I would like you to meet Dusty just exactly as I met him.  He came in to my foster care today at 3:00pm.  He is 2 years old, 16" tall and weighs about 28 pounds.  He is natural eared and color is salt & pepper.  Even though I included a picture, I thought I might still have to explain and I think you'll understand why once you see the picture.  Dusty was the only name that came to mind.

He comes from the Oakland shelter were he has been in protective custody since March 29th.  Today was his release from custody and his euthanasia date.  See why they figured no one would adopt him?

So far he has kissed me a gazillion times and runs to me from the farthest corner of my large yard in a flash.  He likes Stanzee but she thinks he stinks (and right now, she's right, poor boy)  He tried to mark the couch in my garage (rescue dog room which is all set up like a doggie livingroom with furniture, pens, crates, toys, rugs plus a phone so I can do my dog work while spending time with them).  He's quiet in a crate and he stinks to high heaven.  His beard is matted to the lips. He will be stripped naked tomorrow and if we are very lucky he will have a little eyebrow left but precious little else.  And Friday we'll cut something else off (he'll be neutered) and I will place him in the lovingest home I can find for this great big mini with a great big heart.

Why was he in protective custody?  Look at the picture.  This is neglect.  Look at his size.  This is not a breeding of a responsible breeder.  Look really close because this is what I see when people breed their Fluffy, without experience or breed knowledge and sell those pups to anyone with the cash who seems nice.  Statistics prove this is what happens to fully 50% of Fluffies pups within 2 years of birth.  Dusty is 2 years old.  This is the really good home his breeders were sure they sold him to.  Why do I think all pet dogs should be spayed or neutered?  Look at Dusty.

Dusty -What's a haircut?  What's this fluffy thing in my bed?

First I am overwhelmed by the wonderful amount of mail I have received, privately and through the list wishing Dusty well.  He is doing great.  He is funny and friendly.  He is somewhat obedience trained or just very willing to please.

He was stripped today (which means he was shaved completely naked) and he took it like a trooper.  He weighed 27.5 lbs before the strip and 20.3lbs after.  That's 7.2lbs of matts!  His ears were completely blocked with matted hair.  His fleas had fleas and his rump is sore, itchy and somewhat raw.

When a dog is stripped, the groomer will shave off all the must they can, then wash the dog (several times, in Dusty's case) then after the dog is dry, they finish.  With Dusty, he really seemed afraid of the dryer and we decided to let him airdry at home so he hasn't been finished yet.  His coat is nice and thick and except for the raw spots on the rump, you can see down to the skin anywhere. He will have his feet, ears and stray hairs trimmed tomorrow morning at 7:00 then he gets neutered at 7:30.  After that, who knows but he's going to make someone an enthusiastic friend.

Sunny
Dusty (I look dorky, where's my beard?)
Stanzee (At least you smell better)
Buckwheat (What did you think of dinner, Dude?)
ert4dogz@aol.com
www.americanpetpro.com (grooming supplies)
www.sbprdogs.org (Dog Rescue)
There really was a schnauzer under that hair!  This special little guy manages to look distinguished even shaved!