Who, Me?

"Oh, am I not supposed to be in the nice leather chair that is two sizes to small for me?"

Denver Nuggets

Our night with the Nuggets was a ton of fun! We have quite a few volunteers show up with their own personal dogs and foster dogs and helped us work the pre-game crowd.

We sold 110 tickets for a $550 donation to the rescue! We also got a few prospective families as well!

Thanks Denver Nuggets!

Early Xmas Gifts!

These guys aren't cute at all, are they?

Congrats to the lucky families who get their new addition in early December!

My Thanksgiving List

Thanksgiving List by a BDHPI foster dog

1. I am thankful for the family who saw me tied outside with no shelter from the snow and called Animal Control. I am thankful for the wonderful shelter staff who called BDHPI to see if they had room for what my previous family considered a "throw a way dog"

2. I am thankful for the BDHPI volunteer who got up at 5am and drove 7 hours to pick me. She offered me reassurance and kind words as she loaded me into the van, and than turned right around and drove another 7 hours home.

3. I am thankful for the party that was thrown for my arrival- they took my picture, gave me a new collar, called my name over and over again, and marveled at how gorgeous I am. Noone had ever told me that before! Iam even thankful for the stuff Dr Winton put up my nose!

4. I am thankful for the new people, who everyone calls foster parents, who brought me to their home- they gave me my space and than offered up love when I asked for it that first night. When they tucked me in for the night the pretty lady whispered "You're safe now." And I believed her... There are not enough "thank you's" in the world to ever express my gratitude to my foster family. You saved my life. I hope I will make yours better too.

5. I am thankful for the wonderful food & medical care I've been given. Iam thankful to all of the kind people who donate money in order to provide me with such good care.

6. I am thankful to all the volunteers of BDHPI who do so much behind the scenes work that us dogs never know about.

7. I am thankful to the volunteers who answer the hotline and email. You are the first set of people my new family will speak with, so thank you.

8. I am thankful to the volunteers who process the adoption applications, all the time doing it because they want to make sure they find me just the right home. I know you will never let me fall through the cracks.

9. I am thankful to the volunteers who do the Homechecks. I know you are making sure my new home is safe. I know you are making sure I will be loved and understood. I trust you.

10. Lastly, I am thankful to the group of people who decided to make their dreams come true by creating this rescue. You are changing lives. You should be so proud of yourselves.

Love,
The Past, Present & Future dogs of BDHPI

Where did you get that collar?

I get that question a lot- and the answer is FURRY BABY FASHIONS!!! (http://www.furrybabyfashions.com/)

Kari Bastyr found this great company, run by Julie King in NC, and turned us all onto it! Julie makes great collars, and the best part is that they are very reasonable..which we all know is not the case when buying XXL collars! She has them for every holiday, and if you don't see something you like, let her know and she will try to find it!

The best part is that we have all become "Internet friends" with Julie and she has become a great supporter of our cause and donates everytime we have an event!

I know the Wintons, Silversteins, Dews & Bastyrs could keep her busy all day long

Snow Dog

Here are pictures of the recently adopted Koda checking out his new mountain cabin.

What a lucky boy he is!

The love of a child

It's 5:15 in the Dew house- hours before any of us, human or dogs, would ever consider getting up on a Saturday! Our early am wakeup call is courtesy of our nephews- Jack who is 8 and Cooper who is 5.

I was in the middle of a wonderful snooze, when little Coop started whispering in my ear. He said, 'Auntie B, Pleaaaaassssseeee wake up! You have to come see Dot RIGHT now!!!!"- I flew out of bed thinking the worst...had she fallen? Had she passed away in her sleep?"

I could hear her snoring before I hit the family room, so I knew the later was not true, but couldn't figure out what was wrong. When I turned on the light, Coop had a huge smile on his face and I found Dot covered with his yellow security blanket. He said, " Aren't you proud of me? Dottie looked cold so I gave her my blankie and she loves it and me!"

So now, in hopes of the adults going back to sleep, the boys are settled in with cereal on the couch. Unbeknowst to deaf Dottie, who has yet to wake up during this whole fiasco, StarWars is on and the boys are cuddled in!

Denver Nuggets host BDHPI!!!! Please join us!

BIG DOGS HUGE PAWSNIGHT WITH THE DENVER NUGGETS

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 AT 7:00PM
CHICAGO BULLS VS. DENVER NUGGETS
DISCOUNTED TICKETS ONLY $25.00 EACH (REGULARLY $27.00)NO ADDITIONAL TAXES OR FEES$5.00

FROM EACH TICKET SOLD IS DONATED TO BDHP

ORDER ONLINE AT:http://www.pepsicenter.com/groups/nuggets/bigdogs or CALL APRIL WAKEFIELD AT 303-405-6188 * ORDER BY NOVEMBER 16 *

PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO JOIN US! GO NUGGETS!!

Update from Papi's Family

Update from Max's (formally Papi) forever family:

Max (a.k.a. Papi) is doing fantastic! He is a BIG boy now, topping the scales at 130 pounds, which is a dramatic improvement from 5 pounds at eight weeks old. He has taken over the alpha role in our pack, and is enjoying his life with our other Saints. He has claimed our two year old daughter as HIS human, and his favorite thing to do is play with her. He is such a lover and always willing to please, and has made all of our lives such fun.

