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 Wrinkly, Blondie
Blondie was rescued as a very young pup. Her eyes weren’t even open. She was surrendered to the Humane Society with her siblings and they needed a foster to bottle feed them. After raising Blondie and two of her other siblings until they were old enough to be adopted, I could not part with this little girl and we adopted her. Blondie is “Too Wrinkly” because she’s part Lab and Shar Pei, and as a puppy she was totally covered in adorable wrinkles!
Blondie has been my constant, loyal and loving companion for the past seven years. She inspired me to continue to foster and I have had over 100 animals in my home over the years, until they were adopted into loving families. Blondie even inspired me to start my own nonprofit rescue organization called Rescue Junkie. Since we started in 2014, we have seen nearly 500 animals adopted through our rescue.
Too Weinery / Dax
Dax was found wandering around west of Jacksonville. His rescuers put out signs for a few weeks, but no one responded. They needed to find someone to re-home him because they already had several dogs of their own.
A friend, who knows I’m a dachshund lover, forwarded Dax’s information to me and I fell for him instantly! Through the help of friends and rescue advocates, Dax made the journey to Key West and he’s been here ever since!
Dax spends most days on our boat or in the water. As his illustration suggests, he’s loves life in the Keys!
Too Serious, Abby
In February 2017, on one of the coldest days of the year, my daughter, Jillienne, called me while she was volunteering at the shelter. She was concerned about a senior dog named Abby, who was heartworm positive, had developed a respiratory infection and was not doing well. The volunteers were concerned about her handling the freezing temperatures. Jillienne asked if I could help find someone to foster her.
I immediately thought of my neighbor Julie, who mentioned that she would like to try fostering. As I told her about Abby, she didn’t hesitate to say that she would take her in. Just a few hours later, Abby was transported to Julie’s house. Julie and her children fell in love with Abby and their dog, George, welcomed her into their home. Abby quickly became accustomed to spending her days sunbathing or curled up in Julie’s home office. She was a trooper as she went through her heartworm treatment and enjoyed daily walks with her foster brother. After falling in love, Julie and her family adopted Abby. She fit perfectly into their family.
Abby finally learned what it was like to feel the love and kindness she deserved. As Abby’s health began to deteriorate, Julie and her family helped Abby make her way to the Rainbow Bridge where they are certain she is restored to her youth.
And, I’m grateful to Julie that Abby lived her final days in a warm, loving home.
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
And receive our FREE Checklist with TIPS for finding the "just right" rescue!
