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August Featured Rescue | |
 Are you looking for a sweet, happy go lucky puppy? Darby is a well rounded puppy who loves nothing more than to play with her foster siblings or hang out with her foster parents. Darby is never cranky, always happy and truly loves to go for walks. She is housebroken, leash trained, knows how to sit and wait. In the morning she makes this cute snorting sound when she wakes up as she's so happy.
She has never met a dog that she doesn't like. She has the butt wiggles down to a science when there is the chance of receiving some extra attention. She is inquisitive, smart, sweet and highly intelligent.
So if you are a dog lover and looking for the undying love and adoration from a sweet hearted, fun loving dog, look no further. Darby is your gal!!! Her favorite thing is to give puppy smooches and nonstop butt wiggles. |
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Letter from the President
Amie Simmons |
 More often than not, when someone discovers that I do rescue work, their first response is, "How do you do it? It would just be too sad for me." When life gets busy and animal rescue takes a back seat, I am always drawn back. Not because it is too sad, but because I know that I can make a difference. I know that my involvement directly affects those sweet faces we see in the pictures from PJ's trips to East St. Louis. Without the people who help these animals, they would have nothing and no one. Being able to take a living, breathing creature who deserves love and regular meals and give her just those things, completely outweighs the sad that we see. I think that it is unfortunate that so many people are kept from doing good in the world because they are afraid they will be sad.
Volunteering is one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life. People who volunteer tend to be happier and more confident. Whether animal rescue is your thing, or any of the other numerous efforts that are out there to change the world for the better, get involved!
Gateway has a lot of things going on right now that could use your involvement. You don't always have to see the sad in order to help. We are in the process of starting a spay/neuter program, we are planning our first annual Gala event, we will be meeting with an architect soon to make plans for our shelter and we continue to rescue on a daily basis. There is never a shortage of things to do. Whatever your skill set or time availability, we could use you! |
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In January 2010, I began the search for a puppy, I didn't care what breed or gender, and making it even more difficult- every puppy I saw I wanted! I saw Max (or at GPG, Randy) on PetFinder.com. I was told that he was rescued on January 1st, and born in the beginning of December 2009. His mother is Lola, and his father is thought to be Nigel. After a discussion with everyone in the family, I knew he would be a perfect addition, and well worth the drive!
I contacted the numbers listed and was redirected to Melissa, Max's foster parent. Melissa's main concern was that I live 3 hours away from St. Louis, so she was thorough in making sure of our adoption decision and the responsibilities of a new puppy. Melissa was reassured that Max would be spoiled beyond his wildest dreams and that there was no better home for him. We picked up Max on January 24th 2010.
Our journey really began when we first met Max. He was full of spunk. The ride home was quick, with no potty accidents, and he slept in my arms most of the way. Max had the most adorable coloring, handsome face and floppy ears. As a young pup, he was (and still is) the most observant canine I've ever encountered. With help from Max's new family, he was potty-trained at 11 weeks old (within only 3-4 weeks of having him!). Justin aimed to teach Max new tricks and we have all been impressed by his quick understanding of new ways to earn treats. As it warmed up outside, Max has taken many trips to dog parks and he loves to see his furry friends. Max's grandmother also adores him, and he jumps on her wheelchair every morning to give her kisses (or on call, which is even funnier!). Max is gentle with the smaller dogs, but also knows how to hold his own with pups his size and larger. He currently weighs about 60 pounds, his coloring has deepened around his eyes, and his ears stand up.
Max's keen observance has helped to develop his natural instinct as a hunter of flies (and small rodents). He enjoys his many treats and bones, and keeps his older step-sister Durl on her paws. We also keep in touch with Melissa, whom adopted Max's sister Meg. This summer, we met in Springfield in May for a family reunion!
If you have adopted a pet from Gateway Pet Guardians and would like to share your story, please contact Jamie at gatewaypetguardians@yahoo.com. I |
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Volunteer of the Month
Stacey Stevion |
 The Volunteer of the Month section is created to give special thanks to a volunteer each month. Without dedicated volunteers, we could not save the number of animals that we do. Stacey Stevion has been volunteering with Gateway Pet Guardians for almost a year. She is currently our adoption event coordinator and manages all of our veterinary records on our animals. Without her hard work and organization, we would not have the growth that we have! Thank you Stacey for EVERYTHING! Stacey went to high school at Cor Jesu and studied political science at Marquette University and UMSL.She has two dogs that were rescues. Kramer is a lab, chow, akita mix and scruffy is a lab and terrier mix. They make me laugh often and have inspired me to volunteer with Gateway Pet Guardians. She currently works at GFK Kynetec, a market research company that specializes in agriculture and animal health market research. Over the last decade, she has learned more about farming than she ever thought was possible.
Stacey comes from a big family and spends her spare time hanging out with them. She also loves a night out with the girls. When she has time, she also volunteers with Stl Arc and Support Dogs. |
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 Our "Trainer's Corner" feature will spotlight local trainer and GPG foster mom, Jamie Kelly as she discusses behavior issues that many of us experience.
