Beyond the Myth and updates ;)

I didn't realize I really had any readers for this blog anymore- and then I got a comment reminding me that some people do want updates! So here I go again!

Shelby Angel is still at the Humane Society in Memphis. She has a "lifestyle" room, which is really great because visitors can see her through the glass. Lucky girl! I am still volunteering as a dog walker, so I get to see whenever I get a chance. She just goes nuts when I come around. :)

Shelby is the epitome of loyal. The other day another dog walker had her out in a pen for some playtime. When I arrived, she was really, really excited to see me and we had a chance to play a little bit. When it was time for her to go in, the dog walker could not get her to budge. Shelby just planted her feet and refused to budge a single inch...looking back over her shoulder at me the whole time. I had to walk in with them so she would follow me. I mean, she is just a lover and a good girl...just soooooo loyal. She loves people, and she really, really loves specific people! ;) She just has an amazing ability to bond and attach strongly.

But, her forever home still has not come along. I generally leave her in tears- it is just so frustrating to me. But, I am also frustrated for all of the other great dogs up there as well. I could go on and on and on about this..... the blind eye our society turns to animal abuse, my ignorant co-workers that want to breed their dogs even though there are millions of animals put to sleep every year, the tons and tons of people I know that refuse to spay/neuter.

Okay- so here is my plug for today. Please go see this movie, buy a ticket, or just make a donation. I am a huge supporter of pit bulls. I have had nothing but positive experiences with them and I am PISSED that they are so abused. If people were fighting labs, there would be a huge outcry. But because "pit bulls" have received a bad reputation, it is as though people just don't really care that they are tortured in ways we cannot fathom. I do have a goal- Shelby Angel has given me a goal. I know I cannot do it now, but I am forever plotting and planning. One day I will have a place where all pit bulls will be welcome to come and rest, live, and love. (and then I might become a cop at age 50 and bust up and lock up every single animal abuser- someone has to do it!!!!!)

GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!!

Wednesday, June 15th 7:00 PM, Malco Studio On The Square

Advance movie tickets $12 each, $15 at the door

Movie and after movie party, $27 advance- Slider Inn,

(2117 Peabody Ave. at Peabody/Cooper Ave.)

Purchase tickets at:http://www.beyondthemythmovie.com/screenings.shtml

Performance by soundtrack artist, Kimber Cleveland

It has been a good 2 weeks walking at the Humane Society. I am falling in love with so many different dogs, and no matter how tired I am on Friday night, by the time I leave...I am in a better place.

Shelby Angel and Aunt Bookie

Me and Shelbs

I had a good talk with John, the director at the Humane Society about Shelby Angel on Friday. We talked about her special needs with finding a forever home. She continues to have a huge fixation on toys and refuses to give them up, will try to take them from your hand, and can be aggressive with them. Since she is not an aggressive dog, it is really frustrating to see her act that way with a toy. She was not as fixated on toys when she was living at our home (although she was starting to become more problematic with them) ...but as John says, she knows now she only gets a very limited amount of time with a toy and it changes the way she views them.

So this Friday, I had her spend a good deal of time with me with NO toys. And it was great to have the friendly, loving Shelby just snuggle, hang out, chase, and chill. She is so easy for me to handle- I had to leash her 6 x so other walkers could cut through our yard, and Shelby is just as calm as can be. She is a good girl. And seriously- she just smiles and smiles when I am there to visit her. It is wonderful to see how she really knows and loves me.

Now we just need to find a home where someone can really work with a headstrong dog that needs a lot of work getting over her toy aggression/possession. John keeps saying that home will come...so I keep praying. And in the meantime, I keep giving her some BFF love. ;))))

I have resorted to stealing pictures of Shelby Angel because I haven't seen her in two weeks! I am now an official dog walker at the Humane Society, but dog walking has been canceled tonight because of the weather. Here are some facebook pictures of the cutie :)

Happy 2011, Anakin Buddies, and More!

Eek!!! I just realized I haven't blogged since November!

First of all- Happy 2011. Shelby Angel hopes this is a great year for you...and of course a great year for her.
I am excited to tell you that Shelbs is now an "Anakin Buddy." What does that mean?

Anakin was a dog that lived at the Humane Society for 3 years before finding a forever home. Can you imagine getting passed up time and time again before you finally get a chance? There is now a program in honor of Anakin to help other dogs get some attention and find their forever homes too. As an Anakin Buddy, all adoption fees are paid by a private sponsor to get them one step closer to a good home.

When I found out about the Anakin Buddy program, I immediately wanted to sponsor Shelby Angel. Of course, right? Well, ha ha on me. She had already been sponsored!!! And, there were already several requests to sponsor her!!!! I have been telling you guys, this girl is wonderful and everyone loves her!

