Most of our dogs over the past 20 years have been rescues in one way or another–maybe not officially from a rescue organization, but the dog had a story, usually a sad one, and even though we didn’t ‘need’ another dog, we’ve been softies and wanted to make life better for that particular hound.
We got Pugsley when he was about 2, from a family who had adopted him, and that seemingly got more than they bargained for. We didn’t know anything about pugs, but he fit in fine here.
Scout is the only one I remember having as a puppy, and what a puppy she was! *We saw her on Facebook (our primary source of dogs). Once Puppy Scout had finally outgrown chewing everything, we noted that we probably should have gotten 2 from her litter because then they would both be past the puppy stage, and Scout would have had a friend. We definitely did NOT want another puppy. For a while, Pugsley was Scout’s only friend (pictured below), and at that point, he was a 10 year old Pug who didn’t particularly want to keep up with an energetic Shepherd, still just barely out of puppy stage.
Conveniently right around that time, we saw Layla on Facebook–she was 2 years old, spayed and full of energy. A perfect friend for Scout. We we were very careful to make sure they all acclimated well to each other. The last thing I need is a constantly brewing dog fight. Layla has been a great addition to the house, except despite being about 85 pounds and a loud Shepherd, she’s afraid of the cat.
Shadow (pictured above on the yellow flowered pillow) came to us, again through Facebook, posted on the Fitchburg Leominster Animal Control page. Shadow was described as needing a larger and more stable home environment. Although she wasn’t a puppy, she had just turned 2. We knew she was some kind of mix, but later found out that Shadow’s recipe included Border Collie. She runs and runs and runs, never tiring of her frisbee or tennis balls.
I’ve considered getting another Pug. Knowing what I know about Pugs now, having had one for the past 15 years, I definitely would prefer a female. I filled out the application through Pug Rescue of New England, but haven’t heard anything back. Is a dog in your future? I’ve made an alphabetical list of dog rescue organizations that adopt in to Massachusetts. The list is below. Check my work~~if I missed one that you’re familiar with, let me know!
3 Dogs Rescue
A Lab for Life
American Lab Rescue
Cavalier Rescue USA
Chance of a Lifetime Dachshund Rescue
Crops and Flops Rescue
German Shepherd Rescue of New England
Greyhound Friends, Inc.
Greyhound Pets of America Massachusetts
Greyhound Rescue of New England, Inc.
GSP Rescue New England
Handsome Dan’s Rescue for Pit Bull Type Dogs
Happy Life Beagle Rescue
Labs4Rescue
Little Paws Dachshund Rescue
National Brussels Griffon Rescue, Inc.
National Pyr Rescue
New England Bassett Hound Rescue
New England Brittany Rescue
New England Lab Rescue
New England Old English Sheepdog Rescue, Inc.
Northeast Coonhound Rescue
Northeast Pyr Rescue
Paw-Affection Dachshund Rescue, Inc.
Paws of Dixie
PittieLove Rescue, Inc.
Poodle Rescue of New England
Pug Rescue of New England
Sandy Paws Rescue
Sgt Pepper’s Friends
Sweet Paws Rescue
The Boxer Rescue, Inc.
We Adopt Greyhounds, Inc.
Yorkies, Inc.
Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue