Ruff Life Dog Rescue of Illowa

Hi. I’m Carver. I am a 4 yo Great Dane, sharpei mix that just loves to be loved. my foster mom tells me all the time how sweet and gentle I am. I love dogs of all sizes and love to just cuddle my hooman and watch tv. I also love walks but really love trying to catch bunnies when I do. I pull a little bit but am working on getting better. Foster mom says I’ve had a tough life, but I think I’m doing great and love every day. I am slightly timid around big groups of people and guys but if you have treats I open right up! Doesn’t someone want to love a gentle giant??

Remus has been a part of his family since he was a wee lil “Marshmallow” from Ruff Life Rescue.

In the past year, Remus has lost his favorite playmate (a German shepherd sister), and has had to share attention from his parents with a new baby. Now there is another baby on the way, and his family recognizes that Remus needs more than what they can provide.

We have contacted over 15 rescues, and unfortunately due to an insane amount of surrenders, none of them are even able to consider Remus. And due to our lack of proper Foster’s for his health, we can not feasibly take him back into rescue.

Remus is hard of hearing, has vision loss, and a heart murmur:

He is a young 3 yr old Staffordshire terrier mix, and has had his DNA tested. When his litter was brought into rescue, they were extremely nutrient deficient which gave Remus a very tough start to life. Since then he has grown into an extremely loving cuddle bug, who loves his humans and other playful dogs. He follows his human brother (1 yr old) around the house just to keep an eye on him at all times.

Since his play buddy crossed the rainbow bridge, he has felt lost and unsure of himself. With his human brother still being too young to play, he has been acting out. When Remus feels ignored, he will potty in the house for attention. These behaviors have been confirmed by a canine behaviorist. The recommendation for Remus’ best home is for it to have a buddy for him to play with.

Remus kennels well during the day while everyone is at work, without accidents. He LOOOOVES to sleep in bed, and share your pillow with you.

If you, or someone you know is interested in meeting Remus, please reach out to us.

Unfortunately, we are sad to announce we had to take Carver back in to rescue.

This poor gentle soul has had a rough time in his four years alive. His first owner had to give him up due to being ill, and his most recent owner also had to give him back because she was also recently diagnosed with an illness leaving her unable to care for him.

After being fully vetted and assessed, this handsome lad will be available for adoption in the near future.

Someone told me it’s National Rescue Dog day.

Show us your rescues!

Here’s Pumpkin after a fresh groom!

Thank you Brynlee for your donation to Ruff Life! Brynlee made bracelets and sold them then donated the proceeds to help save more dogs, how sweet is she?! 🩷🐶

It’s our pleasure to show you another great adoption!

Peter got adopted today!

Happy tails to Peter and his no fambam!

What great news we have for you today!

Prim was successful in her trial foster to adopt home, and they decided to commit and adopt her!

Happy tails, Prim!!!

May all the love and snuggles be yours! 💕💕💕

Four dogs remain available for adoption!

1. First up, we have Grace. Her adoption fee is sponsored! We know she’s our unicorn dog, and she’s looking for her unicorn family! She’s a good but anxious girl that needs a fence and to be an only pet. She hasn’t met a person who is a stranger and loves to be a couch potato (like many pibbles do). Her adoption fee is sponsored for the right family! For more information, go here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=482787583965014&set=a.709763089182984&type=3&mibextid=cr9u03

2. GRANT. He’s the goodest boy and anyone who needs a low maintenance good boy, this is the boy for you! For more information on Grant, go here: 📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/3BySS2BiWMfAek7u/?mibextid=CTbP7E

3. PRIM. Shes a smart and sweet girl who loves cuddles and to play with other dogs. For more information, go here: 📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/R8r9TLDvJMk1CdAf/?mibextid=CTbP7E

4. PETER. This puppy is a puppy through and through. He’s a the most awesome lab mix who likes to play, loves snow, and also wants the snuggles! He is ok with cats and great with other puppers. For more information, go here: 📸 Look at this post on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/uCzFLgJDByWStaNz/?mibextid=CTbP7E

If you’re interested in meeting any of these three wonderful pups, please fill out an application here: https://form.jotform.com/73194734170154

All dogs are up to date on all vaccines, preventatives, microchipped, and spayed or neutered. Their adoption fees are $250.

Well! Sparky has been adopted! Both him and his family are ecstatic!

And on top of it, the Tod Lund's Rockin' For Rescues folks surprised this lucky family by sponsoring their adoption fees in honor of Tod Lund’s birthday coming up!

Happy tails, Sparky!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our followers! We are so thankful for our supporters and so is this beautiful family!
Happy 1 week to Winnie’s babies!

In this week of Thanksgiving, we want to say thank you!

