Sweet Successes!

"The path of mindfulness and insight can wake us up from the corpse-like state of self-absorption, heal our emotional wounds and improve our relationships with others, connect us with love and wonder to this beautiful universe in which we live, and, finally help us escape the bonds of birth and death altogether."

~Thich Nhat Hanh~

Not all of these stories are successes. But they are memorable for the lessons we learned, the connections we made, or the efforts we extended. Of particular mention, The Encampment Area Project. Several of the puppies that were rescued from there passed away due to congenital defects. We tried to note on the pictures whether the animal was adopted or passed away- but because most of the ones who passed were transferred to a different rescue, we are not completely sure in every case. Sadly, we do see a lot of cases of neglect and collecting in the area. It often begins with good intentions, but ends in sorrow for the people who deal with the aftermath. Things will not change unless our local laws change. Reform is alive, please contact us if you wish to become involved in this movement!

Carbon County Pets

The following pets came from Carbon County and were taken in as strays or surrenders from individuals who had no other options to help them with their pets. We offer low cost veterinary options and a food bank, as well as low cost or free training to individuals who are willing to keep their pets rather than surrendering them to a shelter in Carbon County. Your donations, can help cover the expenses incurred to help keep animals in homes in Carbon County- OR the expenses incurred in rescuing them from sad situations.

Izzy

Izzy is a delightful blend of Border Collie and Australian Cattle Dog. She is true to her heritage of intelligent nature- learning quickly and anticipating the needs of the human. She was born in early September of 2013. She is a fun girl, loves to play, and we'd like to see her go into a foster home that can teach her about living inside. She has lived outdoors most of her life.

Pako (formerly Jed/Levi)-adopted March 2012

Pako is a now in training to become a STUNT DOG! He was adopted by a wonderfully talented young lady from NY, Samantha Valle, who travels with Chris Perondi of Stunt Dog Productions. His new owner, Sam, is training him for the high jump, after he passed his "audition" in a hurricane force windstorm- catching frisbees with her in midair and leaping like a deer after them! Stay tuned and see if he becomes a star with his new best friend!

Pako taught us that life is always good!

Yogi

Now a hunting partner in WA state! Yogi came to us as a stray from Saratoga, with a limp and a scar around his muzzle. The vet felt that somebody had wrapped wire around his muzzle and that was the source of that scar. Upon further exam, the vet realized he had done surgery on Yogi's leg when he was a puppy, for a broken elbow. He contacted the former owners, who said they'd had to give him up, and as we tried to trace his owners it was quickly apparent that in less than a year he'd had multiple owners. Yogi landed with a great foster home that helped him find his forever perfect home in WA!

Megan, Kimber, and Rusty

This was the most fun trio of adorable little girls! The have all found homes. They were from Encampment, a situation where some folks had an "oops" litter, and the mom was not receiving enough nutrition to adequately provide for her pups. When we took them in, they were not in REALLY bad shape, but they did need some TLC to become adoptable. We were so grateful for the foster home that had them!

Minnie Pearl

Minnie Pearl- perfect name for a Coonhound! Minnie was transferred to Black Dog Animal Rescue after residing with us for nearly a year! She was quickly adopted into a wonderful home there. Minnie LOVED children. She was a stray in the Saratoga area, landing in the shelter there. She was a joy to have around. we LOVED Minnie! It was hard to let her go to a different rescue but she wanted a home so badly and BDAR has a pretty high volume rescue, and assists other shelters and rescues in WY.

