Post-holiday abandoned pets need new families and foster homes

By REBECCA WATSON
Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League

The holidays have come and gone. The leftovers are finally deared out of the fridge, decorations are stored away and we are settled in for the coldest months of winter. During the coming weeks, most of us are spending our dark winter evenings and cold weekends snuggled up to a cozy, crackling fire or watching our favorite DVD with the family.

Not so for the vast numbers of pets who have been abandoned each holiday season. Their only choice is to spend the harshest part of winter trying to survive inshelters, or even worse, wandering lost in the woods and back streets of our communities. Tnese once-adored pets are now alone, starving and often fighting for their lives due to exposure to the cold.

Sad though it may be, ours has become a "throw-away" society. This story is one that has become all too common, the exchanging of old for new, even if it is a living creature. The excuses are endless: "he's too big and we can't control him anymore." "She's getting old and cranky." "My little boy wants a new puppy this Christmas."

A fortunate few of these homeless pets will find their way into the foster homes of animal-rescue programs. Foster families are loving volunteers with open hearts and healing hands who are ready to accept abandoned pets as family members until adoptive homes can be found for them.

The New Jersey chapter of the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (MAGDRL) is looking for people all across the state to open their hearts and homes to the Danes who were cast aside by their owners during this holiday season. If you have an extra space on your sofa or in your heart, contact the New Jersey MAGDRL Coordinator Jenn Payne at JPayne71@aol.com, visit the Web iste www.magdrl-nj.com or call 732-749-3817.

Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (MAGDRL) is one of the largest breed-specific rescue organizations on the east coast. Before dogs are available for adoption, they are spayed/neutered and temperament-tested. Any medical issues also will be addressed. When you adopt from MAGDRL, you will be getting a pet that matches your lifestyle.

Jada is a 17-month old harlequin female Great Dane with natural ears. She initially came to us very fearful and untrusting of people - she's now very loving and affectionate and even has a happy tail-wag all the time. She also loves to snuggle - she's really turning into a dog that loves her people. She's still somewhat untrusting of strangers when she first meets them, but she warms up to them much more quickly now. She is still very much a big puppy with lots of energy to burn off. She has become best friends with her foster mom's youngest male boxer, and they will play together for hours. Once she's done playing, she's content to be a couch potato. Jada just received her diploma from obedience class, which has built up her confidence.

She will need to be placed in a home with a submissive dog (possibly one with the same high-energy level). Jada will require a home wim strong structure and a firm owner who can continue working with her on these various issues.

Bella is a 5-year-old spayed and tacked (tacking is a surgical procedure done to help prevent bloat) merle female Great Dane with natural ears, who was given up because she was being picked on by the female greyhound in th ehome who was there first.

Bella is good with kids and lives with other dogs in her foster home. She is housetrained, leash-trained and very sweet.

She will not go on the furniture and is totally trustworthy in the house, so doesn't even need to be crated. Bella is a pretty girl and tall.too. She is thin but not too thin.

Kekoa is a 5-year-old black male Great Dane with cropped and standing ears, born Jan. 1, 2000. He is a MAGDRL "Dane in Need," a cruelty case who was confiscated from his owner by animal control and brought to a local shelter. He had been chained outside for so long his chain was embedded in his neck. He was never allowed in the house. He was very underweight when he first went to the shelter, he has gained at least 30 pounds since then, and still needs to gain more. But despite all the years of negligence, he is the sweetest, most affectionate boy. Once he trusts you — which seems to happen quickly — he is such a love. He does well with the other dogs in his foster family. Even though he's a very handsome dog, Kekoa has some medical problems that need to be resolved before he can be adopted.

MAGDRL makes every effort to assist Great Danes and Dane-mix dogs, including those with health issues like Kekoa. Donations will be gratefully accepted to help defray the medical bills of Rescues in Need. You can make a donation by visiting the Website www.magdri-nj.com, using PayPal. To make a donation by check, personal checks and money orders may be sent to: MAGDRL, P.O. Box 4392, Baltimore, MD 21223. All donations are tax-deductible.

Nala is a 7-year-old black Dane with natural ears. She is a special-needs senior, released by her adopter for excessive barking in their townhouse. Nala has showed strong fear toward strange men and care must taken when introducing her to strange men. She has no issues with her foster family's husband or any women. Since being in foster care, Nala has had some positive behavioral changes. She should, however, go to a home without young children, due to her age and failing senses.

Spencer is a very handsome 5-year-old neutered mantle male Great Dane with cropped standing ears. He was given up because his owners brought home premature twin babies and could not give Spacer the time and attention he deserves. This is one sweet boy, needs some TLC as he is feeling a bit out sorts from all the recent chang in his life. He is very affectionate, gentle, housetrained and appears to be obedient. He very thin and needs to put on some weight, as well as a minor medical condition. He was diagnosed with autoimmune idopathic thrombocytopenia a few years ago, was treated with prednisony at the time and has has no further problem. However, care must be taken before administering vaccinations or any treatment that could trigger a recurrence.

MAGDRL has a multi-step adoption process for interested adopters, to ensure that the right Dane goes to the right family. For more information, visit the MAGDRL New Jersey Chapter's Web site at www.magdrl-nj.com or call 732-749-3817.