Thank you to our wonderful supporters.

We have had three unexpected surgeries in the last two months totaling over $6,000. Our supporters have raised over $2,000 to help us with these surgeries.

We are so very grateful for you all helping to relieve the financial burden and help our dogs to full health.

Today, Pumpkin goes in for the last surgery we can foresee.

Fingers crossed no more surgeries pop up soon!

Our stubborn baby boy W***y has passed.

He was the only one we have been worried about.

Our foster mama stayed up throughout the night warming and feeding him. When she went down for his next feeding he had passed.

Mama and the 7 remaining pups are thriving and gaining weight.

Please continue to send all the positive vibes and prayers and thoughts to our foster mama, and Winnie & her 7 remaining pups. At three days old we still have quite awhile until they are truly in the clear.

In the midst of the birth of our babies, Zuko was officially adopted by his foster family!!!

Happy tails, Zuko!!!

Here’s the update you’ve been waiting for! At 4:20 this morning our mama and puppies left the e-vet with our secretary and treasurer.

They were settled in at home by 4:45. Mamma successfully bore 7 puppies without intervention.

Baby number 2, now known as Wendy, was still born. She was the only one who looked similar to mama. She was beautiful. RIP Wendy.

At about 1230, there had been a long lapse since Baby number 7, and the evet decided it was time to do X-rays. That’s when we saw Baby number 8, W***y, got crazy and decided to be a backwards C at the beginning of the birth canal.

It was at that time, the doctor knew we had to do a c-section for mama. They acted quickly. Baby number 9, Wren, was brought out first. Screaming and hollering. W***y was brought out later. We are watching him closely.

All in all mama had 9 babies: 4 females, 5 males. The remaining females are all cream colored. Here’s our babies in the order they were born.

Willow
Wendy (RIP)
Mikey
Wilbur
Waylon
Winona
Winston
W***y
Wren

Please keep mama and babies in your thoughts and prayers. Nature can be cruel sometimes, but we will do our best to give all these babies and mama a fighting chance for a good life.

***Update as of 3:00 AM on 11/17: Mama is out of surgery! She did well. Both babies made it out and are doing great in the incubator with siblings.

She had 9 puppies, 8 of them are still with us.

Total she has 4 females and 5 males; we lost our second born female who looked like mama.

We will post pictures later today.

*******************************

***Update as of 1:10 AM on 11/17: Mama has delivered 7 beautiful puppies. All but 1 baby has survived. Unfortunately, she still has two babies to come out, and they are positioned very oddly.

Winnie is now entering surgery for a c-section.

We are so thankful to the staff at the emergency vet as they have been amazing to us and all of the babies that have come here tonight.

Our estimate ranges from $2k-$3k. Anything you can donate would be so appreciated.

We will update tomorrow with pictures of mom and babies. Right now, we need them to make it through the night.******

We need all the positive thoughts for mama. Shes at the emergency vet.

Please send all the positive thoughts and prayers her way.

First pup was born and is named Willow. It’s been just under 3 hrs and no progress.

***Courtesy Post***

Meet 🍓Berry🍓, she is a 1.5 yr old lab mix. She was rescued from being left in a sewer drain as a puppy. This sweet gal recently had a new human sister join her home, and she hasn’t been adjusting well.

Her owners have been working with a private trainer, and learning about what triggers Ms. Berry’s anxiety. She is making great progress, and shows the ability to be a wonderful dog. Unfortunately, the excitement of young children in her home is proving to be too much of a challenge to overcome.

If you would like to reach out about Berry, please contact her current owner Eric at 563.370.2707.

Please share Grace!!!

736 days. 2 years, 6 days.
2 entire years. That's a long time for a dog to spend in foster care like Gracie has. As I'm sure you might be wondering, how does a dog that looks like an adorable mini cow not have any interest??

We know her forever home will be hard to come by but we know it's out there somewhere. Grace is a fantastic dog who loves, loves humans.

If she could physically attach herself to a human there is no doubt in my mind that she would be the happiest dog to ever live.

Unfortunately other animals is what she's not too keen about. Grace can be a very nervous and scared dog at times and in the past when she gets scared or too overstimulated she has lashed out at other dogs in the home.

Gracie has a very high prey drive around all small animals (including cats). Therefore, we are looking for a forever home that has no other pets and a fenced in yard.

However, anyone who takes a chance on this amazing girl will get a life full of dog kisses, pure and total adoration and a 60-lb weighted blanket. Grace has loved every person, adult or child, that she has ever met and is willing to do anything for them if there's a little treat involved.

The best part is that her adoption fee is 100% sponsored by a wonderful former adopter of ours.

She is also fully up to date on all vaccines and spayed. She is estimated to be around 4 years old.

