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Back by popular demand!

What began as a holiday fund-raiser for Marley’s Mutts has now been extended indefinitely thanks to the generosity of Josh Bradley.

Additionally, five of the galleries have been converted into a great 2012 business planner. Now you don’t have to decide which print to get: you can have them all, with proceeds going to your favorite dog rescue!

Here is your opportunity to own art-quality photographs and help Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue at the same time.

Josh Bradley Photography is offering over 100 photos in a special gallery of photographs to friends of Marley’s Mutts, and 100% of the proceeds will go toward giving homeless dogs a second change at life.

This gallery is a one-stop shop for the prints. You can even have matting and framing done at the time of purchase to make a quick gift. In addition, we are offering gallery-quality canvas wraps of all the prints as well.

There are also some specialty items that you may want to look at: custom drink coasters and kitchen cutting boards that have your favorite images imprinted on them, along with mousepads for the office.

So find a gift for yourself or for friends and family and, at the same time, know that you are helping place a deserving dog in a new home.

Click on the image to start shopping!

Well, I’m happy to report that Marley’s Mutts has been able to aid in the rescue of 10, count em’ 10, horses that were destined for slaughter. The horses have been accumulating at the Bakersfield Pound over the last several months: some are stray, others were abandonned, and several were seized. The reality is that more and more people have been unable to keep up with rising feed costs and horses are ending up at local shelters. Being that we live and operate in Bear Valley, we though it’d be a good idea to pool together with our horse friends and see what we could do.

We went down to Bakersfield today with Anne and Erica (horse trainer and vet hospital buddies) and a couple of awesome gals named Linda Lainge and Donna Marolt, with hopes that we could rescue a few before they went to auction/slaughter on Thursday. The gals and the KCAC staff evaluated every horse and it was determined that we can save 10 of the 14–an unbelievable development!!

We are bringing the horses up to theTehachapi area on Friday and we are just ecstatic–quite frankly, I’m dumbfounded. I originally saw these horses a few months ago and decided to photograph them and report their story to a few friends of mine; who would have thought all of this would unfold.

I LOVE MY JOB and I LOVE MY FRIENDS! This is just the beginning of this odyssey. Over the next several months we will need to raise funds to feed and care for the horses while they are being handled, evaluated and trained. We need some HORSE LOVERS to step up to the plate and contribute. Let’s get it done, guys!!

[post by Andrew Skow]

January 1, 2012, 0615.

Here I am sitting on my deck watching the first day of the year begin.

Part of me says “What’s so special about the first day of the new year? It’s just another day.”

The simple reality that tells me that this is a very special day is sitting next to me with his head resting on my arm. His name is Nelson and he is a very skinny Weimaraner.

The truth is, if fate and kindness had not intervened a short time ago, this dog would not be sitting next to me enjoying the sunrise of this new year’s day. He would be dead. There would be no 2012 for Nelson.

Less than 72 hours ago, Nelson was cowering alone in the corner of a cold cage in the Bakersfield pound with no chance of adoption. He was very, very sick. Even though he was obviously emaciated and desperately needed nourishment and fluids, he would not eat or drink.

Nelson had ugly substances oozing out of his nose and eyes. He had infected wounds on very sensitive parts of his torso that hurt a lot (out of respect, I won’t specify the actual parts that are wounded).

As he lay there, it was clear that Nelson had been through a lot since he had been separated from his owners. But it was also clear that his body had finally given up on him. If no one intervened, Nelson would be dead within 48 hours. He would not be euthanized, he would just die.

Enter my son Zach. He runs a nationally-known rescue for large dogs in Bear Valley Springs. Most of his efforts are focused on helping dogs in our local Tehachapi Valley area, about 120 miles north of LA. In the past 2-1/2 years, Zach has found homes for more than 350 stray or abandoned dogs. Saving dogs actually saved my son’s life, but that’s a story for another day.

Even though there are plenty of dogs that need rescuing in Tehachapi, and Zach is very busy helping them, he regularly travels to animal shelters in our region, including Mojave, California City, or Bakersfield, looking for more dogs that he can help. Ahh, the energy of youth.

Zach found Nelson in Bakersfield along with a German Shepard pup. He brought them both back to Bear Valley. The Shepard pup got adopted immediately. But Nelson was really sick. He came to my house. To protect the other 6 dogs at my house from illness, we isolated Nelson in his own, very warm and comfortable area.

For many, many hours after he arrived, I gave Nelson lots of love and attention, but he would not eat or drink. I tried every thing from dog biscuits to chicken to hamburger to bacon. Nelson was not interested. Nothing is more frustrating or heartbreaking than watching an emaciated dog refuse the food that he so desperately needs to survive.

Zach and I began a treatment of antibiotics and administered fluids to Nelson using a drip that put them under his skin (subcutaneously). The fluids really helped Nelson feel better right away. But he still needed food.
Then I remembered that my best dog-friend Austin, who also refused food when he was very sick at the end of his life, would still always eat slices of “Honey Roasted Maple Turkey Breast” when I offered it to him. Maybe my memory of Austin could help Nelson. I offered some Honey Roasted Maple Turkey Breast to him.

He ate it!!!

What a wonderful feeling it is to see a dog that you love finally accept the nourishment that he so desperately needs to live.

I decided not to worry about the minor adverse effect that the seasonings in the turkey breast might have on Nelson’s sensitive stomach. It was food and it was a beginning.

After a few more applications of fluids and antibiotics over a 24-hour period, Nelson decided that broiled chicken was just as good as $10 per pound honey maple turkey breast. After 48 hours, Nelson even decided that normal dog food tasted pretty good too. What a relief! Nelson was hungry!

Bottom line, with our help, Nelson has turned away from death’s door and is well on his way to a healthy and happy life. He’s still skinny, but he’s eating, pooping and peeing in a very normal way. Simple pleasures.

Nelson will still need more medical care including blood work, medicine and possible surgery on his wounds, all of which are very expensive, but, as Nelson and I greet the sunrise together on the first day of 2012, I feel very positive. I am certain that this will be a very good year.

I’m proud of you, Zach.

Pop

Our DONORS made it possible to rescue and find homes for countless down-on-their-luck dogs this year.

The team at Marley’s Mutts wishes to thank all who helped support the Rescue this year and to wish one and all a Happy New Year!

Frosty loves to have his picture taken and I wanted to share this one with you.

Also that’s Frosty with the new groomer at the Pet Lodge in their December 2011 Express newsletter.

Frosty continues to enjoy going to agility but usually outguesses us. He watches where the treats are on the course and off he goes.

Frosty is really a character and although has his terrier moments, he loves everyone; human or other dogs.

Have a Happy New Year.
Frosty and Terry S.

Hi Zach,
Just wanted to let you know that the Griffon Rescue has agreed to get Sprout fully vetted (Neutered, Dental, de-wormed and shots). He will then go to one of their Foster Homes and be available for adoption through their web site. He is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, January 18th. I want to Thank you for all your help,

Sincerely,

Janet

Zach was named one of Petside.com’s “25 Pet People of 2011,” alongside such luminaries as Oprah Winfrey , Rachael Ray, Joss Stone, Justin Bieber, Ellen DeGeneres, and Denise Richards, plus 18 other extraordinary, if less well-known, animal lovers.

Local Tehachapi newspaper, The Loop, has a most comprehensive article about Zach and how Marley’s Mutts Dog Rescue came into being.

Click the logo, and then navigate to Page 12 by clicking white arrow pointing to the right at the top of the page.