The Sanctuary For Senior Dogs

"THE SANCTUARY FOR SENIOR DOGS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, adoption, and lifelong care of senior dogs abandoned in shelters and pounds. All of our dogs live in Sanctuary-approved foster homes until a permanent home can be found. Senior dogs too ill to be safely adopted stay in a Sanctuary hospice foster home for life. All senior dogs are spayed or neutered prior to placement.

All Sanctuary dogs live in foster homes with families to care for them and love them; we do not house our senior dogs in a shelter.

You can meet our Sanctuary dogs and your next best friend at our Adoption & Education Center in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland on the last Sunday of each month between 2 & 4 PM (except December).

To meet a special sanctuary senior dog at any other time, just call and we will gladly set up an appointment

Many of our dogs attend Adoption Sundays, the last Sunday of every month except December. If you want to meet one special dog, call us first to see who is scheduled to attend."

Do Dogs Dream ?

You've probably seen it happen—your sleeping dog suddenly lets out a woof as his legs begin to twitch. Is he dreaming?

Many scientists say there is evidence to support the idea that dogs do, in fact, experience dreams. Researchers using an electroencephalogram (EEG) have tested canine brain wave activity during sleep. They've found that dogs are similar to humans when it comes to sleep patterns and brain wave activity. Like humans, dogs enter a deep sleep stage during which their breathing becomes more irregular and they have rapid eye movements (REM). It is during REM sleep that actual dreaming and, often, involuntary movements take place. Dogs may move their legs as if they are running, whine or whimper as if excited, and breathe rapidly or hold their breath for short periods.

Not all dogs dream equally. Research suggests that small dogs dream more than larger dogs. A Toy Poodle may dream once every ten minutes while a Golden Retriever may only dream once every 90 minutes. Dreaming also seems to occur more frequently in puppies. This may be because they are processing huge quantities of newly acquired experiences.

Beverly Hills Chihuahua

"With these kinds of movies, it's been my experience, at least, that people always love seeing the dogs," said Mike Alexander, the head trainer and animal coordinator of Birds & Animals Unlimited, a handler whose work has been instrumental to several films and television productions over the past 20 years.The red carpet trip marks yet another amazing step for Rusco, the dog who plays Papi in "Beverly Hills Chihuahua." In an @ The Movies interview Wednesday, Alexander said his new canine star is the one who almost got away.That's because Rusco was at an animal shelter when Alexander found a photo of what believed could be the dog he was looking for. The problem was, after months of searching, the esteemed animal trainer as behind such hits as "A Night at the Museum" and "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (he helped orchestrate the film's elaborate squirrel scene) found himself racing against the clock.

"Because there are so many potential dogs to cast out there, it's hard for us to review every single source every single day," Alexander said. "We had one, small picture that I was able share with Disney, and when we got around to calling the shelter, they said, 'Well, he's been here for about two weeks, and that's about as long as they stay here, and we don't reserve him over the phone.' By then, it was about 2 or 3 in the afternoon and I got in my car and rushed down to the shelter, but since it was so far away, I had traffic to deal with."Unfortunately, Alexander arrived at the Moreno Valley Animal Shelter about 60 miles from Los Angeles just a little too late."When I got down there they were just closing the doors and wouldn't let me in," Alexander recalled. "So I went back the next morning and Rusco was still there. So after spending a little time for him, I knew right away, that this was going to be Papi."

Foreclosure Dog's Letter To His Person

This is a must read. It absolutely broke my heart.


"You bought a house! You finally had a yard so you decided it was time for a dog. You chose me out of all the other dogs. As a puppy, I entertained you with my antics and I made you laugh. You called me your baby and carried me closely. Despite some chewed boxer shorts and a few broken mini-blinds, I became your best friend. Whenever I was “bad,” you’d shake your finger at me and ask “How could you?” ­ but then you’d relent, and roll me over for a bellyrub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than expected, because you were terribly busy, but we worked on that together. I remember those nights of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your secret dreams. I remember running in your new, big backyard. I believed that life could not be any more perfect. We went for long walks and runs in the park, car rides, and BBQs. I took long naps in the backyard sun waiting for you to come home at the end of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work to get paid for overtime. I waited for you patiently, comforted you through the bill-paying frustrations and the debt collector's calls. I never chided you about bad decisions, I never cared about your FICA score, and I never threatened to garnish your wages or repossess your car.

The letters kept coming. The phone kept ringing. Your employer froze wages and stopped giving overtime. Your new second job helped, but is wasn't enough. You stroked me kindly when they took away the car. You told me you'd buy us a new one and that everything would be OK.

Then the bank took the house."

Please read the rest of the story.

Rescue Chain

"It's going to be great, especially since my son and Summer are very close." -Brandon Wells, a Marine separated from his dog

When Brandon Wells dropped his dog Summer off at an animal-rescue shelter in California, he knew she would be taken care of.

