Why Adopt Now?

It’s finally summer! The kids are out of school and everyone is spending more time at home. Summertime is an ideal time to adopt a dog, if this is something you’ve been considering.

Wamer weather gives families the perfect opportunity to bond with a new furbaby, allowing for more hours to spend training and establishing a routine. This makes it easier for a dog to acclimate to new surroundings, as well as helping family members learn the ins and outs of dog ownership. Having more family around means more attention for your dog and a deeper connection.

This also means there are more chances for training and creating good habits for everyone involved. With no freezing rain or snow to worry about, potty training will be much easier.

Need an excuse to spend time in the sunshine? How about taking your new dog for a walk? It’s the perfect way for both of you to get some exercise and burn off some of those winter pounds.

Not only does adopting at this time of year benefit you and the dog, it helps shelters too. Summer months are more stressful for rescues and shelters, especially in July.

Did you know that the day after the Fourth of July is one of the largest, if not THE largest intake day for shelters and rescues? Exploding fireworks can startle even the most even-tempered dog and spook them into running and never finding their way home. By adopting in the warmer months, you’re not just saving one dog. It means shelter and rescue populations are reduced allowing them to help other dogs in need.

So if you’ve been tossing around the idea of adopting a dog, there’s no better time than now. Not only will you be adding a new family member, but you’ll also probably make some new friends. After all, there’s no better ice breaker and conversation starter than a dog!

Most of us know Madison Rettenmaier as a foster extraordinaire, but when she first became involved with TLC this past December, fostering was not on her radar. However, she soon saw one of our foster directors postings for an emergency foster move, so she “jumped in and [hasn’t] looked back since.”

Maddy’s calm, go-with-the-flow, but motivated mindset has made her a perfect addition to the foster team. She has fostered dogs with a range of personality quirks, but the shy ones are her favorites. She says, “I love watching them realize this version of the world isn’t so scary.”

One foster was a mama who was both heartworm positive and had been hit by a car; she was underweight and understandably timid. Maddy decided to roll the dice and take her to a sports event where she would be around other dogs, and “she went nuts!” She zoomed, rolled around, and wagged her tail; Maddy even heard her bark for the first time at this event! It was a special experience for Maddy, but also a testament to the love and patience Maddy shows to each of her fosters.

Where Maddy grew up, foster-based rescues were very small, and few and far between. She had volunteered with a few local shelters previously, but was drawn to TLC because our dogs go immediately from transport to a warm, loving home where they are “snuggled up in dog beds,” as opposed to a cage in a physical shelter. She also notes how easy it is to get involved with TLC and the variety of opportunities available - Maddy also helps with transports, taxis dogs to and from events, and processes applications, but there are so many more ways to get involved. You can even help with the laundry, if that’s your thing!

The biggest challenge Maddy sees is not being able to help all the dogs that we want to - a sentiment shared by many in the TLC volunteer network - especially in summer, when dogs in the south are struggling in the heat in overcrowded shelters. But when dogs are finally able to make it to TLC, Maddy wakes before dawn to meet the transport as it rolls into the adoption center with our newest pups. It’s not always easy to get up that early, but Maddy feels that “it’s SO worth it being able to be the first set of safe hands the dogs fall into when they make the long journey up. We get to put their first collars on, their first leashes, and get to tell them that their bellies will always be full from here on out.”

Maddy admires the genuine passion and dedication of each of our volunteers, many of whom dedicate their lives to animal rescue and welfare, and ensuring that each of our dogs has what it needs to thrive - from physical therapy, to life-changing surgery, to a simple “spa day” at a local groomer. While she is quick to highlight the contributions of others, such as our tireless foster and volunteer director, Tricia, Maddy’s passion and love for our pups is second to none.

She doesn’t have a resident dog of her own; her apartment has a one-dog limit, which means she couldn’t continue to foster if she adopted. While she’d like to adopt one day, it’s important to her to be able to foster for the foreseeable future. Maddy believes that TLC is made of the best people around, because “every single person in this rescue wants to change a dog’s life for the better” and will do whatever it takes to make that happen; Maddy’s compassion and selfless dedication to all aspects of the rescue make it clear that she is one of them.

Much like dogs who spend a lifetime in the shelter, dogs who are kept in commercial breeding facilities do not know the comforts life with a family can offer. During their years of being bred at one such facility in Mississippi, Zena and Sweet Pea were able to find comfort in each other. They are proof that family is not always blood relation. Because this pair has such a strong bond, they continue to rely on each other to learn what life in a home is all about. How beautiful of a thing is that for Sweet Pea and Zena to have found and been able to rely on each other during their darkest days.

To Love a Canine Rescue has committed to ensuring that these two special ladies get to spend their golden years together. 

While Sweet Pea is a relaxed and happy girl who adapts well to new environments, Zena needs time to build trust when meeting new humans, and she relies on her sister to feel safe. However, once you earn her trust Zena is a loyal and protective companion. Sweet Pea is an affectionate girl who loves to snuggle with her people. Who wouldn’t want twice the love and affection?