I want to thank everyone at Big Dogs Huge Paws for all their efforts to find great homes for our giant friends. It really means a lot to me knowing that the dogs that come to you will find not only a great human friend, but someone who truly loves them.

Update from Boo's family

Boo was just a skinny, tiny little thing when she was in rescue. Here is an update from her family:

Hi Lindsay:

As promised, here are a few photos of Boo in various stages of fur re-growth, from August to September. The last 2 photos were taken up at our cabin. She loves the mountains and the snow. We walk on the trail behind our house everyday, and she is so good, she doesn't even need the leash on those walks. Her fur is getting very think and long in preparation for winter. We brush her regularly and she is just so soft and beautiful! We'll send a photo of her in the snow when we get some more (it has all melted).
Hope all is well!
Thanks,
Karen Gage and family.

Neumann the Model

Here is a darling picture of Neumann, formerly known as NuNu while in rescue! He is certainly a gorgeous boy!

Update from Rocky's family

Dear BDHPI,

Rocky is the light of our life!

When Rocky came to us, he had two bad knees. Dr. Stubbs and his staff took excellent care of Rocky! Although the healing process seemed long at times, it was well worth it. Rocky is full of love and life and DROOL of course.

He loves playing with his toys, gnawing on bones, curling up on his dog beds, chasing squirrels and chipmunks and we enjoys lots of walks! Rocky is all mountain dog and loves playing in (and eating) snow!

It is hard to believe it has been 6 months. We are so happy we found BDHPI and Rocky. We are all glad to have each other!

Vote for us! Help us win $10,000!!!

Can you even begin to imagine what $10,000 could do for the gentle giants in need! It would be a dream come true!

It's easy, please take 1 minute and vote for us!

In support of National Shelter Appreciation Week, the website Care2 Petition is giving away $10,000 to the rescue receiving the most votes for the favorite animal shelter!! Please, just take two minutes; go online to this website and vote for Big Dogs Huge Paws. Once you visit the site, you can find us by searching, "Aurora, CO"

http://www.care2.com/animalsheltercontest/75427


On behalf of the Gentle Giants at Big Dogs Huge Paws – Thank you for taking the time to vote for us!

Update for Dizzy's family

Dear BDHPI,

Here are few pics of our happy new pup, Dizzy. She seems to have transitioned without too much stress (really she just seemed to be happy and comfortable from the start). Thanks for taking good care of her and for being so easy to talk to on the front end.

We love her!!!

Bob, Aleah, Cody, Kyle, Maya, Bodie (the dog), and Dylah (the cat)

Champ has crossed the Rainbow Bridge

Letter from Sam:

We were lucky enough to be honored with Boobooface's presence for a very short eight months. Boobooface came to BDHPI with the name Champ, which he never answered to, and with more health problems than any one dog shoud have. He had a rough life and it showed on his face and body, but that never affected the way he treated people!He loved being with people and other animals. He was wonderful and taught all who met him about forgiveness, compassion and love.

No matter where he was, at school, working with the Red Cross Kids, at the vet or just out and about, he made a difference in the people he met. HE was gentle with the Chihuahuas and accepting of all the other goofy animals in the house. Everyone loved him, he was hard not to love because he had a great big heart. I know that we are not the only ones missing him.

As an Apache I follow the belief that you must let them go so they can go on and be happy in their afterlife. AS long as we mourn we hold them to us because they stay to protect us, and if anyone would stay to make sure others are okay, it would be my Boobooface. As hard as it is to let go, Boobooface deserves it more than I can every explain! So we will let go, but never forget Boobooface or his lessons because we love him and he should be happy as he crosses the Rainbow Bridge!

BIG Dogs enjoying their new lives!

Timmy
Mastiff Bob & his new neice, Emma

Roper, enjoying the snow!

Be still my heart

My husband and I have been obsessed with Mama from afar. When Lindsay told us her daughter, Cassie, was being adopted here in Colorado and needed a place to stay for two nights before her adoption we happily agreed to let her stay with us.

Cassie is special needs- she has some sight issues, but let me tell you what...the family that is adopting her is going to be counting their lucky starts others passed on her. She is so loving, so sweet, so affectionate! She is about as bomb proof as they come.

My husband was out running errands, so I bonded with Cassie right away. She climbed on the couch and snuggled in. I was in true deep love. But than, I got dumped. Brian walked in the door and Cassie has had eyes for only him since the moment he stepped foot through the door. I begged her to come lay with me, I bribed her with treats....to no avail!

My hubby just yelled for me to come out to the family room, and this is what I saw. She is such a traitor!

So family in Castle Rock, you are about to adopt one of the sweetest dogs I've met in quite some time. The Dews are so jealous of your new addition!

Order before Nov 20th- 10%

Hi Everyone

If you are interested in ordering a portrait from Amy Morrison ( see below post), be sure to tell her BDHPI sent you and order before Nov 20th and you will get 10% off your painting!