I do fit!

Seriously, Lola?

Welcome, Tess

Meet Tess, a new addition to the BDHPI family who is currently looking for her forever home! She is a little nervous in strange places...can you tell?

The Rescue Story: A Book to Benefit Big Dog Rescue

We are so excited we can hardly see straight! Our rescue photo book is done with the book release happening on April 17th!

This project would have never happened without the fabulously talented Claire Bow who donated every square inch of this project! This idea was born to our wonderful Marketing Director, Renee Laposa, who worked with Claire to create this book...our story.


Here is a sneak peak:

http://www.rouxby.com/blog/?p=3063


We will post the link to order this book by the end of the week!

Bedtime

We just realized Lola wasn't in the family room with us..a quick search of the house gave us this:

She had apparently already put herself to bed!

Book Release Party! Saving Giants: A Rescue Story

Dear friends and supporters in Colorado and beyond, Big Dogs Huge Paws has the privelage of presenting Saving Giants: A Rescue Story at Pirate Contemporary Art in Denver on Saturday April 17th at our book release party and wine tasting event - won't you join us?

Two of many reasons to RSVP ASAP: Space is limited, and for those that want to attend and pre-order a copy to be signed by Saving Giants creator Claire Bow at the event, we will be contacting those of you who RSVP by 4/1/10 with details on ordering information.

You'll get to spend time with all of us, who share the same passion as all of you - helping the gentle giants who need us. And you'll experience wine paring by Ananda Prana Events in combination with the art in the gallery and... We'll have a few prints from the book at the event! It just keeps getting better.

You'll find all the details at www.bigdogshugepaws.com/denverbookrelease. We're looking forward to having you join us at Pirate: Contemporary Art from 6 - 9pm on Saturday, April 17th!

~ Your friends at Big Dogs Huge Paws

Event link/info on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=399571187812&ref=share

Babies, babies, babies

We are happy to announce that 14 Saint Bernard/Mystery Man puppies have joined BDHPI!

We obviously will not be placing these pups until they are 8 weeks of age, but we do encourage people to submit their applications now to begin the process if you want to be the proud owner of a darling new little boy or girl!

We will udpate pics as they grow!

Babies are coming

Ginger is in labor as we speak. So far, 11 puppies! We are very interested to see what these pups look like since we don't know who daddy is!

Another repeat offender!

Ron, Megan and their two boys adopted Maggie the English Mastiff a while back, and now are also the proud new parents of adorable Ranger, the brindle OEM. As you can see, he has made himself right at home!

Piper's Family Photo

Our beloved Piper found her home a few months ago with BDHPI Volunteer, Kari and her boyfriend Dan. Piper's GINORMOUS brother is Jasper, a rescue also!

Here is a shot from their family photo session with Claire Bow

"Like a Lays potato chip...you can't have just one!"

We love when we have repeat adoptions!

Here is Harley, adopted from BDHPI in April, visiting with our litter of Mastiffs. Harley is gaining a new brother this weekend, baby Rigby!

Looks like he will be able to show him the ropes :)

I Rescued a Human Today!

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knewI had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelterKeepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make A difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head Up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed myNeck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her Cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I Instantly jumped into her arms.

I would promise to keep her safe.

I Would promise to always be by her side.

I would promise to do Everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in herEyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So manyMore are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to Be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

I don't care!

This house has a "no dogs on family room furniture" rule...this house apparently also has a Mastiff that doesn't care!

Zoe found a home!

An update from Zoe's new mom:

Just a note to tell you how very much we love our "little" ZOE! She traveled all day to be with us on Saturday...was slightly restless and nervous that night and by the next day she acted as if she had been our baby her entire life! She is such a love! She minds well also...she is very cute, funny, full of life (actually seems much younger than 2+ years)...she has crazy energy at times and then sleeps for 2 hours straight. She and our Newf have started to lay next to one another and show an interest now. She eats like a cookie monster! She is so pudgy and adorable...we have had several people over to meet her already and they just laugh!

Here are a couple additional photos of Zoe settling in. We may rename her after all...we have been calling her MOCHI because she looks like a cartoon character from Japan and because she is soft and squishy like a piece of mochi.