Choosing a New Dog: Choosing a new dog can be very overwhelming and confusing. My first bit of advice is to adopt a rescued dog instead of buying one from a breeder. Your chances of having a well balanced dog are better if you adopt than if you choose one from a breeder! There are very few responsible breeders, most of them are in it for the money, not the welfare of the dog or it's potential owner. Most breeders continuously breed defects, both emotional and physical, into their animals. Here are some tips and questions you should ask about the dog you are considering: http://www.lovemydogtraining.com/html/choosing_a_dog.html
Remember, getting a dog is a lifetime commitment. You are responsible for the dog you choose for it's entire life so choose wisely and enjoy the countless rewards a dog will bring into your life!
If you are having any type of behavior problems with your dog and feel you need professional help to modify a behavior, please contact Lucky Dog Pet Services, LLC. We offer certified positive reinforcement training and behavior modification as well as pet sitting and professional grooming. jamiekelly@sbcglobal.net or call 314-623-9879
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Need a New Purse?
Get something nice for yourself and help Gateway Pet Guardians. |
 Jennie Hibble, Gateway Pet Guardians' volunteer has offered to have an online purse party benefitting us! Click below to view products online and Gateway Pet Guardians will recieve a donation for your purchase!
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PJ Hightower started feeding dogs in East St. Louis, a very impoverished neighborhood in Illinois just east of St. Louis, in 1995 on her way to her sister's house. She began going on a regular basis from there and has not missed one single day since 2001. The dogs rely on PJ, waiting for her car every morning. They come running at its sound and most come straight up to her car door as she stops. She not only feeds, but medicates, domesticates and rescues when a home is available.
A small group of people decided to form Gateway Pet Guardians around PJ's efforts in 2004. Gateway is fast growing and excited about what the future holds for the stray dogs of the East side, or hopefully lack there of.
When we rescue a animal, we give it veterinary care and put it in a foster home where it can learn to live as an pet should live and be loved. We find that with our "virtual" shelter system, the animals tend to have better outcomes in their forever homes. Although we are saving to build a shelter, we still plan to keep our rescues in foster homes as often as possible.
We are a small group of people devoted to solving the homeless dog population in East St. Louis through education/outreach and spay/neuter programs. We would love your involvement!
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8.7.10 - Four Muddy Paws, Lafayette Square
8.14.10- Soulard Market Park, Soulard Art & Craft Fair 8.21.10 - Gunther's Beer Garden and Good Times at Sandrina's on the Hill
8.28.10- PetsMart South County
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JOIN US!
Open board meeting |
8.11.10 - 6:30pm Benton Park Cafe, St. Louis, MO 63118
Want to know more about our rescue? Interested in helping out? Or, just want to see what plans we have coming up?
Join us at our first open board meeting. We have reserved the back room at Benton Park Cafe and would like you to come! Feel free to bring ideas to the group!
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New Section! The need to rescue feature of the newsletter will feature a dog that is awaiting a foster. This is your chance to do something incredibly rewarding!
Our sweet Nigel is being returned! He is approximately 1 year and a handsome boy. Will get adopted in no time! He has gone through extensive training and needs to continue his training. His adoptive family has children and one that is particular rambunxious. The child made Nigel very nervous. He is not as socialized as we would like and is uncomfortable in some situations. However, we have evaulated him and he is completely trainable and will do great with a little bit of work! Please help this handsome boy. He deserves a full life!
Please visit our foster page for more information and to fill out a foster application.
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New Section! The need to rescue feature of the newsletter will feature a dog that is awaiting a foster. This is your chance to do something incredibly rewarding!
Keeley is her name and LOVIN' in her game. She has only been with us a little while but she is such an AMAZING dog! She has never given so many kisses to people that have just met her.
Keeley is approximately 20 pounds, she may gain another 5 more pounds. But she would make a GREAT addition to any household. Are you looking for that workout buddy or a hiking friend who will be able to keep up with you in all types of weather? Then look no further, Keeley is your gal!
To see a video of our spunky Keeley, click HERE:
Please visit our foster page for more information and to fill out a foster application.
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Documentary DVD on sale now! | |
Click the image to order yours today.  |
Donate Now!
Help homeless animals by donating to Gateway Pet Guardians. | |
Gateway Pet Guardians is dedicated to rescuing homeless animals from the harsh streets, giving them the veterinary care needed and placing them in a foster home until they find their forever home.
Monthly, vet bills can range from $1000-$5000. We need your help to continue rescuing animals in need!
Gateway Pet Guardians is a 501c3 organization.
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Our monthly newsletter is received by over 1200 local opt-in recipients and is growing daily. In an effort to connect with our partners who offer pet related services with our friends who need them, we are now offering advertising space in our monthly e-newsletter. GPG is a 501c3 organization, and all payments for advertising space will be considered donations and therefore are tax deductible.
$50 donation - one month sponsorship
$200 donation - 6 month committment - get 2 months FREE
$360 donation - 12 month commitment - get 3 months FREE
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