Little Callie, the largest of the three Florida dogs, was sweet enough to take a break from playing and send us some photos of herself and a little update. Check out this sweet thing:

“Hi Love-A-Bull!

Who knew that life could be full of soft, warm, coziness and fun, friendly, safe people and dogs to play with? I am having a blast in my foster home! My aussie mix foster-sibling is SO MUCH FUN to play with — I really tucker myself out running and playing all day. Good thing I have nice cozy beds to sleep on and even some nice cozy people, too. I’m proud to report that I haven’t gone potty inside at all, and I’m doing well in my crate, too!

I’m ready to leave the past behind, only my little happy tail — which I wag so hard that it bleeds sometimes — keeps chasing me, and sometimes I cry in my sleep. But with all this fun and love surrounding me, I’m feeling like a brand new dog!

Love, Callie-dog”

Unfortunately, wiggling is not good for this guy’s slowly healing hip, and it turns out he has a severe allergy to the sedatives our vet had prescribed him to keep him calm. This means that he can’t go for walks or play, he can’t breakdance and wiggle, and he can’t take meds to keep him feeling snoozy. So what’s a guy to do?

Start a donations drive for himself, of course.

River has already received generous donations of this adorable monkey sweater, a couple of t-shirts, and a beautiful collar from Dress-A-Bull. But now he needs toys!

Dogs like River — who are on a regimen of strict crate rest — can benefit enormously from what we call “busy toys” — the kind that dispense food and treats and keep a dog busy and exhaust him mentally while he works. River has one busy toy to play with already, but he would do much better with a variety to keep his brain active and help him relax in his kennel.

If you’ve been looking for a small way to help out or love the satisfying feeling of donating something concrete, here’s a great opportunity to help a dog who’s down on his luck. The following toys are recommended by our trainer:

• Starmark Everlasting Fun Ball (size Large)
• Starmark Everlasting Fire Plug (size Large)
• Starmark Everlasting Bento/Beanie Ball (size Large)
• Starmark Bob-A-Lot
• Tug-A-Jug (size Large)
• Kong Extreme (size Large) and fillers (peanut buter, kong treats)
• Kong Wobbler

Donations can be brought or mailed to him at:

River has had a hard few weeks, and there’s nothing like opening up a couple of boxes with presents to lift a dog’s spirits. Thanks for your help!

More detailed information and a more extensive list can be found on the ASPCA website here: Ask the Experts: People Foods

Grapes as Food = NOT OKAY

Grapes as Costume = OKAY

The list below has some of the more prominent foods, combined from several resources:

1. Alcohol – Beer, liquor, wine, foods containing alcohol — none of it’s good for your dog. That’s because alcohol has the same effect on a dog’s liver and brain that it has on humans. But it takes far less to do its damage. Just a little can cause vomiting, diarrhea, central nervous system depression, problems with coordination, difficulty breathing, coma, even death. And the smaller the dog, the greater the effect.
2. Avocado – (all parts of the avocado and avocado tree) No matter how good you think the guacamole is, you shouldn’t give it to your dog. Avocados contain a substance called persin. It’s harmless for humans who aren’t allergic. But large amounts might be toxic to dogs. If you happen to be growing avocados at home, keep your dog away from the plants. Persin is in the leaves, seed, and bark, as well as in the fruit.
3. Bones and Fat Trimmings – Table scraps often contain meat fat that a human didn’t eat and bones. Both are dangerous for dogs. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, can cause pancreatitis in dogs. Although it seems natural, most bones should not be given (especially chicken bones) because they can splinter and cause an obstruction or laceration of the digestive system. It also poses a choking hazard. It’s best to just forget about the doggie bag.
4. Chocolate – Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs. The toxic agent in chocolate is Theobromine, a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic that can be fatal in dogs. It’s in all kinds of chocolate, even white chocolate. The most dangerous kinds, though, are dark chocolate, chocolate mulch, and unsweetened baking chocolate. Eating chocolate, even just licking the icing bowl, can cause a dog to vomit, have diarrhea, and be excessively thirsty. It can also cause abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and death.
5. Coffee, Coffee Grounds, Tea, Soft Drinks, and Other Caffeine – Caffeine in large enough quantities can be fatal for a dog. And, there is no antidote. Symptoms of caffeine poisoning include restlessness, rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, fits, and bleeding. In addition to tea and coffee – including beans and grounds — caffeine can be found in cocoa, chocolate, colas, and stimulant drinks such as Red Bull. It’s also in some cold medicines and pain killers.
6. Fruit Pits & Seeds (most) – Pits and seeds contain Cyanogenic Glycosides which can result in cyanide poisoning – though the fruit itself is okay.
7. Grapes and Raisins – Grapes and raisins have often been used as treats for dogs. But it’s not a good idea. Although it isn’t clear why, grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs. And just a small amount can make a dog ill. Repeated vomiting is an early sign. Within a day, the dog will become lethargic and depressed. The best prevention is to keep grapes and raisins off counters and other places your dog can reach.
8. Human Medicines & Vitamins – Reaction to a drug commonly prescribed for humans is the most common cause of poisoning in dogs. Just as you would do for your children, keep all medicines out of your dog’s reach. And, never give your dog any over-the-counter medicine unless told to do so by your vet. Ingredients such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are common in pain relievers and cold medicine. And, they can be deadly for your dog. Vitamins, especially those containing iron, can cause damage to the lining of the digestive system as well as cause kidney and liver damage)
9. Macadamia Nuts – Dogs should not eat macadamia nuts or foods containing macadamia nuts because they can be fatal. There is an unknown substance that is toxic to dogs. As few as 6 raw or roasted macadamia nuts can make a dog ill. Symptoms of poisoning include muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature, and rapid heart rate. Eating chocolate with the nuts will make symptoms worse, possibly leading to death.
10. Milk & Other Dairy Products – On a hot day, it may be tempting to share your ice cream cone with your dog. But if your dog could, it would thank you for not doing so. Milk and milk-based products can cause diarrhea and other digestive upset as well as set up food allergies (which often manifest as itchiness). Fortunately, many local doggy bakeries and stores make or sell ice cream specially for pooches! They don’t usually pose a great danger but many have high fat content — and many pets are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance leads to gas and diarrhea; though small amounts of yogurt and cheese are usually fairly well tolerated. It’s even often recommended to put a teaspoon of plain yogurt with a dog’s meal to help digestion and gas.
11. Nutmeg & Other Pantry Items – Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures, and central nervous system damage. Many other items commonly found on kitchen shelves can harm your dog. Keeping food items high enough to be out of your dog’s reach and keeping pantry doors closed will help protect your dog from serious food-related illness.
12. Onions & Garlic – Onions and garlic in all forms — powdered, raw, cooked, or dehydrated — can destroy a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anemia. Both contain the toxic ingredient Thiosulfate/Thiosulphate. That can happen even with the onion powder found in some baby food. An occasional *small* dose (sometimes found in dog biscuits) is probably okay. But just eating a large quantity once or eating smaller amounts regularly can cause poisoning because it builds up in the system. Symptoms of anemia include weakness, vomiting, little interest in food, dullness, and breathlessness.
13. Persimmons, Peaches, and Plums – The problem with these fruits is the seeds or pits. The seeds from persimmons can cause inflammation of the small intestine in dogs. They can also cause intestinal obstruction. Obstruction is also a possibility if a dog eats the pit from a peach or plum. Plus, peach and plum pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to both humans and dogs. The difference is humans know not to eat them. Dogs don’t.
14. Raw Eggs – There are two problems with giving your dog raw eggs. The first is the possibility of food poisoning from bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli. The second is that an enzyme in raw eggs interferes with the absorption of a particular B vitamin. This can cause skin problems as well as problems with your dog’s coat if raw eggs are fed for a long time.
15. Raw Meat and Fish – Raw meat and raw fish, like raw eggs, can contain bacteria that causes food poisoning. In addition, certain kinds of fish such as salmon, trout, shad, or sturgeon can contain a parasite that causes “fish disease” or “salmon poisoning disease.” If not treated, the disease can be fatal within two weeks. The first signs of illness are vomiting, fever, and big lymph nodes. Thoroughly cooking the fish will kill the parasite and protect your dog.
16. Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder – It’s not a good idea to share salty foods like chips or pretzels with your dog. Eating too much salt can cause excessive thirst and urination and lead to sodium ion poisoning. Symptoms of too much salt include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, and seizures. In large amounts these can cause an electrolyte imbalance and in severe cases lead to muscle spasms or even congestive heart failure. It may even cause death.
17. Some Vegetables – Potato peelings, green potatoes, rhubarb leaves, and green parts of tomatoes contain oxalates which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. Mushrooms may contain toxins that can cause liver and kidney damage. Broccoli isonly toxic in large quantities.
18. Sugar-Free Foods – Candy, gum, toothpaste, baked goods, and some diet foods are sweetened with xylitol. Xylitol can cause an increase in the insulin circulating through your dog’s body. That can cause your dog’s blood sugar to drop and can also cause liver failure. Initial symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, and loss of coordination. Eventually, the dog may have seizures. Liver failure can occur within just a few days.
19. Sugary or Excessively Fatty Foods & Drinks – Too much sugar can do the same thing to dogs that it does to humans. It can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly the onset of diabetes. Excess fatty foods can cause Pancreatitis.
20. Yeast Dough – Before it’s baked, bread dough needs to rise. And, that’s exactly what it would do in your dog’s stomach if your dog ate it. As it swells inside, the dough can stretch the dog’s abdomen and cause severe pain, and even lead to rupture of the digestive system. In addition, when the yeast ferments the dough to make it rise, it produces alcohol that can lead to alcohol poisoning.

