Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

on October 29, 2009

Did you know that October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month? Animal shelters in America take in 10 million dogs a YEAR! Thatâ€™s a lot of furry friends that need love.

Both of our doggies were rescued, but James is from a real animal control shelter and Maggie is from an independent group. In honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, here are five fun facts about James.

Fact 1: The Husband has to lay on top of him while I cut his nails. He screams and bites while we do it. The vet told us that we werenâ€™t allowed to bring to him in for nails anymore. :( Thatâ€™s how bad he is â€“ he was banned from the vet. (Weâ€™ve tried all the tricks to make it easier; nothing works!)

Fact 2: He spends his ENTIRE day laying on a window shelf and staring at the parking lot. Our friend Harry built it for him, and James loves that shelf more than life. I frequently balance stuffed animals on him during the day and see how long he lets them stay there (sometimes hours).

Fact 3: James has a scar across his neck because his previous owners kept him outside and let his collar grow into his skin. :( He broke free and was picked up by Pittsburgh Animal Control, and then we found him at the shelter!

Fact 4: We think James is a German Shepherd/Dachshund mix. We talk about getting the Doggie DNA test done all the time to confirmâ€¦ Heâ€™s only 22 pounds.

Fact 5: He is deeply in love with Maggie. :) The first time they met, it was like a slow-motion romance movie. They ran to each other, made out, and the rest is doggie history. When people say they are â€œbrothers and sisters,â€ the Husband and I are always reply, â€œNO! They are husband and wife.â€

Have you ever adopted a shelter pet?

{ 106 comments }

elliebelle October 29, 2009, 5:37 pm
Oh my goodness…that story about James is so cute. Plus that last photo of the two of them is to die for.
Lyndsey October 29, 2009, 5:40 pm
Aww…*happy tears*
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers October 29, 2009, 5:45 pm
I LOVE THIS! i am a sucker for puppy lovers. your dogs are adorable. i wanna give them big hugs & i’m so glad you were able to provide them a warm and loving home.
Katie October 29, 2009, 5:45 pm
MY doggy came from a puppy mill. She is a neurotic mess. She isn’t conformationally correct either (She has a peanut head), but I truly believe they would have drowned her if I hadn’t taken her. Our first dog was a beagle from a puppy mill too. She was the BEST family dog. Laid back and sweet until she died of cancer last year. I wish I was in a position to get another dog and rescue one, but we’re a 2 dog family.
Lacey October 29, 2009, 5:51 pm
Both our pups are from the Basset Hound rescue. They both definately have their issues from previous abusive owners. One we got when she was 4 months old, she’d already been in 3 houses, and was obviously from a puppy mill. She is a total lover, but to this day (5 years later), she cringes and whines at any man wearing a baseball hat. It makes my heart hurt when she does it because I know she is remembering something horrid from her past.
Lianna October 29, 2009, 5:51 pm
Such a cute post! Your doggies are adorable!
Evan Thomas October 29, 2009, 5:52 pm
My dog Montana hates getting his nails done too. He’s bitten the vet for it before and now gets a muzzle
Shannon, Tropical Eats October 29, 2009, 5:55 pm
LOL I love the “Husband and Wife” comment about your doggies 🙂

Too cute! I actually have a huge giveaway and fundraiser going on my site right now if you’d like to check it out. It’s called the Healthy, Tail Waggin’ Treats Fundraiser and we’re making a virtual cookbook with dog friendly pet treat recipes in it! All the proceeds are going to the Humane Society. 🙂

http://tropicaleats.com/2009/10/20/healthy-tail-waggin-treats-giveaway/

Have a great weekend girly!
Leah @ L4L October 29, 2009, 5:59 pm
We always adopted shelter dogs growing up! My last dog, I adopted from a friend that couldn’t take care of her and was going to take her to the pound b/c she was a challenging pet. So I took her in, instead! 🙂
Morgan October 29, 2009, 5:59 pm
Aw, that last picture is too cute. My parents used to have dogs that were husband and wife!
We have adopted, but it is hard for us since I have really bad allergies. I do donate when I can. I feel like it’s the least I can do!
Michelle October 29, 2009, 6:02 pm
I want one..or two. Wait, where did you get all those stuffed animals?
- Caitlin October 29, 2009, 8:20 pm
  the goodwill! we wash them first. 🙂 most of them are baby toys.
Brie (The Fit Bride) October 29, 2009, 6:03 pm
Love this.

