April Adoptions!

This month, six dogs and two cats found new homes! We are so excited for them to be joining their new families! 

Please click on the image to view a larger version. 

Dawson is a three-year-old shepherd/husky cross who loves to play and be active, but he also loves to cuddle—he's basically the whole package, which is why we are not surprised that his foster family fell in love and decided to make him a permanent member of the family.

Wyatt is an Australian cattle dog/blue heeler mix. Wyatt was found as a stray and will not get much bigger than he is now, and currently he weighs about 25 pounds. Wyatt is very affectionate and is known to cuddle up to humans and other dogs. He was not up for adoption for that long, which wasn't surprising. Everyone who meets Wyatt instantly becomes a fan!

Justice and Thornton were featured in our "Cats of TAGS" post a couple of months ago, and we are excited to announce that this mother-and-son pairing have been adopted together. Justice is a beautiful tabby who was rescued by TAGS after being found under the Oshawa Court House. She gave birth to a litter of kittens not long after that, and all but Thornton found homes. Now, these two are inseparable and love to cuddle and play.

June Bug (nicknamed Joobie) is an energetic, fun-loving Shetland sheepdog/beagle mix. She loves other dogs and is very smart, so she's already learned a lot since TAGS first rescued her. She's quick to give kisses and always has her tail wagging, so when her new family met her, they just knew she was the one they were looking for all along.

Squirrely is a 12-year-old hound mix. This lady's life has changed a lot in a short period of time, so we are very happy for her that she has found a new home and that things will settle down for her. Squirrely lived with the same family for a long time, but she and her sister, Sarah, found themselves at the pound when their family lost their home and could no longer take care of them. Both of these seniors were confused and scared, but then they were rescued by TAGS and put into the foster system. Unfortunately, Sarah had a massive cancerous tumour and the tough decision was made to euthanize her. Squirrely has been a trooper throughout all of it and remains healthy, with clear eyes and a spring in her step. We are so happy that she has been adopted into a great home with a family who will love her for the rest of her days.

Violet is a one-year-old border collie mix. Violet is a beautiful and gentle dog who loves to play. She's even happy to play on her own if another dog isn't around. She loves to run and spend time outside, and loves belly rubs! Violet just joined the TAGS program at the end of March, and she's already been adopted. We love when this happens!

Raggs is a 10-year-old cairn terrier mix who is pretty energetic for his age and loves to snuggle. He gets along with dogs, cats and kids and has a lot of love to give to everyone! This adorable guy had a family he loved very much, but they took him to the pound with the explanation that he was getting too old for them. We are very happy that this sweet guy has been given the second chance he deserves!

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Congratulations to all the dogs and cats who were adopted in April! We are so excited for all our furry friends and their new families! Personally, I am especially happy for our senior dogs, Squirrely and Raggs, as it can be difficult for seniors to find homes. If you are interested in adopting a senior but aren't sure what to expect, you can read about one of our volunteer's personal experiences. 

Why I Volunteer: Jenn

Oakley at PetSmart.

I volunteer in animal rescue because I love animals. 

...Obviously, right? But it's about more than just loving them. It's about believing that they deserve more respect and love than they receive. And it's about fighting for their rights when they cannot do so themselves.

I read a quote once (and unfortunately I do not remember where) that said: "One day, you will wake up and realize a lifelong dream that you never knew you had."

I suppose a realization of that nature is how I ended up applying to be a volunteer with TAGS. I was on the website looking at adoptable dogs and cats and fantasizing about actually being able to adopt one (I live with my parents, who have decided that our two cats are enough for one house), and then I landed on the In Memorium page. I was so moved by the stories I read. Not only had this rescue organization clearly changed the lives of all the people who were sharing their memories, but I was overwhelmed with happiness for the dogs. Their lives had been changed for the better because they were adopted, yes, but the real moment their lives changed was when they were rescued. After having such an emotional reaction to these testimonies and memories, I instantly knew that I had to be involved somehow. However, I wasn't quite sure how I would be able to help since I couldn't adopt or foster at this point in my life.

Cali at a Pet Valu Adoptathon.

Looking through the volunteer application cleared up any questions I had. There were several areas that needed volunteers and that interested me for different reasons, so I knew I would be able to help out in one way or another. During my interview, I was asked if I would like to be a part of the TAGS Social Media Committee, which was just forming around the time I submitted my application. I thought this was a great way for me to volunteer as it could be done from home, and I could use skills I gained while studying for my degree in journalism. That said, I also wanted to do something hands-on with the animals I would be writing about, especially since wanting to be around animals was part of my initial motivation for applying.