But the United States Marine Corps sergeant never expected the pet, who was too lame to travel with his family after he was transferred from a base in San Diego to Jacksonville, to find her way back to him.

Today, after being shuttled across the country in a sort of relay by people associated with the rescue group, Double S Animal Rescue & Sanctuary Inc., in Warner Springs, Calif., Summer will be reunited with Wells' family in Eastern North Carolina.

He was looking forward to having her back."

"It's going to be great, especially since my son and Summer are very close," he said. "It's just really good that everyone took care of her the way they did."

Helping Each Other

" A Doberman Pinscher brutally attacked by what rescuers believe was a mountain lion has a second start in life. The dog has a new home and a new job.

Meet Denise Shepherd's new best friend, Diego. Just three weeks ago, Diego was found by animal control officers, wandering around Heber. He'd been savagely attacked.

Al Nortz, with the Utah Doberman Rescue, said, "The wound is basically from his neck all the way down to his tail. It was very infected. But now he's recovering."

That's thanks to more than $3,000 in veterinarian bills and Denise. She saw Diego's picture, with his one eye and horrible wounds, on an animal rescue Web site just three days after his picture was posted. It was then she knew. "When I saw his picture, I fell in love. His eyes tell it all," she said.

Denise decided to adopt. Nortz Denise "spoils him rotten, sleeps in bed, lays in her lap all day, watches TV with her."

Diego needs Denise to help him recover, but make no mistake, Denise needs Diego. "I have anxiety disorder with panic disorder. I have really bad anxiety. I have panic attacks. I have a difficult time getting out of the house, sort of agoraphobia and post traumatic stress syndrome," she said.

For the past year, all of that combined has made Denise a virtual prisoner in her own home. She wouldn't leave the house, and she shut herself off from the outside world. But now, Diego is her therapy dog.

"Being able to pet him and touch him helps calm me and helps me be able to go out of the apartment. When I see people, I don't feel uncomfortable talking to them," Denise said. "

Sunday Visit

Boo spent Sunday afternoon visiting with her friend Diane. She hadn't seen Diane in almost 9 months so it was a reunion filled with hugs and kisses.

Time-Share Pet

"Penny De Los Santos wanted a dog but traveled too much to care for one full time. So, she opted for the next best thing: a time-share pet.

For two years, Ms. Santos shared a mellow female Husky mix with her neighbors, who took the dog for about one week a month. They split veterinary bills and the cost of vaccinations and heartworm pills. The neighbors called the dog Nika. Ms. Santos preferred the name Monica.

"It's kind of like Monica had two lives with two families," says the 39-year-old photographer in Austin, Texas."

Holistic Pet Care

"The Halo Purely For Pets blog is the place to go for up to date information on the topic of holistic pet care. Here, you will find everything from expert pet advice and animal event updates to dog food recipes and pet stories submitted by our readers. Plus, veterinarian Dr. Donna Spector answers your pet health questions with a regular "Ask Our Halo Vet" feature. Check back frequently to keep up with the growing world of natural pet care!"

Cost Of Pet Ownership

"If you've ever owned a big dog, you know they're expensive to feed.

So you might be surprised to know that your petite pussycat, who turns her delicate nose up at every other meal, is likely to cost you more over her lifetime than the typical large dog.

How can that be? Although cats typically eat less than most dogs and usually incur lower vet bills, they tend to live longer. So while dog ownerships translates into a financial commitment of about $8,000 over the animal's lifetime, the typical cat will set you back more than $10,000.

Lifetime pet costs:

Boo Is Coming Home

When I see the money raised by Jericho fans for various causes, I am always reminded of those fans who helped save my Boo. Boo is my dog and you can read her story here.


I am thrilled to report that Boo is coming home after 8 months away from me. I cannot put my feelings into words.

I will be forever grateful for the fans who contributed money to make sure Boo could be transported to Indiana to live temporarily. I am grateful to Kestral and her family for taking Boo and treating her like family.

Jericho fans are an amazing bunch and I thank all of you who contributed money, support, and encouragement.

I'll let you know when Boo gets home. It will likely be next weekend.

Funny Dogs

Bichon Frise

"There is no doubt that Bichon Frise dogs are incredible adorable and it can take only one second to completely fall head over heals in love with that particular breed of dog. But before you bring home a Bichon Frise, it is important to know exactly what type of dog that you are dealing with, as not every dog is alike in their personality and what you can expect out of them.

In order to make sure that you will live together in peace and harmony, you must make sure that the Bichon Frise can give you what you will be expecting from it. By carefully looking over and learning about this breed, you will be able to determine if adopting one is the right decision for you. This way, when no mistakes are made, no one gets hurt and someone who does not mind the mannerisms of this breed can adopt the puppy."

