News from Eskie Rescuers United American Eskimo Dog Rescue Inc

Hi, my name is "Sassy" and my foster mother says that name really suits me! Mom says I have tons of personality! (Just take a look at my photos - can't you tell?)

I am located in Hagerstown, MD. I'm a mature eskie of 10 years, spayed and up to date with all the essentials. I recently had my teeth cleaned and boy do I like to smile! The vet says I have some arthritis so he put me on a daily med. Because of my arthritis I'd be happier in a home with few or no steps to navigate. I do have a few steps here to get out into the yard and I use my doggie-ramp. We have a large yard, but I like to take care of business and then go back into the house to be with mom. I'm so happy when I see her open the screen door that I start bouncing on all fours!

I'm a quiet and mellow girl with impeccable house manners. When I'm not lounging on my deluxe doggie-bed I love to go for nice, leisurely strolls and ride in the automobile. I have a sunny disposition, wagging my tail nearly 24 / 7. Mom says I'm a wonderful companion. She thinks I look like an eskie "supermodel" - tall and lanky with long legs; a snowy-white coat with a few uniquely placed, light biscuit markings.

I love everyone I meet. I have to confess that I'm more interested in people than other animals. I pretty much ignore the other dogs here except when they get in my personal space - then I bark at them. I'd be happy in a quieter household, with not a lot of other four or small two-legged creatures so I can have more of your attention.

My life, up till the time ERU stepped in, wasn't that great. Though they didn't mean to, my folks neglected me. Now I'm dreaming of someone who will cherish and care for me - could that be you? Please drop my foster mom a few lines to inquire about me! Until you do I'll be waiting patiently!

Sassy

Fluffy

Hi, my name is Fluffy. I am located in Centennial, CO. I was rescued from a shelter and am staying in a great foster home! My former family had a small child that kept opening the front door and letting me run out, so they ended up taking me to this scary shelter!

I'm a bit shy and nervous when you first meet me. See, I'm not all that keen on new situations. They make me very nervous! So it will take you a bit of time to get to know me. But once I know who you are, I'm a big lovebug! I'll come to you and want to cuddle up for a good hug and pet session. Just give me a chance to get to know you first!

I'm used to a doggie door, and I'm fully housetrained . . . no accidents here! I have another secret . . . I love to dance! I'm very shy about this so I've only done it once in front of my foster family. They aren't quite sure what words make me dance yet . . . ha ha, and I'm not telling!

My foster mommy has a couple of other dogs, but to tell you the truth, they kind of get on my nerves, so sometimes I have to growl at them to let them know they are annoying me! I really think that I'd like to find a new home with no other dogs, so I can be your one and only!! I'm totally worth it! Once I know you, I'll shower you with lots of love and affection!

I would love to find a permanent home and not be shuffled around to all these different places! Would you open your home to a great girl like me?

Fluffy

Fundraising Update

Eskie Red, White & Blue Fundraiser

Your Pup Oughta Be in Pictures!

Get in the AMERICAN eskimo Spiririt. ERU is desinging an eskie lawn flag, and your eskie's picture could be displayed in lawns across the nation! To enter, submit a picture (minimum 300 DPI resolution) of your ESKIE decked out in their Red, White & Blue best to

roxanne@eskierescuers.org. Then, submit your $10 donation per picture or $20 donation for 3 pictures through PayPal using the PayPal link on the left hand side of our website, www.eskierescuers.org, or by clicking here.

Cute counts for a lot, Originality even more

A committee of 3 ERU volunteers will choose the winning picture, which will be placed on the 1st Annual ERU Lawn Flag. The winner will also get a free lawn flag, and the rest of us can start our ERU Lawn Flag collection by purchasing one for $20.00.

There is still time to order your eskie lawn flag or enter your eskie's photo. We have extended our eskie lawn flag fundraiser and will update you shortly with our new photo submission/flag order deadline. Only a limited number of lawn flags will be produced, so order now!

Here are our first two submitted Eskie Patriots!

Did you know that you can raise money for ERU just by shopping at stores you already vistit?

Simply go to www.igive.com to register and select ERU as your charity of choice. ERU will receive a perecntage of each purchase you make from any of the 735 participating online stores. And you save money with exclusive coupons and free shipping deals. Plus, place your first order within 45 days of registering and ERU will receive a bonus $5.

Participating online stores include:

Ann Taylor
Apple
Babies "R" Us
Barnes & Noble
Best Buy
Borders
DSW
eBay
Enterprise
Expedia
Fandango
Home Depot
HSN
Kohl's
Macy's
Netflix
Old Navy
PETCO
PET sMART
Sears
Sirius
T-Mobil

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Update of Medical Dogs

Please support fundraising efforts so that we can rescue more eskies.