We have two cats and a dog, all of which are shelter rescues with sad stories. Our dog was a puppy mill rescue and his teeth are chipped and broken from trying to bite his way out of the cage, and one of our cats has missing fur because she was frostbitten. 🙁 Pictures here at the bottom! http://thefitbride.wordpress.com/about/
Diana October 29, 2009, 6:04 pm
So cuuuuute. I love that he loves Maggie eheh That’s just sweet.

Well, I haven’t adopted from a shelter but I have adopted a kitten that was born on the street. He was incredibly spoiled by us and though he died some years ago I still love him very much. This subject makes me so sad. 😐
Lauren October 29, 2009, 6:05 pm
The pic with James in his doggy bed with all the stuffed toys is SO cute. You should submit it to Cute Overload!

Our dog isn’t from a shelter, but we adopted him through a group that takes in abused, stray, or unwanted dogs and gives them out to families who want pets. Our dog was abused in the past (when we first got him, he used to freak out when my Dad took off his belt after coming home from work–yikes!) and he’s still a “bolter,” but we’re glad he’s with us 🙂
Whitney October 29, 2009, 6:05 pm
I adopted my cat Lucy and my boyfriend’s parents adopted a golden who was the puppy mill mama. So sad, she is definitely in a better place how with his parents but she will never be a “normal” dog because of the incredible mistreatment she suffered.
VeggieGirl October 29, 2009, 6:07 pm
Chooey is a shelter pup! 😀
Molly @vegandorm October 29, 2009, 6:16 pm
I found my dog right off the street when I was eight years old…later, after she wouldn’t stop growing and kept jumping over every fence we put up, we found out she was part wolf.
But she’s the sweetest and smartest dog ever…I also got a purebred yellow lab as a gift. Love her to death, but she’s nowhere near as smart as the dog I picked up off the street.
I also volunteer at a humane society….breaks my heart, every time.
Katy @ These Beautiful Feet October 29, 2009, 6:16 pm
Yes! Our dog Bo(well, my family’s dog) is a shelter dog and I think he is so amazingly cute! He’s a golden retriever, chow mix and I think he looks like Winnie-The-Pooh! There’s pictures of him on my blog, since he was just visiting the other day. He’s the best. I saw him when we were looking for a dog one day and I just fell in love. Praying and hoping we get to adopt a pup soon!
Gina October 29, 2009, 6:17 pm
We adopted our dog from the humane society last year. She had been there for over 3 months! We immediately fell in love with her and knew it was meant to be. She gives us a hard time too when we try to clip her nails. The first time we did it, she was fine. But now she knows what’s coming and refuses to cooperate!
Teacherwoman October 29, 2009, 6:18 pm
What a great story! I have been thinking about getting a dog (seriously) for the past year and would really like to get one from a shelter.
haya October 29, 2009, 6:19 pm
oh my goodness! that is so cute
i’ve never really had a pet to adopt from a shelter but i have lots of respect for people who do! my coworker’s shelter puppy has a lot of psychological issues. it’s not easy but i’m sure it is rewarding.
Dee October 29, 2009, 6:21 pm
My very favorite posts of yours are of your dogs. They’re both ultra-cute and you have a very amusing way of sharing info. about them. Plus, I’m a crazy dog lover!
Carolyn October 29, 2009, 6:21 pm
We rescued our dog from some people who were about to send him to a shelter. One cat is from the newspaper and the other is from the pount. P.S. Iâ€™m giving away two breast cancer awareness prize packs on my blog: http://lovinlosing.com/.
stephanie p October 29, 2009, 6:24 pm
that last photo makes my day! soo sweet. i love animals!
Chloe (Naturally Frugal) October 29, 2009, 6:24 pm
So cute!
We don’t have any animals right now, but I’d love to adopt a dog once we have some space & time to take care of it. Adopting is such a great way to get animals off the streets, and a lot cheaper than having to pay for a “purebred” puppy.
Alice's Lady October 29, 2009, 6:27 pm
My dog Alice is from a shelter and she’s completely awesome. Rescues and shelters are goldmines for fabulous pets, just waiting to find their families. It always makes me happy to hear that other people know this, too!
Lori (Finding Radiance) October 29, 2009, 6:29 pm
Your dogs are so sweet!

