Adopting a Dog

If you live anywhere near Houston - consider adopting a dog from Barrio Dogs - a non-profit that rescues dogs from Houston's East End neighborhood.  In the photo below is "Copper" - who needs a home.  Contact them at




From BarrioDogs


For many months, rescue Copper has been in a very good foster home.  The current foster has several rescues and is doing their share, more than many.  We need to move Copper back to boarding, but would rather not.  With your help, let's find him a home.


Meet Copper – This volunteer favorite has been in our program for nine months and has lived more horror than any creature should know.  Heartless humans placed Cooper inside a dumpster at Sherwin Williams located in 2nd Ward, Houston, TX.  He was found by a store employee dehydrated, starving, and with multiple medical conditions.


This amazing hound has endured a lot in his short life.  His most formative puppy days were spent recovering, but is now healthy and at a good weight and just needs that right home. 

Cooper is a lovely dog, just needs a special friend that can show him the way with patience, companionship and love. We don’t doubt he can grow into the dog he was meant to become.

A Dog is for Life

How many people do you know have purchased a dog and after a year or so don't want them anymore.  Or how many people do you know take in a dog (either by purchasing or adopting) and don't give them heart worm medicine - in a region where heart worm is a given for any dog?

Dogs are not just things.  They actually have feelings.  This has been proven by research over and over again.  They can feel sad, angry, abandoned, and happy.  They are living, breathing, feeling beings.

Barrio dogs in Houston has lots of dogs that need homes.  Posted here is Emmy Grace who was adopted but has been returned because the owners no longer had time to care for her....  If you live in the Houston area and have room for a dog like Emmy Grace - please contact Barrio Dogs or send an email to info@barriodogs.org  (see more information below)



By the way:

HEART WORM IS DEADLY



from BarrioDogs:  Meet Emmy Grace – She was named Grace for short because it was the grace of god that we found her.  She was found lost and crying on the corner of Broadmoor and Pearson in Greater East End Houston when she was a very young puppy.  We asked neighbors and they indicated she had been there for a few days crying.  She was lucky to find a home, but sadly, the adopted owner does not have time for a young dog anymore.

Emmy needs a break!  She is a very sweet loving dog and just wants to be a young dog and have fun.  She would benefit with having a yard and lots of activity would make her a well-adjusted dog. 

She has been spayed and up to date on all of her vaccines.  She is close to a year old.  We are in a desperate need of a foster and of course an adopter would be the miracle this sweetheart is looking for.  Please help us network her story.

Love an OLD Dog - Especially a Rescued OLD DOG

Puppies are darling, no matter what breed.  Many people taken one in thinking they are so cute, but when they grow full size, they don't treat them with as much love or send them away packing.

Here is a really cool book on OLD DOGS you might want to read - that is if you are a dog lover:

Old Dogs: Are the Best Dogs

by Gene Weingarten

Just a reminder - Barrio Dogs (for those in Houston) needs families to adopt their many rescues.... a good number of which are older dogs.

Announcing NEW Blog: Barrio Dogs

Welcome the new blog about Rescuing Dogs and educating a community about Pet Care

barriodogs.blogspot.com

I have a special place for barrio dogs, since the organization is from my own neighborhood - East End Houston.  Within the past three years we have adopted 2 dogs from East End.  Every day when we walk our dogs we see strays everywhere. 

Generally, there are two beautiful black Lab mixes down the street who don't have a home - they just hang around, waiting for one of the neighbors to feed them.  There are hundreds of dogs in East End who have homes but are tied up in their back yards, many on short leashes (like our dogs were before we adopted them).  Barrio Dogs is here to help us learn about how to treat our dogs -- to keep them on leashes when we are walking them, to give them heart worm medicine every month (in Houston its a death sentence if you don't) and to treat them humanely - treat them with respect.

The best breed of dog is a "Rescue."

In Memory of Guapa

2006-2010

--

Barrio Dogs Rescue

Barrio Dogs founder is a neighbor on a mission

By LANA BERKOWITZ Copyright 2011 Houston Chronicle

Feb. 23, 2011, 5:37PM

Eric Kayne

Gloria Medina Zenteno, with Apache, is the founder of Barrio Dogs of Houston, which promotes spay/neuter and pet care education.

After Gloria Medina Zenteno and her husband bought a house in the East End, where they grew up, she started noticing an abundance of neglected dogs around their new home.

"All the mangy dogs, pregnant moms, chained-up dogs. I have photos. I take photos on a daily basis. I've witnessed dogs running through the streets with chains on them. It's just not right," Zenteno said.