Frosty

Hello Everyone! I know you have been waiting for an update from me about my surgery. So many people donated to make it possible and I cannot thank you enough.

They not only had to repair my knee cap but also ACL and Medial.   The doctor at Med Vet in Columbus, OH is fantastic and my foster mom and dad just have so much respect and confidence in him. He explains exactly what he is going to do to in the surgery and then what therapy I need afterwards.

I have been doing my exercises and have made much progress since my surgery. I do therapy 3 times a day as well as walk 3 times a day. It is hard because my shoulder causes so much pain. I am getting ready to go in for my shoulder surgery and hope you will find it in your hearts to help with that surgery as well.

I will be checking in with ERU as to what has been donated thus far and how much my care has cost up to this point. We still have the Eskie angels that promised matching funds up to $2500. Hopefully with all your donations my second surgery can be covered also.

My foster mom and dad hope my second surgery will take away the pain I have and I can spend my time and energy giving the Eskie love I so love to share.

Eskie kisses your way from Frosty!


To make a donation towards Frosty's surgery, you can send a check to ERU, PO Box 8652, Cedar Rapids, IA 52408. Or, click on the Pay Pal link:

Regardless of which method you use, please make sure to indicate in the memo/description field that your donation is for Frosty. Thank you for your donation!

You can read Frosty's full story here:

My name is Frosty and I have been through a great deal in the past few months. I lost my lifetime owner of 7 years when he passed away suddenly.   His family did not have the love for me like he did and I ended up in a shelter in FL.

Eskie Rescuers heard of me and took me into their care. I was a bit overweight and although my owner loved me he did not realize how feeding me extra was very bad for me. I had a bad right knee in the back and some pretty nasty teeth. Well ERU got my teeth cleaned and had surgery done on my knee as well.

I was doing great recovering but then fell and hurt my front paw. The vet examined me and said it was just a strain. There was a wonderful couple from Ohio who vacation in FL and wanted very much to adopt me. They got all checked out and approved and did adopt me. They babied me a great deal carrying me because my leg hurt so much and we all thought I just needed some time to heal.

When they arrived back in Ohio they took me to the vet and had me examined and things were a lot worse than thought. The surgery on my back knee did not take and the injury to my front was to my shoulder, causing issues with both front legs. Extensive and very expensive surgery is required for me to have any chance of walking again.

The adoptive family loves me very much but they cannot afford the surgery required to give me a chance so ERU has taken me back into rescue. My adoptive family is going to foster me as they are retired and hope to pull me through my surgeries and recovery time.

I know some people would say why spend so much money on a girl who is already seven years old. I hope I can answer that by telling you how grateful I am that ERU pulled me from that cold shelter and continue to value my life no matter what my age. I know I will not be able to repay those that help by donating for my surgeries, but I promise to pour all my Eskie love onto my foster family and anyone else who I come in contact with. I WILL pay it FORWARD with Eskie kisses and cuddles.

Please help me to walk again. Any amount is appreciated.

Volunteer of the Month

Jim Park

I'm Jim Park and I live in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. My involvement with ERU started back in July 2006 when I first adopted an eskie from ERU. At that time I was very inexperienced with dogs. Most of the dogs in my life were dogs that were picked by other people, such as the dog that I had as a child that was my father's hunting dog. There was also a dog that I inherited from someone else because they could no longer take care of it. The dog that I adopted from ERU was the first time that I actually picked a dog for myself.

I am an active person and like to participate in many outdoor activities. In the summertime I like to bike (both on roads and mountain biking), go camping, hiking and kayaking. In the wintertime I like to go cross country or downhill skiing. I also enjoy figure skating which includes doing jumps and spins. I try to involve my dog in many of my activities. When I originally was looking to adopt a dog, I specifically wanted one that could go with me. One that could sleep in a tent with me without tearing the tent apart. Or could run and go mountain biking with me.

After I had my dog for a few months, I started fostering dogs for ERU. It was a learning experience as I learned many things about the care and vetting of dogs. Having more than one dog was in itself a learning experience. I also had several foster dogs that had some behavioral issues. I enjoyed fostering and seeing my dogs go on to good homes, so I was dismayed to learn in 2007 that ERU might be shutting down. So with the help of several other people I helped organize a new group of people to reorganize and continue the organization. I held one of the executive director positions for 2 years. During these 2 years I was very busy and had to deal with different issues and crises that would come up. In addition to the day to day issues, I worked on organizing long term procedures that would help ERU work more efficiently.

I also started learning how to train and work with dogs. I attended a seminar held by Sam Malatesta which helped me get started. At first I was skeptical but I started training one particular dog that was quite dominant. I was very surprised to see the training have such a dramatic effect on the dog in only a few weeks. This change spurred me on to learn more about dog behavior and training. I also learned that it is very enjoyable to train dogs and that the dogs really enjoy it too. It deepens and strengthens the bond that you can have with your dog.

