I'm sure every Idol contestant cringes when it comes to Simon Cowell's turn to critique a performance, but as Simon helps judge "Britain's Got Talent" a four-legged star knocks his socks off. 

Sit back and watch Gin perform and think of all those Border Collies out there on chains because their caretakers didn't understand their energy levels, then take heart, because Gin will never be one of them.

Gin's best girl, 17 year old Kate Nicholson knows the importance of her best friend being part of the family.  Watch http://www.familytiez.com/video/gin.htm.

In South Carolina Alicia reports listening to her children playing make believe with friends saying, "Look, there's a chained dog, somebody call Dogs Deserve Better!" 
 
7-year-old Kaitlin in Missouri passes out DDB brochures and reads "Buddy Unchained" to her friends. "This is a book about a chained dog and that's something you should never, ever, ever do." She starts out. 
 
Allison in Wisconsin tells us that her children form a "cage" out of chairs and put their adopted DDB rescued Black Lab inside, then drag him along on a leash through the house as they rescue him again and again.  He happily follows along with a silly grin on his face, pleased to be part of the game.
 
Kristen Robinson's second grade class in Wayne, Pennsylvania is sponsoring Donte for the holidays. 
 
And 12-year-old Allie wrote us the following email:

Hello my name is Allie and I am 12 years old and my grandmother gave each of her grandchildren $200 for Christmas to do whatever they want with it. I am choosing to donate mine to Dogs Deserve Better and I am unsure of how I can get it to y'all. It is a check and so I am unsure. ! Thank You!

Sincerely,
Allie
 
Yes, children are our future and if Allie is any indication to what the future holds for chained and penned dogs then its going to be a positive one.

Shortly we will be announcing DDB's Valentine Campaign bringing more children and classrooms into the world of "No More Chains".  

Know a future animal rescuer?  Inspire a child, classroom or library by ordering and giving "Puddles On the Floor"  or "Buddy Unchained"!

Moochie finds a home!

Last e-news we reported Moochie looking for a home or foster.  Thanks to everyone's concern about Moochie, he has found his forever home!

Moochie's new mom said they are so thrilled with him and they love him so much just after two days!  Matt, his new dad even took Moochie to work with him yesterday, and they are enjoying taking him on walks and the kids are just rolling on the floor with him. They already had his bed and toys ready when he arrived home and he has been great to blend in with the family! He sleeps in the bedroom with his new parents at night and they don't hear a peep out of him.

I guess he's in a dream world after what he's been through in life! The family is so amazed that he is such a loving boy after having to live on a chain and enduring whatever caused his scars. He is so wonderful with the kids and everyone!

Thank you for all of your help. -Rhonda Sims

The newspaper headlines read "Arctic air crashes into most of US" and it has DDB Reps busy knocking on doors, putting straw in doghouses and talking to chained/penned dog caretakers about the importance of bringing their pets into the home and family.  That's the personal touch, hometown residents volunteering for DDB and educating against 24/7 chaining/penning.
 
Bingo in Illinois has been chained since he was 4 months old.  That was 6 years ago. What's that in dog years?  42 years?  And add on the prison sentence chained to the same spot for all those years and it's bound to seem like an eternity. 
 
When a neighbor called and reported Bingo to a DDB Rep, it added to a list of 14 people she spoke to in one weekend before the arctic air moved in.  That meant her personal commitment and backbreaking work providing 13 dogs with straw, fresh food and water and one little Beagle brought into the family's home and given a new dog bed. It also means 14 doors left open for change because of DDB's education.
 
To have one Rep in an area where chaining is rampant, spending her weekend helping those backyard dogs no one else knows exist, it may not sound as thrilling as a team of highly trained rescuers busting up a puppy mill, but it is just as important to that one little Beagle who is now safe inside and the 13 other dogs who have hope where there was none before.  And to think, the positives happening in this Illinois town are taking place all over the U.S. and beyond because of Dogs Deserve Better and caring people like you.
 
And Bingo? When this Rep knocked on the door of a rundown trailer belonging to a POW of Vietnam, yes, this is perceived as a tragedy in itself.  Shouldn't we have a past prisoner of war living in a castle instead of a run down trailer? But when the Rep knocked on his door, he said come in and when she peeked around the corner, she saw a war hero on the couch attached to an oxygen tank, his wife at work, but crippled herself, she has a hard time making it out to feed and take care of Bingo.  The Veteran was so grateful that DDB took the time to stop by and offer a hand and he is going to talk to his wife & grown children living out of town about letting DDB take in Bingo. 
 
And once again we dream of a the DDB Rehab Center,   so we can help more dogs and more people and change everyone's lives for the better. 
 
What will happen to Bingo?  Maybe his family will turn him over to DDB, maybe one of their children will take him into their home and maybe the laws will become stricter so that people will be forced with reality.  But there is no question that Bingo has a guardian angel, a DDB angel, who won't let him suffer alone and who will not give up on getting him off the chain. 
 
Here's something you can do in your own area:
 
When weather advisories warn of potential ice and snowstorms, freezing temperatures or natural disasters, call your local radio station and/or email announcers and ask them to announce something close to the following:

Dogs Deserve Better a National Non-Profit Organization focusing on education and rescue of chained/penned backyard dogs would like to remind listeners to please bring your pets inside during freezing temperatures.  Each year thousands of dogs are reported frozen to death in extreme weather even with what is considered adequate shelter.  For more information visit www.dogsdeservebetter.org 
 
Thank you for making the DDB Difference!

Another Great Gift That Keeps on Giving! 


Order American Dog Magazine Now and They Will Give to DDB!

American Dog Magazine Will Donate All Profits from your Subscription to DDB! Wouldn't this Make a Great Holiday Gift for the Dog Lover in your Family?
 
But you've GOT TO ACT QUICKLY! You have to be subscribed by December 20th! This is a great magazine, and DDB founder Tamira Thayne currently has a column running in the fall and winter editions. They are very committed to helping us bring dogs into the home and family! The magazine combines glam, fun stuff with the issues, and it's colorful, full-on gloss, a great value. For each subscription, DDB can make $8.00! (Make sure to put DDB or Dogs Deserve Better in the Charity Code Line.)
http://www.theamericandogmag.com/subscribe.shtml

Be a walking billboard for dogs out in the cold while staying warm and trendy at the same time.
 
Not afraid to tell people how you feel about chained dogs? Everyone reads t-shirts and your message may get through to someone without you even knowing it. Use your body as a walking billboard for chained dogs this winter with these great items from DDB! 
 
 Don't Leave 'Em Out in the Cold- Make 'Em Part of Your Pack Hoodie

 

In his doghouse with a roof piled with snow "Dude NOT my idea of a good time signed by The Dog" Long Sleeve Shirt.

"If you think I want to live like this...Think Again" Sweatshirt featuring Ebb chained in the snow.

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!"

Dawn Ashby, Rescue & Public Liaison dawn@dogsdeservebetter.org
1.877.636.1408 · http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org