Kennels 2 Couches

Sweet Rita has been waiting over 180 days for her happily ever after. Low maintenance senior who loves to follow you around and vigorously wags her tail when she sees you ❤️

Rita was rescued on her euthanasia day from Apple Valley Animal Shelter. We knew she was considered a senior by the shelter, but the age range is broad. Initially we viewed Rita as a fospice situation based on her condition at the shelter, but after several months of TLC and love she's shown us she's not going anywhere any time soon!

She's dog friendly, afraid of cats and is people friendly. She's potty trained, enjoys her walks and would be great for a retiree. If you'd like to know more about Rita please reach out. She's currently on Apoquel for itching and glucosamine for joint support. 805-450-1010

Update 9/6: as of close of business they were still alive.

This is a littermate of a dog I just shared. The shelter sent out an SOS about him and his brother staying at high risk today because they are having to evacuate in their community due to a fire, and the shelter needs room. This dog was identified as being a high risk today of euthanasia. Please reach out if you can help 805-450-1010

**ON EUTH LIST: CAN BE PTS AT ANY TIME**

LEXIE - ID (available 8/21/24)
**MEDICAL WAIVER REQUIRED (sneezing w/ nasal discharge)**

Located: Devore Shelter
Description: I am a sable and tan, unaltered female, who looks like a German Shepherd Dog mix.
Age: I am estimated to be 1 year old.

More Info: I am in kennel D 40.
I have been at the shelter since Aug 16, 2024.

I was found near Bloomington.

Shelter information
Location: San Bernardino County - Devore Shelter
Phone Number: (909) 386-9820
Address: 19777 Shelter Way
Devore, CA 92407
Rescue coordinator email:
[email protected]

Update 9/6: as of close of business they were still alive.

The shelter just sent out an SOS for this dog because there are evacuations in the area due to a fire, and the shelter needs room to accommodate the evacuated animals. This is one of the dogs that was identified as being at high risk today. Please let me know if you can help 805-450-1010

**ON EUTH LIST: CAN BE PTS AT ANY TIME**

BLUE - ID (available 8/21/24)
**MEDICAL WAIVER REQUIRED (sneezing w/ nasal discharge)**

Located: Devore Shelter
Description: I am a black and tan, unaltered male, who looks like a German Shepherd Dog mix.
Age: I am estimated to be 1 year old.

More Info: I am in kennel D 20.
I have been at the shelter since Aug 16, 2024.

I was found near Bloomington.

Shelter information
Location: San Bernardino County - Devore Shelter
Phone Number: (909) 386-9820
Address: 19777 Shelter Way
Devore, CA 92407
Rescue coordinator email:
[email protected]

Update 9/6: as of close of business they were still alive.

The shelter just sent out an SOS about this dog because they are having to evacuate animals due to a fire in the area and they need space, so they are going to start euthanizing certain dogs today. This is one of them. Please let me know if you can help. 805-450-1010

UPDATE: RESCUED

**ON EUTH LIST: CAN BE PTS AT ANY TIME**

RUE - ID (available 8/19/24)
**OWNER SURRENDERED**
**MEDICAL WAIVER REQUIRED (sneezing & nasal discharge)**

Located: Devore Shelter
Description: I am a black, unaltered female, who looks like a Shepherd.
Age: I am estimated to be 1 year old.

More Info: I am in kennel D 31.
I have been at the shelter since Aug 14, 2024.

Shelter information
Location: San Bernardino County - Devore Shelter
Phone Number: (909) 386-9820
Address: 19777 Shelter Way
Devore, CA 92407
Rescue coordinator email:
[email protected]

Dogs can be adrenaline junkies too.

Such an easy loop to get into and such a difficult one to break. 🤦
Over aroused/ "hyper" dogs.
They want MORE so we give them more.....sounds like a good plan, right ?
This is exactly what the majority of these dogs DON"T need.

I get it.
Nothing seems like enough for these dogs.
There wouldn't be a week go by where I don't have a handful of clients affected.

Make no mistake, for the vast majority of these dogs all MORE does is exacerbate the issue and create "adrenaline junkies" that NEED and WANT more....much more than anyone can give.
The stamina these dogs have built up is incredible....and that isn't a good thing.

There are those in the industry that believe the answer to hyper and over aroused dogs is to exercise them harder, faster and for longer. It is endemic in the dog training world that these dogs need to be "tired out more" by heavier exercise and physical activity.
Then there are those in the industry that KNOW the huge issues these dogs are facing and how absolutely damaging the "prescription" of more exercise can be.

You cannot throw that ball enough.....
You cannot walk/run them enough......
You cannot tire them out enough.....as physical exhaustion only "fuels" this behaviour.

If you want more information there is also a video on this in the comments✅.