I adopted a cat from a shelter and had her for 18 years before she passed away earlier this year. She was our little baby.

Our other kitty found us as a poor stray thin as a rail and covered with fleas and ticks. She turned out to be the most sweet cat you could ever ask to meet.

I am such a sucker for animals.
Mellissa October 29, 2009, 6:29 pm
We just adopted a shelter dog on Saturday!! He name is Clifford and is a Chihuahua/Terrier Mix. He is 9 months old and was saved from a high kill shelter, we are so excited to have him as part of our family.
Island Girl Eats October 29, 2009, 6:32 pm
They make such a beautiful couple! Such a sweet picture.
Kelly October 29, 2009, 6:33 pm
Our little bundle of puppy joy (who will be a year in November) was a rescue. They told us she was a german shepard mix, but she’s only 30 pounds, and I don’t think she’s going to grow anymore. We also recently discovered the american rat terrier breed — and I think she’s DEFINATELY some of that. Maybe some shepard/rat terrier mix! She looks a lot like james. Ya know, with more leg. haha 🙂
Justy2003 October 29, 2009, 6:37 pm
Your puppies are so adorable 🙂 My cat was a stray that I took in as a kitten. The fiance and I are planning to get a dog next year sometime after we get married in May and are intending to adopt from a shelter. There’s so many pets that need a good home!
Cynthia (It All Changes) October 29, 2009, 6:41 pm
Our two pups are shelter dogs. We got them last year together. We were told at the shelter that they were married and had to go together. Leo is scared of keys and belts because he was beaten and locked in a room. He can’t be left alone in a room or he gets scared.

I love that James stares out the window all day. Our dogs love to lay on the arm of our chair or couch and stare into our parking lot. They get super excited to see us or our congregation pull up in the van.
Erica October 29, 2009, 6:47 pm
Ridiculously cute! Both my dogs are from the shelter and I have to force myself to not go in every time I pass it because I will end up taking more dogs home!
Carrie H October 29, 2009, 6:49 pm
Ohhhhh I LOVE that photo of James and all the stuffed animals! So cute!
We adopted our cat from an animal hospital. He was turned in by a rancher who said he would drown him if he wasn’t adoptable. (Apparently, he said this all “no big deal, just drownin’ a cat …”!!!) Anyway, I LOVE our kitty, but the other day when you said Maggie has serious behavioral problems — that’s my cat Louie. He is a lot of work, but worth it.
Tuesday, he got out of the house and was gone for 18 hours. I was literally BESIDE myself all day and couldn’t even focus on anything, work, food, exercise … My husband found him (alive and okay) in an alley near our house long after dark after just seeing two foxes run by! I literally cried tears of joy.

P.S. I love love love my doggie too, but he’s not adopted from a shelter … we got him as a puppy. 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is October 29, 2009, 6:51 pm
Maybe this will convince my husband to get me a dog.
Sarah @ The Foodie Diaries October 29, 2009, 7:08 pm
I’ve never adopted a pup–but I want to SOO badly. I’ve actually never had a pet! Perhaps now is the time…
Emily October 29, 2009, 7:09 pm
My dog wasn’t at a shelter, but he was “rescued” from some people that were going to put him in. He’s my precious baby and my world would end if something happened to him.
Nikka @ HealthfulGirl October 29, 2009, 7:31 pm
We just adopted a second dog named Bosley, he’s a ‘poodle-something?’. We brought him home about two months ago to live with Lulu our 3 year old Bichon. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done to go into that shelter and leave with just one, but we can only have two dogs, and Bosley was a perfect fit for our little family! I am so happy to have my pups!
Ashleigh October 29, 2009, 7:31 pm
I have never adopted from a shelter but 2/3 if my cats have been strays that I took in. I live those pics of James. I have to wrap my cat in a blanky to cut his nails!
Crystal October 29, 2009, 7:42 pm
Two of our three cats were adopted from shelters. We adopted Orphan Annie when she was roughly 6 months old and we adopted Tobin Dax when he was roughly 1-2 years old.