When in doubt, check with your vet!

Here are some of the resources that you might find helpful:
• 25 Human Foods Toxic to Dogs
• WebMD Slideshow: Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat
• Dogster – Poisonous Plants & Immediate Treatment for a Poisoned Pet
• Doctors Foster and Smith pet education.com

Our die-hard volunteers spent a bleary-eyed weekend greeting these lovelies when they came in, easing those road-jitters, helping them feel welcome, and learning as much as we could about their personalities and needs. We got three of these darlings into foster homes where they’re doing great with families and other dogs, and the two remaining dears are boarding at our vet’s office while they wait and hope.

We can’t wait to share their journey as it develops, but for now, some photos from the weekend:

Sirius Republic has created ten brand new collar patterns, and shipped one of each to Love-A-Bull as a beautiful gift to our Adopt-A-Bulls. For some of these dogs — especially the five arriving this weekend via long-distance transport from dog fighting busts on the East Coast — these lovely collars will be the first new thing they’ve ever owned. At the bottom of this post you’ll see instructions for how you can help dress our dogs in these collars, and be entered to win a Love-A-Bull t-shirt, too!

But there’s more! The ten collars — all named after Austin-area landmarks and things we love about Texas — have been branded as special Love-A-Bull collars. This means that for every collar of these patterns purchased, Sirius Republic will donate 20% of proceeds right back to Love-A-Bull. How cool is that?

So if you purchase one of these ten gorgeous collars for your very own pooches, you’ll be throwing a donation Love-A-Bull’s way, too. Our own adoptable Snickerdoodle and his foster brother Chick will be the cover-models for the new initiative, and the collars can be found under the hot-pink “Love-A-Bull” link on the left-hand side of the Sirius Republic website:

Dress our Dogs Game

To help us dress our Adopt-A-Bulls, simply match the five collar patterns below with the five Adopt-A-Bulls we’ve randomly selected from our crew. Enter your pairings into the comments box of this blog post, and sit back and wait! We’ll draw a lucky winner early next week, and dress our dogs in that winner’s pairings. To sweeten the deal, the winner will also receive a Love-A-Bull t-shirt of their choice.

Let’s play!

Match these collars:

With these Adopt-A-Bulls:

The contest closes on Tuesday at noon Central, and the lucky winner will be announced on our blog next Wednesday! We can’t wait to see what y’all come up with!

Over the past few weeks, we have agreed to take in nine dogs saved from three different dog fighting operations in Florida, Ohio, and South Carolina. This is a first for us, and it may even be a first for any local rescue group — nine dogs from three dogfighting busts in three states — wow!

Here’s a little preview of the sweet faces to come.

FLORIDA: In mid-December, 2011, 45 dogs were confiscated from a dog fighting bust in Sebring, FL. The dogs were kept in horrible conditions, chained, and left with algae-covered water. Many dogs were severely ill. The State of Florida has gained custody of 16 of the 45 dogs, and Love-A-Bull has worked with Florida powerhouse Dolly’s Foundation to accept transfer of three of them. The dogs have been described as friendly with people and dogs, petite, and absolutely adorable. Dolly’s Foundation will be hand-delivering these three little sweethearts on Saturday. We can’t wait!

For a touching video by Dolly’s Foundation about the Florida dogs, click here.

SOUTH CAROLINA: In October, 2011, authorities in Richland County, South Carolina arrested five suspects and seized 27 dogs involved in a dog fighting operation, several of whom were in such poor health that they were on the verge of death. Animal Farm Foundation, a national leader in advocacy, training, and evaluation of pit bull type dogs, stepped in to take custody of the dogs. Some of these dogs have been lucky enough to live in temporary foster care, where they have had ample opportunity socialize with people and other animals — and they’ve done great! Two will be transferred to Love-A-Bull this Friday.

