Too Puppy, Jelly Bean
Jelly Bean’s momma was hours away from being euthanized while VERY pregnant. She was rescued at the last possible moment, and three days later had nine pups! We are so fortunate to have one of those perfect little pups. Jelly Bean was one pound when she became a part of our family.
We may have rescued her at the start, but she has rescued us many times over. We are truly blessed to have her in our family and she is our daughter’s best friend.
Meet Rocky…”Too Toothy”
We moved our family from Connecticut to south Florida and told our kids, Jaren and Michele, that once we bought our new house we would get a dog. We found Pet Haven Rescue from an internet search and a couple of pictures caught our eye. Rocky had been born at the rescue facility and was a true mutt: Shih Tzu, Pug and Poodle mix. He was the only one in his litter that ended up looking like he did. All his siblings looked more like mama Poodle. We loved his funny teeth and he was a very calm dog.
Rocky had already been adopted and was returned a month after his adoption because the man, a church pastor, was having problems with his knees and was afraid he wouldn’t be able to take Rocky on walks. He prayed that a nice family with a large yard and fence would end up adopting the dog. We happen to have a very large yard and a fence for Rocky! The funny thing is that Rocky goes and hides whenever anyone mentions the “walk” word. He is a homebody. And, the best dog we’ve ever had!
Meet Fiona…featured in “Too Licky” as Too Drooly!
Fiona was a stray in Miami-Dade county. She was brought in by Animal Care and Control with a fresh litter of pups. The puppies adopted out fast, and Fiona even found a home, too. Because she had just had puppies, her new parents were to bring her back to be spayed after she recovered. Well, they brought her in, but never came back to pick her up. Once again, she was up for adoption. This time she found a loving home, but her anxiety was full blown. She kept running away. Again, she was returned to Miami-Dade pound. When I went to pick her up, she had days left before she would be euthanized.
When she came to my home she was very lethargic and moppy. She would rearrange my house if I left her home alone. So, I brought her with me everywhere until she livened up a bit. Then, I introduced her to a crate, which she loves. I call it her room. It gave her a safe space while I was away at work. Other than work, she came with me and was my shotgun rider in the truck.
Now, six years later she has two human sisters and is living the life! We have our ups and downs, but she was and will always be my first baby. I couldn’t ask for a better dog!
Too Scruffy, Scooter
We rescued Scooter when he was shoved through the gate and into the fenced yard of some elderly neighbors. Thankfully the neighbor called us to come get him from her yard. Scooter was very scared, but we were able to coax him with bits of chicken and bring him home. He is still afraid of everything. But, he is ours and he is loved.
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Gracie as Too Foxy!
My neighbors found a lost dog and did not realize she was pregnant. Gracie was number seven of her litter. Her mom did not have a tit for her, so my neighbor’s husband hand fed her. That’s why she loves people so much! When I came to visit the pups, Gracie walked into my palm—and my heart—forever. She rescued me!
Too Wolfy, Quezy
In May 1999, I went to our local shelter to find a friend for our dog, Max, who was adopted from the same shelter three months prior. As I scanned row after row of dogs, one little six-month-old stray caught my eye. We went in to the meet-and-greet area, and she jumped on the table and peed on my purse. I was hooked. She had green stuff coming out of her nose, which the staff worker told me meant she’d have to be put in isolation. Isolation dogs rarely made it out at that time. I scrambled and received permission to take her to my vet. We went home, crossed our fingers and began our story.
We named her after Jacquez Green—the football player who could run like no other. Quezy was a force to be reckoned with. Wild, untamed and full of fire. She would catch birds midair, take squirrels off fences and dig out of holes made for mice. She took every opportunity to escape and would always be found running covered in mud and smiling ear to ear. She could run so far and jump so high that I truly think sometimes she caught flight. She gave me gray hair and wrinkles, and more joy and love than anyone could imagine. She moved with me countless times, and welcomed every new foster and permanent addition not with happiness, but with acceptance and peace. She rolled with the changes life brought us. When human children came into the picture, a kinder, softer side of Quezy emerged. She would lick their tiny feet and stare at them in wonder. That was when she fell in love.