Tobin Dax hates, hates, HATES getting his nails clipped. He makes this horrible low growl when we try to. Our other cats are fine with getting their nails clipped … thankfully!!
Amber@theminimalistdiaries October 29, 2009, 7:42 pm
Awesome post! We have to do the SAME thing to my dog when we clip his nails, it seriously sucks. Especially since he is 65 pounds of pure muscle. He doesn’t get mad but he just tries to run away and it’s pretty hard to stop him. We used to have to take him to the vet to get sedated to get his nails clipped. $200 every time!
I’m not sure if you tried this – it takes some time but our dog has gotten so much better with this little trick. The vet told us to get him used to you touching his toenails. First just try touching one little nail (my dog used to pull away right away when I did this) Then when he lets you touch one, try holding onto it. Then try wiggling the nail, then wiggling them all and eventually he will let you grab onto his paws and play with his nails. Just thought I would share my little trick – it takes awhile but after a couple months of doing this every couple days my puppy has gotten SO much better with the nail clipping!
- Caitlin October 29, 2009, 8:22 pm
  tried it… he’s such a little grump about it. 🙁
Jenna October 29, 2009, 7:45 pm
they are so cute 🙂
jenna
FatFitnessFood October 29, 2009, 7:49 pm
Aww I am so happy that he has a home with you guys now. Our family dog, we have had her since 1994 15 years, is getting put down tomorrow. She has a tumor and is too old to have it removed. Its sad. I don’t think we will be replacing her.

I love your pics. Thanks for doing such a great job raising awareness on this topic.
Reenie October 29, 2009, 8:11 pm
Ahhh what a story. Love the pics ~ they are adorable.
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) October 29, 2009, 8:17 pm
Your dogs are absolutely beautiful – I want to play with them, and snuggle them, they are just so precious!
Trish (GirlatGym) October 29, 2009, 8:18 pm
Soooo cute!!!!!!!!

My kitty was adopted from a shelter – she was three when she first came home.
Stef October 29, 2009, 8:21 pm
How cute are they! I Love, love stories and James and Maggie are a cute couple. I rescued my little boy 2 years ago couldn’t be happier. It feels so great to save a dogs life. I am so glad we went that route he is our baby and our first child.
Lee October 29, 2009, 8:38 pm
We got my dog from a Golden Retriever rescue. I totally want to do the DNA testing on him too. He’s definitely got something besides Golden in him.
pen October 29, 2009, 8:38 pm
your dogs are adorable! i love the pic of the two of them!!! i really want to get a brother for my boy, and i will eventually. I’ve adopted both of my babies from the shelter (kitty and dog) the kitty was a stray alley cat and my boy was abused and chained up outside for the first 7 mos. of his life…fortunately he now gets to cuddle with me all the time!)

i’ve never had a non shelter pet, so i can’t compare, but i do know all of my pets have been, perhaps, the best beings in my life.