Zenteno, who did not own a dog when she moved back seven years ago, took action. She joined animal rescue groups to get the dogs veterinary care and new homes. She decided, however, that picking up strays didn't make a dent in the problem.

After Gloria Medina Zenteno and her husband bought a house in the East End, where they grew up, she started noticing an abundance of neglected dogs around their new home.

"All the mangy dogs, pregnant moms, chained-up dogs. I have photos. I take photos on a daily basis. I've witnessed dogs running through the streets with chains on them. It's just not right," Zenteno said.

Zenteno, who did not own a dog when she moved back seven years ago, took action. She joined animal rescue groups to get the dogs veterinary care and new homes. She decided, however, that picking up strays didn't make a dent in the problem.

"I found out really quickly in rescue that it was just a never-ending thing. All the rescue groups are tapped out," Zenteno said. "There are just not enough homes for all the animals that we have.

"So I started thinking right away: How can we get to the root of the problem?"

Zenteno was dreaming big but starting small when she founded Barrio Dogs of Houston a year ago. The nonprofit organization sends volunteers to schools to talk about pet care and responsibility and assists low-income residents who want to improve their animals' quality of life, which can include providing free fences. Zenteno envisions a resource center to help people find low-cost spay and neuter programs and regular veterinarians.

"One of our really important programs is called the Barrio Watch Dog program where we try to really encourage the residents to report animal abuse and neglect — chained-up dogs, animals that are left in cages and pens," she said. "People in our area just think that's the norm. And they don't really take responsibility in reporting. I think it's vital that we get law enforcement involved, because if we don't, then people are going to continue to do this."

Precinct 6 Constable Victor Trevino, who says stray dogs are an ongoing problem, applauded Zenteno's effort. "She's stepping up to the plate, and I'm ready to support her and her organization and the philosophy behind it."

Trevino agrees that education is key to change. There are those who don't see a problem leaving a dog tied up in the middle of nowhere, he said.

"Sometimes I don't think the abuse is intentional," Trevino said. "You don't want to just keep a dog in your backyard. And don't give him attention, and you don't take him to the vet, and you don't take him for walks," Trevino said. That's abuse, he said, noting that many of his neighbors would disagree.

The constable said Barrio Dogs programs could help pet owners understand the commitment an animal requires. He foresees a partnership with Barrio Dogs in which deputies who are experts in animal cruelty laws participate in school programs.

In her community, Zenteno said, animal owners often don't consider dogs part of the family. A macho attitude keeps many from sterilizing their dogs. And although she sees little evidence because of its underground nature, Zenteno says organized dog fights take place.

Zenteno started her educate, empower and transform mission on her street and the surrounding blocks. When she spots a loose or chained dog, she looks for its owner to talk about the animal's needs. If the dog is unwanted, she takes it to a boarding facility to stay while it gets vet care and waits for a permanent home.

She does a lot of business with Gulfgate Animal Hospital and AC Grooming's boarding facility, because they are in the heart of the barrio, she said. She also collaborates with the Spay Neuter Assistance Program.

Zenteno emphasizes that she is not operating a rescue group, although there are 12 homeless dogs being boarded or in foster care with Barrio Dogs' assistance. Zenteno admits she has trouble saying no to an animal in need, but her full-time job as an IT professional at Spectra Energy also keeps her busy.

The nonprofit group plans a grand kickoff event 2-6 p.m. April 10 at Bohemeo's, 708 Telephone Road ( barriodogs.org). Her sister-in-law, Norma Zenteno, who has helped rally support from area musicians and artists, will perform.

When residents hear about Barrio Dogs' mission, most are supportive. Some generously offer donations.

"People are willing to give money if 'you do it.' I'm saying: 'Why don't we all try to do something?' " Zenteno said. "I'm dug in now. I care about the community, and I really want to see it change. I feel like this is my way to try and make a difference."

lana.berkowitz@chron.com

Rescue Maggie - if you live around Houston

from Barriodogs.com

Meet Maggie – This beautiful miniature Schnauzer was left off for grooming and the owners never returned.  The owners were contacted several times but said that they are back in Mexico and are not returning for Maggie.  Three months later, these neglected owners abandoned this poor little girl.  Please help us find her a home.

The vet indicates that she is no more than a year old.  She was given all of her vacinnes and will be spayed in a couple of weeks.   Thank goodness she is heartworm negative.  She weighs about 15 lbs. and is a little nervous at first meeting but warms up very fast.

This sweet little girl is looking for a family that will never abandon her.  Please help us by networking her story.  

For further information contact:

email: info@barriodogs.org