When those physically exhausted dogs wake up.......the over aroused/hyper loop starts all over again.
However if you recognise it.....you can help this.

Not all the behaviours shown are behaviours only shown by hyper aroused/overly excited dogs but these are definitely common to those particular dogs.

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Today was a first. I pulled a momma GSD, Fiona, from a shelter with her puppies. The shelter was urging rescues to get them out ASAP. They didn't mention she had already lost 3 puppies... She exited and went to a wonderful foster, but soon she lost 2 more puppies. Fiona wasn't really eating, and the 2 remaining puppies were struggling, so the foster helped supplement with bottle feedings. Fiona went to the vet and they tried a few things to help stabilize her, but she ended up testing positive for distemper. At her age she had a 50% chance of survival, but the puppies had 99% chance of not surviving. The Foster continued to help support Fiona and the puppies as long as they still looked good. One day, with little warning, the smallest puppy died, and within a few hours the last one died, too. Fiona was still hanging in there, and even started to rally. The Foster continued to suport her by giving her IV fluids and a special diet via syringe because Fiona wouldn't eat. She was maintaining though. Then over the weekend Fiona refused to open her mouth for the syringe. The Foster gave her fluids, hoping maybe Fiona was just having a bad day and would still rally. The following day Fiona started to have muscle twitching (the final, neurological stage of distemper) and labored breathing. We knew yesterday that she was losing her fight.

Fiona was put to sleep today so she didn't have to suffer the final stages of distemper, which are painful. She was buried on her foster's ranch, in good company with other beloved pets. I've lost a litter of puppies before, but never the mom too. This one really hurts, and I'm so pi**ed at her owner for not vaccinating her, for not spaying her, for allowing this beautiful girl to have a life cut unnecessarily short. I'm so grateful for the community that was pulling for Fiona, hanging onto hope as I reported the loss of each puppy. I'm forever in debt to her foster, her advocate and personal nurse for 5 weeks, Deb Babb. Thanks to her vocation as a nurse she was able to maintain some objective composure through all this and understood what needed to be done for Fiona through it all. I was not expecting her to bury Fiona on her property since Fiona was just her foster dog, and I was going to have her cremated and come home to me, which I have done with all the dogs that end up losing whatever battle they're fighting. But Deb found a spot for her there. And that's where Fiona belongs.

Fiona your life, and your puppies lives, mattered. I hope they were there running to greet you when you crossed over. 💔

It's time to find Slurp*e her own home. She was a mama dog that I rescued with her puppies from a Southern California shelter. The puppies have all long ago gone to their own homes, and Slurp*e went to a new foster to start a new life as just a dog. Turns out she wasn't quite done being a mama because she was a wonderful surrogate to the kittens that her foster also fostered, and loved on them like they were her own. Slurp*e is unique dog in other ways though. She is not a velcro dog. Enjoys her independence but also likes to know where you are and keep an eye on you. She loves other dogs! She loves to play fetch and race around a backyard. She's up for adventures, but she's not an off leash dog
From her foster:
▪️She would prefer somebody who’s active.
▪️Definitely wouldn't do well with a lot of chaos in the home. Adult only home would be best.
▪️She definitely would benefit from having a dog friend.
▪️She likes her treats, but she will run up and take it and run away. She does not sit on command.
▪️She is house trained
▪️She is a good girl so sweet and calm
▪️Definitely needs somebody who's patient and can meet her on her terms. She does not do well when you try to get her to do something she doesn’t want.

Slurp*e Is spayed an up-to-date on her vaccinations. She is fostering in Santa Barbara, CA. Meet and greet is absolutely necessary before she goes to any other home. Please reach out if you'd like more information about Slurp*e 805-450-1010.

What is cuter than a puppy? A puppy in jammies of course! And what's cuter than one puppy in jammies? 2 puppies in jammies! Luke and Leia were rescued from a Southern California shelter about a week ago. Luke was rescued first because he was not doing well at the shelter and they were worried about him. Over the prior weekend all of his littermates were adopted except his sister, Leia. I couldn't bear to leave her all alone so we grabbed her, too, and brought her to be with Luke. Luke has been known by a few names, including Pepper and Peanut on social media but his transporter and foster decided Luke is a more fitting name.

Both puppies had a vet exam on Tuesday on August 27 where they received vaccinations and a clean bill of health. After watching them for a few more days just to make sure nothing else came up we decided they are ready for meet and greets. They are between 10 to 12 weeks old, are under 10 lbs, have not been spayed or neutered yet I make that arrangement directly with the adopter), and have had the first two sets of vaccinations. They are fostering in Santa Maria, California. Please reach out if you'd like more information 805-450-1010.