What a sweetheart she is.

Lounging

Here is a cute pic of Boondocks lounging with one of his new siblings!

Kiara joins a BIG household

After months in her wonderful foster home we all became quite attached to sweet Kiara, our faveorite one-eyed Mastiff! We are all so happy that Kiara has finally found her forever home, and not only did she find her home, she found it with one of our very own volunteers, Angela in Bailey, CO.

Kiara joins a household full of other BIG dogs and we all love her new family photo!!

Another reason we exist

Meet Vivi. I am sure her picture will your breath away, just as it did ours.

Vivian is a 1 year old, Black, Newfoundland mix. She was found as a stray and has clearly suffered horrible neglect and is the victim of animal cruelty. She is suffering from Demodex Mange and secondary skin infections which have gone untreated for many months. Can you even imagine what she's been through?

In true giant breed fashion, she wags and wags her tail in any situation- even when at the vets! She adores human and appears to be a happy-go-lucky girl! She is feeling much better now that she is receiving the proper care and is touching the hearts of all those that she meets.

Open house was a success

Many thanks to Tim and Heather Shelsted for opening their home to host this event! We raised over $1000 for our gentle giants.

We saw adopting families and were very excited to meet a few prospective volunteers and applicants who drove out to meet us!

There were great vendors, yummy food & a great time was had by all. 15 new dogs are now also microchipped should they ever get lost!

Kudos to all!

Are you coming to shop tomorrow?

Just a friendly reminder about our BDHPI Open House tomorrow! Come shop til you drop!

When: Saturday March 13th
Time: 11am to 5pm
Who: You are all invited! Come one, come all
Where: 34498 Cherokee Trail, Elizabeth, CO 80107

10% of all sales will go to BDHPI

RAFFLE-FOOD-DRINK-MULTIPLE VENDORS-MICROCHIPPING (dogs welcome!)

Canvas Quote

Isn't this quote perfect? Rachel is the artist and loves to support a good cause! I just ordered my own and love it so much I wanted to share with you all

Rachel is incredibly talented and creative. She can do any "quote" with any color combo and type of handwriting.

email: cREaTebyRET@gmail.com

Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/createbyret

Finding a best friend

Dear BDHPI

Here are some recent pictures of Chief enjoying his life as a "Luikart". He an Kahli are bestbuddies, and as you can see, so are he and Larry. You can always tell who takes the pictures, as I am not in the pictures. Hmmmm, will have to do something about that.

Love, Monica

Thank you, friends!

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported Pucks and Paws! You raised over $500 for our gentle giants! See ya next year!

Who, Me?

Dear Big Dogs

Thanks for saving me from that loud shelter! Phew...what a relief!

First, let me say I was not trying to pull a fast one on ya by not telling them about my "condition". I was trying and trying to share my secret with the nice people there, but they were so darn busy noone noticed my big belly or engorged teets.

So now that I am safe in your care, I am shouting from the rooftops, " I am pregnant and ready to pop!" If you think it was a surprise to you, imagine how I feel?!?

I am not quite sure if these babies are going to be what you call "purebreds" or not, but I can guarantee their cuteness.

So, hold on tight BDHPI. I think I am going to be gracing you with a new litter of joy any day now!

Love, Ginger the Saint

Dog of the Week- Max the Great Pyr

How are you able to resist this face?

And the best news is that there is a great dog behind this handsome exterior! Max is good with all humans- both big and small- and other animals too! Of course he will need someone who can pay attention to his grooming needs, but that's what they created the FurMinator for, isn't it?

Max is just one of many Great Pyr's in our rescue who are still looking for their new families.

Polly the Pyr & Tigger the Cat

Polly is doing really great, she is 100% fully part of the family. We have some great times together. She loves going on long walks, playing with Ben (our Son) and Tigger (cat). Polly and Tigger get on really great, even to the point Tigger follows Polly down the road when we set off on our walks ( we have to bring Tigger back!). Polly is such a fantastic dog, she has definately made a big impact on our family, she is very sociable and everyone comments on what a great dog she is.

