Quarterly Newsletter Summer 2020 Issue
Look-alikes Stewie, left, and Oso relax in Dana Point. Read about how they might become ‘brothers’ on Page 5.
Your Donations At Work Thank you for supporting our mission to give second chances to those who need them most. The support of our generous donors has allowed us to save dogs who are in dire situations and provide medical treatments, food, and shelter until forever homes are found. 100 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the rescue and care of the dogs. Since our last newsletter, we have successfully placed over 11 dogs, rescued 11, and cared for over 25. We also had to say tearful goodbyes to several Shamrock dogs, whose stories you can read more about in this issue. As a rescue, we are often inundated with heartbreaking stories of neglect and abuse, which can be overwhelming. While we are unable to save them all, we are grateful for your support that allows us to save those that we can and help them find the love of the happy home that they are deserving of. Cheeto is looking for a home with other small dogs. He loves to hang out with canine companions.
A heartfelt thank you. Charice & Ron King Founders
Second chances for those who need them most 2 | Shamrock Rescue Foundation
Rescue Spotlight Name: Teddy
Name: Magic
Age: 6 years
Age: 2.5 years
Breed: Pomeranian
Breed: Australian Cattle Dog/Blue Heeler/Lab Mix
Gender: Male (Neutered)
Teddy is a sweetheart. His owner died several years ago, and her daughter took over Teddy’s care. But her dog never cared for Teddy, and she worried constantly that something might happen to him. Finally, she decided it was best to place him elsewhere. A friend who has worked with Shamrock told her about us, and she contacted us. We figured it wouldn’t be too hard to find a home for such a darling little guy. He’s so easygoing! He gets along with everyone he meets and is eager to sit on any lap in the vicinity. We know he’ll make a wonderful companion for someone.
Gender: Male (Neutered) Magic is a beautiful boy who has been staying at a board and train facility, but due to circumstances beyond his control has to find a new home. He is shy at first and sometimes barks at new people, but some treats and a calm voice and demeanor will reassure him that you are his friend. He is picky about the dogs he likes. He gets along with virtually all female dogs, but does not like other males. He should be the only dog in a home, but a female companion might be OK if they get along. He will guard toys and food from other dogs and for this reason will need to be fed and given toys away from any other dogs. He enjoys playing with his big, orange soccer ball. He is well-trained. He knows sit, down and shake on cue. He is trained to sleep in a crate and will make a nice companion for a dogexperienced owner who can let him have a few days at daycare now and then.
Name: Amos Age: 3 years Breed: Chihuahua Mix Gender: Male (Neutered)
Poor Amos was found abandoned in a park. He had no hair on his back, and his skin was in bad condition. Turned out he had demodectic mange. This type of mange isn’t contagious but requires treatment. Today, his skin is in great shape, his hair has grown back, and he’s a happy guy. Amos is friendly and active. He likes other dogs and would do well in a home where he has a buddy or two. He does require medication to control seizures. Shamrock Rescue Foundation | 3
I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue By: Renee Shock, Media Manager and Board Member So many animal rescue organizations do heartfelt, meaningful, and selfless work. While each may differ in focus and methods, at the end of the day, we all share the common goal of rescuing animals from dire situations and trying to provide them with a better life. Our love for animals unites us, and we at Shamrock are so thankful for all the other rescues out there doing great work. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Corrie Bravo, one of the founders of I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue, and Jason Coles, a volunteer (and adopter!). We talked about I.C.A.R.E.’s story, focus, and how the group is doing through COVID. They were even kind enough to share with me what they do for fundraising. (Keep an eye out for possible partnered events in the future.) Based in Orange County, California, I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue was founded in 2010 by Daniel and Corrie Bravo. Corrie had been laid off from her job and started volunteering. She learned about all the dogs in the shelters, dogs suffering from neglect, and the many hungry strays. It really touched her heart, and she decided to start I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue. Its very first rescue was a white shepherd named Frankie. Frankie had been tied to a fence on the side of the 91 freeway. Since then, I.C.A.R.E. has rescued over 3,000 dogs.
