup, and Big Bunny, rescued from Magic Happens Rabbit Rescue. 

Dylan the poodle, adopted from Arizona Poodle Rescue, and Tevyn the bunny.

Izzy the bulldog (RIP sweet Izzy) giving Carver the bunny kisses. 

Mathilda and Juniper cool off in the shade!

Ted, found as a stray in 2005, and Pierre, adopted in 2013. 

Gizmo's Tale

**Update: Gizmo has been adopted!** Please check out your local shelter, where wonderful dogs like Gizmo are urgently waiting for a special person like YOU to take them home!

Once upon a time there was a dog named Gizmo. Poor Gizmo couldn’t seem to get himself a break and he found himself in the animal shelter.

Even at the shelter, Gizmo had a smile on his face.

 Nice people came, and nice people went. Many of them took home Gizmo’s shelter pals. But no one came for Gizmo. Gizmo didn't seem to be that special: he was black and mediumish and someone told him he was a "pit bull." But Gizmo was special. 

Gizmo started coughing, and he was no longer adoptable. He was put on the line for rescue. Still no one came for him. 

Finally, Gizmo’s last day came. 

Then his last hours. 

Then his last few minutes.

 And that’s where Gizmo got his big break: Tough Love foster, Ashley, came for him. So Gizmo was out! And he had toys, and a warm bed to sleep on, and another young dog to play with, and bunny rabbits and guinea pigs to investigate with great enthusiasm! And love. Oh, sweet and healing love. 

Gizmo and Wickford (now Boba). 

And Gizmo's foster mom soon found out all that made Gizmo wonderful. He was so smart, and learned lots of commands quickly; he was so sweet, and loved snuggling and giving kisses; he was playful and fun, and he kept his foster mom smiling. 

And then Gizmo waited. He watched his rescue friends find homes. He waited some more. The summer months slipped by; autumn wove its cooling breezes through the Tucson mountains. 

One nice fall day, Gizmo went for a walk with his foster mom and foster sister, CC. A roaming dog attacked them, but Gizmo was too nice a boy even to defend himself. Poor Gizmo, back at the vet. 

But, good news! Gizmo soon met a potential adopter! A wonderful couple with a beautiful young doggie playmate for him! But on the eve of his adoption, the adopter was laid off work, and decided a new dog was not the best idea at the time. 

So Gizmo lost his first chance at "happily ever after."

And soon Gizmo was back at the vet yet again. His cough seemed to be back, and his eye seemed to be bothering him too. More meds for Gizmo. In the meantime, a very nice adopter wanted to meet Gizmo. Things went great! His cough seemed better, but the eye did not. Gizmo went back to the vet. 

The vet referred him to a specialist, who diagnosed him with anterior uveitis, and sent him home on some medicines. Gizmo then went to another vet, and was diagnosed with valley fever, and he was put on fluconazole. 

And the second adopter, worried about his diagnoses, stepped back. 

And Gizmo's second chance at "happily ever after" seemed to be slipping away. 

And the eye didn’t get better. 

This morning we learned that Gizmo’s eye needs to be removed. He is completely blind in the eye, and it is causing him pain. Keeping the eye risks spreading the infection from the eye to the rest of his body. Removing the eye will ensure the infection is gone and that Gizmo can live a happy life. We are preparing him for surgery right now. The eye will be removed today. Anyone wanting to donate to help defray this considerable expense can do so by clicking the link: CLICK TO DONATE!

Gizmo waiting for surgery

Gizmo had a meet and greet with a wonderful family on New Year’s Day. They have twin 9-year-old children and a farm and Gizmo will have a little boy as his best friend and a pug to hang out with during the day. But Gizmo was supposed to go home tomorrow. And that won’t happen. And we are just heartbroken that this sweet, smart, playful boy might lose yet another adopter. Gizmo is loved here, and he will be well cared for until he is adopted. But this dog deserves a home of his own. A home where he is somebody’s baby. 

This is one guy who has been waiting long enough for his chance at a happy ending. 

Gizmo in his Halloween best :)