Zeta is a 3 year old black and white male who entered the rescue program April 1st, 2008.  Zeta showed signs of neglect and was apparently kept as an outdoor dog and was used for breeding.

Zeta is VERY timid with people and he will only approach people he knows occasionally.  Even when he approaches you, Zeta tends to stay ‘out of reach’.  Zeta will however, let someone he knows and trusts ‘catch him’.  Once Zeta knows you, he does enjoy cuddle time under the covers for short period of time with petting and massages—he generally does not like to sleep with humans because he overheats.

Zeta walks well on a leash and is happy to go for walks.  Zeta needs a home to give him plenty of socialization and gentle, patient attention.  Without actively working to engage Zeta, he will live happily in your home but he may not interact much with you.  Zeta does well with his house training if he is confined to a small part of the house with a dog door or crated but he needs supervision and a schedule when he has access to the rest of the house or he still has accidents, especially if there are new and stressful things happening around the house or his routine is upset.  Once settled, Zeta likes to entertain himself by tossing around plush toys and running around the house when everyone has gone to bed and its ‘safe’.

Zeta will do best in a home with at least one other dog to help him adapt to a new set of humans. Zeta will sometimes ‘play’ with other dogs but ‘play’ is new to him.  Zeta is more likely to ‘follow the pack’ around and watch the activity from the side lines.  Because of his very high level of timidity and the risk of his safety if he should accidently get out of the house, homes with children will not be considered.

Zeta has been neutered, had a dental, is up to date on his shots, and is ready for his new home.  If you are interested in Zeta, please follow the link back to our main page and fill out an application.  Please write clearly at the top of the application that you are interested in ‘ZETA’.  Though prior experience with timid dogs or mill rescues is not required, please include as much detail as possible about any prior experience you do have living with or working with timid dogs or animals not used to human contact.  You can follow up on the status of your application with Lacy at lacyravencraft@yahoo.com

Bebop is a 7 year old black and white female who came into rescue on October 3rd.

Bebop is not used to being a house pet but she likes it very much! Bebop is a curious and happy little dog who likes to follow her person around when she is not relaxing in her favorite spot. Bebop is very shy with people and she prefers women to men. Bebop may take a while to let you approach her and will crouch/cower when you do. Slow, quiet movements help her feel more comfortable being approached and picked up. Although she might be a little nervous, Bebop will sit next to a person she trusts in order to soak up all the petting and belly rubs she can get. Bebop takes courage from other dogs and she will bravely jostle her way up front to get attention and pets if there are other dogs clamoring for attention.

Prior to coming into rescue, Bebop slept in a crate at night and her previous owner reported that she would regularly have accidents in it. There were periods in Bebop’s life where she was over-crated and she learned to soil her crate because there were no other options for pottying. In rescue, Bebop LOVES to sleep near her foster mom in the bed and she sleeps the night through without potty accidents. Bebop is doing well in her house training with a schedule but she prefers her human go outside with her even though she knows how to use a dog door. Without the reminder to go out and the company, Bebop has had accidents.

Though Bebop crates quietly, she would do best in a home where she does not need to be crated for long periods. Bebop can take a while to warm up to other dogs but she enjoys their company once she gets to know them. Bebop rides well in a car. Bebop has diminished eyesight, especially when it is dim or dark and she can panic if she is in a new place and can’t find her way so she will do best in a home where obstacles like furniture aren’t moved around a lot and where pathways remain predictably clear. It is possible that Bebop will gradually become blind.

If you are interested in this very sweet IG, please return to our main page and fill out an application. Write BEBOP at the top! You can follow up on the status of your application with Lacy at lacyravencraft@yahoo.com.

IMAGINE IF YOU WERE A HOMELESS, UNWANTED SENIOR CITIZEN....

Alpini is a blue and white neutered male who came into our rescue program December 3rd, 2009.  We do not know how old he is but he is a senior likely older than 10.

Alpini was a unclaimed stray who came into rescue in very rough shape.  He was very thin, dehydrated and showed evidence of long term neglect.  His ears were infected and packed with dirt and his mouth was very badly infected from lack of dental care.  Alpini had most of his remaining teeth removed, fluid therapy, and his ear infections treated.  After a couple of months of TLC, good food, and vet care, Alpini is feeling much better and ready for a new home that will give him a comfy place to live out his life and pamper him like he deserves.

Alpini does fine with other gentle dogs and would do well in a home with other senior IGs.  Though Alpini is showing more playfulness now that he is feeling better and is comfortable in his foster home, he likes to observe more than play to avoid be jostled.  A home with younger rambunctious dogs or children would not work well for this sweet senior who enjoys cuddling and family time.  Alpini is used to wearing a belly band in the house and he does not soil it if he is let out at least every 6 hours.  Alpini has access to a dog door at his foster home but he is still very afraid of it and we are still working with him to get acclimated to it.