As a result, I am also part of a large group of volunteers who take turns showing dogs at local PetSmart and Pet Valu locations on the weekends. The shifts usually pass by pretty quickly—I spend the time alternating between getting to know the dogs we have in the store and talking to customers about TAGS and our adoptable dogs. A large chunk of the time also goes to story swapping—everyone loves to talk about the furry friends in their lives, so there are always lots of quirky stories being exchanged. (Note: I really do try to keep my cat stories to a minimum. Really, I do. It's just that my minimum is probably someone else's maximum.)

Rocky at PetSmart. Love this little guy!

I enjoy my roles, but at the end of the day, I volunteer in rescue because too many dogs and cats are homeless, neglected, abused or misunderstood. I volunteer in rescue so that I can be part of an organization that educates the public about pet health, training, the needs of animals and responsible pet ownership. I volunteer in rescue because I want the number of dogs and cats being euthanized each year to go down, not up.

I volunteer in rescue because I love the feeling I get when I find out one of the TAGS animals has found his or her fur-ever home.

If you can't adopt...foster.
If you can't foster...volunteer.
If you can't volunteer...donate.
If you can't donate...educate, network and share.
Everyone can do something to help animals in need. 

Wordless Wednesday: Hello? Hello?

"Hello? Hello? Trixie, sometimes I feel like you aren't even listening to me!" –Quinton

Poor Quinton. His foster sister Trixie is deaf! 

Trixie was adopted in December, but Quinton is still looking for a home. 

Are you interested in hearing what Quinton has to say? 

Fill out an adoption application and come meet him! 

This is a blog hop.
You can check out other participating blogs by clicking on the picture below.




Featured Adoptable Dog: Max

When meeting Max, most people have to fight their urge to take him home and cuddle him all day. I myself was wondering if he'd just escaped from Build-a-Bear. He's been in the TAGS program since February. His current family had to make a hard decision to surrender him. They wanted the best for him, as they realized that they won't be able to take care of him anymore, due to unexpected family troubles.

Max sees a potential "petting assistant" in every person who approaches him. He will lick your hand, wag his tail and melt your heart. Not necessarily in that order! And after each petting session, he expects a cookie. You can't blame him—if you are good at something, you should never do it for free. And he is mighty good at being your teddy bear that came to life!

Max's Hobbies

He likes to chew on ropes or sticks and is used to roaming free in a big backyard. His favourite treats are apples and carrots. 

Tricks

He knows how to "sit" and "wait," and he'll do these with extra eagerness if you have a treat at hand.

Walks

He walks well on a leash. He's a medium- to high-energy dog, so the more you can exercise with him, the better he will feel. 

Friends

He gets excited when meeting new dogs, and he gets along with all of them, thanks to his calm and friendly nature. Max is always trying to win cats' hearts, but they don't appreciate his efforts at playing. Max is also very good with children. 

Overall, he is a laid-back dog who will be happiest if you give him some belly rubs, treats and a nice walk outside. In exchange, he will always be there for you to cheer you up just by being cute and fluffy!

That's the spot!

He was falling asleep from all the rubbings!

If you think Max may be the dog for you, don't hesitate to fill out an adoption application form so that you can meet him at our dog park! More details about him can be found on our website.

Why Spay or Neuter

Source: CSRA Humane Society

Neutering refers to the removal of an animal’s reproductive organs and is a term used in reference to males, whereas spaying is used in reference to females.

Why Spay or Neuter?

Since TAGS is a rescue, most of the dogs and cats in our program have come from shelters. Shelters are brimming with unwanted dogs and cats—and to my surprise, many are puppies and young dogs! Pregnant female dogs or a litter of puppies can often be found at shelters due to an accidental breeding situation. Spaying or neutering your pet is the most effective way to help control the pet population and save animals from euthanasia in shelters.

Every year, thousands of dogs and cats are euthanized because there is simply not enough room for them in shelters. Additionally, several thousand animals from shelters every year are used for experimentation (research, teaching and testing) purposes. Although Ontario has laws to protect shelter animals from such a fate, there are other provinces where such laws do not exist to protect these vulnerable animals.