More info on the South Carolina case and dogs is available here.

OHIO: In late December, 2011, 27 dogs were found in a dog fighting operation in Cleveland, Ohio. Suffering from physical wounds in filthy conditions, the dogs were removed and placed in the custody of the City of Cleveland Kennel. Love-A-Bull will be receiving four of these dogs.

We are especially excited about the Ohio dogs because their second chance is only possible thanks to Cleveland’s recent reversal of Breed-Discriminatory Legislation that used to treat pit bull type dogs as dangerous dogs. Thanks to the very hard work of passionate advocates, Cleveland has changed its policy, and just in time — the dogs seized in this bust are lovely animals deserving of their second chance. We are so proud to offer it to four of them here in Austin.

For more info on the Ohio dogs, click here.

Love-A-Bull needs foster homes and is accepting donations to support the care of these dogs. We are especially in need of toys, beds, and wet and dry food. Donations can be dropped off at Oak Hill Veterinary Clinic at 7101 Highway 71 West.

More information on each adoptable dog will be posted as it becomes available on http://love-a-bull.org/adopt/adoptabull/.

With River still waiting patiently for a foster home at our vet’s office and five dogs coming from the East Coast this weekend, we’re thinking this is a great time for those who are fostering-curious to come out of the shadows and announce themselves. We’re waiting with open arms!

Not sure if fostering is for you? Read on.

Foster families provide a much-needed soft spot to land on for dogs who have usually just endured a long and difficult journey. Most dogs who join our program have spent the last weeks living in a kennel with little human touch. Some of them need to learn to be dogs again.

We evaluate our dogs carefully, and only select ones who are great with people. Most of our dogs are also fantastic with other dogs, and some even like cats. While the Adopt-A-Bulls join us with varying degrees of that understanding-how-to-be-a-house-pet quality, they tend to be extraordinarily willing to work, and pick up new skills very quickly.

If you choose to join our program, we will take the time to talk with you about your unique needs and capabilities. We wouldn’t put a dog with a too-keen interest in cats into a home where a kitty rules the roost, nor would we place a young pup with somebody who works 12 hours per day.

We love when foster families have some experience with basic dog training, but beginners are welcome too! Our foster families have access to Love-A-Bull’s own four-week basic obedience course, which is held in two locations in Austin. We also have good relationships with a couple of experienced trainers, who are always willing to lend a hand in helping foster families work through little hiccups or puzzling behaviors.

Love-A-Bull takes care of all vet care for the animals, and if needed, will provide collars, leashes, tags, and crate. Most of our fosters provide their own food, beds, and toys, but we’ll gladly acquire those for a foster family in need.

Most of our dogs are adopted through our website and petfinder, which means that the more cute photos and stories you can tell us about your Adopt-A-Bull, the better a chance it will have. We also hold adoption events every few weeks — these events are a great way to meet our community and show off your foster!

Most of all, foster families are the foundation upon which our rescue branch depends to save lives. Without the generous families who open their hearts and homes to dogs in need, we wouldn’t be able to change these dogs’ world.

To submit a foster application, click here.

LIBBY (formerly PENNY)

Oh, Libby. When we whispered to you to be a good girl and make yourself at home in your foster home, we didn’t mean that you should make yourself literally at home!

Libby (formerly Penny) had been in foster care for a few months when foster dad started falling more and more deeply in love with her. We had a suspicion that her foster home would be her happy ending, but we kept our mouths shut and just watched. Sure enough, six months later, Libby is home! Although she came to us as a survivor of cruelty — brought in after Animal Control received a call about some kids burning a dog — she has left her sad past long behind. Now she’s focused on the present, and for good reason: she gets along famously with her canine sibling, and dad takes the dogs out to his family ranch on holidays and weekends to run, run, run. Libby is a lucky gal to have such a fantastic dad, doggie sister, and the promise of ranch-style vacations where she’ll get to play with other family dogs and explore the wilderness. Congrats, Libby!

BUCK ROGERS

We never could resist Buck Rodgers’ sweet little face. When we pulled him from a high-kill city shelter just hours before his scheduled euthanasia, we thought hewouldn’t be in our foster program for long. This guy has too much to accomplish! Even though he was very thin and sick when he came to us, his new mama fell in love with him at first sight. She could just tell by looking into our guy’s eyes that he would be her perfect companion: once spring hits, she and her boyfriend plan to train him to run the trails along with them when they go out on their BMX bikes! Go get ‘em, Buck Rogers!