I stepped down from being a director after 2 years as I know that new people needed to step up and take charge of the rescue. But I continue to foster dogs to this day. I typically get some of the more unruly dogs and put them through a training course that helps make them better canine citizens. I also try to help out when I can with adopters and other people who are having problems with their dogs. Ivanhoe (or Ivan as I call him) is the dog that I adopted from ERU back in July 2006. He has become my ambassador dog as he has seen many dogs come through my house. He helps me train the dogs as he gets along with most of them. However, he is not afraid to asset himself when necessary. He is about 6 years old, but unfortunately in the fall of 2008 I learned that he has a severe case of hip dysplasia. Ivan came from a breeder that probably did not do any genetic testing. So his running and active days are over. He would need hip replacement surgery at a cost of over ten thousand dollars to fix him up, and the surgery isn't guaranteed to be successful. So I give him joint supplements and keep him comfortable and happy. He still likes to run and play, but I try to limit his activities, and I don't take him for long runs anymore.

I like to take pictures and videos, so one thing that I would like to leave you with is one of my favorite videos that I made of a foster dog named Riley. You can view it on youtube at this address: http://tinyurl.com/rileyvideo.

Top 10 Warm Weather Tips

Keep your pet safe this summer

Summertime means fun in the sun with your pet. Have fun, but keep your pet safe by following these warm weather tips:

Keep your pet away from antifreeze and puddles in the street - antifreeze tastes sweet and is tempting to pets, but it is extremely toxic.
Never leave your pet in a car alone, not even for a minute - even in the shade the temperature can become deadly in a matter of minutes.
Exercise you dog in the morning or evening when it is cooler.
Take shorter walks on hot days.
Don't allow your pet to overexert himself.
Make sure your pet has an adequate supply of cool water.
Always supervise your pet around swimming pools.
Don't let your pet roam in yards with incesticides, fertilizers, or mulch.
Keep your pet groomed as matted fur can lock in heat & attract parasites. Don't shave your pet as this can put your pet at risk for sunburn.
Don't allow you pet to ride in a truck bed or other oopen vehicle.

For more information please visit:

Sponsorship Opportunities

Won't You Sponsor Us?

Look for our stories and how you can help us at

www.eskierescuers.org under the Sponsor Eskies tab.

Memorials to Those Who Will Live in Our Hearts Forever

Lacey

as told by

Keelah Moore

Lacey, a senior eskie full of life and love, passed away on Sunday May 24, 2009. Having been left behind by her previous owners of 10 years, she was rescued by Roxanne through ERU. ERU was able to provide the funding to remove a cancerous lump from her mammary glands and restore her health. A few months later, I took her in as a foster and quickly realized I could not part from this affectionate dog.

This past winter she started having urinary and bleeding problems. With constant medication she was coping with her condition. Then in the last week of April, the vet diagnosed her with a rapidly progressing terminal cancer. My fiance and I took her to a specialist hoping there might be a way to fight the cancer. After speaking with the specialist we were hopeful that with surgery they would be able to save her life. Unfortunately due to complications, she did not make it to the operating room.

Lacey died at home in our arms. She was a beautiful dog that only asked for your love and never acted her age. She will be missed immensely.

Heidee

as told by

Rebekah Wilkinson

Heidee came into rescue at the young age of 11 and 1/2 and crossed the rainbow bridge just shy of her 17th birthday. She spent the previous ten years of her life before ERU with her original owner, who was a kind and generous older woman. Heidee was an only dog and pretty much the only companion of her owner. They went to the bank and the grocery store together, and even slept together.

One day her owner passed away, which is so vary hard on the furry ones. Heidee's mom had a son who didn't come to visit much, but he inherited the house and Heidee. The new family moved in after a while, and during this time Heidee was left with just food & water, and no attention. She was so confused. This new family had noisy kids and other furies that made Heidee nervous, so she retreated to the safest place she could find, which was under mom's bed. When Heidee was startled or thought her hiding spot was being invaded, she would bite at whatever was coming. This made the man mad and he would yell, and I believe that he also hit Heidee. He wanted her to be put down, but his wife wouldn't let that happen (thank God for her).

ERU was contacted and, after seeing a picture of a curled up scared Heidee, it was decided to bring her into rescue. Heidee was picked-up by one of our wonderful volunteers during her vacation and brought to me in Benton, LA. Originally Karon Stewart (another Angel) was to foster Heidee, but Heidee wasn't doing well and would bite at everyone who came to the house, so we felt that a home in the country might be better.

