Foster Feature: Lucy and Pups!

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Lucy Co

On May 12 TBAR officers mobilized to save a mother Chihuahua and her 6 puppies (that were only days old) from a high-kill-rate shelter. We were alerted to their situation thanks to a Facebook group called Houston, Save Lives is our Mission. It was important to move fast because the shelter was giving them only three days, the babies were too young to be separated from their mothers (so they were unadoptable), and they were so young (un-vaccinated) and susceptible to illness. TBAR volunteers, Linda and James Taylor, were able to pick them up and temporarily foster them, and quickly we had a foster volunteer, Michelle Marburger, that offered to take in the family until they could be adopted.

When the family was removed from the shelter the babies were covered in fleas so they all got dawn baths, but they thankfully they weren’t terribly anemic, probably because they were so young. The family of Mom, 3 boys and 3 girls, were named after Charlie Brown characters: Lucy (Mom), Patty, Sally, Marcie, Charlie, Shermy and Linus. Lucy settled in with her babies quickly, knowing she was safe now.


From her temporary foster home (Linda and James):
Wanted to say that Lucy checked the box and counted her little family every time we took them away from her. She is a great mom and very trusting. She is a loving little girl and we fell in love with her from the start.


From the foster family:

Mama is adjusting great. She is very smart and well potty trained. She loves to play in the yard a few minutes when she goes out to potty but then she ready to come back in and count her babies.

This first picture is funny… She was yawning showing how hard of work it is to feed all of these babies. The second one I finally got her to sit still and look.

I have had her out in the living room quite a bit with us today because she seems to want to be a social butterfly when she hears us.

Another update:

Ms. Lucy is REALLY doing great (as are her pups). She is very smart! Potty trained, knows sit, and lay. She warmed up to me and my older son really well initially and she has slowly warmed up to my husband and our 6 year old. She even left her room this afternoon when my husband stopped by the house to let her out to potty… yesterday she just sat there and growled at him when he tried to let her out… lol. So today he gave her a treat when she finished.

When we get home from work we let her out of her room and bring the puppies into the living room where we are. She is still counts them and she doesn’t leave their side much then. However, I have found if we go put her puppies back in the her room and we leave the doors open then she runs and plays and wags her tail and jumps on the couch beside us. She loves attention and she is so sweet! She is much different when it’s just her in the room.

Most recent update (yesterday, May 24):
Here is a basket full of love! Lucy and her 6 chi puppies… The basket was originally to transport the puppies from their room to the living room with us at night but this morning when I put them in there little Ms Lucy decided to crawl in and take a cat nap

One of the puppies has it’s eyes open but the others are still closed for now. Lucy is SO sweet!!!

Lucy Co

These puppies will be available for adoption once they turn 8 weeks and they will be listed for adoption once they are 4 weeks.

This family owes their second chance to the group, Houston, Save Lives is our Mission (this situation being social networking at it’s finest!), the TBAR volunteers, and most importantly, to the Marburgers who quickly stepped up and offered their home, love, and care to these animals in need. TBAR depends on foster homes to help us save animals, as we do not have a shelter location. We hope this story has inspired you to consider becoming a TBAR foster home. If so, please email us at [email protected] or call (936) 878-2349

First Annual Lifetime Membership Appreciation Meeting

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This year True Blue Animal had it’s first annual Lifetime membership appreciation meeting. We wanted to give those members that have made lifetime contributions a chance to come out, meet the animals and find out how their donation is being used. Our TBAR volunteer staff and officers brought snacks and were all there to talk about what we are doing to help control pet population, stop abuse and neglect and find homes for our wonderful foster animals. Everyone loved hearing about the new training program and Trainer Juan Vendrell of TC Ranch Ventures was there to talk about how he’s been helping the horses to become more adoptable. We also talked about our summer ‘Read to Ride Camp’ and what that will mean to the children in our community.

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In addition to just talking and sharing information they were able to go out and meet the animals. Zelda, the zorse, enjoyed the visitors and getting some extra attention and treats! The other horses were happy to partake in eating the carrots that the members brought and getting some extra pets and attention.
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Lifetime members have donated $500 or more to True Blue Animal Rescue. These donations help us continue to take in rehabilitate and find new homes for animals. We were happy to be able to show our appreciation to our lifetime members and plan to make this an annual event. I hope to see everyone back again next year and more!