Both girls are dog friendly and indifferent to cats. In fact, they would do well in a home with a confident dog who can continue to show them the ropes and build Zena’s confidence. They are both doing well with house and crate training; sleep through the night; and are comfortable in the car, especially with a lap to sit on. While they have made tremendous strides, we are looking for a patient and understanding adopter who is willing to give these sweet girls the time they need to adjust to yet another new environment.

If you have room for twice the love in your home and heart, please apply to adopt Sweet Pea and Zena!

Stay Cool This Summer

It’s hot outside, and not just for those of us on two legs, but also for our dogs. Most of us know how to keep ourselves comfortable in this weather, but here are some tips to help your fur babies stay cooler in the summer months.

1. Never, ever leave your dog in the car. On a 70 degree day, it can take 20 minutes for the temperature in a car to reach 90 degrees. On a 90 degree day, a car will reach 109 in as little as 10 minutes.

2. Make sure your dog has unlimited access to fresh water, when they’re inside as well as outside.

3. Limit their time outdoors during the warmer hours of the day, and make sure they have access to shaded areas when outside.

4. If you go for regular walks, take them during the cooler hours of the day, early in the morning and in the evening, when the sun is to lower in the sky.

5. When going on walks, try to stay off of hot surfaces (like asphalt and concrete) because it can burn your dog's paws. The general rule of thumb is “if it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for their paws.”

6. If you think it's hot outside, it's even hotter for your pet – make sure your pet has a way to cool off. A kiddie pool filled with water or running sprinkler is a great way to offer them some relief.

7. Consider clipping or shaving dogs with long coats, and apply sunscreen to your dog's skin if she or he has a thin coat (talk to your veterinarian first to see if a haircut and/or sunscreen is appropriate for your pet).

8. If your dog does get overheated, don’t try to cool them by giving them ice cold water or cold, wet towels on their body. This can send them into shock and shut down internal organs. Use lukewarm water instead and be sure they have access to room temperature drinking water. Contact your veterinarian if they begin to show signs of heat stroke.

Summer is a great time of year for everyone to spend time enjoying the outdoors, exercising, and enjoying the sunshine. Just be sure to keep yourself, and your pups safe!

Training your dog to roll over is a fun trick that can also help strengthen your bond. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Basic Commands -Ensure your dog knows basic commands like "sit" and "lie down." These are foundational skills for more complex tricks like rolling over.

Step 2: Prepare Treats - Choose small, tasty treats that your dog loves. Make sure they are easy to handle and can be given quickly as rewards.

Step 3: Get Your Dog to Lie Down - Command your dog to lie down by saying "down" and guiding them into position if necessary. Ensure they are relaxed and focused.

Step 4: Lure with a Treat - Hold a treat close to your dog's nose and slowly move it towards their shoulder. Your dog should turn their head to follow the treat, causing them to roll onto their side.

Step 5: Encourage the Roll - Continue moving the treat in a circular motion, so your dog has to turn their head further. This should encourage them to roll onto their back and then to the other side.

Step 6: Reward and Praise - As soon as your dog completes the roll, reward them with the treat and give lots of praise. Positive reinforcement is key to successful training.

Step 7: Add the Verbal Cue - Start adding the verbal cue "roll over" just before you begin moving the treat. This helps your dog associate the command with the action.

Step 8: Practice - Repeat the process several times in short sessions. Dogs learn best with consistent, short training sessions rather than long ones.

Step 9: Reduce the Luring - Gradually reduce the use of the treat as a lure by using your hand to guide your dog instead. Eventually, your dog should roll over with just the verbal cue and hand signal.

Step 10: Practice in Different Settings - Practice the trick in various locations and with different distractions to ensure your dog has truly mastered the command.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Be patient: Some dogs learn faster than others. Be consistent and patient.

• Break it down: If your dog is struggling, break the trick into smaller steps and reward them for partial successes.

• Stay positive: Always use positive reinforcement. Avoid getting frustrated or punishing your dog.

Bonus Tip

Practice often and in different places. Once your dog is happily lying down on command in your home, start to practice in more distracting environments, like the garden or your local park.

WE STILL HAVE SPONSORSHIP SLOTS OPEN FOR OUR 10th ANNUAL MILES FOR MUTTS EVENT

Being a hero means supporting our life-saving mission! It means providing essential funds that allow us to save the lives most in need - like our heartworm positive dogs, orthopedic surgery cases, pregnant moms, and more!

Last year, our sponsors brought in over $23,000, which allowed us to save more lives than ever before. If you’d like to learn more about becoming a sponsor for our event on Sunday, October 20th, please fill out the form below and one of our volunteers will be in touch. We would LOVE for you to be a part of our 10th Annual Miles For Mutts!

Browse 2024 sponsorship packages below. For more information, please fill out the form

🎉 Join us for Trivia Night at Stable 12 Brewing Co. on July 22nd!

Come out for a fun evening of trivia, prizes, and a chance to meet some of our adorable adoptable dogs. Here's the schedule:

Meet & Greet: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Trivia: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

10% of the night's revenue will go to TLC Rescue, so your participation directly supports a great cause!

We'll be playing in the outdoor seating area, so space is limited. Get there early if you want to play! In case of rain, the event will be rescheduled to 8/26.

Don't miss out on a night of fun, pups, pints, and fantastic trivia. See you there!