Pictured Above: Oreo. Oreo was originally pulled from the Riverside Animal Shelter (which is a “kill shelter”). She went through several different homes, the last of which was a couple in a condo. Oreo is a full-ofenergy Lab and wasn’t doing well being cooped up. I.C.A.R.E., which stands for Canine Adoption, The couple took her to I.C.A.R.E. and agreed to foster Rehabilitation, and Education, is dedicated her until a permanent home could be found. Jason to reducing the number of dogs euthanized Coles and his family ended up adopting her. She in our shelters every day. The rescue does had some issues in the beginning and needed some not discriminate based on breed, age, or size. work to fit in. While she is still not “a dog person,” she It takes them all. Volunteers do their best adjusted wonderfully and has been a valued member to match each rescue with a loving foster of the Coles family for six years now! 4 | Shamrock Rescue Foundation
until a permanent home is found. I.C.A.R.E. has a strict adoption process involving a comprehensive application, phone interview and home visit prior to arranging the meet and greet. They want to ensure that the home will be a safe place and the dog will be part of the family (with all members including other pets - getting along). I.C.A.R.E. typically has around 80 dogs under its care at one time. But, since everyone is spending a lot more time at home these days, the group has seen a spike in adoptions through COVID. They are now down to about 35 dogs. (We have witnessed a similar trend at Shamrock with the number of applications coming in. We hope this is a trend that stays well beyond “quarantine life”!) I.C.A.R.E. is a 100% volunteer organization with no paid employees. It survives through the dedication and support of volunteers, foster families, and donors. To learn more about I.C.A.R.E. and how you can help, please visit www.icaredogrescue.org.
Twin Sons of Different Mothers? By: Maryanne Dell, Rescue Coordinator and Adoption Counselor Everyone at Shamrock was thrilled when Stewie went to his forever home in Dana Point. He’s spoiled to death by Liz and Dana, who take him walking daily, introducing him to all the neighbors and finding doggy playmates along the way. Stewie is quite the social butterfly, they tell us, and when we visited recently, we could tell. Everyone knows Stewie! We’re so happy to see that our goofy boy is doing so well and is so loved. Our recent visit had two purposes. Of course, we wanted to catch up with Stewie and his people, Stewie, left, and Oso but we also wanted them to meet someone: Oso, another Shamrock dog. Like Stewie, Oso entered the shelter with a deformity. While Stewie wound up losing an eye because of glaucoma, Oso lost the outside of one ear as the result of being attacked by another dog in the family. By the time his owners decided to drop him at a shelter, the wound was so bad that the outside of the ear had to be removed. The surgery didn’t affect his hearing at all; it just left him looking a little different. We think it’s endearing, just like Stewie’s missing eye. When I first saw Oso’s shelter picture, I thought, “Stewie!” Oso closely resembles the big goof, but I didn’t realize how much until they met. I’d glance at Oso and be about to say, “How’s it going, Stew?” when I’d realize I wasn’t talking to Stewie. The dogs met a couple of neighbors, all of whom said the same thing: “They could be brothers!” Who knows? Maybe they are. And maybe they will be, because Dana and Liz are considering adopting Oso. He’s all set for an extended visit to see if things work out. We’re keeping our paws crossed that they do, so Oso can be as loved and spoiled as Stewie. Shamrock Rescue Foundation | 5
Caring Until the End By: Maryanne Dell, Rescue Coordinator and Adoption Counselor Sometimes, we have to let go. “It is the most unselfish act in all of life to let one go that we have found beloved.” – Kate McGahan One of the hardest things about rescuing dogs that no one wants is that sometimes no one ever wants them – except us. While we thankfully find homes for the majority of our dogs, sometimes we can’t. We have been fortunate to find people willing to step up as forever fosters who will take in a dog knowing he or she won’t be with them for long. These folks are godsends. For dogs like Luke, who had only two months out of the shelter before a tumor took his life, being able to sleep in a soft bed, not on concrete, and be held as he left for the Rainbow Bridge were gifts we gave him.
No one knew Luke had a tumor in his nasal passages when he left the shelter. You can see that it caused some issues with his muzzle. That healed, but the tumor persisted.