brennan and i actually did a little puppy/mommy photo shoot today to also honor adopt a shelter dog month (http://pennylope.wordpress.com/2009/10/29/i-like-big-apples-and-i-cannot-lie/)
stephanie October 29, 2009, 8:44 pm
I have a rescue dog and she is the most bizarre, quirky little thing! But we love her!
michelle October 29, 2009, 8:47 pm
yup! just got a rescue dog- 3 weeks ago! The hubz and I bought a house and the dog had to happen. 🙂 He’s the BEST (the hubz is Ok too…lol)! You can see pics on my blog. He’s a bagle hound- yes, bagel- 1/2 basset 1/2 beagle. I luuuuuurrrve him!!
Leah October 29, 2009, 8:50 pm
That’s adorable! I love your dogs, they make me smile whenever you post about them. I am curious to know about Maggie’s mental issues though…
- Caitlin October 29, 2009, 8:59 pm
  she has intense (INTENSE) separation anxiety. she whines and cries like you wouldn’t believe. she follows me from room to room always. she sleeps IN BETWEEN the husband’s legs. she was abandoned frequently as a puppy and overly crated, so she’s a little quirky!
  - Still Life in South America October 29, 2009, 9:29 pm
    No wonder you can put Maggie into your yoga poses and she loves it. She probably can’t get close enough to you! 😉
  - pen October 29, 2009, 11:58 pm
    i thought it was only my dog that wants to be so close to me that he sleeps in between my legs. 🙂 that makes me feel a little better about my B’s quirks!
Kate October 29, 2009, 8:52 pm
My (fifteen year old) baby is a rescue dog. She looks a lot like James, only bigger, with longer legs (she is about 35 pounds). She haaates getting her nails trimmed and it used to take sedation, plus my mom and dad holding her down for the vet to be able to trim her nails. She’s not as tough now that she’s such an old lady, so she doesn’t get sedated for her pedicures anymore.
Anne @ the doctor takes a wife October 29, 2009, 8:58 pm
I never had until we rescued our kitty!! Gus is the sweetest thing 🙂
Brynne October 29, 2009, 8:59 pm
As soon as I graduate I’m definitely adopting my own shelter puppy!
Jenna @ runeatride October 29, 2009, 8:59 pm
I adopted my kitty from my local SPCA about 7 years ago 🙂 And, though it wasnt exactly a shelter, my mom saved one of my horses from the meat market! I volunteer sometimes at my local SPCA, I wish I could adopt all the animals there!
maria October 29, 2009, 9:00 pm
We got our family dog out of the newspaper from a couple when I was in the third grade. She was being given away because the couple already had more animals than they could take care of. We were truly blessed by this mutt (she wasn’t a pure breed) until she died this summer… we had her for more than 13 years.
Angie All The Way October 29, 2009, 9:01 pm
Our cat and our dog are both rescues. Our pup has MAJOR nail clipping issues and they have her “noted” on her chart at the vet. She is 34 lbs. They muzzled her once and it was awful to watch her struggle and get so worked up when everyone had to pin her down. Surprisingly enough after that experience the most successful nail clipping experience was when they put a grippy mat on the vet table, let her stand on all fours and then the vet held her tight and close to him while she was facing me and then the vet assistant took each paw one by one behind her where she couldn’t see and I was distracting her while she felt tight and secure in the vets arms (and she wasn’t slipping because she was on the grippy mat). We couldn’t believe it!! If I wasn’t there I wouldn’t believe it myself! She also stars out the window and she’s kind of ruined the back of our couch from laying on it!
Lindsay October 29, 2009, 9:08 pm
Oh my goodness, James is so cute! One of my dogs, Bailey is from a shelter. When I found him he ws 6 months old. The shelter told me that a breader didn’t want him and gave him to them. It’s pretty aparent that he was abused before I got him so I don’t know if that story is true. I would hate to think that the shelter is where he was abused.
Brooke October 29, 2009, 9:23 pm
Caitlin I think James has a twin!! Easton looks JUST like him!! He is a german shepherd mixed with a welsh corgi!
Still Life in South America October 29, 2009, 9:31 pm
I love Maggie and James! Thanks for the daily dog fix.

We don’t own dogs right now, but the minute we settle down, I’m going to fill the house. (OK, maybe two at the most…)
Jesse October 29, 2009, 9:41 pm
that last photo is super cute!

we have two cats, one was adopted through an paper ad and our kitten was adopted from the spca. we really want to adopt a puppy/young dog from the spca/pound … hopefully sometime in the coming year!
Erin October 29, 2009, 9:41 pm
Ugh, these comments are killing me!!!! I so totally want a dog but it wouldn’t be fair as my life is pretty transient at the moment, and I’m planning on going to grad school next year. 🙁 I have doggie fever very badly! But I would totally go the shelter route and get me a mutt!
Mandee Lei October 29, 2009, 10:10 pm
Every dog my family has ever owned as I was growing up came from a shelter. However, my dog Rubi was a present to me from my mom for graduation. She’s a Jack Russell and we got her from a farm town close by. It was strange actually seeing her parents and siblings as many dogs I had growing up were mixes and mutts. I think rescuing an animal is an amazing thing you can do and I hope to someday be a foster for rescued animals. Anyway, I just wanted to tell you that Maggie and James really brought a big smile to my face tonight. Absolutely adorable that they are married. What a cute couple! :]
Britt (Runnerbelle) October 29, 2009, 10:23 pm
Aw you pooches are TOO CUTE!