Benefits

Spaying and neutering have several benefits for your pet’s health. Spaying females prior to their first heat cycle can eliminate the risk of breast cancer and prevents uterine infections and uterine cancer, thereby reducing veterinary costs. Neutering males helps reduce or prevent testicular cancer and enlargement of the prostate gland—also helping to reduce future veterinary costs. Additionally, neutering your male dog can help prevent undesirable behaviours such as marking, humping, male aggression and an urge to roam. Also, if you have more than one pet in your household, spaying or neutering will help all the animals in the house get along better.

Costs

One of the biggest issues around neutering an animal is the costs associated with the procedure. If you live in Durham Region, there are many veterinarians who provide an affordable service and will often give out their rates over the phone. Additionally, the Ontario SPCA provides spay/neuter services at a much reduced price—however, wait times for these spots are high, so I recommend getting on the wait list as soon as possible if you are considering going this route. Spaying and neutering can be done as early as eight weeks old; however, any time between eight weeks and six months is optimal, especially for females due to the beginning of their heat cycles.

There are many benefits to neutering your animal—but the biggest one is the ability to help save the lives of perfectly healthy but unwanted shelter animals. Do your part and help save a life!

Wordless Wednesday: 8...9...10! Ready or Not, Here I Come!

Oops, Izzy has the rules of hide-and-go-seek mixed up. She's hiding AND counting!
Come find her and give her a forever home today! 

This is a blog hop.
You can check out other participating blogs by clicking on the picture below.




Pet Safety: What to Avoid in Spring Lawn Products

CC image courtesy of Zach Dischner on Flickr

With spring officially here (although the last few days haven't felt like it!), lawn and garden enthusiasts can finally see their green grass starting to come back.

Some of you may be looking outside and thinking, Wait, this grass isn't green enough! and also may be thinking about purchasing some lawn care products. But hold that thought.... Do you own a pet? If so, please continue reading!

Spring lawn and garden products contain many different chemicals in them, some of which can be dangerous or even fatal to your beloved pet.

Here is a list of what to watch for and avoid when buying lawn-care products:

• Theobromine: This is a methylxanthine compound, and its chemical properties are very similar to those of caffeine, which is very toxic to dogs and potentially other pets.

• 2,4-D: This is a chemical found in some lawn herbicides that has been linked to bladder cancer and lymphoma in dogs. According to a 1991 study by the National Cancer Institute, "dogs were two times more likely to develop lymphoma if their owners sprayed or sprinkled 2,4-D herbicide on their lawn four or more times a year." 

• Disulfoton: This can be found in insecticides and also some rose-protection products. This product is extremely toxic to dogs and can cause problems such as seizures, vomiting, diarrhea and potentially even death.

This blog provides general information and must not be relied upon or regarded as a substitute for specific professional advice, including veterinary advice. We make no warranties that the blog posts are accurate or suitable for a person’s unique circumstances and provide the blog on the basis that all persons accessing the website responsibly assess the relevance and accuracy of its content.

Tucker's New Life

Tucker (formerly Tanya) arrived at TAGS in November. Very often we see families moving away and not bringing their dogs along. Tucker's case was the same. Suddenly she found herself at a very different place, and without her family.

It was a big change for her, but she adapted quickly in her temporary foster home, thanks to her calm and loving nature. Little did she know that her future new family was already submitting an adoption application for her, so she wouldn't stay with TAGS for very long. After successful meet-and-greets and a home visit, Tucker settled into the Annis family within the first hour of her extended visit. Her connection with her new family was instant. 

"If I don't look at you, you can't see me on the couch."

So how is she doing nowadays? Tucker made friends with the two cats of the family despite the cats' former wish to put the adoption question to a vote. Tucker is now inseparable from her owner, Gayle, and follows her everywhere in the house like a little shadow. Gayle feels as though it was meant to be: "In the beginning, we were unsure about whether adopting a dog was the best route to take. When you adopt a stray, you don't know their history or what baggage they may bring with them. Adopting Tucker ended up being the best decision. She is the most lovable, cuddly, well-behaved, well-trained dog you could possibly ask for."

Tucker and Trevor

Tucker is actually glad that spring is not coming early this year, as she loves the snow and prefers to walk or play in the deep snow while outside. She learned the family's routine in no time, so now she knows when it is about time to go for the daily walks and will get very excited. They sometimes take her to the conservation area, which is her favourite thing as she gets to run more freely. 

Tucker and Mr. Piggy

One of her favourite toys is a rubber pig that oinks when she squeezes it. She often greets Gayle after work with the pig in her mouth. Gayle cannot imagine her life without Tucker now. "Adopting Tucker was one of the best decisions we have made."