No one deserves to die alone, and we firmly believe every creature has the right to be surrounded by love as they move on from this life. That’s why we help save dogs like Prancer, who was so full of cancer when she came to the shelter that she didn’t stand a chance. A couple of Shamrock friends wanted to make sure she didn’t die there. They enlisted our help to get her out and to a vet so this sweet girl who might never have known kindness could be let go with love. We don’t always know that a dog won’t be with us for long. Recently, we rescued Chloe from a pretty nasty shelter. The Pomeranian mix is one of the sweetest dogs we’ve ever known. And, we discovered after taking her from the shelter to our vet, she is in kidney failure. But, again thanks to marvelous Shamrock fosters, she is thriving in a home, where she’ll stay with her medical needs ensured, as long as she needs to. 6 | Shamrock Rescue Foundation
Prancer got her name because she didn’t walk, she pranced. Like many dogs, she hid how sick she was.
We don’t begrudge these dogs their veterinary bills, the special diets, sub-cutaneous fluids, or medications they require. They are living, sentient beings who deserve to be given love and treated with dignity. They deserve an ending to their story that the people who were once responsible for them couldn’t or wouldn’t give them. Thanks to our wonderful fosters and generous donors, we are able to provide that. We thank you all.
Little Chloe never lets on that she’s sick. She’s a happy, gentle girl.
Our Fosters We love our fosters. Without them, Shamrock Rescue wouldn’t be able to save as many dogs as we do – especially those with special needs who require more one-on-one time or just do better being in a house than a kennel. Fosters get our dogs used to a home environment. They also get to know their charges really well – so well, in fact, that some have gone on to become “foster failures,” deciding to adopt the dogs for whom they were providing a “temporary” home. We truly could not do the work we do or find the great homes we do without the assistance of people who open their homes to dogs and work with us to ensure that they spend the rest of their lives surrounded by love and care.
Bear is being fostered by a longtime member of the Shamrock family, Ann Coleman, who has adopted several dogs from us.
If you are interested in fostering a dog, please feel free to contact us at (714) 270-4187 or shamrockrf@gmail. com and/or visit our website to complete our foster/ adoption application.
Carmel lives with foster Jennifer Sharkey, who has taken care of many Shamrock dogs as they awaited their forever homes. Shamrock Rescue Foundation | 7
Recent Adoptions
Milo was sick, scared, and suspicious when Shamrock took him out of the shelter. After months of treatment for his badly infected skin, he grew a beautiful, luscious coat. He lives in Santa Rosa, California, where he gets to watch deer, sleep inside, and learn that love and security aren’t just for other dogs.
Kiara (formerly Princess) was one of the most scared dogs we’ve ever seen come out of a shelter. But her new owners saw her beauty. They drove from Oregon to Northern California to meet Maryanne. After just a few weeks in her new home, Kiara blossomed. Scared no more, she romps with dogs in a huge fenced property and sleeps in front of a fire – or wherever she wants.
Lightning is one of the nicest dogs Shamrock has cared for. He has a collapsed trachea, and the frequent coughing that causes made it tough to adopt him. But as soon as Shannon and Jeff met him, they were in love. He’s living large with them now.
We weren’t sure Diva and Pixie would ever find a home. No one was interested in two older, bonded Chihuahuas. But someone was, and we were so thrilled when their new owner applied for them. They stayed close, living in Orange County and getting spoiled rotten.
8 | Shamrock Rescue Foundation
Koa’s former family brought her to the vet, asking that she be euthanized because of a skin infection. But the vet called us, and we took her in. After months of treatment, just like Milo, she was ready to go home. And she did. She lives in Redlands with a family who took an instant shine to her and added her to their home in June.
Jax (formerly Chico) was with Shamrock for a year before finding his home in Costa Mesa. His new family fell in love with his photo, came to see him on a Saturday and adopted him the following Monday. He gets to pick out his own toys, sleep in a great, big, stuffed bed (among other places), and – his favorite – go on car rides.