Encampment Area "Project"

Please see the slide show - these are photos of all of the dogs CLC RR helped remove from one home. Sadly, the owner is what is termed a "collector" - she does not understand the importance of spay and neuter, takes in strays and allows them to live communally. Soon, there are litters and litters of puppies, and the older dogs are breeding to daughters or sons, and then the siblings are also breeding, causing numbers to explode. Typically law enforcement is called in at that point. CLC RR does not feel restricting the number of pets you can own will help prevent these situations, rather, we feel that higher fees to register intact pets within the county, and then enforcement for NOT registering your pets, is a better course- because then law enforcement has more power in a helpless situation. Most people who "collect" can't afford the fees for registration on the animals. Unfortunately this woman believes she is a rescue. The difference, is that rescues spay and neuter, vaccinate, and operate much like a business will- rather than allowing the dogs to breed, and not practicing good management of the animals with regards to disease control, general health, and mental well being. Another method that we approve of is managing larger numbers through kennel and cattery licensing, generating revenue for the county- and allowing for regulation to hold the owners to a minimum standard of care, and fines for not meeting those standards is more appropriate. CLC RR assisted with over 40 dogs from this effort between 03/2012 and 05/2013.

Special thanks must go to Black Dog Animal Rescue of Cheyenne for assisting us so far with this enormous endeavor- they have taken several puppies! You guys are amazing! We love you!

All of these pups from the Encampment project are a unique fusion of breeds!
Their ancestry includes Husky, Shar Pei, Basset Hound, Beagle, Lab, and a few representations of the herding group!

Jillaroo, aka Jill

Jill is an Australian Kelpie, and may have a tiny bit of heeler lurking in her ancestry! She was a stray in Saratoga. She nearly became a foster failure as well, but we received an application from an attorney/rancher in the northern part of the state. They wanted her as a companion to keep her new owner company as she travels from the ranch to town to fulfill her lawyer duties! She will also grow with their young daughter, and will be trained to work cattle on the ranch. Daily riding on the vast acreage of her new home, and lots of frisbee are also in her future! Upon seeing how Jill would have such a wonderful and active lifestyle, her foster family decided to let her go. We commend them highly for keeping Jill's best interest in mind. That is a tough choice and she is one heck of a special little pup.

Mickey

Mickey was a special little one- and he charmed his foster home into "failing" and adopting him! We really can't claim much credit here, his foster mom was the one who took him in from the situation, and asked us for help. But his story was so cute, we had to share, and his foster/adopter is a special person in our book! He joins 5 other dogs, some cats and lots of horses! We love our foster failures!

Pepper

Pepper is a young male dog, who was found wandering on the highway near Saratoga, WY. He was picked up by a kind family who advertised for months, thinking that as nice as he is, somebody was really missing him! Alas, nobody claimed him. He has now gone to a great home in Laramie where he is a 4-H companion!

Abby

Abby was a stray in Saratoga. Her foster family fell head over heels in love with her, and she is now a permanent member of their family! We love our foster failures!

Hope

Hope now resides in central WY with a family of young kids and other pups to love on her and stay active with! Her new family reports that Hope is BFF with their young daughter, who is in remission from cancer. Hope is her constant companion, and they are overjoyed with how well she has fit in!

Blue

Blue is now a ranch dog with a young family! They are experienced in working with dogs, and even have a sled dog team! Blue is the working partner of the husband, helping out with cattle work. When he is off duty he hangs out with the family!

The Navajo Nation Dogs

The Navajo Nation is strife with many difficulties for human and animal alike. Consequently many dogs, horses and cats are left to fend for themselves. It is nobody's fault, the People try, they are simply overwhelmed and resources are limited. A caring individual has asked us for assistance- and offered to help get them out of this situation. It is an immense undertaking- she is working hard to get the animals she can spayed and neutered, but appointments are limited so we had offered to take these pups before they too produce litters and contribute to the situation. Because of our intimate connection with the situation, we vow to always take a few animals from the Nation when we can. In this first group, we accepted 4 young adult dogs, and 6 puppies. They all taught us something special, and deepened our conviction that animals have souls. The People of the Navajo Nation truly live the life we promote. Every living thing is an individual, and we have no right to govern that individual. Sadly, it is what created this situation for the- as these animals can't provide for themselves under the conditions that modern life has created. They recognize the need now for fertility control, and for management. Which is another reason we vow to contribute as we can to their solution.