Cuddling on the couch

Age Is Only a Number

When we started looking for a new dog, we had no intention of adopting a senior. Only 10 months before, but feeling way more recent, we’d experienced the tail end of years of watching our senior dog, Roxie, decline, until we ultimately had to make that tough decision all pet owners dread.

Roxie on her last day with us.

So when we were ready to bring another dog into our house, we bypassed all the listings for older dogs and set the maximum age of our next dog at two years—old enough to be housebroken and beyond the destructive puppy stage yet young enough to spend many, many years with us. We searched Petfinder.com, finding many possibilities but settling on a year-old Basenji mix named Amy who was available through TAGS. We wanted to meet her right away, so I called the TAGS phone number to see if it could be arranged. Fortunately for us, Amy was being shown at PetSmart that day. We had less than an hour, though, before TAGS would be packing up.

We left the house right away and raced from north Ajax to south Whitby to meet our next baby. Amy was a beautiful girl, to be sure, but once we were there, it was the sweet-looking, shivering beagle in the next crate who tugged at our heartstrings.

“How old is she?” we asked the volunteer.

“Judging by her teeth, the vet estimated her to be five,” she said.

My husband and I looked at each other. Five. Possibly middle-aged already. Too old.

Cora's adoption picture

But after looking into her slightly cloudy eyes that she averted from us nervously, I just had to ask more about her. Her rescuer, we learned, had named her Cora. She was a death-row rescue from Kentucky, had been in the program for only two weeks and was a very timid dog who would need some time to adjust to new people. My heart ached for her.

But five!

It was hard leaving Cora that day even though we struggled to get her to interact with us—she was just so timid. But once we were in the car and on our way home, I asked my husband, “What do you think?” feeling certain he’d echo my fears of (1) her being too old and (2) her questionable ability to bond with us. But I so hoped he'd see, as I did, that we could do right by her—and that age really is irrelevant after all.

“I think she’s a lot older than five,” he said tentatively. Yes, she did look older than five.

“And so you think we shouldn’t consider her?” I tried to hide my disappointment.

Pecan is one of the senior dogs
currently up for adoption through TAGS.

He hesitated. “I think we could give her a great home,” he said. He added that he was worried about my concerns about her age but that he thought we should apply to adopt her. She’d gotten to him, too! I was thrilled!

We rushed home, filled out the application, followed up almost immediately with a phone call and had a home visit just two days after our first meeting. A week to the day after our seeing Cora at PetSmart, we picked her up (and her new stepbrother, Dusty, who TAGS recommended to be a good companion for her) for her extended visit, and she’s been with us ever since!

Once our vet met Cora, he confirmed our suspicions about her age. He felt that although her teeth did indeed suggest five, her body condition, cloudy eyes, energy level, and facial whiteness hinted at her being closer to ten. Even this soon after her adoption, we shrugged it off. The day we met her, we had learned a great lesson: Age really doesn’t matter when it comes to finding the dog of your heart. And in Cora, we certainly found that.

Some of the advantages we've found of adopting an older dog are these:

·         Their energy comes in spurts, rather than being constant.

·         They have less interest in chewing slippers, remote controls, blankets, etc.

·         Often, their greatest joy is just spending couch time with you.

·         They often already have some training behind them, and even if they don’t, it’s true that you can teach an old dog new tricks. (We take Cora to agility lessons!)

·         It’s incredibly rewarding to give a senior (i.e., “less adoptable”) dog a loving home.

So if you’re looking for your next pet, don’t discount the older ones. They have so much love to give, and it just may be a senior dog who can wheedle his or her way into your heart, if just given a chance.

Wordless Wednesday: What Are You Doing Back There?

Derby wonders how he will ever get to the dog park if his driver is sitting in the trunk.
He was adopted last month.  

This is a blog hop.
You can check out the other participating blogs by clicking on the picture below. 




Furry Friends 5K

 

The Animal Guardian Society is participating in Intact Insurance's Furry Friends 5K, and we would like to invite you to run or walk with us at this fun event!

This race is a great opportunity to raise funds for local organizations. A portion of the proceeds will be shared by The Animal Guardian Society and Homeward Bound. 

Please visit furryfriends5k.ca if you would like to register, donate, volunteer or become an official sponsor of the event. You can like the Furry Friends 5K on Facebook by clicking here.

Race Information:

Race Date:  June 2, 2013

Start Location and Race Kit Pickup:  Heydenshore Pavilion, Water Street, Whitby, on Lake Ontario adjacent to the Heydenshore Kiwanis Park.