We adopted our beagle Reggie from a beagle rescue group. He was a stray in northern Maine…. we think he failed as a hunting dog. He’s a bit of a grumpy old man at times, but he is my bud and such a cutie.
Meredith October 29, 2009, 10:25 pm
I love everything about James! What a sweetheart. My dachshund got put on the “Do Not Groom” list at every place in town because he is so bad about having his nails cut 🙂
Meghan@traveleatlove October 29, 2009, 10:30 pm
Both of our cats came from the MSPCA and I volunteer there every week. SO many amazing animals!
Rosey Rebecca October 29, 2009, 11:19 pm
My beagle was from North Shore Animal Hospital in Long Island. We were about to leave and the lady working there told us that they had a beagle that they just brought in in the back. She was shaking and so scared when we first saw her.

I got her for my 13th birthday and she died the week after my 21st birthday a year and a half ago. I miss her so much!
Brittany October 30, 2009, 12:42 am
your pups are adorable! I don’t think any dog likes getting their nails clipped.
my mom had a dog that they’d gotten from someone who had stole the dog from an animal testing center. the “debarking” didn’t work on her, and so she was beat every night for barking. her whole life she was terrified of flashlights. im so glad that person was able to save her before they killed her for barking.
Lily October 30, 2009, 12:56 am
Your dogs are soo cute. AS for the nail clipping, one method is to exhaust your dog out by maybe doing a good jog and exercise. That way, when you start to approach him to clip his nails, he won’t have as much energy to fight you.
p.s. love love love your blog!
Juani October 30, 2009, 6:23 am
You absolutely have to do more posts like this.I love hearing about other people’s pets.Especially ones as adorable and charming as yours.(Although,in hindsight,all pets are adorable and charming,lol)
Ashley October 30, 2009, 7:45 am
my baby eden girl is a rescue pup. my boyfriend and i got her when we were still in school. i fell in love with her instantly. she actually doesnt’ mind at all getting her nails clipped and is such a love bug its ridiculous. LOVESSSSSS being with people so much. i always think people should adopt from shelters, theres just so many animals in need!
Heather October 30, 2009, 8:08 am
I will only adopt from shelters or other forms of rescue groups. I recently ran a 1/2 marathon and raised over $3,000 for the Baltimore Animal Care and Shelter! I love my kitty that I adopted from the same location, and I hope to be able to become a volunteer soon. 🙂
girlrunningaround October 30, 2009, 8:54 am
I love hearing stories about others who adopt. All 3 of our kitties were adoptions (but not from shelters). We were able to save them from going to a shelter. And the Pup was from an independent rescue org. Best pets ever.
Jennifer October 30, 2009, 9:14 am
OMG, I LOVE James! What a sweet pea. My dog will sit and look out a window all day everyday, too. Unfortunately in my current house he doesn’t have that option. 🙁
Ally October 30, 2009, 9:28 am
Oh my gosh, I love that they are husband and wife–that’s so cute! Mine are definetly brother and sister. They have other love interests.
Maggie October 30, 2009, 9:38 am
We had a collie/sheltie/etc. mix from a shelter growing up and later we had a Greyhound my parents saved from the track. They’re in the process of adopting another ex-racer Greyhound and I’m so jealous I won’t get to live with him!