First Navajo Dogs 2012

Kyah

Kyah is Navajo for willow tree, sea, forgiveness, and keeper of the keys. We bestowed a name upon her to link her to her heritage. She had been living in a ditch, unwanted and fending for herself with her siblings. Kyah arrived with a huge gash on her head, and it appeared she had been stomped on by a horse. The free-roaming horses are as numerous as the dogs. She was terrified of the horses where we are temporarily housing her, but is trusting the humans to keep her safe from danger. She has healed physically, but her nose is still "dented" from the trauma. We are pleased that her head wound healed without traces of any scars- these are tough dogs! It did nothing to damage her loving and sweet nature! Kyah has found an amazing home! Her new owners agreed that her name of forgiveness and fluidity or the ability to bend, which truly described this first dog, should continue, in hopes that the relationship we build with the Nation will be one that is forgiving on both ends, and opens the door for healing and growth for all involved.

Yahzee, now Auggie

We took little Auggie to our vet in CO for a neuter. She fell in LOVE with him. Her husband did too, and they kept asking about him. Finally, they asked if they could "foster" him to see if he fit in well enough to adopt. Well, it lasted about a week! He was later joined by Earl, one of the chihuahuas- the two formed a fast friendship and they charm the dickens out of the entire community! They keep us all in amazement at their antics- especially now that they are together!

Yanaha/aka Yana

Yanaha went into a foster home and became BEST buddies with her foster pups- so we have decided that since her foster mom is so awesome for us, she could keep her! She is super happy in a large yard, with a huge tree to provide loads of shady bliss while she and her sisters wrestle and cuddle in the grass!

Mae

Mae's name is Navajo for coyote, bright flower, cherry blossom.

Mae is so much the "coyote" or trickster, she is very much a bright flower, and brings as much joy as any cherry blossom would. We often encourage people to change names, but Mae is the most fitting name we have ever bestowed on a dog! She too has a new brother and is going to bring much joy to her new family- we are confident of that!

Mae found a new home so quickly we were unable to get any really fabulous pictures of her!

The following slideshow is of the puppies that came with the above 4 adults, and of their journey from AZ to new homes.

Navajo Puppies! 2013

Last summer we took in some pups and young dogs from the Navajo Nation. They were a delight and we get to follow many of them in their new homes! This summer, a good friend who is the connection there witnessed the worst. She and a friend saw somebody toss some pups into a dumpster. Sadly- the situation there is so big and so desperate that some people feel they have no other choice than to do these things... Her friend is a Navajo National, and her husband is too, and they were happy to help with the rescue effort, bottle feeding the tiny pups, and making sure they had everything they needed. We agreed to take them in, and get them new and wonderful homes! They are almost ready! Please get your applications in soon! These are all females! We have no idea on breeding, but they are super cute!

Shyanne

Shyanne went to her furever home July 2013! She joins Jack, another Navajo Dog that was with us last summer- and was adopted to a wonderful home in Casper! She and Jack were best buds immediately!

Indie

Indie, now Penny. found a home with another one of our amazing volunteer families! They have another rescue Kya and are awesome fosters! Penny won them over with her superior cuteness!

Vegas

Vegas is loving the grass, she was with us the longest, but it took her adoptive mom no time to fall in love and take her home!

The Montana 5

The Montana 5 were our first dogs, and the official start of the rescue. They came from a hoarding situation in Flathead County of Montana. The rescue's founder is a trainer and behaviorist, and was taking in animals on a case by case basis for rehabilitation. Volunteers at the Flathead County Shelter contacted her, and asked if she could take 5 feral dogs. It was hard to determine which 5, and whomever did NOT come would die. Knowing this was a long term project, and that it was likely that some of these dogs might live their lives with her, she agreed. Two of these dogs have found new lives and new homes! A third was "traded" to another rescue, that would be able to offer her some of what she needs to possibly become adoptable. The other two are progressing, and they are likely candidates to find new lives in 2014!

Zorra-adopted March 2012

Zorra, formerly Zorro, was the most social of the MT Five as they have been dubbed. She met a wonderful young couple who saw the potential in her, and they decided to take a chance. Unfortunately, things did not go so well in her adoptive home, but they lovingly advocated for her to be reunited with her foster family, and she has now been officially adopted by them. Zorra- it should be noted, is beloved by all who meet her. She is tiny, cute, sweet, and much stronger than any of us realized. She is one amazing dog.