How to Help Thank you for your support! Without our donors, fosters, and adopters, we wouldn’t be able to continue to save dogs that are facing death in area shelters. We are so grateful to each and every one of you. We have no paid employees. All rescues, adoptions, animal transports, media, administration and other work is completed by volunteers. 100 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to the rescue and care of the animals. All other expenses are absorbed by caring people. To donate, please visit:
Or Mail a Check to:
www.shamrockrescue.org/info/donate
Shamrock Rescue Foundation 13882 Hewes Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92705
Shamrock Rescue Foundation | 9
Saying Goodbye By: Maryanne Dell, Rescue Coordinator and Adoption Counselor “It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are” - Anonymous
Peanut
Since our last newsletter, four of our Shamrocks went to the Bridge. Peanut was a curmudgeonly little shih tzu who had bad eyes and a bad heart. The combo meant we couldn’t fix his eyes other than giving daily drops, which he fought with the might of a mastif. He also took multiple heart medications. He was an oldster when we got him – his age definitely measured in double digits. His poor heart finally had enough, and we let him go on April 20. Fly free, little Peanut. Lorelai was a beautiful red chow the shelter considered so aggressive we had to fight to get her out. Yet, as soon as she got to her foster, Jennifer, she started settling in and learning how to live in a real home. She was doing well, learning to play with toys and enjoy some love, when one day she became very lethargic and didn’t want to move. Sadly, she passed May 8 as Jennifer was racing her to the vet. We suspect hemangiosarcoma, a particularly deadly form of cancer that often comes on suddenly after it has done too much damage to fix. We were all devastated at her sudden loss. We miss you, beautiful girl.
Lorelai
Laurent was a precious old gentleman who was given a home by one of our favorite adopters before he even left our vet’s office. He had a best friend in another of her dogs, Willie. Willie was blind, Laurent deaf, and they formed an Laurent immediate bond. Willie died in May, and Laurent followed him to the Bridge later than month, on May 22. “The vet said liver and kidney failure but I think it was a broken heart after Willie died. He was the sweetest little guy!” said his mom, Nancy. We agree. Have fun winging around the heavens with your bestie, little Laurent. 10 | Shamrock Rescue Foundation
We’ll let our dear friend Lisa, from Alura Always & Forever Pekingese Rescue, who cared for Walter, tell you about him: “We had to say goodbye to dear old Walter. Walter came to us from Shamrock Rescue. He seems to have been a Tibbie mix of some sort, but he was long, and he had back problems from the beginning. He had trouble being handled, and he would bite — and bite hard — if he felt you were handling him too much. After a few attempts at trying to find the right adopter, we all just decided that Walter was fine at Lisa and Andy’s house. He had his own routine there, and his own spaces. He took over the Walter downstairs pink bathroom so that anybody who used it was expected to work around him. He loved the backyard and spent a good portion of his day there. We put up a wheelchair ramp precisely so that he wouldn’t have to deal with the stairs and wouldn’t have to be carried up or down — he loathed being picked up and would bite whenever you did it. He liked to help Andy in the kitchen, and by help we mean clean up anything that fell on the floor. We like to keep dogs out of the kitchen during cooking to prevent mishaps, but Walter had a special dispensation to this rule because he was so happy there, with his friend Andy, on the hunt for falling bacon. By the end, his fur wasn’t growing back and he was getting weaker and weaker, and one morning he had a stroke. We decided that was enough — he’d done his time on this planet and it was time for new adventures free of a body that often let him down. He’s free now, and we are the sadder for it. Here’s a picture of our friend looking handsome, during a rare moment of lap-sitting, which he also ranked low relative to bacon-gathering in terms of pleasurable activities. Farewell, big guy. See you in the big pink bathroom in the sky.”
Kind Words From A Donor We love the notes that we receive from our adopters, fosters, and donors! Here’s a recent note received from one of our supporters who donated to help Oliver: “Thank you for the kind thank you - not many rescues reply with a thank you - so it’s very much appreciated. Makes me feel that the donation is definitely and legitimately being put to use for the pup. It’s always a leap of faith with these on-line donations, but both dog rescuers and leaps of faith make the world a better place. Thank you for doing what you do.” - Julie
Oliver leaving the shelter Shamrock Rescue Foundation | 11
Currently Seeking Forever Homes ... Click the picture (if viewing the digital version) or visit www.shamrockrescue.org to learn more
Cheeto
Larissa
Peekaboo
Max
Ziggy
Amos
Carmel
Teddy
Magic
12 | Shamrock Rescue Foundation