10 weeks old GSD mix puppy came into our rescue recently. He got a clean bill of health, dewormer, and vaccinations on Thursday. He's sweet, a little shy but warms up, and is ready for adoption. He's with a temporary foster in Hesperia, would love to get him into a foster to adopt home ASAP. Please reach out for more info. 805-450-1010

Elton was rescued a few weeks ago, but I wanted to let his foster get a good assessment of his personality before I promoted him for adoption. He's gorgeous! He is approximately 2 years old, neutered, vaccinated, and ready to go. His foster mom describes him as:
▪️ Elton is a great dog, he loves to play with his humans and other dogs in the household.
▪️He is high energy and loves to do zoomies, loves to play fetch, tug of war and has great attention and inclination towards training for treats. He is also highly food motivated.
▪️He is currently very skeptical of new dogs, but with proper introductions he does well.
▪️He has a solid schedule and is potty trained. He is also crate trained and will sleep in his crate. He thrives with structure and consistency.
▪️He is very affectionate towards his humans. He is good with kids but sometimes can get too excited and knock them over.
▪️He does not resource guard and will leave things on command. He also knows his boundaries when set via training.
▪️He will be a great dog for household that is willing to play with him, take him for walks, hikes, runs etc.

Many of his behaviors will settle down with patience, consistency, and a permanent home. He's in in Cypress, CA if you'd like to meet him. Please reach out for more info 805-450-1010

Elton was rescued a few weeks ago, but I wanted to let his foster get a good assessment of his personality before I promoted him for adoption. He's gorgeous! He is approximately 2 years old, neutered, vaccinated, and ready to go. His foster mom describes him as:
▪️He is definitely a great dog, and he has tons of love to give. He is very affectionate towards me and my family.
▪️He already knows 4 commands, he goes in his crate on command and he sleeps there all night no issues, he is fully potty trained.
▪️Walks okay on a leash.
▪️He is wary of other dogs. He is okay with my dog. He growled at her and snapped at her a few times in the beginning but now that they've established order it is peace. But Elton gets riled up around dogs that he doesn't know. Like he'll bark and cry the entire time.
▪️When we say leave it he does leave it. He doesn't resource guard around humans. But he did not like it when my dog wanted to play with his toy, but I think that's normal.
▪️He is high energy dog and will fit better in a high energy household. There is absolutely nothing wrong with him, it's just that with a kid and an older dog we're unable to keep up with him.

Many of his behaviors will settle down with patience, consistency, and a permanent home. He's in in Cypress, CA if you'd like to meet him. Please reach out for more info 805-450-1010

FORGIVE ME, MOMMY 😢🐾…
I was there where you left me for two whole days. Sleeping right on the side of the road. I was terrified of the noise from the cars but I did not move.
Last night one of those cars stopped and she got out. She invited me to lunch but I said no. She invited me to come sleep at her house and I also said no. I tried to explain to her that I was waiting for you but she wouldn’t listen. She pulled out a leash and said I couldn’t stay there any longer. I bit her several times and ended up p*eing on myself as I growled and cried! She didn’t understand that she was separating me from you! She took me against my will and we drove off! I was so sad because I knew you were going to be worried. We ended up at her house.
I kept screaming hoping you would hear me but you never came. I vomited because of my nerves, feeling so sick. I kept telling her I had to go back because you were going to think I abandoned you when you saw I wasn’t there! I, who love you with all my heart and soul have not stopped crying since we separated a few days ago. I want you to know, I would never do that to you.
I don’t know where you are now or why you stopped the car and left me there. Surely you had something very important to do. Can you come find me now, mommy?
Today I ate because my tummy was hurting. I also slept on a very soft bed. And by accident I also wiggled my tail a bit. I’m so sorry, please forgive me. She’s just being really nice to me. She said I could stay forever. She’s calling me Savannah, but I already have a name. When you pick me up you can tell it to her. You’ll see how surprised she’ll be when you explain to her that this was a big mistake.
Because mommy, you’re coming back for me, right 😢?
Author unknown 🐾🐾

So many posts and updates to make, so little time....
Technically I'm still on intake hold, but my soft spot is Mama dogs and neonatal puppies. So when there is a valid foster offer for a family that is at risk and I have all the pieces lined up and just need to waive the magic wand and gird my loins It's really hard for me to say no.

So Please welcome Queen Cindy and her gorgeous pups who are being cared for by an amazing and dedicated foster as we've navigated some tough moments with two of the smaller ones. I can't even remember what day I pulled Cindy, but it was one of those situations that she was supposed to already have been euthanized but luckily for her she went into labor and had puppies before they got a chance to do that so the shelter wonderfully spared her but put her back on the short list again. She is a survivor from Riverside. The shelter has her identified as a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix, and the puppies are close to 2 weeks old now. So watch for them in the coming weeks when I start to promote them as their little personalities emerge and they would be ready for meet and greets at around week 6.