Success Stories: Chance

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This week’s success story is our special boy, Chance! His sweet, gentle personality was perfect for his new parents Joanne and Charles! It was love at first sight!

Chance Success 2

Here’s Chance in his new home with one of his doggy siblings. You can see the joy in his eye! He’s just like all the other dogs in this new family and he feels it too!

Chance new home

Follow Chance on Chance’s Second Chance on Facebook so you can read about his journey and get updates on him in his new home! Chance wants everyone to remember to adopt, Not Shop!

 

 

ABLE Field Trip May 2014

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Field Trip May 2014 (5)On May 9th 2014 True Blue Animal Rescue had some visitors from Alton Elementary School. Second grade classes were invited to T-bar as a field trip to learn more about animal care and rescue. While the forecast called for a lot of rain the skies mercifully held off hours after the kids left.

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While on their tour of True Blue Animal Rescue the kids learned about dog and horse care. Melanie DeAeth made sure to explain to kids the difference between a healthy animal and one that is in need of care or even food. Having kids at T-bar is one of the core missions of the rescue group because as a teacher Melanie understands that education is the key to stopping animal abuse and neglect towards animals. Teaching kids how to help animals that may need help is a lesson close to the T-bar founder’s heart. The children saw the steps to helping animals, which were to tell an adult or call T-bar for help. The kids were then read a story about a horse that is in need only to be saved by one brave little girl.

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Once the lesson on how to help animals was covered the kids got to meet a few of the T-bar camp horses. First to say hello to the kids was Jasmine. Jasmine is a horse that can no longer see due to being hit by lightning. Melanie let the kids observe the horse before letting them know she was blind. As always the children were in awe of her condition and how beautiful Jasmine is. Not to mention they had the joy of feeding her some treats! The next camp horse to make an appearance was Noel. Volunteer Teresa Gaskamp told the children that Noel was a horse that was rescued around Christmas time and that was why she was named Noel! The kids not only have Noel treats but also learned how to brush a horse. Each taking a turn and learning the safe places to stand near a horse and how to hold the brush against the animal.

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After the grooming the kids had craft time, making Rhythm Beads. Melanie explained to the kids that the beads were a Native American tool used to keep the horses calm. The string of beads had tiny bells that would jungle as the horses walked. Rhythm was believed by the Indians to keep evil spirits and misfortune away, but are still used today used because the sound of the bells helps a horse keep a good pace. As they made their craft each Alton student got once piece of candy but the fun was not over just yet.

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Dale DeAeth took the kids on a hay ride around the True Blue Animal Rescue farm showing them the sights while they had fun bouncing along. After the ride Dale took the kids to meet the horses that are kept in the large pasture since the herd had come up to the fence to see what was going on. He pointed out to the kids each horse and told them their names. By the time the day was over the thunder and rain started as the last group of kids boarded the bus back to the school.

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Days when children come out to learn and see about the animals of T-bar are special days to the volunteers. Teaching kids that it is ok to care about animals and each other is a life lesson that Melanie and the rest of the staff hope they will carry in their hearts and minds for years to come.

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If you are interested in bringing a group to TBAR to learn about the importance of animal care and compassion, you can contact [email protected] or call (936) 878-2349. Please also remember that we have our Summer ABLE Read-to-Ride program now accepting registration if you would like to bring a child or two out for a 30-minute ride or experience this July! Click here for the poster.

*Update* The Alton field trip kids sent Thank You cards to TBAR and have expressed how much they loved meeting the animals and learning at TBAR!

Pet of the Week: Indy

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Indy for POW 05-19-14

 

Do you love horses? I know I love horses. This week we have a great horse for you to consider. We have a beautiful Bay Thoroughbred gelding. He would be perfect for anyone who is interested in finding a horse they can learn with.Indy is one of 57 badly neglected horses awarded to T-Bar by a Hopkins County judge. Indy is now at a healthy weightand ready to find his forever home. So if you are looking for a horse to have for whatever job you want him to do. Or just as a companion for your horse you have now or for you, please consider Indy. He is sweet and beautiful and waiting for his forever home.