We celebrated her 17th adoption anniversary in May 2016. We had to hold her to help her walk and we sat with her in the shade as she laid down eating her cake. Her body may have finally failed her, but the glimmer in her eyes never left. She was an old lady who sat looking at each of us with a smile that said more than words ever could. We knew that we had made her as happy as she had made us. A couple of weeks later life became too hard and with our help, The Wild Child, our restless wanderer, slept at last.
What is Pup Package?
Pup Package started in 2016 as just an idea to help provide basis essentials to local foster and rescues in San Diego, CA. Since the start of our journey, we have been able to donate above & beyond the original anticipated amount of Signature Pup Packages to over 15 rescues in 5 states throughout US and we’re only getting started!
What is one of your success stories?
One of our most exciting success stories happened in August 2017. One of the first rescues we donated our signature pup packages to reached back out to us saying they are rescuing 12 dogs and are in need of the basics. They immediately thought of us and of course, we were able to help! Our intention is for rescues and fosters to contact us if they’re in need of the basic essentials (leash, collar, towel, etc) and they can remain focused on increasing the rate of adoptions. Having the ability to help a “return rescue” was so humbling and fulfilling to our growing organization!
What’s your best rescue tip?
The greatest rescue tip we have to share: don’t force yourself in a dog’s space. Often times they are scared, confused, worried, or stressed. As a lover of all dogs – you need to make sure you recognize the signs and provide space for the dog as needed. This helps set them up for success and provides the comfort & safety to adjust while transitioning toward a furever home!
What is your greatest need?
Pup Package is always accepting new or gently used items to put into the signature packages. Such as:
Why does “Too Licky” support Pup Package?
We chose Pup Package to be one our supported charities because we believe in the work they’re doing to support fosters and rescues. After what we have learned from shelter volunteers and after having a foster dog of our own, there is a HUGE need for essentials. These shelters need all the support they can get and having a resource like Pup Package is invaluable. Not to mention, the founder has a deep passion for rescues with oodles of energy to make a huge impact!
To learn more or donate to Pup Package dirceclty, visit their website: www.puppackage.com
Too Fluffy, Professor
In 2007, I received an email forwarded to me from a friend who was highly involved in the local shelter and rescue. It showed photos of a very depressed “Poodle,” who wasn’t handling shelter life very well and needed a home as the end of his time was near. He had been found wandering in a field so matted and dirty that he had to be shaved. He looked sad and naked! I sent my now husband to the shelter because I was sure I’d have to take every animal home if I went. He described walking past all the happy bouncing balls of fur to the last cage, where he found a dog that looked sick. Professor wouldn’t look at him. My husband came home to get me and our other dog so we could see how they would do together.
As soon as Professor was brought out of his cage into the meet-and-greet area he was like a new dog! Smiling and sitting up! Excited as he could be to meet us and our other dog! So, guess who came home with us that day? Over time his very fluffy fur grew back in and we discovered he is really a Bichon. We tend to keep his fur short, but he’s quite fluffy if we let it grow. Professor’s now a sweet old man at 17 years old. He’s been an amazing doggy over the years!
Too Fancy, Maddox
Maddox is our rescue dog from Puerto Rico. My husband was working in the rainforest when this little puppy found him. One phone call and I was smitten! Then, $100 and three days later this little Sato was flown to Tennessee. We had to work through a lot of issues when he first came to our home, but within the year we welcomed our first daughter and his demeanor completely changed.
Everyone says this, but he truly is the BEST dog there ever was. Calm, patient and loving. Clearly, he is easy going as he’s pictured wearing a princess dress for a tea party!
Too Spotty, Barkley
Barkley was rescued after following children to a school bus. Rescue Adoptions found him and I adopted him in October 2016, the weekend after Hurricane Matthew hit. We realize he could have been stuck out in the storm, but thankfully he was found just in time!
Although we got Barkley for our daughter who is on the Autism spectrum, he has stolen all of our hearts. Barkley really is her best friend. He instantly knew she was unique and loves her dearly.
We are dumbfounded as to why anyone would’ve given up this little guy. When we got Barkley, he was skittish and had numerous scars (presumably from abuse). The most amazing thing is how quickly and easily he released his past and was able to open up to our daughter. It really is an amazing bond.
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