Please note: To be more eco-friendly this year, race participants are asked to bring their own water bottles.  Kinetico Water Systems will be providing a truck of water to fill your bottles.

If you have a craft or business that you would like to promote, you can purchase a table for $150. These tables will be set up at Heydenshore. Contact info@furryfriends5k.ca to rent a table.

Agenda

Race Kit Pickup: 8:00-9:00 a.m.

Warm-up:  9:00 a.m.

Start for Runners: 9:15 a.m.

Start for Walkers: 9:30 a.m.

Awards and Draw for Prizes: 11:00 a.m.

Fees

5K Run or Walk (just yourself)

Fee: $30
What you get:

• Race T-shirt and race kit (guaranteed to people who register by May 15, 2013)
• Race number
• Free professional race photo download
• Entry into prize draw

5K Run or Walk (with your dog)

Fee: $35
What you get:

• Race T-shirt and race kit (guaranteed to people who register by May 15, 2013)
• Race doggie bandana  (guaranteed to dogs who register by May 15, 2013)
• Race number
• Free professional race photo download
• Entry into prize draw

Team Entry (Teams of four with or without dogs)

Fee: $100 per team
What you get:

• Same as above

[All photos courtesy of the Furry Friends 5K community]

Why I Signed Up for The Furry Friends 5K

I am a wannabe long-distance runner. I like running because of all the usual reasons: it's good exercise; it gives you an endorphin boost; you can do it anytime you want; it's free; you can go alone and reflect or go with a friend and make it social.... The list goes on. 

But honestly? I also really like it because it doesn't involve catching, throwing, volleying, kicking, dribbling or any of the other hand–eye coordination–related factors surrounding athletic activity that plagued me in gym class. With running, it’s okay if you lack coordination because as long as you get out there and put one foot in front of the other, you can still be considered athletic. You just might have more mud on your calves than others from kicking yourself.

The problem I have with running is finding motivation to actually go and do it.  However, last summer I discovered that if I registered for a running event in advance and set a goal, that was motivation enough to keep me running regularly as the date approached.

A friend and I signed up for a 5K race in May, and another one in October, with the idea that the May race would keep us motivated throughout the end of winter and into spring, and the October one would allow us to improve on the May results. It worked! I ran regularly from February until October, which I never would have done without knowing that race day was looming.

Now that spring is here again (apparently), I’m ready to sign up for more, and one race I am really excited about is the Furry Friends 5K on June 2 in Whitby. Not only is it in the Durham Region, which is great (I went to Toronto for both races last year, which meant more travel time and larger crowds), but dogs are invited too!

Yes, dogs! The Furry Friends 5K is a unique charity race for people and their furry friends. It’s also quite flexible: participants can run or walk, with or without a dog. Collecting pledges (online or in-person) from friends and family is encouraged, but it is not a requirement. The event is also stroller-friendly so non-furry babies can come, too!

The Furry Friends 5K, now in its third year, is organized by a group of animal lovers who find generous corporate and individual sponsors to cover as many expenses as possible so that any extra monies from registration fees can go directly to local animal shelters of their choosing. Additional fundraising efforts the day of and donations have also made this event a great success in the past.

This year, The Animal Guardian Society has been chosen as one of the animal rescues that will be receiving proceeds from the Furry Friends 5K, and our volunteer team could not be more excited to be a part of this event. Many of our adoptable TAGS dogs will also be there to enjoy a morning of exercise and fun.

Photos courtesy of the Furry Friends 5K Facebook Page

Come run with us! Visit the Furry Friends 5K website to register, donate, volunteer or become an official sponsor of the event. Curious about what a race with dogs looks like? Check out The Furry Friends 5K Facebook page and view pictures from last year's event! 

Flying Dogs—Dogs on Planes

One day I decided to move from one country to another in Europe and also decided to bring my dog with me. My little 100-pound dog. I couldn't be the person who moves and leaves the dog behind!

This meant that she had to be flying on the same plane as me, in the cargo hold, in a crate. It wasn't a long flight, only about three hours, but I was still worried about her the whole way there.

Happy Roxy at the new place

You don't want to know how much I paid for her ticket.... The fee was 10 euros (around $13 CAD) per kilogram, and she weighed around 46 kg. Oh, and don't forget to add the weight of the crate, too, so it came to about 50 kg (110 pounds). Yeah, you can do the math!