Pucks and Paws

Tonight is the Pucks and Paws event in Denver, CO at the Avalanche game! Today though, they held their Pet Fair. There were tons of rescue dogs and as usual, our BIG DOGS were a hit. Thanks to all of our Volunteers who came out today!

Deacon Dew holding hands with an admirer

BDHPI Booth, complete with the Marmaduke fire hydrant.

Lola, well, being Lola

Dr Winton, our CMO, & her buddy, Bentley




Sabrina, the organizer of this event & Meisha the Great Dane who has a pending adoption!

You are safe now

Dear Shep,

You came to the shelter as stray. We are sure you were running for a long time due to your condition- emaciated with sores all over, skin issues, heartworm positive, and infested with parasites. Who would ever let such a sweet boy go?

Your foster family reports that you terrified you are going to be locked outside, so you run out to potty and run back in. Don't worry, Shep, they won't ever make you stay outside.

We are excited to watch you heal and gain some weight. You are a handsome boy, so we are all sure your will have a long waitlist when you ready to be adopted.

Welcome to BDHPI, you are safe now!

Shorty is Home!

For those that follow the website, you know that Shorty the black Great Dane has been with us for over a year. During that year, his foster parents Greg & Kristy, have sacrificed a lot for this boy. Shorty has horrible ADD/ADHD and the things this crazy boy does make the rest of us shake our heads! As Greg puts it "He has the attention span of a humming bird and pretty much unlimited energy."

We've known all along finding Shorty the right home would be a challenge. We are very thankful that Greg and Kristy were ready and willing to love, teach & manage this boy for as long as it took. And to top it all off Shorty and their other Dane Duke don't see eye to eye on much, so musical dogs they play!

After much discussion and soul searching, Greg & Kristy recently decided they would like to open their home permanently to Shorty. We are thrilled he can stay with such capable and patient people.

Shorty is a perfect example of the great work BDHPI does. Many other rescues would have given up, not may are equipped to handle all of the issues a dog like Shorty presents.

It's been a long road for Shorty (and Greg & Kristy), but he is finally home.

Volunteers join the Director & Officer Ranks!

We are incredibly blessed with the Volunteers we have, many of whom work day in and day out behind the scenes! As we have grown, we've seen the need to add new positions within the BDHPI Director & Officer Boards. Please help me congratulate the below Volunteers on their new roles:

Cindy Elkind- Chief Admin Officer: Cindy is wonderwoman! Uploading apps, answering emails, processing fostering applications, working events, homechecks...the list goes on and on! She is Lindsay & Bree's right hand lady and about the sweetest person you will ever meet!!

Lisa Cecchini- HR Director: When Bree was asked to step into the COO role, that left her HR role open. Lisa was an obvious fit. Lisa handles the monthly dog food orders, assigns homechecks, is a member of the hotline/email team, a foster home, does transports and is responsible for the wonderful follow up program we have with our adopting families! She is excited to manage the Adoption Process here at BDHPI and we know she will continue to do a great job! Lisa and Corey also adopted their sweet Roxi from BDHPI!

Renee Laposa- Marketing Director: Renee hit the ground running when she became a Volunteer, and is overwhelmed with great ideas for events and publicity! She has started a multi state Meet up Group for BDHPI, organized very successful Yappy Hours, is responsible for the incredible Rescue Photo Book we are about to publish, created the SmileBox for each adopting family, does homechecks...need I go on? We aren't sure her brain ever shuts off...and we are thankful for that! Renee and Nick also adopted Cooper the Great Dane from BDHPI too!

These 3 ladies are perfect example of self-starters-In fact, when we started BDHPI, we didn't even know these 3 ladies existed...and now look at them :)

Reading benefits BDHPI!

Make time to read a book this month! Author and rescue advocate Sheila Boneham, Ph.D. is donating all profits from March book sales to Big Dogs Huge Paws for copies of books ordered DIRECTLY through Big Dogs Huge Paws! See below for details.