Some of you will ask, "Well its been 2 years, why doesn't her foster just keep her." But her foster knows that even though she loves her, there is a better home out there that fits all her needs. We just have to find it. Can you help us find Grace's forever home by liking, commenting and sharing?

If you’re interested in meeting Grace, please fill out the application here: https://form.jotform.com/73194734170154

Remember, Grace’s adoption fee is covered, after meet and greets, all potential adopters will still be required to go through our vetting process of home visit and personal and vet references.

We’d like to welcome Winnie to the Ruff Life!

This soon to be mama is due any day! We worked with our partners in Oklahoma and lucked out on getting her north before she gave birth.

We’ve no idea how many puppies she has, but we know birth is imminent in the next few days.

Winnie is said to be a chihuahua/ corgi mix and weighed in at 23 pounds Friday.

We will let you all know when her babies decide to come!

Thank you to Brint Lang and our secretary, Liz Zaharopoulos (and her hubs) for spending their Saturdays driving to get her to safety!

Such an exciting day!

Happy tails, Sparky!!!!!!!!

We hope you have a great life buddy!

Peter is a typical energetic little pup that will need training classes.

He is a 16 week old boarder collie mix.

He's a sweet boy and very excited about life.

He sits very nicely when there is food involved and we are working on the excited biting and jumping.

He gets along well with the resident pup and is very curious and a little confused by the resident cat.

He would do great with an active owner who can help release his energy in a productive way.

Peter is up to date on all shots and microchipped.

Peter is not neutered. His adoption fee is $350 with $100 back after neuter at 6 months.

If you’re interested in meeting Peter, please fill out an app here: https://form.jotform.com/73194734170154

522 days. Nearly 18 months.

That is how long Gia has been in rescue.

Please share her so we can get her into her forever home!! We know sharing works, that’s how so many people find out about our wonderful pups. PLEASE SHARE!

She is a 1.5 years old hound/pitty mix, and has spent all but a few days of her life in our rescue’s care.

She weighs in at 72 pounds. She’s a beautiful girl who does require some training. Shes incredibly smart and treat motivated.

She gets along well with other dogs. She does well with kiddos and kitties.

All of those wonderful characteristics and NO ONE has even applied to meet this beautiful girl!

She came in with two siblings. They’ve been adopted and found their forever homes.

Let’s get this girl adopted.

Here’s a link to her bio: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539345564975882&set=a.709763089182984&type=3&mibextid=cr9u03

If you’re interested in applying to meet Gia, please fill out a form here: https://form.jotform.com/73194734170154

So excited to say HAPPY TAILS to Reno!!!

He met his furever family at our recent event Pour Bros. Craft Taproom Moline and they quickly fell in love!

Congratulations to Reno and his family!

This boy is in need of some love!

This is Grant. He’s a 2 year old shepherd mix.

Thus far he’s had a rough life.

Much like Pumpkin (our 6 month old chi pup from last night), he has a bum knee. The Oklahoma rescue gave him the surgery and the surgeon says it’s as good as it will get.

Good for him? He doesn’t let it stop him!

Grant is the GOODEST boy!!

He’s so sweet and gentle! He plays with the smaller dog in his foster home and does fantastic with the kiddo in his home.

We haven’t seen in prey drive in him, so expect him to do well with cats.

If anyone is a first time dog owner or looking for an “easy” dog? This is the pup for you.

Give this handsome boy a shot and you won’t regret it!

Ruff Life fam, please do your magic and get this boy shared. He’s had no interest. So share far and wide to find his fam bam!

See comments for the link to his bio.

His adoption fee is $250. An app can be found here: https://form.jotform.com/73194734170154

Tonight, we are asking for help from all of our amazing Ruff Life family!

After surgery to repair two hernias and get spayed, Pumpkin is in need of yet another surgery in her short life of 6-7 months.

Pumpkin was on strict crate rest for the first 2 weeks, with lighter activity the third week after surgery. During that third week, her foster noticed a pretty significant limp.

Only thing? It was on her left hind leg, the opposite side of the hernia repair!

During a follow up from her surgery, the vet quickly realized her left hind knee had a severe luxating patella.

After undergoing sedated X-rays and being sent out to the traveling ortho surgeon, we found out her left knee is in desperate need of surgery that will cost between $2,900 - $3,500!

The board has approved Pumpkin for the surgery, but we are looking for donations to offset the cost of her surgery so we do not deplete our funds.

If anyone is willing to help, we’d appreciate it (and so would Pumpkin since the means she can walk around pain free!)

No amount is too small. We are grateful for anything!

Ways to donate:
1) this post
2) PayPal: [email protected]
3) Venmo:
4) check mailed to: PO Box 2195, Davenport, Iowa 52809