T-BAR is a 501(c)3 nonprofit no-kill animal rescue. Save a life and adopt instead of buying a pet.. If you are looking for or would like more information on Indy, or another animal you see, please call 936-878-2349 or email,   [email protected]  to make an appointment – click here to learn about the adoption or foster program guidelines and download an application.  Fill it out and send it back (email or regular mail) and once you are on file as an approved adopter or foster home, you can meet any animal you want and take them home for a sleepover – try out. Please remember to have all your pets spayed and neutered. It is the right thing to do.

Foster Feature: Clint

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This week we have another Foster feature from Linda and James!

Clint

 

“We are a TBAR foster home.”

Achilles was renamed Clint when he came to our home.   He only stayed a few weeks.   During that time, James taught him not to jump up on people during meet and greet.   Spending just a little time to teach Clint to calmly meet people made a difference in getting him adopted.   Clint loved to go for rides and he was a great foster dog.

Linda and James Taylor—June 2010

Thank you, Linda and James, for opening your homes and hearts to an animal in need! If this story has inspired you or anyone you know to become a foster family to a TBAR animal, please read the information on our foster page and then email [email protected] or call (936) 878-2349

TBAR founder awarded 2014 Jefferson Award

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True Blue Animal Rescue founder, Melanie DeAeth, was awarded one of four local 2014 Jefferson Awards this past Tuesday (May 13). Melanie has spent the last 10 years in TBAR saving animals, leading volunteers, and educating the next generation to have compassion for animals.

According to the Jefferson Award website:

Founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard, the Jefferson Awards is America’s highest honor for public service, a “Nobel Prize for public service”. We are one of the largest multipliers of volunteerism in the country – with youth in communities and in workplaces. Over 41 years, we have recognized a “Who’s Who” of American change-makers and more than 50,000 unsung heroes in grassroots communities. We accomplish that through a network of more than 110 Media Partners reaching into 30 million households. 

Starting six years ago, we began to transform into one of the nation’s largest multipliers of volunteerism. Our goal is to Build a Culture of Service.  We achieve that in three ways – in communities through our Media Partners, in workplaces with Champions, and with young Americans through Students In Action, our Lead360 Challenge and GlobeChangers.

You can watch the full awards broadcast by clicking HERE

We would like to extend Melanie a huge “THANK YOU” for all the animals that owe their happy life to her, and for all the children she is on a mission to educate. We would also like to encourage others to follow Melanie’s lead and volunteer with animals and children to help build a better future. If you are interested in volunteering with TBAR, please email us at [email protected] or call (936) 878-2349. The world NEEDS great people to volunteer so we can continue to do great things!

Read-to-Ride 2014: Register Now!

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Read to Ride 2014

Announcing our 2014 ABLE Kids Camp schedule!

Animals Bridge Love and Education (ABLE) is an educational camp for school field trips, church groups, scout troops and foster and adoptive family groups to come out, learn about our rescue animals and get a chance to interact with them.

ABLE IS PLEASED TO OFFER OUR “READ-TO-RIDE” PROGRAM AGAIN THIS JULY!

Read-to-Ride is a 30-minute guided educational horse experience that includes brushing, saddling, and riding a TBAR ABLE horse.

Time slots are available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in July, from 9am-12pm. Participants must preregister by noon the day before their visit. Registration available at: http://read2ride.eventbrite.com or by calling (936) 878-2349 (payment due on the date of riding, not at registration).

Cost is $10 for 1/2 hour of horse time, $20 for a riding lesson, or free for children ages 6-10 who bring in a completed “Read-to-Ride” Ticket (only one ticket redeemable per child per summer).

Due to animal wellness and personal safety there is a 250lb weight limit. Riding is in the arena only. Download the Read-to-Ride Flyer with ticket here. 

You can begin your registration below by picking a date and time!

TBAR is a 501(c)(3) non-profit no-kill animal rescue, and the Animals Bridge Love and Education (ABLE) program is a community outreach initiative with a focus on prevention through education.  For more info call (936) 878-2349 or email [email protected]