* The Multiple Dog Family * Rescue Matters! * Training Your Dog for Life *All by respected Author Sheila Boneham, Ph.D., and all available through BDHP to benefit the rescue! Order your copy of any of these books by March 2010 and not only will you have an opportunity to read and learn from these helpful resources, but you'll be helping the Gentle Giants of Big Dogs Huge Paws.

Books Available and Price (per copy):The Multiple Dog Family $10.95Training Your Dog for Life $19.95Rescue Matters $14.95

Learn more about author Sheila Boneham, Ph.D., and links to her books at:www.sheilaboneham.com and www.rescuematters.com

Flat rate S&H is $5 per order for up to three books going to the same address; see below for ALL ordering info!

HOW TO ORDER:1. Decide which books you’d like to purchase (or if you’d like all three!)2.Go to www.bigdogshugepaws.com/donate and- Enter the total for your order – including $5 flat rate shipping per order – up to three books to the same address.- In the "how would you like your donation to be used?" space, please enter any or all titles you'd like to order (i.e. "Rescue Matters, Training, Multi-Dog Books) * Note: If you’d like to order more than three books or would like to send them to different locations, please add $5 for the next three books to the same address or $5 per book going to a different address than the initial address entered.
Questions? Please e-mail Shaun at Shaun@BigDogsHugePaws.com, thanks!

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BOOK REVIEWS:

"Rescue Matters should be required reading for everyone in rescue. It's absolutely packed with great, practical advice." -- Susan Daffron, Founder, National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals

Any library strong on basic pet primers - and any new dog owner - will find [Training Your Dog for Life] a welcome addition, -- Midwest Book Review

"With an estimated 75 million pet dogs in the United States, over 37% of owners have more than one dog. The Multiple-Dog Family covers important subjects like how to plan for, set up, and maintain a home environment that will help dogs and owners live in harmony. It explains the necessary housing and lifestyle adjustments required to accommodate multiple dogs, along with how to introduce newcomers to the group while keeping all your canine companions happy, healthy, and safe." -- The Animal Planet Store
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CAN'T WAIT TO START READING? Order your books today!- Orders will be submitted TWICE in March, the first set of orders will be sent in on March 15th and the second and FINAL orders for this benefit promotion MUST be in by March 30th 2010.- You will receive your books within 2 – 3 weeks from order date (3/15/2010 or 3/30/2010, depending on when you order your books)
ENJOY!

*Special thanks to Author & Rescue Advocate Sheila Boneham, Ph.D. for offering to to donate proceeds from this month's book sales ordered through Big Dogs Huge Paws to help our gentle giants in rescue, and thank you to all of you who support BDHP and who are looking forward to learing from a fellow rescue supporter by reading any one - or all three - of these helpful, practical application books.

Facebook fan page for Rescue Matters: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rescue-Matters-How-to-Find-Foster-and-Reho...

Reunion

These pictures will melt your heart!

Here is Twookie, who was adopted from BDHPI a few months ago being reunited with his mom, Karma, who was adopted by the same family this weekend.

Could this be sweeter?

2nd Annual Run with the Big Dogs 5k- Can you help?

We are in the very early stages of planning our 2nd Annual 5k!

Date: Saturday August 14, 2010
Where: Clement Park, Littleton Co (exact location of last year's event)
Time: 7:45 am Registration, 8:30 Start Time

Last year we raised $6700, and my goal this year is for us to raise $9,000! How will we do that, you ask? Of course, we need you to come out and participate in the walk, but we understand not everyone can do that, nor do all of our Supporters even live in Colorado! What YOU can do is help us by securing Corporate Sponsors!

We have 3 Levels:

1. Gold- $500. This sponsorship will include a large Logo on the race t-shirts, all promotional material & booth the day of the event. BDHPI will provide the table & tent•

2. Silver- $250. This sponsorhsip will include a small logo on the race t-shirts, all promotional materials and a booth the day of the event. BDHPI will provide the table & tent.

3. Bronze-$50-This sponsorship will include your logo on all promotional materials and a booth the day of the event. You will provide your own tent and table.

So, all you fellow followers of this blog, do you know anyone who would want to support a great cause? If you do, please email bree@bigdogshugepaws.com

Thanks!