Your dogs are always so adorable!
Nichole October 30, 2009, 10:22 am
I have a wonderful Blab…a black lab beagle mix that we adopted about 3 years ago. Sometimes his lab half argues with his beagle half!!!
Rika October 30, 2009, 10:30 am
a,freaking adorable 😀

thanks for sharing!
allijag October 30, 2009, 10:36 am
Awwww James-y – such a handsome devil! 🙂 I love him to pieces, can’t believe anyone would have ever kept him chained up 🙁 He’s so lucky to have you guys!!
Nicole October 30, 2009, 10:37 am
James and Maggie are so adorable!
Nicole (dishin') October 30, 2009, 11:04 am
Awww they are too cute.
Shannon October 30, 2009, 1:25 pm
Our first “child” was a dog we rescued from a kill shelter, she had her for 14 wonderful years, she was the worlds smartest/best dog.
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat October 30, 2009, 8:09 pm
We adopted our dog Suzie from a shelter and she is about the same size as James! We think she’s a beagle-basset mix but her face is mostly beagle. She is the sweetest and most good-natured dog ever I can’t imagine why anyone would give her up, but I’m glad we got her instead 🙂
Eliza November 9, 2009, 5:21 am
Hey Caitlin,
Your doggies are gorgeous! And well done on Operation Beautiful’s Humanitarian award.
I think James looks at least part like a Kelpie. He is the spitting image of my doggie nephew (brother’s dog )
Anna @ Oats N Boats February 16, 2010, 11:21 am
Aww, I can’t understand how anyone can let their animals collar grow into their skin… unfathomable. I’m so glad James found a good home with you guys. Adorable with the stuffed animals… if only mine didn’t think soft toys were things to rip apart.
Kristen May 2, 2010, 2:47 am
AHHHH, I keep trying to tell my other half that I need a little James!
Wendy November 18, 2010, 5:15 pm
Love the story, thanks for sharing! Our dog is a shelter dog as well and he ended up being the perfect addition to our family! Can’t imagine life without him! Wish I could adopt lots of dogs and give them all loving homes!
Katie December 8, 2010, 12:41 am
James and Maggie are both adorable. James seems a little small to be a German Shepard/dachshund mix. Maybe he’s a dorgi (dachshun/corgi mix)? I have a dorgi, and she also freaks out when she gets her nails clipped. I think it’s a corgi trait? Just my two cents. 😉
- Caitlin December 8, 2010, 9:34 am
  Now I think he might be a sort of Terrier mix – someone else sent me a pic of their puppy and he was a James twin 🙂 I love corgis though!!
Amy March 25, 2011, 10:05 am
What shelter did you get him from?
- Caitlin March 25, 2011, 9:52 pm
  Animal Friends!
Hayley @ Oat Couture April 28, 2011, 3:51 pm
Oh my god they’re both gorgeous!! It’s so awful that people can treat animals in such a horrendous way! They both look like they are living the life of riley now though thanks to you guys! 🙂 We found our kitty Oscar by the side of the road at 6 weeks old, teeny tiny scrap of a thing! Then about 3 weeks ago we found a little chihuahua mix shivering under a bush. We are trying to locate her owner/s but it’s looking more and more likely that they abandoned her 🙁 A very common thing here in Cyprus. It’s ok though she’s a welcome addition to our little family and a perfect playmate for Oscar!
Jolene May 6, 2011, 3:03 pm
~CUTE~ We’ve got a German Shep/Greyhound mix! She’s had so much trauma that we deal with her insecurities all the time as well…poor babies!
Alisa @ Runs With Knives June 22, 2011, 4:07 pm
So I see that I’m years behind on your blog, but James looks like a miniture version of my dog Guinness! Have you tried the Dremel nail tool for doing nails? It rotates and files them down, instead of putting the pressure that nails clippers have. They make trimming day much better and less violent.
- Caitlin June 22, 2011, 4:08 pm
  He is so scared of those thingies!!!
Ashley @ the fit academic June 28, 2011, 12:09 am
too cute about the husband/wife thing! You should totally see if some doggie DNA place will give you a kit if you review it on the bloggy. I’d LOOOOVE to know if James is really a wiener dog/Shepherd mix – crazy!
Chloe October 2, 2011, 5:10 pm
It’s so great to see how dedicated you are to your dogs 🙂 exactly what a shelter dog needs! I adopted a miniature weiner dog myself. best decision ever!
Angadh December 18, 2012, 3:38 am
Beautiful! James seems like a real sweetheart!

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