16. rescue

By Erica Madden – Rye, NH

Being a dog owner and knowing the unconditional love, affection and happiness dogs bring to our lives is an experience everyone should have. In the winter of 2012, I had a sweet little puggle at home and was content doting on him and being the best puggle mom on earth! Little did I know, on a winter holiday of that year, I would find the littlest love of my life and forever be changed by her presence. My friends and I went to Rincon, Puerto Rico for some sun, surf and relaxation. The trip was fabulous except for one thing, my heart ached for all the homeless dogs. Knowing these street dogs, through no fault of their own, were forced to fend for themselves each day and might never experience the love and safety of a forever home saddened me beyond belief. I also knew I couldn’t rescue them all, as my bank account wouldn’t make it out alive had I tried!

On one of the last days of our trip, while soaking up the sun on a beautiful Rincon beach, fate took over. While chatting with a family on the beach, they told us about a kind woman wintering on the island who had come across a little dog living in the field next to her bungalow. She was feeding the little doggy and had even brought her to the local vet to get spayed. She was essentially fostering the dog until she could figure out what to do with her, as she was leaving the island in a few weeks with her boyfriend who did not want a dog in their home. (I think I would have gotten rid of the boyfriend!!!)

A couple of phone calls later, I went to Sally's bungalow in the jungle and met my little sweet Puerto Rican princess for the first time. She was timid at first, but after a little gentle coaxing she curled up in my lap and fell asleep. We could tell she was a younger dog, just a couple of years old, and had been in a few scraps during her time on the streets with some telltale scars. It was also visibly noticeable that she had recently had puppies, and Sally took to calling her “Mamma.”

Sally told me about some of Mamma’s quirks. She loved to try and drink your coffee, made the cutest little “monkey noises” as Sally called them and loved to go for car rides. She was also quite the little daredevil and had jumped out of the car window a couple of times. I was instantly ready to pack her up and bring her home but due to being spayed recently, she needed a bit more time to heal before she could get vet clearance to fly. Unfortunately, I was flying home in a few days so Sally and I exchanged information; and I assured her I would adopt this sweet little girl when the time came.

Jump ahead a few weeks. With the purchase of a plane ticket and lots of coordinating between Sally and I, we had our little Puerto Rican princess on a flight to Boston. With it being February and having a plane change in Newark, my nerves were on edge worrying about her airport safety and handling between flights. It was a huge relief when I arrived at the Logan airport cargo facility and saw her happy little face peering out of her crate. My heart exploded when I saw Sally had put a small sweater on her. Sally was truly a savior not only to this little doggy but to me as well. My sweet little Mamma, who I renamed Medalla, was home.

Medalla is now 12 years old, and we are thick as thieves. She still loves her car rides, makes adorable little monkey noises to get your attention, still enjoys sips of coffee and walks on the beach are her happy place. I am forever grateful to Sally for fostering my sweet Medalla (a.k.a. Monkey). The love for animals brought Sally and I together and allowed us to rescue Medalla. But there are many more who need homes, so please strongly consider adoption when looking for a furry family member. The love and happiness they bring to our lives is irreplaceable.

For a tail-wagging day for pups and peeps, head up to Kennebunk on Saturday, July 30th, for the annual family- and dog-friendly Woofstock Beer Festival on the grounds of the Animal Welfare Society. The festival will have live tunes, a variety of craft brews offering tasting pours of beers, several food trucks, games, kids’ activities, dog agility courses, raffles, vendors and more! Woofstock is generously presented by Kennebunk Savings. Sponsorships, donations, raffle tickets and beer garden ticket sales benefit AWS' Companions for Life Fund, which provides veterinary care to local pets in need. (AnimalWelfareSociety.org/woofstock)

Wine for Wags Dog-friendly Zorvino Vineyards 2nd annual Wines for Wags event is being held on Saturday, July 30th, to raise funds for Live Free Animal Rescue. It’s an easy drive to this beautiful vineyard located in Sandown. Reserve a PAWtio table for $1 per person and every dollar will be donated to Live Free. Or purchase their limited label wine, Bottles for a PAWZ, that features rescue dog Maggie (one of 9 pups who found their fur-ever home at last year’s event) and a portion of the proceeds will be donated. And the best part…meet some adoptable dogs that are ready for a loving home (apply online in advance on the Live Free Animal Rescue’s website). Leashed dogs are welcome. (Zorvino.com) (LiveFreeRescue.org)

Maggie

Ipswich River Craft, makers of custom nautical signs, is now offering two special designs for animal lovers…Woof and Meow hanging rope door knob signs. Show your love of the sea and your special 4-legged creature with a unique hand-painted, framed sign on 100% wood designed around the nautical signal flag alphabet. This local company also offers other custom signs. Last names, house names, boat names, initials or secret words are other fun sign choices…and make a special gift for those sea and lake lovers. (IpswichRiverCraft.com)

Sip & Shop for Rescues Chris & Anne Nettleton Thanks to Anne & Chris Nettleton of Coldwell Banker (a.k.a. The House Finch Team) for hosting this fundraising event for Lucky Pup Rescue. On Saturday, August 27th J. McLaughlin, a classic clothing store in Wells, will be holding a Sip & Shop event to benefit pups in need. 15% of all sales from 11:30 to 3:30 will be donated to Lucky Pups…a foster-based rescue that believes all dogs deserve a happy forever-home…and an organization that Anne & Chris proudly support. This could be a fun day trip…and a fun way to lend support for local rescue pups. (jmclaughlin.com) (LuckyPupRescueMaine.com) (HouseFinchTeam.com) With all the stress in the world these days, a new trend has emerged known as cow cuddling! This wellness trend for stress relief apparently comes from the Netherlands and supposedly reduces stress in humans by releasing the social bonding hormone oxytocin. Cows make good cuddling partners thanks to their warm body temperatures and calming presence. And you can now cuddle locally at Granite Oak Farm in Goffstown, New Hampshire (located about an hour west of the Seacoast). Book a 30- or 60-minute cuddle session via their website and then simply show up and spend some calm time petting, cuddling or brushing a cow! (GraniteOakFarm.com)

Though a bit of a drive, we just couldn’t resist giving a shout-out to another unique summer dog festival…Weinerfest in Belfast, Maine on Sunday, September 11th…billed as “New England’s only festival all about weiner dogs!” Maine Wienerfest is presented by PAWS Animal Adoption Center and hosted by the Belfast Parks and Recreation. In addition to food and retail vendors, there will be a grand parade, a costume contest and a Doxie Derby. Admission is $5 per person (kids & dogs free). This long drive (about 2 ½ hours from Portsmouth) might be worth it to see some adorable long dogs! (MaineWienerfest.com) Cori Copley Spreading Fun The Fairmont Copley Plaza hotel’s Canine Ambassador, Cori Copley, doesn’t just work at a hotel. She’s also an active community member in Boston. Recently Cori and her caretaker Joe, the hotel’s longtime Concierge, visited an elementary school to surprise Kindergartners who have been reading the “Catie Copley” books with Boston Police Officer, Lauren Woods. The books are based on Fairmont Copley Plaza’s very first hotel pup, the famous Catie Copley. The kids were overjoyed to see Cori walk up to their playground story time! Cori’s previous guide dog training was on full display as she graciously accepted many pets, hugs and kisses from the class. A big woof and thanks to Cori Copley and Joe for spreading more fun and joy.