Fred - July 2013

Fred is a gregarious fellow who arrived with four other dogs from a hoarding situation in MT. He was unsocialized until some wonderful volunteers stepped in to start helping these dogs learn that people are good! He is adorable with his one ear up and one ear down. Fred looks as if he stepped right out of the movie, "The Man From Snowy River"! He is wary yet of direct affection, but he is curious and interested in everything his handlers do! He responds to verbal praise and affection, the use of his name, and enthusiastically greets his favorite people.

Fred is now living in a an adoptive home, and we look forward to updates to hear how he is faring! We loved his dad the instant we met him!

CA CHIHUAHUA INVASION!

The following Chihuahuas are all rescues from CA. These little kiddos came because of one person's determination to make a difference. She advocated, raised money, fostered them initially, and enlisted her mother to help find them homes. Without her, these dogs would not have lived. They were in a high kill facility and are the result of the designer dog industry that pumps out puppies at an alarming rate with no regards for the quality of the lives that are the result.

Rosie and Violet were a bonded pair. We are grateful to have been blessed with an amazing adopter who welcomed them BOTH into her home so they could stay together for life!

Duke

Duke found a forever home with Belle, and the mother of their savior! He will never want for love again, as his new home is full of love and life!

Belle

Belle looks so tiny and afraid! On her super cute little pink bed!

We have many Bella's and Belle's, it is a popular dog name! THIS Belle was adopted by one of our amazing volunteers! She joins a big heeler brother and several kitties in her new home! And DUKE!

Earl arrived in WY and broke hearts left and right! He'd already recovered from his broken pelvis, and he stole the hearts of everybody he met. He is now top dog at the home of "our" favorite vet! Ruthie Sorensen of Sorensen Veterinary Services neutered Earl, and fell in love. After a few months of indecision and with the intention that he could travel with her to the numerous conferences she must attend in her job, she convinced her husband that Earl would fit with their family and under her seat on an airplane! Sadly, Earl decided that he loved Ruthie's husband more, so he gets to stay home...and she remains lonesome on her frequent trips. But this (maybe?) 5 pound dynamo is definitely top dog and rivals Auggie (another CLC RR alumi!) for the social butterfly status of their little community!

Other out of state transfers

Jade

Jade was a long term resident, transferring from another rescue, after it was determined he was not living a quality life and was a candidate for euthanizing. When he first came here, he had no inhibitions, nipping, growling, charging at other dogs, chasing other animals! We knew he'd been in a shelter environment from the time he was around 4 months old to his transfer to us, at nearly 2 years old. Within a WEEK, he was choosing better behaviors to gain affection. He taught us a lot about what dogs can experience, and how they deal with it. Jade was not overly confident and he would react to new dogs, animals, and situations with wild abandon of normalcy! OUT of control, crazy, overbearing, and nutty- it was a huge turn off. Back to familiar territory, he would revert to the loving and sweet guy we saw regularly, who welcomed the babies and acted as an "uncle" towards them, who played and tolerated, and patiently waited for the elusive life we promised him. Finally, we found an adopter willing to be patient, and to let him work through that behavior. She took him in, she did the work we asked of her, she was patient, she gave him a chance. And finally, after two years with US, and another year and a half with a previous rescue, this 4 year old boy has a new life, he has found love, friends, a purpose. THIS is one experience that are MOST thankful for.

Hazel and Willow

Hazel and Willow were scheduled to be euthanized at a high kill shelter in ID. We agreed to take them in, knowing puppies would not last long- we were right- they found homes within a few weeks. They arrived a day after we took in the first bunch of dogs from Encampment, making for a ridiculous and hectic situation for the rescue, but we are so happy seeing them both- in their new homes and thriving!

Willow-Adopted April 2012

Playtime! I am gonna get you! Clyde and Maia have both found forever homes. They came together from a high kill situation in KS, and would have died because of behavioral issues.