Second Chance For Love

"If you have an inspirational story about your adopted dog, submit it to the Hill’s Pet Nutrition “Second Chance for Love” website. Participants must submit stories between 50 and 150 words, or a video clip less than 30 seconds that describes how you and your adopted dog gave each other a second chance for love.

Two grand prize winners will be award a $10,000 donation to a favorite shelter, a VIP shoot with pet photographer Jim Dratfield, and one year of free Science Diet pet food. Eight second-place winners will also receive rewards. In any case, your story can convince countless dog lovers to adopt from a shelter."

Aggressive Breeds

"Attention, America, or at least all you state and local politicians who are banning or considering banning ownership of pit bulls, Rottweilers and other big, scary dogs: In the midst of your rush to pass breed specific legislation, a new study has shown that the most aggressive dog breed in the world is ...

Yes, the dachshund, the weiner dog, better known in some countries as the sausage dog.

This vicious beast, despite enjoying a good reputation, is at the very top of a list of 33 dog breeds that were rated for their aggression in a study that analyzed the behavior of thousands of dogs.

One in five dachshunds have bitten or tried to bite strangers; about one in five have attacked other dogs, and one in 12 have snapped at their owners, according to the study, which was reported in the London Telegraph."

Cloning Trakr

"Trakr, a dog that sniffed out survivors from under the rubble of the World Trade Centre after the September 11 terror attacks, may be cloned.

The German shepherd, who lives with his owner, James Symington, in Los Angeles, was picked by BioArts International, a Californian cloning firm, as the most "clone-worthy" canine in a competition offering an owner a free chance to replicate their pet.

Mr Symington said he and Trakr were among the first search and rescue teams to arrive at the New York site after the attacks, and were responsible for locating the last human survivor under about 30 feet of debris.

Now aged 15, the dog no longer has use of his back legs due to a degenerative neurological disorder."

Broadway Barks

"Saturday, July 12, 2008

Shubert Alley, West of Broadway, between 44th and 45th Streets, between Broadway and 8th Avenue, Manhattan

BROADWAY BARKS 10! will help some of New York City’s shelter animals find permanent homes by informing New Yorkers about the plight of the thousands of homeless dogs and cats in the metropolitan area. Bernadette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore will host this star-studded dog and cat adopt-a-thon, and a galaxy of Broadway stars will join them onstage to present animals for adoption from New York City animal shelters and adoption agencies. BROADWAY BARKS will also feature an auction of celebrity-autographed memorabilia. Proceeds from the auction and other donations will benefit the attending shelters and organizations. This event is free and open to the public."

When You Find A Stray

"You're in your car, heading somewhere or other, a long list of things to accomplish and already running late. Suddenly, you see him—a dog, there, by the side of the road. With a sinking feeling, you realize he's alone. Your car is coming alongside him now. You have only seconds in which to act. But what should you do?

This is a wrenching scenario for all who care about animals. Once you've seen the dog (or cat), it's too late to avert your eyes and drive on, even if you wanted to. After all, what if your own dog or cat were standing there? So, before you pull over, good Samaritan that you are, here are some guidelines for assisting animals safely and effectively."

Uncle Sam of Pets

"Actor, veteran stand-up comic and author Richard Belzer adds another leading role to his acting resume. He’s now the “Uncle Sam” of the pet world.

In a new campaign to help shelter animals, “We Want You … To Adopt,” Belzer assumes the compelling glare of the iconic 1916 recruitment poster. In his latest role as the star of a national shelter animal adoption public service announcement launched by North Shore Animal League America, Belzer’s portrayal of the patriotic figure seeks sign-ups to take a shelter animal into their home."


"Dog training, behavior modification and consultations from experienced and dedicated trainers you and your dog deserve!

The Republic of Dog is simply all about DOGS. Our goal is to create responsible DogizensTM, or "Dog Citizens". We train dogs to be outstanding members of their communities as Ambassadors of Canine Behavior.

Our training methods are based on the latest techniques. We use positive rewards (treats/toys), praise and fun to make your training experience as successful as possible!

Thank you for stopping by The Republic of Dog...
-Where Dogs Rule!TM"

Your Pet Or Your Home

"Most people would never fathom having to choose between their pets or a roof over their heads. Unfortunately, in the valley, it's a reality perceptive tenants are forced to contend with.

"We actually became homeless because we had pets," says displaced resident Nancy Grenia.

Grenia and her family, which include two dogs had to move, and fast. Her husband had recently suffered an injury at work, which sadly left him out of a job and home.

With 30 days to find something suitable for them, their two kids and their dogs, Grenia was determined to find them a new home to rent. But it wouldn't be easy.

Placing an ad in the paper, describing themselves and their well-behaved pets, the family was optimistic they would be able find a place to call home. The ad ran for three weeks. The family received no calls.

Meanwhile, Grenia was calling every suitable rental ad, imploring apprehensive potential landlords to meet her pets."