If you want to give this beautiful sweet older guy a warm, safe and loving forever home, please return to our main page, fill out an application, and write ALPINI! At the top.  You can follow up on the progress of your application for this dog with Dawn at dawn@dawnsellsaz.com.

Ruhama’s medical needs have been taken care of and with lots of love and patience, Ruhama has made wonderful progress in foster care.  Ruhama now LOVES to be in the house curled up on a comfy couch or following the people and dogs of the house around so she can watch the action.  In fact, it is now a little difficult to convince Ruhama go OUT since she’s learned it is so much nicer to be IN!  Though Ruhama likes to sit near her humans and she absolutely LOVES to follow them around every where [yes, even the bathroom!], she is still nervous about being petted and picked up.  Ruhama will need someone to exercise gentle persistence in providing a routine that includes this very important contact so she will become more comfortable with it over time.  Confidence, consistency, slow movements, and quiet but firm words are helpful in managing dogs like Ruhama who are afraid of being approached.  For her safety and comfort, Ruhama will not be considered for placement in a home with children at this time.

Now that Ruhama is getting comfy with being a house dog and part of a family, she is quite the curious little soul.  Ruhama loves to investigate bathrobes by pulling them off the bed and hand towels by pulling them off from the counter tops.  Hand towels are the most fun because she has found that they work well as toys.  Ruhama does fine with other dogs but it will likely take her several weeks or even months to warm up to a new situations and new dogs.  Ruhama is exploring ‘play’ and her play manners are a little rough but she is learning from her foster pack.

Ruhama is still working on potty training.  She does not have a dog door in her foster home but we think she might catch on to one quickly.  Mill dogs can be a challenge to house train and Ruhama will likely always need to be reminded to go outside to potty, with or without a dog door. She does still have accidents in her foster home.

Ruhama is Special Needs.  Ruhama has Cushings disease but her symptoms are currently very mild and easily managed.  Like many diseases, there are several treatment options for Cushing’s.  Some are very expensive. Others are not. Ruhama is not looking for someone to spend money they cannot afford on her medical care.  Ruhama is looking for a permanent family to call her own for the first time in her life.  Ruhama’s primary medical needs are simple:  proper diet, moderate exercise, and ready access to a proper potty area.

Though Ruhama’s symptoms are mild, we have started her on a medicine called Ketaconazole that can help suppress appetite and thirst in Cushings dogs and it seems to be working well for her. This medicine costs approximately $15 per month.  We are hoping to find a home for Ruhama that can afford to continue the prescription as long as it is helping her.

Ruhama is a brave little lady who has had a difficult life. In spite of it, she carries her soul brightly lit. Ruhama is a shy but curious little dog who will give you a lot of joy if you let her and she is ready for a loving forever home.   Look past the “Special Needs” and take another look Ruhama’s picture…..To become Ruhama’s forever home, please fill out an application by following the links on our main page.  Write RUHAMA at the top of your application.  You can write to igrescue@cox.net to followup on your application once you have submitted it.  Inquiries for other dogs should be directed according to their bios or the contacts on the main page.

IF YOU DO NOT FEEL YOU ARE ABLE TO ADOPT RUHAMA AT THIS TIME BUT WOULD BE INTERESTING IN HELPING WITH HER LONG TERM FOSTER CARE NEEDS, PLEASE WRITE igrescue@cox.net and put FOSTER RUHAMA in the subject line.  Foster homes provide love, food, shelter, a safe and comfortable home environment, and transportation to and from vet appts.  IGCA Rescue will cover Ruhama’s approved medical expenses.

There are many terrific websites that offer information about Canine Cushing’s including this one http://www.kateconnick.com/library/cushingsdisease.html.  There is also a Canine Cushing’s Yahoo Group for support.   I encourage you to visit these sites but please do not let the information overwhelm you.  I’ve found it is much easier to live with and love a dog with ‘medical special needs’ than it might seem from reading articles.

If you are not interested in owning a special needs dog, please take a moment to reflect on the fact that Ruhama’s pups [likely several litters per year] have been sold for her entire life to unsuspecting buyers, likely through petshops or over the internet.  Irresponsible breeders do not properly screen the health of the stock they breed.  Most of them will continue to breed dogs with known health issues until they are literally used up for breeding purposes because it is profitable for them to do so and they do not care about the long term health of the pups they sell. Please don’t contribute to the suffering of mill dogs and the declining health of this beautiful breed by purchasing a dog from a petshop, internet breeder, or local breeder that does not follow responsible breeding practices.  If you are unsure about what it means to be a ‘responsible breeder’, please take a moment to read this document published by the Humane Society:  http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/pets/puppy_mills/how_find_good_dog_breeder.pdf

Pip is a graceful 9 year old white and seal pied female who came into the rescue program on January 9, 2010.  Pip was surrendered by her former owners who tried to find a good home without success. They were unable to keep her in their apartment since she would cry when left alone, and had no way to go out to go potty...leading to some mistakes inside the apartment. Pip lived with a family member where she lived outside for  2 years, leading to tremendous weight loss and lack of confidence towards humans. Since she has been in foster care, she has become accustomed to using the dog door again, and she has been perfect with going to potty outside.

