You didn't have to care about a dog that lived its life on a chain but you cared.  You didn't have to help a dog you'll never meet, but you helped.  You didn't have to take a chained dog into your home to foster  or adopt a dog  searching for a loving family. Teachers didn't have to teach responsible treatment of pets to children.  You weren't forced to sponsor, donate and send gifts to dogs who never knew love before, but you did it anyway.  

The words "Thank You" sound so small compared to what you have done.  I flip through picture  after picture of rescue dogs with their holiday gifts, I look at donations that not only paid for vetting of these dogs, something we thought would be impossible, but also broke more dogs off of chains during the holiday like Hunter,  Reagan,  Jobie and Bingo.  I look at these pictures and cry tears of delight because of your kind heart.

You didn't have to do it, nobody twisted your arm, but you did it. You gave Dogs Deserve Better a fabulous gift, your compassion.  More than us, you gave chained dogs an even bigger gift, a gift of hope and love.  What an appropriate thing to do for an animal that is born to love you, for you to return that love during the holidays.  Whether you care because you are a dog lover, someone who hates suffering or both, at DDB we thank you for making the holiday brighter for chained/penned backyard dogs. What we always say is still true; Dogs Deserve Better supporters are the best!

We are adding more pictures of holiday fosters with your gifts as they come in. Keep checking back!

Make Dogs Deserve Better's New Year Resolution your own! This New Year DDB resolves to come closer to building our Rehabilitation and Training Center.

Happy New Year! 

See Banshee open his gifts from Karen Fletcher's 2nd Grade class!

In our last e-news we introduced you to Bingo  a dog who spent his life on a chain.  Shortly after the e-news went out we received a call from Bingo's caretaker that DDB could rescue Bingo.  We interviewed Bingo's neighbor who contacted us concerned about Bingo and told us Bingo's location.

Bingo was rescued and transported along with Jada, PB AKC registered Great Dane who lived her life isolated in a garage. Jada isn't even 2 years old yet and she was in bad shape.

Road conditions were treacherous, but DDB Reps drove carefully to get these dogs to safety.  Bingo met Bobbie Wendorf and both Jada and Bingo received new beds, toys and treats from DDB supporters. 

The dogs are at now being vetted and cared for. 

If you could provide a loving home for Bingo, contact Bobbie  Because of you and your support miracles happen every day for chained/penned dogs all across the country with Dogs Deserve Better.

Make your year-end donation to save Chained/Penned Backyard Dogs!
 
A Friendly Reminder:  If you plan on making a donation to DDB to write off on your 2008 taxes, you must do so by midnight on December 31st.  Save a dog and Uncle Sam will let you write it off on your taxes.   Ask yourself who deserves it more, the dogs or the government? 

School children visited the fire station and met the station's mascot, a Dalmatian.  The children fell to discussing the dog's duties. "They use him to keep crowds back," said one youngster. "No," said another, "he's just for good luck." A third child brought the argument to a close. "They use the dog," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrant."

Check out this fun video clip of this sweet Pittie & a feline friend...then send it along to anyone who supports BSL!

A Christmas Miracle for Maizy - Means A New Bed for Beeper

Maizy, a DDB Holiday Dog, was adopted during the holidays!  This is Maizy with her new family. No! Not Santa, but close, because she did receive the greatest gift of all this year, her very own home and family. Congratulations Maizy, we are so happy for you! Maizy was able to go to her new home with gifts from her sponsors, but that's not all, three more dogs were rescued when Maizy was adopted and received gifts as well. 

Beeper,  shown on her new bed and two other poodles, Sugar Ray and Survivor were rescued from the very same pen that Maizy came from.  If you are near Maine and can provide a senior poodle a loving home, contact ddbmaine@yahoo.com.

Thank you DDB supporters for providing a new bed to a dog who never knew what one felt like before!

DDB Representative and Holiday Dog Petey's foster mom,  Amanda Green, with help from volunteers, handed out gifts to thirty-eight chained/penned dogs around Hobbs, New Mexico.

The chained/penned dogs were presented Christmas gifts and their pictures were taken with their guardian's permission.
 
They found 3 puppies and 1 blind dog chained. They found dogs with chains so short that they couldn't even get to their water bowls without help. They found dogs without adequate shelter or no shelter at all. They found dogs with no food or water presented to them or with bowls so dry I don't think even they remembered when they last had a drink.  They found a dog content to lay in her own pile of feces to enjoy the rawhide they gave her. This same dog had water so black that drinking it would  not benefit her at all. All of these dogs deserve better!

  Amanda is begging, "APNM and Hobbs officials, please don't stop legislating for these dogs. We're depending on your support and positions to make their lives better.  Hobbs residents, when it comes time to vote on stronger ordinances so that our city officials can pursue humane treatment for these gentle and kind beings, please don't stay silent. Speak out for these dogs! Humanity depends on you!" She pleads.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZNjtcs-298

 Thanks to Amanda Barnett-Green, 38 dogs in Hobbs, NM  know that at least someone cares for them. But their quest to help these dogs is far from over. 

Read News-Sun Article "Christmas Has Gone to the Dogs".
 
Donate

Testimonial from Pauline Larsen, Columnist, Humane Education, DDB Rep: "I just received Puddles On The Floor, and have read it three times. I am convinced that we need to get copies of this book in as many elementary school libraries as possible. What an awesome educational tool this is!! I will be sending a donation to get multiple copies to distribute to schools, and hope my action will encourage others to do the same. Education is the key to improving the plight of needy dogs, and this book can change attitudes.I AM IMPRESSED, and I encourage YOU to order multiple copies to distribute in your area!"