Update 8/31: Fun fact: even when in an amazing place to board, a dog still gets kennel stress. 33 days in a kennel environment, and I just got the text that he's not doing well mentally. He's overwhelmed and just over being in a group environment. He's deteriorating. This is a GOOD DOG! So I ask all of you that urge rescues to save a dog that you think should be saved, what next? Move him to a different boarding place? I can assure you he is in the creme de la creme for boarding because of all the different stimulation and opportunities he gets, and he's not stuck in a kennel all day. Surrender him back to the shelter where he came from so maybe somebody can see him and give him a chance that I can't? Sending him to another rescue isn't an option because they are all at their max capacity as well. Euthanize him because that's more humane than keeping him in boarding? When there's nobody coming for any of these dogs, what are we supposed to do? Who out there is willing to step up and take on this dog because they believe in him and that he's worth saving?!? Because I did step up, and so did one Foster who kept him until she had to move. Stop asking us to save more and more dogs when we can't even find long-term or permanent solutions for the ones we already saved.

28 days, 4 weeks that Conway has been in boarding. $1400 from funds I didn't have to spend on boarding. 28 days of him sleeping in a kennel at night. He was in a foster home before, for about 2 months, but they moved and he couldn't go with them. They had a bed , tent, toys, travel crate, etc. for him, that's all at my house now waiting until he's welcome into a new home. He briefly stayed on a ranch in Ojai, but there was a scuffle with the other dog over a toy he had, and he was sent to boarding. He hangs out with other dogs everyday at boarding, and there have been zero issues. He entered the shelter with another dog, a small dog, who was also rescued but got adopted. His only "no no" is cats.

Conway is sweet, likes to snuggle, is playful and still a bit mouthy. He's a young 2 year old dog, UTD on vaccines, neutered, and ready to go for any adventure. He's a husky mix, weighs about 50 lbs. He's a good boy. He needs to get out of boarding though, for him and for my bank account. He's in Santa Barbara, and you can easily do a meet and greet with him and with your dog, too (if you have one). Please reach out even if it's just to offer to foster. Please. 805-450-1010

So simple, very powerful and so important😀✅but...use it wrong and it will lose ALL it's power .
You wont regret adding this in to your everyday interactions with your dog.
This really is for all dogs✅
However, it is especially important for reactive dogs.
If you have yet to add a movement word in, do it. You will not regret it! 🙂
You will no longer struggle to get their attention away from the dandelion they have been sniffing for 2 minutes (because you really have to get home)....say your movement word and watch the automatic response.
Fantastic !!!
EVERY reactive dog and every dog that we teach a loose lead walking technique soon know the power of a movement word....and it really is powerful !
Practice it when your dog naturally starts to walk, NOT when you want them too (just yet).
They need to understand that it means movement, so practice it when they start to move.
You will be surprised just how often you can slip it in during the day.
Toileting.
Doorways.
Getting up from a nap.
It doesn't take long and if you start to remember every time you begin walking again to say it, you are well on your way to have an automatic response from your dog.

Give it a go, add it in whenever you can and you will be amazed how it can be used....but use it with a little caution.
Don't use it to make your dog walk towards something they dislike.
BUT once understood....you can use it to make your dog move away from something they are triggered by.
Use it to change direction.
Use it to distract away.
Use it to advocate ! 🙂

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I'm still officially on intake hold until I can get Conway into a foster home. But a mama dog popped up over the last few days that nobody was coming for, and that's my soft spot. An amazing foster stepped up to help and it's really hard to say no when pieces come together to help a dog, and all you have to do is wave the magic wand to make it happen. Yes there's still lots of waving the magic wand even after they exit, making sure the puppies are healthy and if they need to get to the vet to get the care they need if they're sick or anything and then trying to find homes and getting them vaccinated before they go into their homes, etc etc etc. That's the part of rescue that makes it hard because of the time commitment to make sure everybody under your care has the proper support they need to get them to their forever homes.

So please welcome Queen Cindy from Riverside County shelter, and her five gorgeous babies who are 5 days old today. Stay tuned for updates over the next several weeks as we get them ready for their new lives. Mama Cindy will be available in about 8 weeks from now. And yes I will make sure she is spayed before she is adopted. The shelter has her as a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix.

Now I have arrived at your home,
everything is strange, and I don't feel good.

Do not feel impatient
If i don't sleep in my newbasket.
Yesterday, I slept on a stone floor.

Do not be terrified if i gobble up my food.
Yesterday. I had to do it to survive.

Do not get angry if I p*e on your floor.
Yesterday, it did not matter.

Do not be sad if I am afraid of your loving hand. Yesterday, I did not have one.

Have patience with me, it's your world
but not yet mine.

If I trust you, I can give you the greatest
Gift Ihave to give..
My Heart ❤️

Please never forget, I was a pound dog
All I need, is a bit of time to adjust.