So- get up to the Humane Society. Check out Shelby Angel and every dog up there. There is a best friend waiting for you!

And if you aren't ready to adopt a dog, call and ask if you can sponsor a dog to be part of the Anakin Buddy program. 901-937-3900

I have borrowed most of this post from my personal blog. Today I went to see Shelby Angel for our weekly visit. It is always so wonderful to see her and so hard to walk away. My deepest prayer that I hold is for her to find a good home. Below are just some snippets of my personal blog and some thoughts of my internal struggle and sadness when I think that I have not done enough and that Shelby Angel has not found her forever home.

Shelby Angel has adjusted well to the Memphis Humane Society. She is still a beautiful, loving dog. Nothing fills my life with more gratitude than spending time with animals in need. And nothing hurts more than leaving and KNOWING that I have not made enough of a difference.

Shelby Angel goes crazy when I come to visit. I go at least one time a week to see her. She just can't contain herself when she sees me. It is pure happiness- reserved for me. She loves me.

And after we snuggle, and kiss, and play, and snuggle...I have to walk away. And boy is that awful. My most painful tears are the ones I reserve for her. Or are they for me? Mad at myself I have not done better- found her a home- given her every single thing she deserves.

She gets so upset when I leave. When we are separated, she sometimes even tries to bite and chew through the fence in a panic to get back to me. And at that point I am crying like crazy. And I do the best I can- and I will be there to see her next week, and the next....until we find her a loving home.

"Please let me be the person my dog thinks I am."

Hi!!!

Shelby Angel has received a warm welcome from the Humane Society of Memphis, and she is a current resident and ready for adoption! Why the Humane Society?

I knew when I met John, the current director, that Shelby Angel would be in good hands. He had heard of her story, and he immediately took to her with a great attitude. He instantly believed that Shelby was a good dog- he did not view her as aggressive or a problem dog- rather he said she was incredibly sweet and just seemed to be intimidated at times. This sentiment has been expressed many times by the vet's office and Shelby's foster families. She is a great dog that is looking for the right home.

Dave and I had run out of adoption options, and Shelby was not fitting in at our home with our high-strung, sometimes aggressive male. The Humane Society will now be able to help her find some more potential adopters while giving her any training she may need in the meantime. So now she has a safe place to live with access to potential adoptees and loving volunteers. We are grateful.

The day prior to moving to the Humane Society, Shelby Angel was playing in my parent's backyard while everyone was at work. When my dad got home, he found Shelby in the backyard- playing with the neighbor's dog that had managed to squeeze through the fence into his backyard. Every time my dad put the other dog in her yard, she would find a way to get back through to play with Shelby. Again, it just illustrates Shelby's potential.

And here is just a cute picture I had to post of my dad at the lake with Shelbs. How funny is this! :) They enjoyed playing so much!

We certainly miss her around her. I go and visit her every single week, and there is no limit to her happiness when I walk through that door. The bonding we have experienced has been incredible- and we know we love each other. She is going to make someone a very faithful and loving dog. You should see her hug and kiss me when I visit now. She won't even budge a step on the walk if I am not right by her side.

She is doing well- everyone loves her and says great things about her. We hope the right family comes along soon. I promise to keep writing- Shelby's journey is not over yet! Thank you for visiting and spread the word about this great dog.

Updates :)

Wow! It has been a long time since I posted- and we have been through a lot around here! As readers have known, Shelby Angel has been through a journey that has lasted over one year.

And every day I would pray that her real family would come to get her. Shelby and I asked out loud every day "where are you????"

Through the year, we have contacted many rescue groups for assistance in placing her. We had the door closed on us many, many times. We were the recipient of hurtful emails and words. We were bogged down in the negativity and ugliness of others. It was draining for both Shelby and I- we just about lost all positivity, even in ourselves. At one point this month, we thought we would have to put Shelby Angel down as we could not find an appropriate home for her and had no resources.

Fortunately there have been some really great people that stepped in to pick us up when we were down. This is not an inclusive list by any means, but I would like to say thank you to Tracy Gullett, Toni, and my father and sister. Extra thanks to those of you that sent kind emails, offers to foster, and offers of support (there are too many of you to list, but you know who you are!). It was amazing what the network of POSITIVE individuals did to assist us.

I will give better details shortly, but I wanted to quickly let you guys know that Shelby Angel has a place to stay and we now have some assistance in the adoption process. Thank goodness!!!!!! Details to come.

Again, thank you for all of your help. Thank you for giving us hope.