When Heidee came to my home in Benton, she was so very displaced and afraid, but she allowed me to care for her. I could pick her up, change her food & water, and bathe her, but I was not allowed to touch her baby (a stuffed bear she brought with her from home). At first, my ex-husband could not even pet her, come into the room if she was under the bed, or sit beside me on the couch if she was in my lap. Little by little Heidee's fears eased and she even began to play with other furries in the neighborhood. She continued to hide under the bed, though, and wouldn't often let anyone but me touch her.

Well, Heidee and I packed our bags one day and moved into our own house, just the two of us. She loved that so much. Heidee had begun to have eye troubles (tunnel vision) and the long flight of stairs inside our new house was too much for her to go down, so I would carry her down them for some outside time. She could walk back up them fine though with no problem. We got a new Daddy around this time, and he was calmer then the other one. He liked to lay on the floor and Heidee decided it would be okay to lay her head next to him to be petted. Even though she didn't know what to think of him at first, she decided to trust him and see what would happen, and boy did she grow to love her Daddy. They had an understanding that Heidee would always take his side, even when Mommy was right.

Then one day Heidee fell down the stairs. She was okay, just stunned. From that point on, she was carried both up and down the stairs, and after some time she couldn't even handle the four porch stairs. About a year and a half later, Heidee was diagnosed with a lesion on her brain, located at the base of the brain stem. She was walking sideways and moving her head from side to side, (her Ray Charles impersonation), and she fell down a lot. Dr. Armstrong gave her some steroids to help with that, a pain med increase, and began to gently prepare me and Heidee's new Dad for the inevitable day when Heidee would no longer be herself.

Two months before Heidee's 17th birthday, while at home with her favorite person (Daddy), she had one of her many seizures followed by what we assumed to be a stroke. She cried out in pain, bringing Daddy to her side immediately. We raced Heidee to Dr. Armstrong (the most amazing doctor ever), who was waiting at the door. They gave Heidee a shot to calm her down and ease the pain, and through tears and pain told me and her Daddy that it was time to let her rest. We held her, kissed her, and said good-bye. Our hearts will never be the same, we will miss her forever.

Good-bye our precious good girl.

Fluffy

as told by David Mezzapelle

"My Little Angel Fluffy Heading Back Home"

I dedicate this to anyone that has lost a pet.

Fate brought us together on that summer day in 1997 after a rescue had brought you into my life. From the first moment I held you at the vet until today, your last day on earth, you have given me love, companionship and a zeal for life that only exists between a man and his best friend.

Over the years you have been there every second. You were my protective guardian in relationships when I was single and the perfect daughter to us once I was married. You were my partner in business. You were my companion on adventures. To sum it up, you were an extension of me - life ran smoothly with you at my side. I can only hope that you know that I love you too just as much. I can only hope that my presence offered you the same solace you gave me. The look in your eyes whenever I returned tells me "yes."

You kept me calm during stressful times and you added light & love to the happy times. You made people smile with your funny actions and comical

demeanor. Your appreciation for the little things made the world want a little Toy Eskimo - just like you. Most of all, your constant display of "thank you Dad for loving me" made others melt when they saw us together. (I didn't use you to pick up women but easily could have!)

It is 12 years later. We have been together constantly for 4380 days. You never missed a day of work and I never missed a feeding. You never wanted a break from me and I never wanted a break from you. I lay here on the floor with you today June 25, 2009 and have to endure your passing. I know you are not in pain but watching you fade is hard. I can't bare to see you go.

You have given me so much and all I want to do is give you more life. You are too young to go and I do not know why this is happening. God wants his angel back and I have to accept that. Just know I am laying here next to you as you cross into heaven. We will be reunited again soon and will have more countless days together with no end. This is only our beginning.

I love you my little girl and will miss you until that day! I promise to never let you go.

Dad

Contribute

Donations * Memorials * Special Gifts

Please consider making a contribution to Eskies Rescuers United (ERU) American Eskimo Dog Rescue, Inc. Contributions can be made to commemorate an occasion, in memory of an individual or pet, or to sponsor a pet. To make a contribution, please complete the fields below and mail to ERU, PO Box 8652, Cedar Rapids, IA 52408. Or, you can also simply click on the PayPal link below and make your donation and special request there. Your contributions are essential to allow our rescue to continue saving dogs' lives!

This gift is:

___In Memory _____________________ (Animal)

_____________________ (Human)

___In Honor of ____________________ (Animal)

_____________________ (Human)

___For the Special Occasion of __________________________________________

___To Sponsor a Pet _______________________________________ (Pet's Name)

___Enclosed is my Monthly Pledge of $________ for _________________________

(specify, unless general donation)

Name: _______________________________________________________

Street: _______________________________________________________

City: ________________ State: _____________ Zip: ________________

Phone: _______________________ Email: ___________________________

Article Submissions

We Want Your Stories!

We want to include your newsletter submissions! If you have an article (or an idea for an article) that you would like to see in the newsletter, please contact Joyce at nwsltreditor@eskierescuers.org.