Pip was very timid when brought home at first. It took her a few hours to come to her new foster family, bonding first with the mom, and with the children (ages 6 and 2). After one week, she will now let the foster dad pet her gently, but she is so far a bit more nervous around men than women. She has been very gentle with the children and she likes nothing better than cuddle up to them to watch tv. She never tires of human company. Pip is not playful with balls or chews, but she enjoys the company of other dogs.

Pip is crate trained, and will sleep in the crate all night until she is let out in the morning. But she would absolutely loooove to sleep under the covers if her forever family will allow it! Pip has gained some weight and is looking much better. We've even seen
her wag her tail lately! She would make a wonderful companion for those who enjoy a low key dog, and don't mind a little bit of a velcro personality. She is great on the leash and has proven to be very adaptable.

Pip is up to date on her shots, spayed, has just had a dental and is ready for her new home!  If you are interested in Pip, please follow the links to our main page and submit an application.  Write PIP at the top! Once you have submitted your application, you can follow up with Dawn at dawn@dawnsellsaz.com.

Faith is a sweet little blue and white female who came in to our rescue program December 12th, 2009.  We don’t know how old Faith is, but she is likely around 11 years old.  Faith was a stray and hit by a car.  After she was stabilized at an emergency clinic she was transferred to the Arizona Humane Society.  No one stepped forward to claim her so they called us to see if we could help her and find her a loving home.  Absolutely!

Faith had a broken jaw and her rear right leg was badly skinned in the car accident.  The skin has grown back on Faith’s leg and her jaw seems to be healing nicely.  We suspect that Faith was either kept as an outdoor dog or was outside a lot but she is loving the great Indoors!  Faith is a very curious little lady who likes to watch the activity in the house from her favorite perch, the couch.  Faith is shy of being picked up and cuddled until she gets to know you and even after she trusts you, she can be pretty independent but she will allow her person to approach her and love on her most of the time after she gets to know you.  Faith likes to be talked to.  Now that she is feeling better, she likes to play bow at her foster mom to get her to start a conversation with her.  Faith is learning the dog door and house training which are new to her but she is doing very well with pottying outside most of the time.  Faith can be a little bossy but she has good social skills gets a long well with other dogs.  Faith would enjoy a home with other [preferably somewhat playful!] senior dogs.  Her foster home reports that she has a couple of high energy play periods daily.  Faith startles easily and will not be considered for a home with children.

Faith had her remaining teeth pulled after the car accident because her mouth was so badly infected from dental neglect that her jaw would not have healed if we hadn’t pulled her rotten teeth.   Faith’s right eye is shrunken and she is blind on that side.  Her eye has likely been like that for a very long time and it does not seem to bother her.  The eye can be removed and her eyelid sewn shut.  We are looking into this procedure for her.   If you are interested in giving Faith a loving forever home, please follow the link on our main page to fill out an application.  Write FAITH at the top.  After you have submitted your application, you can follow up with Amy at igrescue@cox.net.  Inquiries for other dogs should be directed according to their bios or the contacts on the main page.

Caesar is an extremely affectionate fun loving dog who loves to give hugs and will soak up all the attention you can give him!  Once he knows his routine, Caesar has excellent potty habits and does well with a dog door [or without one so long as he is let out on schedule].  Caesar crates well and will sleep in his kennel if you ask him to but he would likely LOVE to sleep with you! Caesar loves to go for walks but he is a very strong puller and he likes to bark at other people and dogs while walking.  We are working with Caesar on his leash manners and barking.

Caesar has extremely low thyroid function and he is on thyroid supplement that costs about $4 per month.  [This is a common issue in IGs and easily managed.]  It can take 6 months or even a year before visible changes are seen in a dog new to thyroid supplementation.  It is quite likely that Caesar’s low thyroid function is the cause of his aggression toward other dogs and it is possible this symptom will diminish over time.

If you are interested in this adorable IG, please follow the links to our main page and fill out an application.  Once you have submitted the application, you can follow up with Amy at igrescue@cox.net.  Inquiries for other dogs should be directed according to their bios or the contacts on the main page.

Caesar is a biggy iggy and is at least 17” at the shoulder.  Caesar is VERY energetic and loves to play with anything and anyone. He loves other dogs and playing with them outside.  When he is not playing, he will be cuddled up in your lap.  In his previous home, Ceasar used a potty pad, which was successful 75% of the time.  He is doing extremely well with using the dog door in his foster home and has only had a couple of accidents.  Ceasar is nuetered and up to date on all his shots and dentals.  He is ready for his forever home!

If you are interested in Ceasar, fill out an application online and follow up on your application by contacting Amber at ampinkrose@gmail.com.