So, first, we had to crate-train her because she had never had a crate. She was fine when the crate was just on the ground, but she refused to go in it once we put the wheels on it. And we needed the wheels since carrying a 100-pound dog along with luggage is not easy.

Then our vet advised us to use some kind of sedation for her. He gave us a gel called Sedalin Gel Paste, which we had to apply inside her mouth right before she got on the plane. Her eyes got heavy after just 10 minutes and they were really red, too, but it was just the effect of the sedation. By the time she was taken from us to be put in the cargo, she was asleep.

After landing, I was excited to see her again. It took forever for her crate to be put on the conveyor belt, but, finally, at the end of the line of bags, there came my Roxy, peeking out through the gaps of the crate. My friend who works at an airport told me that I could actually take the dog out of her crate even in the airport, but the staff was looking at us with disapproval, so either they didn't know that I could take her out or maybe there were different rules at this airport. Or they just didn't want to clean up any mess  she might make (which she didn't, as Roxy is a well-behaved dog and we quickly walked out).

The whites of her eyes were still a little bit red, but they turned back to white by the next day. She was a little bit tired during her first day on our new home ground, but she gained her energy back soon after. So, overall, I would say that if your dog is used to different types of transportation (Roxy was an experienced train, bus and car rider), then there is nothing wrong with taking your dog along on your travels. 

Your Checklist:

-Check if there are any important bylaws at your destination (for example, a quarantine for the dog).

-Find out the pet handling fees of your airline.

-Have your pet's passport done in time.

-Have all the shots up to date.

-Find the perfect-sized crate.

-Put your dog in the crate first and THEN give the sedating gel.

-Ready to fly!

Optional: Put a sticker on the crate with your dog's name on it (you can even attach a message) so that the people handling her in cargo can have a more personal experience with her.

As soon as we arrived, some of my relatives were waiting for us, and they burst out into a loud "Roxyyyy!" as soon as they saw us coming. And then they added, "Oh, hi there, Audrey."

Have you had any experiences like this? What's your best method for transporting your (big) dog? Share with us in the comment section below!

Wordless Wednesday: Oh, This Old Thing?

Modest Maude models her spring jacket.
Maude was adopted in December after TAGS rescued her from a high-kill shelter.

This is a blog hop. You can check out the other blogs by clicking on the picture below.





March Adoptions!

March was a fantastic month for adoptions. Nine dogs found homes and we couldn't be happier for them, or their new families!

While these cuties are now off the market, there are still many other pets looking for a new home. Check out our website to find out more about them. Your new family member could be waiting for you!

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Ryella with her new family!

Ryella is a female Rottweiler/Shepherd mix who is between one and two years old. TAGS rescued her from a gassing pound in Montreal and now she is happily settling into life with her new family. 


Derby is a young Shepherd cross who was found in a pound. TAGS rescued him just in time and now he has been adopted by the same family who adopted Goofy a few months ago! 

Derby (right) fits right in! 

Iggy is an energetic Rottweiler/Shepherd mix who loves to play! This guy is approximately one or two years old and his enthusiasm for life easily won over the hearts of his new family members. 

Sawyer is a 1-year-old Collie/Shepherd mix who did not have the best start in life, but things have definitely picked up for his cutie. He was part of an unwanted litter left at a pound, but almost as soon as he entered the TAGS adoption program, a new family scooped him up! 

Sawyer's all smiles! 

Amy is a happy-go-lucky Labrador cross who is about 6 years old. This gal loves belly rubs and being around people. Unfortunately, Amy got lost and ended up at the Sudbury pound, but now she's settling into a new home thanks to TAGS! 

Lexi-Leigh is a Terrier/Shih Tzu mix who loves to snuggle. Lexi-Leigh is nearly a year old and quite shy, but she warms up to people once she gets to know them. 

Lexi-Leigh snuggles with her new mom.

Balin is an 8-year-old purebred Beagle with eyes that can make anyone melt. This calm guy loves walks and spends most of them with his nose to the ground.

Dixie is a beautiful 1.5-year-old Labrador retriever mix. Dixie joined the TAGS program about a year ago when she was rescued from a pound in Kentucky. Dixie can be a bit shy but she loves playing with dogs and cats. 

Congratulations, Dixie! 

Halo is a 3-year-old Australian Shepherd/Beagle cross who was rescued from an abusive situation. It's hard to believe someone could mistreat this cute, playful, cuddly guy, but we're just happy he didn't let those experiences affect his great personality!  

 Congratulations, everyone!