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Rescue Dogs -- Second Chances for Loving Homes

2012-02-06T05:00:00Z

With so many animal shelters filled to the brim with homeless dogs, space is severely lacking to house so many deserving animals. Far too many dogs have only two ways out of shelters -- death or adoption. In “kill shelters,” animals that are not adopted are euthanized (put to death) while other inbound animals continue to fill the shelters. Dogs on death row wait to be adopted, but often they simply run out of time.

Many compassionate individuals and groups step in, sometimes at the very last minute, to rescue dogs and save their lives. After successfully rescuing dogs, groups are then faced with the task of finding loving homes for the homeless dogs and puppies. From the time a dog is rescued to its adoption, rescue groups incur many costs including housing, feeding, grooming, micro chipping, veterinary care and sometimes training to socialize traumatized animals.

There are many reasons why dogs become homeless. Often they are found as strays and captured by local animal control authorities. Attempts to find the animals’ owners may be unsuccessful; but sometimes even when the owners are located, they decline to reclaim their dogs. Some owners surrender their animals to shelters, citing reasons including having a new baby, moving to another city, or not having the time or money to care for their dogs. Many rescue dogs come from puppy mills and others are removed from abusive owners.

My first rescue dog, Lucy, was a real gem. In 2011, I adopted Stella, my second rescue Yorkie, and she is delightful. Often purebred dogs are surrendered to breed-specific rescue organizations; for example, the Yorkshire Terrier National Rescue, or various local breed-specific rescue groups. This way, breed-related health problems, temperament, diet and other issues can be addressed by professionals who are familiar with their rescue dogs’ breed requirements.

Whether purebred or mixed breed, all dogs deserve loving homes. Please consider adopting a rescue dog into your family. Your life will be richer for it.

Gracie & Co. is the sole distributorship of the GracieLoo dog litter box, designed exclusively for toy breeds and other small dogs. Even older rescue dogs can be successfully trained to use a litter box. Please contact us with any questions you have about training your dog.

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Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved. Gracie & Co.

Happy Birthday Stella!

2012-02-05T15:00:00Z

2-5-2012

A year ago today, I adopted Stella. It was my birthday and I left early that Saturday morning to treat myself to breakfast. On my way home, I went by the pet store to get a new little society finch. I'd had a pair of finches but one of them had died. Society finches are not solitary birds and don't do well alone, so I needed to get a mate for my remaining bird to ease her loneliness.

I chose a pretty little bird and was standing in line at the register with her when I noticed a lady at the end of the register line holding a Yorkshire terrier. It was pet adoption day and the little Yorkie was a rescue dog in need of a new home. She was so pretty, with a pink bow holding the hair on top of her head, and so sweet-natured.

After signing her adoption papers, I took her home with me to meet my cat, Chloe. They touched noses, kissed each other on the face and bonded instantly. I knew Stella had found the perfect home as she instantly became a member of my family.

Stella was only one year old when I adopted her, and still very puppy-like. Although she was already house-trained, she quickly learned how to use the GracieLoo, the litter box I designed for dogs. It offers a convenient option to having to walk her outside in cold and rainy weather and when it's dark outside.

Stella is our spokesdog at Gracie & Co. with many important job tasks. For today, though, she is simply my two-year-old birthday girl.

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Welcome to our new blog

2012-02-04T05:01:00Z

My Yorkshire terrier, Gracie, was the namesake for my business and I am simply the "& Co." After a tragic accident claimed the life of my other Yorkie, Lucy, I ended up finding a blessing through that tragedy. I wanted to keep Gracie safe indoors and away from outside dangers. Before I brought Gracie home to live me in the Summer of 1995, I designed a litterbox-training system for her.

Dissatisfied with other products marketed as dog litter boxes, I designed my own. I wanted more than a modified cat litter box or an unsanitary grid-and-tray system that had to be emptied and rinsed, which were the only products available for dogs. When many friends and family members saw how easily Gracie was trained, they thought Gracie's litter box could help other people and their little dogs. This was the humble beginning of the GracieLoo.

At first, I designed the GracieLoo to keep Gracie safe indoors. Then I discovered many other reasons for training Gracie to a litter box. But it was in Gracie's golden years when I found her GracieLoo to be invaluable.

After many years' experience of working with my canine litterbox-training method throughout all stages of a dog's life, I speak from experience and not from theory. It is my hope that I will be able to help other people enjoy the many benefits of training their little dogs, too.

Welcome to Gracie & Co.'s new blog!

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Copyright © 2012. All rights reserved. Gracie & Co.